Last week was quite something at 25 Broadway, let's take a peek:
~ Silverman announced that new hire Joanne Moore would not only "direct" something called the Global Planning Department (heretofore non-existent) but would also "plan" the GA and direct JFNA's non-existent planning and research effort while "managing" the non-existent GPT. And she would do all of this from D.C. while reporting directly to Jerry. Open questions: (1) what does this appointment mean to JFNA Global Operations: Israel and Overseas; (2) how will Global Planning integrate with Global Operations (by the way, one doesn't exist, the other appears not to) if at all; and (3) what are the organizational implications for Rebecca Caspi and that huge expense in Israel; and (4) can one person actually do all of these things? Was any of this thought through? Does anyone remember that the JFNA Executive Committee was created as an "operational Executive" for just this purpose -- to reason through just this kind of operational change.
~ From time-to-time I go to the Jewish Federations of North America website -- just to read what new mischief is going on. I did so last week and right there, on the Home page was a link to something called The Israel Solidarity Drive -- something to which you can "DONATE NOW." Gosh, you go the link and learn that The Israel Solidarity Drive and learn that the Drive has already raised $9 million...that's $9,000,000...which has largely gone to help Southern Israel recover from attacks and invest in disaster preparedness. Then you see links to atrocities dating back to March.
But, then, reading on, the Drive really isn't one...might have been one once but not now. Upon inquiry I learned from one who knows better than I -- "It's probably been sitting on a shelf since (Operation) Cast Lead. Someone must have knocked it (to the floor) when they cleaned out their office after being right-sized and it rolled into Jerry's office." So, there you are -- right there on the JFNA Home Page -- a "campaign" that isn't and almost never was. Maybe Jerry should put Joanne in charge of this as well?
Next to dysfunctional organization in the dictionary is JFNA's logo.
Rwexler
What happened to the $9 million? Or is GPT going to decide that since the $ - NIS exchange rate has deteriorated so much that it is best to keep it in US (and by the way there are needs in the US as well)?
ReplyDeletewith JAFI cutting jobs, one would think JFNA would enter serious talks, so the good work is not harmed....
ReplyDeleteDo (or they) ever know where any money from Special Campaigns has gone? Have we (or they) ever provided an accounting or is JFNA just satisfied with the "taking credit" part?
ReplyDeleteIn the 70's there was a great song by Jonathan Edwards. I was remined of it when I listened in to the Global Planning Table briefing.
ReplyDeleteThe Operant phrase that summed up my feelings came from that song:
"He can't run his own life
I'll be damned if he'll run mine"
Why would my Federation or me as a donor want to entrust JFNA with all the decison making about overseas allocations? JFNA is a mess. They can't run their own life...
So I am making my renewed pledge for next year. If the GPT goes forward in any form more than a body charged with needs assessmnent or if there are partcipants who do not make unrestricted contributions to core - I am out. Period. Out.
My campaign slogan: Global Planning Table? "Not with My Money"
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Sunshine go away today
I don't feel much like dancing
Some man's gone, he's tried to run my life
Don't know what he's asking
He tells me I'd better get in line
Can't hear what he's saying
When I grow up I'm going to make it mine
But these aren't dues I been paying
(Chorus)
How much does it cost, I'll buy it
The time is all we've lost, I'll try it
But he can't even run his own life
I'll be damned if he'll run mine, Sunshine
Sunshine go away today
I don't feel much like dancing
Some man's gone he's tried to run my life
Don't know what he's asking
Working starts to make me wonder where
The fruits of what I do are going
He says in love and war all is fair
But he's got cards he ain't showing
(Chorus)
Sunshine come on back another day
I promise you I'll be singing
This old world, she's gonna turn around
Brand new bells'll be ringing