Leadership in a Recession

Yep. The recession is real. As most leaders of non profit organizations I have been sitting quietly and hoping/praying the recession would fly over us and not touch down. Sort of like home owners when tornadoes blow into their neighborhood.

We expected gas prices to go up, but not from $1.85 to $4.20 overnight. Wow! I was on an overnight bike cruise with some other "Wild Hogs" last week. We rode 850 miles in a day and a half. Along the coast near Big Sur, we filled up at $5.40 per gallon. What a sense of savings we enjoyed at the next station when it was back down to $4.40.

We expected inflated housing prices would correct. But not by 20% in a year. The building boom and all industries related to it seem to have hit the skids.

Add in the presidential elections, a protracted war in Iraq, increasing college tuition, a couple of unprecedented natural disasters overseas, to say nothing of the price of Cold Stone ice cream and we have ourselves a good old recession.

As mentioned, I work in the non- profit world (and we prove it every day). What should religous, humanitarian, and social service providers do?

I'll share some commitments I want to make:

1) We will not become stingy. There are too many hurts and needs which must be met. If required, the dollar amount may go down, but the percentages will not. Note: I'm quite concerned the fuel prices are going to challenge our ability to do as much good overseas. Might drive some creative alternatives.

2) We will seriously evaluate where we get the most bang for the buck. This means, of course, as we prioritize, we will also de-prioritize some things we might otherwise wish to do.

3) We will look for and give high commitment to other organizations who share our values and vision and come to the table of service as sharing partners. I'm learning most organizations can be divided into two categories. Those who are taking and those who are giving. In lean times, we must find those who can offer parity. Synergy between two giving entities is powerful.

4) We will live within our means. Simply we will not spend what we do not have.

5) We will accept that survivorship is a worthy goal during difficult times. Recessions are not pleasant. Like you, I wish they did not come. But they do. They will force us to evaluate what is necessary to achieve our goals or calling and what is dispensable. When the recession ends, and it will, we will be prepared and structured for even more effective service and growth.

Would enjoy hearing from some of you if you have a list of your own for such times. What would you add? Found any articles on this topic?

Children's Day

Irony that this past week brought Children's Day in China with thousands of little children dead from the earthquake and thousands orphaned. Be a bit difficult to celebrate or should it be?

I have my personal feelings regarding China's one-child policy. I also have feelings about what is happening in other countries with a birth rate far beyond the people's ability to care for, nourish, provide medical care or education for the children being conceived.

I'm delighted to see the theme of "children" surfacing during this time of catastrophe. Somehow children touch us more deeply than adults. Are they more valuable? Probably not. But there is something in our human DNA which cries out for justice, fairness and protection for a child. Decent human beings love children and rush to care for them.

I pulled up in front of the house of my colleague (John Dix) to pick him up for a weekend retreat last Friday. His children rushed out to the car. "Hey, can you bring us home one of the little orphans from China?" I smiled. The reality is the agencies in Sichuan are receiving thousands of calls per day requesting these children. Being blessed with one of them would be like winning the lottery. Because of the one-child policy, they are highly sought in China. The rest of the world loves children, too.

Perhaps in some unexpected way this recent tragedy will alter the governments policy. I have no inside reason to suggest that. Just a gut guess--or perhaps a hope on my part.

Please join in praying for the children of China, all of Asia, and the world. They are the hope.

Friedman suggests in his book "The World is Flat" - the difference in the world is no longer between East and West. The big difference is between young and old. Put all the young people together and leave them alone they will quickly bond and become unified."

Thanks for caring about the children. If you would like to help we will send 100% of your donations to Hua Mei International and if you desire, desginate it exclusively for the children.

Our Most in Times of Crisis

From Manila:

Like most of you, I've received no short supply of opportunities to help serve the suffering in China this past 12 days. I have no desire to start questioning the integrity or credibility of anyone of those who have written to me. But, I would like to share some of the guideposts I choose to prioritize where funds will be sent in times of crisis. You might refer to this as "glocal guidelines."

1) Was the person or agency already on location prior to the disaster? Amazing how many groups seem ready to capitalize on other's misfortunes.
2) In extreme cases, perhaps those at ground zero are unable to serve because they are disabled by the event. In that case who is closest to the scene? They will probably have the most passion due to personal acquaintance with those suffering. They already know the culture, language, and knowledge to ferret out the truth from the bola bola (that is a tagalog expression, but most of you can figure it out).
3) How much of the money being asked for will go for travel expenses? And how much will go directly to those most deeply touched by the tragedy?
4) What is the capability of those traveling to the sight to actually help? Are we going to look or do something? This is one reason I decided NOT to travel to Chengdu; though I was only 2 hours away and have friends there.

Years ago when we lived in Ohio there was a tornado which passed close to our house. We sheltered in the basement with the children till it passed. The next day I loaded the family in the van and drove through the neighborhood where it had touched down. Whole tops of houses were ripped off. It looked like a war zone. People were standing dazed in the front yards either trying to clean up a little or search for lost belongings. As we cruised through the neighborhood our window was down and one man obviously beside himself looked at me and said honestly, "If you must come here you can at least get out and help."

That was many years ago. His words still haunt me. Am I going to look or do something?

Some countries such as the one I sit in now (Philippines) are a perpetual disaster zone. The GDP grows. The Asian market stated it is the second cheapest country to live in. Yet the ability of the general populace is not able to afford to live. What does it say? The money is in the hands of a very few. The country is in crisis.

We don't want to come and just look. We're hoping to provide jobs. I had a conversation with a person today which indicates we can join another foundation for still bigger things. We may fail. But don't want to just look.

Glocal and Provision Financing

I'm in Manila tonight. Meeting today with our Provision Financing team.
They have just returned from visiting four quite diverse sights. Fair to say
they are excited with the possibilities, though weary.

We have crafted some guiding posts to help us in this endeavor. What we will do is quite similar to the more customary micro financing plans well established but include some distinctive features. Let me share an abbreviated list:

1) We agree it is more important to teach people to fish rather than give them a a fish.
2) Because we cannot help everyone does not mean we will help no one.
3) We will charge no interest. That's right - zero interest. This means those who participate in funding loans are using gift money, not investment money.
4) Those who loan will never take their money back. However, they will be ruthless about expecting results. Results mean those who receive the loan become capable of funding their own employment after the loan into perpetuity.

More to come on this matter, but expecting some tremendously fulfilling results in this arena. Already the stories from our first tests are encouraging.

By the way, the gap between the rich and poor appears to be widening here in the Philippines. Be great to see an increasing middle class.

The team just called to say they took a taxi home - five in one very small cab. 45 minutes later they found themselves on the other side of the city at the Mall of Asia. Opposite direction from our condo. It is pouring rain and hard to find a taxi at all. Before they arrive home they should know what sardines feel like. :) Ah, they joys of traveling away from home!

Just a few thoughts to share tonight.

Time to Mourn

Human suffering! We watch here in China with bated breath to hear the last death toll figure.
50,000 now and sure to climb.

As the taxi took me to the hotel the flags are flying at half mast. I've never seen that in another country. A country mourns.

As I checked in at the hotel they informed me "we" have just begun 3 days of government dictated mourning. For 3 minutes - the time of the earthquake - we will observe silence. No mention of prayer.

For the next 3 days there will be no entertainment in the hotel. No music. No movies or frivolous television shows. Only news (and hotel promotion).

There will be plenty of time for dissecting the tragedy here. Why did so many schools collapse and government buildings remain standing? Why so long to allow foreign aid? Why...?

But for the moment there are millions of human beings in need of fresh water, emergency medical care, and some parents --- or children --they will never see again. For the moment it is good to congratulate the Chinese government of the level of transparency they are allowing. For the moment we should pray for the hundreds of thousands of Chinese military, emergency crews and common citizens who are going without sleep trying to minimize the damage of this act of nature.

For now surely we can take at least 3 days and mourn together. But as we mourn let's not forget the emptiness of saying 'be warm and be fed while doing nothing."

Because we cannot help everyone does not mean we should help no one. What can you do?

Famous Chinese Hospitality

I have just completed a long day of celebration at the new Amity Printing Press in Nanjing China. This is boasted to be the world's largest bible printing press. It is capable of printing 12 million bibles per year.

That is not to say 12 million bibles will be printed. The current number is much less and many of those are exported to other countries. Currently, the alloted number for Chinese bibles is at 3.2 million.

It was a great day. I estimate 250 were in attendance. The new leaders of the CCC were present. Rev. Gau, head of the CCC, is a wonderful gentleman and scholar. We shared dinner tonight. He has a delightful personality and I'm expecting he will prove to be a superb leader for the Protestant Church of China. Elder Fu is the new leader for TSPM. We have been honored to host him at Grace Church and it is good to see him moving into leadership as well. He expressed the heavy burden this position brings and has asked for our support.

Sometimes the hearts of leaders are discovered in the small symbols.Throughout the celebration were repeated expressions of concerns for the people of Sichuan.
In fact the planned banquet was canceled so those funds could be channeled to assist in the relief effort. The United Bible Society which has partnered with Amity press since the beginning has committed to funding all the bibles necessary for those who have been displaced in this disaster.

I have traveled in China for the past 10 years. I am sensing recently that a positive change is in the wind. Younger leaders are assuming positions both in the church and in government roles.

I cannot help but recall the words of Thomas Friedman in his book "The World is Flat." He declares, "The difference in the world today is no longer between East and West, but between the young and the old."

I will go to sleep tonight encouraged as to what the future holds in China.

Just a word of encouragement. Would you join me in praying for a peaceful and successful Olympic Games in Beijing? Regardless of political views it serves no purpose whatsoever for the Games to be disrupted by violence or tension.

Chinese people sincerely wish for the world to see the best of their culture and to be good hosts to the world in this coming out party.

I had a good day. Hope you did as well.

50,000 Dead - China Earthquake

Liping Lan, our Director for Grace for Asia, carried on a conversation with our Director of Hua Mei International in Chengdu last Sunday night at 10:00 PM. Future plans were casually discussed. Then she said goodnight. All was normal.

One hour later, the Wenchuan Earthquake hit. The next night Richard (director), his wife, and little son (whom they gave an English name "Gene") were sleeping on the street because their home, though still still, intact was deemed unsafe due to the aftershocks. The epicenter was 60 miles from their home

As I sit in Nanjing this morning with the news playing the background, I am reminded again of two basic truths.

One, how tenuous our lives are. We reside in safety and normalcy one moment and find our world turned upside down the next.

Two, how small the world has become. This is the new glocal reality. While many may not have heard of Chengdu, for many of us this is close to home. I travel to Chengdu at least once a year for board meetings. It is the home of Hua Mei International a registered Christian NGO.

They newspaper here in China edited by Xinhau News Services ran the headlines "50,000 Feared Dead." At least 4 million people are homeless.

It is refreshing after the recent SARS scare to see how the Chinese government has responded to the need. President Hu Jintao and Premier Win Jiabao are both visible and compassionate. They have mobilized at least 130,000 military troops to assist. There is no cover up but what appears to be a transparent and sincere desire to meet this catastrophe with all the resources of the nation. Evidence, at least to me, of the positive progress inside China.

What can we do? Of course we can and should be praying. Additionally we should help. Words of concern without action are neither helpful nor Christian.

For some you may wonder how you can maximize your giving so that the love you express is offered in the name of Christ. If that is your concern then we welcome you to consider donating to the crisis through Hua Mei International. They are in the midst of the situation and as the ONLY Christian NGO in Chengdu will be ably equipped to serve as your arm for this purpose.

If you wish to donate please go to www.grace-church.com and more information will be available there.

This is not an organization which has suddenly sprung up to capitalize on a crisis. Hua Mei was begun years ago with an eye to serving the community of Sichuan in the name of Christ. I was able to be present for the founding meeting of the board. The principals live there. They are perhaps uniquely situated to serve at this time.