| Israel
Field of actions as a social entrepreneur
Young Women
Conflict Resolution
Leadership Development (for girls)
Your personal work and expectations for the future
The Original Dream
To create a leadership development and support network for young
women in Israel of all ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds.
The Action
Six years ago, I founded of Nisan Young Women Leaders, a leadership
development network dedicated to the advancement of young women
in Israel, ages 15 to 25. Nisan started with little more than
a recognized need and a vision of a viable, albeit daring, response.
The original concept "spontaneously combusted" in my imagination
in 1993. Since then exciting, multifaceted programs aimed at enhancing
the leadership potential of Jewish and Arab Israeli young women,
supporting their initiatives, and fostering communication and
cooperative partnerships among them have been created, continuously
refined and expanded.
In 1999, the quarter-million dollars raised from public and private
sources in Israel, Europe, and the United States will underwrite
"Leadership Development Programs" (LDP) for hundreds of high-school
students in ten locations throughout Israel, alumnae activities
for over 100 LDP graduates, and creation of the Young Women's
Resource Center, designed to serve Nisan members and the public.
By the year 2000, Nisan's interactive web-page will facilitate
networking between young Israeli women and their contemporaries
in the region and throughout the world. The "Career Mentor Index"
will connect women from all professions interested in mentoring
young women exploring related vocations. Working with Palestinian
colleagues, we are attempting to create a version of the core
Nisan LDP has been designed for teenagers in the West Bank, and
inquires about the possibilities of initiating the program in
the United States are being investigated.
Until very recently, I ate, drank, slept and breathed Nisan, mastering
a job that ranged from stamp-licking to program development, and
included everything in-between. Programs were born and grew strong
and diverse. After four concentrated years, I recognized that
the organization required a director with a more comprehensive
theoretical and experiential background inCurriculum development
for youth, women, and groups in conflict. I began to plan for
my successor. Knowing when to delegate and how to alter a situation
are among the most challenging demands of leadership. Leaving
the position of Executive Director of the organization I established
and joining its Board of Directors was a formidable task for me.
Today, under the leadership of its new Executive Director, Nisan
is flourishing on solid, ever-deeper roots. As a Board Member,
my commitment remains substantial (I am leading a 5-year major
Fundraising campaign), but I am able to pursue additional professional
interests.
The month of "Nisan," both on the Hebrew and Arabic calendars,
inaugurates Spring, the season of new beginnings. Nisan Young
Women Leaders tap new sources of leadership in diverse groups
of young women. Trained and supported through Nisan, Arab and
Jewish members are given the resources to effectively participate
in the decision making processes of their communities, advance
their convictions with sensitivity and respect for themselves
and others, and achieve results. The founding years at Nisan were
filled with hard work that has generated significant rewards.
I, too, grew as a leader. My experiences were diverse, fascinating,
exhausting, absorbing, and above all, energizing and inspiring.
I am proud of my accomplishments and overjoyed by the organization's
continuing growth and success.
Expectations for the Future
Currently, I am getting my MBA at Columbia Business School. Prospects
for the future are very exciting. I hope to be able to make a
major impact by building bridges through economic development.
Your personal definition of Social Entrepreneur
A committed visionary with a great idea and the intelligence,
initiative, and self-confidence to implement it and, in doing
so, make the world a better place.
The useful suggestion that CFF member would give to all potential
& active social entrepreneurs
Take your time for steps 1-3!
1) Honestly answer the question "What/Where/Who do I care passionately
about?" and explain (to yourself) why. (Try writing the answer
in a personal journal.)
2) Keep thinking about it. Start researching about everything
related to your passion-focus.
3) Envision how you want your what/where/who to look like. Make
a list or draw it.
4) Identify where you want to make your impact -- if you are like
me, this part should spontaneously combust in your mind and dreams.
5) Jump in with both feet.
6) Plan. Organize. Program. Fundraise. Media-blitz.
7) Build a great team of people with the similar commitments but
different skills. Listen to them. Incorporate their ideas and
suggestions as appropriate.
8) As a team: Plan. Organize. Program. Fundraise. Media-blitz.
Grow.
9) Repeat step 8 until you change the world.
Find more about you:
http://www.nisan.org |
