Jewish Federation of Cincinnati

Danielle V. Minson — Raising the Bar

For the better part of two years, our Federation team has been making a deliberate effort to define what drives our work and how we do it. The four core values of Community, Inclusivity, Learning, and Integrity rose to the top. The next step was to identify a list of fundamentals: actionable, daily core behaviors that bring our core values to life and define our culture. Each week, we make a point to focus on practicing a different fundamental, and I kick off that effort by sharing my thoughts on each one at the beginning of each week. Here are my thoughts for our twenty-eighth week:

INVEST IN RELATIONSHIPS — Everything we do is built on trust and trust is built on relationships. Make sound decisions that enhance long-term relationships. Show people you care about them as individuals, rather than as transactions. Strong relationships are the foundation of what we do, and they enable us to serve people better, as well as to work through difficult issues and challenging times.

If someone asked you what is most essential for how the Jewish Federation accomplishes so much, it would have to be relationships. The millions of dollars we raise every year is possible only because of the personal, multi-year relationships with thousands of donors. These individual donors, supporters, and leaders are motivated to participate and to invest their time and their dollars largely because of their relationships with Federation leaders and each other that were formed around shared vision and values and an appreciation of their heritage. Our ability to invest dollars wisely in the right programs to the right agencies is largely about our relationships with those agencies’ leaders.

And our ability to do all this in a manner that expresses our Vision, Mission and Core Values is all about the relationships that our professional staff has with that organization and with each other.

ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT WE’RE A FAMILY — Our relationships go deeper than simply being teammates at work. We genuinely care for and about each other. Whether it’s a kind word during a tough stretch, a friendly smile each morning, or a helping hand in stressful times, show your compassion.

Our relationships at work are not nearly as close as family relationships. But there are many similarities. First, we don’t pick either. Second, they see us on good days and bad.  Third, both can be essential to mutual growth.

Here are some ways that our staff has acted in family-ways:

Karyn decided to observe Veterans Day by recognizing each member of our staff who served in the American or the Israeli military. And she brought donuts!

So many have found ways to be together outside the office, including working out together in the JCC fitness center.

Reagan suggesting Salad Days and so many started jumping in and participating. 

David Harris and others who have organized Lunch and Learns.  And many more!

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See here for Shep’s comments on all the fundamentals so far.