Have a great day, Denise Rottenmaier
Existing to serve the people
Check out what’s going on in your neighborhood, the community on Sunday, Monday
When you think of leadership, what usually comes to your mind? For most people, it’s a person taking charge to lead them, and through a combination of authority and persuasion getting people to buy into a certain vision/ mission and getting them to accomplish that vision — as in leaders and followers. But service leadership inverts that norm to radically change priorities to society.
What is servant leadership? Instead of the people working to serve the leader, the leader exists to serve the people.
As an immigrant American, I was fortunate to cross paths and be inspired by many great leaders. Frequently, I do not hesitate to let people know that I, Ravi, come from the land of Mother Theresa and Mahatma Gandhi (India) — both representing the very best of servant leaders. Living in the land of immigrants for nearly 40 years, I am also proud of the finest public servant and America’s best ambassador, President Jimmy Carter, who continuestoserveeventodayin his 97th year, at his Habitat for Humanity project and elsewhere.
How does the model of servant leadership fit into this unprecedented time of the pandemic, protests and polarization? And what is their potential to work with PB, Sister Cities, Community Gardens, Schools, Factories/Trades etc., to improve the lives of our youth, both in schools and communities?
Servant leadership is a philosophy and mindset of practices that enriches the lives of individuals, builds better organizations and ultimately creates a more just and caring world. A classic example is co-op markets, where they empower staff (who also collectively own) to be accountable for team development instead of relying on a top-down training style. Pride in being shared ownership and shared interest to protect and work efficiently.
The principles, mindset and character of servant leadership are rare in today’s desperate social ecology. Although Vallejo already has its share of nonprofits — some successful, others struggling — Vallejo Project distinguishes itself with servant leadership and selfreflection, giving a voice to constituents our society forces to the fringes, especially seniors and
K-12 students.
Let it be clearly said that Servant Leadership is not a journey for the proud or timid. VP Founder Adjoa McDonald is finding her leadership journey to be a process of self-discovery. “Vallejo has a way of making me face the best and worst of myself” she confided.
Although this new leader is charismatic, unassuming and downright enchanting, Adjoa explained that she has already lost a few good people due to lack of skilled management along the way. “There is so much talent in Vallejo and no shortage of goodwill, but the 21st-century skill of collaboration is an area of growth for me and the city of Vallejo as a whole” said Adjoa.
Keeping her ego out of the way and separating herself from her vision has been the biggest challenge, McDonald said. It is a challenge only the self-less and the determined, caring souls would take on and stop not til they reach their goals. IT’s the kind of leadership that takes solace in making others succeed, youth learn—participate—be mentored— grow/blossom to make a city better/prouder.
Adjoa shared a parable that she heard while serving at the Catholic Worker, called “The feast in heaven and hell.” In both heaven and hell, both have a table with food on it.
Both have people sitting around the table with long-handled spoons. The spoon handles are so long, in fact, that the person holding it can’t get the food to their mouths. In hell, the people struggle to feed themselves, only to go hungry. But in heaven, the people feed the person across from them so that all can eat. This parable exemplifies the concept of servant leadership. If we live to serve each other, everyone benefits.
Although Vallejo is one of the most diverse cities in the bay area, with an equitable percentage of Asian, African, European and Latino neighbors, we don’t often work together effectively, share resources and local talents to solve our collective challenges. Such needs are often so common in this working class town of Vallejo. In this time of want and woe, it is critical that State, County and City institutions work hand-in-hand with community-based organizations to ensure the wellbeing of our community.
Vallejo Project believes that this can be done by focusing on their “four pillars: wellness, trades, art and culture.” Each of the city’s diversity groups all desperately need and sustain in the areas of health/wellness, realworld skills/trades, music and the arts, and culture that embodies many norms/practices/collaborations as they share in a peaceful coexisting society.
I am also proud to introduce
the executive leadership team: Edwards, Katie Cornell, Michael James, Louis Michael and Adjoa McDonald. As a volunteer, I spent a day of SWOT analysis retreat in Oakland with them last Fall, ably facilitated by Rachelle Sherlock, Solano County’s well known activist.
John is the Vice Chair of the Board of Directors, has experience developing organizations. John will help us with the trajectory as we make our 1, 3 and 5 year objectives.
Katie is the assistant executive director, has done a collaborative analysis between Vallejo Project and other local organizations. Katie will support business development and other administrative support.
Michael will be supporting Vallejo Project financial management and development. Michael holds the title chief operations officer and will also support each of us as we strive to set and obtain our committee and organizational objectives.
Louis will manage our internal and external communications, as director of communication.
Adjoa, as executive director will manage the vision, build partnerships and find funds/grants. Each of the above team leaders will be managing five high school interns.
Vallejo Project brings together an ethnically diverse passionate team of educators, artists, and community advocates to offer weekly workshops and live webinars. To support this well intended goal in mind, I was thinking of introducing Adjoa to the authors of “The Don’t Get Me Started! Toolkit Strategies for a Culturally-Challenged World,” Patricia Kutza and Connie Payne.
Kutza served as a Steering Committee Member of Vallejo’s “Participatory Budgeting”
(PB) for six years along with me and was especially supportive during my year as Chair, cycle-5 to reach wider audiences, educate the community with focused op-eds and addressing collaborative partner nonprofits in town and also received a City Council Proclamation for PB in 2018.
Kutza’s collective, cumulative wisdom can strengthen Adjoa’s VP as
they establish and grow well/healthy serving our community, thus sharing a Vallejo resource for a Vallejo need right here! This is a shared goal for our new Councilwomen DIAZ and ARRIOLA working with our very supportive new Mayor Robert McConnell.
The alternative to Adjoa’s vision seems clear, “Hell was filled with the hungry, tortured by the fact that they were so close to the most amazing food imaginable and yet could not eat it.”
During 2020 summer’s political campaigns, I was excited to introduce Adjoa to Mayor Robert McConnell, Councilwomen Mina Diaz and Tina Arriola, Council candidates Alex Matias and Louis Michael — all of whom bring refreshing qualities to our city.
When I also informed Adjoa about Vallejo Peoples Garden on Mare Island and also introduced her to our School Board Trustee, Christy Gardner .. the horizons for
VP’s services became even brighter! “This ties in so well with my vision of servant leadership”, remarked Adjoa with tears of joy!
By tapping resources of VPG and VCUSD, Adjoa has another vision…”As a provider and a recipient of gifts from Vallejo Project, I have been blessed and highly favored. I’ve made connections in a new city where I can provide some minimal help with my neighbors by passing out the food supplies that Vallejo Project picked up from the fairgrounds, and I am endeavoring to be a mentor to a young high school student.”
Speaking of empowering the youth of our city in schools, Adjoa informed me that On Monday, September 4, 2020 Vallejo Project had an authentic and engaging conversation the VPD Chief’s Community Advisory Board (CAB) bringing youth voices to the forefront of the conversation. Having served on the Chief’s CABoard myself since 2017, this was a promising project that has potential to engage the youth and boost their overall personality.
If you were interested in learning more about Vallejo Project, and/or volunteering, check out their website at www. vallejoproject.org.