April / May 2008
Vol. 1, Issue 4
Contents:
1. Sparking European Capaigns
2. Resources Highlights
3. Hot Topics - Defining Roles
4. Supporter Spotlight - C.I.C.L.E.
Sparking European Campaigns
By: Sue Knaup, Executive Director
I'll be hopping the pond in a matter of days to assist leaders of organizations working to increase bicycling through One Street's proven concepts. First stop is Prague where I'll facilitate a half-day workshop on campaign planning that will not only show the leaders how to win their campaign before even entering into the action, but also how they can build the capacity of their organizations through successful campaigns. I've been watching the registration with the local leaders and we are thrilled at the enthusiasm over this workshop. Multiple leaders from more than a dozen local organizations have already signed up before the early registration deadline.
Next stop is Brno, also in the Czech Republic, where I will represent One Street at the European Cyclists' Federation (ECF) Annual General Meeting (AGM). This annual gathering brings together leaders of bicycle advocacy organizations from all over Europe. Just prior to the AGM I will offer a more condensed version of One Street's campaign planning/capacity building workshop to the AGM participants as well as leaders of organizations in the Brno area.
Then I'm off to northern Germany where I'll meet with bicycle advocacy leaders in Berlin, Hamburg and Bremen on partnership potentials for One Street initiatives. Okay, we have some fun planned as well, but that's a given for anything involving bicycles! I'll wrap up the trip with my wonderful farmer friends in Sweden, returning back to the One Street office here in Prescott, Arizona on June 10th. You'll see that this e-news is for both April and May because of this trip, but we'll be back on our monthly schedule with our June e-news.
Resources Highlights
This issue's highlights focus on ways to define roles and find the best role for each of the many varied people who offer to help your organization's work. Realize that such documents cannot substitute for a culture of ethics and respect in your organization, but they can help you guide folks to the most fitting role for their talents.
- Letter of Commitment: clarifies responsibilities for volunteer leaders, including board members
- Employment Agreement Template: clarifies each employee's role (Unfortunately we don't yet have an executive director's agreement sample to recommend.)
- Grievance Policy (page 14 of Employee Handbook): sets out a clear procedure that staff must follow when presenting grievances
- Committees of the Board (Article 3, Section 13 of Bylaws Sample): shows the structure of committees and how non-board members can participate (Note that committees are a great way to get to know potential board members before
Hot Topics - Defining Roles
This spring we have responded to many requests for help from leaders facing confusion over roles. In some cases, board members were acting against the mission and goals of the organization. Often folks like this are specialists and have difficulty seeing the larger picture - an absolute requirement for board members. They were likely unclear about the role of board members when they agreed to serve. Also, those who nominated them for the board role must have been unclear as to the requirements of board members.
In other cases, staff members acted out with seemingly good intentions. This is nearly the opposite of the board member example because staff members (other than the executive director) are expected to be specialists. And yet, because they were unclear about their role as focused specialists, when they perceived a concern at the leadership level, they felt it was their duty to step in.
None of these folks meant to do their organizations harm. When roles are not clearly defined, organizations suffer from two angles: 1) the harm done by the action of the person, 2) the harm done by the potential loss of a helpful participant. As we all know, no organization working to increase bicycling can afford to lose people who are eager to help.
If you ever face such a situation, remember that this person joined the organization to help. Clearly and objectively show them the harm they are doing. Then ask them why they felt compelled to act out this way. By starting the conversation with a tone of respect, you should find a way to guide them either back into their agreed upon role or find a better role for them in the organization.
On rare occasions, the person causing the harm actually intended to do the organization harm, sometimes for their own, personal gain. They may have even been with the organization since its founding and refuse to let it grow even if it means the ultimate demise of the organization. If you realize that the person you are dealing with truly wants to do the organization harm, work with the other leaders in your organization to remove that person from their leadership or staff role. The Bylaws Sample and Employee Handbook examples on the One Street Management web page offer procedures for such removals. Keep in mind, as a leader of your organization your top priority is the greater good of the organization so take care of this right away.
And remember, One Street is here to help you through all levels of this issue, from the bumps and grinds of confused roles to emergency response that deals with those attempting to do your organization real harm. It's our mission to help leaders like you focus your organization's work on increasing bicycling and avoid such harmful distractions. Call or email us anytime.
Supporter Spotlight - C.I.C.L.E.
One Street is proud to have C.I.C.L.E. (Cyclists Inciting Change thru Live Exchange) as one of our supporters. Based in Los Angeles, C.I.C.L.E. is no ordinary bicycle advocacy organization. Everything they do is meant to build a culture of bicycling including fun bicycle festivals, rides with themes, and forums that show people that they can and should expect their public spaces to invite bicycling. C.I.C.L.E.'s messages are attention grabbers and their leaders want us to steal them right off their Properganda page. From their Gasoline Terrorist image to instilling pride in riding, their roots are set deep in building the bicycle culture. If you're in need of inspirations for messages and ways to get new folks riding, make sure to visit C.I.C.L.E.'s web site at: www.cicle.org