Round Table Discussion Cont...

TOPIC 3: Deepen our understanding - about Leadership

I have included images from my collection taken during my fieldwork across Australasia as an analogy to think deeper about the above feature of this discussion.

Professor Oliver's commentary highlighted that considerable research has been undertaken on the topic of Leadership. Her view is that,  'nothing is yet stable in this area and the need for Deepening our understanding - about Leadership' in the context of contributing to society. On reflection if each person present was asked what their perspective was on this I sense that their views and thoughts would have been contrasting and diverse. Just like the canopy of trees below.

Diversity of trees found in the Rumataka Ranges in New Zealand.
In the context of the above we can only imagine what lay
 beneath this canopy.
What do these trees teach us about Leadership and Responsibility
and what is it about this particular environment that allows
it to flourish and remain stable?

On the other hand, I sense that a consensus would have been reached on Professor Oliver's follow-up statement on, 'Leadership - needs to be reputable whatever you do'. 

As the Head of the Harry and Sylvia Hoffman Leadership and Responsibility program which applies the practise of,  'Focusing on responsibility alongside cultivating leadership' through personal responsibility by volunteering a minimum of 2 hours per week'. Leadership consists of the 'internal set of values and is associated with a strong conviction regarding goals and beliefs. 

Leadership and Responsibility for me is like two peas in a pod. Leaders applying their leadership skills in various forms while at the same time applying a collaborative process within their organisations, communities or service provision to ensure that the benefits enable, empower and are supported by the required resources. Each aligned with the other.

My curiosity with this particular tree in the Carnarvon Gorge
Queensland was, how did these two trunks merge?  
In the context of this discussion I now think more deeply about the 
lighter brown section of the trees trunk which resembles a natural 
cross pollination has occurred which has strengthened it base.

The synergy between two peas in a pod, cultivating leadership through personal responsibility and my interpretation of the above image - that a natural cross pollination may have occurred - opens up space to reflect and think more deeply about Leadership and Responsibility within our society. The question that emerges out of this discussion comes back to the research undertaken about Leadership and that nothing is yet stable in this area.

The trees in these images have taken years to develop and the environmental conditions have been consistent for them to flourish over a long period of time. If research, education and programs remain focused on cultivating leadership through personal responsibilities then the offshoot of that will strengthen and provide stability around Leadership - over time.  However, what the environment informs and reminds us that any changes to that consistency of focus or conditions will have consequences.

ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION Cont...

TOPIC 2 and TOPIC 1: Sharing Ideas and Capabilities 

Professor Amalya Oliver-Lumerman spoke about the importance of sharing ideas and capabilities in the context of processes that happen in communities. Underpinning this view was the necessity for open boundaries so knowledge that sits within these context can emerge and inform by being: 

1. Open ended and not captured within a time-frame.
2. Allow[ing] something to happen and trusting the process. 
3. Being bold and courageous in order to create social change. (Professor Oliver-Lumerman)

I have reflected on this and the following has emerged.

The 'community' context for sharing my ideas is linked to Microcredit (provision of small loans) in rural communities linked to a small Non Government Organisation (NGO) Hands with Hands (HwH), Nepal. An objective of HwH is, To support, encourage and educate individuals and organisations that then, in turn, create, initiate and put into action projects that help others. Website

Crucial to the establishment of HwH projects has been allowing space for processes to evolve rather than imposing a structure. Linked to this example is the long term importance of empowering individuals and communities towards self-sustainability. What has emerged from this approach was the importance of ongoing skills training for cooperative members who in turn determine what their skill needs are.

Jutpani cooperative training day March-April 2014 

Once members have decided that need the facilitator of the projects approaches HwH who in turn assesses and discusses when funding will be available. These funds are sourced from HwH's International networks who over time have shared ideas and capabilities to create activities that generate donations.

Advanced accountancy training held 
in Jutpani February 2015

Over time I have gained an awareness that the notion of sharing ideas and capabilities is easier to apply and achieve in a Pro Bono environment than a western organisational context. Generally speaking, western structures, time-frames implementation of goals and vision are applied strategically.  

My experiences have shown me that pro bono activities provides opportunities to 'create environments' often not available in our workplaces. Depending on the scale of such activities and with whom the partnership is developed, this 'way of being' is underpinned by an interest in an issue, and requires patience, time and income. Professor Oliver-Lumerman spoke about Leadership and Social Responsibility and a person being embedded. How right she is! 

I became embedded in Hands with Hands after undertaking fieldwork on their behalf in January/February 2011.  The women and communities that I have 'shared experiences' with in Chitwan District and Pokhara and the sharing of ideas and capabilities of HwH's international network has created an environment where one can deepen their understanding of the elements that make up and connect Leadership to Social Responsibility.

In the five years I have been connected to this organisation it would be fair to say that building upon my understanding of Nepali culture has been the key to letting go of many of my assumptions and holding onto structures. My fieldwork in the Microcredit environment is where my light bulb moments and deeper learning's have come from.

My following musing in the field, Chitwan District, Nepal 2011.

Microcredit creates purpose

Purpose creates income

Income creates opportunity

Opportunity creates choices

Choices creates health and wellbeing

Health and wellbeing creates productive communities

Productive communities become self-determining.

Access to water required the 

sharing of ideas and capabilities in a community setting.

Education [new classroom built by the Kevin Rohan Foundation]

is essential for the development of sharing of ideas and capabilities.

 Enterprise generates an income to alleviate poverty
by producing mustard oil from mustard seeds.

Leadership Jutpani Microfinance Cooperative 

Board Members at A.G.M November 2014.

These women have shared their ideas and built their capacity in a cooperative community context.

ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION

with Professor Amalya Lumerman-Oliver 

Hebrew University, Israel

was the inaugural guest in residence 

of Leadership WA.

My original post about this valued visit appears to have been lost so I will set the scene for the discussion TOPICS that emerged from my perspective. Having the opportunity to look at Leadership and Responsibility with a sociological lens was a treat and not an opportunity that I have experienced before. My undergraduate degree was a double major in Sociology and Womens Studies so a treat from my perspective.

Professor Oliver oversees the Hoffman Leadership and Responsibility Fellowship Program [3 years]. Harry Hoffman is the Chairman of Ardross Group of Companies in Perth and his wife Sylvia has since retired from active involvement. Their program 'Focus[es] on responsibility alongside cultivating leadership, the program requires all Hoffman fellows to express their personal responsibility by contributing to society through volunteering...' 

I particularly liked the Professors commentary around - as Leaders - we need to be reputable whatever we do.

TOPIC 1: Leadership and Responsibility

TOPIC 2: Sharing Ideas and Capabilities
TOPIC 3: Deepen our understanding - about Leadership

 John Curtin Leadership Academy (JCLA)

Community Project Fair - Perth

16 February 2015

It is good to be back sharing. My absence has been about 'Life Happens' and I now have a clear path forward to continue. Thank you for your patience!

Stage 1: JCLA Community Project Fair

Today I am engaging with this years JCLA participants about the Hands with Hands Community Project submission for Semester One 2015.

This opportunity is open to Not-for-Profit (NFP) organisations to submit a community project proposal with the JCLA program held during semester one and two. Students are required to apply and part of their leadership journey requires undertaking a team community project of their choice. 

The fair provides a forum for NFP's to sell their community project to participants. My submission is linked to my role as Ambassador for Hands with Hands in Nepal. It provides participants an opportunity to gain first hand experience in the Development field and the need for innovation.

Boxed up and ready to go.

Stage 2: Venue Point Walter Facility

Each NFP was allocated a table to set up their display material in readiness for their 'speed dating' concept whereby organisations are given 2 minutes to sell their community project to two participants before they move onto the next community project. It certainly makes one communicate in a concise way but also captivate those listening.

Case studies were the main focus of my presentations.

Set up and ready to go - approximately

16 NFP's participated.

Stage 3:  Organisations will be informed if their community project is one of the five that have been successful in the coming days. I will keep you posted...


Stage 4:
I received feedback from the coordinators of this years JCLA community project that the Hands with Hands proposal I put forward was not one of the five community projects chosen S.1-2015. It is my understanding those chosen were locally based projects and I wish the organisations and groups all the very best for their forthcoming partnerships.

I would encourage NFP's to consider this opportunity if not already done so. I found it a wonderful experience working with students from different streams of study in S.1-2014.

Therefore, my next project associated with Hands with Hands will be the revision of my self-published book in March 2013. During my recent trip to Nepal I was able to gather further data from previous and new contributors. I look forward to developing the framework for this in the coming months.

One door closes another opens - Round table discussion with Professor Amalya Oliver-Lumerman.

Center for Social Impact (CSI) 

Alumni Day - Perth Museum

5th December 2014

What a delight it was to share in the celebration of CSI - 4 years on. As one of the inaugural cohort in the Post Graduate Certificate in Social Impact - UWA Business School. It was wonderful to meet up with some of those from 2011 and others since graduated. Those who organised the event must have been very pleased with the outcome.

Back Row: Rebecca, Heiko, Galen and Devika
Front Row: Viti, Sonia, Louise and Kathryn

Nicola Forrest was the guest speaker and provided an insight into the Minderoo Foundation . In particular, the project linked to early childhood education and the Foundations work with the Challis Early Childhood Centre located at Challis Primary School in Armadale, Perth. I am always inspired when the focus is on creating social change/social impact. Such topics provide a wonderful platform to share the diversity of activity that has emerged or emerging in our State connected to philanthropy in its many forms.

Nicola Forrest -
West Australian of the Year Community Award 

As part of the days celebrations the alumni were offered the opportunity to present on the projects or work that alumni have taken up or being part of since graduating. I had just returned from my trip to Nepal so spoke about my philanthropic work linked to the Hands with Hands Organisation since 2010. In particular, work linked to their Jutpani Microfinance Finance Cooperative. All of those involved with the organisation provide their contribution probono.   

Erin Pope Curtin University student, Kira Kay Co-Founder
Hands with Hands, Viti and Nina Cejinar Social Investment
heading off on the bus from Kathmandu to Microfinance
project in Chitwan District.

The format for presentations was new to all involved and I was fascinated how the eight alumni presented throughout the day with a brief of: 20 slides with a 20 second narrative in between each one. 

Viti and Claire Stokes one of the organisers of the event.

That afternoon alumni were listed into four groups and met with four Not-For-Profit organisations who had submitted an issue that they were grappling with. Members of our group: listened, discussed, questioned, gained further clarity and then provided a way forward for the service group representatives from 'Collaborate WA' to consider. A very beneficial process for all involved.

A very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

I look forward to 'communicating' in the New Year.

Day 24 

Kevin Rohan Memorial Eco Foundation - Part 2

Waldorf Inspired Education: 

What an opportunity this was to see education as a central pillar of this Foundation and the villages it supports.  Aiming for self-sustainability is a long term goal and the organisation continues to work towards this aim. Local craftsmen and women are employed in the building of educational, health and other facilities.

As part of the organisations philosophy they highlight particular issues - Example:

ISSUE: Deforestation

IMPACT: Soil Erosion 

SUSTAINABLE CHANGE: Developing Bio Briquettes and Bio Dynamic Gardening.

After we had been shown around the Foundation we then headed out into the village and saw children playing in a play ground which was built by a volunteer group from Switzerland.

Just down the road was the new Center Kinder Garten. We could hear the voices as we walked towards this facility as the children were waiting on the top decking to be picked up or transported back to their village.

The same material used as the Bottle House in the previous post was clearly evident.

SUSTAINABLE CHANGE:
Eco friendly bottle building is one of the Foundations initiatives - Collecting and using these materials in their construction of 'community spaces, orphanages and schools'.

Love this greeting.

Waiting for their family members to pick them up.

Packed in the mini bus ready 

to be transported to their respective village.

Across the road was the development of their new Pre-School facility. Once again using the same materials and the opportunity for local employment. Facilities are built when funding is available.

 

Pre-School being built.

Inside the classroom.

Just had to share the view from the classroom

with the Himalayan mountain range 

in the background.

One of the Foundations Social Enterprises which

generates an income.

Arriving back in Kathmandu - 

People, pollution and traffic.

The next day the group were invited back to Di Pendra's home (Nepali Businessman and Co-Founder of Hands with Hands) to share a meal with his family in Kathmandu. It was a poignant way to spend the last evening with the group.Whilst sharing their hospitality Di Pendra asked each us what we had learnt from our time in Nepal.

Our responses centered around being inspired by the changes that have taken place since we last visited and what our plans were for the future in regards to the organisation. 

Culturally it is not appropriate for individuals to talk about what they do or to promote themselves. This is provided by others to talk about the achievements or contribution of individuals. In contrast to the developed world.

It has been a privilege to share this month in Nepal with you and my intent is to continue blogging - once a week.

Thank you for your interest and support.  

Day 23

Social Businesses 

• Kevin Rohan Foundation & 
• Seeing Hands

Kira's networks spread far and wide. Having the opportunity to visit the Kevin Rohan Foundation was yet another example of an organisation enabling disadvantaged Nepali people building capacity within their community. Kevin's father Krishna welcomed us to the Foundation with generosity and hospitality. 

Training is the common thread that keeps emerging over the last 4 weeks. This organisation runs seminars within their community facilities which is expanding as funds allow. An example of this was a 2 day training which involved 500 people so they could apply learning's to their villages. 

Compost is essential to the foundation

and the garden was abundant.

The following solar innovation was for

boiling water - pot at the center of panels.

Example only.

These brickets were made out of waste paper 

and sawdust.

Chickens being attended to 

by an employee.

Inside the foundation - what was 

captivating was the blend of age groups 

involved with the foundation.

The bottle house is an innovation

of the foundation. The materials

used are local mud, sand and bottles.

Inside view of bottle hut.

To date 10 houses have been built.

They are one bedroom - one bathroom

and sell for $342.00 US dollars.

The group was invited to lunch and this provided the opportunity to speak with global volunteers who work with the foundation. My next post - part 2 of the KRF will include their educational facilities currently being built. 

• SEEING HANDS - Nepal

Sourced from website 28/11/2014

When I first heard about this organisation while in Pokhara at the beginning of our trip - I was touched to say the least. Both Kira and Nina have experienced a massage at this social business in Kathmandu. Nina and I went in search of their Seeing Hands business established in Pokhara.

Receiving instructions
during training.
(Sourced from website) 28/11/2014

By chance one of the Co-Founders Sue from Great Britain (previously lived in Pokhara) was sitting in the garden with her manager Sherran. We were invited to join them as Nina had met Sherran in Kathmandu. When I was introduced and spoke Sherran commented I detect a New Zealand accent. What can I say! 

However, what struck me was Sue's comment on the philosophy behind Seeing Hands training links directly to work opportunities within the organisation. 

When we returned to Kathmandu the group booked massages. I was moved by the whole experience and the professional approach by all the staff. 

Day 15 - 22 November

Mind/Body/Spirit 

This most glorious butterfly greeted us when 
we arrived.
It was sitting on an orchid plant.

Our Nepal Meditation and Yoga Retreat at the Nagarkot Farmhouse was hosted by Kira Kay (whose meditation sessions bought together her rich life experiences / extensive practice in facilitation of self-discovery and intuition development) alongside Rafael Ebner's (many years of practice in different yoga styles synthesizing this experience with current training in Yin Yoga). 

What an insightful experience this has been for myself and those involved. Best way to capture this opportunity is I went in with an open mind and came out with a new set of tools - timely.

We received a: Meditation cushion & 
socks, shawl, yoga mat and journal.
The mat they are sitting on will be handed 
onto one of Hands with Hands the orphanages.

Now that I am back in Kathmandu (there are still more social business projects to share over the coming days) I now have the circumstances to reflect on the above retreat - over 9 days. However, even though I have access to consistent power I needed to be resourceful to find a plug that my cord stayed in. So back to the hotel wardrobe - set up the ironing board and packed containers under the power point to hold it into the socket. Yes!!

Our days at the retreat were spent with two sessions of: yoga and meditation (varying options) per day. The all male staff at the Farmhouse provided three meals a day and accommodation services. The surrounds were very peaceful and the opportunity to write or reflect in our journals was all part of the flow of each day. There was lots of sharing, reflection and laughter amidst these days and opportunities to explore the area by foot. The temperature was considerably cooler early morning and night. Out with the thermals!

Viti, Tina, Rafael, Nina, Buta, Kira and Shila.
Armin below - missing from group photo.

Nina and Tina both from Germany.

Kira and Viti.

The Farmhouse has its own organic vegetable garden. 'Sambhu K. Lama and his farming crew have planted 10,000 trees of which 2,000 are peach and apple.' (Sourced from brochure). I was surprised at how many flowers grown here are also found in gardens in Australia. The following images capture a snippet of their extensive surrounds. 

Strawberries

Our meals were all vegetarian and sourced 
from the Farmhouse gardens and fruit trees.

Shila below (Hands with Hands Chitwan microcredit projects facilitator) spent time with the chefs making apple pie. Now I have eaten many a variety of apple pie but this was absolutely delicious. It was a delightful ritual to be sharing the healthy food we consumed while at the retreat.

I was drawn to this elderly gentleman who each
day cleaned around the grounds.

This woman would set up her stall between 7-9 am
in the grounds of the Farmhouse and lived on the property.

Time to say farewell and and head back to Kathmandu. All things come to an end and I was grateful that this opportunity had aligned with this visit to Nepal. All bar two of the group had initial connections to Hands with Hands so that was rather special to spend time with this German/Austrian/Australian cohort. A special bond has arisen amongst the group and the essence of being connected to the philosophy of 'sharing and giving' from the heart was the key. 

While at the retreat the opportunity arose to read the book, 'The Heart is Noble, Changing the world from the Inside Out'. I have certainly seen many examples of this during my visit within the broader Hands with Hands network and those involved in their projects.