I have been thinking for the last couple of weeks about what to write with regard to the continuation of the MCMC project. Now that the legislation has been signed that gives FEMA the legislative authority to extend the period of performance of the project, I can tell you that the MCMC leadership team is diligently working to define the process we will use to serve clients as we move forward. This process will look very similar to what the affiliates have been using so far, but with a few minor tweaks. We will continue to focus our efforts in a coordinated fashion by using the acronym APALM in our case management approach; that will not change. What will change, however, is the amount of added scrutiny that will be placed on the project as a result of the renewed political interest.

This interest was much needed and has led to a series of seemingly monumental accomplishments that ultimately led to the legislative process and an amendment to a Bill that was signed into law by the President of the United States. And, with the renewed interest and increased expectation, the MCMC leadership will do everything that it can to ensure an efficient and effective project that culminates in the recovery and success of the clients we serve. I know that you, as case managers, will join us in partnership as we continue to tighten up our operations and work to ensure the most professional and strategic project that we can produce. The first step has been to issue an RFA (Request for Application) to the affiliates and to begin the process of thoroughly reviewing past performance as well as future project needs and to select the affiliates that will participate in the MCMC continuation beginning August 1st. There are a great many details to be worked out, but I am confident that FEMA will work with us in our realignment efforts so that we can prevent any gaps in service.

All of this discussion, and there is a great deal more that I could write about, leads me to the main point of this weekly update which is that in order to succeed at anything, you must grow. I do not mean growth in the sense of getting larger. No, I mean growth in the sense of maturity. I believe that the saying “you are either growing, or you are dying” is true. I believe this is true of individuals, as well as the work that they do as people. I believe that a project is either growing, in maturity, or it is dying. To grow, or mature, one has to be self aware, and that is the key. Self awareness is something that so many of us, especially in the “me” culture of today, forget. I was recently in a very large city and I observed, almost constantly, how many people were seemingly unaware of themselves in relationship to everyone else around them. I could describe some of the things I saw people doing, but it would be inappropriate for me to write, so I will leave it up to your imagination. What I will say, however, is how amazed I was that people could be so unaware of how they impacted others. To me, this is a true sign of immaturity and is something that I really want to avoid. I hope that you will all remind me to be self aware, if I ever act in a way that impacts you in a negative way. None of us are perfect, but shouldn’t we always strive to be better than we are? I share all of this with you in order to frame the changes that will be felt and observed by all of you who work on the MCMC project. Self awareness is a key to success and as we identify issues that need adjusting in order for us as a project to do better, then that is what will be done. The result will be change, which is very uncomfortable for many people. Remember, change is necessary for continued growth, which is necessary to stay alive. Work on the recovery effort must be kept alive until as much good has been done for as many as possible who are in need of your good work. Have a great rest of the week, and do your best to be self aware. You may find things that you can change about yourself, your organization, your community, your country, that will benefit us all.

Blessings…

Stephen