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Clare Rose and Fieldstone Extend Partnership

The Fieldstone Leadership Network (FLN) is pleased to announce that it has formalized another partnership agreement with the Clare Rose Foundation to continue to offer sabbaticals for nonprofit leaders in Orange and San Diego Counties. Available to leaders with at least 10 years of executive experience leading a nonprofit, the Clare Rose Sabbatical program began 5 years ago and has awarded 19 capacity building sabbaticals thus far. The program is offered as part of the Fieldstone Leadership Network with a goal of increasing the capacity of the individual leader by offering time for rest and renewal while providing the agency’s leadership team the opportunity to lead the organization and expand their professional experience. The program offers four opportunities, valued at $50,000 each, every year.

“The past five years have been a wonderful success and we are excited about continuing our relationship with Fieldstone. Their years of experience in leadership development and the reputation of their programs make them well-positioned to continue to reach our shared goals of sustaining and supporting nonprofit leaders with this program.” said Anne Vincent, President of the Clare Rose Foundation.

According to Janine Mason, Executive Director and President of the FLN, “it is an extraordinary experience to find a partner with whom your organizational values align. Fieldstone and Clare Rose share similar philosophies which makes working together easy, effective and pure joy. It is a great privilege to be able to make this opportunity available to those leading in the nonprofit sector.”

FLN and Clare Rose Foundation anticipate working with an additional 20 organizations over the course of the next five years.

You are invited to apply for this once-in-a lifetime opportunity! Please share this opportunity with your colleagues who might also feel called to this experience. Additional information can be found on our website, where you can watch a video and hear from recent sabbatical recipients, read the Durfee report, and review the application and timeline.

Leadership’s Highest Calling

The growth and development of people is the highest calling of leadership

Harvey Firestone

Hear how the Fieldstone Leadership Network has supported the growth and development of Lee Ann Kim, Founder of Pacific Arts Movement.  As we move closer to Thanksgiving, we are grateful for her story and her invitation to keep the work going for other nonprofit leaders in our community.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YBW2JsGVQU

Courageous Leaders on Retreat

Courage has nothing to do with our determination to be great. 

It has to do with what we decide in that moment when we are called upon to be more.  

Rita Dove 

In these turbulent and challenging times, leaders often need courage to stay true to deeply held values amid the complexity of roles and responsibilities.  For those who serve our communities, it’s especially crucial that there is time and space to renew spirits, reflect on purpose and reignite the passion that underlies the work.  Recognizing this need, FLN offered a three day leadership retreat called The Courage Way: Fortifying Nonprofit Leaders.  Last week, 24 nonprofit leaders gathered in Malibu for this unique professional and personal development experience.

Designed to provide meaningful opportunities for individual learning and group reflection as well as space for leaders to slow down and move at a different pace, Serra Retreat Center, perched above the Pacific Ocean, provided breathtaking views and quiet spaces to support the intentionality of the retreat’s goals.  Led by facilitators Janine Mason and Sue Carter Kahl, leaders were provided with tools and time to explore the connection of who they are with what they do.  While reflecting on their “true work”, time and space were also provided for leaders to build relationships with other leaders and to take time for themselves.  The grounds offered plenty of walking paths and a labyrinth to complement and encourage the work.

“The learnings and fellowship of the retreat were life changing and deep beyond measure” according to Scott Larson, CEO of HomeAid OC.    Carolyn Zollars of the San Diego Botanic Gardens concurred saying “I am so grateful to have been able to step away from my “every day” work to participate.  I look forward to implementing better ways to interact with my team members and fellow leaders going forward. ” Janie Wolicki Best of WHW in Orange County summed up her experience by saying; the retreat is “an amazing program to help nonprofit leaders to have courage, to be centered and to recharge”.

Participants in the retreat were, as pictured above,  Back row– Vanessa Davis, Just in Time for Foster Youth; Michelle Ginn, Carlsbad Education Foundation; Kevin O’Neill, SAY San Diego; Lisa Wood, Casa Teresa; Gil Brady, Nativity Prep; Third Row – Scott Larson, HomeAid OC; Nadia Babayi, Laguna Beach Seniors; Teresa Stivers, Walden Family Services; Mia Roseberry, Wounded Warrior Homes; Joe Buehrle, SAY San Diego; Kristianne Kurner, New Village Arts; Second Row – Cat Corral, TransenDANCE; Natalie Julien, Thomas House Family Shelter; Janie Wolicki Best, WHW; Carolyn Zollars, SD Botanic Gardens; Front Row – Sue Carter Kahl, Facilitator, Bonnie Benitez, Consumer Attorneys of SD; Sheila Romanski, Crystal Roses; Sonay Caruso, FLN; Nancy Batterman, Options for All; Wendy Weeks, Youth Employment Services; Janine Mason, FLN & Facilitator; and Trina Hester, KPBS.

The retreat was based on the Circle of Trust approach developed by Parker Palmer and the Center for Courage and Renewal.  Trained and certified as facilitators, Sue and Janine, created a “safe space” that welcomed the soul to show up.  In solitude, and large-and-small group discussions, leaders were invited to reflect deeply using poetry, nature, art and various wisdom traditions as guides.  The retreat also included training on asking honest, open-ended questions.  This training culminated with each leader participating in a Clearness Committee, a process of discernment that lets one hear their inner voice and wisdom.  It was the capstone of the retreat experience.

Leadership Retreats are offered as part of the Fieldstone Leadership Network’s continuum of programs to support nonprofit leadership in Orange and San Diego Counties.  The retreat is offered bi-annually.  For more information, visit  https://fieldstoneleadershipsd.org/leadership-retreat    

and watch this short video on our November retreat  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wImR6a8q4rk

Author Joins Leadership Reading Groups for Discussion

As part of our Leadership Reading Group Program, author Scott A. Huesing joined San Diego leaders to discuss leadership and his best selling book, Echo in Ramadi. 

Echo in Ramadi is a captivating story of Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines during the Second Battle of Ramadi in support of Multi National Forces Surge Strategy in 2006.  It is a snapshot of a time that changed the face of operations on the battlefield and provides insight into how Huesing led young men as they began to battle through firefights and raids in the urban battlefield of Ramadi, Iraq.  It is a story of sacrifice and survival, the unbreakable bonds of brotherhood and the importance of human connection.

Huesing is a retired United States Marine Corps Infantry Major with 24 years of honorable service, both enlisted and as a commissioned officer.  During his career, spanning 10 deployments to over 60 countries worldwide, including Iraq, Afghanistan and the Horn of Africa, he planned, led and conducted hundreds of combat missions under some of the most austere and challenging conditions.  While Huesing is a proven combat leader, he insists, “there is no such thing as combat leadership, just leadership”.

As part of our discussion with Huesing, he expounded on his commitment to train and develop leaders throughout his company and how this translates outside of the military and extends to an organization, his philosophy of doing the “little things”, the importance of authenticity, and simplifying the objective so everyone on the team understands what a win looks like.  Huesing also discussed “friction” and how it pays to be prepared for the unexpected.

Currently, Huesing serves as the executive director of Save the Brave, a nonprofit that connects veterans to each other through outreach and share experiences to help them build community and heal from the trauma and stress of combat.

Fieldstone’s Leadership Reading Group brings nonprofit professionals together to study leadership through literature.  With a goal of creating well-read nonprofit leaders while imparting facilitation skills and building trusted relationships among nonprofit leaders, the Leadership Book Club offers a unique opportunity to study and develop leadership in a communal setting. Currently, Fieldstone hosts four groups in both San Diego and Orange Counties.  Groups start each September.  More information and applications are on our website under the Programs tab.

Fieldstone Hosts TrueChild Executive

Decades of research has found that when youth of color internalize rigid ideals of femininity and masculinity, they have markedly lower life out­comes in a cluster of related areas that include health, education, reproductive health, and economic security. Yet few nonprofit organizations or their funding partners are encouraged to do innovative work around gender like they are with race and class.

Alan Kwok, San Diego Grantmakers; Riki Wilchins, TrueChild, and Janine Mason, FLN

Yesterday, as part of our Crossroads and Turning Points program, the Fieldstone Leadership Network hosted Riki Wilchins, Executive Director of TrueChild. Riki discussed the need for nonprofits to consider gender and gender norms as essential lens for their program strategy. The discussion called for us to reconnect race, class, and gender in an “intersectional” approach that would dramatically improve the socioeconomic outcomes for youth of color.

This program was made possible through a strategic partnership with San Diego Grantmakers and offered as part of its Summit on Advancing Gender Equality.  This partnership makes available the opportunity for leaders of nonprofit organizations to be exposed to the same speaker and knowledge from which their funding partners are learning.  Our hope is that a mutual understanding of issues and best practices will lead to a shared understanding of program design and strengthen the effectiveness of the funding process.

Our thanks to FLN member, Mama’s Kitchen, for hosting this training session.

A full house at Mama’s Kitchen for the training

Dave Langlois: A Life Well Lived

The rain to the wind said,
“you push and I’ll pelt.”
They so smote the garden bed
That the flowers actually knelt.
And lay lodged – though not dead.
I know how the flowers felt.
Robert Frost

This week, we lost a dear and important member of the Fieldstone Family.  David R. Langlois, original board member of the Fieldstone Foundation passed away after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease.

Dave Langlois

Dave was the first person recruited by Peter Ochs and Keith Johnson to join them as they established The Fieldstone Company in 1981.  Dave was responsible for the building operations of the Orange County region and served on the company’s foundation board since its inception.  He was the foundation president for 29 years before he stepped down in 2012 as part of his retirement plans.

During his time as President of the foundation, Dave served with a clarity of vision and a purity of heart.  He understood the deep impact a grant from the foundation could have on the agency and the clients it served. Dave also recognized the importance of human capital and volunteered as a board member for Habitat for Humanity, International.  As part of his work with Habitat, Dave coordinated Fieldstone’s support of the first multi-family Habitat community to be built in Rancho Santa Margarita located in south Orange County in the late 1980’s.  Dave also recruited others to support the effort, which resulted in 48 families having a forever home.  Former President Jimmy Carter came to the community groundbreaking to celebrate.

Dave and his wife, Luana, were also active with The Wooden Floor in Santa Ana, California.  The Wooden Floor is a creative youth development nonprofit that helps underserved children achieve success in all parts of their life using the vehicle of dance.  Dave was thrilled and impressed by the young people and how hard they worked to perform in their shows and to do well in school.  His love of this work was the inspiration for Fieldstone’s gift to A Step Beyond, which was made to honor Dave for his various contributions to our communities.  Based on the model of the Wooden Floor, A Step Beyond is located on the campus of the Center for the Arts, Escondido.  The agency is currently building the Dave Langlois Youth Center, which will house much needed space to expand its services.  A matching gift from Fieldstone enabled A Step Beyond to raise the necessary capital quickly and the building is expected to be completed and opened in October 2018.

Groundbreaking for the Dave Langlois Youth Center – 2018

Dave was a gifted and talented man.  He was a fighter pilot in the Navy, a loving husband, father and grandfather.  He was a business leader and a faithful servant.  He was a man of deep integrity, generous compassion and unwavering faith.  He loved his routines, disliked wearing a tie and looked forward to his beer at the end of the day.  In all of his roles and activities, Dave was respected and admired by those he encountered.  He inspired people to do and be their best.  He made Fieldstone better for being part of the family.

Today we “know how the flowers felt.”  But we also know, as Dave would remind us, that he is in a better place.  So slowly, we will rise again and continue our work in the world.  The way Dave would want us to.

Not being a man who liked too much attention, no services are planned at this time.  But you are invited to grab a beer, say a prayer of thanksgiving in whatever way feels good to you, and toast to a very good man.

Focus on Fieldstone’s Future

Throughout our history, Fieldstone has always included the insight and wisdom of its nonprofit partners to help it craft its strategic direction.  We believe the inclusion of the leaders we serve has played a key role in our ability to design and offer the services needed by the sector.  Last week, this tradition continued as ten nonprofit leaders from Orange and San Diego Counties joined Fieldstone Leadership Network staff for a two-day strategic focusing workshop.

Using the Network’s framework of  “Build, Deepen and Sustain”, the workshop was facilitated by Tom Hall of AlbertHall Associates.   The group used its time together to explore our current leadership offerings and examine how our work remains relevant in addressing the needs of nonprofit leaders and their organizations, what offerings need to be created and which ones, if any, should be eliminated or modified.  The group also worked to further develop our newly launched Creative Encounters by Fieldstone program and to kick start our new fundraising and development efforts.

Each of our thought partners is an active member of our Network and each of our eight leadership development programs was represented by someone in the cohort.  Our thanks to the following leaders for sharing their wisdom and time with us: 

• Vince Beresford; In-N-Out, Slave 2 Nothing Foundation
• Joe Buehrle; SAY San Diego
• Shana Buxser; CHOC
• Matt D’Arrigo, Clare Rose Foundation
• Vanessa Davis, Just in Time for Foster Youth
• Torrie Dunlap; Kids Included Together
• Don Han; Orange County Human Relations
• Gladys Hernandez, Habitat for Humanity, OC
• Kathie Lembo; South Bay Community Services
• Katie Sawyer; San Diego Women’s Foundation

Despite our hard work and higher than expected temperatures, fun was had by all.  As one of the participants shared, “it was everything I love about Fieldstone – deep and meaningful conversation with passionate colleagues, nurturing old connections and forming new ones, wonderful hospitality and a sense of being truly cared for, and the possibility of greater impact on the world as a result!”

Sonya Caruso Joins Fieldstone Team

The Fieldstone Leadership Network is pleased to announce the addition of Sonya Caruso to our team.  Sonya joins us at our first ever Director of Development.  In this role, she is responsible for creating, implementing and growing Foundation-wide donor relations in Orange and San Diego Counties.  Her efforts will be key as the Fieldstone Leadership Networks continues its transition from a fully funded corporate foundation to a private operating foundation supported by others in the community who also value the leadership development of our nonprofit sector.

Sonya received her undergraduate degree in English Literature from Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio.  She holds a Masters degree in Non-Profit Management from the University of Oregon.  During her post-graduate studies she earned the Academic Achievement Laurel Award Scholarship.  To further her expertise, she earned a Certification in Fundraising Management (CFRM) from Indiana University.

Sonya’s passion for stewarding non-profits to achieve a greater impact and effectiveness has resulted in 20 years of experience in non-profit development. Throughout her career, she has worked in key positions both nationally and internationally.   Her experience includes working for organizations like the Ronald McDonald House Charities (Minneapolis), the University of Oregon Museum of Natural History, the John G. Shedd Institute for the Arts, Sportstar Marketing Group (Italy) and the San Diego Museum of Arts.  In 2007, Sonya was selected as the Executive Director of the Escondido Education Foundation where her vision and execution substantially contributed to the financial stability, growth and overall impact of the organization.  Sonya has also worked within a diverse array of philanthropic sectors as a consultant, helping each client leverage their capacity and adjust their organizational culture to uncover growth opportunities.  Some of her clients included the California Music Project, the National Association for Autism Research, the Council of Korean Americans and the Pacific Dental Services Foundation.

Sonya is active within her local philanthropic community. She has volunteered in a leadership capacity as the Chair of the Ashley Falls Jog-A-Thon, an Advisory Board Member of Villa Musica and on the Gala Committee for Ocean Discovery Institute.

Sonya is an avid runner and has completed several marathons. Running and yoga are a key part of her daily lifestyle.  She is also a member of the outdoor fitness group, “Gut Check” San Diego. Her active and growing family is at the heart of it all.  With two athletic boys, you will often find her at their races or soccer, football and basketball games.  Sonya is a nature enthusiast who loves local, national and international travel and the ability to learn about and experience new destinations and cultures.  Over the years, she has a nurtured passion for Italy and spent over two years living in Sardinia in the hometown of her husband.

Please join us in welcoming Sonya to the Fieldstone Family!

Mason Chosen as Notre Dame Fellow

Fieldstone Leadership Network’s Janine Mason was selected as a Fellow for the 9^th Annual Catholic Leadership Certificate Program at the University of Notre Dame July 7-14.   She joined 46 other leaders from more than 20 countries from North America, Africa, Eastern Europe, and Latin America. Sponsored through a collaboration between Nonprofit Certificate Education in the Mendoza College of Business and the Nanovic Institute for European Studies in the Keough School of Global Affairs, it was an eight-day program designed to give Catholic nonprofit leaders a deeper understanding of their leadership role in their organizations and their responsibilities to their clients and colleagues. Top experts and Notre Dame faculty educated the fellows on  topics important to effectively lead nonprofit organizations, such as organizational evaluation, fund development, people-centered leadership, strengths based leadership, culture and mission, strategic planning, negotiation, fundraising, conflict management and leveraging polarities.

“We are always encouraging nonprofit leaders to invest in themselves as leaders.  This is an ongoing process and it was time for me to spend some time focused on my own leadership and the future of the Network.  At Notre Dame, I had the opportunity to learn from academics in the nonprofit field from Notre Dame, Grand Valley State, and St. Joseph’s University, from national and international industry experts and from an international cohort.  It provided me with time to focus on the Network, work with professionals in one-on-one coaching sessions and to learn.  Ultimately, it provided new insights and resources that I will bring back to share with the local nonprofit leaders in our Network” said Mason.

Having earned a Masters degree from the University of San Diego in Leadership and Nonprofit Management, and been a student in Stanford’s Executive Program for Philanthropy Leaders, Mason says earning a certificate from the University of Notre Dame in Nonprofit Leadership was extra special. “My son is a current student at Notre Dame and while he was not on campus for the summer,  it was fun getting a taste of what he experiences in the business school, to learn from professors in his program and enjoy the magic of its beautiful campus.  I forgot how challenging 4 hour classes can be!!”

A highlight of the program was learning beside international leaders doing important work in a developing nonprofit, university or church setting.  “You hear stories about these folks who go to incredible lengths to help a country or community rise up after political warfare, economic challenges or natural disasters.  To work side by side with these leaders was inspiring and helped put my challenges into greater perspective” shared Mason.

Notre Dame’s leadership program is part of the University’s commitment to support the mission and work of Catholic leaders and institutions around the world. Each year fellowships are offered to professionals in nonprofit organizations that cover 95% of the registration fee.

Kim Brunbaugh and Marc Hardy, from Mendoza School of Business Nonprofit Executive Education Programs and Monica Caro from the Nanovich Institute for European Studies present Janine with her Certificate during graduation ceremonies at Notre Dame Stadium.

(For more information on the Notre Dame program, contact Marc Hardy, Ph.D. at 574-631-1087 or email him at [email protected]   For more information on Fieldstone Leadership Network, visit www.fieldstoneleadershipsd.org)

2018 Learning Groups Graduate

The task of leadership

is not to put greatness into people,

but to elicit it, for the greatness is already there.

John Buchan

These leaders have spent the last six months together; learning, problem solving, sharing challenges and best practices and eliciting greatness from each other! Best of all, they are now part of a bigger network of like-minded people; a network of colleagues with a common purpose – to support each other’s leadership beyond the program.

San Diego Nonprofit Leaders Learning Group: Vanessa Davis, Just In Time for Foster Youth; Jeremy Haman, BAME Community Development Corporation; Javier Islas, Accion San Diego; Kristine Jansen, Mama’s Kitchen; Alexander Kim, KPBS; Kirsten Kinney, Kids for Peace; Tomoko Kuta, The New Children’s Museum; Joe McLeod, Outdoor Outreach; Christina Meeker, Words Alive; Danielle Prince, Access Youth Academy; Susan Quinn, Alzheimer’s San Diego; and Marisa Varond, McAlister Institute for Treatment & Education, Inc.

San Diego Executive Learning Group: Patty Cowan, Coronado Schools Foundation; Laura Ann Fernea, City Heights Community Development Corporation; David Gereghty, Recreational Music Center; Shaina Gross, Susan G Komen San Diego; Margarita Holguin, Chula Vista Community Collaborative; Kristianne Kurner, New Village Arts, Inc.; Keturah Lane, Emmaus Today, Inc.; Claire O’Leary, STAR/PAL; Molly Puryear, Malashock Dance; Brian Richter, Special Olympics Southern California-San Diego; and Katie Sawyer, San Diego Women’s Foundation.

Orange County Nonprofit Leaders Learning Group: Jessika Ahlberg, My Safe Harbor; Alex Del Castillo, Families Forward; Erika Enz, Scholars’ Hope Foundation; Sarahi Franco, Cielo; Christina Garcia, Casa Youth Shelter; Gladys Hernandez, Habitat for Humanity of Orange County; Sally Lawrence, Orange County Council, Boy Scouts of America; Kathleen Mellon, Jewish Federation & Family Services; Jazmin Monterrosa, Laura’s House; Angie Rodriguez, Taller San Jose Hope Builders; and Katie Russell, Ronald McDonald House- Orange County.

Orange County Executive Learning Group : Natalie Julien, Thomas House Family Shelter; Amy Lakin, Casa Youth Shelter; Lina Lumme, The Youth Center; Dawn Price, Friendship Shelter; Heather Miner, North Long Beach Christian Church; Tim Rogers, Boys Hope Girls Hope; Sheila Romanski, Crystal Roses; Cathy Seelig, Friendly Center, Inc.; Andrew Simone, Providence Speech and Hearing Center; Clyde Taber, Visual Story Network; and Lisa Wood, Casa Teresa.

If you would like to learn how to be part of this vibrant network, please visit the program tab on our website.