Taking Care of Our Neighbors
We a living in time of great challenge as our government and economic systems have not delivered the support for people in the way we had come to expect. People are struggling to live decent lives and, increasingly, communities have to create their own solutions in order to create better opportunities. This month we highlight how hunger has surged in our country and what local community members are doing to support our neighbors. We also identify some of the key principles for working in networks. ~ Dale Nienow
We a living in time of great challenge as our government and economic systems have not delivered the support for people in the way we had come to expect. People are struggling to live decent lives and, increasingly, communities have to create their own solutions in order to create better opportunities. This month we highlight how hunger has surged in our country and what local community members are doing to support our neighbors. We also identify some of the key principles for working in networks. ~ Dale Nienow
Invisible No More...When Communities Step Up
At a recent community gathering, a participant shared that there are hungry teenagers who would prefer to get a record for shoplifting food rather than to ask for food. Ashamed of their need, they are embarrassed to be seen getting a hand out. This stigma, not limited to teenagers, causes many families to want their neediness to be invisible. This stigma should be felt by the broader community. In a time where many of us have more than enough, it is shameful that there are vulnerable people (such as infants, children, and seniors) who go hungry.
These are tough times in the United States. Many people who bought into the American Dream, who worked hard, got an education, got a good job, and bought a house, are now suffering with the erosion of this dream. Working hard does not guarantee success, education can leave students with lifelong debts, jobs are not available, and buying a house has become an economic drain for many. This has left people in great pain, and for many, in great need for the first time.
Those who have been middle class, find themselves newly poor. A job loss, a mortgage that results in owing more than the house is worth, or depleted retirement savings can leave people unable to take care of themselves. According to one food bank in King County, 21% of the recipients this past year have their own homes. But because they look like the rest of the community, they are largely invisible.
The existing safety net is not sufficient. Governments, at all levels, are reducing funding of the social safety net and nonprofit agencies cannot keep up with the increased demand. We need community members to step up to the responsibility of helping their neighbors.
At the Center for Ethical Leadership, we are encouraged that creative community efforts are springing up to ensure our neighbors are getting the help they need. Locally, Hopelink, Food Lifeline, the Seattle Foundation and the Center for Ethical Leadership are sponsoring the development of Nourishing Networks to feed people on the north and east parts of King County. In addition, the Thriving Communities initiative, sponsored by the Whidbey Institute, highlights the self-organized food security network on Whidbey Island. These initiatives invite us to define anew what it means to be a community.
We all need to work together to come up with creative solutions to support our neighbors. In this era, the community has to own the problem. We ultimately need to decide whether we will be a “fend-for-yourself” society, or if we will build strong, caring relationships that support each other. We see hopeful signs that communities are refusing to let those in need be invisible or stigmatized and are declaring, “We are all in this together.”
At a recent community gathering, a participant shared that there are hungry teenagers who would prefer to get a record for shoplifting food rather than to ask for food. Ashamed of their need, they are embarrassed to be seen getting a hand out. This stigma, not limited to teenagers, causes many families to want their neediness to be invisible. This stigma should be felt by the broader community. In a time where many of us have more than enough, it is shameful that there are vulnerable people (such as infants, children, and seniors) who go hungry.
These are tough times in the United States. Many people who bought into the American Dream, who worked hard, got an education, got a good job, and bought a house, are now suffering with the erosion of this dream. Working hard does not guarantee success, education can leave students with lifelong debts, jobs are not available, and buying a house has become an economic drain for many. This has left people in great pain, and for many, in great need for the first time.
Those who have been middle class, find themselves newly poor. A job loss, a mortgage that results in owing more than the house is worth, or depleted retirement savings can leave people unable to take care of themselves. According to one food bank in King County, 21% of the recipients this past year have their own homes. But because they look like the rest of the community, they are largely invisible.
The existing safety net is not sufficient. Governments, at all levels, are reducing funding of the social safety net and nonprofit agencies cannot keep up with the increased demand. We need community members to step up to the responsibility of helping their neighbors.
At the Center for Ethical Leadership, we are encouraged that creative community efforts are springing up to ensure our neighbors are getting the help they need. Locally, Hopelink, Food Lifeline, the Seattle Foundation and the Center for Ethical Leadership are sponsoring the development of Nourishing Networks to feed people on the north and east parts of King County. In addition, the Thriving Communities initiative, sponsored by the Whidbey Institute, highlights the self-organized food security network on Whidbey Island. These initiatives invite us to define anew what it means to be a community.
We all need to work together to come up with creative solutions to support our neighbors. In this era, the community has to own the problem. We ultimately need to decide whether we will be a “fend-for-yourself” society, or if we will build strong, caring relationships that support each other. We see hopeful signs that communities are refusing to let those in need be invisible or stigmatized and are declaring, “We are all in this together.”
Center Co-hosts Thanksgiving Summit to Develop Nourishing Networks
Hunger is exploding nationwide. Washington State is now the 13th hungriest state in the country. In the north and east sides of King County, 28,288 people were served at food banks this year. This includes 1,744 infants and toddlers from 0-3 years; 9,508 school-aged children; 13,160 adults; and 3,876 seniors. With the ongoing tough economy, we are experiencing surging need and declining funding. Even the best nonprofits cannot fill the gap of government cutbacks – because government operates at such a large scale. If government no longer has the resources to feed everyone and nonprofit agencies can’t meet all the needs, what are we to do?
Lobbying government officials to preserve funding for social programs and increasing private donations to nonprofits is a part of the solution, but it is not sufficient to address the needs of our neighbors. We need a different approach that will tap into the goodwill of the entire community. We need to cultivate community ownership of this problem. That is what Hopelink, one of the region’s prominent social services agencies, is catalyzing in north and east King County. They are partnering with such groups as Food Lifeline, Seattle Foundation, the Center for Ethical Leadership, United Way, and the King County Executive’s office to develop NourishingNetworks. The goal is to foster creative, local solutions to hunger through a network of many solutions, rather than building a new nonprofit organization that needs constant maintenance.
In November, we brought together 100 people from Shoreline, Northshore, Redmond, Kirkland, Bellevue, and Issaquah for a Thanksgiving Summit to build relationships and to create a local network to help their communities address local needs. A broad range of community perspectives — coaches, community volunteers, teachers, pastors, nonprofit leaders, elected officials, real estate agents, public health nurses, business owners — stepped up to take ownership for developing Nourishing Networks.
There was a tremendous outpouring of commitment to create a strong network in each community and across the region. We witnessed the capacity of the community growing before our very eyes. Attendees committed to reach out to neighbors, build relationships, make connections and help the community own the solutions. They shared current projects, ideas for extending support, and insights for working with different parts of the community. The network is changing the idea of what it is to be citizens. One participant commented, “We are remembering what it is like to be human.”
The work of Nourishing Networks is growing rapidly. If you are interested in getting involved, contact the Center. Click here to see work the from this summit.
Hunger is exploding nationwide. Washington State is now the 13th hungriest state in the country. In the north and east sides of King County, 28,288 people were served at food banks this year. This includes 1,744 infants and toddlers from 0-3 years; 9,508 school-aged children; 13,160 adults; and 3,876 seniors. With the ongoing tough economy, we are experiencing surging need and declining funding. Even the best nonprofits cannot fill the gap of government cutbacks – because government operates at such a large scale. If government no longer has the resources to feed everyone and nonprofit agencies can’t meet all the needs, what are we to do?
Lobbying government officials to preserve funding for social programs and increasing private donations to nonprofits is a part of the solution, but it is not sufficient to address the needs of our neighbors. We need a different approach that will tap into the goodwill of the entire community. We need to cultivate community ownership of this problem. That is what Hopelink, one of the region’s prominent social services agencies, is catalyzing in north and east King County. They are partnering with such groups as Food Lifeline, Seattle Foundation, the Center for Ethical Leadership, United Way, and the King County Executive’s office to develop NourishingNetworks. The goal is to foster creative, local solutions to hunger through a network of many solutions, rather than building a new nonprofit organization that needs constant maintenance.
In November, we brought together 100 people from Shoreline, Northshore, Redmond, Kirkland, Bellevue, and Issaquah for a Thanksgiving Summit to build relationships and to create a local network to help their communities address local needs. A broad range of community perspectives — coaches, community volunteers, teachers, pastors, nonprofit leaders, elected officials, real estate agents, public health nurses, business owners — stepped up to take ownership for developing Nourishing Networks.
There was a tremendous outpouring of commitment to create a strong network in each community and across the region. We witnessed the capacity of the community growing before our very eyes. Attendees committed to reach out to neighbors, build relationships, make connections and help the community own the solutions. They shared current projects, ideas for extending support, and insights for working with different parts of the community. The network is changing the idea of what it is to be citizens. One participant commented, “We are remembering what it is like to be human.”
The work of Nourishing Networks is growing rapidly. If you are interested in getting involved, contact the Center. Click here to see work the from this summit.
Working in Networks
Most of us are used to working through organizations to accomplish a goal, but the use of networks to achieve these goals is increasing. Working in networks is very different than working in organizations. Organizations most often have a leadership structure that maintains control over the work. The underlying operating principle of networks is support, not control. In networks, people self-organize around actions that ultimately contribute to the work of the larger network through divergent, creative actions.
Working in a network means finding the places of connection where people can support and leverage each other’s actions towards shared purpose. It is not necessary for all the work or ideas to be in alignment or even agreement – as long as it contributes to the common purpose. Parallel initiatives of any size can spring up simultaneously. Leadership and decision-making are distributed broadly.
The Center for Ethical Leadership has practiced network principles – support, self-organizing, ideas as offers, distributed leadership and decision-making – in the regional Nourishing Networks initiative.
To learn more about working in networks, contact the Center or look at June Holley's work.
Most of us are used to working through organizations to accomplish a goal, but the use of networks to achieve these goals is increasing. Working in networks is very different than working in organizations. Organizations most often have a leadership structure that maintains control over the work. The underlying operating principle of networks is support, not control. In networks, people self-organize around actions that ultimately contribute to the work of the larger network through divergent, creative actions.
Working in a network means finding the places of connection where people can support and leverage each other’s actions towards shared purpose. It is not necessary for all the work or ideas to be in alignment or even agreement – as long as it contributes to the common purpose. Parallel initiatives of any size can spring up simultaneously. Leadership and decision-making are distributed broadly.
The Center for Ethical Leadership has practiced network principles – support, self-organizing, ideas as offers, distributed leadership and decision-making – in the regional Nourishing Networks initiative.
To learn more about working in networks, contact the Center or look at June Holley's work.
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