by Mark Sklarow, Executive Director, IECA

Can I admit that I tuned out? After a week of tearfully watching the news and reading stories of orphaned children, collapsed schools, amputated limbs, starving babies, and grieving families, my mind needed to escape and so, I tuned out. I watched American Idol instead of CNN, and The Daily Show over the Nightly News. Last weekend I turned on the TV but quickly switched from CBS to the Food Network to Comedy Central. It was no use as the telethon for Haiti was everywhere my remote took me. Yes, I had donated and yes, I felt compassion but frankly after a week, somehow things seemed more daunting and hopeless.

Then a few things seeped past my defenses. There were still rescues, unbelievably, after a week, 10 days, and 12 days. The looting we were told was inevitable never really materialized, despite the desperation and lack of a working government. I saw a story on ABC about an Israeli MASH unit set up on a soccer field with a maternity ward and NIC unit that was operating so effectively that babies were being born, healthy, and being named “Israel” by grateful parents.

A few days ago I received a message from an IECA associate member, Maryline Kruger (FL). A native of Haiti herself, it brought an international crisis into our own community. While Maryline’s immediate family survived, she shared with me the desperation many shared and the daily struggle to meet the necessities of life.  Maryline posted her personal message on the IECA TalkList a few days ago. After reading her message I wanted to write one last comment, perhaps a final reminder about what Haiti needs. My thoughts are no more insightful but I felt the need to comment, perhaps thinking of others who, like me, had to tune out for a while.

Needs are still immediate: food, water, and medical care. Nearly 2,000 emergency medical responders remain in Haiti and the U.S. military, as well as U.N. forces, continue to be the sole source of food and water for many.

But I worry about the generation of kids. Perhaps a million are now without parents. Nearly all with a future further challenged by living in tent cities or worse, without nourishment, medicine, communications, and schooling. For me—and nearly all of you I’m sure, it is our emotional connection to children that motivates us in our work and personal lives, and motivates me now to make just one more donation to save the children of Haiti.

I know many have given all they can. I hope others will join Maryline in giving just a few dollars more to the charity of their choice—for the kids, for their survival, for their future.

Now, I promise, back to IECA business.

by Mark Sklarow, Executive Director, IECA

Based on a request brought by the IECA Special Needs Committee, the Board of Directors met via teleconference last week. Knowing that members overwhelmingly view the TalkList as a valuable benefit (based on the January 2010 member survey), the effort focused on ways to make the TalkList both more valuable but also ensure that several current concerns are addressed.

Concerns focused on just a few specific area: (1) the tendency of some to reveal too much information in  a case study such that client confidentiality could be compromised; (2) the tendency of some to present so little background as to call in to question whether the person making the post is qualified or ‘did their homework’ before asking for assistance; (3) the actions of some in forwarding TalkList postings to individuals outside of IECA (often in schools or programs), a clear violation of the rules that members agree to support.

Board consensus was that the regulations established should be shared with members more frequently. It was felt that often members sign the TalkList agreement but forget expectations, like proper titles. There was discussion about online training that would review what constitutes a good case study posting: one that provides sufficient information but no identifying characteristics, and demonstrates the research done by the consultant prior to the post. It was also felt that members need to be reminded that it is unacceptable to forward postings outside the membership and that doing so is basis for being removed from the TalkList.

There was discussion about the possibility of creating a TalkList mentor group. Their role would be to assist those trying to frame a posting or to contact those who post something considered improper to explain why and provide assistance in changing to a more valuable post.

Many on the Board felt that there were more significant problems of members venturing into advising beyond their expertise. This was judged to be an issue beyond just the TalkList and will be addressed separately.

The Board will continue this work and create a series of proposals. You may share your thoughts in the comments section below this blog, or send your comments to IECA board president Diane Geller at dianegeller@gmail.com or to me at msklarow@iecaonline.com.