This is really a continuing discussion about leadership, aspects of it and the qualities of what I would call great leaders. In reality, I think we all know the difference between blah leaders and great leaders. We may not be able to put our finger on it exactly but we tend to know it when we see it. As an example, we've all seen the leader who has the title but who we seldom see leading. Sometimes that person has gotten the job as leader by default, by design or by theatrics. Theatrics is an interesting concept. An example is spending time learning the names and important little tidbits about all the people you're supposed to be accountable to. By doing this well, the important aspects of your leadership role (content if you will) many times takes a back seat. Another aspect of theatrics that works well in very large organizations are presentations. These, done well, can be very effective tools. But enough on mediocre or blah leaders.
There are certain qualities that great leaders really must have. Some of these we know almost immediately, others are a bit more elusive:
Communication - It goes without saying that great leaders are great communicators. Not just in the spoken and written word but in the more subtle areas of body language, social networking, everything really. But communication is much deeper. It's empathy, counsel, storytelling and above all listening and processing. Storytelling is something you'll find in every great leader. Most have a wealth of historical knowledge that needs to be shared over and over. Not in a boring (there he/she goes again) fashion but with humor, charm and content that's meaningful and that makes people think. And the listening skills referenced are much more important in communicating than most people think. It includes reading other people's body language and taking cues. Skills that always need development but practice does make perfect.
Technology - Great leaders need to embrace it. Too often, people in leadership positions from my generation make statements like "I'm too old for this", "You can't teach an old dog new tricks", "I let the young folks take care of that", or "How do you turn this on". Many times it's said jokingly and in a self deprecating manner but ultimately it sends a bad message - This too will pass and I'm not that interested anyway. In the current environment, like it or not, great leaders have to reach out constantly and stay abreast of new technology. It's a requirement. If not, you will slowly fade away and do your organization a great deal of harm. Which brings us to the next principle.
Surrond Yourself With Young People - Again, absolutely necessary in today's environment. This is where you're going to get your current knowledge and information. This is where you're going to get your own enthusiasm. This is the audience for your story telling. This is where the challenge to ideas and concepts will come from. I'm certainly not saying this is easy. There's tremendous give and take necessary in this area but the positives are overwhelming.
Finally, at least for this segment, great leaders do lead. They aren't sheep who just follow the latest trend or their colleagues. Great leaders challenge the status quo (with caution if necessary). Great leaders don't ignore issues that need to be confronted. They measure options, bring people together and truly work at building consensus.
Obviously, more to come.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Monday, November 28, 2011
Cuomo Says Finances Collapsing
In comments made to reporters today outside of presentations being made by the regional economic development councils, Governor Andrew Cuomo indicated that the state's finances are much worse then expected.
“We are looking at a number of deficit reduction initiatives now that we could undertake, because there’s no doubt that the numbers are collapsing and the numbers are collapsing quickly. We haven’t come up with a plan of action yet but we have options … I’ll be discussing those options with the legislative leaders, formally, informally certainly, and depending on what the discussions bear, the possibility of a special session.”
Deficit reduction initiatives? Interesting - made outside the start of presentations where regions of the state are competing for $200 million. And, as usual, upstate/downstate rivalries for school and health aid have begun and will continue. But what will these deficit reduction initiatives be? You can bet people with little representation will be impacted. Let's hope that vulnerable populations - people with disabilities, the sick and the weak, kids in need will be spared more cuts. Many people aren't aware that programs supporting people with disabilities have already taken 15% cuts over the past year. That's major and people are struggling to figure out how to make more adjustments and reductions.
Some people are saying that the 'millionaire's tax' will happen. That it's inevitable and something has to be done to increase revenue - which brings us to drilling for natural gas and the process known as hydrofracking. Fracking has been a controversial issue in the Finger Lakes and the Southern Tier of NY and a regulatory review by the Department of Environmental Conservation was extended. Ahh but some are suggesting now that the aforementioned tax and the revenue that would be generated by gas drilling could be the answers to the states financial difficulty. Now for the other revenue enhancing item that hangs out there - Casinos. Don't be surprised to hear of an increased effort to allow Casinos in NY. Not an issue of right or wrong, just the facts that are out there. You see, there are endless ways to force things to happen that otherwise would take years of debate when you're going broke.
So hold on to your hats, wallets and keys to the car as elected officials convince us of what's best for us and in the process determine who gets what. Advocacy has never seen a more important time.
“We are looking at a number of deficit reduction initiatives now that we could undertake, because there’s no doubt that the numbers are collapsing and the numbers are collapsing quickly. We haven’t come up with a plan of action yet but we have options … I’ll be discussing those options with the legislative leaders, formally, informally certainly, and depending on what the discussions bear, the possibility of a special session.”
Deficit reduction initiatives? Interesting - made outside the start of presentations where regions of the state are competing for $200 million. And, as usual, upstate/downstate rivalries for school and health aid have begun and will continue. But what will these deficit reduction initiatives be? You can bet people with little representation will be impacted. Let's hope that vulnerable populations - people with disabilities, the sick and the weak, kids in need will be spared more cuts. Many people aren't aware that programs supporting people with disabilities have already taken 15% cuts over the past year. That's major and people are struggling to figure out how to make more adjustments and reductions.
Some people are saying that the 'millionaire's tax' will happen. That it's inevitable and something has to be done to increase revenue - which brings us to drilling for natural gas and the process known as hydrofracking. Fracking has been a controversial issue in the Finger Lakes and the Southern Tier of NY and a regulatory review by the Department of Environmental Conservation was extended. Ahh but some are suggesting now that the aforementioned tax and the revenue that would be generated by gas drilling could be the answers to the states financial difficulty. Now for the other revenue enhancing item that hangs out there - Casinos. Don't be surprised to hear of an increased effort to allow Casinos in NY. Not an issue of right or wrong, just the facts that are out there. You see, there are endless ways to force things to happen that otherwise would take years of debate when you're going broke.
So hold on to your hats, wallets and keys to the car as elected officials convince us of what's best for us and in the process determine who gets what. Advocacy has never seen a more important time.
Jeremy Wallace Trio - Great Music!
In the interest of full disclosure, Jeremy Wallace is my nephew. Having said that, I and lots of other people not related to Jeremy, think he and the other members of the trio are great musicians. Jeremy writes his own stuff but occasionally performs other music. He is a blues singer and story teller. Give him a listen sometime. You can find him on Facebook.
Writers Block.....?
The Gadfly has had a bit of writer’s block it seems. Not due to lack of news or issues that are out there floating around. There’s certainly lots going on – perhaps too much – and maybe that’s even the reason for the block. Too much to write about and just not enough time - could that be it? Here’s a short list of the things crossing the Gadfly’s mind:
- Bernie Fine and the pass ESPN seems to be getting on not reporting on audiotapes for eight years as well as not reporting to the police.
- An article in the Rochester paper about the closing of Monroe Developmental Center and the potential impact on the existing waiting list in residential placements for people with developmental disabilities.
- Continuing stories and news about the Occupy Movement. Pepper Spray, pepper spray.
- Holiday shopping gone wild. People battling each other over electronics and consumer goods.
- Rita Corbin, Catholic Worker and artist, killed in a car crash with her 17-year-old grandson.
- Family, grandfatherhood, baby pictures and general happiness.
- The economy, the environment, continued discussion on anonymity, leadership and organizational behavior.
- Jeremy Wallace, a great musician, the blues, rock and roll, spirituality.
There that feels better and I think I may have shaken that block. We’ll see.
Monday, November 21, 2011
Another Perspective To Criticisms About Supports To People With Developmental Disabilities In NYS
A while ago there was an editorial in the Albany Times Union that was critical of organizations providing support to people with developmental disabilities based on an article in the New York Times. Both the editorial and the Times made some assumptions based on information that had been researched through a review of statistics and incidents. There has mainly been silence relative to these articles from the field of people who provide these supports. Recently there was a response in the form of an electronic comment to the editorial. I am respecting the anonymity of the author because it was posted that way. I have posted previously about anonymity and have my opinions on it as stated. I do think this is an important comment from someone who obviously understands the current state of affairs. Here it is:
"We live in a world of self-generating beliefs that remain largely untested. “Climbing the ladder of inference” is the process by which we establish meaning of something based a few observations without testing the accuracy of our beliefs or assumptions. This appears to have happen with the NY Times article and then the Times Union editorial. The Times Union editorial concludes the NY State system is an “overpriced disgrace”. Really? First, looking closely at where the $ are spent, one discovers that the non-profit agencies cost- averages fall within the mid-range of costs of like services nationally. The cost outliners are the state developmental centers. Two, the NY Times article says “And the state has no uniform training for the nearly 100,000 workers at thousands of state and privately run homes and institutions”. Again,what are the facts. OPWDD regulations require training in abuse and neglect (a standardized curriculum) typically 3 days in length, Medication Administration (a standardized curriculum) typically 4-5 days in length, first aid and CPR (a standardized curriculum, fire safety, and on and on. In addition, many non-profits train their employees in a variety of other topics or tap in the on-line training program called the College of Direct Support. And in terms of the “lack of oversight”, all the regulations (which there are many – just check out the following website:http://www.opwdd.ny.gov/regs/index.jsp) need to be followed in order to maintain OPWDD certification. Non-profits are audited throughout the year (yes, throughout the year) against these requirements. The NY Times suggests that OPWDD should have sent out “choking” warnings.
They did, twice, once in 1999 and then in 2007. Check out this site:
http://www.opwdd.ny.gov/hp_guidance_documents.jsp. In terms of incident management, there is a guidance document of over 330 pages, which is the bible of incident management, check out this site:http://www.opwdd.ny.gov/wt/manuals/part624/incident_management.jsp.
In terms of financial oversight, each non-profit has to submit to OPWDD a 150+page consolidated fiscal report, which has very tight guidelines in terms of allowable costs and where funds can be spent.
In terms of quality and scope, NY State is 2nd to none. The OPWDD collective system serves close to 100,000 people, many in 24 hour care and many over a life time. Visit any non-profit agency in your community and you will hear inspirational stories. Many of them are about how people with developmental disabilities are supported in the last stages of life, in their homes with friends and family. Also, check out OPWDD’s report on National Core Indicators (focused on quality care). NY State gets high marks on nearly every indicator. These results are generated from interviews with family and individuals receiving services.
They did, twice, once in 1999 and then in 2007. Check out this site:
http://www.opwdd.ny.gov/hp_guidance_documents.jsp. In terms of incident management, there is a guidance document of over 330 pages, which is the bible of incident management, check out this site:http://www.opwdd.ny.gov/wt/manuals/part624/incident_management.jsp.
In terms of financial oversight, each non-profit has to submit to OPWDD a 150+page consolidated fiscal report, which has very tight guidelines in terms of allowable costs and where funds can be spent.
In terms of quality and scope, NY State is 2nd to none. The OPWDD collective system serves close to 100,000 people, many in 24 hour care and many over a life time. Visit any non-profit agency in your community and you will hear inspirational stories. Many of them are about how people with developmental disabilities are supported in the last stages of life, in their homes with friends and family. Also, check out OPWDD’s report on National Core Indicators (focused on quality care). NY State gets high marks on nearly every indicator. These results are generated from interviews with family and individuals receiving services.
In such a large complex system, are there breakdowns, slippage,human error, and at times crimes – you bet. Can we find any human system absent of these unfortunate aspects? Can we improve, of course. Should we assertively deal with trouble areas, of course.
So what is going on with the NY Times article and the Times Union editorial. One possibility is that the ladder of inference process is fully functioning here. Take a few tragic situations, and a few more situations involving abuse and possible criminal behavior and attribute it to the whole system without testing your assumptions."
Saturday, November 19, 2011
The Art Experience and Collaboration
I recently participated in a meeting of people and organizations that are part of planning an inclusive arts festival and expierience that will take place in the spring of 2012. To me, this has been one of the best examples of why and how collaboration works and how it results in personal growth and community involvement. Three or four years ago a pretty small group of people from agencies providing support to people with developmental disabilities in the Finger Lakes region of New York and a few educators from Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva NY, started talking about an arts festival that would bring the Colleges and people with disabilities together in a celebration of the arts. The first year the agencies sponsored a touring film festival and the Colleges had a few special events on campus. As the festival has developed more focus, clarity and the variety of events and activities have emerged.
As with most collaborative and organizational efforts there have been growing pains, the evolution of ideas, some personality struggles and lots of work - always. But I've also watched a committed team of people pull together and share common goals around education, diversity and the inclusion of people with disabilities. It's really been great to watch. The event is evolving into a true partnership between the Colleges and the agencies involved. People have a shared vision of offering college students, people with disabilities, agency staff, college staff and the community at large opportunities to learn together and in the process to learn about and support each other. All of this is being accomplished through artistic pursuits and learning - dance, film, poetry, music, sculpture and visual arts of all sorts. The Arts Experience, a celebration of inclusion and the arts, will take place during the last two full weeks of April 2012, mostly on the HWS Campus. There are still lots of details to work out but the project is really moving forward in great ways. I'll put more specifics on this blog at some point.
What I really want to point out though, is that this is a really important example of collaboration and leadership. None of this would be happening if it wasn't for the leadership of specific people from the agencies and from the Colleges. Leadership involves passion. It involves a belief system that wants things to be the best and to be successful. It requires enthusiasm, compromise and a willingness to commit time and resources. It also requires a lot more.
I'm going to continue to discuss leadership at various points in this space because it is so critical to what we all do and where we're all going. Frankly it doesn't matter if it's a celebration of the arts and inclusion or if it's the day to day operation of a large organization. It doesn't matter if it's as the mayor of a small village or as the leader of a country. Leadership is at the core of how things get done and it's critical that we have some understanding of how it works, what's needed. There are thousands of books written on the topic and there's a reason for that. We know we need it. We depend on it. We beg for it at times.
So I may repeat myself every once in awhile in discussions about odds and ends on this blog, but follow the thread of thought and you'll see, I hope, how important certain traits and values are as we strive for leadership. Much more to come.
As with most collaborative and organizational efforts there have been growing pains, the evolution of ideas, some personality struggles and lots of work - always. But I've also watched a committed team of people pull together and share common goals around education, diversity and the inclusion of people with disabilities. It's really been great to watch. The event is evolving into a true partnership between the Colleges and the agencies involved. People have a shared vision of offering college students, people with disabilities, agency staff, college staff and the community at large opportunities to learn together and in the process to learn about and support each other. All of this is being accomplished through artistic pursuits and learning - dance, film, poetry, music, sculpture and visual arts of all sorts. The Arts Experience, a celebration of inclusion and the arts, will take place during the last two full weeks of April 2012, mostly on the HWS Campus. There are still lots of details to work out but the project is really moving forward in great ways. I'll put more specifics on this blog at some point.
What I really want to point out though, is that this is a really important example of collaboration and leadership. None of this would be happening if it wasn't for the leadership of specific people from the agencies and from the Colleges. Leadership involves passion. It involves a belief system that wants things to be the best and to be successful. It requires enthusiasm, compromise and a willingness to commit time and resources. It also requires a lot more.
I'm going to continue to discuss leadership at various points in this space because it is so critical to what we all do and where we're all going. Frankly it doesn't matter if it's a celebration of the arts and inclusion or if it's the day to day operation of a large organization. It doesn't matter if it's as the mayor of a small village or as the leader of a country. Leadership is at the core of how things get done and it's critical that we have some understanding of how it works, what's needed. There are thousands of books written on the topic and there's a reason for that. We know we need it. We depend on it. We beg for it at times.
So I may repeat myself every once in awhile in discussions about odds and ends on this blog, but follow the thread of thought and you'll see, I hope, how important certain traits and values are as we strive for leadership. Much more to come.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Anonymity - How Necessary Is It?
There was an interesting article in the New York Times this past weekend reporting that New York State had broken a pledge to protect the anonymity of employees (and others) who reported concerns about supports and services to people with developmental disabilities. There's a lot more to it then that but I think you get the gist. This was a discussion about whistleblowers, fear of reporting and how systems have been established to protect certain people from abuse and neglect.
This comes on the heels of a national debate about the importance of taking action when someone sees something illegal and harmful happening. It comes after of my own discussion on this blog about a culture of silence. The report itself is not a bad one but I do think reporters and journalists have a certain bias toward anonymity since, many times, it plays such an important role in their work. What I'm not sure of is if journalists think very much about the distinctions between their experience with anonymity and how it may play out in other settings. This is an area that I have struggled with for a long time and I know there are many others who are constantly trying to figure out the right and wrong of it because they live with it on a daily basis.
The first issue is that there is an assumption that very bad things will happen if the person reports a situation that is clearly wrong and that needs correction. I'm not sure that assumption should always be made. If a person has factual information that can be backed up, in a perfect world, they should be able to come forward. There are circumstances where leaders of organizations or institutions don't welcome challenges to their authority. We all know them and we've all probably experienced them. These are people who tend to manage by fear, don't invite debate or diversity and who probably have manipulated their leadership authority along the way. It happens and it exists. But in general, people do want to do the right thing and that includes supervisors and leaders within organizations. Sometimes there's a breakdown (witness Penn State), it does happen.
Here's where we get into some conflicts however. News journalists need to and have a right to protect their sources. The important point though is that there is a source to be protected. There's an actual person that the journalist knows exists and who provides information that the journalist can and hopefully will verify. This is much different then the anonymity that many times people want to talk about and protect and the difference is significant. I'm talking about the anonymous note or call where a person refuses to identify themselves purportedly for fear of retaliation. In these cases facts are sketchy, corroboration is difficult, and innuendo seems to be the standard. What is usually presented is akin to the worst conspiracy you can imagine. Now I think people should be able to distinguish between those two situations.
The reality is that people do need facts to investigate allegations of abuses of any kind. People also need the courage to stand up to injustices and speak out clearly about what they see and what they know. If people need protections, they should be able to articulate them and the people reported to need to be honest about what they can and can't provide. The discussion about these things is almost as critical as the pursuit of the truth. If there is historical evidence of retaliation it should be brought forward and identified and it should be real vs imagined.
Personally I don't like anonymity. I think it can and has been a cop out in too many cases. There is however a place for it but the standards for its acceptance should be very high. I fear that is not the case and that people find it easier and easier to make allegations that tweak people's interest in gossip and general mistrust. Personal responsibility in speaking up and taking action should in my mind always be the first choice.
Post Script
For a different perspective go to David Grandeau and Associates' blog here: http://davidgrandeau.blogspot.com/ and read about what Joe Pa Could Learn From Danny Hakim.
I have a great deal of respect for Mr. Grandeau, his opinions and his work for more transparent and ethical government. I would point out that we may want to be just as concerned about the promises that have been made to people with developmental disabilities and their families by NYS and the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities.
This comes on the heels of a national debate about the importance of taking action when someone sees something illegal and harmful happening. It comes after of my own discussion on this blog about a culture of silence. The report itself is not a bad one but I do think reporters and journalists have a certain bias toward anonymity since, many times, it plays such an important role in their work. What I'm not sure of is if journalists think very much about the distinctions between their experience with anonymity and how it may play out in other settings. This is an area that I have struggled with for a long time and I know there are many others who are constantly trying to figure out the right and wrong of it because they live with it on a daily basis.
The first issue is that there is an assumption that very bad things will happen if the person reports a situation that is clearly wrong and that needs correction. I'm not sure that assumption should always be made. If a person has factual information that can be backed up, in a perfect world, they should be able to come forward. There are circumstances where leaders of organizations or institutions don't welcome challenges to their authority. We all know them and we've all probably experienced them. These are people who tend to manage by fear, don't invite debate or diversity and who probably have manipulated their leadership authority along the way. It happens and it exists. But in general, people do want to do the right thing and that includes supervisors and leaders within organizations. Sometimes there's a breakdown (witness Penn State), it does happen.
Here's where we get into some conflicts however. News journalists need to and have a right to protect their sources. The important point though is that there is a source to be protected. There's an actual person that the journalist knows exists and who provides information that the journalist can and hopefully will verify. This is much different then the anonymity that many times people want to talk about and protect and the difference is significant. I'm talking about the anonymous note or call where a person refuses to identify themselves purportedly for fear of retaliation. In these cases facts are sketchy, corroboration is difficult, and innuendo seems to be the standard. What is usually presented is akin to the worst conspiracy you can imagine. Now I think people should be able to distinguish between those two situations.
The reality is that people do need facts to investigate allegations of abuses of any kind. People also need the courage to stand up to injustices and speak out clearly about what they see and what they know. If people need protections, they should be able to articulate them and the people reported to need to be honest about what they can and can't provide. The discussion about these things is almost as critical as the pursuit of the truth. If there is historical evidence of retaliation it should be brought forward and identified and it should be real vs imagined.
Personally I don't like anonymity. I think it can and has been a cop out in too many cases. There is however a place for it but the standards for its acceptance should be very high. I fear that is not the case and that people find it easier and easier to make allegations that tweak people's interest in gossip and general mistrust. Personal responsibility in speaking up and taking action should in my mind always be the first choice.
Post Script
For a different perspective go to David Grandeau and Associates' blog here: http://davidgrandeau.blogspot.com/ and read about what Joe Pa Could Learn From Danny Hakim.
I have a great deal of respect for Mr. Grandeau, his opinions and his work for more transparent and ethical government. I would point out that we may want to be just as concerned about the promises that have been made to people with developmental disabilities and their families by NYS and the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities.
Saturday, November 12, 2011
A Culture of Silence
This past week we have all seen the reports on Penn State. It strikes me that the culture of silence at that institution was worse then most. I do think however that it has forced lots of people to think about their own institutions - any workplace, schools, hospitals, social service organizations, non profits and community groups. It even applies and reaches to informal and formal communities of friends, colleagues and families. Beyond the outrage, I think lots of people are stepping back and thinking about the whys and wherefores and ultimately, could it happen here or more personally, what would I have done? That is obviously a good and important reflection but the real question is what makes it possible for no one to do the right thing? We could go on for hours I suppose discussing a definition of "the right thing" but lets accept something basic like intervening and reporting criminal behavior.
We're not talking about shades of grey here. These issues are pretty black and white issues. Right? An individual or individuals witnessing an adult having sex with a child. I believe that most people understand what kind of response they would have and what actions they would take. Then I think of those studies and shows that you sometimes see where people turn up the dial to inflict pain or walk by an incident of obvious brutality.
I've tried hard to search my own past memories of some pretty brutal things that I've seen and I can remember a situation many years ago where I witnessed someone being abusive to someone else, a vulnerable person, and I didn't do anything but get angry. As I reflect on that instance, my excuse is that I didn't have any authority and I didn't really understand the system. In addition, and this is critical, I thought somehow it was acceptable. Let me be clear about the situation. In the late 70's I was visiting an institution for people with developmental disabilities that was being closed by the state. The employees felt very threatened relative to their jobs being lost. As I was toured through the facility, seeing and meeting individuals who were being considered for placement in community settings, we came across an employee giving a haircut to a profoundly disabled man. The employee knew why I was there. At a certain moment, he grabbed the individual by the hair and pulled back his head with great force and said "here, you want him? You can have him" or words to that effect. I didn't say "stop your crap". I didn't ask the 'official' with me to do something. That same day and on that same tour I was shown an adult male in a shower stall, on the floor with a restraint around his leg being "showered" with a hand held shower unit. Hosed down was more like it. This was acceptable? It shouldn't have been - but it was.
Now I have to say I was outraged and these instances made me commit to make sure supports and services were developed for these individuals and that they ultimately were placed in community settings. But I didn't call the police and there was no need to report it to an administrator since someone in authority was leading the tour. As my mind has unraveled these memories I know there are other instances both as a child and as a young adult where things happened that I should have done more to stop. We all need to be honest about these instances where we've witnessed bullying or physical confrontations that crossed a line. They impacted us and helped make us who we are.
These are not excuses for what happened at Penn State. People should have spoken up and most of us know that. But I would guess that there are lots of situations where people may feel inadequate about their past responses to bad and questionable behavior. We have to reflect on this. We can't accept cultures of silence and we can't accept excuses.
We're not talking about shades of grey here. These issues are pretty black and white issues. Right? An individual or individuals witnessing an adult having sex with a child. I believe that most people understand what kind of response they would have and what actions they would take. Then I think of those studies and shows that you sometimes see where people turn up the dial to inflict pain or walk by an incident of obvious brutality.
I've tried hard to search my own past memories of some pretty brutal things that I've seen and I can remember a situation many years ago where I witnessed someone being abusive to someone else, a vulnerable person, and I didn't do anything but get angry. As I reflect on that instance, my excuse is that I didn't have any authority and I didn't really understand the system. In addition, and this is critical, I thought somehow it was acceptable. Let me be clear about the situation. In the late 70's I was visiting an institution for people with developmental disabilities that was being closed by the state. The employees felt very threatened relative to their jobs being lost. As I was toured through the facility, seeing and meeting individuals who were being considered for placement in community settings, we came across an employee giving a haircut to a profoundly disabled man. The employee knew why I was there. At a certain moment, he grabbed the individual by the hair and pulled back his head with great force and said "here, you want him? You can have him" or words to that effect. I didn't say "stop your crap". I didn't ask the 'official' with me to do something. That same day and on that same tour I was shown an adult male in a shower stall, on the floor with a restraint around his leg being "showered" with a hand held shower unit. Hosed down was more like it. This was acceptable? It shouldn't have been - but it was.
Now I have to say I was outraged and these instances made me commit to make sure supports and services were developed for these individuals and that they ultimately were placed in community settings. But I didn't call the police and there was no need to report it to an administrator since someone in authority was leading the tour. As my mind has unraveled these memories I know there are other instances both as a child and as a young adult where things happened that I should have done more to stop. We all need to be honest about these instances where we've witnessed bullying or physical confrontations that crossed a line. They impacted us and helped make us who we are.
These are not excuses for what happened at Penn State. People should have spoken up and most of us know that. But I would guess that there are lots of situations where people may feel inadequate about their past responses to bad and questionable behavior. We have to reflect on this. We can't accept cultures of silence and we can't accept excuses.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Dissent
Over the years I have been involved in dissent from both sides, as a dissenter and as someone in a position of authority who some people disagreed with. In that process I've learned more and more about the importance of dissent. It really is a necessary part of what we know as the democratic process and it is also important for organizations and leaders. Everyone needs to learn from it and respect it no matter how tough the situation becomes. Authority never has an overriding desire to be challenged but those in authority really do have to learn the importance of listening and analyzing dissent.
As I indicated, I've been a dissenter over the years both politically as an employee and as a member of various boards, committees and organizations. I've experienced times when my dissent was welcomed but frankly not very often. In most cases my own dissent was not welcome and in a few situations I was personally attacked and made out to be a fool. In the worst cases I was spat on, beaten and incarcerated. Sadly, these are common tactics used by people in power as well as the people who work for them to silence all dissent.
I have also been on the other side. I've worked as an administrator in a non-profit and there have been times and instances where employees, subordinates, or people the organization was supporting, dissented against policies or ideas that I was promoting. These situations were never comfortable but I believe I always tried to use them to learn about a different point of view. Hopefully, I never made the dissenter feel foolish. All of this has convinced me that dissent is absolutely necessary in the decision making and governing process. The debate is the important part of the process.
Arab Spring, the Occupy Movement and things I've seen in reporting recently about services in the developmental disability field point out the importance of dissent. I'm also surprised at how people seem to be able to make judgements about good vs bad dissent. We all know that there is no comparison between the risks taken by participants in the Arab Spring uprisings and the risks taken by participants in the Occupy Movement. On the other hand there are risks associated with both and more importantly they are both examples of people speaking up against powerful people. Isn't it interesting that the participants in the Mid East by and large are viewed as heros and Occupy participants can be viewed as bums, hippies and good for nothings. This is certainly one of the things I'm finding confusing these days.
I continue to celebrate the dissenters. They may not always be right but the point is, they force us to think about what's right and how to get the right thing done. So at least respect it.
As I indicated, I've been a dissenter over the years both politically as an employee and as a member of various boards, committees and organizations. I've experienced times when my dissent was welcomed but frankly not very often. In most cases my own dissent was not welcome and in a few situations I was personally attacked and made out to be a fool. In the worst cases I was spat on, beaten and incarcerated. Sadly, these are common tactics used by people in power as well as the people who work for them to silence all dissent.
I have also been on the other side. I've worked as an administrator in a non-profit and there have been times and instances where employees, subordinates, or people the organization was supporting, dissented against policies or ideas that I was promoting. These situations were never comfortable but I believe I always tried to use them to learn about a different point of view. Hopefully, I never made the dissenter feel foolish. All of this has convinced me that dissent is absolutely necessary in the decision making and governing process. The debate is the important part of the process.
Arab Spring, the Occupy Movement and things I've seen in reporting recently about services in the developmental disability field point out the importance of dissent. I'm also surprised at how people seem to be able to make judgements about good vs bad dissent. We all know that there is no comparison between the risks taken by participants in the Arab Spring uprisings and the risks taken by participants in the Occupy Movement. On the other hand there are risks associated with both and more importantly they are both examples of people speaking up against powerful people. Isn't it interesting that the participants in the Mid East by and large are viewed as heros and Occupy participants can be viewed as bums, hippies and good for nothings. This is certainly one of the things I'm finding confusing these days.
I continue to celebrate the dissenters. They may not always be right but the point is, they force us to think about what's right and how to get the right thing done. So at least respect it.
Friday, November 4, 2011
The Power of Music
Tonight I sat and enjoyed the Steve Martin narrated 'Give Me The Banjo' on PBS. A great historical perspective on the instrument and literally hundreds of artists. One of the segments was about Pete Seeger, how he got involved with the banjo, how he taught it to thousands of people and about some of his hard times. It reminded me of many things but most importantly it reminded me of the power of music - how it brings people together, how it tells a story. The segment also spoke of the time that Seeger and Woody Guthrie spent together.
It also reminded me of times many years ago when I played the guitar on the streets and in apartments and a few bars in NYC. Very few stages. I wasn't that good but as Seeger says, it was more about doing good then playing good. So my friends Paul Mann, Murphy 'Cajun' Dowouis and I would play together and entertain all of the other folks that we were hanging out with at the time - Catholic Workers, hobos, peace movement people, street people. The beer would be plentiful and the lyrics changed and grew depending on the situation. We sang and celebrated our time. We were bound together and the music gave us hope and more.
Over the years I've strayed from playing the guitar. I pick it up now and then but nothing serious ever comes of it. Partly I believe because Paul and Murph or buddies like them are missing. I'm committed to getting back into it though. Part of what I've done to compensate is to collect other instruments along the way. Maybe it's my way of trying to put together a band. So I have a banjo mandolin, a mandolin, a penny whistle, five (5) harmonicas, a couple of kazoos, my old Yamaha guitar, a washboard and an irish Bodhran drum and various rattles and percussion noise makers and rhythm keepers. Finally I have my voice - still able to carry a tune but remembering the lyrics becomes more and more tricky.
The point is though that music is powerful. I've seen it move people to tears as well as change the course of events. It is powerful stuff and should be respected, taught and passed on. I'm going to try to do my part. Great show by the way - 'Give Me The Banjo'.
It also reminded me of times many years ago when I played the guitar on the streets and in apartments and a few bars in NYC. Very few stages. I wasn't that good but as Seeger says, it was more about doing good then playing good. So my friends Paul Mann, Murphy 'Cajun' Dowouis and I would play together and entertain all of the other folks that we were hanging out with at the time - Catholic Workers, hobos, peace movement people, street people. The beer would be plentiful and the lyrics changed and grew depending on the situation. We sang and celebrated our time. We were bound together and the music gave us hope and more.
Over the years I've strayed from playing the guitar. I pick it up now and then but nothing serious ever comes of it. Partly I believe because Paul and Murph or buddies like them are missing. I'm committed to getting back into it though. Part of what I've done to compensate is to collect other instruments along the way. Maybe it's my way of trying to put together a band. So I have a banjo mandolin, a mandolin, a penny whistle, five (5) harmonicas, a couple of kazoos, my old Yamaha guitar, a washboard and an irish Bodhran drum and various rattles and percussion noise makers and rhythm keepers. Finally I have my voice - still able to carry a tune but remembering the lyrics becomes more and more tricky.
The point is though that music is powerful. I've seen it move people to tears as well as change the course of events. It is powerful stuff and should be respected, taught and passed on. I'm going to try to do my part. Great show by the way - 'Give Me The Banjo'.
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