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Nothing Else Like It

When I reflect on the impact the Fieldstone Leadership Network has had over my 10+ years of involvement, I always start by appreciating the unique space it occupies.  Quite simply, there’s nothing else like it for non-profit leaders in our region.

Unlike other leadership programs, Fieldstone specifically focuses on professionals in the non-profit sector.  For both developing and established leaders in the field, it offers so many things that are hard to find—training, coaching, reflecting, camaraderie, and a true sense of belonging.

While my journey started with its flagship six-month executive leadership program, it has continued with everything from in-depth retreats to quarterly networking events to year-long coaching programs.

For me, the executive leadership program offered the first opportunity to work deeply with trusted peers on common issues of interest and deeper challenges.  It offered a safe space to both learn, share, and receive support from one another when confidentiality was ensured.  And it spurred valuable relationships that I’ve cherished for the past 10 years and will continue to cherish for decades to come.

Valin with one of his Fieldstone coachees at NPD 2022

After five years of affiliation, I became a formal volunteer coach to new and existing non-profit leaders in the sector.  This program is truly a gift!  It offers in-depth, year-long support and mentorship in a supportive, confidential environment that fosters trust and growth.  And we often find that the program is far from one-directional—coaches often find it nearly as valuable as their coachees.

For my own leadership journey, Fieldstone has been there through three very different leadership posts I’ve held over the past decade—from K-12 to broad-based health and human services to higher education.  And both the people I’ve met and the learning I’ve acquired have proven invaluable.  The simple art of listening deeply, really hearing what employees or peers have to say and what they really mean, and the patience to move slowly enough to create the space to absorb these things, has always served me well.  It has allowed me to be more effective in my work, which, in turn, improves the outcomes of that work itself…translating into better programs and services for those we serve.

But underneath all of this lies something else.  A quiet strength and commitment to the network created by Fieldstone’s leader, Janine Mason.  While she may blush when I write this, the reality is that the organization takes on the attributes of its leadership.  Unmistakably so.  So the quiet sense of caring, of support, of thoughtfulness at every turn, at the core belief that the work we all do is worthy of every ounce of energy that goes into creating and sustaining these programs, all of this is palpable in every meeting Fieldstone holds, in every debrief we do, and in every training or networking event we attend.  This, quite simply, wouldn’t be possible without the care and nurturing of Janine at the helm.

In closing, it’s interesting to note during this 40^th anniversary year of Fieldstone’s impact that my own involvement and that of some of my closest peers only spans a quarter of the history of the network’s impact.  Multiply this four times over, add all those who have been directly served by the organization, and consider the countless clients of each of those non-profits made just a little bit better by their affiliation, and you begin to grasp the breadth and depth of the difference Fieldstone has made over its tremendous history.  And for that, I am incredibly grateful.

Valin Brown, CEO, Alliant Educational Foundation

Valin currently serves as the CEO of the Alliant Education Foundation, having previously worked as the CEO of the Carlsbad Education Foundation and as the Senior Vice President and Chief Development Officer for United Way of San Diego County. Valin was selected as a Livingston Fellow by the Bonfils-Stanton Foundation while serving as the Executive Director of Bright Beginnings in Colorado.  He is a graduate of Northwestern, receiving both his BA and MA from the university. 

Valin is a graduate of Fieldstone’s Executive Leadership Group in 2012. He has also been an active member of Fieldstone’s Coaching Program since 2017.  He regularly attends Fieldstone @ 4 and has participated in the Network’s Leadership Retreats. 

Each week during our 40th anniversary year, a member of our Network will share what Fieldstone means to them and how being a part of this learning and leadership community has impacted them and the work they do to serve the community.

If you have a story you would like to contribute to our collection, please contact Janine Mason.

Celebrating Exceptional Leaders

January 2023

Members of the Fieldstone Leadership Network San Diego are some of the most accomplished leaders in our community. And we are proud of them!! Thus, we offer Leaders in The Field, a monthly communication highlighting Fieldstone Leadership Network San Diego members, their contributions to and achievements in our community. Leaders in the Field seeks to recognize and celebrate our members while increasing the awareness of their work and accomplishments.

READ JANUARY’S LEADERS IN THE FIELD

If you would like to share an accomplishment or contribution of yours or of your colleagues in upcoming Leaders in the Field publications, please email Janine at [email protected] .

Fieldstone Helped Me to Grow as a Leader, a Person, and as a Father

As a nonprofit leader, I have found participating in the Fieldstone Leadership Network to be a valuable and enriching experience. Through the various programs and events offered by Fieldstone, I have been able to strengthen my individual leadership skills and increase the capacity of my organization.

One of the most impactful ways in which Fieldstone has strengthened my leadership is through the opportunity to network with other nonprofit professionals. By building trusted relationships with my peers, I have gained valuable insights and support that have sustained me in my work. These relationships have also led to meaningful collaborations that have allowed us to make a greater impact in our respective communities.

Jeff with his Leadership Reading Group after a discussion of The Power of Regret. Author Daniel H. Pink provided personalized questions for the Fieldstone group.

In addition to the networking opportunities, Fieldstone has also provided me with access to resources and learning opportunities that have helped me to grow as a leader. The programs and workshops offered by Fieldstone have allowed me to gain new skills and knowledge that have directly benefited my organization and our clients. I have been in the Leadership Reading Group for 6 years and it has improved my life and professional success immensely. To date, we have read 55 books accompanied by rich discussions around the leadership aspects in each book.

Fieldstone has created many positive ripple effects in my life as a result of my participation. One of them being the increased impact that my organization has been able to make in the community. Through the skills and knowledge that I have gained, I have been able to lead my organization more effectively, resulting in increased efficiency and effectiveness leading to increased impact to those we serve. Another ripple has been the fine tuning of mentorship skills I have learned that have helped me become a father and positive influence to my son. I hope and expect these skills to create a generational ripple throughout time.

Overall, my participation in the Fieldstone Leadership Network has been a valuable and enriching experience that has mattered greatly to me, my organization, and to those we serve. The support and resources provided by Fieldstone have helped me to grow as a leader, a person, and as a father. I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of such a supportive and impactful community.

Jeff Rowland, CFO, Library Foundation SD

Jeff Rowland has participated in the Fieldstone Leadership Network Leaders Learning Group and has been a part of the Leadership Reading Group for the past 6 years. Jeff is a dedicated and experienced CPA with a passion for making a positive social impact in communities. He has spent much of his career working in the nonprofit sector, including a role as the Controller for Beyond Basics, a one-on-one reading tutoring organization in Detroit Public Schools. He is currently the CFO of Library Foundation SD and is actively involved in various organizations that focus on education, lifelong learning, social justice and equity. Jeff currently serves as Treasurer, Finance Committee Chair, and Board Member for the San Diego Hunger Coalition, and is committed to using his skills and expertise to make a meaningful difference in the world.

Each week during our 40th anniversary year, a member of our Network will share what Fieldstone means to them and how being a part of this learning and leadership community has impacted them and the work they do to serve the community.

If you have a story you would like to contribute to our collection, please contact Janine Mason.

Offered Me The Gift Of Believing In Humanity Again

My journey with Fieldstone Leadership Network really started when I participated in the six
month executive learning group. This training fundamentally impacted the way I view myself,
my organization, License to Freedom (LTF), and the future that LTF can have. I believe anyone
could benefit from the executive learning group, and wish that people could participate that are
not necessarily top leaders of an organization. In fact, one of the biggest takeaways from the training
affected my personal life almost as much, if not more, than my professional life.

FLNSD taught us to practice disconnecting ourselves from the work—something that I think many leaders who
have grown their organizations from the beginning are not accustomed to when they’re in positions that directly impact the well-being of others, both professionally and in our personal lives. I believe it’s important for anyone to learn the skill of holding objectivity. Through the Fieldstone Executive Learning group, I started practicing looking at LTF not only as my personal
project, but as an objective observer; the improvements I was able to make by considering LTF objectively would not have occurred had I not been able to disconnect.

Now, LTF is flourishing–we are serving more clients than ever, we are receiving more grant money, and we’ve been able to expand our team. The expansion of the team at LTF continues to provide me with support that I didn’t know was available. We were able to hire a Program Manager and individual leads for each of our programs–FLNSD taught me that sometimes it’s better to let other people take responsibility, and that it’s okay for me to trust the work of others. I think smaller nonprofits might be intimidated to take the steps necessary to expand their staff, because it means more money expended and greater trust in others. I know it was difficult for me. To others that are worried about the impact of hiring, I would tell them that the adage is true; sometimes you have to spend money to make money. Now that I have more time to spend with my family and friends, being present and disconnected from work–I can say with clarity that the outcomes you receive for trusting others are greater than the fear stopping you.

As a member of the FLNSD, I’ve seen this to be true of my fellow nonprofit leaders. The network has been instrumental in connecting all of us and helping us support one another as we develop our newly learned leadership skills and increase the capacities of our organizations. One
of the greatest resources being part of the Network offers is the support from the other directors. We are able to ask each other for advice, offer insight on available office spaces, recommend grant writers, and write letters of recommendation. I have also found it to be indispensable to be on this journey with others experiencing the same changes. We might be advocating for different causes, but we are joined in our belief that if you can help, you should.

Dilkhwaz, second from left in the back row, with her learning group in 2022.

Perhaps, however, the most impactful effect I’ve experienced, has been the soul-affirming recognition that there are so many other beautiful leaders dedicated to helping the community. The ability to become so immersed in your own cause, forgetting that others are fighting alongside you is sadly far too easy. Getting to know Fieldstone Leaders offered me the gift of believing in humanity again. I am encouraged by each and every leader that attended this training. The knowledge that this network exists and will support me when I make mistakes,  or will encourage me when I become uncomfortable with change, and above all, share my belief in a greater, more positive world, has changed the way I think about myself and the work that I do.

Dilkhwaz Ahmed, Founder and Executive Director, License to Freedom

When There Are No Words, Use Art

Mason Commissions Art Piece to Honor Facilitators and Coaches

Reaching a 40 year anniversary does not come without the work and commitment of many people who are consistently contributing to the culture and quality of the services and products offered by an organization.  For Fieldstone, this team of people include our program facilitators and peer coaches who work with our founder and staff to “hold space” for nonprofit professionals to participate in meaningful leadership development programs and to build trusted relationships with each other.

Recognizing the critical role facilitators and coaches play in the way Fieldstone approaches leadership development, we felt it was fitting to honor their work with a special gift during our anniversary year. Working with Kay Pere of Mystic, Connecticut, Janine Mason commissioned “Holding Space”,  a piece of pottery inspired by the unique and artful nature of how each facilitator and coach holding spaces for members of the Network.  Each piece was handcrafted and individually made by Pere to represent the individual craft of each person.

Heather Plett, founder of the Centre for Holding Space, defines holding space as being “willing to walk alongside another person in whatever journey they’re on without judging them, making them feel inadequate, trying to fix them, or trying to impact the outcome. When we hold space for other people, we open our hearts, offer unconditional support, and let go of judgement and control.”  Over the years, this concept has become a key principle of how we do our work in offering leadership development opportunities.  Holding space is woven into Fieldstone’s DNA and is one of the characteristics what sets our programs apart from others. 

Fieldstone’s “Holding Space” is a low, open vessel with a soft, natural copper colored glaze on its outside surface. The foundation of each piece is a rounded gray Fieldstone, which provides a solid base for the bowl while symbolizing the individual commitment to and collective nature of the Network.

The interior surface of the vessel reveals concentric circles to illustrate the progression of continuous learning, offering hospitality, and building trust with each other. Bathed in various colored glazes, the resulting patterns of each piece are varied to reflect the adaptive and distinctive styles of Fieldstone coaches.  

The bowl conveys the hallmarks of the Fieldstone Leadership Network San Diego: reciprocity, strength, resourcefulness, balance, and a sense of community.

Anne Vincent, President of the Clare Rose Foundation, with her holding space bowl which features a pink glaze to represent the rose color of the organization’s logo. Clare Rose Foundation is the primary funder of the Network.

“When there are no words, use art”, was how Mason described her efforts to share her deep appreciation to Fieldstone Coaches and facilitators. As words did not seem adequate to convey the magnitude of her gratitude or the impact they have made through their work with the Network, Mason worked with Pere to give the gift of art to each leader in hopes of fully conveying her admiration and appreciation.

Learning Group Facilitator Tom Hall with his Holding Space piece

The reaction and response from the recipients was special to watch as each one was clearly touched by the thoughtfulness and symbolism of the bowl. As John Malashock shared, “no one holds space like Janine Mason and to be gifted these works of art was very special”.

Deb Martin, CEO of ElderHelp, concurred, saying ” thank you for the beautiful, thoughtful ceramic bowl.  I look forward to displaying it and being reminded to hold space for those in my life.”

Karen Terra agreed, saying, “thanks for the gorgeous bowl.  It’s such a thoughtful gift.  I saw a bunch of others that were equally gorgeous, but honestly, I didn’t see any that I loved more than the one I received.  It’s so beautiful!”

Helped Me Give Voice to My Authentic Leadership

When I received the invitation to the first Fieldstone learning group I almost threw it away.  I was working hard to help an agency survive and thrive.  I had a mission and an immense drive for that mission.  The learning group felt self indulgent. I sat high on my messianic charger thinking that leadership would grow solely from my passion and drive and capacity for hard work.

The first Executive Learning Group in San Diego. Michael Carr is middle row, second from left.

Meeting with that first group opened my eyes…leadership grew in community, just like our humanity. Leadership grew best when I was face to face with colleagues who shared my passions, and even some of my pride,  but who also shared the struggles and the fears and the disappointments.  Leadership grew best when I was engaged with others who shared the passion for the mission and the willingness to step up and take responsibility for how things turned out.  The trust, support and learning that grew in that engagement brought healing to my heart, added years to my longevity as a CEO, and helped me give voice and reality to my authentic leadership.  Fieldstone has consistently provided an environment where that kind of engagement was possible for 40 years.

I think that what grew out of the Fieldstone experience went far beyond the profound impact it had on us as individual leaders. We went back to our agencies and our communities with a new awareness of what was possible with trusted colleagues.  Colleagues became friends but they also became service partners.  Shared contracts, grand collaborations and a new awareness of how much more we could do together became a common language that deeply impacted how the not for profit sector did business.  Increasingly we were asking: ” is this something I should do alone or would the community be better served joining with partners that brought different skills and perspectives”. We are not there yet.  We have a long way to go.  But the journey has been well begun.

Michael Carr, Retired CEO, SAY San Diego

For over 30 years, Michael served as the CEO of SAY San Diego.  While in that role, Michael joined the Fieldstone Leadership Network as a member of the first Executive Learning Group in San Diego.  He has been active in the Fieldstone Coaching Program since its inception, now serving as a program facilitator.  He also works with the Network as our Clare Rose Sabbatical consultant. 

Michael graduated from Clairmont McKenna College and earned his M.Div at Union Theology Seminary.  He currently works as a consultant in the nonprofit sector. 

Each week during our 40th anniversary year, a member of our Network will share what Fieldstone means to them and how being a part of this learning and leadership community has impacted them and the work they do to serve the community.

If you have a story you would like to contribute to our collection, please contact Janine Mason.

Fieldstone Marks Ruby Anniversary

Programs and Events Planned to Celebrate 40 Years

This year, Fieldstone reaches its 40^th anniversary! It is a time of celebration and of reflection and, as such, we have designed a year of programming and events to provide communal opportunities for both.

In our programs we often talk about leadership legacies.  We encourage leaders to take the time to think about what kind of leader they want to be and how that vision influences how they lead currently.  As we mark 40 years, we are asking legacy questions and assessing how the Network has made a difference in the community over the years.  We view our legacy through four lenses, each representing a decade of our work,  These lenses are BUILD, LEAD, SUSTAIN AND AMPLIFY.

Through these lenses we are asking question like:

• How has Fieldstone Leadership Network mattered to nonprofit leaders in San Diego?
• What ripples have been created in the work, within organizations or in the broader community as a result of a nonprofit leaders’ participation in our Network?
• What stories come to mind when Network members think of Fieldstone? What feels important to share?
• How do we understand this information and use it to inform our plan for the next 40 years?

Throughout the year, members of the Fieldstone Leadership Network San Diego, will help us to answer these questions by contributing to our Network blog.  They will explore:

• How participating in the Network has strengthened their individual leadership and how has that mattered to them, their  organization or clients;
• How the capacity of their organization been increased through their participation in the Fieldstone Leadership Network San Diego;
• How FLNSD has supported them in creating trusted relationships with other nonprofit professionals and how have those relationships supported or sustained them or resulted in new and effective collaborations;
• The ripples that have occurred as a result of their participation in the Network or something they  learned in our programs.

Each member’s story will tell a part of the collective story of our work together over the past four decades and provide a meaningful picture of how Fieldstone has made (and makes) a difference in our community – why it matters that we do what we do.  If you have a story you would like to share, we invite your contribution.  Please contact Janine as soon a possible. (link)

Our goal is to feature a new story each week on our website, which has been re-designed to reflect this important milestone year.  The website includes our anniversary logo updated with a ruby stone to represent 40 years. 

The website contains program details for each of the Network programs throughout the year.  As part of our celebration, we will resume our quarterly social gatherings, now renamed Fieldstone@40 in honor of our anniversary.  The first Fieldstone@40 will be on March 15, 2023 at 4 pm on the 9th floor of the San Diego Public Library Downtown. Our topic is Leading Your Team through Work from Home Challenges and will feature Elizabeth Schott, Accessity; Sean Spear, Community Housing Works; and Torrie Dunlap, KIT.

We are planning a 40th anniversary celebration, which will be held during the last week of June.  Please watch for more specific details,  and plan to join us for a festive gathering.

In 1983, the vision was to build a philanthropic organization to contribute to the community and support nonprofit professionals in leading effective organizations.  Over the years, as the world has changed, so has Fieldstone.  We have evolved from a corporate foundation making grants to an independent provider of leadership development programs.  While the shape of our contributions to the nonprofit sector have changed, the vision has remained.  As we take time to celebrate, reflect and plan for the future, we know it always will.

1983-2023

2022: That’s a Wrap!

Year End Report Reflects Success

2022 has proven to be a rich and full year for the Fieldstone Leadership Network San Diego.  During the past year, we hosted Learning Groups, Leadership Reading Groups and a Learning Circle.  We facilitated multiple offerings of The Equity Journey and one offering of Coaching as a Leadership Tool, as well as Creative Encounters by Fieldstone for a local nonprofit’s staff and board of directors.  We coached a dozen nonprofit leaders and trained 10 nonprofit leaders as Fieldstone coaches. We provided four Clare Rose Sabbaticals.   Through our survey instruments we learned that across all of our programs:

• 100% would recommend our programs to others
• 98% say the programs met or exceeded their expectations
• 90% would like to continue to learn with FLNSD

We continue to use data to judge the alignment of our strategy against our results.  With a focus on Strengthening Leaders, Building Organization Capacity and Sustaining a Vibrant Network, we evaluate each program on its ability to impact each of these focus areas in a positive and meaningful way.

In 2022, we learned:

Leaders Strengthened – we served 178 individuals this year.

• 100% of program participants say they developed as a leader through our programs
  • 77% developed/further developed systemic thinking in their leadership practice
  • 78% increased their appreciation for interdisciplinary/peer learning
  • 98% addressed a significant problem or challenge
  • 93% strengthened their ability to solve problems as a leader

Organizations Capacity Increased – we served leaders from 106 different organizations

• 99% of participants report an increase in the capacity/effectiveness of their organization
  • 55% strengthened relationships with board / improved board governance
  • 63% developed strategies to manage staff more effectively
  • 53% increased my or my organization’s collaboration with other leaders/organizations

Networks Developed and Relationships Created

• 94% saw impacts to their professional network
  • 85% gained valuable insights form leaders outside their organizations’ subsector
  • 78% offered and/or received resources from other nonprofit leaders
  • 66% increased the overall diversity of their networks, 58% increased their network multi-generationally

2023 Brings 40th Anniversary

2023 is our 40th anniversary year.  We have planned a full year of program offerings, including Fieldstone@40, which will start on March 15, 2023 at the Downtown Central Public Library.  Our website reflects our all of our offerings, including a big anniversary celebration planned for June.  We hope you will plan to join us for this momentous occasion!

Mason Featured on The Gap Minders Podcast

Podcast Takes on the GAPS in our Community One Conversation at a Time

To tackle gaps and lift lives, United Way of San Diego County and the San Diego Council on Literacy have joined forces to host The Gap Minders podcast. The Gap Minders weekly episodes aim to  inform, inspire, and illuminate the gaps and the solutions to a variety of challenges experienced in the San Diego community and beyond. Through insightful conversations with a range of notable and engaging guests, including education experts, political figures, authors, nonprofit professionals, and others dedicated to improving our region, Nancy and Jose chat with influential changemakers passionate about closing gaps and creating equitable and healthy lives for San Diego’s citizens through their work.

Janine Mason was invited to join The Gap Minders on a podcast which aired on December 19, 2022.  Together, Nancy and Jose asked Janine to share how the Fieldstone Leadership Network is supporting nonprofit professionals in San Diego to develop their leadership and amplify the impact of their work and that of their organizations. Topics ranged from Learning Groups and Coaching to Leadership Reading Groups and the Clare Rose Sabbatical.  One of the hosts, Jose Cruz, is a graduate of Fieldstone’s Learning Group and Coaching programs and was able to share his experience with the Network as well.

To learn more or listen to this episode, visit www.Thegapminders.org

New episodes air each Monday.

2022 Network Program Report Released

Multiple Studies Confirm Positive Impact of Network Programs

As 2022 draws to a close, we are proud to share our Network Program Report summarizing our work and the survey results from our various program participants.

As a learning organization, it has always been important for us to request and review feedback on our programs and their effectiveness in supporting nonprofit leaders in meaningful ways.  This year, as outlined in our report, we are using newly designed survey instruments that are aligned to our theory of change and our focus of building individual leadership, increasing organizational capacity and nurturing a vibrant network of nonprofit professionals.  We now have the ability to analyze each program individually and as part of a continuum of programs against these objectives.

For all Network programs, the following results were reported:

• 100% of program participants reported they developed as a leader through our programs
• 99% of participants reported increased capacity/effectiveness of their organization
• 94% of participants reported impacts to their professional network, including sharing of resources and growing the diversity of their connections.

The full report can be found on our website under the IMPACT tab.