Dear all -

Nonhlanhla and I will be meeting on Saturday via Skype at noon EST/6 PM in the Netherlands. I hope at that time we will be able to work out the next steps for the strategy portion of the new strategic plan. The team is finding it challenging to keep up with all of the incoming information via the listserv/email format we've been using since the beginning. It is most definitely not ideal, so we are looking into other alternatives. Coordinating schedules has also been quite a challenge - as you I'm sure you can imagine.

I wanted to create a thread so we can use this to post general updates and not derail the other discussions.

Happy New Year to everyone!

Jennifer

Thanks Jennifer

Am I missing something here?

I am reading this in an online discussion group where we are all being encouraged to give our input, and which you are doing a great job of running.

Maybe the board and the rest of the governance group should show us the courtesy of doing the same instead of hiding behind private email discussion which is obviously not working for them or for Nabuur.

If they are unwilling to do so, they should come out publicly and say why instead of hiding behind you and Nonhlanhla.

Maybe one of the strategic options to be considered is to plan for a dignified end for Nabuur as an organisation, either by merging with someone else, or by providing Local Reps with clear info on other ways to get assistance online?

Mary

...is transparency still among the major issues...?

"...???.....#%$^&%^*^&**.....!!!..."

Dear all,

One of the major issues we're trying to address right now is howto get/keep the respective members of the governance team involved. While Jennifer and Nonhlanhla have done a great job in sparking the discussion online - leading to a good mission & vision, a decent set of guidelines (more on that later this weekend) and valuable input on what should be kept, removed, achieved and avoided - the combination of having these online discussions + the mail list (meant as a tool for coordination) proved to be overwhelming for some (keep in mind that not all of the group members are used to the Nabuur site), or impractical for others (i.e. Denis mentioned his internet access is too limited to keep up with both, next to his other duties).

Add to that the fundamental questions that need to be addressed and you see that we're not going through an easy process.

I've followed up on most of the team members, via phone/Skype, over the last week and all of the people I spoke with are still eager to contribute to Nabuur and its strategy, but not everybody has found a way to do so yet. We'll try to come up with a clear process for moving the strategy discussion forward in the coming days, such that Denis and other members of the governance team feel comfortable to participate & taking into account the issues that the community has brought forward.

To Vijay: I'm aware that there haven't been any updates in December. I'm starting the weekly updates again this week. In the mean time no decisions have been taken that haven't been communicated. Please let me know if you have other ideas on how I could make things more transparent.

Pelle

Yes Vijai I believe it is, based on previous experience.

The way I see it Nabuur has two choices:

1. Those running the organisation decide that they genuinely want to involve other volunteers in decision making. That means that they need to get active here, join the discussion, listen and respond to what is said, and use it as a base for future strategy.

2. Those running the organisation decide that they want to make the decisions themselves, without involving others. In that case they need to clearly tell us that, stop asking for lots of input, make the decisions as soon as possible, and start moving things forward.

Personally I would be happy with either approach.

It is this middle ground where we don't know what is being done behind the scenes which does not work for me. It leads to distrust, even if that is not the intention. This is exactly what happened when Nabuur was an organisation which had paid staff. They constantly asked for our feedback, said they valued volunteer input, then totally ignored it and did what they had already decided.

Jennifer and Nonhlanhla from the governance group are doing a brilliant job of keeping this discussion going, but I have no idea whether they really have the power to make and implement decisions or whether the board can simply decide to override them and go off in their own direction.

This is not intended as negative comment, I have no desire to cause trouble or to get back into the whole situation we were in this time last year where there was more fighting than doing. I write it because I DO want things to continue, but I also want to know whether we are all wasing our time giving input.

So I am finished with this whole governance/strategy discussion unless the members of the board join it, explain their absence, and make the situation clear.

I will continue to help communities where I can. That is why I joined Nabuur.

Mary

Hi everyone,

This message doesn't come easy, especially since for the last few years I (along with many of you) have invested so much into the organization and the volunteer community. When NABUUR began its restructuring early last year, I was excited and hopeful for a new beginning. While it was a bittersweet beginning (with staff being laid-off and a lot of uncertainty in the air), I think we could all feel that an all-encompassing change was needed for NABUUR to survive and begin to thrive again.

It's now one year later. Speaking as a member of the governance group, it was my honest expectation that we would be so much further ahead in the process.

Discussions have taken place in email lists (amongst the members of the governance group) and also here on this board. While discussions are necessary to undergo changes within organizations, one of our weaker attributes is that we get wrapped up in discourse (often to the point of repeating it weeks and/or months later) and lose focus and drive when it comes to implementation. I'm tired and frustrated by the loop we're in. True, there have been certain improvements made but not enough to demonstrate to the community that the 'new' NABUUR is anywhere close to the old community it was. I have found myself fighting a constant lack of motivation and will to forge ahead. This became apparent from my silence on these boards.

As interim board member, I should have been more present. I'm embarrassed by my silence and hate that the community has this perception of me that I do not care. If you know me from my years with NABUUR, you'll know that I do care. It's not like me to quit something (especially after five years of being involved) but my faith and motivation have been running on empty for a few months now and this to me is indicative that I need to step away. I'm saddened that I won't get to have a hand in the future of NABUUR and I hope that the platform can regain its authority in online volunteering. I feel that has been lost in the last year, and that saddens me even further.

Please understand that there are obstacles to this entire process - particularly working on the restructuring as volunteers (with the former staff preoccupied with employment prospectives after the lay-off), time constraints and even monetary concerns (server hosting issues, etc.). As former staff, I can attest to the fact that it is not easy to devote time to NABUUR when seeking employment or working various contracts. Many of those involved are also busy with work, family and other commitments. I know that some of the goals we set for this small governance group were lofty and this became apparent, as it always does when a goal is too big to tackle, when talk began to replace action and we began to spin our wheels. Yes, we've made mistakes but I also know that there are people involved who are committed to get past these missteps and get back on track. It's my wish that this restructuring can get back on its rails and prove to you that the 'new' NABUUR was worth the wait.

I wish everyone the best of luck. Please stay in touch.

Romina

Note: As I'm a member of the interim board, my departure causes a vacancy. Pelle will soon provide an update on a replacement.

Dear Romina, hey Ro,

After years of working side by side, it's hard to find the right words:
For a long time you've been acting at the heart of the NABUUR community, guiding facilitators, volunteers and local representatives. Most here will know you in your role as community manager, although I don't think that description suffices to describe how you lived and breathed NABUUR... and gave it a boost. I'm glad I had the chance to be there too.

I'll miss you,

Pelle

Dear all,

One week into the new year it's time for an update of where NABUUR's transition stands.

You'll have read that Romina Oliverio has decided to leave the NABUUR board. On behalf of the NABUUR board I'd like to say we respect her decision and sincerely appreciate all she has done for Nabuur.
The NABUUR board will discuss the implications of her departure as soon as possible. I'll update you on the resulting vacancy and if or how it will be filled as soon as possible.

Strategy development
Led by Jennifer and Nonhlanhla we've jointly come up with a new mission & vision statement, a decent set of guidelines and valuable input on what should be kept, removed, achieved and avoided. Members of the governance team are now discussing how this valuable input can lead to a new strategic plan. Most of the issues that we're mentioned are pretty fundamental and need to be looked into carefully. On the other hand we wouldn't want to stretch the process over too long a time. I expect we'll be able to come up with a way forward before the end of the week.

NABUUR guidelines
Concerning the set of guidelines that were put together, I've gotten legal advice from a lawyer specialized in internet law. In short, the set of guidelines we've written should be sufficient. I was glad to hear that.

Webhosting
As I mentioned in November, Frans has succeeded to renegotiate our hosting contract, saving about one third of our hosting costs, since January 1st. This new contract means we're not using the development server anymore. Frans managed to move all of its content... with only one small problem which was solved within a day. Thanks for all the work Frans!
The current hosting contract has an end date of June 2011. We're investigating different options for the second half of the year.

Pelle

Hi Romina

I am sorry to see you leaving Nabuur, but can understand your reasons for doing so. I really appreciate your commitment to Nabuur over the years and I know that many others feel the same way, especially all the Local Reps who you have helped to get their villages online. And you have certainly given me some good advice over the years - thanks for that :) Good luck for the future!

Mary

Romina-

I know how difficult this decision was for you to make. I know it was hard and that you put a substantial amount time weighing whether or not this was the right thing to do. I respect you for having the courage to be honest with yourself and recognizing that it was time to move on. Sometimes for new doors to open, it means closing doors to the past. That is almost never easy. I know there are many new doors waiting to be opened that will lead you to a bright and fulfilling future.

You will never know how many countless lives you have touched and changed because of the time and effort you devoted to your work with Nabuur. For such a long time, you have been the "breath of life" around this community and when you are gone, your absence leaves an incredible void.

You have taught me and others so much and we are all better for it. I would be lying if I said I wasn't really sad that you are leaving. I understand your reasons why and I share your hope that one day Nabuur will be in a very different place - a better place and a force to be reckoned with among the online volunteering community. No one can fill your shoes. The community will be forever changed, but as with anything in life - change often brings a breath of fresh air on both sides - even though it may not feel that way right away.

I know we will keep in touch and I know you will be successful in anything you put your hand to. I wish you all the best in your future endeavors. It is my sincere hope that one day you will look back and be really proud of the community Nabuur has become.

Thank you for everything-

Jennifer

Thanks Romina for good work you did for LRs in nabuur

--
Stanley Okurut

Dear Romina,

It's a pity I did not get the chance to work with you as I was really looking forward to that. You may not know this but my very first e-mail on Nabuur was sent to you. You and Mary helped me find my way through Nabuur and I was really thankful at the time to have your guidance with the suggestions you gave. I would not have stuck around for longer than a week had it not been for you.

I wish you all the best in your endeavours and hope that our paths will cross again in the future.

Thank you for everything you have done to see Nabuur thus far.

Nonhlanhla

--
'If you are willing to change the world, let love be your energy.' Robbie Williams

Great am happy to see you givi some body like me idea for doing GOOD for our community keep it up

Dear Romina,

It's always a very difficult decision to quit any path on which we marked our footsteps as pioneer. But this is also a crystal clear fact that for better or worse everything has its end. Willingly or unwillingly we crush ourselves our precious dreams when we feel that our valuable efforts are ignored, criticized & blamed.....Or X,Y,Z any other reason.....

What so ever the reason is...... Result 's always same we decide to get a side & give a chance to someone else.

In fact, time's a great teacher that teaches us the various variations of it & life's a circle which circulates us on its gestures.

But the question rises, what so ever was the time period of our starting point to ending destination; how was our journey?

What I feel you're a kind person, owner of very good behavior, you're keen to help needy, a creative, cooperative & very active member of Nabuur.

Undoubtedly, your absence will be a huge loss for Nabuur.

But I'm not worried from your this decision because you did justice in your past with your active performance. Where Jennifer, Mary & LRs (including me) also admit your role & appreciate your countless efforts that you made for Nabuur.

I can say your example is like an old tree which grows higher, spreads wider, increases its branches, its leaves & strengthens its roots with the passage of time. Today you're not taking anything from Nabuur but leaving a lot in the shape of committed volunteers, neighbors & LRs who learned in your guidance in the past.

Whose performances will forever disclose your presence in your absence.

Wish you best of luck,

Adnan Khan

Dear Romina,

Happy New Year.
It is your right to make the decision that you have made
knowing the weight it has on your future obligations.
The most important thing is that your efforts made
for the good of Nabuur can not be under-estimated
and it will remain record.

Thank you so much.

May the future bring to you many more happy returns!

Sulaiman.