Fundamentals - United Way Overview part one
Let the learning begin!
First, as a relative newbie to the system, my first impressions of the SLC has been great! I personnally would like a soundtrack from the first two general sessions.
now, down to business.
The first Fundamental session began with a great new version of poker. All dealt one card, we were asked to make a "winning hand" by finding people in the crowd with the same cards. Basically, this meant finding your matching cards in a sea of chaos. Dealt a pretty good card, Queen of Hearts, I immedietely found my home with the royal flush of hearts. In the grand excitement of the moment, I grabbed all five cards and ran to the front to show the judges. (In my defense, someone did yell at me to go to the front). However, upon arrival at the judges, I realized i had left my entire team behind! So i had to go back to find the bunch- again aligning myself in the sea of chaos.
Sadly, we lost the competition to the royal flush of spades. Then, close behind us was the ever-powerful group of 8 2's. Maybe not the best hand, but deserves an E for Effort for doing your best with the cards you were dealt.
Lessons i took away from this activity -
a) Never leave your team behind, you can't make it alone.
b) Even if you are a two of hearts, still do your best to make the best team you can
Then, we moved on to the first module of the Overview of United Way. It was a great way to meet people from United Ways accross the county and other newbies. It is always motivating to hear how other people got involved in United Way and see that we are all a part of such a giant and powerful movement.
Topics of the Day
-Mission, Vision, Values, Theory of Change
-Structure, Leadership, Membership, Standards of Excellence
Special shout out to my very own United Way International with our own informational slide. If anyone in the session wants more information, please let me know!
Now time for some celebration at Heinz field. Thanks to everyone for making this such an enjoyable and productive experience.
First, as a relative newbie to the system, my first impressions of the SLC has been great! I personnally would like a soundtrack from the first two general sessions.
now, down to business.
The first Fundamental session began with a great new version of poker. All dealt one card, we were asked to make a "winning hand" by finding people in the crowd with the same cards. Basically, this meant finding your matching cards in a sea of chaos. Dealt a pretty good card, Queen of Hearts, I immedietely found my home with the royal flush of hearts. In the grand excitement of the moment, I grabbed all five cards and ran to the front to show the judges. (In my defense, someone did yell at me to go to the front). However, upon arrival at the judges, I realized i had left my entire team behind! So i had to go back to find the bunch- again aligning myself in the sea of chaos.
Sadly, we lost the competition to the royal flush of spades. Then, close behind us was the ever-powerful group of 8 2's. Maybe not the best hand, but deserves an E for Effort for doing your best with the cards you were dealt.
Lessons i took away from this activity -
a) Never leave your team behind, you can't make it alone.
b) Even if you are a two of hearts, still do your best to make the best team you can
Then, we moved on to the first module of the Overview of United Way. It was a great way to meet people from United Ways accross the county and other newbies. It is always motivating to hear how other people got involved in United Way and see that we are all a part of such a giant and powerful movement.
Topics of the Day
-Mission, Vision, Values, Theory of Change
-Structure, Leadership, Membership, Standards of Excellence
Special shout out to my very own United Way International with our own informational slide. If anyone in the session wants more information, please let me know!
Now time for some celebration at Heinz field. Thanks to everyone for making this such an enjoyable and productive experience.
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I really enjoyed watching the card game and hearing the different insights drawn from the game. I really think all the teams who were ABLE to form a poker hand are the true winners. Today's game was different because poker is a concrete game where there is one winner--the royal flush is the best hand. However, the work that different United Ways engage in do not have concrete rules. Helping communities and lives can be successful on so many different levels-- but it is true that it takes coordination to achieve this. Thus, I enjoyed watching and learning people connect with others who were complete strangers because they recognized they worked better together as a team. But more compelling was the fact that many people could not find others to form a poker hand. Many people did not even try to seek out others because they had such a "low, worthless card." Even these cards, when paired with others, can still form a poker hand... and can still be successful! So my lesson learned for today is that attitude really matters, and that it only takes one step of a little communication for successful teams to be formed!
If I could make one suggestion - please don't put the attendee lists online. I know we're in the age of everything going on the Internet, but I have some concerns. Thanks so much.
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