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Overview
Joe Hertzberg has been a management consultant in Portland since 1979. In the past few years, he has moved his practice from the private toward the social sector - nonprofit and government organizations with public service missions. He has worked on public issues such as youth gun violence, endangered species, education funding, self-determination for developmentally disabled adults, and overrepresentation of minorities in the criminal justice system.
Last year, along with ODN member Sherri Austin, he was engaged to develop a strategic plan for Portland’s Bureau of Housing and Community Development. As the plan neared completion, the bureau’s director resigned and Joe agreed to serve as interim director (while maintaining his consulting practice).
He found it was easy to be a passionate advocate for ending homelessness, providing a range of affordable housing alternatives, and expanding economic opportunities for low-income people.
But Joe faced a dilemma: As a consultant, it is often essential to be impartial, neutral, dispassionate. While we may be passionate about a group’s mission and display commitment to good process and organization, it is risky to become passionate about content. Our effectiveness as process facilitators depends on the total trust of participants that we have no agenda of our own. When we do, our effectiveness may be compromised.
Joe has been wrestling with this issue. He has questions, but no clear answers:
Joe will lead a discussion of the possibility and desirability of bringing more passion to our practice.
Monthly Book Exchange
Members have asked to host a book / materials exchange as part of the monthly program. There will be a table set up for this exchange beginning at 6 pm. Bring those dusty books and papers and trade them for another's favorites!