An Organization of Leadership

When The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of Barbados first came on the scene, there was a lot of dedication on the part of those who founded the organization. To the onlookers, it seemed like The Cffb grew fast. It was often commented upon that our growth was faster than organizations who were many times our senior due to our age.

Immediately upon its formation, The Cffb was determined to be a leading organization. Parameters for operating was developed and implemented with a team that sought excellence. The leadership was determined to assist those afflicted with Cystic Fibrosis with the best service possible; since there are no doctors on the island who are qualified in cardiac pulmonology.

In Barbados, hardly anyone knew what the illness comprised of, CF was unfamiliar to Barbadians. The Cffb had an uphill task. So how did we get to where we are?

1. We are willing to serve. 
2. We think ahead, planning towards future situations. 
3. We take initiative, preparing to be uncomfortable to ensure the beneficiaries obtain assistance.
4. We function with a character of humility. 
5. We're constantly developing skills with people.
6. We ensure that those who depend on us are covered. 

Despite being a not for profit entity, it is necessary that we are committed to a code of excellence. We believe it necessary to give of our best in all that we do, especially since people's lives and livelihood depend on it. 

We are the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of Barbados, and we are Aware to Care. 

Standards are Key to Success

From its inception, We at the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of Barbados [The Cffb] decided that we wanted to be different. We wanted to be the organization by which others would be bench-marked. We wanted to rewrite the standard for excellence among charitable organizations in Barbados first and then farther afield.

Cystic Fibrosis is an expensive illness requiring large sums of money for those suffering with it and their families, due to this accountability is a huge requirement for this organizations functionality.

Here's what we've found. The need for standards isn't understood nor appreciated by everyone. Some people want to have the benefits of being associated with the organization without making the necessary contributions. It doesn't happen on its own. When we engage in our activities, it is done for the benefit of all involved, so that all affected by CF can benefit. It is never in isolation and can never show favoritism. Systems that are implemented must therefore be able to be applied across the board.

We as an organization, cannot allow people to use our name to raise funds for the benefit of their isolated cases. We say this because it has been attempted, and if not nipped in the bud this would have been the result. Corporate citizens would have been bombarded by requests for the same condition from the Cffb and individuals seeking aid for their own situations.

Our commitment to training ensures that when we recruit volunteers they are trained and then released to function within the various programs within the foundation. There is constant monitoring as was seen in our recent awards to our high school volunteers.  

Some volunteers were able to advance within their chosen fields of work and they too will be certified on a project basis with consideration to their developed competency.

So far, we have always had successful events as lots of hard work goes into the planning process so that execution is near to flawless, complete with fail safes. This is necessary since even the best laid plans can have unforeseen circumstances. Over time, we have seen that there is a need to consider succession planning more vigorously, since interest and circumstances in the lives of those volunteering takes place.

We need volunteers for research, planning, training, social media, fundraising, and special programs. As more people are diagnosed with CF there is a need for:

• more volunteers, 
• an adaptation of standards as new situations are experienced
• a revised business / strategic plan 
• improved operational procedures 
• fundraising opportunities via grants, donors, sponsors
• territorial expansion as other branches of the organization are required to fulfill the needs within the Caribbean
• increased medical access 

Networking opportunities are paramount. We interact with various organization that can point us in the direction of realizing aid. This aid is used to further empower our volunteers to function so that the ultimate beneficiaries, those affected by CF can benefit. 

No one likes to hear that they have a life threatening illness. There are a variety of emotions that accompany such a pronouncement. When further compounded that it can be misdiagnosed due to similarities with other respiratory illnesses like asthma, it can put families and loved ones into a tail spin of doubt and uncertainty.  

There's one thing that's certain. We are the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of Barbados, and we are Aware to Care. 

Standards of a charity - The magnificent seven

For many, when they are affected by something / someone that moves them emotionally; in many cases there begins the need to start a charity. What then happens is that another organization begins, sometimes duplicating the work of another one, facing scarcity and lack at various levels.

If this seems like an odd thing to read, examine it closely and you'll see that based on observation it isn't.

There's a streak that runs through organizations of all types. The people involved often need to feel a sense of belonging. They want to give back and contribute. They want to ease the burdens of others. However, regardless of the organization, there's a need to have standards to ensure that everyone operates in alignment and on a similar platform with clarity, if not the result can be chaos.

What are some of these standards? Let's highlight a few of the more serious ones below:

• Transparency - decisions made and actions taken should always be without prejudice
• Accountability - helps in keeping everyone hones and corruption at bay
• Fairness - assists in ensuring that everyone is treated equally
• Documentation - is necessary for posterity and lends to historical value of decisions taken, meetings held, discussions which took place. Documentation can be done physically / virtually utilizing any of the available storage media which are now quite affordable
• Rules - established the parameters within which everyone operates
• Compliance - provides the controls to ensure the rules are adhered to
• Non-discrimination - goes a step further than fairness ensuring that any and all prejudices are eliminated at the root cause

Though there may be others, these "magnificent seven" capture the essence of all the issues. To be truly helpful, the charity must have a loving, yet discerning nature about it. At the Cffb we are committed to these standards and have them documented so that regardless of the individuals in leadership or among the members / volunteers; the organizations will remain true to its mission.

Why do we see the sense of setting standards within a charity? It's because, We're Aware to Care!

This work's never over...

"Phew...."

We've all had these moments when we thought that we couldn't possibly go on anymore. It seems like the more work we put in, the more work seems to show up. It often leads to the question of when this work will be over.

If you're doing a great job, committed to your values and ideals; then there's one thing that is constant regardless of the language. When you want something done, ask a busy person. Why does a busy person keep getting more work when others who seem to have excess time never seem to be able to fill up their day?

Within a charity, there's always something to be done. Here are a couple areas:

• Research and development 
• Fund-raising
• Administration 
• Planning
• Networking
• Program development and management
• Lobbying  
• Training 
• Recruitment and selection 
• the list can go on. 

Though people have a need to belong to something / grouping; it must be serving a cause that they are interested in. They must feel that their work is valued. The leadership of these organizations must have great people skills. 

The ability to recognize the strengths and weaknesses of everyone while helping them in a nurturing way to enhance their strengths while addressing their weaknesses requires skill with people. We hope that within the Cffb, we are able to work with others in a manner that unifies each other through common goals, objectives, standards, and ideals. 

Is this easy? No; and can require as many approaches are they are diversities in the attitudes of individuals. One must learn to be diplomatic yet blunt and direct, being able to adapt to situations as required to ensure that the agreed values are maintained and issues are topic, not personalities. 

Everyone has a point of view and must be given ear in light of its merit. Quick evaluation and requisite action is necessary towards the building of an organization; whether it be a not-for-profit or one who has their focus on the profit as their motive. When building organizations, there's one thing for certain. This work is never over.

Ps. Did you know you can donate to our cause here? We are geared to help those children who have Cystic Fibrosis. You can also come to our gala dinner next month.