Connected Congregational Education, Part 3

Lisa ColtonPresident, Darim Online

Chief Learning Officer, See3 Communicationslisa@see3.com @lisacolton #connectcongs

This presentation is adapted from materials developed through Connected Congregations: A UJA-Federation of New York Initiative with Darim Online

A Little About Me

TODAY… Think Connected.

And Empathy.And Transparent.And Empowered.

The Game Plan

1. Review: What is a Connected Congregation?2. Process of Change: Transparency & Empowerment 3. Case study from Rebecca Bernstein McVeigh, Beth

Haverim Shir Shalom, Mahwah, NJ

We need to matter to each other, and the collective.

Our Connected Hypothesis

What is a Connected Congregation?

A connected congregation is one that deeply understands the meaning of community, and works explicitly to build a strong, meaningful and engaged Jewish community.

Connected congregations prioritize relationships and shared values, and align all aspects of institutional management in service of the community.

Those within connected congregations feel a sense of shared ownership and responsibility for each other and the collective, and are empowered to contribute their ideas, energy and resources.

THE PROCESS OF ALIGNING THE INSTITUTION FOR COMMUNITY

Connected congregations prioritize relationships and shared values, and align all aspects of institutional management in service of the community.

TRANSPARENCYFoundation of trust in any relationship

WHAT IS IT?

Transparency… implies openness, communication, and accountability…

Transparency is operating in such a way that it is easy for others to see what actions are

performed. It has been defined simply as "the perceived quality of

intentionally shared information.”

-Schnackenberg, A., Tomlinson, E., 2014. Organizational Transparency: A New Perspective on Managing Trust in Organization-Stakeholder Relationships. Journal of Management DOI: 10.1177/0149206314525202.

WHY?“Like authenticity, transparency is not defined by you as a leaders, but by the people you want to trust you and your organization. How much information do they need in order to follow you, trust you with their money or business?”

- Charlene Li Open Leadership (pg. 193)

How does this relate to the culture and function of your congregation, school and leaders today and in the past?

What does it mean for a connected congregation?

“Our surveys of 20,000 synagogue members have shown that the key driver of synagogue membership is the perceived value for the dollar of membership. What most strongly correlates to perceived value for the dollar? Budget transparency.When leadership doesn’t share the true cost of programs, and uses funds to subsidize programs as it sees fit, not only do recipients undervalue the program, but they also feel a disconnect with the synagogue that ultimately causes them to the congregation. Including members in the conversation about budget priorities and explaining the rationale behind expenses is a great step to retaining members and ensuring financial sustainability.” -Sacha Litman, Measuring Success

“Show Them What You’re Working with: How Transparency Leads to Sustainability”

Financial Transparency

Personal Transparency: Rabbis

Empowered CommunityThose within connected congregations feel a sense of shared ownership and responsibility for each other and the collective, and are empowered to contribute their ideas, energy and resources

How Do You Let People Ante In?

Community CollaborationSkin in the Game

Case Study: The Process of ChangeCHALUTZIM: FAMILY SCHOOL

Rebecca Bernstein McVeigh, EducatorBeth Haverim Shir Shalom, Mahwah, NJ

FAMILY SCHOOL OVERVIEW

• “Dedicated to the never-ending process of Jewish learning.”

• Alternative to the traditional religious school (running in parallel)

• Encourage every family to do at least 1 year• Social time over bagels• Parent/Child work

B’RESHIT

• What we heard from the ground up• How we responded• Process with the board• How we thought about taking risks• Who opts in?

How It Has Evolved

• Family School parents – relationships, leadership, feeling part of something

• Should we make it mandatory?• Transparency: Sample class, try it out• Encouraging new families – get connected!

Case Study: The Process of ChangeCHALUTZIM: FAMILY SCHOOL

Rebecca Bernstein McVeigh, EducatorBeth Haverim Shir Shalom, Mahwah, NJ

Q&A

We need to matter to each other, and the collective.

Our Connected Hypothesis

• Lisa Colton lisa@see3.com @lisacolton

• http://connectedcongregations.org/

• https://www.facebook.com/groups/connectedcongregations/

• Recording, slides and links will come via email shortly.