It emerges from the case – a round, compact body half my height, smooth with a shiny tomato-red finish – warm from riding in the car. I like to handle its weight, using both hands to pick it up by its crown of silver chrome and set it in place.

The first sound is the gut – the deep open bass tone – palm landing squarely in the middle of the goat skin head, sending the message vibrating down the hollow body, into the ground, contacting the earth, the ancestors, the stories of thousands who had to leave their homes with nothing more than that sound to pass down through the generations. And then SLAP, like a high-pitch whip crack, hand to the edge with a swift wrist action, calling me to come into the circle, the community, to attention, to readiness. Our time is now.  (more…)

I believe I’m a giving person. Giving is part of my purpose. And I want giving my money to be as important as being generous with my intelligence, time, participation and love. It’s tough this year, though. The needs out there are greater than ever. The courageous social change work my clients do, and others like them, is more focused, connected and impactful than ever. But as the requests for end of year financial support come pouring in, I’m feeling more economically anxious about giving money than ever. How about you?  (more…)

Those gathered in the workshop fell silent as Native Liberation leader Marcie Rendon, member of the White Earth Anishinabe Nation, grandmother, playwright, poet and activist considered the question asked of her: “What do you think white allies [and others] can best do now to support the aims of Native peoples?” (more…)

Strategic visioning and planning is (still) a staple in the social sector. For example, in the Strategic Planning for Nonprofits group on LinkedIn, there is currently a 60-comment discussion on vision statements.

But what about the military sector? 9/11 hit 10 years ago, driving a tidal wave of militaristic moves. The U.S. military is a huge organization where planning must be a coordinated capability. Were their actions over the past decade grounded in a strategic vision? As one who facilitates strategic visioning and planning processes, I want to know. Where were they coming from?  (more…)

How much is 130,000,000?

• There are 130 million books in the world.
• 130 million ballots elected Barack Obama to the U.S. presidency.
• When Steve Jobs stepped down from running Apple, his team had sold close to 130 million iPhones.  (more…)

With collaboration abuzz in the social sector as a path of leadership to the future, note the development of the U.S. Congress Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction, aka the Super Committee. (more…)

“Only six days left.”

Newscasters are blaring the coming economic doom if the U.S. Congress fails to raise the debt ceiling. Is it enough time to save us? What can and cannot happen in only six days? How bad is it? What will happen? What to do when time is nearly up? (more…)

In this video, two colleagues grapple with culture change. Have you been there? P.S. Made on Movie Maker at xtranormal.com. Enjoy!