Paddling the Rapids Leadership Forums for Maine Nonprofits
"Thought-provoking, invigorating and resource filled."
Mapping the Territory
Permanent white water describes the world of today’s non-profit leaders – a continual disorderly procession of surprising, novel, ill-structured events demanding a leader’s learning and constant attention (attributed to Peter Vaill, Managing As A Performing Art).
Like paddling the rapids, leaders are faced daily with a multitude of issues, decisions and tasks competing for a finite amount of their time, energy, and resources. Paddling the Rapids forums addresses all of these challenges, while building leadership capacity. Participants report increasing organizational knowledge, acquiring new skill sets, broadening peer networks, deepening self-knowledge, and renewing their commitment to a mission focus.
Critical issues which have been the focus of past sessions are:
- fiscal sustainability,
- strategic growth,
- personnel development,
- relationship between the board and executive director,
- balancing professional and personal commitments,
- the use of power, and
- mergers, partnerships, and collaborations.
Goals
Build expertise and technical skills related to leadership and management.
- Develop a bank of strategies and best practices from the field of non-profit management, and the experience, knowledge, and wisdom of forum members.
- Provide a confidential environment where leaders can learn from each other, challenge thinking, and take risks.
- Create a structure for ongoing collegial networking and resource exchange that addresses isolation, builds peer collaboration, and increases leadership effectiveness.
Steering the Course
Over the course of the ten, four-hour, monthly session, participants use a case study format and strategic discussions that focuses on relevant organizational issues, inherent strengths, dominant challenges, and strategic possibilities. Each forum session is designed to have relevance to every participant.
Long Haul Navigating
Free information sessions are held regularly.
Costs
Fees are $750; $600 for members of Maine Association of Nonprofits. Fees for each forum are set to keep the group accessible. Each group decides location, meeting time, and dates.
Forum Guides
Carol Carriuolo, M.S.Ed., for over thirty years has assisted in the visioning, launch and support of many initiatives and organizations that provide exemplary services, programs, educational opportunities and benefits to Maine communities.
Deb Burwell, M.S.Ed., works with leaders of non-profits as they are the forerunners of social change. Her work supports organizations in becoming effective visionaries while remaining true to their mission and values.
Information
If you are interested in participating in a Paddling the Rapids forum, initiating a forum in your region, or inquiring about this process contact Carol Carriuolo and Deb Burwell by email or at 207-236-0287. More information is available on the website.
Testimonials
“An incredible resource for Maine nonprofits – the only place I know of that offers an on-going, confidential, top notch setting to explore critical issues facing nonprofits today.” Sanna McKim, Maine Businesses for Social Responsibility
“You will never look at a problem the same way because of this wonderful technique for gathering help from peers.” Noelle Merrill, Eastern Agency on Aging
“The energy of the group builds with every session and is central to building expertise, confidence and strategies for successful leadership” Hildie Lipson, MaineShare
“It is an incredible experience being in the seat of presenting a case and receiving all the strategies. It is one of the best experiences that I have had.” Susan Hammond, Four Directions Development Corporation
“Every executive director should have this unique opportunity. I’ve already recommended it to all my ED friends.” Ruth Lockhart, Mabel Wadsworth Women’s Health Center
