"So what is it that you DO exactly?" | Amy Delamaide

The task of describing to others the work that CCSR does can be daunting.

My co-worker Kevin Bomhoff tells a story about the time his son asked him what he did. He wanted to be able to tell his friends that his dad was a lawyer, or a doctor, or an engineer. After hearing Kevin's lengthy explanation, his son said, "I think it would be easier if I just tell them you work for the CIA."

When I first started working at CCSR three years ago, it took me about five minutes to describe my job. I would have to include examples. "Well, I work with organizations. They could be coalitions, or nonprofits, or government entities, or something else. It could also be a combination of those things. And I help them figure out what they want to do and where to go. Right now, I’m working with a group of people creating a comprehensive early childhood plan for their community. And I’m also working with a nonprofit run by and for people with mental illness to improve their services."

If I talked to someone with a background in business, I could tell them that what I do is like management consulting, but for nonprofit organizations or government bodies.

If I talked to someone with a background in psychology, I could tell them that what I do is like being a shrink for an organization. I try to ask a series of questions that help the organization come to the own best solutions for their situation.

After a few months of working at CCSR, I realized that my job is to help organizations better serve the mission or people they are designed to serve. This means I work with organizations in a variety of fields--public health, education, social services, and more. While each of these settings is different, I can bring the same set of skills, tools, and questions to bear in each one. I have expertise in the process of getting a group from point A to point B.

CCSR’s Special Projects Assistant is working on materials to describe all the different services CCSR offers. Be on the lookout for these materials soon.

How do you describe the work of CCSR? Post your thoughts in the comments.

Photo Courtesy of Erik Charlton