- Organization Name:
- Florida Institute of Research & Education
- Describe your creative piece – what is it and what has it been used for, and why is it innovative?
- Our creative piece is an officer development handbook. It is used to develop future leaders for a local fraternal group which did not have the resources to make it happen. It is innovative in use of the pdf format allows the organization to produce the program with minimal cost and increases the effectiveness of those leading the organization into the future. It allows them to build on their rich history and traditions while allowing the member to spend time with family thereby balancing community involvement, work life and home. By utilizing the electronic format we are saving energy and creating a greener and more knowledgeable organization.
- What issue or problem were you working to address with this piece?
- We were trying to address a knowledge gap between members of a fraternal organization who had been there many years and who had institutional knowledge and those new to the organization who are trying to bring the organization into the next century. To make the transition, the officer development handbook was developed to allow the new members to glean information not normally passed from one member to another from the comfort of home or other location. From the handbook and accompanying study material – the member garnered a new understanding of how the group is organized, how leadership is attained in general terms and how to plan for the future.
- How has your submission successfully impacted your organization’s ability to solve this issue/problem?
- The officer development handbook was at first met with skepticism and resistance. However, once the first person completed the course of study, the program took off. Today, it is being praised as a tool for understanding and not only teaches valuable leadership lessons and etiquette, but provides information about the “hidden” responsibilities of leading an all volunteer organization. The greatest compliment to the program to date comes from one of the oldest members to take it: “It taught me not only what I needed to know to work with a wide variety of individuals, it taught me how to garner the resources necessary to be successful. At 82 years old, I thought I knew everything I needed to know. Now I find that technology is making it possible for me to transfer my knowledge to the next generation and they to me in a format we can all work with.”
- Creative Submission - Files
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