My friend Julie is the kind of person I like to work with. She's straight forward, honest and very good at seeing the big picture. Like most Directors of NPOs she is also underpaid for the long hours and dedication. Over ten years ago, we worked together on a mentoring program with schools and Big Brothers Big Sisters. I remember very clearly when I realized the difference between corporate and non profit budgets. Julie and I flew out to Escanaba, MI on the Mead private jet. To me, it was just another business trip. To her, it was leather seats, open bar, no waiting in airports, and VIP treatment. We stayed at a B&B with beds so fluffy she had to climb up onto hers. She thought she had gone to heaven.
We had a great time talking today - old friends catching up and moving right on to the purpose for the visit. I went through the background of TWCCTW, Ginny, My PowerMall and then went over the numbers with her. She said it was a lot to take in, but she just couldn't get past the fact that it looked like a pyramid.
"Julie, you know me. You know my history with funding and NPO partnerships. Would I drive 2 hours and waste your time with a bunch of crap?" ( I don't talk this way to everyone - we've known each other for 18 years!)
"No, I know you wouldn't. I just can't see how this can be real." She had just found out that the investments that provide their sustainability were down $30,000. "First, I hear that we lost a bunch of money and then you show me this! My head is spinning. So what do I have to do?"
We talked a bit about Mahoosuc Kids- that it was a fee for service program. "Can parents pay this fee with American Express?" I asked.
"Yes."
"So here's what you do... Tier 1 is Mahoosuc Kids, Tier 2 is your staff and board, Tier 3 are the families of the kids who use the program (100+). The kids can sponsor a NPO, and also earn money for college. This meets three of your program goals right here: fostering a community service ethic and an entrepreneurial spirit in the kids, and sustainability."
I also discussed how every time her staff and board promoted their own World Changer Malls, they would be supporting Mahoosuc Kids. She liked the part about providing income for her staff and board. I had her log onto my WCM and showed her around the mall and Biz site. I showed her how to sign up.
"Julie, check this out thoroughly as Jim and I did. ( I told her about the WCM for Mike and Betsy). When you do, you'll see just how powerful this can be for Mahoosuc Kids, your staff and the kids you serve. It'll click in your head and you'll be blown away."
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
February 11, 2009
All set for tomorrow's meeting with Julie of Mahoosuc Kids. In reading about her program, I discovered that there are 34 partner programs throughout the state. These are currently federally funded by the 21st Century Community Learning Center grants. This is part of the 'No Child Left Behind' act. Part of their challenge for 2009 is to create sustainable funding.
I also prepared the proposal for the other private high school I'll visit on Friday. I'll be gone tomorrow from 8:30am until about 6:00pm. Jim is covering afternoon daycare (which is right up there with cleaning the garage on his list of favorite things to do )! He has a very good heart :)
I also prepared the proposal for the other private high school I'll visit on Friday. I'll be gone tomorrow from 8:30am until about 6:00pm. Jim is covering afternoon daycare (which is right up there with cleaning the garage on his list of favorite things to do )! He has a very good heart :)
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
February 10, 2009
I told Jim he'd better watch out! If the Law of Attraction continues operating the way it has been, George Clooney will show up on my doorstep any day!
A call I have been waiting months for happened today- Eileen Brown, Director of Advancement from Catherine McAuley HS! If you remember, I wrote 3 letters to private high schools during the early days of the bootcamp. I never heard from McAuley. Of course, I wondered why since our "daughter" Sungmoon graduated from there last year.
I called several times, stopped by and left a note, emailed......
Today, just as ten screaming children were entering my house for after school care, the phone rang. All I could hear before I managed to escape to a quiet room was "I'm so sorry that there was a lapse in communication but.....blah, blah, blah, blah, I'd love to have you come in and tell us about My PowerMall"
We're meeting at 10:00 Friday!
A call I have been waiting months for happened today- Eileen Brown, Director of Advancement from Catherine McAuley HS! If you remember, I wrote 3 letters to private high schools during the early days of the bootcamp. I never heard from McAuley. Of course, I wondered why since our "daughter" Sungmoon graduated from there last year.
I called several times, stopped by and left a note, emailed......
Today, just as ten screaming children were entering my house for after school care, the phone rang. All I could hear before I managed to escape to a quiet room was "I'm so sorry that there was a lapse in communication but.....blah, blah, blah, blah, I'd love to have you come in and tell us about My PowerMall"
We're meeting at 10:00 Friday!
Monday, February 9, 2009
February 9, 2009
Another iron in the fire today. I received an alumni email from my high school's Director of Institutional Advancement, Karen. We played basketball together in the 80's. I didn't even know she was working there. So I wrote a letter explaining what I was doing with high schools here. Their numbers are similar to those of Cheverus, so I know she'll be impressed.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
February 7, 2009
Tess wrote these words to me, and I am so grateful, I'll explain in a bit:
"Years ago, I read Deepak Chopra's book, "The Seven Spritual Laws of Success" and I recall he said that once we set our intention for what we want out into the world, we have to then let go of our attachment to its outcome. If we focus too much, then it becomes a tug-o-war, and it's stressful on us. So, while you're crafting your letter and walking the line you feel you're walking, between support and annoyance, FEEL your EMOTION like you evoked in us in your last email pertaining to your recently received Q. See and feel the end result you want, whether or not the words are written on the paper. Your message gets to all of them anyway. Then, let go of your attachment to their particular situation with regard to MPM --- let God and the Universe then do the work. F/U, sure. Answer queries, sure. Support the food pantry, sure. Grow your team, sure. Find others to support along the way, sure. But in your heart, know that you're trusting the outcome for Mike and Betsy, and for everyone there helping them and themselves, but that the outcome may not be in your own timing, but rather, in Divine timing."
About eleven years ago, when it became apparent that we would have to move to southern Maine, I went through a similar experience. Trying to choreograph every last detail of this life changing move was extremely stressful. My job at the time involved traveling and long hours. I came home at the end of each day mentally and physically exhausted.
I remember saying to Jim "I just want a slow, porch swing life." He was calm as usual, unfazed by the daunting changes about to occur. That Mother's Day, he gave me a gift that I still treasure. He found an print by Edward Gordon, an artist we both loved, called Porch Swing. He said to focus on this and let go of the outcome. We would be ok.
Even though we were going from two incomes to one, 3 children and a fourth on the way, I followed his advice. I would lose myself in the print, imagining how it felt to be there, carefree.
When I let go of the outcome, and let things unfold, beautiful, unexpected things happened. We built our dream house in a wonderful neighborhood - with a porch swing!
It's still my favorite place in the world to be. Jim and I sit out there evenings and watch the kids play and wave to neighbors.
As I look back, and go over the details of that time now in my head, I know it shouldn't have worked out as it did. On paper, things just didn't add up. But somehow, the pieces came together.
As we come to the end of the bootcamp, I am going to take Tess' advice and let go of the outcome. I will still do what's necessary to set things in motion, but I will not try to control the end results. I realize that by doing that, I am limiting what could be.
I have a new focal point now, an impressionist print of a summer villa in Tuscany that hangs in our family room. I was drawn to it a few years ago, and would love to visit some day. Today, I will start to lose myself in this new place, imagining how it would feel to be there in person.
Thanks Tess!
"Years ago, I read Deepak Chopra's book, "The Seven Spritual Laws of Success" and I recall he said that once we set our intention for what we want out into the world, we have to then let go of our attachment to its outcome. If we focus too much, then it becomes a tug-o-war, and it's stressful on us. So, while you're crafting your letter and walking the line you feel you're walking, between support and annoyance, FEEL your EMOTION like you evoked in us in your last email pertaining to your recently received Q. See and feel the end result you want, whether or not the words are written on the paper. Your message gets to all of them anyway. Then, let go of your attachment to their particular situation with regard to MPM --- let God and the Universe then do the work. F/U, sure. Answer queries, sure. Support the food pantry, sure. Grow your team, sure. Find others to support along the way, sure. But in your heart, know that you're trusting the outcome for Mike and Betsy, and for everyone there helping them and themselves, but that the outcome may not be in your own timing, but rather, in Divine timing."
About eleven years ago, when it became apparent that we would have to move to southern Maine, I went through a similar experience. Trying to choreograph every last detail of this life changing move was extremely stressful. My job at the time involved traveling and long hours. I came home at the end of each day mentally and physically exhausted.
I remember saying to Jim "I just want a slow, porch swing life." He was calm as usual, unfazed by the daunting changes about to occur. That Mother's Day, he gave me a gift that I still treasure. He found an print by Edward Gordon, an artist we both loved, called Porch Swing. He said to focus on this and let go of the outcome. We would be ok.
Even though we were going from two incomes to one, 3 children and a fourth on the way, I followed his advice. I would lose myself in the print, imagining how it felt to be there, carefree.
When I let go of the outcome, and let things unfold, beautiful, unexpected things happened. We built our dream house in a wonderful neighborhood - with a porch swing!
It's still my favorite place in the world to be. Jim and I sit out there evenings and watch the kids play and wave to neighbors.
As I look back, and go over the details of that time now in my head, I know it shouldn't have worked out as it did. On paper, things just didn't add up. But somehow, the pieces came together.
As we come to the end of the bootcamp, I am going to take Tess' advice and let go of the outcome. I will still do what's necessary to set things in motion, but I will not try to control the end results. I realize that by doing that, I am limiting what could be.
I have a new focal point now, an impressionist print of a summer villa in Tuscany that hangs in our family room. I was drawn to it a few years ago, and would love to visit some day. Today, I will start to lose myself in this new place, imagining how it would feel to be there in person.
Thanks Tess!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
