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2022 Learning Groups and Coaching Program Full

We are pleased to announce that our 2022 Learning Groups and Executive Coaching Program are filled for 2022!  We are excited to welcome this highly qualified and dynamic field of leaders who are joining the Network through their participation in these programs.

Learning Groups

The robust application process resulted in the addition of another learning group to meet the demand for this dynamic learning experience! Each of our learning group programs will be facilitated by Tom Hall, former Managing Director of The Old Globe Theatres and a member of our first Executive Learning Group over 25 years ago!  Currently, Tom is the principal of Alberthall & Associates, where he engages in a broad practice as consultant, executive coach, teacher and leadership trainer. The cornerstone of our Network, Learning Groups were crafted in response to requests from nonprofit leaders searching for learning opportunities and relationship building.  It is a six month program which meets monthly and includes a unique experiential learning component aimed to explore how one exercises leadership in various situations and team challenges.  The program has run continuously since its inception in the early 1990s.

Coaching

Our Executive Coaching Program will continue to be facilitated by a group of nonprofit leaders who have all served as nonprofit CEO’s and Executive Directors in the sector.  With varied experience by sub-sector, the group offers a depth of experience and knowledge which is shared in a one-on-one coaching relationship over the course of 12 months.  A 360 Degree Review is included in the program.  This tool helps to increase self-awareness and guide the Coachee in identifying areas on which to focus.  FLNSD has offered executive coaching to the San Diego nonprofit sector for over 25 years.

Referrals Pave the Way

A high percentage of everyone who applied to our programs this year did so on the recommendation of a Network member and past program participant!  This speaks to our 98% member referral rate! But, most importantly, it speaks to the effectiveness and impact of the programs to provide meaningful leadership learning experiences while creating trusted relationships within the sector. We have deep gratitude to the many program alumni who continue to refer their peers to our program and to our Network with enthusiasm and purpose.

Learning Groups and Coaching are offered annually and begin each January.  Registration for our 2023 cohorts will begin in Fall 2022.  If you are interested in learning more or receiving an application, you may join our interest list here.

Author’s Insights 2021

Featuring Kimmery Martin, The Antidote for Everything

Stories and literature give us great material, including characters, issues and results, to study in our quest to become better leaders. This week, Fieldstone Leadership Network San Diego hosted Kimmery Martin for its annual Author’s Insights event.  The discussion was facilitated by our founder, Janine Mason, and explored many topics that are currently at the forefront of national debate, including medical inequity, discrimination of LGBTQ+ people, sexual assault in the workplace, fentanyl (drug) addiction, and deep fakes. In addition, the conversation delved into leadership traits of integrity, loyalty, control and trust as we discussed the actions of the story’s characters and the challenges they faced.  Abuse of power,  managing truth versus public optics, finding your calling and following your vocation were also key topics of conversation.  The conversation was robust and engaging and Kimmery was insightful and generous during her time with us.

Author’s Insights is an opportunity for members of our Leadership Reading Group Program to delve more deeply into leadership concepts with an author whose book was read in the program. Following the tradition set by American Booksellers Association in 1938 to provide a forum for authors to speak about their work, Author’s Insights is uniquely focused at furthering our understanding of leadership by furnishing members with a unique and intimate environment to explore the leadership concepts featured by the author in his or her book. Members are invited to examine the leadership theories posited by the author in a trade book or probe the leadership which was or was not exercised by an author’s characters in a work of fiction or non-fiction.

Usually hosted as an in-person event, this year’s Author’s Insights was held virtually, with Kimmery joining us from North Carolina.  In preparation for our virtual event, Janine was able to meet with Kimmery when she was in San Diego in July.  During their time together, Kimmery signed book plates and generously donated new copies of the recently released paperback for our Members. 

Living Our Value of Reciprocity

One of FLNSD’s values is reciprocity.  In practice, this means we participate in the giving and receiving of wisdom, expertise, and resources between each other. This year’s Author’s Insights is a wonderful example of this value in action. Kimmery came to us via the Words Alive 2020 Author’s Auction as she had donated a “book club session” to help raise funds to support their youth literacy programs.  Words Alive is a long time member of FLNSD. Words Alive Founder, Leslye Lyons, was one of the first community experts Janine consulted when designing the Leadership Reading Group Program in 2015.  Leslye approached Janine about bidding on the auction and her desire to donate the “book club session” to Fieldstone in support of the reading program.  Kimmery was flexible in working with us on timing and also became a supporter of our program through her donation of time and books.  In turn, we shared her work with our Network and used her writing as a tool to expand and development our leadership capacities.

Kimmery’s next book, Doctors and Friends will be released on November 9, 2021.  Watch for a November event featuring Kimmery hosted by Warwicks, another supporter of our Leadership Reading Group Program.

To learn more about our Leadership Reading Group Program or to join the interest list for our next cohort, visit our website 

The next cohort will begin in September 2022.  Registration will open in Spring 2022.

FLNSD Partners with NCPC and AFP on Equity Journey

The Fieldstone Leadership Network San Diego will provide diversity and equity training to members of the North County Philanthropy Council and Association of Fund Raising Professional in a new partnership which will begin this  month.

Using The Equity Journey platform designed by the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance, another FLNSD partner, members of NCPC and AFP will be able to participate in the three part series over the course of the coming year.  This educational experience is being sponsored by Nordson Corporation Foundation.

“North County Philanthropy Council is thrilled to partner with Fieldstone Leadership Network San Diego to bring the Equity Journey 1.0 to our members. Fieldstone Leadership Network is known for bringing invaluable leadership training, collaboration and deep engagements to the nonprofit sector and beyond. When Nordson heard of the meaningful impact the Equity Journey was having on our community we jumped at the chance to sponsor this opportunity for NCPC members. We hope this is just the beginning of the journey for NCPC and Fieldstone and for our learning and growth together”

Sara Vaz, Community Relations Manager for Nordson Corporation Foundation and President of North County Philanthropy Council.

To date, approximately 500 nonprofit leaders have participated in The Equity Journey program, which provides the opportunity to earn a certificate in equity from Nonprofit Leadership Alliance and Fieldstone Leadership Network San Diego upon completion of each series.  The Equity Journey is a three-part series and FLNSD has facilitated multiple offerings of Part 1 and 2 in the last year.  Equity Journey 3.0 is currently under development and will be presented by FLNSD in 2022.  Learners who complete each of the three parts, can earn a badge in equity.

The world is requiring leaders in the nonprofit sector to navigate issues and challenges of diversity, equity and inclusion in all aspects of their work.  We are pleased to be able to provide an affordable platform for leaders to learn and reflect on their understandings and commitment to advance social justice at this particular time.  With a goal of supporting nonprofit leaders throughout their careers, being able to provide this program to our local leaders in a timely manner is critical to our mission.  We are grateful to NCPC, AFP and Nordson Corporation Foundation for partnering with us to bring this program to a new audience.

Janine Mason, Founding Director, FLNSD 

More information on the  program offering with NCPC may be found  HERE

More information on the Equity Journey and Fieldstone Leadership Network SD may be found HERE

FLNSD Earns TOP RATED Status

Thanks to member reviews, Fieldstone Leadership Network San Diego has earned a 2021 Top-Rated Nonprofit badge from GreatNonprofits. This is our second Top Rated badge, since joining the platform two years ago.  Thanks to all who have contributed to our page and shared their Fieldstone experiences with the public. If you would like to read our reviews or add your own, visit https: Fieldstone Leadership Network SD Great Nonprofits  

FLNSD will be featured on the Great Nonprofits site as a Top Rated Nonprofit for 2021.  This distinction is valid for one year and must be earned again to maintain elite status.  The official list of the 2021 Top-Rated list will be announced on October 31, 2021.

Introducing the Nonprofit Board Exchange

New Resource to Support Nonprofit Board Recruiting and Diversity

Understanding the vital role boards play in a nonprofit’s success, building and supporting effective, well-developed, and diverse boards must be one of our highest priorities. In response, Fieldstone Leadership Network San Diego has crafted the Nonprofit Board Exchange as a community resource to publicize openings on local nonprofit boards and supply information on available trainings for those who serve in this important role. It is Fieldstone’s hope that the Nonprofit Board Exchange will serve as an effective tool to advance equity and increase board diversity throughout our local sector.

While Fieldstone has taken the lead in designing and hosting the website, it has the support of varied community partners who have collaborated with FLNSD to bring this tool to the community.  We are proud to have the following partners:

• Alliance for Regional Solutions,
• Association of Fundraising Professionals,
• Athena,
• BIPOC Support Foundation,
• Leadership North County,
• Catalyst,
• Clare Rose Foundation,
• ImpactCubed,
• Kim Center for Social Balance,
• LEAD San Diego,
• North County Philanthropy Council,
• Rise San Diego,
• San Diego Workforce Partnership,
• Social Venture Partners San Diego,
• United Way of San Diego County and
• The Nonprofit Institute at the University of San Diego

 The support and contributions of our partners are invaluable and will help to ensure the that this new tool is widely used by many different populations in our community. The Nonprofit Board Exchange can serve as a valued resource for our nonprofit sector, individuals interested in serving, employers, higher education, chambers and other professional associations. 

NP Board Exchange (link)

The NP Board Exchange is the brainchild of Janine Mason, Founder of the Fieldstone Leadership Network.  After offering training on how to diversify nonprofit boards and diversity, equity and inclusion, Janine recognized the need for a new way to identify possible board member and share opportunities to serve.  Reflecting Fieldstone’s commitment to continual learning, the website also includes information on local board member trainings.   The NP Board Exchange was a natural next and important step to support what we are learning about the need to diversify our governance boards.  “As our world continues to evolve and become more and more diverse, it is imperative that leaders choose to be inclusive every day. We are better when we welcome people from diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences to help us do all that is required to lead our nonprofit organizations. And as people who serve the community with fundamental and important services, being better matters. I believe the Nonprofit Board Exchange will help us do better”, says Mason. 

The NP Board Exchange can be found at www.npboardexchange.org

@fieldstoneleadershipsd @kimcenter4sb @LEADSanDiego @risesandiego @SDCatalyst @sdworkforce @USDNPInstitute @unitedwaysd

Clare Rose Sabbatical Makes National News

Nonprofit Leaders Need A Break

In two recent articles, Inside Philanthropy reported on the growing need for sabbaticals to support nonprofit leaders on the verge of burnout.  Reporter Dawn Wolfe interview our founder, Janine Mason as part of her research and included our Clare Rose Sabbatical in both articles.  Along with the increased need for this program, the article focuses on the work of the Durfee Foundation in providing sabbaticals through their own program and its efforts to help others interested in creating their own program to get started.  Our Clare Rose Sabbatical program is modeled after Durfee’s program and Claire Peeps and Carrie Avery (pictured below) were instrumental in advising us as we crafted our program almost eight years ago.  We are forever indebted to them for their generosity!

Carrie Avery, Janine Mason and Claire Peeps

Our Clare Rose Sabbatical is one of only 13 programs across the nation offering opportunities for time away for nonprofit leaders. We are proud to be part of such an exclusive group, especially since it involves supporting nonprofit professionals at the highest level.

Renato Paiva on the Camino de Santiago before being called home due to the COVID pandemic.

And yes, the “rescued” sabbatical taker is our very own Renato Paiva (Access Youth Academy), who will be off again on sabbatical in 2022 – two years to the day that he originally left for his Clare Rose Sabbatical!!

To date, Fieldstone Leadership Network San Diego has awarded 27 sabbaticals to nonprofit leaders in Southern California.  A Clare Rose Sabbatical includes three months paid leave for the executive director and opportunities to lead for the senior leadership team in the ED’s absence.  The experience is augmented with an organizational consultant and a $5,000 professional development fund for the team.  A Clare Rose Sabbatical is valued at $50,000 and is underwritten by the Clare Rose Foundation.

Nonprofit Leaders Need a Break. Will More Funders Start Backing Sabbaticals_ Inside PhilanthropyTwo organizations are currently participating in a sabbatical capacity building experience:  Friendship Shelter and ElderHelp San Diego.  Next year, five organizations will begin their Clare Rose Sabbaticals:  Assess Youth Academy, Case de Amistad, Kids Included Together (KIT), License to Freedom and Promises to Kids.

Applications for the next cohort of sabbatical organizations will be accepted in January 2023. The program is now offered only to the nonprofit sector in San Diego County.

For more information, please visit our website.

Encore Offering: Equity Journey 2.0

Fieldstone Leadership Network San Diego and Nonprofit Leadership Alliance Continue Partnership to Offer Equity Journey 2.0 Again

As nonprofit leaders continue answering the call to provide social justice leadership for their organizations and clients, staff and board members have participated in The Equity Journey to learn how to advance equity through culture creation, hiring policies, board recruitment and program design.

Due to positive feedback and ongoing demand, Fieldstone Leadership Network San Diego and the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance are continuing their partnership to offer an encore presentation of Equity and Nonprofit Organizational Success.  It will begin on September 1st and registration is now open.  More information can be found at  HERE

Network News

Learn about the latest offerings from our Network.

We are excited to introduce you to the newest members of the Clare Rose Sabbatical Family and provide you with updates on all of our programs.  Registration is open now for Reading Groups, Learning Groups, Executive Coaching and Equity Journey 2.0. Click here to keep reading…

2021 Clare Rose Sabbatical Recipients Announced

Kids Included Together      License to Freedom       Promises2Kids 

Awarded $50,000 Capacity Building Grants

                                    

Congratulations to Kids Included Together and Torrie Dunlap, License to Freedom and Dilkhwaz Ahmed and Promises2Kids and Tonya Torosian on their selection to participate in this capacity building program.  Valued at $50,000, each of these organizations will receive:

• Individual stipends and expenses of up to $40,000 to cover CEO salary, benefits, and travel to reflect or otherwise renew themselves in whatever manner they propose;
• Additional support of up to $5,000 fund for professional staff development. The purpose of the fund is to make it possible for other staff to have access to training programs or short-term leaves that might enhance their professional capacities.
• A fund of $2,500 to appropriately compensate or reward the leader or team that filled the role of the Executive Director during the sabbatical.
• Up to 12 consulting hours to aid in the preparation for, to be on-call during, and assist in the re-entry from the sabbatical.

Our thanks to past CR Sabbatical Takers Renato Paiva, Access Youth Academy; Don Stump, North County Lifeline; Je’net Kreitner, Grandma’s House of Hope; and Barbara Reuer, Resounding Joy for joining Fieldstone and Clare Rose Foundation on the selection committee. Having past sabbatical participants join the selection and interview team is a hallmark of our program as we believe those with real-life experience understand best which organizations are ready for this powerful capacity building experience.

Wines for Leaders in our Field: A Gratitude Event

Reciprocity     The Third Place       Stone Catchers      Power of Stones      Cultivation of Care

In appreciation for all that our facilitators and coaches do to support the Network, we hosted a unique online wine tasting to explore wines aligned with our values and practices. Led by wine expert Courtney Quinn of Path2Wine we connected as a community and shared stories of how these wines represented our leadership work . As a special treat, Courtney secured personalized videos from some of our featured winemakers.  It was a wonderful way to further our understanding of how our values and practices align together.  With a theme of “Wines for Leaders in our Field • Crafted by Leaders in their Field”, we explored an offering of choice wines and hand selected cheeses while enjoying each other’s company.  It was an evening filled with deep camaraderie and affection and learning. 

Wine Kits were hand delivered to each guest, complete with charcuterie boards. For those not drinking wine, other non alcoholic specialty drinks handpicked for each guest were included. Accompanying the food and drink, was a unique pair of custom made wine charms – a cairn and a rose.  Charms mark a wine glass much the way our coaches and facilitators help those in our Network mark their personal leadership path. We hope these special charms will serve as a remembrance of our time together and of our  deep gratitude for their commitment to the Network.