Diana R. Sieger is the president of the Grand Rapids Commmunity Foundation. For more information, visit Diana's President's pages or view her biography.

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President's Point of View: Diana R. Sieger's Blog

This is how we roll in our community!

June 17, 2009

Here’s a sneak preview of my article for our Summer issue of Current - GRCF’s quarterly journal:

Our community is known for its collaborative nature, public/private partnerships, “we can do this” spirit and compassion. Grand Rapids Community Foundation does not shy away from key issues. We use our influence and funds to take action.

In 1992 the Community Foundation convened a task force, Perspective 21, to define community priorities for the 21st century. The 200 people at a community forum we hosted identified Kent County’s high child abuse and neglect rates as their biggest concern.

For eight months, a 34-member community task force met weekly to gather data from the community and reach consensus on 16 broad-based recommendations. The Perspective 21 process marked a significant step in opening Kent County’s child welfare system to community involvement.

The key recommendation was to provide services to at-risk families before parents abused or neglected their children.

What has happened because of Perspective 21?

What emerged from that convening is a great example of how this community works together to respond to and anticipate problems. Before 1992, free services to relieve parenting stress were not available for families. The Department of Social Services (now called Department of Human Services), nonprofit child welfare agencies, other county departments and private funders crafted a system of prevention services.

A key component of this effort is the nationally recognized Early Impact program, which provides voluntary prevention services to families at-risk for child abuse and neglect. These prevention services include individual and family counseling, housing assistance, parenting skills and substance abuse counseling. Currently the program is offered at Arbor Circle, Bethany Christian Services, Catholic Charities West Michigan, Family Outreach Center, and Lutheran Child and Family Services of Michigan. This carefully developed system involves constant cooperation of agencies, the county government and others to assure that families can receive services voluntarily.

Grand Rapids Community Foundation, along with United Way, Steelcase Foundation, Sebastian Foundation and many others, has invested more than $2 million to provide these services. A few years ago, the Kent County Board of Commissioners decided to allocate nearly $2 million a year for prevention services, besides what was already being spent.

We know this system works for families

In other counties, government entities directly provide family services. Kent County is unusual in its close cooperation with local nonprofit agencies. The Department of Human Services (DHS), network 180 (our county’s mental health authority) and the county Health Department are key funders, and they issue contracts to local nonprofit service providers. Private sources previously noted also provide funds.

Kent County Family and Children’s Coordinating Council helps to keep this prevention system working and reports to the county commission. Agencies are working together and talking with one another. Kent County commissioned an evaluation study three years ago to measure prevention services effectiveness. Not only did the evaluation show accountability, it also showed the services are working for families who choose to receive them.

The issue at hand

Michigan’s Department of Human Services (DHS) recently agreed to a settlement agreement with a children’s rights organization that sued the State over mishandled cases that ended tragically for some children. None of those cases was in Kent County. Yet the agreement recommendations affect five urban counties, including ours. This means that precious County resources need to be expended to ramp up training for State caseworkers and to hire 800 new State staff.

Presently, we find ourselves dealing with the potential dismantling of the effective child abuse prevention services described above. This isn’t just the typical “you need to tighten your belt” scenario. A series of missteps created this situation, and contracts with local private child welfare agencies are being terminated.

We’ve had many emergency meetings with our county commissioners, area legislators and State leaders of DHS. We are working on ways to remedy this situation. I hope that by the time you read this, we see brighter days ahead for continuing our community’s prevention services.

Community leadership

Leading significant social change is a key strategic goal for Grand Rapids Community Foundation. We are at the forefront of influencing change and encouraging collaboration. I hope the next chapter in this saga includes that we successfully influence the State to let us continue our successful program and to use Kent County prevention efforts as THE model for other counties across Michigan. The lives and well-being of our children depend on it.

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Leadership and what influences it

May 31, 2009

Dry spell in the blogging department. It has been a time for me to evaluate this blogging business as it is tricky given the fact that this IS the GRCF website and whatever I write is definitely a reflection on the Foundation. I love this Foundation! How can you not? What a privilege and an honor as trust is formed between the community and this Foundation. After 22+ plus years of holding the position of president, I certainly am not going to tarnish it. Nor are any of us who manage the GRCF Twitter account going to tarnish it - just want to update anyone who is interested on the key things that are going on with the Foundation.

That all said I do believe that there may be some hesitancy for some leaders in the foundation world who are concerned about how their words may shape opinions about the foundations they lead. However, not revealing ideas, opinions, or stepping into the “scary” realm of having every word scrutinized is just as dangerous. People need to have an idea of how foundations are run and the thoughts that help shape them. Thus, how decisions are made that are significant in terms of individual organizations or in some cases, for the entire community.

I do admit to holding back on some ideas as they do need vetting with those who govern the Foundation prior to making them public. I am also cognizant that my blog may not receive the “traffic” on our website that other sections may and that while many do read my words, many in our area could frankly care less.

Leadership has been on my mind for the past few weeks and how people view the “actions/behaviors” of leadership. I still experience a sense of being discounted even after all these years based on my gender. I still observe how others may view various businesses and organizations and how the person who is at the helm leading the charge may shape the perception of that business/organization.

Be aware that I am not a person who obsesses one iota about gender bias as it relates to me. That is the problem of the person who exercises that bias. However, when I read the words of younger women who are in their 20’s and 30’s try to explain their experiences of leadership on Twitter and Facebook, I read the words that a younger Diana Sieger would have written who was experiencing similar things BUT back in the 70s and 80s!

So have things changed? I’m examining it and experiencing it … more later!

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Cynicism will slow us down!

May 3, 2009

This is a longer entry than usual but worth the time!

People who know me well know that I exercise a healthy dose of skepticism when dealing with issues and occasionally I travel down the path of cynicism. I do have a dry sense of humor and I just want it known that I am aware of these traits before this blog entry is read leaving some to shake their heads wondering what has come over me. Some of my staff know that I am growing increasingly weary though of excessive cynicism. There needs to be some trust left on this planet to know that when an idea is thrown into the mix that it deserves consideration and not summarily thrown out.

I will say though that when I am approached by people pitching ideas my antenna do go up when I wonder who is behind the “idea” and what do they ultimately want from The Foundation in addition to the obvious which is funding. This usually occurs when it is not clear who is really doing the promoting.

We all learned a few weeks ago that a big announcement was going to be made that would transform how GR would be perceived and would literally rock the world with the power of the idea. Armed with a dose of Sieger skepticism and cynicism, I awaited the news expecting that it would be the usual hype promoting someone or over promising something.

As the date of the announcement was drawing closer, I read various tweets on Twitter from local artists whom I admire and respect a great deal. These tweets were teasers about the big announcement and while I still had no idea what it was, I tempered my view about what was coming because I so respect these wonderful folks. A confession: I am a lover of art and love our local artists whose work are displayed both in my home and in my office. I am certainly no artist BUT I am not intimidated by what “experts” call important art. I know what I like and that is all that matters and our local artists do create important and great art! While I am not fond of opera as some of my friends will attest, I still am a huge fan of Opera Grand Rapids because of its importance in keeping our area vibrant and attracting audiences who do appreciate it! In other words, all forms of art are so critical to our very being - be it performance art, the visual arts, a beautiful symphony, a piece of jazz that feeds my soul - whatever!

So it was with a more open mind that I awaited the announcement which was to occur at an event on the morning of Thursday, April 23rd by Rick DeVos. I was not able to attend as The Foundation was hosting a Spring Philanthropy Forum with Tom Rogerson, a wealth manager and great speaker, from Bank of New York Mellon! There were two events connected with the forum - the first was a breakfast with professional advisors and then a luncheon program for our donors and prospects. More on this event can be found on our website. I learned about the ArtPrize later that morning and as I greeted our luncheon guests, it was obvious that many people were energized by the news and the possibilities that this arts competition could garner!

I dug through all the news later that day and read how thrilled many people were particularly the artists I follow on Facebook and Twitter! And these people are not pushovers by a long shot! I watched a video that Andy Dragt produced interviewing Rick DeVos, tuned in to an interview with writer/artist Tommy Allen relaying his excitement on local TV news, and was advised by photographer and artist Brian Kelly to not be deterred by the negative comments that inevitably emerged as the hours and days followed after the news hit the streets! Ghastly comments they were!

Reading the Thursday, April 23rd issue of Rapid Growth (RG) was a joy as I was able to view Andy’s video. In the following week’s edition of RG, Tommy Allen wrote in his G-Sync column words that caught my eye regarding the reaction to the ArtPrize and its importance to Grand Rapids and to artists around the globe. He wrote, “The key is not to be a Monday morning quarterback, but a real player. Judging by the chatter, the playing field is about to become massive.”

For those who read this blog from outside of Grand Rapids, it is worth your time to review the ArtPrize link above and here. The website describes this effort as the following:
A radically open art competition, giving away the world’s largest art prize. Part arts festival, part social experiment - this international art contest is decided solely on a public vote. Call for entries ends July 31, 2009. Art festival begins Sept. 23, 2009. Come and see.

The entire process is detailed on the website with the handsome sum of $250,000 to be given to the artist whose work is viewed as the best based on public vote. Other financial prizes are to be awarded as well. This is being funded by the family foundation led by Dick and Betsy DeVos who are Rick’s parents.

My observation is just this: give this a chance! Watching Rick on West Michigan Week on WGVU-TV, I was impressed by his answers, his demeanor and his humility. We are building a dream and all that is needed is an open mind and a chance to let that dream unfold. Skepticism is an important filter at times. However in this case I think the ArtPrize is worth a shot and let’s see where it lands. Hey why NOT?????

Criticism has been leveled by the “establishment” of the art community outside of Grand Rapids and was addressed by Brian Sherwin the Senior Editor of myartspace.com. Here is an excerpt from his blog: “My opinion is that the critics of this competition are stuck in the past and fear change. They fear the same public that they strive to reach out to with their art criticism and exhibit reviews. They don’t want the flood gates of the art world to be opened to the public— while at the same time it is common for these same individuals to complain about how the general public is not interested in art. It is obvious that they want the ‘system’ to change— on their terms.”

The ArtPrize will help bring attention to our area to inspire innovation. Certainly when GRCF provided $500,000 to InnovationWorks of Right Place, Inc back in October 2008, we took a chance that this program can provide the needed inspiration for entrepreneurs and inventors to stay in West Michigan and develop new businesses and industries. We need to just take action and frankly doing nothing will garner us exactly that. Now is not the time for over planning and being risk averse.

But then just so you know, my filters are not turned off totally! Here’s to a more promising future for our community!

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Federal Stimulus funds - let's be strategic!

April 30, 2009

Seems lately that each day is a “big news day” around the globe - the economy, swine flu, wars, politics and of course the ever interesting yet “what does it matter anyway” popular culture items featuring American Idol, Dancing with the Stars and Susan Boyle! Hard to compete with all that “news” so I won’t even try. However, many good things are happening and more than what I can fit in one blog post so that means I need to kick myself into high gear and write more.

From the ArtPrize announcement last week … to the hugely successful “Good for Education” celebration that the Grand Rapids Community Foundation hosted last week that did NOT attract any discernable media attention in spite of all attempts … and more topics to cover in the coming weeks! Okay please someone find me the time!

Yesterday I attended a meeting at Grand Rapids Community College’s M-Tec Center where Governor Jennifer Granholm was announcing Michigan’s plans re: the American Recovery and Reinvestment funds - more commonly known as the federal stimulus dollars. Governor Granholm did not tout the funds as the panacea for the state but that certainly the money could help. She encouraged local governmental units and nonprofit entities to apply but to do their homework first. It was also noted that this is one-time only money thus must be used strategically given its short time horizon. I was pleased to hear her cautionary yet hopeful message that indeed the stimulus dollars can help in recovery efforts across the state,

The Governor acknowledged that the greater Grand Rapids area is known for its collaborative efforts and was calling for us to continue along these lines. I made a comment during her Q&A time period that GR is known for its collaboration and that this is strongly practiced and encouraged. However, that said I noted that we still suffer from poverty and all the many ills that this economy has wrought and to remember that Southeast Michigan is not the only place where people are suffering.

For readers of my blog, you know how I feel about collaboration when it makes sense particularly the Kent School Services Network, the foundations banding together to create a fund in concert with the Essential Needs Task Force and the Kent County Family and Children’s Coordinating Council. This is the time to band together and make sure that there are many partners around the community table re: the spending of these precious federal dollars!

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In the spirit of presenting the many sides of an issue . . .

April 16, 2009

here is the blog entry from the Right Place,Inc dated April 16th re: the Michigan Future, Inc report I wrote about yesterday. Good points made and I think that acknowledgment from Michigan Future that many recommendations from the past have been taken seriously is really what Right Place would have liked to have seen. That said, I do think there needs to be consensus on the direction for the state and for West Michigan. Right Place is the premier economic development organization in our estimation in the country. Certainly the GRCF support of InnovationWorks in the amount of $500,000 this past fall demonstrates our commitment to the strategies and goals of Right Place, Inc. Talent …economic development … major focus on how to turn our state around is needed!!!!!

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