smile: this is the good life

My name is Gerri Lutaaya and I'm working on my laugh lines.

[gerri-nl]

MPNL Musings - Week 14

My lack of putting pen to paper for my MPNL Musings was more than the overlap of my summer and fall courses through the month of September, made up of what felt like never-ending essays. It was in fact that nothing grabbed my attention enough where I felt compelled to write.

But this past week, I’ve heard of a new campaign - Grow It! Be It! Value It! - spear-headed by the dynamic & passionate nonprofit champion Tony Elischer and Fundraiser Grrl Rory Green, about the current leadership crisis within the nonprofit sector. 

At the heart of it is the need to intentionally grow, nurture and invest in leadership within the sector, especially in young people like myself who will eventually take the reins from our predecessors (some of whom already have!) As an emerging young professional, I am constantly seeking out opportunities to further develop my talents and skills; and furthermore, be adequately prepared to inspire and lead others, not only for the success of an organization, but also allow people to develop to become their best selves, and carry this model forward.

I wholeheartedly agree there is a leadership crisis within the nonprofit sector; people are staying in their jobs for shorter periods of time because they feel overworked, underpaid and generally unsatisfied in their day to day. But it’s not enough to sit back and simply let it continue. One of the main responsibilities in creating change is identifying the roadblocks before us, and seeking innovative ways to eliminate them while constantly challenging the status quo. 

I’m all in, and have taken the pledge; I hope many others will follow, and be part of what's to come.

Be bold.

Listen carefully.

Ask questions.

Embrace failure.

[zenpencils]

SHONDA RHIMES ‘A screenwriter’s advice’

[dreamtlastnight]

OMFG preach

[gerri-nl]

If the amount of hard work is any indication of the amount of change, then there is a TON to come once I'm doing grad school.

Thank you Shonda Rhimes & WATCH OUT WORLD.

[gerri-nl]

MPNL Musings - Week 8 & 9

Below is my topic as presented to my professor for a 20-25 page research paper I'm in the midst of writing for my Policy and Legal Environment graduate course. In addition to the many other assignments and papers I have to write this month, you could say it's what I'm musing about these days (and explains my lack of a post last week).

PANL 5002 Research Topic In my research paper I wish to explore the role of advocacy as one of the most important activities that can be played by a nonprofit, and argue that service delivery alone is not enough to advance an organization's mission. Furthermore, I will look at how Canada's advocacy within the sector (or rather, lackthereof) is influenced by certain organizational characteristics, CRA rules that are too restrictive and the misunderstanding of these rules due to lack of education. I then want to consider how Canada can strengthen its advocacy voice with the creation of a proper assessment framework and cross-sector collaboration.

My professor's response?: "Great topic. Please proceed."

And with that, it's back to writing...

[gerri-nl]

MPNL Musings - Week 7

The #ALSicebucketchallenge has been a hot topic these last few weeks, and reading many pieces of both praise and critique, about this now global fundraising phenomenon, drew me to this particular article asserting that the donations the ALS continue to receive are in fact causing other charities to lose out on their donations. 

While the numbers from ALS seem to relay that Canadians are giving more, Wyman says the patterns of charity will remain constant. "We as a nation tend to give roughly the same amount ever year," he says, so an increase to ALS means other charities will likely lose out. "The size of the pie generally stays the same and where it gets distributed changes depending on the trends."

Although a valid argument, I counter-argue Wyman's viewpoint and say that this particular campaign will not negatively influence the number of donations or amount of money other nonprofit organizations receive. Although hundreds and thousands of individuals have made donations to the ALS or a similar organization, one of the biggest challenges faced by all nonprofits is getting a donor to give again, and ultimately become a monthly donor. Worldwide, ALS organizations are increasing their donor base at a rapid rate, and now have access to more individuals than ever before, but a high retention of these individuals and conversion into recurring donors will be a huge feat to conquer. And there is also the question of sustainability: bringing in $88.5 million dollars and counting is amazing, but I highly suspect this level of success will not repeat itself for the ALS. Long-term monthly donors should be the focus; they are the lifeline of all organizations and their on-going commitment is heavily relied on as a predictable source of income from year to year.  

So, overall: I say that charities need not worry - I guarantee there's more than enough water (with ice or not) to go around.

[gerri-nl]

MPNL Musings - Week 6

I was shocked to discover that a 2008 survey of nonprofit employers and employees revealed that "89% of respondents identified as ‘white or caucasian’ and that only 6% identified as a member of a visible minority". As a women of colour and young professional in the nonprofit sector, it is my hope that Carleton University's Master of Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership will prepare me to be a leader in this sector and be a change-maker in the field; however, it's less than encouraging when I look around and can identify so few individuals of colours in positions of leadership who I feel I can look up to as role models. As I continue to advance in my career, I anticipate that I will soon hold a position of leadership and be that very example that I am looking for; and while this does not resolve the predicament I am currently faced with, I hope whatever direction I go in, will be influential and pave the path for those to come.

[gerri-nl]

MPNL Musings - Week 5

This Friday August 15th, Creative Mornings Toronto is hosting a talk with Ashley Good, founder of Fail Forward. The topic, failure, is interesting, and one my classmates and I discussed during our Summer Institute last month, with mention of Engineers Without Borders Canada’s Failure Reports, which Ashley continues to play a significant role in, with respect to their ongoing development and refinement.

The acknowledgement and increased sharing of our “failure” stories is something the nonprofit sector needs to move forward. Wider channels of communication and collaboration between organizations would further propel productivity and innovation within the sector; finding solutions to the world’s complex social issues requires much more in the way of different groups working together! Understandably, it may not be feasible for all nonprofits to produce a Failure Report every year, or even ever, but such conversations and sharing of our experiences can - and should - happen at work, and with our fellow allies in the nonprofit sector. Not only would this improve the operational structure of nonprofits, but perhaps most importantly, with more information of what has worked and what has not, would further empower organizations with the confidence that making mistakes is okay and as such enable organizations to provide higher quality services, grounded in aspirations of excellence, to the supporters and beneficiaries who deserve it. If the nonprofit sector is truly interested in heading towards the direction of not only change, but positive change, greater acceptance of mistakes must be made, and specifically with conscious thought and action as to how these "setbacks" are in fact one of the many stepping stones taking us in the right direction.

[gerri-nl]

MPNL Musings - Week 4

Over the years, I've developed a significant interest in the power of education. I believe there is enormous opportunity and need to reconstruct the way we teach and use more innovative approaches tailored to an individual's interest, particularly for young people, in order to spark active and practical involvement for positive change. 

I've done my fair share of research on the topic of alternative means of education in Canada, but had yet to come across any nonprofits comparable to the many American organizations with a focus on education inequity. That is, not until a few weeks ago, on the final day of this year's MPNL Summer Institute, where I as introduced to Pathways to Education. My cohort was fortunate enough to hear from President & CEO Vivian Prokop who gave a fantastic presentation about the ways Pathways is working to address systemic barriers to education, specifically around increasing high school drop out rates across the country. Since its inception in 2001, Pathways has produced a track record of outstanding results, including an increase of 300% for students going on to college or university.

It was incredibly encouraging to hear firsthand of good work with proven impact in a Canadian context, and it is my hope that this type of work will continue to grow here, not only in size and reach, but also in ways that highlight how our own nonprofit leaders are engaging and connecting with progressive individuals, civic organizations, corporate enterprises, and policy makers in order to more effectively advance and gain support for social causes, as well as learn best practices for performance, effectiveness and success.

[gerri-nl]

MPNL Musings - Week 3

Upon learning I worked for Invisible Children during the organization's KONY 2012 campaign, I was asked in conversation if I thought there was measurable change that resulted from it.

For me, this question is difficult to answer because to date, I feel the nonprofit sector has yet to establish a proper methodology to measure change - the impact an organization generates is not being captured, tracked or analyzed in any type of systemized way because our definition of impact is so board, in an attempt to ensure that no nonprofit's interpretation and implementation of impact is belittled or dismissed. Not to suggest that this is a step in the wrong direction, but rather that there is no "one size fits all" model by which we can say one nonprofit has generated more or better impact than another. The ongoing, complex challenge facing the majority of nonprofits today is developing means to communicate their impact to the general public and more importantly their supporters.

As for Invisible Children, change most definitely happened, and in more ways than one. When a documentary becomes the most viral video in history, at a time when successful online campaigns were still in their pre-mature stages, you can't deny it. Invisible Children's use of social media was a launching pad for future online campaigns, generating exponential reach to all corners of the earth. But what it also did was shed light on important issues such as social justice, human rights and gender equality, opening the eyes and minds of so many young people to realize the necessity to ensure those characteristics, and so many others, are present, not only in Central Africa - where the conflicting is still happening - but in our own communities, and that such aspirations are possible through the use of one's time, talents and treasures, and critical to the ongoing prosperity of the sector.

[gerri-nl]

MPNL Musings - Week 2

Now that this year's Summer Institute is over, I feel it necessary to reflect and consider the direction I hope to head in over the next 24 months.  As per Professor Calum Carmichael's sage words of wisdom that when you start something new, think about how you want to end it, here are my aspirations: 1. Develop the same level of confidence in how I write, in what I say... and don't hold back to say it! 2. Further enhance my knowledge and skills in order to acquire a position of leadership with a charity that utilizes my strengths (including but not limited to: communications, public speaking, fundraising and team management); and, also challenges me to think outside what I already know, in new, unimaginable ways. 3. Make connections in the nonprofit sector with like-minded individuals who I can effectively engage with and pursue means of increased collective, impact and social change in the community around me, particularly in the areas of education and/or youth empowerment. And ultimately, as Beyoncé says: to be happy.

[gerri-nl]

MPNL Musings - Week 1

To say, I am humbled to be a part of the second Masters of Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership (MPNL) cohort at Carleton University is an understatement. But, what else can one say for what has already, in only one week, been such an incredible and gratifying adventure?

The diversity of my cohort based on age, academic and professional experience is one thing, but it is the uniformity of our aspirations to be leaders in the nonprofit sector and gumption to take what we're learning and apply it to our lives now, that is equally striking. This next chapter of our lives will be a challenge for more reasons than one, but this will no doubt drive us even more, as we actively seek ways to carry out the best means to meet and address the complex and rapidly changing world of philanthropy.

To our respective communities: beware - (positive) change is coming to an area near you!

[letsgettogetherandtalk]

Visit Original Link

no joke - this new jessie ware single is sent from heaven.

[gerri-nl]

It all started back in university; I lived in a 2 storey Kingston house with three other great friends. We shared one kitchen which wasn’t actually that much of a hassle given our differing schedules, but at times could get a bit crowded with four of us in the space all at the same time. Being the “lucky” housemate on the main floor (but really I was the lucky one - I got the biggest room!), meant I was closest to the kitchen, which once everyone was asleep became my secret haven.

Scones, pies, cookies, breads and cakes of all kinds would cast a sweet aroma up into the house while my housemates were dreaming, or sometimes late returners from the library - or a night out in the Hub - would be privy to that first, hot, slice, fresh out of the oven.

Since graduating in 2010, this “old” habit has travelled with me across North America. Three housemates became 64 in southern California, then back to the East Coast in Washington D.C., and now home again in Canada. Tonight it’s Toronto.

I realize now that baking, particularly late night baking, has become a riveting sort of therapy. I’m enthralled by the idea of working silently with my hands and the magic combination of ingredients, which together with heat unveil a wholesome dish, able to nourish my body and mind.

[gerri-nl]

:: just do you ::

Today I find myself washed with an overwhelming sense of….calm. At that age where I’m due for a quarter life crisis, this is perhaps unheard of, but it is the truth. I’m by no means implying I have it all together, but I’m quite enjoying taking life as it comes. A month ago I was living in Canada’s Capital Region, with sights set on Carleton University’s Master of Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership program which I’d just applied for. Fast forward to now and I’ve moved my life of a humble 15 boxes to one of Toronto’s most cherished inner-city neighbourhoods after unexpectedly landing a one year stint with the Stephen Lewis Foundation. This was not the plan (seriously - that $100 grad school application fee could have been wisely spent on many other things!), but that’s what’s most exciting. The challenges we come up against are in fact our greatest opportunities; the complications in our lives are the most rewarding times, allowing for the most - and perhaps best - self-reflection.

In the last few months, I’ve had several people reach out to me in search of advice, wisdom and insight, especially about my work experience in the nonprofit sector.I’ve been flattered and honoured to be reached out to by people both younger and older than me, but a bit unsure at the proper answer. I recognize I have a wealth of academic qualifications and professional work experience; for my age, I’m well-networked across North America and perhaps “know the right people” and have asked people to help me get my foot in the door. At one point I was left asking myself Am I just lucky?

The answer is yes, but also no. To “back up” my luck, I am an enthusiastic, hard-working multi-talented individual with a spirited passion for positive change. I believe in the power of the human connection, and seek out opportunities where I can bring people together and leverage their talents through empowerment for the greater humanitarian good. I am a leader with excellent communications skills, solutions-oriented, a leader who encourages others to lead among other unique talents and expertise. I strive to be authentic and simply put: I follow my heart and go after what I believe and am diligent to keep those things in my life that makes me feel most alive.

So you may be wondering: what is the answer, the key to success and words of wisdom to live by? I’ll be honest: there are no tricks to the trade or secret to be revealed. I’m simply doing the best with what I’ve got. The course is not linear and some days are harder than others...much harder, but with each step, whether forward or back, I am confident that I am heading in the right direction towards a state of genuine happiness and satisfaction in my life. 

But if I were to say one thing, it would be this: be bold & do not let yourself be limited by anything in order to live your life to the fullest; keep your good friends close, your family closer and there’s nothing a cup of tea can not fix.

[gerri-nl]

Tis the Season for Smart Shopping

This holiday season many more of us are rethinking how and what we buy, considering social issues and the impact we can have to improve the lives of others around the world. The devastating events of the Rana Plaza tragedy earlier this year shed light on the issue of labour rights and the need for increased work safety measures, especially for women who make up 70% of the garment factory industry in Bangladesh.

And yet, even amidst this grave misfortune, companies like Loblaws deserve recognition for their actions; they are pushing for change from within, joining the efforts of local authorities and other international retail companies to address and improve Bangladesh factory standards. Rather than abandoning the problem, Loblaws is working to improve the conditions and wages for Bangladeshi workers. They are one of the few taking responsibility for the conditions around them.

As global citizens, we also have a role to play: to do research and become educated about companies and their practices, to constantly be thinking about the person behind the product and to keep asking questions. These conceivably small changes have the ability to cultivate lasting change, strengthening global improvements for tomorrow’s future.

In these final days of holiday gift buying, take the opportunity to shop smart and fill hearts with peace and joy around the world.

[gerri-nl]

“I learnt leadership is about falling in love with the people you serve, and them falling in love with you. It is about serving the people with selflessness, sacrifice and the need to put common good ahead of personal interest.”

powerful farewell tribute to Nelson Mandela by Malawi President Joyce Banda (via Eyewitness News)

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TEDxUOttawa: from vision to action

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDxUOttawa this past Saturday, was an invitation to hear the vision of nine individuals, but also generate one’s own. The afternoon was filled with varying narratives of shared experiences, a few of which included: volunteerism as the best platform for personal and professional development, the critical need for positive relationships between instructors and students for successful learning and the use of skateboarding to re-think our sense of play.

A survivor of childhood sexual abuse, Paul Leduc shared his narrative of conquering his personal demons and his belief that every human being has the inner strength to overcome any trauma in their lifetime if given the opportunity.

Josée Richards, Community Relations Coordinator of the Women’s Resource Center at the Student Federation of the University of Ottawa, spoke of the need to re-visit what we are most passionate about and make this the very centre of our existence; to live honestly, vulnerably, follow our hearts and find growth through person-to-person interaction. 

The group of us gathered together that afternoon were lucky to experience such growth, but we must also acknowledge that these visions should not be limited in thought, but rather pursued by daily action. Set goals, take risks, seize the power, seek out opportunities to change minds and the world; with such intentional constant progress, we will all be better for it. 

Gerri’s vision is to construct, through the power of human connection, spaces of positivity that bring together people from all walks of life, leveraging their connections and talents for the greater good of humanity. She actively exercises her vision at her day job as Communications Coordinator for the United Nations Association in Canada.

[gerri-nl]

Remembrance Day: a hope for peace

The Canadian War Museum is unlike most museums in the Nation's Capital. "We are the dark side" explains the Program Interpreter, pointing out that in contrast to the Museum of Civilization just down the road, there are very few windows. But as she leads our group to the next permanent exhibition, I quickly realize that even amidst the lack of natural light inside the building, is a compelling story to be told, important to both Canada's history and Canada's future.

The highest point in the museum, Regeneration Hall, is a physical representation of hope for a better future. From above, when standing in front of the glass section, in the distance is a clear view of the Peace Tower, through a narrow triangular window. Move one step to the left or the right, and like a brief moment in time, it disappears; gone, but not forgotten, a reminder that peace is there, is possible and will be reborn. At the bottom of the stairs, in perfect alignment with the Peace Tower, is an allegorical statue: Hope. A small 4-letter word, but one that carries incredible significance to what was, what is and will be.

Today we recognize and honour those brave individuals - ordinary people in extraordinary times - who lay down their lives, for us, in hope of peace.

Thank you and bravo.