How ACW works:
ACW is a cross cultural/generational/gender collective moving into Distributed Leadership.
We strive for member equity.
We do our messy best.
We strive to assume good intentions as we join together to try and make the world a better place.
ALL need to have their voices honored. This includes the youth, power elite, the BIPOC/LGBTQIA and underserved communities and our elders.
We are trying to move ACW away from Transactional (What’s In it for ME) to Relational (What’s in it for US). ACW is not a fit for everyone.
Please do not be that person who complains and does nothing to contribute to positive solutions.
Remember that ACW is a mostly volunteer organization. Even those receiving stipends are paid a fraction of the real value of their time and skills.
ACW is committed to including Artwork Statements for all of our Social Justice Art Projects
.Those members who move the collective forward are the members who are featured.
Interpersonal Dynamics
Assume Good Intentions. Become a data driven person. When something sounds improbable-it probably is. Collect the data from primary sources BEFORE you draw conclusions. Assume good intentions!
Conflict Resolution. If you have an issue with one of your ACW fellow members- approach THEM to resolve. Before you complain to others. Do it first. If that is unsuccessful, then go to your Project Manager or the Director. When there is conflict, and one person will not come to the table for resolution- THEY are the problem- not you.
Distributed Leadership Transition As we move into this new model – new people will be running different aspects of the organization. Please be gentle with your feedback and please direct your comments to the new people doing the work. Then- if you do not receive a satisfactory response – please contact the Director.
When you misstep-we all do- apologize! If you were the injured party – accept an apology with grace and move on.
If you have an issue with how something is being done. Join the committee which is setting this policy and raise your voice.
When we have reached consensus – then it is time for everyone to get on board and support the outcome. Please do not keep discussing the decision. Sometimes your view prevails- sometimes it does not.
Practice how to disagree. Don’t challenge. Say “That makes me wonder about…”
Practice Active Listening. Define “dialogue”. Discuss protocols for Zoom meetings. Hard to read when someone is done speaking. Barbara
What is a micro – manager? List definitions and then share. Where is the border line between effective detail-oriented leadership and too much input? Build the team, have confidence in them but, as a leader, feel safe to question.
Communications
Life happens but in ACW we are respectful to each other. A no show, no post is unacceptable. It takes 10 seconds to send a text or reply to an email. Most of us work for little or nothing. When a lot of people each do a little-there is nothing we can not accomplish! No show, no cancellation means no participation.
Until your project is designed and a contract signed, check all communications with Director before you send.
Project Manager is the point person for all communications within a project.
Cc ACW leadership on all communications-especially outside the ACW family. Explain why.
When asked to RSVP a meeting- Just “Reply”- no need to “Reply All”.
Generally, do not add people to an email chain without the permission of the originator.
Send a meeting confirmation the day before the meeting if you are the convener.
If the Subject Changes… change the Subject line on the email.
To, Cc and Bcc When you are communicating, put the people who need to take action on the “To” line. Those who may need to know should be put on the “Cc” line. If you are on the Cc line and have relevant data which may impact the topic – then chime in. Use your judgment regarding Reply or Reply All.
Use Bcc when emailing multiple participants in projects. Privacy Issues.
Do not mine project email lists for your own promotional activities.
When you send copy: Thanks for not formatting when you send copy -just leave it all single spaced and tight together. WordPress and Mail Chimp makes formatted copy go all kaflooy and it is time consuming or impossible to fix it. Jpgs are preferred. Thanks!
Typeface: We all use Calibri as an identified “easy to read” type.
Send and Receive email etiquette.
When you are planning and managing a project, it is optimum if you check your email each morning and your text messages several times a day. When you send an email with a task attached -include preferred completion date. When you receive an email with a task attached, please let the sender know you have received it and when you might get to it. You can say” I can’t do this” or “I can get this done by Sunday” or “I am on this”. Just REPLY! If there is something in the email you do not want to deal with…just ignoring the question is not an effective option. When the sender has to post 3 times to get an answer- it makes their work unmanageable. Thanks so much for this courtesy. Email is not infallible, and this is also a way for us to beat the poltergeists!
Create a Project Management Page. All your project details go on this page. Then people can check the page. Then the project manager (YOU!) does not have to keep answering the same questions over and over. Example shown.
Time and Mode: Barbara arises around 5ish and does all her corresponding. She started this in her academic days- no one bothered her on the phone before 8:00 ; / 0 Some of you arise at 11:00 AM. That is fine! We just need to know what our times are. Just because she posts you at 5:00AM does not mean she expects a reply back at that time!!
Oftentimes, when you are asked for something- the person is on hold for what they need to do until you respond. A 48 hour turnaround is standard unless labeled Time-Sensitive -then you need to answer ASAP. Become a speedy responder. Do you prefer Phone, Text or Email? Make that preference known.
One Week/One day Email Notifications. Using your project database team emails, post project participants regularly with status updates and at least one week out with all times, activities, materials and people needed. Then post again the day before. Ask for confirmation of receipt. REPLY… NOT REPLY ALL!!
When each project is in the design mode, it is good policy to CC Barbara since she is the one with all the crossover knowledge. Hope this makes sense. It prevents a lot of confusion and wasted work. Questions? Please feel free to ask. Participant
Stipends and Volunteering
- ACW works with the “Many Hands Make Light Work” Model. There are a lot of people doing a variety of tasks. If you see an area that you can step in to help we invite you to offer. Check out our Volunteer opportunities here: https://www.arttochangetheworld.org/acw-volunteer-opportunities/
- Many ACW opportunities like exhibits, sales of work and paid teaching opportunities will be given first to ACW members who volunteer 6 hours. Send your volunteer hours to Liisa Le liisaleart@gmail.com.The directors are in charge of managing the money. This needs to be carefully considered on many levels. What is our long game? Who are potential major donors? Who has influence in granting institutions. Who is doing an extraordinary amount of work. Who is contributing a specialized skill set.
- No one in a non-profit is ever adequately compensated. We are in it for something else. We ARE working, however, towards the goal of the core staff making a living wage.
- Understand, when we get a large donation or grant, most of it is already spent.
- If you are expecting to be paid for a task make sure to complete the 1 page Agreement. https://www.arttochangetheworld.org/project-agreement/ Stipends will be paid monthly. Usually the first week of the month for work completed the previous month.
- Monthly stipends usually range from $50 to $100 for ongoing tasks. One-time tasks like creating a logo or jurying an exhibit are paid between $50 and $100.
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