OUR SERVICES
Our Core Perspective & Process
Appreciative Inquiry (AI) is the core of all our work, because it gives us the avenue to connect strengths with collective strengths, and aspirations with greatest aspirations. We effectively design AI processes in any client engagement, for any size organization, and in any of the “Services” we offer, from large multi-day summits to core group inquiries.
- We can provide training in Appreciative Inquiry
. However, the most effective learning occurs through one of the “Services” we offer, because then we include training & mentoring while we see how AI transforms your organizational system.
Philanthropic Quest informs our perspective & process for our work with organizations of social good, because it provides the insight and tools especially applicable to the passion and commitment we encounter in the nonprofit sector. Visit
Jim Lord’s and Pam McAlister’s
“Tailwinds” to learn more about all the things today’s world has going for it.
Future Search is a large group facilitation methodology we employ for off-sites, retreats and summits, because it effectively engages diverse populations in creating and planning vibrant futures.
Open Space Technology is an approach we specialize in, when self-organization around a specific theme is what's called for to move groups forward.
World Cafe is a process we've had tremendous success with when a group wants to foster dialogue on issues of deep importance.
Technology of Participation is a small to medium group facilitation method we employ for various contexts where consensual visioning, planning and implementation are the preferred results.
Our Services
{ The Course: Reaching the Optimal Future }
Visioning
A clear, collective and provocative vision will compel an organization towards greatness, by channeling its hopes and dreams into the work environment. We can help you with a Visioning process that brings out the best in your system. This can also be integrated into another service such as Strategic Planning.
The Purpose
- To develop a shared, compelling vision of the organization’s optimal future.
Our Process
- Organize a steering group to review organizational history & select stakeholder groups
- Facilitate a vision summit with your stakeholders
- Finalize & formalize the vision statement
Your Results
- A vision statement product
- Heightened organizational aspirations
- Increased community support, resulting from broad participation in the Summit
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Strategic Planning
Sometimes organizations get so focused on the day-to-day activities, that they forget to look up at the long-term picture to see where they’re going (or don’t see the forest for the trees, some say). We can help with an engaging, participatory process that will position you for your best steps forward.
The Purpose
- To define the preferred future of what is possible and begin moving towards it.
Our Process
- Identify core group that will lead inquiry, analysis and integration of strategic plan
- Facilitate multi-day event to develop participatory strategic plan
- Finalize & formalize strategic plan with new initiatives and action plans
Your Results
- A useful strategic plan document
- Heightened engagement of stakeholders in moving the organization forward
- Increased organizational capacity towards strategic planning
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Evaluation Design
In this era of increased accountability, having a system to look for, measure and report positive results will strengthen your organizational stature in the long-term. We can help with an organization-wide Evaluation Design that distinctly connects program outcomes and indicators with your organizational mission.
The Purpose
- To design and integrate an evaluation framework across all programs.
Our Process
- Organize a leadership group to scan current situation and build evaluation capacity
- Facilitate a staff retreat to develop outcomes & measures that align programs with mission
- Finalize & formalize the evaluation framework for integration into the organization
Your Results
- A practical, multi-year, replicable evaluation tool for all programs
- Heightened capacity and confidence for staff
- Increased governance insight for board of directors and executives
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{ The Canoe: Sustaining Innovative Responses }
Organizational Design
The contemporary organization is a human system more complex than can be shown on the typical organizational chart. We can help with innovative processes that discover your effectiveness and expand it throughout your organizational systems.
The Purpose
- To use knowledge about programmatic effectiveness to design and develop new initiatives.
Our Process
- Identify a core group for topic identification and research process training
- Guide core group through research process and organize data
- Convene capstone event to work with data, formulate new directions and plan initiatives
Your Results
- A research report connecting data with programmatic effectiveness
- Improved design of organizational initiatives, processes or systems
- Increased stakeholder engagement in organizational successes
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Grantwriting
Grant financing of new or continuing projects will increase your organization’s credibility and capacity as effective planners and managers of community programs. We have secured over $30 million in grant awards (primarily in multi-year federal funding), and delivered grant training for over 100 organizations throughout the Pacific.
The Purpose
- To design, plan & submit a highly competitive project proposal.
Our Process
- Identify planning team to give input and shape the project concept & design
- Develop needs analysis, evaluation plan, implementation plan, management plan and budget according to the published RFP
- Draft, revise, package and submit final proposal
Your Results
- A unique project plan and funding proposal for your use
- Increased knowledge of competitive proposal development processes
- Increased staff time through release from grant writing
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Incorporation & Tax-exemption
When a volunteer initiative is ready to be eligible for grant or other funding, it will establish itself as a legal entity. We can help you with nonprofit incorporation and application to the IRS for tax-exempt status.
The Purpose
- To create a legal organization eligible for tax-exempt status and prepared to received grants and donations.
Our Process
- Identify initial board members
- Facilitate event to create charitable purpose, governance and membership guidelines, bylaws and initial programs
- Compile and deliver articles of incorporation, bylaws and IRS form 1023
Your Results
- Articles of Incorporation and Tax-exempt applications, ready for filing
- Heightened capacity of new board members to govern the organization
- Increased ability to secure public and private funding
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{ The Crew: Strengthening the Team }
Board Development
Members of the board are your leaders in the community as well as your community voice on the board. You know how important it is to ensure your board “team” operates at its best. We can help you with services such as orientation and training in roles & responsibilities, group development of values & guiding principles, or building leadership prior to a capital campaign.
The Purpose
- To harness the greatest potential of board leaders.
Our Process
- Identify purpose, product, process and participants
- Facilitate a workshop that builds towards greatest possibilities
- Provide framework for optimal work as a board “team”
Your Results
- A shared understanding of board potential and possibilities
- Heightened effectiveness of board members
- Increased confidence in realizing the optimal future
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Training & Skills Building
With “change” being one of the few guarantees in modern society, you know that team members must be equipped with many skills and abilities. We can help you with the design and facilitation of interactive learning experiences that develop team skills in a number of areas, including project management, federal and state grant management, program evaluation, or board governance.
The Purpose
- To complement existing capacity with new skills and abilities.
Our Process
- Identify purpose, product, process and participants
- Design and facilitate interactive workshop to build team skills
- Provide framework for integration of skills upon return to the work environment
Your Results
- Useful tools and techniques to apply newly acquired skills and abilities
- Heightened team engagement through learning experiences
- Increased team productivity
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Process Facilitation
Without clear support, the “right” decisions quickly become the worst decisions. Moving your team towards the best decision requires broad engagement and support from the team and stakeholders. We can help you by designing and facilitating a democratic, community-based, engaging process that honors your stakeholders while informing your team’s next big decisions.
The Purpose
- To move your group towards the best decisions that are effective and supported.
Our Process
- Confirm the purpose, product, process, participants and probable issues
- Facilitate the event for maximum participation and consensual decisions
- Finalize & deliver documentation on the decision process and outcomes
Your Results
- A product detailing your stakeholders’ and team’s input and conclusions
- Heightened team effectiveness
- Increased likelihood of successful implementation of the team’s decision
See our client list, or contact us for more information …
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