Angela Kujava - Post 3: Serve rather than preside
Posted By: Angela Kujava
Posted: 7/20/2009
Millennials, so many attempts have been made to define the
characteristics of you Gen Y-ers I'm surprised you're not yet the
subject of a 300-level cultural anthropology class. Perhaps it hasn't
been consequentially different for previous generations entering the
workforce, but it just seems that tomes of information are being
collected to answer the questions "who are they?" and "what on earth do
they want?" (Read that with as much breathless paranoia as you feel it
deserves.) I wonder, do you sit in focus groups and take bets as to
when it will eventually happen that some Boomer just outright pokes you
with a stick?
One thing about you is certain, as shown by
consensus of countless reports—you're civic-minded, ambitious and
team-oriented. They also say you're also mind-bogglingly mollycoddled
and won't do anything unless you walk away with a trophy. Yikes.
So,
you deeply care about making an impact with your life. As a whole, I'm
certain this can be said of any age group. How Millenials are unique,
and apparently stupefying to the establishment, is in their
collaborative approach to attaining influence and power. Gen X strived
to be individualistic; Gen Y fostered social networking groups that
connect millions.
The Wall Street Journal recently blogged about
the rules of online engagement as set by the Facebook Generation. One
striking header "Leaders serve rather than preside" best sums a plea I
believe your non-profit community is making to you.
As I’m sure
it's been mentioned in this publication, there are approximately 300
non-profit organizations in Washtenaw County alone, and they are
screaming for new blood. Sitting on the board of directors for a local
charitable organization is not reserved for the stodgy and
semi-retired.
In January 2007 I walked into an office suite
painted intermittently hot pink, neon green, bright turquoise and polka
dot. And there were monsters everywhere. Children walked in with wide
grins and open minds to sit in this place and write. Not play—pen to
paper writing. The Executive Director of 826michigan will very kindly
argue that I was professional and polite, but I'll tell you it was an
all-out ambush—I had to be a part of this.
Today we're in a
different facility where the walls are plums and greens, but the store
is still turquoise. There are no monsters, as they went on strike and
have been replaced by robots. We fundraise with these robots in the
Liberty Street Robot Supply & Repair store, and by organizing such
events as an annual Mustache-A-Thon, Mittenfest, The Love Hangover and
24-Hour Theater. It is, by far, the coolest enterprise in which I have
been involved.
It has also proven to be the most powerful forum
to hone and contribute my leadership ability. Among other
accomplishments of 826michigan in the 2+ years I have served on the
Board we have: made major real estate decisions and transactions to
relocate downtown, completely changed our brand identity, and opened a
quirky niche retail store that is thus far thriving.
The point
of this gushing is not to convince you that 826michigan and its people
are incredibly awesome (though it is and they are). I'm making an
attempt to impress you before I tell you the part that still blows my
mind sometimes. In each of these weighty decisions, as a board member
and regardless of age, my opinion counted. Whether or not one's views
are in harmony with the end choice, each board member is considered an
equally crucial part of the discussion. It's a heady feeling, but a
great responsibility.
Step up and serve as a fiduciary on a board
of directors. Find the organization that speaks to you, that causes you
to ninja ambush the director (metaphorically, of course) and tell
him/her why you absolutely have to be involved. NEW not only offers
inexpensive classes teaching you your responsibilities as a board
member, they will set you up with BoardConnect—think match.com for you
and non-profit organizations—so you can seek out your passion, or help
it find you.
This is allegedly the exact sort of thing you want,
Gen Y. In return for it you'll create a vast network of associates,
develop skills you may not otherwise in your chosen field of employ,
and some of you may even find that your voice is much louder and more
confident than you’d suspected.
Leaders serve rather than preside. It's your schtick, and it's vital you act upon it. And service is an unbelievable reward.
Angela is on the cusp of Gens X and Y and flits back and forth between the two as it suits her mood.
This post originally appeared in Concentrate.