Monthly Archives: November 2009

Happy Thanksgiving! I Am Thankful for You


Posted by ajlovesya

When I first started writing (almost two years ago!) I honestly had no clue of who would read this.  I assumed that I would dwell on a virtual island, throwing my thoughts out into cyber space and hoping that someone other than my mother found what I was sharing useful.  What has happened is far beyond what I could have ever anticipated.

So many of you have reached out to me for advice while sharing your own insights.  It is a blessing to be part of such a wonderful community that challenges and encourages its members.  I have met amazing people and as I flip through my old blog posts I see that I have grown so much because of all of you.

Blogging is a labor of love.  Not only love for writing and researching but also love for connecting and sharing.  It is also a risk as the moment I push “submit” I am making myself vulnerable; I take full ownership of my words yet I know that are interpreted by many different eyes.  But there is power in that vulnerability as it enables me to form relationships that would otherwise be inaccessible. And the fact that these relationships are being formed over the importance of service and inclusion make the risk worthwhile.

So whether you read, comment, share, or email your thoughts on this blog, Thank You!  Your encouragement pushes me to keep reflecting, keep blogging, and keep serving.  You’ve become a big part of my life and I am looking forward to more conversations and connections.

I hope you are all having a fabulous Thanksgiving!


Five Problems with How We Measure Social Change


Posted by ajlovesya

For this month’s Nonprofit Millenial Bloggers Alliance post, we are tackling defining and measuring social impact.

I think we talk about social change so much that we underestimate what it takes to bring it to fruition.  Social change is inherently a societal concern with multiple layers and intersections, which makes defining it and measuring it difficult.  Can you really address health care without examining income, race, and gender?  Can you attribute a safer neighborhood to the efforts of a nonprofit or to changes in city legislature or both?

Given the complications in simply defining and examining social change, we need to stop assuming that the tools used to measure other objects—like profits—are adequate and effective.  In fact, many of the efforts I see for measuring our progress are short sighted, essentially boiling down to “Are we using donors money well?” Implied in this approach is that since donors are supporting our mission, if we please the donors, then we are fulfilling our mission.

While this approach is important for evaluating performance, it doesn’t tell us much about our progress towards social change.

  • For one, it doesn’t put people in need at the center of the measurement: I understand the push to be objective by ignoring the voices of the people we serve and to focus on things we can easily count (How many get counseling?  How many complete applications?)  Yet how people are experiencing change, problems in our approach, and potential new challenges cannot be easily documented quantitatively.
  • It assumes there cant be multiple interpretation of numbers: When I read data on how many inner city youth go off to college, I see that data as incomplete.  Why?  Because acceptance isn’t the issue– graduation is.  What’s the point of getting accepted if you don’t finish?  Yet for some acceptance is great, while others want to know the quality of schools, and others, like myself, want more long term data.  In other words, numbers are interpreted differently so no set of numbers is complete.
  • It leaves little room for collaboration: If one sector had the answer to our most pressing problems, then guess what?  Only one sector would exist.  And if social change merely required someone with good intentions and loads of time, our problems would’ve been solved decades ago.  Essentially, how are we including and examining the various other forces that impact the well being of people we serve?
  • It doesn’t include a long-term approach: Social change takes a while.  Providing immediate services to people is important but tracking changes in situations and circumstances won’t be captured in a yearly report.
  • It doesn’t allow for critical thinking: Without focusing on processes how do we know if our definition of social change is appropriate?  How do we know if what we are measuring adequately captures progress?  Once we focus on gathering numbers without engaging critically with our own processes, we lock ourselves into methods that may be outdated or problematic.

This is not to say that change should not be measured.  It should and absolutely needs to.  The concern is that the current models don’t capture the entire picture and we need to develop a more holistic approach.  

Check out how some of the other nonprofit millenial bloggers view this issue:
Colleen, Does Writing a Check Equal Social Change?
Elizabeth, What is Social Impact?
Elisa, Measuring Social Impact
Tracey, The Meaning of Social Impact
James, Measuring Social Impact


Reflecting on Service and Community on Veterans Day


Posted by ajlovesya

What has always stood out to me about Veterans Day was the silence from the Veterans in my life. When I would come up with ways to celebrate I was met with appreciation, but generally frustration and some confusion over why people suddenly want to celebrate and discuss Vets. This is partly because of the way we, as a nation, look at Veterans and war.

In war, there are no unwounded soldiers. ~José Narosky

We have a weird cycle when it comes to discussing Veterans. The speeches come, as do the parades, the monuments, and the warm and proud feeling of sharing a country with men and women who risk their lives so that I can enjoy mine. Then the celebrations subside. The statistics about the nightmares, depression, alcoholism, and suicide that plague our Vets all but disappear until someone shoves it in our faces and even then, we are too stunned to act. The issues affecting veterans sometimes feel too big: I am not part of the military and I have not seen war. I do not know what the issues are and I do not feel like I can help beyond saying “I support you.”

And make no mistake, that support goes a long way. But what is needed is a consistent voice in times of war and peace that remains deeply committed to preventing war at all costs and when war appears inevitable, support for the physical, emotional, and mental well being of soldiers is available at every step of the way–from the time they sign up to the time they return home.

And we must move quickly for this is not a matter of pity, this is a matter of justice. Pity allows for personal removal from the issue, condescension, and an unwillingness to see strength in sacrifice (afterall, who would actually want to be a soldier except for the desperate and lonely?) Yet when we are moved by justice we see the talents and treasures that each person brings that should be utilized in creating a better world and a connectedness that says “Your well being is tied up with mine–I cannot allow you to suffer.”

“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them” ~ John F. Kennedy

So on Veterans Day, as we honor those who have served, I am making the following committments:

1. I will not trivilaize the importance of mental health and emotional support: You are not “crazy,” “weak,” or “stupid.” I recognize that my language and my attitude have an impact on your ability to get the support you need.

2. I will integrate your needs into my work: “All Volunteer Force”,” a report released today, highlights the desire of young veterans to volunteer when they return and how those who have volunteered have better transitions back. As someone who has devoted my life to service through nonprofit work, I know that the desire to give back is a crucial asset for social change. I will make a conscious effort to include you in the ongoing conversations and activism regarding about social change, social innovation, and volunteerism. And I will encourage my collegues to do the same.

3. I will support causes that reach out to you: I have always admired CUNY (City University of New York) for their Veteran outreach initiatives. However, I am blown away all the time by how many people, moved by your stories and experiences, decide to start new programs and organizations. Civic Enterprises in their “All Volunteer Force” report outline 14 ways we can tap into your talents at the national, state, and local levels.

4. Most of all, I will listen: Although I consider myself an ally, I do not know your story and I cannot tell it. But I can at the very least listen, share, and ensure that your voice is heard.

What other commitments can we make?

Aunt Cheryl, Uncle Donald, Larry, Jerry, and Jasmine–thank you for your service abroad and your continuing service at home.


Keeping My Fire-Lessons Learned


Posted by ajlovesya

Last week I wrote about my current struggle in maintaining the passion that brought me to the sector. The comments and feedback have been wonderful and really pushed me to reflect more on what I do and why I do it.  Here are a few things I now know to keep in mind:

Be deliberate about keeping and adding fire to your work:

I think my biggest mistake is assuming that my passion does not need TLC.  But it’s easy to get caught up in your professional work and get out of touch with your original inspiration for pursuing a career in social change. So take time to nurse your soul and get in touch with YOUR mission.  Who or what inspires you?  Why did you get into this work in the first place?

One thing that I enjoyed doing at a former job was actually talking to co-workers about our cause and our role in it.  We shared personal experiences, opportunities to connect with others, and interesting information about our issue.  In fact, talking to people—whether it is at work, at a conference, or even at home—about what’s moves and inspires them, then making connections really helps you see the importance of what you do.

Elizabeth Clawson also made a great recommendation in the comments of my last post:  “Maybe one solution is to work where we can, lifeless or not, and keep up with our passions on the side. Contracting, volunteering, blogging…there are lots of opportunities for that kind of balance.”

Rewrite your job description:

In my last post a commenter who also works in development described their work in a very powerful way:

“I don’t raise money and resources: I help inspire executives to get involved; I help provide the funds that keep the organization going; we don’t do speaking engagements, we are building passion and support for our cause and the cause of our clients; I don’t write grants–I’m inviting foundations to take a hard look at an issue area and make a significant and impactful investment in our mission.”

Sometimes a fresh perspective is all it takes to keep you energized and committed to your work.  What are the larger implications of your work for the cause you are committed to and your organization’s mission?

Focus on the cause not just the sector:

Colleen Dilenschneider wrote a brilliant piece about how Gen Y knows that social change is not limited to one sector. I couldn’t agree with that more.  In fact spending time in the nonprofit sector has shown me just how connected the sectors are, especially in a field like education.  Each sector may engage an issue differently but the trick is to focus on the change you want to see regarding your cause, what you believe is the best method of getting there, and how you want to be involved in that process.

Move around if you need to:

I got into development after spending a lot of time doing direct service work. I needed to look at my cause from a different angle while tapping into my desire to be more behind the scenes doing work with a larger impact.  That said I am still amazed at how many ways there are to engage in social change work.  Whatever skills, experience, time, and interest you have there are so many ways to get involved.  This diversity is exciting and compelling—there is always a way to make a difference.

What do you do to keep your passion?