EXTREMES OF OFFICE POLITICS IN MULTICULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS

Jacob Waiswa
Situation Health Analyst
Dishma-Inc.
P.O. Box 8885,
Kampala-Uganda
Tel. +256392614655/+256752542504
dishma.imhs@gmail.com
www.situationhealthanalysis.blogspot.com

Architects of organizations and institutions usually have a lot of urge and positive dreams to start-off ground-braking work, and become popular within their organizations. But, along the way, confusion crops in –at the time when prospects begin to show up.

At take-off stage, the founders and administrators sooner than later begin to focus on the small financial benefits that start to flow in, scramble for shares, struggle for more influence or power, and mud-splash one another to force some of the undesirable founders and executives out of office.

Radical measures are set; carrying all ingredients of the legal support system -by those who stay behind. They, of course, do it to protect; their "greedy" interests, their now ‘rights’ and ensure absolute powers to the new chief executive of the victor group at the end of chaos. Hardly do most organizations survive this metamorphic stage through their way to success.

They do stand half chances of either surviving or running out of business. The management is often led on the whims of suspicion and mistrust. Such are then transformed into stringent, yet inhuman rules.

The work environment is often characterized by disrespect of workers, shouting at them, threatening them with dismissal, active bullying, character assassination, reduced wages or no pay, and error-searching of workers.

As such, the organization structure and development processes are constantly interrupted by greedy founders, as same authors of the structure begin eating it away –as some animals do to their young ones. It would take really shrewd people to help support the organization beyond this point. Otherwise, the likelihood can always be that; it will collapse.

The once-upon-a-time dream of registering a social impact as any organization would morally be expected of remains more of a dream than a reality. And, because no impact has been observed or felt, they cook reports –including ghost activities or possible community benefits for the purposes of receiving more funding, amassing personal wealth, and preserving healthy relationship with very optimistic donors in as far as community development is concerned.

It would perhaps be different if donor representatives annually or abruptly made fact-finding missions to the organizations' areas of operation. If some of the work has to do with research, focus is put only at calling people out for questioning; taking up to two to four hours of community-members' most productive time of the day.

Firstly, community benefits are sometimes not highlighted by field officials and results not shared and agreements reached hardly reached to strike out various ways the community and the organization working in the area could join hands to deal with development deficits.

Not even will they leave behind copies of photographs taken; of the area or community members. Yet that, alone, could not only strengthen the new bond with the community, but also for remembrance purposes; in terms of a service rendered or of project organization attributes.

Besides, there would have been support-systems running, and directly helping community members with periodic follow-ups to ensure effective community management of the project as well as the long term benefit from it. Of course, that includes: financial, technical, information, political and legal or security for real sustainability of the then community-run projects.

However, soon after conducting interviews, some organizations have always thought it satisfactory to only obtain knowledge of community needs, extract all they would be interest in for publication, mindless of the several hours unaccountable for by the community, more over with no tangible community benefits left behind.

Soft skills for effective services delivery or field operations such as; team building for team leaders, team work, social skills, conflict resolutions, negotiation skills are often taken lightly but, later, turn out to be most regrettable act, as damages to organization reputation ensues. But through experiencing a lot of challenges like active community resistance, perhaps after evaluation, they would be shocked to find technical errors encountered.

Perhaps, it is important for community leaders to demand a clear outline of anticipated benefits -having learnt from previous bad lessons. It is such outlines they would long for from any emerging organization or firm. Then, further checks or filtering ought to be made along the course of working with them (organizations) to avoid tendencies to manipulate and plunder.

Yes, it is possible that where our leaders betray us, we take up the necessary tools and be ready to protect ourselves from hungry beasts -including them, like the kind of Judas Iscariots. And, when possibly fooled; noticeable, at the end of the organization's project time, they should be in position to boldly express their dissatisfaction, and vow never to cooperate with them in future; as simple as that.

In the bid of realizing organization's health development, founders or board of governors ought to allow breathing space -through setting clear guidelines; derived from its history (if it has any), values or cherished culture, and set clear role descriptions as well as have autonomy at roles-play by staff while it only focuses on results in a given period of time –through their independent and well supported monitoring and evaluation departmental tool.

In many cases, if the organization is sick or dysfunctional, such symptoms would be seen on the faces of staff too. And, worse, if their grievances are neither heard nor listened to. Both ways, it would negatively affect work and organization's general outcome.

For a healthy organization, the structure and development process provide for smooth and swift information-flow and feedback, synchronically –which eventually provides for; conducive working environments, a feeling of ownership of the organization, high morale and high performance, among other positives.

In developing ideas for comprehensive community-development package, partnership development, itself, would be inevitable towards enabling the filling of growth and development loopholes.

Probably, not until the organization develops a second independent functioning arm of its own to handle new development ventures and associated challenges independently, it will always need business partners.

However, between partnering organizations there must be courtesy or of some kind. For example, it is unwise to convene a meeting at the company premises, having invited corporate representatives of other firms from places that are miles away and fail to provide lunch, transport fares and accommodation –especially when their input greatly serves to compliment or make efficient of the work done by the hosting company or organization.

Mental Health Implications of Buddhist Practice of Meditation: A Dishma Inc Experience of Vipassana Meditation Technique

By

Jacob Waiswa
www.situationhealthanalysis.blogspot.com

Introduction

Mental health is the general state of wellness –cognitively, emotionally and behaviorally. It also entails satisfaction in different areas of life –including the physiological environment, the socio-economic environment, the socio-political environment, the cultural environment –and the spiritual environment.

Buddhism, on the other hand, is an ancient practice of achieving and preserving wisdom –which in turn facilitates eradication of suffering, misery and disease in all beings to total liberation. It arose over 2000 years ago –following Buddha Gautama’s inspirational work towards a better universe.

Through exemplary living, he inspired very many in Asia, in South America, in the West and now in Africa –in the field of science for the elite and art of living for anyone. Whoever pursued a life of compassionate love, respect of all beings –among other positive values –with the right understanding of nature –and through the practice of meditation; ably substituted psychological trauma, or psychosomatic conditions, and conflict of all forms –for complete wellness.

Objectives: The programme was set out to understand the relationship between Buddhist practice of meditation and mental health, Buddhism as religion, Buddhism contribution to wellness, Buddhism as a way of life rather than religion, a comparative analysis between Buddhism and mainstream religions and decision making in the face of spirituality and religious confusion.

Methodology:
The ten (10) day program officially began with seven participants; 3 Asian men, 2 American women 1 Ugandan lady and 1 Uganda man. Conditions set for the participants were to:
• Sit and sleep separately according to sex
• Ensure silence throughout the program
• Participate in cleanliness exercises or community service
• Dress in long dresses to the feet
• Wakeup everyday at 4.30 am to meditate for two hours, 1 hour for the next five sittings Meditation, followed by recorded 15 minute dharma talk from Goenka (replacing negative past with right and positive understanding of life) and ending with a 45 minutes sitting.

Meditation required that one:
• Sits straight, well-balanced and maintaining upright posture –with legs folded and crossed through each other.
• Observes breathe for 2days: observe the sense of air-movement through and out of the nostrils.
• Observes sensory activity around moustache (the area above the upper lip) –for another 2 days.
• Objectively becomes aware of the different stimulations around the body –including mental processes of thinking and imagination. Part-by-part observation for at least 2 minutes starts with the middle area of the scalp. Participant then takes awareness “pointer” to forehead, nose, downwards to the lips, chin, beard, front part of the neck, chest, abdomen, back of the neck, back, through the back-line, shoulders, upper-right hand, lower arm, wrist, palm, fingers, then to goes to the second arm. Participant continues to the right thigh, knee, between knee and ankle, metatarsals, toes and below the foot and, then the other limb follows. This lasts two days.
• General observation of senses from head to toes, back and forth, then review the blank or unsensed areas one area at a time for one and half days.
• Brushing or sweeping simultaneously body regions back and forth –as head, face, neck, back, chest, abdomen, limbs, and feet for a half a day. Where sensations are gross, observe one point of the body at a time (2days).
• Sweeping as in above and going back to pick on particular sensations –holding on each for at least two minutes –for one (1) day.
• Going back to the practice of observing sensations part-by-part –of the body –including blank areas and revisiting areas where sensation had just occurred (last or tenth day).

Outcomes:
Masterly of the mind and actions –through taming ego and instinct, and there was stronger reality sense –which created stress and anxiety free conditions. There was slowness to react and effectively “arrested” the tendency to crave, and negative reactions; created a sense of oneness with nature and with society, mental alertness and eased efforts to let go, calmness and relaxed states –helping to avert migraine tendencies, and greatly put off anger towards others. Participant sharply and easily recognized unfriendly behavior as it came to the fore (conscious) and ably substituted it with positive dharma lessons on positive living –with right attitude towards nature.

Supported by continued practice of the technique, rightful thinking always determined rightful action in day-to-day life. Participant was peaceful amidst challenges of social interactions –and full of love and humor –be it with family, or at work. Also at work, concentrating and productivity were high. Although spirited devotees turned ritualistic, Buddhism was either non-religious or religion by choice. It was a way of life –with amazingly positive outcomes to life-systems leading a practitioner to happiness as final destination.

Unlike religions or “other religions,” Buddhism was experiential. It had enshrined practical values yet universal that guided one to empirical results –rather than if they merely believed in an attainment of a life goal. It was applicable to day-to-day-life bids to yield harmony for oneself and others. Moreover, it was one way of empowering oneself with the tool of objective decision-making rather than if one rode on imaginations and emotions.

In conclusion:
Vipassana meditation technique can be very effective at treating psychosomatic conditions as migraines, causing behavioral change, bettering patients with ADHD, dissolving depression and anxiety states, fostering social harmony –and providing a permanent solution to environmental degradations and associated human impact. Its benefits –as much as the dangers of being out of it (its values and their practice) affect everyone –regardless of religion.

There are different practices with confirmed yet related benefits –which include 15 minutes group silence, contemplating, self imagery, positive reinforcement, and positive self-talk and masterly –among others. However, vipassana meditation technique had sustainable benefits yet holistically influencing life positively –of both human beings and other living organisms. It also dealt with ailments not at their surface, or symptomatic view but, accordingly, from the root of the case.

PROMOTING THE SPIRIT OF VOLUNTEERISM

A








PROJECT PROPOSAL







OF







COMMUNITY SERVICE ORGANISATION (CSO)






CONTACT: DISHMA INC.
P.O. BOX 8885, KAMPALA-UGANDA
TEL. +256774336277
WWW.SITUATIONHEALTHANALYSIS.BLOG.BLOGSPOT.COM
IMHS_UG@YAHOO.COM




© 2009


Background Information:
The Community Service Organization (CSO) is an international volunteer organization masterminded by Dishma Inc. on 10th September 2009 to support career development concerns of fresh graduates.

Job competence and employability is becoming very challenging in recent years. Tens of thousands graduates every year expecting to find jobs at the end of the day. Unfortunately, not all can be accommodated in corporate firms and organizations because of the overwhelming numbers.

It is rather the more productive patience (time) that one must observe in order to appear meritious in the face of employers. It can be so through actions like volunteering, internship and/or job-training/hand-on training.

Besides, even those chanced to have got accommodated immediately must have had a superior supporting hand by the side. In many cases, they either own property, there was technical know who at play or have had to buy professional position for millions of shillings.

For the unprivileged, it would take more than just school accomplishments to be more genuine to employers. They must have relevant skills and experience to attract employment firms. Those who fail and insist at trying their everyday luck by submitting several applications could be met with a lot of frustrations and other psychological problems.

To excel in ones pursuit for success in his or her aspirations, one must be organized; plan and complete one career step one at a time until the time he or she would have the needed weight to compete favorable for a set job vacancy.

Dishma Inc. suggests three basic stages, which are; 1) practicing of required hobbies, and skills -like reading, attending parties, social/interpersonal, leadership, computer skills, problem solving/conflict resolution, presentation skills etc -respectively; 2) apply for a volunteering or internship opportunities for one to two years and excel at them when given the opportunity; 3) Then, confidently apply for a job in line with the experience obtained from the volunteering or internship opportunities.

The Dishma Inc. now presents itself to fill the support gap in the earliest career advances of providing fresh graduates with opportunities to intern and volunteer, a platform with which to interact and talk with employers and necessary support information, not withstanding the numerous opportunities CSO could have for excelled volunteers.

Needs Statement:
Increased graduate unemployment has caused a lot of tension within individual graduates and with family and social attaches. As a result,so many resort to criminal activity to make ends meet, while others drown into alcohol and other drugs, suffer from depression, relationship set-backs and at times serious mental health problems.

A detailed systematic program is therefore needed to find a right and dignifying place for fresh graduates as well as people with real desire to extend an helping hand miles away to those in need, who may be; individuals, corporate firms, judicial subsystems (like the police imnates and prisoners) -for the ultimate community benefit and from the right policies and decisions made.

Vision:
To have graduates with the right attitude, who can best compete for jobs or any form of licensing for a dignified living, and rightful management-decision and policy-making, while very hopeful for future prosperity for all.

Mission:
To transform unemployed graduates into competent and employable candidates so that they can have a “troubling” edge to employers -in as far as selection at organization entry is concerned -for the vast knowledge, skills and experience of their applicability. And at the same time ensurring effective resources planning and management for the ultimate community benefit.


Goal:
To ensure that the increased number of graduates attain some form of employment for self fulfillment at person and social level, as decision-makers make right-ful policies that benefit the community as a whole, rather than selfish motives: for individuals and their families.

Specific Objectives:
To promote the continued practice of soft skills and special talents so that graduates can have wider options to market, form a product sense, and subsequently provide them with some form of employment.
To provide a platform to fresh graduates with which to transform their academic mindset into real world applicability and the necessary experience of doing so.
To support continued ambitions of ex-CSO volunteers towards happier fulfillment's in life through accessing them a data back of organizations and companies advertising settable jobs.
To carry out communicable research on career development and employability so that the ever emerging challenges in the employment industry are comfortably overcome.
Advocate and promote community-based interventions that entirely focuses on social development, moreover; participatory.

Activities:
Carry out career training workshops of its volunteers that is orientations meant to stimulate new learning and practice of knowledge by fresh graduates
Do career guidance and counseling to reduce frustrations and other psychological symptoms that may have resulted from false hopes of modern education sometimes portrays
Deploy prepared and ready-for-field volunteers for a period of real life job experience where they will expected to make results of their tested knowledge and skills with community challenge successfully
Offer ex-CSO services as recruitment exercises for excelled ex-CSO volunteers into CSO and Dishma affiliated development organizations and projects -a product of the numerous carried out with key employers and agreements

Target Areas:
Local and International graduates
Research students

Programmes to be Addressed:
Career development and competitiveness program
Child care and family support program
Adult education program
Elderly care and support program
Special needs and vulnerable groups support program
Psycho-social and community-based intervention program
Primary health care and rehabilitation program
Disabled-persons support program
Human development and ecological security research and advocacy program

Partners:
Institutions or higher learning
Parents and guardians
Organizations and corporate firms
Recruitment firms
Government departments
Local community leadership
Communities and field associates

Values:
Partnership -through which share experience, expertise along side what our best professionalism
Sustained impact – from the efforts, prioritized approach of our resources dispensation
Teamwork -through which knowledge and skills up are filled
Will power -as the basis of production and results
Research and publications -as the best way through which knowledge gap is filled, break through made and for continuity
Mutual respect -in every organization endeavors
Equity in out-look and assessment in organization decision-making
Love that lasts for ever

Projected output:
Acquisition by CSO of skills and knowledge relevant for career development
Ability to make informed decision over what CSO volunteers are happy becoming as perfect careers
Identify potential yet rewarding talents and careers for CSO volunteers
Attainment of relevant experience in CSO volunteers selected disciplines for effect field practice
Numerous publications on career development obtained in hardcopy and soft copy or online
An updated database for ex-CSO volunteers and that of allied corporate employers
Replaceable community impact

Indicators of success:
Reduced graduate unemployment
Reduced number of graduates involved in drug use
Excellent corporate and international image
Increased number of alumni in the employment setting

Management Structure:
Board of governors(5)
Executive Director (1)
Programme Managers (8)
Administrative Assistant (1)
Office Assistants (3)

Sources of Income:
CSO investments
Volunteer contribution
Member subscription

Expected Challenges to Come:
Common societal resistance common when new community programmes come into existence, however, using numerous change management techniques in which most of its members have training in, CSO would succeed. Otherwise the idea has been tested globally and found to apply in addressing career development challenges. Dishma Inc has the greatest confidence that the program will succeed without any significant challenges.

Monitoring and Evaluation:
Through monthly staff and volunteer monthly reports CSO shall be able to streamline its operations. Research tools like structured interviews, checklists, focused group interviews, key informants, and confidential work experience for volunteers. This shall work for both baseline and endline surveys.

Budget Estimates:
Item Cost
Rent..................................................................................£2,400 p.a.
Office Equipment............................................... ......................£1,200
Administration........................................................................£3,000p.a.
Transport vehicle and fuel...................................................... £4,000
Volunteer support.....................................................................£2,200p.a.
-Food
-Accommodation
-Training
-Monitoring and evaluation
Simultaneous..........................................................................£1,000p.a
Total cost............................................................................£12800pa