Setting the Table: Weaving a Social Fabric (Part II)
Development of a 21st Century Human Service Delivery System
History buffs will recall when the world evolved from WWII into the world of the “Cold War” new institutions were required to win the hearts and minds of Europe. The Marshall Plan, The United Nations, The World Bank and the International Fund were developed to provide leadership as a result of the new challenges from the East -- namely the Soviet Union. Today new institutions are again required in the contest with terrorists and others who attempt to defy the normal protocols of our world. Those new institutions are still on the drawing boards for work in the early 21st century.
Likewise, I believe that the 20th century design of our public and private provider community must be redesigned for a 21st century world. We have accumulated a fragmented system of services; designed from and made for middle class values, that is truly difficult to navigate for consumers and is based on the human service economic interests. Most of all it is perhaps the only industry that seldom listens to our customers yet claims to incorporate the best of the private sector learnings.
The weaving of a new public/private compact to better serve the consumers of service is an example of an opportunity for United Ways leadership in the 21st century.
What would it be like to truly listen and act on the wishes of the consumer of services? What would it be like to truly develop an integrated public/private system of caring? Is system building truly possible? Who is the customer for a community impact United Way? What kind of service delivery platform can we truly afford in a 21st century where the standard of living for the next generation, currently living in Michigan and in the United States, will not match their parents? How can Michigan citizens better recognize that a regional response is the pathway for our collective future?
It is my point of view that the golden age of United Way is before us. That United Way for Southeastern Michigan has the scale and trust to lead our region and the state in answering the above questions and to help shape the required 21st century Human Service delivery system of caring.
Rick David,
Vice President, Strategic Relations
United Way for Southeastern Michigan
History buffs will recall when the world evolved from WWII into the world of the “Cold War” new institutions were required to win the hearts and minds of Europe. The Marshall Plan, The United Nations, The World Bank and the International Fund were developed to provide leadership as a result of the new challenges from the East -- namely the Soviet Union. Today new institutions are again required in the contest with terrorists and others who attempt to defy the normal protocols of our world. Those new institutions are still on the drawing boards for work in the early 21st century.
Likewise, I believe that the 20th century design of our public and private provider community must be redesigned for a 21st century world. We have accumulated a fragmented system of services; designed from and made for middle class values, that is truly difficult to navigate for consumers and is based on the human service economic interests. Most of all it is perhaps the only industry that seldom listens to our customers yet claims to incorporate the best of the private sector learnings.
The weaving of a new public/private compact to better serve the consumers of service is an example of an opportunity for United Ways leadership in the 21st century.
What would it be like to truly listen and act on the wishes of the consumer of services? What would it be like to truly develop an integrated public/private system of caring? Is system building truly possible? Who is the customer for a community impact United Way? What kind of service delivery platform can we truly afford in a 21st century where the standard of living for the next generation, currently living in Michigan and in the United States, will not match their parents? How can Michigan citizens better recognize that a regional response is the pathway for our collective future?
It is my point of view that the golden age of United Way is before us. That United Way for Southeastern Michigan has the scale and trust to lead our region and the state in answering the above questions and to help shape the required 21st century Human Service delivery system of caring.
Rick David,
Vice President, Strategic Relations
United Way for Southeastern Michigan
Labels: civic engagement, Rick_David
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