Where Do We Live...Do We Know?

The Bull Frogs Got Theirs
(as now I do)


Photo Credit: Richard Chicoine iCopyright 2009

As a boy, I would go out with my friends
And spear bull frogs.
It didn’t matter if each frog might someday
Be turned into a prince
By some little girl’s magic capable mind
Nor did it matter if the bull frogs
Had feelings to feel
Our jack knife sharpened stakes
Through their hearts,
As boys will do without caring
For small animal life,
My friends and I would launch our wooden
Spears, yelling
Like the warriors we imagined
Ourselves to be...

And as I am older now, often I see people
With word-spears cut me down.
It doesn’t matter if someday I might
Become a prince
By the power of some woman’s love,
Nor does it matter if I
Have feelings to feel
Their verbal spears sharply
Through my heart,
As people will act without caring
About others,
People, even now, spit their word-
Spears, sneering
Like the gods they imagine
Themselves to be.

George Kenney was raised on the Lac Seul Reserve in Northwestern Ontario. His first book, Indians Don’t Cry, a collection of short stories and poems was published in 1977.

From the book, First People, First Voices, edited by Penny Petrone.


Where We Live...Do You Really Know?

A significant and growing proportion of residents in Thunder Bay self-identify as Aboriginal, comprising over 8% of the total population.

In fact, the net population growth of Thunder Bay between the 2001 census and the 2006 census is largely attributable to the growth in our Aboriginal population. During this period, the total non Aboriginal population decreased by 1%, while our Aboriginal population grew by 22.6%
Source: David Tranter, Our Quality of Life Report 2008

Full report at www.ThunderBaySurvey.com


As a leader...what do you say about our diversity? What needs to happen? What don't you know that you need to know? What actions will you take?










Readings:

CLD Theme: Aboriginal Perspectives

Key Leadership Skill: Decision Making



Strategy 4: Dr Brad





Whole Brain Business Book: Chapter 29 - Decisions and Values





http://www.wawataynews.ca


Note to participants: Kari is here and I'm disappearing into the sands of Cuba until February 9. No blog to read for next week!
Stay warm!
Maggie

Of Leaders and Legends

Photo Credit: Richard Chicoine iCopyright 2009




Of Legends and Leaders

OF LEGENDS from our region:

The mountain ash berry legend is closely connected to Northwestern Ontario. The legend is that the more berries on the tree, the more severe the winter will be.

Many years ago during a harsh winter, even before the land became known as Canada, birds and animals lay dying in the snow. Ojibwa hunters realized that this could also happen to their peoples, so they offered prayers to the great Manitou. The Great Spirit answered them. They were instructed to take one drop of blood from every dead bird and small animal; they were to smear the blood on a tree that meant life and death to the people. As the Mountain Ash was the tree that was used to make their bows and arrows, they chose it and began to follow the advice of the Great Spirit.

In the morning, the trees were heavy with red berries. The birds and animals that had survived were happily feeding themselves. The Indians danced into the night, giving thanks to Manitou.

Manitou, in return, gave his promise that he would create abundance with the mountain ash berries whenever winter burdened the lives of any creatures.

Source: www.firstpeople.us


OF LEADERS for our region:

Fontaine wants $3 billion for First Nations

By Jim Brown And Sue Bailursday, January 15, 2009



OTTAWA - Native leader Phil Fontaine is calling for $3 billion from the federal government for aboriginal communities as he heads into pre-budget talks with Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the premiers.The head of the Assembly of First Nations envisions the money being spread over five years on housing, education, safe drinking water and a range of other projects.



The AFN says First Nations across the country are in need of 87,000 new housing units, and another 44,000 need repairs. Some 40 communities have no schools, and many more need their schools updated. More than 80 communities have no access to safe drinking water.

Native leaders, like the premiers, have repeatedly called for focused job training and so-called "shovel ready" projects like new houses and schools. Fontaine noted Thursday that the government has signalled its stimulus package on Jan. 27 will be a two-year plan. Given that time frame, the AFN chief said he’d be satisfied with an initial instalment of about $2 billion for investment in aboriginal projects.

Source: www.kelownadailycourier.com and www.chroniclejournal.com


For you to think about:



Which Northwestern Ontario legends are the most famous?

Which aboriginal leaders are shaping the way?



We "know" but do we really know? What is the legend of the sleeping giant Nanibijou? What do our native organizations stand for?

Spend time researching legends and leaders this week...and get outside to where the mountain ash berries grow.





Enjoy!


- Maggie








PS! The readings for February 12 are posted (top right corner) on the blog. Go to http://www.xhowhat.blogspot.com/

Theme: Aboriginal Insights


Key Leadership Skill: Decision Making






PS! Stewart Kallio sends this as a follow-up to our "Ireland" discussion:


"I found these two great videos that speak to the Irish situation that Brad addressed. Hope they're helpful (and openable)..."





Sunday, Bloody Sunday
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=cLZhNs7M1oE





Luck of the Irish
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=bVp7lkH10Gc&feature=related

Story of Leadership

Photo Credit: Richard Chicoine iCopyright 2009

"Leadership is all about the actions of the "tribe". For centuries, people have been gathering under the light of the moon, to tell their stories. This simple way of hanging out, creates community, a sense of belonging, a forward motion in life. Leaders who pay attention to the role of "their tribe's stories", are the ones who stimulate commitment. Isn't that what the water cooler theory is all about?"

LTB: We Tell the Story

Part 1: All about you

For centuries, a full moon has been the inspiration for gathering around to tell each other stories. That’s how tribal legends have begun, how we learn about the wisdom of our elders, how communities and organizations are born.

Our focus this month is on lifelong learning. Perhaps you’ve noticed the tie-in of this key leadership skill to “story telling”. Stories create a context for learning and discovery. They stimulate forward motion.

Leaders who can explain what is happening in their organizations with passion, interest and a crisp learning point, are the ones who shape lifelong learning in their organizations. Leaders who speak with emotion are the connectors.

Your Community Action Project story on Thursday – your 15 minutes of fame – can be whatever your group decides it to be. Just tell it with passion. Tell it like it is. Put life into it. Help the rest of us understand what you are learning, discussing or perhaps not clear about. What’s causing confusion, frustration? What are the community connections and assets really about?

Remember, you’re telling a story, not giving a report.



Stories have an emotional base first, and the facts become the proof.

Here are some phrases to help you tell a powerful story:

1. A Stand: “The future I stand for is…”
2. Defining Moments: “An event that made me see this as an important mission for me is…”
3. Bold Goal: “I am committed to having _____ in place by ____”
4. Painting the Future: “An exciting example of what I’m thinking is…”
5. Sticky messages: “I want to tell you the story of Allie, my daughter who died last year waiting for her lung transplant…”
6. “Heroes and Heroines: “Let me tell you about a person who you should talk to and work with…”
Source: Leaderspeak: Georgia Health Policy Centre. Karen Minyard PhD Director. 2008


Note: See last week’s blog for Doug Stevenson’s story telling tips.


Part 2

Speaking of Reports: All about excellence

To celebrate its first 5 years, Leadership Thunder Bay decided to tell its story in print. Packaged in a polished blue and green booklet and written with panache, LTB’s story is now more than a souvenir for those of us who have been involved through its birth and growth.

Did you know that this leadership story is an award winner?

MEDIA RELEASE
5-Year Report to Community Wins International Award

Leadership Thunder Bay is proud to announce that its 5 –Year Report to
the Community received a 2008 Gold MarCom Award.

The MarCom Awards is an international competition for marketing and communication professionals involved in the concept, writing and design of marketing and communication programs and print, visual and audio materials. Entries come from corporate marketing and communication departments, advertising agencies, PR firms, design shops, production companies and freelancers.

The Gold Award was presented to the City of Thunder Bay under the Pro Bono category for the work done by Karen Lewis and Valerie Marasco, Past Communications Committee Co-Chairs, along with support by Clara Butikofer, former Managing Director, and Korkola Design for the graphic design work in creating the 5-Year Report to the Community.

MarCom Awards is administered and judged by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals. The international organization consists of several thousand marketing, communication, advertising, public relations, media production and free-lance professionals. The Association, based in Arlington, Texas, oversees awards and recognition programs, provides judges and sets standards for excellence.

Judges are industry professionals who look for companies and individuals whose talent exceeds a high standard of excellence and whose work serves as a benchmark for the industry. There were over 5,000 entries from throughout the United States, Canada and several countries around the world in the MarCom Awards 2008 competition. Winners were selected from over 200
categories in seven forms of media and communication efforts- marketing, publications, marketing/promotion, public service/pro bono, creativity and electronic/interactive.

The competition has grown to perhaps the largest of its kind in the world. A look at the winners shows a range in size from individual communicators to media conglomerates and Fortune 500 companies. The competition is so well thought of in the industry that national public relations organizations, local ad clubs, and local business communicator chapters are entrants.
For more information visit www.marcomawards.com


WOW!

If you look closely at the 5 year report, you’ll notice that it is a “whole brain document”. Strategically speaking, it’s a way to leverage the future by reporting on the past.

“Strategic leadership” – says Sir John Hoskyns (in Chapter 19 of The Whole Brain Business Book – reminder that this is part of your readings this month!) … requires the readiness to look personally foolish; a readiness to discuss half-baked ideas, since most fully baked ideas start out in that form; a total honesty; a readiness to admit you got it wrong.” Stories are strategic.

All You Have to Do is…Ask

Finally – to be an award winner takes more than one point of view, as Karen and Valerie well know. Leaders are confident in asking for input or help – so if you need me, all you have to do is call.

See you for Brad’s – and your – stories on Thursday!

- Maggie

Stories

Photo Credit: Richard Chicoine iCopyright 2009

Take a look at the detail...not just the beautiful winter scene...there are patterns in nature which can be extraordinary...

Stories emerge like the newly fallen snow, on every branch...our stories can come alive...if we take the time to really hear them.

Organizational Leadership: It's All About the Story

How does an organizational mission turn into a memorable story?



A colleague, Doug Stevenson, owner of Story Theatre International, explains what we have already observed during our Curriculum Days at Leadership Thunder Bay. Leaders who can connect to their audience through their passion - and emotion - are the ones who score highest on our evaluations at the end of the day. But even more importantly, they are the ones who attract a following of great volunteers, solid fundraising and continued community support.



How do leaders pack impact into their stories? What's the secret?



I'm going to quote directly from Doug Stevenson's website at http://www.storytheatre.net/. He's a master of scripting the ultimate story.


"Emotional Eloquence is the next step in leadership development for current and high potential future leaders."


Leaders who have developed emotional eloquence speak to people’s highest aspirations, gaining emotional buy-in. Emotional eloquence includes advanced presentation skills with a uniquely different focus - authenticity and presence.



Leaders at all levels, but especially executive and director-level leaders, need to know how to inspire and motivate – to be wisdom sharers.



Many of today’s leaders have relinquished their role as motivators and wisdom sharers in favor of standing behind lecterns and reading speeches that others have written for them. They have surrendered their power. All to often, mid to high-level leaders make boring PowerPoint presentations. They report on quarterly earnings rather than painting a picture of a hopeful future. In a speech where they should be charting a bold course and inspiring people to follow their lead, they bore people and fail to connect.



Emotional eloquence is a new and integral approach to communication skills for leaders which simultaneously refers back to a simpler time when leaders spoke from their hearts and inspired their employees to follow them forward towards a better future."



On January 15th, your CAP group - each and every one of you needs to be part of the presentation in some way - has 15 minutes to relate, inspire and connect your project with the rest of the LTB class. This is a "dress rehearsal" of sorts in preparation for your graduation in June. Design - don't write - the story with emotional eloquence.



Again, quoting from Doug:

1. Emotion is the fast lane to the brain

2. Speak from your head with your heart wide open

3. Use metaphors and stories to frame your content

4. Brand your message by weaving a theme

5. Design your speech yourself

6. Go deep, not wide

7. Appeal to people’s higher aspirations and moral convictions

8. Close your speech with a message of hope



Most of all, get excited about your project and your role. Tell us about the people...the connections... the challenges. (Remember the theory about community assets? Behind every asset, there's a real person doing something important.)


Finally, about the timing: You have 15 minutes. I find this stopwatch very helpful!

http://www.online-stopwatch.com/



Again, if you need some storytelling help, just ask! Need a clue, an angle, a finale? Call, email or ask me - or an alumni - or one of the Curriculum Committee mentors - out for coffee...Don't sit there scratching your heads (or other body parts)... we're in this together:)

January 15 is all about stories: Dr. Brad's, yours...and whatever happens along the way.

- Maggie