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Life, the Universe, and Everything*
Musings from Linda / LUE-42 Enterprises Issue #116, October 2020
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September, oh my goodness what a month! September was work, friends, work, beer, work, music, work, webinars, and work. Variety re-entered my life with a vengeance and I am overwhelmed, but also grateful. It means exciting times ahead.
I saw three different genres of live music, outdoors. My favourite was Corb Lund in a parking lot. I "discovered" Corb in 2002 (I think) at the Frostbite Music Festival in Whitehorse YT. I wasn't into his genre at the time, but he was one of the best storytellers I'd ever heard. Over time I grieved the demise of his (punk) band The Smalls, and accepted that if I wanted to hear him I'd have to get used to the Agricultural Tragic genre (also the name of his latest album). Anyway, the concert was fun.
My friend took me to gardening school where I created a small herb garden. I am very proud of it and so far I've only killed the basil. And the dill. And the parsley didn't come up at all. Actually, it's a bit of mess now that I look at it but I'm still proud. I also baked with apples grown by a friend. Maybe I am a domestic goddess after all.
Nah, who am I kidding? With other friends I enrolled in "Around the Beer World in 4 Weeks" with Jason Foster (@ABbeerguy). This University of Alberta Extension course was done on-line, with the best school supplies of my life (courtesy of Sherbrook Liquor Store). I am looking forward to Level 2. During September I also visited a few breweries and even had a personal tasting session with a friend. It's great fun to share a personally curated collection and I plan to do more of that.
Football is not happening, so the annual trip for the Labour Day Classic was off. Instead a few of us tailgated (safe distance) at Commonwealth Stadium. Even if we miss football, there is no need to miss football people.
I developed and delivered a few webinars and I enrolled in several more. A Global Governance Summit I attended had 85 countries participating and gave me some great insights. Another one was a slap upside the head about policy writing and the tone we take (more on this in another issue). Yet another one offered great tools for creating great board agendas, in case we've been getting sloppy. I am grateful for all the good content out there, and also that so much of it is at no cost to me.\
I spent time on my health including buying good food, cooking, reading, working out, and looking at beautiful things. I feel grounded heading into fall and more resilient in certain parts of my life.
Many of the people in my life are struggling right now. They were strong during the early days of the pandemic but it is taking a toll. You've probably got people like that, too. You might even be one of those people. Whichever you are, I encourage you to pick up the phone a few times this month and reach out to someone else. Even if you are doing the helping, it will help you.
I want to close by sharing a radio documentary I heard on CBC recently. It's from the BBC series Short Cuts, Episode 21 Beasts. I liked the whole 28 minute episode, but I especially want to share Touching the Elephant. It is a live recording from 1996 in which four blind people are asked to describe an elephant and then get to meet a live elephant at the London Zoo. It is shockingly moving and, I think, worth your time. That 10-minute segment starts at the 11:55 mark.
I hope you find something shockingly moving in the coming month. Take care.
"The older you get, I have to say, the funnier you find life. That's the only way to go."
~Diana Rigg 1938-2020
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Question: Should we have a board mentoring program?
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ANSWER: Sure, especially if you have the resources, including the right people, to do it.
In his July 28 2020 blog, Steve Bowman of
Conscious Governance shared some mentoring guidelines for new directors. I've pretty much lifted the whole article for you here.
Purpose
The purpose of your mentor program should be to:
- Supplement information presented in the formal orientation or induction program.
- Answer questions a new board member may have before or after meetings or orientation/induction sessions.
- Facilitate getting to know other board members, senior management, and stakeholders.
Assigning a Mentor
The Chair, the Governance Committee, or the whole board should be given the task of assigning suitable experienced Directors as mentors to incoming new board members. Some people are natural mentors, some are not.
Mentor's Guide
Communication: The mentor and board member may want to communicate accordingly:
- during and after the new board member's orientation;
- after board and committee meetings;
- sitting together during meetings;
- regularly scheduled breakfast and/or lunch meetings.
Information: The mentor and new board member may want to address the following:
- new board member's questions regarding how the board works, about individuals, or about board actions;
- any problems with the new board member's conduct that do not meet board expectations;
- goals and major areas of interest as a new board member;
- new board member's satisfaction with the orientation as well as their ability to participate at board and committee meetings.
Process for Mentors
1. Set the Ground Rules
This is often the first time someone has been mentored, so it is most useful to set the ground rules and expectations. Answer any questions they may have about the mentoring process. Point out what you expect of them (e.g. ask questions on history, culture of board, process, personalities, and/or performance). Explain what you are prepared to do for them: coach in personal style of asking questions or interacting with Directors/staff, explain nuances and background, assist in developing strategies for adding even more value to the board, etc.
2. Ask about their preferences
Ask the new board member what their priorities are in meeting with you. Which aspects of their board membership do they want to know about most? What areas are they hoping to improve in?
3. Set A Contact Schedule
How often will you and your new board member meet? Will you be available as well for phone or email/text consults anytime during the workday and evening, or only in specific timeslots on certain days?
4. Listen, Question, Summarise
Listen to what the new board member has to say, and add value to their awareness by providing missing information, or asking them questions so they gain a greater insight. Query them on their point of view. They bring insights and perspectives which you may not yet appreciate.
5. Be Accountable To Each Other
If you promise to look into an issue or provide a resource to the new board member, do so according to the terms of your commitment. By the same token, expect them to meet their commitment to you.
I have not found many boards that commit to this level of mentoring, and those who do provide mentors are generally not doing it all that well. What is your experience on this topic? I'd love to hear it.
/lmwe
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OCTOBER 2020 OBSERVANCES AND OCCASIONS
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Shout Out to some people who made my life better in September:
MaryJane Alanko, Lori Bursey, David Cheoros, Sarah Clarke, Brian Edwards, Jannie Edwards, Liz Garratt, Helena Hill, Dave Hughes, Janna Jorgensen, Lynn MacAskill, Karen MacKenzie, Jeff Mawson, Claudette Pelletier-Hannah, Christy Pritchard, Dr. Carole Ross, Lori Schmidt, Patrick & Tanya Smith, Tessa Stamp, Ethel Thorne, Theresa Tsoukalas, Elana & Jason West, Gerry West
"Some people go to priests. Others to poetry. I to my friends." --Virginia Woolf
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Wish I'd Said That
"Try to keep your soul young and quivering right up to old age." -- George Sand
"I was the first person to burn my bra -- it took the fire department four days to put it out." -- Dolly Parton
"You think that good is hating what is bad. What is bad is the hating mind itself." -- Bon Kai (Buddhist monk)
"It takes just a moment to change your attitude. And, in that quick moment, you can change your entire day."
-- Author Unknown
"There's no better feeling in the world than a warm pizza box on your lap." -- Kevin James
"Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world." -- Harriet Tubman
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"In real life, the hardest aspect of the battle between good and evil is determining which is which."
-- George R.R. Martin
Happy October!
LUE-42 Enterprises #BeKind
* with fond acknowledge to Douglas Adams and The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy
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