Vuvuzelas!

Andy Milligan just came back from Africa and brought the boys the horns they blew at the World Cup. Thanks Andy. I think...

brian AUDIA
President and CEO
www.surgance.com
Uncommon Partners, Common Ground, Changing Lives. 702.468.4637 Mobile
617.217.2184 Office

Posted via email from Brian D. Audia

Boys' pet for 15 minutes before dinner time

melissa AUDIA
MelissaAudia@GMail.com
702.468.4638 Cell

Sent from my iPhone

Posted via email from Melissa Audia

Spread the idea as far as you can

A good friend of Surgance Program Director Andy Milligan is Dr. James Haywood Rolling, Jr. Dr. Rolling is a dual associate professor in art education and teaching and leadership at Syracuse University. He's been thinking and writing for several years about how the arts apply to community transformation, social entrepreneurship, social justice and responsibility, youth empowerment, education (art in particular as well as general education), and architecture as a function of community... starting to see any parallels yet? We salute you, Dr. Rolling!

As part of his research he shared how Daniel Bornstein in his book "How to Change the World" defines social entrepreneurs as "people with new ideas to address major problems who are relentless in pursuit of their visions, people who will not take 'no' for an answer, who will not give up until they have spread their ideas as far as they possibly can."

We have used this job description in the past from Ashoka: The "job of a social entrepreneur is to recognize when a part of society is stuck and to provide new ways to get it unstuck. He or she finds what is not working and solves the problem by changing the system, spreading the solution and persuading entire societies to take new leaps. Social entrepreneurs are not content just to give a fish or teach how to fish. They will not rest until they have revolutionized the fishing industry."

Couldn't say it better ourselves...

Thank you Dr. Rolling, Mr. Bornstein, our friends at Ashoka and all who have worked and are working to change lives for the better. We stand with you.

Brian D. Audia

President and CEO

Surgance, Inc.

Posted via email from Brian D. Audia

Starting and leading a movement

More than anything else, Surgance is a movement of people and organizations desiring to work together and collaborate for the common good. Sometimes we are catalysts, sometimes we provide resources. Sometimes we lend a hand or a strong voice to an issue that needs to change so that positive change can come to communities or lives hanging in the balance.

In the link to the video below, Seth Godin speaks at TED about joining or starting movements of your own. It is engaging, funny, inspiring and true. Enjoy, and go make a difference in your community!

http://tiny.cc/potx8

brian AUDIA
President and CEO
Surgance, Inc.
Uncommon Partners. Common Ground. Changing Lives.
www.surgance.com <http://www.surgance.com/>
702.468.4637 mobile
617.217.2184 office

Posted via email from Brian D. Audia

The core competencies of Surgance

In a series on CORE COMPETENCE done by The Economist on Sep 15th  of 2008, we learned that the idea of core competence was introduced into management literature in 1990 by C.K. Prahalad and Gary Hamel. Core competence is a part of the bedrock of the Surgance movement and worth discussing.

In the series, the two business academics defined and outlined three tests to be applied to determine whether something is a core competence:

First, a core competence provides potential access to a wide variety of markets.

Second, a core competence makes a significant contribution to the perceived customer benefits of the end product.

Third, a core competence is difficult for competitors to imitate because it is a complex harmonization of individual technologies and production skills.

The two academics painted a picture of the corporation as a tree whose roots are its particular competencies. Out of these roots grow the organization's "core products" which, in turn, nourish a number of separate business units. Lastly, out of these business units come "end products."

This is a perfect description of how Surgance is bringing innovation to the social sector. Our core competencies include the ability to:

Assess community needs

Develop strategies to solve problems in that community

Mobilize individuals and organizations in the community to collaborate to provide solutions

Provide orientation and training

Manage the process and people

Measure the results

Report the results

Reproduce the program again and/or in a new place where the need is the same

Each of these items in the bulleted list is a core competency born out of research, experience and developed skill. These core competencies allow us to help new social entrepreneurs and innovators expand our programs into their cities or birth their nonprofit idea off of our platform. Either way, we are using the core competencies multiple times over to impact lives and transform communities in multiple locations and in multiple fashions.

The end result is that more communities are transformed, and more lives are changed for the better than if everybody started from scratch with a good idea and had to develop core competencies in everything listed above.  Real value is added to the community in a way that maximizes the communities' investment since these core competencies bring efficiency to the process of making a social impact.

brian AUDIA
President and CEO
Surgance, Inc.
Uncommon Partners. Common Ground. Changing Lives.
http://www.surgance.com
702.468.4637 mobile
617.217.2184 office

Posted via email from Brian D. Audia

The best hair EVER

Totally natural. He didn't even touch it or use "product."

brian AUDIA
President and CEO
www.surgance.com
Uncommon Partners, Common Ground, Changing Lives. 702.468.4637 Mobile
617.217.2184 Office

Posted via email from Brian D. Audia

The world famous

Houston and 6th. No laptops allowed. brian AUDIA
President and CEO
www.surgance.com
Uncommon Partners, Common Ground, Changing Lives. 702.468.4637 Mobile
617.217.2184 Office

Posted via email from Brian D. Audia

Caleb, Joshua and Kevin Garnett

The Big Ticket. Lego style...

At the NBA store in New York City. brian AUDIA
President and CEO
www.surgance.com
Uncommon Partners, Common Ground, Changing Lives. 702.468.4637 Mobile
617.217.2184 Office

Posted via email from Brian D. Audia

Now that is what I call presentation...

One of the best entrances to a retail store on Earth: the underground 5th Avenue Apple store in Manhattan.

brian AUDIA
President and CEO
www.surgance.com
Uncommon Partners, Common Ground, Changing Lives. 702.468.4637 Mobile
617.217.2184 Office

Posted via email from Brian D. Audia

My favorite part of Central Park

The Mall and Poet's Walk...

See and download the full gallery on posterous

brian AUDIA
President and CEO
www.surgance.com
Uncommon Partners, Common Ground, Changing Lives. 702.468.4637 Mobile
617.217.2184 Office

Posted via email from Brian D. Audia

FAO Schwarz

The boys check out the Lego section.

brian AUDIA
President and CEO
www.surgance.com
Uncommon Partners, Common Ground, Changing Lives. 702.468.4637 Mobile
617.217.2184 Office

Posted via email from Brian D. Audia

Tuckered out

All this walking in New York City tuckered little Joshua out.

brian AUDIA
President and CEO
www.surgance.com
Uncommon Partners, Common Ground, Changing Lives. 702.468.4637 Mobile
617.217.2184 Office

Posted via email from Brian D. Audia

Breakfast in a NYC diner

brian AUDIA
President and CEO
www.surgance.com
Uncommon Partners, Common Ground, Changing Lives. 702.468.4637 Mobile
617.217.2184 Office

Posted via email from Brian D. Audia

The nonprofit starvation cycle

Surgance is a great investment for the catalytic donor. Our entire organization and our ethos even, is built around a scalable, centralized model of operations that keeps social entrepreneurs and innovators from having to recreate the wheel. The economies of scale that we bring to the market combined with the leverage and legitimacy of the movement are incredibly efficient. Our story is one of innovation and efficiency. We bring business sense to the nonprofit world.

That said, many of you have heard me speak of “The nonprofit starvation cycle” wherein charities become focused more on efficiency than impact in order to keep subjective “overhead” costs low (there is no industry standard for nonprofit overhead or programming costs) so that they can show donors that they are a great investment. This is nonsense. The point is impact! Critical infrastructure investments and a long term focus on growth and impact are absolutely vital to our organization and to the future of any nonprofit desiring to make a difference in the lives of millions.

The leadership at Stanford University in their Center for Social Innovation and through the Stanford Social Innovation Review (SSIR) have been on the cutting edge of bringing this issue to the forefront. Here's a strong quote that explains the situation found in the Fall 2009 issue of the SSIR, a research based article by Ann Goggins Gregory & Don Howard: "A vicious cycle is leaving nonprofits so hungry for decent infrastructure that they can barely function as organizations—let alone serve their beneficiaries. The cycle starts with funders’ unrealistic expectations about how much running a nonprofit costs, and results in nonprofits’ misrepresenting their costs while skimping on vital systems—acts that feed funders’ skewed beliefs. To break the nonprofit starvation cycle, funders must take the lead."

Surgance is an innovative, cutting edge nonprofit that is about IMPACT. We are catalysts for transformation and life change in communities all over the country, but we are also working to bring about change in the nonprofit industry by stopping new nonprofit leaders from recreating the wheel with our business model. This is efficient for the donor AND it increases impact. We need catalytic donors that recognize this fact, see the fundamental challenge that Stanford speaks of above, and also realize that Surgance is an investment that is even helping to usher in transformation for an entire industry.

Gregory and Howard go on to say, "Organizations that build robust infrastructure—which includes sturdy information technology systems, financial systems, skills training, fundraising processes, and other essential overhead—are more likely to succeed than those that do not. This is not news, and nonprofits are no exception to the rule."

What's the bottom line? The Surgance business model is built on efficiency, but our leadership understands that the point of our work is impact. We will continue to invest in infrastructure and training that allows us to thrive as a global force for good bringing innovative programs for the good of society to the market. If that resonates with you, we invite you to join the movement.

The article quoted above can be read here: http://tiny.cc/62amt

brian AUDIA
President and CEO
Surgance, Inc.
Uncommon Partners. Common Ground. Changing Lives.
www.surgance.com <http://www.surgance.com/>
702.468.4637 mobile
617.217.2184 office

Posted via email from Brian D. Audia

Boys got their gift/toy for their 2 wk vacation ready to go

melissa AUDIA
MelissaAudia@GMail.com
702.468.4638 Cell

Sent from my iPhone

Posted via email from Melissa Audia

2 boys FINALLY have given up the fight! Been up since b4 5am for an airport run

melissa AUDIA
MelissaAudia@GMail.com
702.468.4638 Cell

Sent from my iPhone

Posted via email from Melissa Audia

Surgance President and CEO Brian Audia one of top 40 alumni

Surgance President and CEO Brian D. Audia has been honored by Auburn University at Montgomery as one of its top 40 alumni.

Formal recognition was given to the 40 by Chancellor Dr. John Veres III at the spring graduation ceremony May 15, 2010. The group included doctors, attorneys, authors,  educators, social crusaders, businessmen, war heroes, three generals, two former Chairman of the United States Joint Chiefs of Staff, and one prince; His Royal Highness Prince Khaled bin Sultan bin Abdulazz of Saudi Arabia. Prince Khaled is the grandson of the nation’s founder and was the commander of joint forces during the first Gulf War and the liberation of Kuwait. All were rewarded for a lifetime of personal achievement displaying the value of a degree from the university and the ability of its graduates to leave a mark on the world.

Tens of thousands of graduates and over two years of nominations and voting led to the 40 being chosen by the university.

“To receive this honor is incredibly humbling,” said Audia. “When I look at the list of 40 and their achievements I am in absolute awe. My mission in life is to help others be successful. So, if I am being recognized then it only stands to reason that this is an award that is shared with all of those that I have worked with around the world that are truly making a difference. This is recognition for OUR work.”

Additionally, Mr. Audia had some advice for the next generation of graduates. “Surround yourself with great people. That is a practice that started for me at Auburn University at Montgomery and continues to this day, with my wife Melissa and the great company I work for, Surgance.”

Surgance is a multinational nonprofit organization based in Boston, MA that unites uncommon partners on common ground social issues in order to change lives and transform communities. More information can be found at the company’s website, www.surgance.com.

Posted via email from Brian D. Audia

Yearbook Signing Party

melissa AUDIA
MelissaAudia@GMail.com
702.468.4638 Cell

Sent from my iPhone

Posted via email from Melissa Audia

Bubbling vat of cheese, Tucson style

Steve Chamblee and Jay Huffstutler made me eat this with tortillas and salsa!

brian AUDIA
President and CEO
www.surgance.com
Uncommon Partners, Common Ground, Changing Lives.
702.468.4637 Mobile
617.217.2184 Office

Posted via email from Brian D. Audia

Surgance corporate HQ move to Boston, MA

The Surgance movement has a new corporate address, phone and fax numbers:

  225 Franklin Street
26th Floor
Boston, MA 02110
917.217.2184 Phone
917.217.2020 Fax

Office hours are from 8:30am until 5:00pm Monday through Friday, Eastern time.

In recognition of the grand opening, company President and CEO Brian Audia said, “Surgance is growing every single day as a nonprofit entity. Our mission of aligning uncommon partners on common ground social issues to change lives and transform communities in measurable ways is something people everywhere are recognizing, appreciating and investing in. Our unique strategy and core competencies to equip world changers to change the world have proven themselves with our programs and in the places where we work. Volunteerism and impact have never been at higher levels and we believe that Surgance is poised for explosive impact in the lives of tens of thousands in the coming months. We need access to world class business and university partners. An address like Franklin street in Boston exemplifies the commitment of the national Surgance leadership to invest in the tools we need to support the movement including sensible and scalable office space and infrastructure. Additionally, the establishment of an office in Boston was the next logical step because our corporate strategy is focused on expanding the movement into New England even as we speak. Our next executive will be hired from the region and he has spent a lifetime investing in it and the next generation. We are looking forward to building relationships here and making an impact for years to come.”

Surgance addresses non divisive issues in communities such as youth athletics, education, foster care, chronic and severe malnourishment, as well as things like clothing the cold and serving refugees and immigrants in a time of need. Because the strategies are driven by issues locally and led by community minded individuals at the grassroots level, Surgance works on many different issues in many different places. But always with uncommon partners on common ground issues changing lives in the process.

“We like to talk about ‘face to face’ work where our volunteers and partners are focused on helping provide assistance to those that simply need a helping hand from their neighbor,” said Audia. “But we have found that ‘shoulder to shoulder’ work in communities among individuals and entities that do not usually work together provides opportunities for dialogue and understanding that wouldn’t have been there otherwise. We are literally watching communities be transformed by the community, in community. That is what we are all about.”

Additionally, Mr. Audia thought it important to note that Surgance is not a geographically centered strategy. “Surgance works to change as many lives as we possibly can in as many places as we possibly can. One day, we will have 10,000 programs in 10,000 places.”

“Where our corporate headquarters resides is a combination of many factors. We are happy to be in Boston but we are completely committed everywhere we work. And that includes Las Vegas, NV where the Surgance corporate offices are moving from. As a matter of fact, we have more activity planned there over the next year than we ever have.”

In a related final note, Audia wanted to give credit to the church he attended in Las Vegas. “Though we work with many churches and other faith-based entities in communities everywhere, Surgance is not a religious organization. Surgance and our partners simply ‘do good’ no matter what they believe or where their motivation resides. However, Hope Baptist Church led by Pastor Vance Pitman gave our nonprofit phones, office space and tens of thousands of dollars to help us get started when few others understood our unique strategy to usher in community transformation. They were one of those ‘uncommon partners.’ Though it was an out of the box investment for them in their community and the world, they believed in us and invested in us as a force for good. I would like to personally and formally thank them on behalf of the Surgance movement.”

Posted via email from Brian D. Audia