As I’m sitting here at my desk pondering which task to tackle next on my “to do” list for today, I notice something interesting: task number one reads “Schedule Rosetta Thurman webinar,” number two is “Submit Knowledge Café application,” and the third task reads “Book flight to Thailand or wherever.” Of course, my list continues on down the page for another 10 or so bullet points, but I’m somewhat struck by the first three and their connection to one another.
I’m sure you’re probably wondering what the Knowledge Café has to do with Asia, and what either of those has to do with Rosetta Thurman. Well, I’ll settle your anxiety and explain what (who) each is, and then tell you why I’m struck.
First, Rosetta Thurman is a consultant who is leading a webinar on March 10 about the importance of diversity in non-profits. The workshop is entitled “Race Matters in Non-Profits: Promoting Diversity in Our Sector.” Right now, I’m working to coordinate a large screening of the webinar at Metro United Way for people in the community who are interested in joining in and staying for more conversation afterwards.
Secondly, Knowledge Café is United Way of America’s venue for sharing innovative ideas or practices with other United Way organizations across the country. I’ve been working on a submission to the Knowledge Café these past few days about our Pediatric Dental Initiative, detailing how amazed I have been by the change that has been created in our community from a handful of passionate volunteers and very little money.
Lastly, I’ve been itching for the past couple of years to plan another trip to “explore” some part of the world I’ve never been. Well, the time has finally come, my destination has been selected (I think) and now I just have to hit “okay” on my keyboard to lock in my flight.
It strikes me as a bit ironic perhaps that these happen to be my top three priorities this afternoon January 15, 2009, just four days before Martin Luther King Jr. Day and five days before Barack Obama is sworn in as the first African American President of the United States. Here I sit on a cold Thursday afternoon in January, and my thoughts keep going back and forth among diversity, innovation, and risk-taking, and how interrelated these three themes are…and how fitting that I should be focusing on these three tasks and their significance today of all days!
No doubt, diversity is a word we’re hearing echoed more and more these days, but what does it really mean? Of course, Martin Luther King Jr. stood for diversity, and Barack Obama does, as well. But diversity is much more than skin deep. I feel privileged to work in an organization that values a much deeper notion of diversity: diversity of ideas, thoughts, personalities, families, and interests. Not only that, but we celebrate it and encourage one another to share our diversity. I didn’t immediately realize it, but the Knowledge Café is just another way that United Way is encouraging us to celebrate diversity. Through diversity our organization and the entire Metro United Way community can discover new ways to create lasting change in our community.
Innovative ideas only spur more innovative ideas, and in the process we all become more knowledgeable, aware, and appreciative of one another. This might not sound all that enlightening, however I believe actually practicing it involves a tremendous amount of risk-taking. Does my idea sound stupid? Will it be accepted? Will anyone even understand me? I’m sure we’ve all asked ourselves these questions at some point in our lives, and I’m sure Martin Luther King Jr. and Barack Obama have, as well.
One final thought I’ve had while I’ve been sitting here: in my Product Innovation class last night, my professor told the class that we all needed to “think like a traveler.” I had no idea what he meant at first, but as he explained his theory, it immediately resonated with me. Think about the last time you went on a trip somewhere. What were you thinking? What did you notice about your surroundings? What sounds did you hear? Smells did you notices? Any sights strike you? The reason you noticed all these things is because your body and your mind were on “high alert.” Travelers are more alert to all the little things going on around them. When we’re traveling, we want to take everything in; all the sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and feelings. In the same way, we can all be more innovative and creative when we think like a traveler, and are more alert and aware of everything that goes on around us each day.
Diversity yields innovation, and innovation requires risk; and I feel fortunate to live at a time and work in a community that has a deep appreciation for all three.
Advocacy, General
Community, inauguration, Obama
