Project Got Your Back
Report date
November 2019
What has been most instrumental to your progress?
Formalizing infrastructure, expanding engagement in coalition building, and taking action together:
In the summer we formalized a statewide steering committee to leverage steps to formalize nine regional areas (4 completed) and task force groups in each (one completed).
In September we formalized the Twin Cities region and grew the partnership through formally merging with the Twin Cities Military Network (corporations) to create a large network of organizations and corporations coming together for collective problem solving. At this same meeting with launched 6 formal task force teams to begin creating solutions for each of their areas. This was the critical next step to moving to groups defining the problem to co-creating the solutions. These teams are now establishing their desired objectives, measures, targets, and actions.
This is important because we now have a formalized/recognized structure that can be used to direct any individuals or organizations that want to support 'military connected' to join the work in a meaningful way. This level of infrastructure organization and communication has never existed in this eco-system.
In the summer we formalized a statewide steering committee to leverage steps to formalize nine regional areas (4 completed) and task force groups in each (one completed).
In September we formalized the Twin Cities region and grew the partnership through formally merging with the Twin Cities Military Network (corporations) to create a large network of organizations and corporations coming together for collective problem solving. At this same meeting with launched 6 formal task force teams to begin creating solutions for each of their areas. This was the critical next step to moving to groups defining the problem to co-creating the solutions. These teams are now establishing their desired objectives, measures, targets, and actions.
This is important because we now have a formalized/recognized structure that can be used to direct any individuals or organizations that want to support 'military connected' to join the work in a meaningful way. This level of infrastructure organization and communication has never existed in this eco-system.
Formalizing a dashboard for keeping task force data and activities in a consistent way across the efforts.
A strategy map was created by the state wide steering team with ideas for work that needed to be addressed by task force teams. As the task force teams are meeting they are beginning to establish their definition of the problems they want to solve. Each task force is being asked to create from-to gap statements, determine the objectives they hope to accomplish, the data that will be used to determine their success, and specific action they will be working on to achieve their outcomes.
This is important because it creates:
a visible accountability tool which can document all of the efforts of the project
a tool that will provide a baseline and ongoing measurements
a direction for where other organizations can assist and get engaged as well as a demonstration to those in need of services of efforts.
additionally. this becomes a tool that other states across the nation can also leverage and learn from to consider how to address issues in their community
A strategy map was created by the state wide steering team with ideas for work that needed to be addressed by task force teams. As the task force teams are meeting they are beginning to establish their definition of the problems they want to solve. Each task force is being asked to create from-to gap statements, determine the objectives they hope to accomplish, the data that will be used to determine their success, and specific action they will be working on to achieve their outcomes.
This is important because it creates:
a visible accountability tool which can document all of the efforts of the project
a tool that will provide a baseline and ongoing measurements
a direction for where other organizations can assist and get engaged as well as a demonstration to those in need of services of efforts.
additionally. this becomes a tool that other states across the nation can also leverage and learn from to consider how to address issues in their community
Community buy-in to create a VA national model (community driven) event
We were chosen to lead a statewide event which will be held in the summer of 2020 to give all organizations an opportunity to put their collective problem solving into action in a physical environment. Learning outcomes from this event will be documented in a virtual way on the MNME website for others to access. We will be working with participating organizations to create a total health self assessment intake with an experience for individuals that would address those identified needs in a personalized way. (person centered solution). For example, a Veteran comes and identifies as struggling with finances, benefits, and isolation. What pathway would be created and what organizations would be the most equipped to address the immediate need, what other organizations/plan would be needed to help the individual take long-term steps to thriving?
This is important because it creates a tangible event and imperative for organizations to ensure meaningful progress on the project (prepare for the event). We are also hoping this create new opportunities for funding through event sponsorship.
We were chosen to lead a statewide event which will be held in the summer of 2020 to give all organizations an opportunity to put their collective problem solving into action in a physical environment. Learning outcomes from this event will be documented in a virtual way on the MNME website for others to access. We will be working with participating organizations to create a total health self assessment intake with an experience for individuals that would address those identified needs in a personalized way. (person centered solution). For example, a Veteran comes and identifies as struggling with finances, benefits, and isolation. What pathway would be created and what organizations would be the most equipped to address the immediate need, what other organizations/plan would be needed to help the individual take long-term steps to thriving?
This is important because it creates a tangible event and imperative for organizations to ensure meaningful progress on the project (prepare for the event). We are also hoping this create new opportunities for funding through event sponsorship.
Reflections on inclusive, collaborative or resourceful problem-solving
All three have been important.
Inclusion has been important to ensure all voices are at the table buying into the process and potential of the work. There are many political reasons that work does not get done in the military and veteran space. By being inclusive we have brought attention to all organizations in a equal way so there can be some power equalization. Not just the largest organizations setting the direction. In addition the volume of those included in the work is making it harder for the minority with political power to deter progress of those committed to the collective project.
Collaboration has been important because as we have continued to invite and engage organizations we have gained strength and generated a collective mutually beneficial value proposition for all.
Resourcefulness has been important because there is no way with the limited budget of this project we could have accomplished the work we set out to do and have accomplished. We have pulled from the strengths of aligning to other national and local groups creating win-win outcomes for multiple programs building sustainability for the project. This is community owned project!
Inclusion has been important to ensure all voices are at the table buying into the process and potential of the work. There are many political reasons that work does not get done in the military and veteran space. By being inclusive we have brought attention to all organizations in a equal way so there can be some power equalization. Not just the largest organizations setting the direction. In addition the volume of those included in the work is making it harder for the minority with political power to deter progress of those committed to the collective project.
Collaboration has been important because as we have continued to invite and engage organizations we have gained strength and generated a collective mutually beneficial value proposition for all.
Resourcefulness has been important because there is no way with the limited budget of this project we could have accomplished the work we set out to do and have accomplished. We have pulled from the strengths of aligning to other national and local groups creating win-win outcomes for multiple programs building sustainability for the project. This is community owned project!
Other key elements of Community Innovation
Above all I think fortitude, ethics, and transparency has helped us make the most progress.
We have been un-relenting going after what is needed and overcoming nay-sayers and skepticism to get to where we are today. There have been many frustrations with groups that are not participating assuming things that are not true about our efforts and 'good ol' boy' politics (honestly.... old white men). This has actually led to us not being able to get some grant funding that we believed we would have access to. Most of the funding power in the military and veteran community lies with the large nationally recognized organizations of the DAV, American Legion, VFW, etc. While it is a well known fact that these organizations are dying as the face of the veteran population is changing (women, post 9/11 Veterans seeking other types of membership, racially exclusive, etc) they still hold almost all of the funding power. Until now.....through consistent ethical and transparent communications and efforts more are slowly beginning to understand and trust our project. While there still seems to be a belief that they do not 'need' other providers, they are beginning to see potential value.
We have been un-relenting going after what is needed and overcoming nay-sayers and skepticism to get to where we are today. There have been many frustrations with groups that are not participating assuming things that are not true about our efforts and 'good ol' boy' politics (honestly.... old white men). This has actually led to us not being able to get some grant funding that we believed we would have access to. Most of the funding power in the military and veteran community lies with the large nationally recognized organizations of the DAV, American Legion, VFW, etc. While it is a well known fact that these organizations are dying as the face of the veteran population is changing (women, post 9/11 Veterans seeking other types of membership, racially exclusive, etc) they still hold almost all of the funding power. Until now.....through consistent ethical and transparent communications and efforts more are slowly beginning to understand and trust our project. While there still seems to be a belief that they do not 'need' other providers, they are beginning to see potential value.
Understanding the problem
The work has provided clarity around how massive and complex the eco-system we need to engage in problem solving is and the struggles to facilitate/organize meaningful productive problem solving conversations.
In addition there are a few innovations that we are thinking about differently. For example, one of best ways to motivate our population to connect with what uniquely drives them. 'Military connected' are wired to serve, wired to not ask for help for themselves, and to never leave anyone behind. What we have discovered is those who significantly struggle typically lost their sense of purpose when transitioning out of the military into civilian life, isolated and/or did not proactively ask for help for themselves leading to potential co-relating struggles. When you ask someone who is struggling to help one of their fellow brothers or sisters, they immediately regain a purpose and calling and will respond. In doing so many times they will find answers to the help they also need while helping one another. How we unlock this asset is still to be explored. There seems to be great potential in this for future work. We are actively exploring this potential innovation.
In addition there are a few innovations that we are thinking about differently. For example, one of best ways to motivate our population to connect with what uniquely drives them. 'Military connected' are wired to serve, wired to not ask for help for themselves, and to never leave anyone behind. What we have discovered is those who significantly struggle typically lost their sense of purpose when transitioning out of the military into civilian life, isolated and/or did not proactively ask for help for themselves leading to potential co-relating struggles. When you ask someone who is struggling to help one of their fellow brothers or sisters, they immediately regain a purpose and calling and will respond. In doing so many times they will find answers to the help they also need while helping one another. How we unlock this asset is still to be explored. There seems to be great potential in this for future work. We are actively exploring this potential innovation.
If you could do it all over again...
1. Don't let funding and the lack of being able to raise it or running out of time push/rush the process! - Sometimes you have to move slow to eventually move fast. Conversations have to be had and their will be conflict.
2. Keep up the good work, it is making a difference even if you can't see it! - This is difficult work and it can be incredibly isolating when you are leading it as backbone organization that is as lean as ours. There have been moments of doubting whether this project is really creating value because our successes (building infrastructure and relationships) are not measurable and everyone thinks value only exists if you can measure it. There is no doubt that we have created value, there are very few conversations where we don't hear people say how much the work we are doing has helped them or their organizations.
3. For this work to be sustainable you have to let others take control of pieces and do it their way! - In doing so we lose our ability to control the final success, but if we don't there will never be the transfer of leadership from the backbone support to the collective community for long term sustainment and ownership of the work and outcomes.
2. Keep up the good work, it is making a difference even if you can't see it! - This is difficult work and it can be incredibly isolating when you are leading it as backbone organization that is as lean as ours. There have been moments of doubting whether this project is really creating value because our successes (building infrastructure and relationships) are not measurable and everyone thinks value only exists if you can measure it. There is no doubt that we have created value, there are very few conversations where we don't hear people say how much the work we are doing has helped them or their organizations.
3. For this work to be sustainable you have to let others take control of pieces and do it their way! - In doing so we lose our ability to control the final success, but if we don't there will never be the transfer of leadership from the backbone support to the collective community for long term sustainment and ownership of the work and outcomes.
One last thought
We really hope you see value in this project and will consider helping us to extend the work. We could use some help identifying other organizations that fund collective impact. While many want to support the military and veteran community there is just not an understanding of the long-term value of what collective impact work creates.
We are a part of the Collective Impact Forum planning committee and have been chosen to present on this project at the national conference in the Twin Cities in May. We are engaged with sharing this learning with others across the country as well through our work with National Veteran Intermediary. We hope Bush sees this as a value add to your investment. In addition an MPA class at the University of MN studied our project this fall to expand their learning.
Finally, we were asked by VA leadership to plan this large scale summer event for 2020 that the VA will be using as a model event for others to replicate across the country. The work of this project has so much potential impact for beyond MN and we would love to find ways to fund it in states like North and South Dakota where Bush also serves (ND Cares is one potential partner).
We are a part of the Collective Impact Forum planning committee and have been chosen to present on this project at the national conference in the Twin Cities in May. We are engaged with sharing this learning with others across the country as well through our work with National Veteran Intermediary. We hope Bush sees this as a value add to your investment. In addition an MPA class at the University of MN studied our project this fall to expand their learning.
Finally, we were asked by VA leadership to plan this large scale summer event for 2020 that the VA will be using as a model event for others to replicate across the country. The work of this project has so much potential impact for beyond MN and we would love to find ways to fund it in states like North and South Dakota where Bush also serves (ND Cares is one potential partner).