Growing moral and ethical leadership around the world

I suggested that we form a Chapter of the BYU Management Society in my ward and believe those who join would enjoy the following benefits: 

• Breakfasts: meet together monthly or quarterly in our area for breakfast early enough not to interfere with regular business schedules;
  
• Networking: learn more about each other's business and professional lives and expertise;
• Speakers: invite local LDS or non-LDS leaders in business, government, the arts, etc. to speak to us;
• Recognition: give an award to or otherwise recognize non-LDS local individuals and businesses who exemplify high moral and ethical standards;
• Community: instead of being just a "bedroom" community, become connected with this wonderful area we live in;
  
• Employment: be a support to priesthood leaders in providing informal consulting to those seeking jobs or career development;
  
• Golf Tournament: hold an annual golf tournament to benefit a worthy charitable cause;
• Business Setting: invite our non-LDS friends and neighbors to get to know us in a non-Church business setting;
• Global: membership in this organization connects you with chapters of business professionals in 60 US cities and 18 countries worldwide who share our values;
  
• Diversity: you do not need to be a BYU alumnus or even LDS to belong to this organization.  The vision of the BYU Management Society is "growing moral and ethical leadership around the world."  Anyone who shares this vision may join.  We would especially encourage women, minorities and those of other faiths to join.
• "Standing for Something": our affiliation with the Marriott School at BYU is an internationally recognized "brand" which communicates the values to which we adhere without limiting membership.  The Wall Street Journal recently ranked the Marriott School #1 in regional MBA schools and #2 in ethics at MBA schools nationwide. 
  
• President Hinckley: at the Worldwide Alumni Gathering, November 7, 2003, President Hinckley encouraged us to use the BYU "brand" to build the Kingdom and stand up for moral and ethical values:
  
• Your alma mater will grow in the respect of leaders throughout the earth who will increasingly recognize the unique abilities and unusual qualities of BYU graduates. The stature of BYU graduates will enhance the good name of the Church wherever they go and do inestimable good in advancing the work of the Lord.  As moral and ethical values weaken and decline in societies worldwide, the gap between the world and this Church will widen. Those who live according to LDS standards will stand out from the crowd and receive recognition as those who can be counted on.
• Elder David B. Haight: encouraged members of the BYU Management Society as follows:
• We need members of the BYU Management Society to help build the moral base of our communities.  You have standards, ideals and values that will not only lead you to success, but will bless and strengthen this nation and all the world.
  

The idea of forming a chapter in my own ward came to me today, as noted above.  I talked to a few people and they were very excited.  Obviously, if this model works and can be applied elsewhere, this has the potential to grow our organization exponentially.  Maybe this is what we have been waiting for.

Any thoughts on forming ward or stake chapters?  Could this work in your area?  Is this too much, too quick?  For me, I am excited and think it will work.  Let me know your thoughts.

While we are waiting to get everyone authorization to make posts directly on the blog, I will post comments I receive that I think everyone should read.   The following is one from Eric Kennedy, which I believe is right on point and exactly what we need to focus on at our next meeting.  Hopefully, each of you has had a chance to look at my draft "One Page Business Plan" on this blog and can review it before our next meeting, which will be 2 weeks from today, Dec. 12.  Here are Eric's comments:

 

 

Here is a draft of the One Page Business Plan for the Orange County Chapter. This is my initial draft and must be reviewed, commented upon and approved by the full Board before it becomes final. But, I thought I would share it now for those who may be interested.

Orange County Management Association – Affiliated with the Marriott School

Fiscal Year: 2008

Vision

Within the next 2 years we will grow the Orange County Management Association into a leader in promoting moral and ethical values in Orange County, California, with over 200 paid members. Our primary aim is to extend the values and influence of moral and ethical leadership, the Marriott School and BYU for the development of management and business leaders throughout Orange County. To do so we will focus our efforts, meet purposefully, grow people, act professionally, think globally, align with BYU and the Marriott School and live the vision\

Mission

Growing moral and ethical leadership in Orange County, California.

Objectives

· 1-Have commitments from all speakers (at least 2 non-LDS) and a contract for ’08 luncheons by 1-31-08. JS

· 2-Get a commitment from at least 5 stakes to allow some publicity by January 31, 2008. JW

· 3-Have attendance of at least 150 at our Young Professionals Night in June 2008.

· 4-Have attendance of at least 75 at our Entrepreneurs’ Conference in November 2008.

· 5-Have at least 25 people complete an online applicant search profile & assessment at BYU Job Search. DG

· 6-100% use of BYU website for calendaring, membership and event registration by January 31, 2008.

· 7-At least 3 events will be co-hosted with another organization in 2008.

· 8-Raise $12k from corporate sponsors by January 31, 2008. DH

· 9-Increase dues paying members from 48 to 150 by December 31, 2008. DH

Strategies

 

·    1-Bring in the best speakers available who exemplify and will tie their talk to our values.  JS

·    2-Win the support of LDS Church leaders to publicize events through LDS wards, stakes and Institutes. JW

·    3-Provide training and support to young businesspeople who share our values.

·    4-Promote entrepreneurship with an emphasis on moral and ethical business principles.

·    5-Provide first-rate career development support for our members.  DG

·    6-Leverage our efforts through technology developed and made available to us by BYU.

·    7-Develop partnerships with other organizations that share our mission statement.

·    8-Raise funds to help provide scholarships and free attendance for young businesspeople at our luncheons.  DH

·    9-Grow our influence by using cutting edge marketing techniques to recruit new members.

Action Plans

·    1-Develop a plan for recruiting top speakers and establishing a time and place for luncheons by 12-31-08.  JS

·    2-Recruit a stake representative for each stake to meet with their Stake President by January 31, 2008.  JW

·    3-Complete all planning for the Young Professionals Night no later than May 31, 2008.

·    4- Complete all planning for the Entrepreneurs’ Conference no later than August 31, 2008.

·    5-Create a plan for publicizing and getting participation in BYU Job Search by January 31, 2008.  DG

·    6-Make a step-by-step plan for implementing all facets of the BYU website by December 31, 2008.

·    7-Write a plan for how to partner with non-LDS business organizations who share our values by 2-28-08.

·    8-Develop a plan for recruiting financial sponsors and how to use those funds by 12-15-08.  DH

·    9-Create a plan for recruiting new members by 12-31-08.

The following was submitted by Bill Chapman, OCMA Board Member and Chairman of the Southern California region of the BYU Management Society Steering Comittee

One year ago, at its  its Annual Leadership Conference, the BYU Management Society created a new vision statement: "Growing moral and ethical leadership around the world."  This vision statement was an outgrowth of a discussion between the National Steering Committee and Lee Donaldson, Director of Learning and Development for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints regarding the mission and purposes of the Society.  Donaldson felt the Society was uniquely situated to help fulfill an urgent need for moral and ethical leadership worldwide. 

Review of a statement made years ago by  Elder David B. Haight regarding the purpose of the Management Society revealed that this was not really a “new” vision, simply a rediscovery of what the Society was supposed to be all along.  Following the meeting with the Steering Committee, Donaldson conducted a half day workshop with all participants at last year’s Conference regarding this new vision.  The result was great enthusiasm and excitement.  As participants left the Conference last year, they were eager to begin implementation of the vision.

As the Society reconvened this year on September 28 & 29, 2006, in Provo, Utah, the conference sought to bring together the experiences of Chapters from all over the world in attempting to  implement this vision.  About 66 Chapter Chairs and other leaders came from Switzerland, Panama, Honduras, Mexico, Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Japan, Korea and 14 States.  Sessions covered topics such as "Living the Vision," "How our Cultural Beliefs Fulfill the Vision of the Society," "State of the Society," and many discussions on more specific areas.  Lee Donaldson met again with the Steering Committee, as well as another half-day session with all participants providing training on how to transform the “Cultural Beliefs” of the organization to align with the vision. 

Robert Haight, son of the late David B. Haight, was awarded the Annual Leadership Recognition award and delivered a powerful message in support of the Society’s new vision.  He shared personal experiences from his personal and professional life to anchor his message.  The audience responded with a standing ovation.

Responses to the workshop sessions were very positive, especially regarding how focusing on the vision has caused individuals to feel that activities and events are more enriching.  Many in attendance expressed the feeling that the Society is being transformed from simply a networking type organization to a business leadership organization with a strong emphasis on morals and ethics.  The networking still exists, but it is a sidelight to the principal focus.

At this year’s Conference, reports from various Chapters indicated that the vision is being well-received by those in and out of the LDS Church.  Some Chapters have partnered with other universities, LDS Employment, LDS Church leaders and government offices which have expressed a keen interest in promoting these same standards without regard to race, creed or gender.

Ron Malouf, Chair of the National Advisory Committee ("NAC") Management Society Committee, pledged increasing support from the NAC, including providing high level business executives who are passionate about the vision statement as speakers and resources for local chapters.  Chapter leaders in attendance were excited about having top leaders speak to their chapters and provide ongoing guidance.  Ron also shared his experience in recruiting all of the Stake Presidents his area (Dallas/Ft. Worth) to allow flyers to be placed on bulletin boards and announcement of events.  He suggested that we more clearly express our Vision to Priesthood leaders, who should be increasingly interested in supporting goals that align more directly with their own.  A letter to all Stake Presidents explaining the Vision of the Society and inviting Stake Presidents and other priesthood leaders to become members and permit limited publicity of our events through bulletin boards, in auxiliary meetings, etc.

Thursday evening, the Conference was favored by a musical performance by the BYU Performing Group, “Vocal Point.”  An entertaining ensemble of a cappella signers, the group sang both serious and humorous numbers.  Following this entertainment, Todd Manwaring, Director of the BYU Center for Economic Self-Reliance, delivered a multi-media presentation regarding his organization’s efforts to alleviate poverty while developing self-reliance and entrepreneurship worldwide.

Friday was a day filled with workshops and short presentations by Chapter leaders around the world regarding how their Chapters are striving to “Live the Vision.”  The Inland Empire Chapter, newly formed this year, co-sponsored its kick-off event with the University of Redlands Banta Center for Business, Ethics & Society, which provided a professional conference center and refreshments before the event.  The Director for the Center introduced Dean Ned Hill, who spoke on “Ethics in Business” to a diverse group of about 150, about half of whom had no affiliation with either BYU or The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  The reception was so warm that the Banta Center has committed to co-sponsor the event on an annual basis.

LDS Employment teamed up with the Dallas/Fort Worth Chapter for a Career Fair, which brought out 50 top corporate sponsors who interviewed some 500 prospective employees who were seeking either to upgrade their careers or find a job.  11 candidates were hired on the spot and started work the following Monday morning.  The Chapter plans on making this an annual event. 

Initially, some were concerned that an emphasis like “moral and ethical leadership” would quickly wear out and speakers addressing the same topic would sound like a broken-record.  To the contrary, it has been discovered that each speaker brings a new perspective to this vision.  Leaders from government, industry and other fields all add a new dimension.  Even in the same industry, the stories that promote these same values are so unique that chapters have found each presentation refreshing.

Many other workshops and other short presentations were made on a variety of topics.  Many of these presentations will soon be posted on the BYU Management website, which can be viewed by clicking on the link to Leadership Conference.