The Ross Collective

https://lnkd.in/gye_Xu2p Feeling appreciative of the work we have accomplished this year.

Scenario planning is energizing Often, nonprofit leaders are anxious about scenario planning or strategic planning. They’re worried that there will be a lot of conflict, people won’t listen to one another, or people will feel worse at the end of the planning meeting. Our experience leading many planning processes is that when these processes are well-facilitated with clear structure and outcomes, participants are energized at the end. They have had the experience of listening to one another, being heard by others, and are appreciative of the contributions that each group member has made. Do Now: Create a Plan, then Shout it out! We’re living in a moment where so much that is good in our communities and in the United States is under attack. As we discussed at the beginning of this post, “they” (the billionaire bullies) have come for the nonprofit sector…as well as Medicaid, healthcare, food banks and vaccines. To resist that is to come together with others to amplify the values and community we want to see in the world. To resist that is to speak LOUDLY about how we affirm a joyous, constructive world in which people of all races have what they need to thrive, in which people of all backgrounds, abilities, genders, sexual orientations, and all of the other components in our magic elixir are celebrated and affirmed. A peaceful world in which we show care and love towards all people in our communities. So once you know how you’re going forward, celebrate and amplify that. That is your leadership. Others out there, who may be feeling scared and anxious, need to know that you see a way forward - together. Read the full post at https://bit.ly/3EZrK51 Hi, I'm Renee - our consulting firm The Ross Collective designs and leads inclusive, participatory #strategicplanning and #boardgovernance processes alongside #nonprofit leaders. Stay in touch about via our free 2x monthly e-list on nonprofit strategy, racial equity and leadership - https://bit.ly/3qmL28Q

Scenario planning can feel emotional We acknowledge that these conversations may feel emotional and challenging. It doesn’t feel “good” to imagine a future of struggle and challenge. On the other hand, it really doesn’t feel good to arrive at that future and have no idea what to do! Scenario planning is energizing Often, nonprofit leaders are anxious about scenario planning or strategic planning. They’re worried that there will be a lot of conflict, people won’t listen to one another, or people will feel worse at the end of the planning meeting. Our experience leading many planning processes is that when these processes are well-facilitated with clear structure and outcomes, participants are energized at the end. They have had the experience of listening to one another, being heard by others, and are appreciative of the contributions that each group member has made. Read the full post at https://bit.ly/3EZrK51 Hi, I'm Renee - our consulting firm The Ross Collective designs and leads inclusive, participatory #strategicplanning and #boardgovernance processes alongside #nonprofit leaders. Stay in touch about via our free 2x monthly e-list on nonprofit strategy, racial equity and leadership - https://bit.ly/3qmL28Q

Do Now: Create a Plan, then Shout it out! We’re living in a moment where so much that is good in our communities and in the United States is under attack. As we discussed at the beginning of this post, “they” (the billionaire bullies) have come for the nonprofit sector…as well as Medicaid, healthcare, food banks and vaccines. To resist that is to come together with others to amplify the values and community we want to see in the world. To resist that is to speak LOUDLY about how we affirm a joyous, constructive world in which people of all races have what they need to thrive, in which people of all backgrounds, abilities, genders, sexual orientations, and all of the other components in our magic elixir are celebrated and affirmed. A peaceful world in which we show care and love towards all people in our communities. So once you know how you’re going forward, celebrate and amplify that. That is your leadership. Others out there, who may be feeling scared and anxious, need to know that you see a way forward - together. Community is one of our greatest strengths. As we continue to see the headlines and feel the pressure, it’s easy to feel overwhelm and despair. Many of us were already facing routine struggles before this new administration. We need to maneuver through uncertain environments, some of which we haven’t seen before. With some foresight, we can gather information available and scenario plan to explore possible outcomes. Coming together, we discover a way forward, and activate our voices towards the future we envision. Read the full post at https://bit.ly/3EZrK51 Hi, I'm Renee - our consulting firm The Ross Collective designs and leads inclusive, participatory #strategicplanning and #boardgovernance processes alongside #nonprofit leaders. Stay in touch about via our free 2x monthly e-list on nonprofit strategy, racial equity and leadership - https://bit.ly/3qmL28Q

Do Now: Create a Plan, then Shout it out! We’re living in a moment where so much that is good in our communities and in the United States is under attack. As we discussed at the beginning of this post, “they” (the billionaire bullies) have come for the nonprofit sector…as well as Medicaid, healthcare, food banks and vaccines. To resist that is to come together with others to amplify the values and community we want to see in the world. To resist that is to speak LOUDLY about how we affirm a joyous, constructive world in which people of all races have what they need to thrive, in which people of all backgrounds, abilities, genders, sexual orientations, and all of the other components in our magic elixir are celebrated and affirmed. A peaceful world in which we show care and love towards all people in our communities. So once you know how you’re going forward, celebrate and amplify that. That is your leadership. Others out there, who may be feeling scared and anxious, need to know that you see a way forward - together. Community is one of our greatest strengths. As we continue to see the headlines and feel the pressure, it’s easy to feel overwhelm and despair. Many of us were already facing routine struggles before this new administration. We need to maneuver through uncertain environments, some of which we haven’t seen before. With some foresight, we can gather information available and scenario plan to explore possible outcomes. Coming together, we discover a way forward, and activate our voices towards the future we envision. Read the full post at https://bit.ly/3EZrK51 Hi, I'm Renee - our consulting firm The Ross Collective designs and leads inclusive, participatory #strategicplanning and #boardgovernance processes alongside #nonprofit leaders. Stay in touch about via our free 2x monthly e-list on nonprofit strategy, racial equity and leadership - https://bit.ly/3qmL28Q

Lovers in a Dangerous Time So to summarize, we love the beauty of the new visual language that we are sharing with you. And we are also heartbroken and anxious at the moment we are in - so hardly feel like having a celebration. The song Lovers in a Dangerous Time comes to mind. Read the full post at https://bit.ly/40MISSN Hi, I'm Renee - our consulting firm The Ross Collective designs and leads inclusive, participatory #strategicplanning and #boardgovernance processes alongside #nonprofit leaders. Stay in touch about via our free 2x monthly e-list on nonprofit strategy, racial equity and leadership - https://bit.ly/3qmL28Q

Making our values more visible than ever And here we are again, launching a brand refresh at a painfully difficult moment for our nation. We’re going to be honest and say that once again, it feels trivial to do a brand refresh at a moment when our world seems to be coming apart. Read the full post at https://bit.ly/40MISSN Hi, I'm Renee - our consulting firm The Ross Collective designs and leads inclusive, participatory #strategicplanning and #boardgovernance processes alongside #nonprofit leaders. Stay in touch about via our free 2x monthly e-list on nonprofit strategy, racial equity and leadership - https://bit.ly/3qmL28Q

So our hope is that this brand refresh will help The Ross Collective be a beacon -- a guiding light -- in the difficult moment we’re in. Here are some updates in the brand refresh: -Our new brand is as colorful and diverse as the many voices, races, and perspectives of those who participate in and lead our planning and governance processes. -The logo shows the power of a circle of individuals coming together – and a wayfinding compass to help nonprofit leaders find a path forward. -The color scheme is a warmer and earthier expression of our enthusiastic, connected, and down-to-earth style. -The illustration style was updated with more tactile, organic textures .. like something made by human hands for human hearts. The words on our website have not changed -- because our services, work, values, and commitments remain constant. Read the full post at https://bit.ly/40MISSN Hi, I'm Renee - our consulting firm The Ross Collective designs and leads inclusive, participatory #strategicplanning and #boardgovernance processes alongside #nonprofit leaders. Stay in touch about via our free 2x monthly e-list on nonprofit strategy, racial equity and leadership - https://bit.ly/3qmL28Q

Almost five years ago, just at the moment when the World Health Organization announced a worldwide pandemic, we launched The Ross Collective website and brand with a note, “In Support of Our Community.” To be honest, we felt somewhat ridiculous launching something as trivial as a website as the world was shutting down and reeling from the effects of COVID-19. In that email, we mentioned visibility. About putting our values of “ a deep commitment to honoring and seeing every person in the room…designing and facilitating inclusive, participatory processes that honor and value each person, build investment, and move groups to thoughtful plans…and deepening our commitment to racial and social equity.” That note received an amazing response! So many of you responded in that time of uncertainty, the values that we hold, and the processes we lead are more needed than ever. Clearly, we remain undeterred in those values and remain steadfast in upholding them, especially in these trying times. In terms of our work and commitments, we have kept our promise. We continue to hold the image of a society in which all people thrive. And we know that the way towards communities and organizations in which people thrive is to give each of us a voice in our shared future, to name inequities, and to work on them together. Read the full post at https://bit.ly/40MISSN Hi, I'm Renee - our consulting firm The Ross Collective designs and leads inclusive, participatory #strategicplanning and #boardgovernance processes alongside #nonprofit leaders. Stay in touch about via our free 2x monthly e-list on nonprofit strategy, racial equity and leadership - https://bit.ly/3qmL28Q

CSUEB course, February 24, March 3, 10, 19 2025 (online course, accessible from anywhere in the world) 5-8 pm PST, $315. Gain an understanding of the roles and responsibilities of nonprofit boards of directors/trustees in the following areas: defining and developing policy; bringing equity to your board and organization, clarifying board/staff roles and the function of committees; strategic board development (recruiting, nominating and orienting new board members); team-building and holding effective board meetings. Through case studies, small group discussions and lectures, we will explore real world situations and strategies/possibilities for action. https://bit.ly/4g4QOoD Hi, I'm Renee - our consulting firm The Ross Collective designs and leads inclusive, participatory #strategicplanning and #boardgovernance processes alongside #nonprofit leaders. Stay in touch about via our free 2x monthly e-list on nonprofit strategy, racial equity and leadership - https://bit.ly/3qmL28Q