Q & A with the Board of Directors of the Melton Foundation
After a sumptous Indian lunch on Day1, most of the Fellows were keen on a siesta:) However the Symp organizers had other plans foreveryone.
The Q&A with the BOD was right after lunch and it was indeed an eye-opener (sleep-buster too:)) for the Symp participants.
To begin with David Lyons, the current chairperson of the BOD, summarised the highlights of the deliberations and plans that e
merged from the BOD meetings over the past couple of days.
The most important aspect to have emerged from the meetings has beenthe formation of a Strategic Planning Committee which will be lookingat many aspects regarding the MF- the foremost among them being arejig of the vision of the MF and its guiding principle to not onlymake it relevant to both the SFs and JFs but also to the outsideworld.Focus areas have been drawn up and will be finalised shortly.
This Strategic Plan has been arrived at by the BOD with checkpoints/milestones and evaluations in place(both of the Plan and implementation of short and long term objectives). This assessment as well as benchmarking will be available in Oct 2009 once a milestone has been arrived at.
Among other issues discussed was the expansion and growth of the MF (growing SF community, but the same quantum of resources), possibilityof a new university (still in the freeze considering the current global economic state), alternative/creative ways to raise funds both from within and outside the Foundation.
With it began the Q&A with the fellows which primarily centered around the outcome of the BOD meetings as well as concerns, ideas and which fellows had- both from the Junior and senior Fellow Network.
Various ideas/suggestions were bounced around between the BOD and the fellows-
- the possibilty of cost cutting (providing netbooks instead of laptops to new JFs as well an appreciation of current policies which allow NewJunior Fellows to upgrade existing systems or utilize the funds forbetter purposes aligned to the MF) Netbooks cost less than a laptop.
- The usefulness/meeting of expectations of the Regional Coordinatorswhose role/purpose has not been an overwhelming sucess but with expectations which have been partially met. The BOD also clarified the rationale behind creation of the RC profileback in 2006, its accountabilty and Regional SF Events which havetaken place since then- moving slowly but steadily away from only social gatherings, towards part social and part professional,involving external facilitators, conducting sessions which are moremeaningful and relevant to SFs.
Clarification received that the new Strategic Plan will utilize the strengths and opportuntiies provided by the Fellows Network.
-The most-talked about issue over the past few months of this year and the last Fund-raising, the pitfalls, the creation of an MF Brand(rather than trying to fit the MF into a brand), the target to achieve $USD 30,000 through fundraising within the MF, the potential toharness SF talent for the same, fundraising being a tricky yet many atime a satisfying effort if one hasnt't backed out in the process(not giving up is a key as well).Thus the process of building the MF brand before we venture into theoutside world seeking funds and sponsorships.
-Concerns raised by JFs whether the Foundation would lose its intercultural aspect in the event of building the MF brand, the trade-offs that might happen - all of which were allayed by the BOD who specified the MF's USP would not be taken away.
-Concerns raised by SFs as well about the phase during which an SF feels disillusioned/disenchanted with the MF, as well a change inperpective once a life-changing event(wedding , family, etc) occurs orthe gradual change in perception of the MF (for the better) as oneadds more numbers to one's years.
-Strong and fervent requirement for a collectivevoice/wisdom/direction from the SF network. Yes, the BOD have SFs butneeds an external representation too.
The session was rounded up with a note of thanks as well asappreciation for the efforts of the BOD members despite their busy schedules and commitments.
Disclaimer: The above has been a gist of the proceedings of the BOD Q&A and each of the points mentioned must not be considered in isolation but with the relevant context. Any additions/deletions/updates missed wil be corrected shortly. All proceedings have been captured to reflect the actual events to the maximum extent possible. Any discrepancy noted is regretted.
After a sumptous Indian lunch on Day1, most of the Fellows were keen on a siesta:) However the Symp organizers had other plans foreveryone.
The Q&A with the BOD was right after lunch and it was indeed an eye-opener (sleep-buster too:)) for the Symp participants.
To begin with David Lyons, the current chairperson of the BOD, summarised the highlights of the deliberations and plans that e
merged from the BOD meetings over the past couple of days.The most important aspect to have emerged from the meetings has beenthe formation of a Strategic Planning Committee which will be lookingat many aspects regarding the MF- the foremost among them being arejig of the vision of the MF and its guiding principle to not onlymake it relevant to both the SFs and JFs but also to the outsideworld.Focus areas have been drawn up and will be finalised shortly.
This Strategic Plan has been arrived at by the BOD with checkpoints/milestones and evaluations in place(both of the Plan and implementation of short and long term objectives). This assessment as well as benchmarking will be available in Oct 2009 once a milestone has been arrived at.
Among other issues discussed was the expansion and growth of the MF (growing SF community, but the same quantum of resources), possibilityof a new university (still in the freeze considering the current global economic state), alternative/creative ways to raise funds both from within and outside the Foundation.
With it began the Q&A with the fellows which primarily centered around the outcome of the BOD meetings as well as concerns, ideas and which fellows had- both from the Junior and senior Fellow Network.
Various ideas/suggestions were bounced around between the BOD and the fellows-
- the possibilty of cost cutting (providing netbooks instead of laptops to new JFs as well an appreciation of current policies which allow NewJunior Fellows to upgrade existing systems or utilize the funds forbetter purposes aligned to the MF) Netbooks cost less than a laptop.
- The usefulness/meeting of expectations of the Regional Coordinatorswhose role/purpose has not been an overwhelming sucess but with expectations which have been partially met. The BOD also clarified the rationale behind creation of the RC profileback in 2006, its accountabilty and Regional SF Events which havetaken place since then- moving slowly but steadily away from only social gatherings, towards part social and part professional,involving external facilitators, conducting sessions which are moremeaningful and relevant to SFs.
Clarification received that the new Strategic Plan will utilize the strengths and opportuntiies provided by the Fellows Network.
-The most-talked about issue over the past few months of this year and the last Fund-raising, the pitfalls, the creation of an MF Brand(rather than trying to fit the MF into a brand), the target to achieve $USD 30,000 through fundraising within the MF, the potential toharness SF talent for the same, fundraising being a tricky yet many atime a satisfying effort if one hasnt't backed out in the process(not giving up is a key as well).Thus the process of building the MF brand before we venture into theoutside world seeking funds and sponsorships.
-Concerns raised by JFs whether the Foundation would lose its intercultural aspect in the event of building the MF brand, the trade-offs that might happen - all of which were allayed by the BOD who specified the MF's USP would not be taken away.
-Concerns raised by SFs as well about the phase during which an SF feels disillusioned/disenchanted with the MF, as well a change inperpective once a life-changing event(wedding , family, etc) occurs orthe gradual change in perception of the MF (for the better) as oneadds more numbers to one's years.
-Strong and fervent requirement for a collectivevoice/wisdom/direction from the SF network. Yes, the BOD have SFs butneeds an external representation too.
The session was rounded up with a note of thanks as well asappreciation for the efforts of the BOD members despite their busy schedules and commitments.
Disclaimer: The above has been a gist of the proceedings of the BOD Q&A and each of the points mentioned must not be considered in isolation but with the relevant context. Any additions/deletions/updates missed wil be corrected shortly. All proceedings have been captured to reflect the actual events to the maximum extent possible. Any discrepancy noted is regretted.
No comments:
Post a Comment