To Educate Generations, Gould Builds Amphitheatre at Ammunition Hill is expected to be completed in a year. Gould, a World Chairman’s Council member, has been a dedicated member of JNF since 1997 and has held many different roles, including Orlando Regional President and National Assistant Treasurer. He currently serves as a member of the National Board of Directors, a member of the Land of Promise Foundation Board, co-chair of Zones and Regions, President of the Florida Zone, and lay consultant to JNFuture. Gould has dedicated a classroom at the Alexander Muss High School in Israel in Hod Hasharon and is the named sponsor of JNF’s Gould Legacy Society through his commitment of a million dollar life insurance policy. To experience the 45th anniversary of the reunification of Jerusalem and enjoy VIP status at the ceremony, sign up for the Road to Jerusalem Mission, May 15-22, 2012 at jnf.org/travel, or call 888-JNF-0033 and ask for Joel Leibowitz, ext. 820.
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1. The organization’s debt and the weight of its financial problems. The only way to fix things was by careful prioritization. Before he could begin working his way through the long list of crises, Russell realized that getting finances in order was top priority. 2. How to plan and strategize. Russell set a new plan and strategy that would be implemented with metrics and accountability. 3. A smaller, tighter-knit organization would work more efficiently than a large one. Russell understood that he needed to make significant personnel changes. 4. To build a more inclusive and committed group, he needed to open up the staff’s communication system and welcome feedback. 5. Technology would play a key role in moving the organization forward. The reassuring part about Russell is that no matter what crisis JNF may face, it is clear that he is up to the challenge. He will be there to utilize the resources necessary to accomplish the task at hand, communicate with clarity, and recognize the team around him. All this goes on while he accepts the heavy personal burden that having a higher sense of social responsibility takes. It means knowing that whatever you are working on is about to be interrupted by another urgent phone call that cannot possibly wait, because whatever it is, it must be really important.”
About the author: Jeffrey S. Davis serves as a JNF New England Chairman of the Board and is a member of JNF’s National Board of Directors and the National Campaign Cabinet. Since 1985, his consulting company, Mage LLC, has guided over 700 small businesses and organizations on issues ranging from marketing and sales to organizational and transitional issues. This book, co-authored by Mark Cohen, pinpoints the most common situations Mage LLC has encountered with entrepreneurs and owners of private companies. The case studies highlight means and methods by which business leaders can achieve their visions and goals, regardless of the nature of the market or the economy. You may pre-order the book online at www.happyabout. com/24hr-turnaround.php. Contact Jeffrey Davis at JDavis@24-HourTurnaround.com.
JNF.org
The entrance to the Bruce K. Gould Amphitheatre
Book Excerpt: “The 24-Hour Turnaround” Below is an excerpt from “The 24-Hour Turnaround,” a new book that highlights entrepreneurial styles, innovations and triumphs. It features a chapter on Russell Robinson, Chief Executive Officer of JNF, who took the helm of the organization 13 years ago amid financial instability and completely turned it around. “When Russell joined JNF, commitment met opportunity at the bottom of a huge mountain. He has worked step-by-step to move the organization to the top of the nonprofit world. Russell is fearless in mission and has shown that he is not inclined to give up in the face of doubt and overwhelming odds. In fact, one of the fastest ways to get his attention is to tell him that something cannot be done. That quality alone demonstrates why he has been so successful. “He learned about good business practices and customer satisfaction by watching his father run a stereo business. He started his own business at a young age and taught himself the essentials of being an entrepreneur by assuming the leadership role and learning-by-doing. His good-natured, magnetic charm seems to have come naturally. Part of the reason that, from the beginning, Russell fit so perfectly with JNF’s mission was because he understood five critical things:
Jewish national fund
Bruce K. Gould Amphitheatre at Ammunition Hill, “which will bring education and arts programs to soldiers and school children alike,” he said. JNF is assisting in the development and renovation of the Ammunition Hill Memorial site, which portrays the siege of Jerusalem in the ‘67 Six Day War and serves as an educational center about the historic battle waged there. Funds are being used to expand and preserve the museum and battlegrounds and to create a computerized datacenter, a library, an archive, an exhibition hall, and a center for assemblies and conferences. In addition, JNF has erected a Wall of Honor (L-R) Col. Shimon “Katcha” Cahaner, Bruce Gould and his parents where individual plaques can be purchased to honor Jeanette and Norman Gould, at the groundbreaking ceremony Jewish soldiers who served or serve in the military of any country. For Bruce Gould, visiting Ammunition Hill, the site of the Annually on Jerusalem Day, a celebration is held at Amhistoric battle for the reunification of Jerusalem in the 1967 munition Hill, and it is also the setting for the induction War, is always an incredibly meaningful experience. ceremony of IDF paratroopers. Thanks to Gould’s generous “No other place represents the unification of Jerusalem donation, visitors will soon be able to enjoy arts and culture at better than Ammunition Hill,” said the Orlando resident. the amphitheatre, which will be used extensively for evening “Every time I go there, I’m moved by what happened – the concerts, symphonies, operas and plays. sacrifice made by those who lost their lives fighting for their Joined by his parents Jeanette and Norman, Gould laid homeland and keeping their heritage alive.” a cornerstone at a groundbreaking ceremony last December, Looking to share this moving experience with others, eswhere the sign for the amphitheatre was unveiled. The project pecially young people, Gould has committed to building the