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Welcome to Paddling The Rapids
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.1
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 forumsand consultations addresses all of these challenges, while building leadership and organizational capacity.
Our clients and group participants report increasing organizational knowledge, acquiring new skill sets, broadening peer networks, deepening self-knowledge, and renewing their commitment to a mission focus.
1. attributed to Peter Vaill, Managing As A Performing Art
"I’ve participated in the Paddling the Rapids group for two years and it is one of the only constants that this position, as executive director, has provided. This collective group’s experience, judgment, and opinions have been invaluable in my development as an ED. The Paddling group provides a steady voice of experience and openness for me to share my anxieties and hopes as a leader in a nonprofit during rapidly changing times. I continue to carve out the time to attend, which in itself indicates the experiences’ value".
Mary Marin Lyon
Literacy Volunteers of Bangor, Maine
PARTICIPANT QUOTES: Deb Meehan
Deb Meehan, University College, Rockland, Maine
"Oftentimes it is very hard to ask for help or honest personal feedback. It requires that we be vulnerable. As leaders we do not often have the safe space in which to admit faults and vulnerabilities because we need to seem invincible. This forum allowed me the privacy and security to examine delicate matters in a confidential setting. Carol and Deb were very transparent and non- judgmental - so, as the months unfolded we got deeper into topics. It was also very fun!"
Deb Meehan, University College, Rockland, Maine.
PARTICIPANT QUOTES: Hildie J. Lipson
Hildie Lipson, Executive Director of MaineShare
This is professional development at its best. The format and style of Paddling the Rapids allows for delving deeply into an issue or challenge I face at my organization. The consistency of having the same group of people, month-to-month, meeting and thinking about non-profit leadership means that when it was my turn to present my focusing question, I trusted the group and their strategies and observations. The group process is supportive, constructive, and well thought-out. The energy of the group builds with every session and is central to building expertise, confidence and strategies for successful leadership.
I believe that my participation in Paddling the Rapids helped me to develop leadership skills, and in turn helped to strengthen my organization. I recommend other Executive Directors participate in these Leadership Forums as a low-cost, practical, and solution-oriented approach to leadership development.
Hildie J. Lipson
Executive Director
MaineShare, Augusta, Maine www.maineshare.org
PARTICIPANT QUOTES: Noelle L. Merrill
Noelle L. Merill, Executive Director, Eastern Area Agency on Aging
Draw, sweep, backpaddle. These are commands to help control the direction of a canoe. Boating terms yes, but amazingly relevant to being the leader of a non-profit agency in the 21st century. Even if you paddle alone, the camaraderie of others passionate abou the sport will help in the evolution of your talents. And that is truly how Paddling has worked for me. I have gained not just from the strategies and ideas of my peers, but from the questions asked when diving into the issues presented.
Just like in all other businesses, non-profit leaders must consciously run their organizations with little room for error. Most of us don't have time to read lots of materials or attend costly training sessions. Orchestrating management, staff and a board of directors can be overwhelming at times and usually CEOs have nowhere to turn to find confidential and non-judgmental help. Not only has Paddling been key to helping me find those new streams of thought and innovative tools, but has also provided me with proven methods to solve problems and develop new connections that are helping agencies in our region to build a better non-profit sector.
Noelle L. Merill
Executive Director
Eastern Area Agency on Aging, Bangor, Maine http://www.eaaa.org/
