Archives for December 2018

Leaders are Givers – Boost your Giving Quotient

December 24, 2018 by Alicia Curtis

I am passionate about the potential that every day people have to give. I believe that we often underestimate the ability we have to influence the world for the better through our giving. In his excellent book, Give and Take, Adam Grant shows that success doesn’t come at the expense of others and in fact, the most successful leaders are generous with their time, knowledge, energy and skills. He notes there are three exchanges in the workplace – people can either act as givers, takers or matchers. Let’s explore these exchanges:

Takers – these people are only interested in what they can get personally from others.

Matchers – these people, in the vain of reciprocity, will ensure there is a balance between giving and taking.

Givers – these people just focus on giving and are tuned into how they can be of help to others without the explicit interest of getting something back in return. Of course, they do set some boundaries around their giving too as to not burnout either.

Let’s explore the ways we can give back….

Time

Time can be our most precious resource and it is also one of the simplest resources we can give. Giving our time to our family, our team and colleagues or to a worthy cause can be a brilliant gift. Often in our western culture, our time is so much more valuable than any ‘thing’ we can give. Looking for ideas? You might not need to look very far, your local primary school, aged care home, dog refuge or local charity might be looking for an extra pair of hands. If you’re in need of some ideas, check out your local Volunteering website.

Money

Donate to your favourite cause. Interestingly a philanthropist is not defined by how much money you give but one who invests careful consideration and effort into a donation (or time, money, networks or skills) to a cause that promotes humanity. You can do this individually and/or as a family. For example, the adults in my family have a Christmas ritual instead of giving presents to each other, we pool some funds and donate it to a charity that we believe in. It’s wonderful when, as part of this process, you can share with your family the causes that are meaningful to you, talk about the experience of giving and share in the outcomes of your giving.

Expertise

There are a number of ways you can give your expertise to others. You can write and blog about your experiences, you can volunteer to speak, you can mentor people you see potential in or you can become a board director for a community organsiation. Your area of expertise can be extremely valuable and not just your traditional skillsets such as legal and accounting but there are so many emerging skillsets that are so valuable on a community board these days. Consider what organisations could be over the moon happy to tap into your expertise and consider donating a couple of hours a week for a year to share your expertise.

Goods

Declutter the house and the pantry and give your unwanted clothes, appliances and food cans. This has the dual benefit of clearing your house as well as giving much needed resources to those in need. In the throw away society that we live in, we can forget how much some of these items that we taken for granted can mean to others. Do an audit in your house and consider what don’t you need anymore and who could you give this to. There is an excellent website called givit where you can connect with who needs what and pledge to give it to a person in need.

Voice

We all have a voice to highlight causes that are meaningful to us. Use your voice to promote good causes. You can write for your workplace newsletter or personal blog, share a cause to your networks on social media and go one step further by actively engaging your networks to support a cause. This might by organising a table to a Gala event, for example. You could organise a morning tea with your friends to connect and raise an issue that is close to your hand. Consider the avenues that you can share your voice and actively use it!

According to Adam Grant’s book, be a giver and give without expectation. It might just impact your leadership!

Now over to you: How are you giving back and also giving forward? Join the conversation here.

Our annual review for Alyceum 2018

December 17, 2018 by Alicia Curtis

Firstly – THANK YOU! I am so grateful to you for reading my blog, sharing in my community and supporting my work. It really means the world to me. I feel incredibly humbled by your support and appreciate the difference you make to my life.

So let’s explore the year…

Board Ignition – Igniting Community Board Directors

Our flagship online course, Board Ignition, is growing and more excitingly it’s succeeding in getting people onto community boards.

Feedback has been sensational…

“The Board Ignition online program provides a solid platform of learning and Board ready strategies. The video interviews with active board members, sharing their experiences is really valuable”
“Well done Alicia. Great energy and engagement”
“Such a good course. Bucket loads of great content. The interviews are great to listen to each week, amazing insights, so diverse and no two are the same. Great interview questions Alicia”
“I’ve been seeing a lot of your lovely face recently as I sat and watched all the Board Ignition webinars again over the weekend, as part of my prep for a Trainee Board Director interview, which I have today! It was soooo helpful to sit and go through the webinars again, so thank you for all your efforts with them.”

And more importantly, graduates are getting onto boards!

In 2019, we are upgrading the course again with new case studies, worksheets and practical challenges. We do have a special offer on the course until the 31st December if you’re keen to do the course in February next year.

Engaging Young Leaders on Boards – 6th Year of Success

Wow – the people we have coming onto the Emerging Leaders in Governance program just get more impressive every year, it’s a joy to work with these outstanding values driven leaders. This program which culminated in May has already seen half of the participants get board or traineeship roles. Thank you to my friend and mentor, Dr Nicky Howe, Southcare and the 42 community organisations that make that program a reality and a success!

Wonderful recognition for Alyceum and 100 Women

The biggest surprise this year has been the awards and recognition that has so gratefully been shared with me this year. I want to really appreciate the people who look the time to nominate me for these awards. I’m incredibly humbled by it and have tried my upmost to share this recognition with the many people who support the projects that I get the pleasure of leading and also use the recognition to further spread the messages of community service and philanthropy.

2018 EY Social Entrepreneur of the Year in the Western Region

This really was an incredible experience. As an entrepreneur though and though, I found it awe-inspiring to be surrounded by such talented entrepreneurs, to connect and share this experience. It was wonderful for the whole 100 Women team to be recognised too for the hard work and impact we’ve created over the last 5 years.

Finalist, Business Category, Western Australian of the Year Awards

A true celebration of the amazing talent in WA, the Western Australian of the Year Awards was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate with my friends and 100 Women team mates with what has been achieved this year. I was humbled to be recognised alongside some truly inspiring business people in Perth.

Wonder Woman of the Year, Momentum Forum Events 2018

Thank you to Barbara and Momentum Forum Events for naming me your Wonder Woman of the Year! What a title! It was wonderful to learn from your events prowess and philanthropic background.

100 Women – 5th Year and $500,0000 in grants given!

This year we celebrated our 5th year at 100 Women. Wow – what a brilliant group of humans! I want to appreciate every single person who has donated to 100 Women over the years, you can all celebrate in this success. I want to appreciate the people behind the scenes that make this organisation happen and a special mention to our outgoing Treasurer, Grace Mugabe for 5 years of book keeping and board reporting. This is an amazing commitment and while you won’t be far from the organisation, your dedication needs to be acknowledged and recognised!

Media

Thank you to everyone who has covered us in the media this year.

– Podcasts – Words from Oz and Good Will Hunters
– Sustainable, Collaborative Giving by Business News
– Opinion piece in the West Australian – WA must embrace its diversity

Thank you to my support team

There are some wonderful people who support my business – thank you to Sarah, Emily and Galia from Sarah Noked. My incredible VA, Josefine, who contributes like she’s been involved in my business for years – you’re a gem!!

I had two wonderful interns join my business for two months from Curtin University – Lizzie and Maddie. Their writing abilities astounded me, they have such bright futures ahead.

Thank you also to Bruno Kongawoin for his incredible headshots – see my headshot in the newspaper article above! I highly recommend his work.

Personally for me

Personally for me there have been highs and lows. Sadly my husband lost his dad this year, way too soon at 72. Ray inspired me with his dedication to his family, community and friends, his wonderful creativity and his character and determination. His beautiful funeral which his son (my husband), daughters and wife created was a celebration of life and everything that’s good in the world. Remembering our mortality forces us to focus on what’s important in life and making every day count.

My beautiful kids turned 2 and 5. They give me extreme pride in the people they are becoming, their care and kindness as well as their commitment and dedication they show. As anyone with kids will attest to, it’s an immense job and always creates a full life!

Thank you to my friends and family who keep me sane amongst the fullness of life, thank you for your care. Thanks to my gorgeous sister, Suzy for taking this beautiful family photo. Your work constantly inspires me.

And what is in store for 2019?

Board Ignition starts in February. Get into it! I’m excited to bring an upgraded Board Ignition – with new videos, worksheets and practical challenges. There is no better place if you want to make your aspiration of being a board director a reality!

I will also be launching a new course in May. I can’t wait to share more about this in the new year.

Now over to you: What have been the highs and lows of your year? Share it on Alyceum’s private Facebook group, Alyceum Leaders.

Why get involved on a community board?

December 10, 2018 by Alicia Curtis

From a very young age, I was taught that we each have an incredible opportunity to create positive change. And this belief in my own inherent power to put my best skills and talents to work in the service of creating a better tomorrow – let’s just say it’s addictive!

There are so many ways you can create change. Volunteering, fundraising, or serving on a community board.

Since my early twenties, I’ve served on a number of boards. Boards of organisations I’ve helped establish, my industry association board, as well as a national women’s association board.

These board roles have been AMAZING. They’ve taught me about the world, about leadership, boards, and positive social change. I’ve met the best (worldchanging) people – broadening and diversifying my networks across Australia and the world. And most importantly, it gives me a voice. It’s allowed me to advocate for those less fortunate, and helped me make a real difference in my community.

Are you keen to create meaningful change in the world, learn new skills, and broaden your network? If so, then serving on a community board might be for you!

What it means to be a board director – and why diversity matters

Board directors are voluntary positions appointed to support a community organisation to achieve its mission.

The Not-For-Profit sector is going through huge changes! And boards are on the hunt for a diverse range of directors to seek and prepare for new futures. You might think a board position would be just another item on a never-ending to-do list. But it can also be an energising personal and professional development experience.

In fact, we NEED you!

We need diverse thinkers and leaders on boards!

It’s fair to say we are living in highly uncertain times, whether it’s politics, the economy, or our environment. Now more than ever, we need thoughtful, creative, values-led leaders to step up and contribute to creating a better world for all.

How I give back on a board

I currently chair the 100 Women Board. 100 Women is a giving circle igniting everyday people as philanthropists. The organisation raises funds to empower disadvantaged women and girls locally and globally.

Aside from the incredible impact we make through our grants, I have gained so much by giving back. I get to meet the most amazing people. I’m learning about the issues facing women and girls. And I get to put my skills to work for a cause that I’m passionate about.

But aside from all this, at a foundational level, giving is important in my life. I want to live a well-rounded life. I want to enjoy work that makes a difference, be involved in my family’s life, eat well and exercise, and contribute to society.

Why get involved on a community board?

1. Be inspired and energised by a cause larger than yourself

Involvment can be hugely energising. It can be a humbling experience to know that your volunteering is making a difference to others, whether it be the homeless, elderly, disadvantaged children, animals, or the environment.

In today’s society, it can be all too easy to fall into the narcissistic trap of selfies and social media pages dedicated to showing our most glorified moments in life. We can feel entitled to live a life of hedonistic pleasure without a care in the world for anyone else.

Reality check!

If you’re reading this post, you and I are one of the luckiest people in the world. With a roof over your head, food in the fridge, and money in the bank, we have the opportunity to do work that is meaningful. Not everyone has this opportunity. Not everyone is so lucky.

We can turn a blind eye to the challenges of the disadvantaged. Or we can do our part to lead a fair and equitable life. The beauty is that it will inspire and energise you in return.

2. Broaden your skills and knowledge

You can contribute your skills and knowledge and expand on them by using them in a different context. Boards oversee a range of issues such as strategy, governance, marketing, fundraising, performance, and finances. This can give you exposure to new strategies, tools, and resources.

In fact, sitting on a board can be one of the BEST leadership development experiences you can have!

It’s definitely no simulation. It’s real and practical. And most of the time, it’s challenging to achieve results within the constraints that exist. There is no better opportunity to improve your skills and expertise.

3. Watch your networks expand

Any professional is looking for opportunities to build their networks. And sitting on a board is a great way of doing this.

You’ll develop deep relationships with your fellow board directors who will come from different industries, backgrounds, and experiences. You have the opportunity to connect regularly at board meetings, events, and one-on-one to get to know them better.

You will also expand your networks through the various functions of a board. This includes fundraising, events, dealing with the media, and stakeholder engagement.

4. Enhance your reputation

Appointment to a board is a real privilege.

It’s a privilege to serve the community and contribute to making it better in some way.

Through this journey, you will become passionate about an issue such as improving educational outcomes for disadvantaged young people. Or providing housing for the homeless. Or saving precious natural environments for the community. Often, these issues are multi-faceted. And you will learn more about the real underlying causes and ways to solve the issue. You will become an advocate for the cause.

This gives you a wonderful opportunity to share your experiences with your business networks. Share with your suppliers, clients, and networks about the cause and deepen your relationships. By being an advocate, you are inadvertently improving your own reputation too – win, win!

Hold up – before you join a board!

Board positions are not to be taken on lightly. You must be willing to make a commitment of usually between 5 – 15 hours per month. You must also choose carefully which board to join and perform your due diligence before accepting any position.

Due diligence aside, volunteering as a board director can be hugely fulfilling. Whether it be on a local community organisation, your industry association board, a government board or an advocacy organisation, the benefits can be rich and wide-ranging.

As board directors, you are shaping a positive future for all.

Now over to you: How will you contribute your time, networks, expertise, and donations to create a better world for all in the coming year? Join the conversation here.

Leaders are Givers – Boost your Giving Quotient