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Plan for the Creation and Operation of a Health Care Insurance Company for Christians

Plan for the Creation and Operation of a Health Care Insurance Company for Christians

Michael D. Shenkman | 2017

Abstract

The state of the health insurance market in the U.S. is currently in flux and has been since the passage of the Affordable Care Act in 2010 (“ACA”). Premiums are rising, coverages are shrinking and private market carriers are withdrawing from state sponsored exchanges. The promises made by the Obama Administration that “if you like your plan you can keep your plan” and “if you like your doctor you can keep your doctor” have proven to be untrue. There is considerable dislocation among insureds and their doctors. The nature of the ACA “plans” are proving to be unaffordable (i.e. high deductibles and high premiums) and in some states, completely unavailable. Considerable adverse selection is affecting the pool of risks available for coverage under ACA, and premiums are proving insufficient to cover the loss and loss adjustment expense incurred by insurers, which is preventing them from earning a reasonable profit.

My proposal starts with a simple proposition. Christians are better health insurance risks than non-Christians because they incorporate certain values into their lives that increase health and longevity, and embrace certain truths, such as the right to life, that are ignored by secular health insurers. My solution is to create a Reciprocal Insurance Exchange (“Reciprocal”) that insures Christians only, and that holds true to Christian values. It is in this way that Christians can benefit economically from the restraint, propriety, and integrity with which they lead their lives.

This paper provides the framework for creating such a solution.

Prolific Influence: Modern Interpretation of Leadership in an Ambiguous Culture

Prolific Influence: Modern Interpretation of Leadership in an Ambiguous Culture

Julius K. Smith | 2017

Abstract

If you are a leader, change is coming your way, and your influence is an essential part of achieving goals and implementing an organizational vision. Influencing and leading is an exciting, and invigorating endeavor. How do you change what happens next? The decision maker in all of us cares about what will happen next for the organization. By several indications, culture, innovation, and leading change and on a direct course to influence which seems to be a common mission spanning across organizations worldwide. Change today can be required unexpectedly. Leading and influence are about creating a personal strategic approach, opportunities, and managing the change process.The Prolific Influence: Modern Interpretation of Leadership in an Ambiguous Cultureis a reference guidebook of research on the upshot of the elements of leadership. The attributes that are required, influence, and the components that work this day in time. During a one-day senior leadership seminar session, this reference is a guide stemming from research, interviews, and reflections on the art of influencing people from various organizations and situations. It addresses practical approaches to meeting goals and establishing oneself for the task of accomplishing objectives with our greatest asset: people. In this one-day leadership session, presented within this volume, are the categories of creative influence in dealing with people at work, ministry, and politics which also includes insightful compositions from the wisdom of leaders with their perspectives on looking back at leadership and taking a look forward at influential leadership.

Believing

Believing…Belonging…Becoming: Walking in Wholeness, Purpose, & Destiny as Adoptees

Rudina Sobkoviak | 2017

Abstract

To become all that God has called and designed us to be necessitates a strong sense of believing and belonging. Until those two foundational building blocks have been understood and established, running in this race and journey of life can be challenging. For those who have been adopted, this can become more complex and yet even more important for their psychological, emotional, spiritual, and even physical well-being. This paper sets out to explore and address this issue as it relates to adoption identity and how adoptees see themselves with the recommendation of employing a seminar that will promote healthy identity formation in adoptees led by the author, an adult adoptee herself. Ultimately, He who knew us before we were born and while we were yet being fashioned in our mother’s womb can be the hope and healer our heart, soul, and mind so desperately needs. This seminar aims to bring security among adoptees,create strong self-esteem and get them to a place to find peace in their adoptive identity for the beauty and purpose of adoption both spiritually and missionally is worth it.

Master of Design Thinking & Venture Development Curriculum Development

Master of Design Thinking & Venture Development Curriculum Development

Thomas M. Waller | 2017

Abstract

Traditional “linear thinking” forms of marketing, product and service development, and problem solving have been challenged by businesses seeking to find new innovative ways of staying competitive in a global economy.Design Thinking offers a creative, successful alternative methodology to linear thinking for businesses, non-profit organizations and government entities.Design Thinkingis thedesign of things, products, services, and problem solving and thethinkingbehind the design of things, products, services, and problem solving. It is a human-centered or customer-centric driven approach integrating the needs of people. The customer drives customer-centric design; it is about looking out from the inside, not outside in. It is about observing the customer experience and the way they see the world. Products and services must create intrinsic value and address specific customer needs. This cannot be accomplished unless the customer is an integral part of the entire product life-cycle, not as an afterthought. It is achieved through direct observation of and interaction with customers.

The twelve courseMaster of Design Thinking & Venture Development(DTVD) Curriculum Development fills a gap inDesign Thinkingeducation providing a comprehensive, sequential, and integrated curriculum for the practice and educational advancement ofDesign ThinkingwithVenture Development. The curriculum explores the origin and furtherance ofDesign Thinking’semergence as a field of professional expertise, introduction and development of a product or service, problem solving, and innovative methods for an established organization.

The DTVD curriculum program and course objectives and learning outcomes engage requirements for moving a product, service or problem solving from customer observation and experience; needfinding and research; problem solving; human-centered design; rapid and rough prototyping; ideation, iteration, and failure; contextual design; design strategy; empathy and storytelling for better design; communications; product market introduction and success; toDesign Thinkingleadership and culture development. The vision for the DTVD curriculum is to empower individuals—unemployed and employed, start-up entrepreneurs and organizational entrepreneurs, designers and non-designers, and students with and withoutDesign Thinkingskills—with the tools enabling innovation and personal effectiveness for their ideas in the creation of products and services, user needs, and discovering solutions for resolving problems.

Law Enforcement Leadership Initiative to Develop Strategies to Establish New Baselines and Reset Law Enforcement Priorities.

Law Enforcement Leadership Initiative to Develop Strategies to Establish New Baselines and Reset Law Enforcement Priorities. “A Notional Proposal”

George C. Washington | 2017

Abstract

Criminal activity in the United States continues to increase particularly for violent crimes involving both citizens and the law enforcement community. Improving law enforcement policies and developing community outreach initiatives are fundamental to decreasing crime. This document introduces The Law Enforcement Leadership Initiative which proposes an effort among key members of the law enforcement community to identify unique and creative methods to curtail crime. Skilled and specialized law enforcement officials from all over the country will participate in specialized meetings providing an opportunity to engage in insightful discussions and collectively identify strategies that can be implemented across jurisdictions. It will identify ways law enforcement leadership partnered with other organizations and members of society can create an environment of peacefulness, safety, and security in a progressive nation reducing criminal activity that can be modeled around the world. Focused topics will allow members to engage constructive discussions concerning areas such as community policing, personal privacy, cross-training between law enforcement organizations, criminal profiling within the community, and messaging and outreach communication.

Partnering with the community is essential to providing better policing towards a safer and more productive society and through this effort will result in:

  • There should be effective information sharing within the law enforcement community and the public to provide rapid information dissemination and a vehicle to support clearer understanding. This entails both law enforcement’s understanding of community needs and desires and public understanding of law enforcement needs and operational realities.
  • The education and development of law enforcement personnel at every level should involve the latest technologies as well as the general development of personnel so they can adapt to whatever scenarios the future holds.
  • There is a critical need to develop partnerships with the public, private sector, and other government agencies and nonprofit organizations with the objectives of developing a range of operationally effective communication channels. The results should yield a commission on a “better future” through continued collaboration and intuitive thinking among people that care. Consequently, everyone involved must be motivated to help turn the country around and influence others to change.

Major initiatives like the Law Enforcement Leadership Initiative can be instrumental in the deterrence of crime and change the lives of people who may need encouragement to make better choices. The Leadership Law Enforcement Initiative will provide opportunities for effective leadership and stewardship through the Word of God while providing inspiration and encouragement for all in the law enforcement community.

Christian Leadership Excellence by Design: Leveraging the Links Through Coaching

Kelly M.G. Whelan| 2017

Abstract

It is paramount for today’s leaders to strive to understand and incorporate what is learned through Biblical Scripture is a way to honor God. He, the original and ever-present leader, has designed an unchanging manual to guide, develop, and sustain contemporary organizations. This book bridges the gap between sacred and secular leadership and talent management and development strategy. Leaders of today are required to strategize, develop, engage, and execute their visions. Fulfillment of these requirements does not happen in a vacuum. These continuous, interchangeable, managed aspects of leadership require the participation of others. Managing a talented workforce is not done by chance but by design. Your organization, no matter how big or small, public or private, start-up or established, secular or sacred, is a living, breathing body of people filled with an incredible breadth of untapped potential waiting to be recognized, embraced, and set into action. Sustainability begins at the heart of your organization, with your people. As you dive into the pages of this book, you will uncover age old, historical principles that are relevant for today’s 21stcentury organizations.

Establishing organizations that inviteGod as the centerwill establish cooperative, compelling relationships in the workplace that strengthen and rejuvenate your people. As Christian strategic leaders keep God central in their everyday business practices, they become an example to emulate. Once organizations link God’s word with vision and values coupled with definitive coaching strategies to maximize individual potential, the organization is positioned for excellence. When your people are doing what they do best; engagement, sustainability, and your bottom line will flourish. Developing strategies that align with God’s word allows leaders to have a broader vision – be ahead of the curve and think outside of the box. Coach practitioners offer a way forward. The coach advances the client by assisting in the design process of actionable steps and follow through toward goal achievement. An organizational coach practitioner brings an added level of competence to create formal structures that unite with the organization’s objectives. When an organizational coach practitioner partners to drive development down and throughout the organization by designing a coaching culture, a competitive advantage is created. This competitive advantage adds value by developing a pipeline of leaders for sustainability and positions the organization for success by design not by default.

Unlocking the Potential in Your Strategic Leadership Team

Unlocking the Potential in Your Strategic Leadership Team

Karen Totten White | 2017

Abstract

Leaders are the governing body who must keep systems moving in the right direction within an organization. They must understand their vocation to become an effective servant leader for the kingdom. This one-day seminar presenting the first in a series of leadership training modules is designed to enhance the current skills, knowledge, and abilities of present and future leaders. The project is developed to create a sequence of learning and teaching modules for the nonprofit faith-based sector. The modules include PowerPoint presentations accompanied by participant workbooks containing interactive activities.

The seminar poses three objectives. The first objective is designed to explore the individual’s characteristics by conducting a self-assessment to determine their leadership style. The result of the assessment is essential to assist each individual to identify how to maximize the utilization of their talents, gifts, and abilities. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office (Romans 12:4, NKJV). It is imperative for leaders to comprehend their own self-functionality in order to facilitate others.

The second objective evaluates decision-making techniques by conducting an interactive activity. The prototype for this particular module is based on financial stewardship. The leaders are divided into groups and provided with a case scenario of an individual requesting financial assistance from the organization. Following the group discussion, methods will be introduced for leaders to develop an intervention and resolution for each scenario. A prototype of this objective is conducted on test subjects prior to the seminar.

The third objective examines the application of the Strategic Leadership Action Plan (S.L.A.P.) to achieve personal and organizational goals. Leaders of the twenty-first century must be forward thinkers, creative, and goal-oriented. The seminar participants will walk away with a comprehension of how they can operate alone or function on a team internally or externally by enhancing their role as a servant leader while achieving their goals. The theory is that if an individual enables their own potential, then they increase their ability to be more effective in motivating others to do the same.

Leadership and Values Tips for Leaders

Leadership and Values Tips for Leaders’ Success

Christopher J. McElveen | 2017

Abstract

Leaders struggle to remain within the boundaries of biblical principles, ethics, and quality leadership characteristics despite possessing wisdom, values, and knowledge that can facilitate strategic success for themselves and their organizations. This project fills the gap of the lack of understanding of biblical principles and the development of foundational principles and values needed to guide leaders to operate within the boundaries of biblical principles while leading their organizations.

The Leadership and Values Workshop is a curriculum utilizing the extensive research and analysis of what causes leaders to move away from their principles and values while leading others. The workshop curriculum aligns with the manuscript “Leadership and Values Tips for Leaders’ Success” by the execution of five different modules to expose leaders to smart approaches for leading their organization. The objectives are centered on the awareness and application of biblical principles, developing principles (principles & values), the application of ethics in leadership, using leadership to conquer challenges, creating solutions for problems, and understanding how to make the right decisions for strategic planning. Each of these objectives is explored through the curriculum modules coupled with three distinct activities that challenge leaders to develop foundational principles, define key leadership traits, and assessing unique dilemmas for leaders. The presentations, dialogues, and activities captured in this robust workshop curriculum will enable leaders to become better leaders.

The overarching goal of this project is to assist leaders to become the leader they were meant to be. In the end, it is the leader who stands on the peripheral edge of right and wrong that must steer the organization within the boundaries of biblical principles.

Faith in God and Science: A Leader

Faith in God and Science: A Leader’s Guide to Using Both to See the Face of God

Josh Meléndez | 2017

Abstract

This manuscript considers the complex questions of how our universe came into existence, how long has it been here, and if our existence is due to random chance or divine design. By comparing scientific evidence, traditional theories of naturalism, microevolution, macroevolution, creationism, and their limitations to socio-rhetorical interpretation, Christian leaders, parents, and young people can understand how to use science to appreciate the Bible. This manuscript intends to lay the framework for understanding God’s hand through science.

Three Foundations to Organizations Success

Three Foundations to Organizations Success

Steven Miller | 2017

Abstract

This workbook considers the values that constitute the systems and structures of process improvement theories, and the principles that aid an organization to survive disruption. Several methods for both categories will be examined with fundamental values extracted. These values will be used to give leaders the tools to grasp organizational development at a deeper level. The proposed outcome of this workbook is to give leaders—aspiring leaders—in-depth knowledge and synthesis on how to manage human behavior and achieve long-lasting organizational excellence.