October 2010 – melclifford

Mission Statement

October 28, 2010 No Comments

After reading a book which contained a summary of articles published from regular Newsletters I came across this Mission Statement below for the Carnegie Centre. The Centre is situated in Downtown Eastside Vancouver and most of the articles are written by and about the people and community of Downtown Eastside. Following the post about the words of the His Holiness the 14th Dali Lama I thought if every country implemented this Mission Statement it might move us and future generations to a better place for us all. The critical issue is for each of us to make a start and implement the guiding principles outline below. Paul Taylor has been the volunteer Editor of the Newsletter since its beginning and from what I have read championed excellent work. As outlined in many of the stories and poems there are many individuals who should be ashamed of their actions towards the community and centre. Carnegie Mission Statement 2001 Our Mission is to nature mind, body and spirit in a safe and welcoming environment. Through the leadership and participation of our volunteers, we provide social educational, cultural, and recreational activities for the benefit of the people of Downtown Eastside. Guiding Principles To treat one another with respect regardless of race, ethnicity, colour, religion gender or age To accept and celebrate a diversity of lifestyles and cultures To listen and to strive to understand one another To settle differences and misunderstandings through patience and goodwill To respect the personal and private space of one another while offering friendship and inclusion in the life of the Centre To build on one another’s strengths. Skills and natural abilities To contribute to the work of the centre while enjoying the benefits of the Centre To ensure that people in our community are supported in finding their own voice, and in participating in the life of the Centre To serve the community inside Carnegie and in the Downtown Eastside

Power of Truth

October 26, 2010 No Comments

I got the opportunity to go and see His Holiness the 14th. Dali Lama, I must say I was very taken by his beautiful words. I thought I would share with you some of what I heard and the elements that struck me the most. For those of you who may have never heard his voice he is a very quietly and peaceful spoken man who breaks into laughter every so often. His words are well chosen and simple in context with great emphasis to communicate and educate others. Demonstrating compassion in what we do and eagerness to learn and to listen to those who we may be in conflict with. So that we can understand, learn and move towards better harmony in our lives. There must have been well over 20,000 people in the audience and one could hear a pin drop as he spoke. His Holiness started with, we all seem to strive for happiness in our lives and this is obtainable and the right of all people. We are no different from our neighbours who share this planet with us. Respect for those who may believe in other ways and religions and for those who maybe non believers. For no matter what religion you may believe in we are all striving for the same things and each religions seeks compassion, love and sharing with mankind. Education starting with the very young in the ways of listening to differences and wanting only well for others is critical if future generations are to create better lives for all. Eliminating the gaps between rich and poor, human suffering, communities and country conflicts of war. Ten years have nearly passed in this 21st century and we must not neglect the learning from the past centuries. We have been passive bystanders’ and negligent in taking the learning to ensure we do not commit the same atrocities as in the 20th century. The negative thinking of the me, my, I and greed are destructive to us personally and to our neighbours. Mankind have through its greed created destructions in our world. Humility and compassion towards others is what is required, promoting dialog and discussion to gain understanding. Destructive actions will harm both those who are creating them and you in the long term if not prevented. The power of truth will always succeed in life and must be practiced.

Message from a Hostel – On the Road Again!

October 22, 2010 No Comments

Well once again Alistair and Nora are back in the land of hostels, where swinging cats, sharing bedrooms, bathrooms and kitchens are all part of daily life. The cities have more people and less bears and snakes of the animal kind but they take on different shapes with the human kind. Nora now thinks that Alistair should get a job as a local Munchkin and maybe there are opportunities in this area for him to try out. Well times have change and opportunities are far and few between so maybe this might be a new career for Alistair. Last weekend Alistair and Nora strolled off course from the Yellow Brick Road and into the land of the Yankee Doodle. Before they could enter the land of Yankee Doodle poor old Nora was taken away for a Quiz Game on how she knew Alastair something along the lines of Mr & Mrs Quiz show. All the different Quiz Masters had different questions and Nora was reminded that the Yellow Brick Road was not part of the Yankee Doodle land. Being from a boarder county Nora was well able and used to answering tricky quiz questions. Good old Nora scored 110% and she was given a little sticker which would allow her to come back anytime she wished. So after the quiz game was completed Alistair and Nora were allowed into Yankee Doodle land. No wonder this in number 8 out of 8 said Nora , once you have seen one waterfall you seen them all. If we were given something for nothing why do they stick a railing around it and try and charge you for the pleasure of looking at it. Staying only a few days Alistair and Nora made their return to the Yellow Brick Road. On their way back there were no tricky questions and the only comment was had they enjoyed their visit and ye all come back now you hear. So onwards they go all positive and looking forward to meeting difference munchkins along their way. Still seeking the great Wizard of OZ and Nora is still the self appointed Director.

What if you never use the skills you know you have?

October 20, 2010 No Comments

I am often asked the question by individuals what do I think they should do in their career or life? I normally answer with a question like, well what do you think you should do with your career or in your life? That is usually a good starting place. Creating any change in your life, the first thing one must accept is that it is your responsibility and change is in your own hands. So if you have any questions like this on your mind start with asking yourself. Most people when asked will say – well if I have this or if I could afford that I would do ………! But this is stopping me. What if individuals like Eric Clapton, Johnny Cash, Mozart, Nelson Mandela, Charlie Chaplin or other great actors, painters and artists we know of never shared their talents with the world? I believe we would be missing out. No matter well known or not there are people all over the world sharing their skills and making a difference to their own lives and the lives of others by being who they really are. Just think for one minute if you never take that risk or share your skills to do what you want to do or to be the person you want to become, will you regret it? Maybe the world will miss out –don’t put off what you know you should do. So put your hand up and repeat after me “Change is in my hands” –I will start today?

What makes a great organisation – Its People?

October 18, 2010 No Comments

Most organisations generally do what is expected of them. They have all the right policies, the right slogans and they have written somewhere maybe on the Company walls, their vision mission and values. The issue is that most Companies don’t pay any attention to their stated values when it comes to actual implementation. I have seen companies with written values around customers and employees yet they continue to actively behave and demonstrate the opposite to what they proclaim. I wrote a post in June this year about Companies who have changed the name of the department and section who have a responsibility for employees “people”. For some reason they think by changing the name it will change the way people will behave or perceive them as a company. One of the latest names on the market is “Human Capital” please give me a break! So who is responsible for people in an organisation? – “Your CEO”. If the CEO’s in companies really believe that their people make or break the organisation then it’s is their responsibility to ensure that they actively demonstrate through their own actions that this is the case. They must also ensure that all their direct reports behave in the same way as they should with their people and so on right throughout the Company. If your CEO is not actively involved with the day to day interests in their people then I would suggest you LEAVE RIGHT NOW, why – because you could work with an amazing Company where people really matter and grow. What gets honoured in a County gets done –Plato

Sorry Speak up I Can’t Hear You

October 13, 2010 No Comments

I was sitting in a coffee shop the other day working away in the peace and quiet with just the background music when guess what someone decided to make a phone call on their mobile phone. In most cases this is normally OK but I must say there is nothing more annoying then someone in a public location having a very loud discussion on their mobile phone as if they were the only person in the place. They carried on their discussion as if everyone in the vicinity must have wanted to hear what they had to say. Like everyone in the coffee shop I said nothing and I tried to carry on with my work ignoring as best I could this very loud person on their phone. I believe a little politeness would go a long way and people could still have their conversation but only at a lower tone and showing respect for those who shared the immediate vicinity. I think that there should be a signal or diagram that everyone becomes familiar with that we could use to communicate to the offending person on their mobile that they are speaking too loud and to either speak quietly, move to another more private location or hang up. I have not figured out what that signal or diagram should be as yet. So any suggestions for the signal or the picture/wording one could use? Thanks to www.zazzle.ca for the picture I have used on this post

The People Business

October 11, 2010 No Comments

What makes a great HR Director? It is my opinion that most of the time over 95% of the employees within an organisation would not recognise their HR Director even if they were standing in front of them. They may have seen at some stage a photograph of them but they would never have spoken to them either face to face or by phone. Why is this? because from my experience most HR Directors are too busy with some other stuff, than actually meeting, listening, talking and understanding the people that they represent within the organisation. So if you hold the position of the HR Director ask yourself what your role is and who do you represent? If the answer to these questions are around the “people” than how often have you left your office and met any or all of these people – how many employees’ names who work for your organisation could you write down right now – even if you were to write all of those employees who work within the same building where you are located. How many employees to the person work within your organisation and where are they all located? Ask yourself what do you really know or even understand about any of the employees? Next time you start out to go to work ask yourself where you should be going- to your office or to meet the people who work for the business. For these people provide you with your position for without them, there is no need for you. Does your organisation have the right HR Director or does your organisation need one?

Sometimes it is just in that Moment

October 6, 2010 No Comments

You might recall that in May 2010 I published a poem written by Andy Smith entitled ‘Inner Beauty’. Recently I was in communication with Andy and asked him if I could publish another one of his poems which he kindly gave his permission. Here is a recently written poem called ‘We wave sincere’ thank you Andy for sharing your poetry with us again. We wave sincere I hold your gaze A little longer now Since your brother died We’ve relearned the important Packed away the pettiness For something more emerges Each time we’re put to test We’ve older grown And wisdom speaks Unfolding hidden delights Encouraging new peaks We’re all the same In life’s fair game And all of us must play Our part is undetermined And we must stake our claim In seeking who we are I am a star A changing constellation A soul in constant journey Where every part is home. Author – Andy Smith Corragarrow, Melview. Longford. Ireland

Message from a Hostel – Do you heed warning signs?

October 4, 2010 No Comments

In search of the new opportunities along the Yellow Brick road Alistair and Nora have been travelling further North East into the wilderness. This as one knows brings different creatures like bears, cougars and snakes along their way. The Tin Man, Scare Crow and Lion are just pussy cats compared to what’s ahead. The Yellow Brick Road has excellent warning signs for the local Munchkins such as ‘Bears have been spotted in this area’ or ‘Wild life area pay attention’ or as simple as ‘Do not enter ‘. But do Nora and Alistair heed these signs oh no they are no local Munchkins these signs can’t be really for real. As Nora says what do babies get but little cuddly teddy bears, surely Alistair you had a wee teddy bear when you were wee boy. So out they go for a gentle stroll and what do they meet Oh yes one of those creatures mentioned on the WARNING SIGNS – it just walked out in front of them and strolled along the trail before them. Munchkins walking towards the Big Bear quickly stopped in their tracks and retreated slowly backwards warning other Munchkins on route. Quietly shouting bear ahead stay back. After the few choice words from Nora’s mouth and then wait for it after the initial shock had gone “ah it would be nice to give it a little cuddle”. Yes that would be nice Nora and when the bear is finished cuddling you , whatever is left of you we can post back home- replied Alistair. As the days passed and a few more Bear sightings, gentle strolls of an evening was not really Alistair’s cup of tea although Nora was still looking for her bear hugs and cuddles. So instead of the wilderness walks Nora and Alistair’s (more so Alistair than Nora) decided to try and stroll in locations that were closer to the busier public walking trail areas. Only once again more warning signs but this time as they stroll along the trail across their path were moving sticks – which happened to be snakes. As soon as one was spotted by either Alistair or Nora the following sequence of events would occur. “Watch out” – “what” as ones heart missed a beat and ones legs quickly jump off the trail path several times as if we were playing hop scotch as the snake slid by. Then what would follow was “Don’t do that you frightened the shit out of me”. So the Director – (remember the self appointed Director) introduced a procedure to be followed. So it was agreed whoever spotted on coming danger the following would be communicate in this sequence “Snake ahead watch out” or “Bear ahead watch out” and only in this sequence any variation would not be accepted. This would clearly stop the shit been scared out of each other as they went about their gentle evening stroll. It was also agreed while walking and if they got bored and decided to play I spy with my little eye the letters B or S could not be used. This did leave the letter C for Cougar which both Alistair and Nora felt was fair enough as whoever spotted something beginning with the letter C would be so far away by the time they actual got to say I spy with my little eye something beginning with C as the other person would not be able to hear them. Not to mention the Directors instruction of the agreed sequence of the warning communication. So remember danger is always out there but once you have an agreed communication procedure – all is well

Mel Clifford

Mel Clifford

Blog & News

Month: October 2010

Mission Statement

Power of Truth

Message from a Hostel – On the Road Again!

What if you never use the skills you know you have?

What makes a great organisation – Its People?

Sorry Speak up I Can’t Hear You

The People Business

Sometimes it is just in that Moment

Message from a Hostel – Do you heed warning signs?

Mel Clifford