Many folks aren't aware that Create WV is an initiative lead by the Creative Communities volunteer team of Vision Shared, a non-profit organization launched in 2001. Depending on who you ask, the Vision Shared effort has either been a hugely valuable forum for connecting the private and public sectors to solve difficult problems in West Virginia, or a disappointing attempt that has not yet fulfilled its potential.
Often, those who express frustration have either a) not been actively involved in a volunteer team, b) been a part of a volunteer team which struggled to gain traction and make an impact, or c) have not received enough communication on results delivered by various teams.
The point of Vision Shared, in my opinion, is to provide a venue in which motivated leaders and team members can rally around an issue and make a difference. Sometimes weaknesses in leadership or lack of consistent team member commitment can lead to less than inspiring results, but in many cases Vision Shared teams have delivered truly relevant and impactful contributions towards our state's development.
One of the key criteria for developing a creative community - or in this case, a creative state - is a spirit of inclusiveness. Vision Shared's initial charter shared a passage from Democracy At Risk and asked that it be reflected on in future years:
In the past, leaders were special people who did special things. The rest were followers who simply went along with what the leader said, and did. The approach seemed to work: if the industrial age was characterized by anything, it was by hierarchical organizations with leaders who were top executives, and everyone else was down below.
But today we share a planet that is shrinking. The rules of engagement that applied for most of what has been called ‘the American century’ no longer work. In the next century, new ways of thinking about leadership will be required, spurred by technology and globalization.
Organizations will have to be flattened. Leaders and followers are linked and must be involved in the leadership process. Teamwork and collaboration will work better than command and control.
The new model of leadership is collaborative, requiring widespread participation and collective decision-making. It accepts the inevitability of conflict, but encourages consensus. It searches for win-win solutions.
This is not to say the new model diminishes the contribution of individuals. Rather it argues that any individual, located any place in the system, can play a leadership role.
The new model of leadership insists on the participation that is at the heart of the democratic enterprise. The new model confirms that to collaborate is to prepare for civic engagement.
Has Vision Shared, in partnership with state government, other non-profit groups, and many others, been effective in sparking meaningful long-term change in West Virginia? You can judge for yourself by reviewing the latest report from Market Street, the consulting firm who helped shape Vision Shared back in 2001, delivered in August 2008 at the WV Chamber of Commerce's Annual Business Summit.
You can also read the latest Vision Shared newsletter to learn what other teams are busy working on.
Vision Shared, Create WV, and other volunteer opportunities are only as effective as we - the volunteers - make them. So we encourage you to review existing teams (or suggest one) and consider getting involved! If it's frustrating at first, find a way to improve it. If you need help, ask for it. If you need resources, chances are someone is willing to make a good attempt at finding what you need.
Comments