The Meridian Center for Global Leadership (MCGL)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Description
As you have heard over the past several weeks, Meridian has begun the process of forming a new functional center as an umbrella for the organization’s present and future exchanges activity. Strategic Planning Team 3 is leading the effort to design the Meridian Center for Global Leadership (MCGL), and we are committed to making this an interactive, iterative process with substantive staff input.
Because we are just beginning our work on MCGL, there are still many unknowns, but we hope that the following FAQs will start to answer some of the most pressing questions you have at this time. As we move forward, to ensure transparency and include a full range of staff perspectives, Team 3 will regularly:
- Provide written updates as key benchmarks are reached.
- Brief staff about MCGL developments during divisional meetings and take suggestions back to the full team and leadership.
- Host virtual town halls about the process to brief staff and get their feedback.
- Encourage staff members to share suggestions and any concerns they may have at these open forums and/or privately to the leaders of Team 3.
- Update this FAQs document as more questions are posed and answered.
We look forward to your input about Meridian’s Center for Global Leadership! If you have questions or suggestions, please contact the Team 3 leaders, Myra Best, Erin Koepke and TK Harvey at MCGL@meridian.org. A full list of Team 3 members is below.
Strategic Team 3 Members:
Sponsor – Terry Harvey
Leads – Myra Best and Erin Koepke
Team Members – Andrew Barbagallo, Kat Boyce, Sarah Gentry, Lydia Hamilton, Maddie Kaufman, Janie Matthews, Josue Munoz, Rebekah Nantz, Maddie Orange, Emma Spaide, Charlotte Watiez, Melody Wei, Abby Westover
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions About MCGL’s Formation
1. Q: Why are we combining Global Connect (GC) and the Professional Exchanges Division (PED) into a new Meridian center?
A: Since the GC division was formed by PED staff in 2003, the two teams have continued to work side by side, designing and implementing similar people-to-people exchange programs, and supporting each other informally, as needed. We now seek to strengthen our overall exchanges activity by formalizing a partnership between our two exchanges divisions. Read the full MCGL statement here.
2. Q: How will I be able to share questions, concerns, or suggestions as MCGL is being formed?
A: We encourage feedback from all staff members! There will be several opportunities to engage, such as at special joint PED/GC meetings and MCGL “town halls” this fall. Staff can also share questions directly with the Team 3 leads at MCGL@meridian.org. Staff can also contact other members of the team who will pass along any questions or suggestions.
3. Q: Will staff get updates as MCGL is being formed and rolled out?
A: Yes, Team 3 will send out bi-weekly updates on its progress and outcomes.
4. Q: When will MCGL be officially launched? And what does it mean to be “officially launched”?
A: MCGL will launch in steps: First, Meridian will announce the creation of MCGL to the general public on October 23 while we continue to work out the final administrative details of the new Center. We then expect MCGL to be up and running in January 2021.
5. Q: What’s the timeline for MCGL’s creation?
A: Here is the tentative MCGL timeline:
- Late September: Meridian will brief the Board of Trustees about MCGL at their next meeting on September 24
- Mid-October: Meridian leadership will inform key external stakeholders and funders such as the State Department about the formation of MCGL.
- October 23: Meridian will make an official external announcement about MCGL at the annual Meridian Global Leadership Summit.
- November/December: Team 3 and leadership will fine tune the administrative and programmatic functions of the new center during the fall.
- January 2021: PED and Global Connect continue operations under the new MCGL umbrella.
6. Q: How do we describe MCGL to external stakeholders and partners?
A: To ensure consistent communication, we are planning a coordinated effort to inform all external partners and stakeholders about this exciting collaborative effort before it is announced officially on October 23. Until that happens, please do not share our MCGL news outside of Meridian. We will provide communications updates to the staff in the coming weeks.
7. Q: Will I lose my job as a result of Meridian forming MCGL?
A: You will not lose your job because of MCGL. The purpose of the shift is to provide opportunities for beneficial collaboration among the teams that carry out our professional exchanges work under the MCGL umbrella.
8. Q: What will the new organizational chart look like?
A: The final organizational chart is still to be determined, but our goal is to maintain two strong exchanges teams (at present, PED and GC) under the MCGL umbrella, with the addition of possible thematic groups under GC. This will not be a random reshuffling of staff, but instead an intentional effort to reap the benefits of cross-collaboration between our teams and better position us to procure new business in the exchanges field.
9. Q: When will a new organizational chart become available?
A: Our goal is to have this completed by the end of October.
10. Q: How will this affect my job role?
A: Job roles will not be impacted substantially. Those working on the IVLP grant will continue to do so. Current GC staffers will continue to work on the same grants but with a more deliberate approach across thematic areas of focus and business development opportunities.
11. Q: Will MCGL provide opportunities for professional development and growth?
A: Yes. MCGL will provide greater opportunities for PED/GC cross training, resource sharing and collaboration on different types of proposals. In addition, when there is an interest on the part of a staff member, and when workload allows, there will be opportunities to work on different types of exchanges under the MCGL umbrella.
12. Q: Where do I send questions for the FAQ document? Where will it be stored?
A: Please send questions to MCGL@meridian.org or contact any member of the team. We’ll make sure all questions are captured and addressed. The FAQ document is stored here on Prime Meridian. It will be continually revised and updated at this location.
13. Q: How can I become involved in the decision-making process?
A: You can participate fully in MCGL information and feedback sessions, send ideas to Team 3, and, if you are interested in more of a commitment, join our team (we meet weekly). Email us at MCGL@meridian.org. All voices are welcome!
14. Q: Can you clarify what it means that the two divisions will “remain whole” under MCGL?
A: MCGL will be the umbrella under which the current divisions will operate. The PED and GC team structures will intentionally remain the same. Leadership and Team 3 don’t think that shaking up program structure will be productive for the organization. Additionally, our current grants have outlined specific key personnel working for each program. An important first step in creating MCGL will be creating standards for internal admin processes to help with efficiency and consistency in implementation across all Meridian exchanges.
15. Q: Can you clarify what collaboration between PED and GlobalConnect will mean under MCGL? What are some examples of ways the two teams may collaborate?
A: Opportunities for professional development under MCGL will unfold in phases starting in January 2021. One of the first opportunities for collaboration for interested PED staff will be contributing to GC proposal development. In addition to supporting strong two-way collaboration on our exchanges work, GC and PED staff may join one of the Center’s “Advisory Councils,” which will be organized around specific programming topics such as journalism, entrepreneurship and youth programming. Councils can provide brainpower for business development opportunities as well as IVLP project proposals, including new programming areas and special initiatives. Members will advise on project development, while broadening our networks and helping to diversify our resource base. Among other things, the councils may carry out research on designated topics and/or arrange briefings with relevant speakers to address emerging topics for the benefit of MCGL staff.
16. Q: Will there be other opportunities for collaboration beyond proposal development and the Advisory Councils?
Once the Center is established, interested staff will have a chance to cross train in administering a range of projects under the MCGL umbrella. When the need arises and workload allows, there will be the possibility of staff members helping to administer projects outside their current team and grant.
17. Q: During this collaboration, will PED and GC staff bill their hours to each other’s grants?
A: When there is a significant time commitment on the part of a staff member, either for proposal development or implementation of a project, yes, staff will bill their hours to the appropriate grant. This may mean splitting hours between grants, something that GC staff does regularly. We will provide more specific guidelines on the ceiling beyond which staff will need to start splitting their hours.
18. Q: Will I be detailed to work on different grants if I prefer not to?
A: No. When there is a need, and workload permits, only those staff members interested in “crossover” collaboration will work on different types of projects.
19. Q: Is it true that the operational budgets for PED and GC cannot be combined?
A: Yes, this is true. Given the structure of our grants, we cannot comingle grant budgets under the MCGL umbrella.
20. Q: If CGL does not have one operational budget, how will it be operational? For example, will there not be one supply budget and or “printing” budget?
A: We do not anticipate that there will be significant costs associated with MCGL. Initially, if a need arises, costs will be shared proportionately between the two MCGL teams (at present, PED and GC).
21. Q: What will the management structure be?
A: The MCGL organizational chart is still to be determined. Meridian leadership will ultimately decide the management structure.
22. Q: Will the reporting structure change in PED and GC?
A: We do not anticipate major shifts in the reporting structure under MCGL.