“The workshop which you ran was incredibly valuable! I went because I wanted to discover current donor trends but gained much more. Most valuable was the discussion on the redefinition of sustainability, being not just a financial concept but the sum total of the organisational effort with specific responsibility for its leadership. I therefore appreciated that you took an overall leadership approach in the entire series.” (Richard Ishmail: Managing Director - The Big Issue)
“Thank you Frank! I could relate and grasp what you had to share in a big way. It is not often one has the privilege of spending two days with someone so passionate about his passion, his people, his country, people’s development and an acquired insight that he is able to share with others so unselfishly!” (Mark Daniels: Deputy Principal – Sid G. Rule Primary)
“Thank you for your time. Brilliant! A workshop with a difference for life! The fundraising side of the brain is now awake and I’m glad you were the one who woke it up. You have even managed to give us laughing therapy. Keep on being you. Yours in fundraising…” (Justine –Jo Bester: Member of Management - Wynberg Secondary School)
“Frank, a million thanks for sharing and caring. Your attitude is such fresh breath in this field where we have to compete for resources. Take care!” (Dr. Mobs Mwanda: Executive Director - Copes – SA)
Thank you so much for the wonderful workshop. I learnt so much about running a NGO, but above all I remembered that life is actually about having fun and it is not all hard work and hardship. Thank you for that. I have returned with new zest for life and many ideas to implement. Our organization can only grow and work more effectively. (Danny Myburgh: Executive Director – The Art Therapy Centre)
“A huge thank you for the workshop! It brought me back to basics. Now the real hard work begins”. (Dr. Terri Cohen, Department of Health - Gauteng)
“The workshop provided a space for board members to realize the tremendous responsibility involved on governance and for directors to see the common concerns, challenges and sharing of success!” (Cheryl Ayogu – Executive Director: Western Cape Network on Violence Against Women)
“I found the training to be most informative. It really added to my understanding of my role in the organisation, how to better communicate with my board of trustees and to identify the weaknesses in the institution. Well done Frank, all organisations and their governing bodies should attend this training!” (Judith Smith-Vialva: Executive Director: Southern African Media and Gender Institute)
“… I have been in many different workshops and courses, but I have never been as inspired by someone as I have been by you! I think the course was excellent, but beyond that, I think you are a great motivational speaker. With thanks (Faith Brown, Programme Manager, WARMTH)
Elbert Hubbard wrote – “Art is the beautiful way of doing anything”. Frank Julie’s 2-day Leadership Seminar is ‘Art’ for that very reason. I found his content stimulating and intensely practical – a by-product of his own successful, ‘hands-on’ background. As a fellow Trainer, I applaud his easy, “nobody-gets-hurt”, fully participatory presentation. Visibly – Frank is driven by his love for people, which accounts for his passion to share his wealth of knowledge and empirical experience – a task he achieves for his happy participants with measurable effect. (Len Stevens – Author/Presenter – the “ãGRID Training Method”.)
"I would like to thank you for your generosity, that is, being able to share such an invaluable information for free - it is very unusual in this part of the world.May God our mighty Lord bless you with more knowledge and even resources to continue with your good work. As for me I would like to assure you that I shall make use of this information not to accumulate wealth, but to serve my people, promote and empower in the spirit of Social Development.I also look forward to buying your books for the same cause-Social Development in my country."
(Mendson is a registered social worker in Zimbabwe- with a BA in Social Work)
Thank you.Yours SincerelyMendson M. Mpofu)
Hi Frank
This is a great book - in many ways more like an encyclopedia of everything one needs. I have not yet read it cover to cover. This evening my eye fell on not making the organisation one's life. So I'll take one lesson at a time. Congratulations, Frank. This is something great. I hope many people all over Africa, especially, feel the same way about it,
best regards
Colette
Thanks very much for responding on our e - mail message. We have received the policies and funders list. You are a star and once again our sincerest gratitude…
With kind regards.
Yours faithfully
Mr. Henry Mintoor: Project Advisor
With kind regards.
Yours faithfully
Mr. Henry Mintoor: Project Advisor
Dear Frank
Thanks a million for the good work......I have gone thru your website - u are doing a great job, keep it up.
I am very much looking forward to participating in one of your workshops.
Its exciting and I am feeling sso relieved to learn that u will try your best to assist us and our movement. Lets keep in contact
All the best
Sizani
Rural Women’s Movement
Hello Frank
Thanks for the information. I do hope you’re well!
Would you believe I’m doing my last module this semester? Guess what it’s about? Leadership and Transformation, which is a brand new module that the Institute for Social Development (ISD) is offering – so we’re guinea pigs of sorts… The course includes comparisons between good / benevolent and bad / malevolent leaders from various countries; comparisons of various leadership styles (e.g. Ghandi vs Mandela), as well as personal leadership skills, etc. So guess which book I’m going to be including in one of my assignments?
Do keep well,
Wendy
Thanks for the information. I do hope you’re well!
Would you believe I’m doing my last module this semester? Guess what it’s about? Leadership and Transformation, which is a brand new module that the Institute for Social Development (ISD) is offering – so we’re guinea pigs of sorts… The course includes comparisons between good / benevolent and bad / malevolent leaders from various countries; comparisons of various leadership styles (e.g. Ghandi vs Mandela), as well as personal leadership skills, etc. So guess which book I’m going to be including in one of my assignments?
Do keep well,
Wendy
From: Cafda
Dear Frank
I wish once again to thank you for sharing your expertise, time and energy with us. I am indebted to you for your motivation (have had several sleepless nights again because I am so sparked up, thanks to you!).Not only did I gain knowledge at the workshop, but I also gained some new friends. For this I am thankful to you too. May you be granted all the blessings to continue what you are doing and to grow from strength to strength.
Sincere regards
Charlene Hendrickse
Public Affairs
About the book:
“Frank Julie, why did you wait till I was old before you wrote this book! For so many years we have been battling to get hold of a standard textbook to use in the community development training courses and programmes. Now you have provided one, I am grateful and highly privileged to have known you in your dynamic and challenging youth. And now eventually I am filled with awe to experience the maturity, the insight and the empathy for a struggling humanity, which you have captured in the pages of this book. By putting this all on paper you have fulfilled a major part of your personal aspirations. I am proud of you!”
(Prof. Flip Strydom, former Literacy Director, Foundation for Afrikaans)
“Frank Julie, why did you wait till I was old before you wrote this book! For so many years we have been battling to get hold of a standard textbook to use in the community development training courses and programmes. Now you have provided one, I am grateful and highly privileged to have known you in your dynamic and challenging youth. And now eventually I am filled with awe to experience the maturity, the insight and the empathy for a struggling humanity, which you have captured in the pages of this book. By putting this all on paper you have fulfilled a major part of your personal aspirations. I am proud of you!”
(Prof. Flip Strydom, former Literacy Director, Foundation for Afrikaans)
Dear Frank
As a newcomer to the NGO sector, this workshop was extremely valuable in serving as a form of induction to some of the current trends in the sector. Even though it set out to cover particular / specific issues, the content matter in itself and through its presentation method provided an understanding of broader issues important to consider when working in the sector. The facilitation style contributed greatly to create an environment which encouraged sharing of and learning from experiences, drawing on useful, real examples from the participants’ and facilitators’ range of experiences and observations. It was also an extremely valuable opportunity to get to know and network with other people active in the NGO sector for possible future cooperation whether it be information sharing or partnerships in terms of similar content focus areas. The particular emphasis on planning and forward looking vision and strategies, have made a strong impact on my understanding of how to effectively manage my work and also personal life.
Content issues:
While all of the issues were relevant and provided valuable insights, the following issues were found to be particularly useful:
- the sharing of current donor (and other) trends contextualized within local, national and international developments (including political and economic dynamics)
- placing emphasis on the person-to-person relationship between donors and beneficiaries including the professional as well as personal rapport to be built throughout the relationship (here also referring to board members)
- emphasis on planning “not by default, but by design”, also linked to personal development
- forward looking focus e.g. contact and information sharing with potential donors
- the participatory philosophy and actions emphasized in terms of NGO operations i.e. encouraging as far as possible all staff involvement for instance in sharing the draft proposal for input and feedback; the value of participation linked to staff development also informing an empowerment focused succession strategy
- in-depth analysis of terminology used to re-sensitize us to its inherent and contextual meanings e.g. the term “organization”
- focus on life-long learning within the sector, the organization, the individuals
- direct input from a corporate donor in terms of providing a CSI perspective
- practical insights regarding the internal market to source / save funds which one often tends to neglect
- logical approach to roles in relation to skills and profile (managing the different donor markets)
- encouraging a positive approach to (initially) negative responses
- information sharing in terms of locating donors
- understanding and appreciating the different levels of board involvement (active, strategic and associative)
- encouragement to document experiences (also as a sustainability strategy)
Facilitation method:
As indicated earlier, I really appreciated and valued the dynamic, interactive, down-to-earth, experience-based yet critical facilitation style. In addition the following aspects are worth highlighting since they contributed to a positive atmosphere and an effective understanding of the issues dealt with:
- small group/pair discussions and activities (e.g. comparative budgeting exercise),
- use of actual examples, drawing on participants’ experiences including direct input presentation from the CSI sector,
- bringing together a mix of established and start-up organizations (experienced and less experienced people),
- although not part of the workshop, the book authored by Frank Julie as well as the articles / handouts regularly emailed before and after the workshop provide very useful points to consider in our work, these are much appreciated.
While all of the issues were relevant and provided valuable insights, the following issues were found to be particularly useful:
- the sharing of current donor (and other) trends contextualized within local, national and international developments (including political and economic dynamics)
- placing emphasis on the person-to-person relationship between donors and beneficiaries including the professional as well as personal rapport to be built throughout the relationship (here also referring to board members)
- emphasis on planning “not by default, but by design”, also linked to personal development
- forward looking focus e.g. contact and information sharing with potential donors
- the participatory philosophy and actions emphasized in terms of NGO operations i.e. encouraging as far as possible all staff involvement for instance in sharing the draft proposal for input and feedback; the value of participation linked to staff development also informing an empowerment focused succession strategy
- in-depth analysis of terminology used to re-sensitize us to its inherent and contextual meanings e.g. the term “organization”
- focus on life-long learning within the sector, the organization, the individuals
- direct input from a corporate donor in terms of providing a CSI perspective
- practical insights regarding the internal market to source / save funds which one often tends to neglect
- logical approach to roles in relation to skills and profile (managing the different donor markets)
- encouraging a positive approach to (initially) negative responses
- information sharing in terms of locating donors
- understanding and appreciating the different levels of board involvement (active, strategic and associative)
- encouragement to document experiences (also as a sustainability strategy)
Facilitation method:
As indicated earlier, I really appreciated and valued the dynamic, interactive, down-to-earth, experience-based yet critical facilitation style. In addition the following aspects are worth highlighting since they contributed to a positive atmosphere and an effective understanding of the issues dealt with:
- small group/pair discussions and activities (e.g. comparative budgeting exercise),
- use of actual examples, drawing on participants’ experiences including direct input presentation from the CSI sector,
- bringing together a mix of established and start-up organizations (experienced and less experienced people),
- although not part of the workshop, the book authored by Frank Julie as well as the articles / handouts regularly emailed before and after the workshop provide very useful points to consider in our work, these are much appreciated.
It was very useful to receive the list of participants and their contact details. It would also be good to encourage participants to continue to share information regarding needs, events, useful websites, donor information etc…
As indicated earlier, I valued the mix of participants as an opportunity to learn from each other’s experiences and as a networking opportunity and would therefore encourage this for future workshops. The possible concern about the level at which to pitch the content need not be a problem if the workshop is understood as an opportunity to share, reinforce and refresh existing knowledge and insights.
On the whole, this has been an extremely valuable learning experience. I wish to express my sincere thanks to the organizers for this opportunity and I hope that you will continue the good work you are currently engaged in.
Hermine Engel (Planact)
