Two huge Cooper’s Hawks race across the morning sky. In hot pursuit of those birds of prey, darting and buzzing ferociously, relentlessly – is a hummingbird. Yes, a hummingbird. The message is clear: “Get away from my home, my nest, my babies.” The image stuck with me the whole rest of the morning, and through … Read more
My sweet cat is slowly fading. Her kidneys are failing, and she has almost entirely stopped eating. She’s been part of my being for 16 years and now I am watching as she slowly fades away. Last night on Twitter, my friend Christine Egger wondered aloud, “If you hadn’t been taught you had dominion, how … Read more
We went to dinner last night with a group from our Pollyanna Principled Consulting Course. During the day, we make sure the group’s creature comforts are met as best as possible, feeding them well. Great breakfasts (yesterday a frittata) and great lunches (chicken with mango salsa) and great desserts (cheesecake yesterday). Fresh fruit and pastries … Read more
It’s the start of another start of another week of creating the future for your community! These days, I’ve been in the middle of the project of a lifetime – finishing up the development of the first Immersion Course for Pollyanna Principled Consultants! Talk about a massive endeavor – sometimes we wonder if we will … Read more
Being in Day 3 of this fabulously energizing week, I have had little time to blog. I did, however, want to share an observation I have noted perhaps every single hour of this week: There is a huge difference between “outreach / marketing” and “engagement.” And given the choice between them, I’ll take engagement any … Read more
Last night I had the privilege of facilitating a community conversation on behalf of the Tucson Pima Arts Council. Not surprisingly, the conversation was prompted by the economy. Such discussions typically revolve around issues such as collaboration – sharing resources for HR or fundraising or co-locating. Talk often then turns to advocacy – making the … Read more
“A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” Winston Churchill After my daughter was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease several years ago, we went from doctor to doctor, seeking relief. One of those doctors had been going through his own transformation (he has since entirely given up … Read more
Last week I received a note that became the post Joan is Going Nowhere. In that post, Joan described her frustration with her ED’s mandate that fundraising focus on the donor vs. the needs of the population her organization serves. I am grateful for the great wisdom you all shared with Joan – being gone … Read more
The following note came from one of the readers here at Creating the Future. The subject line was “Feel like I’m going nowhere with fundraising.” I thought I’d share it here, as I know Joan is not alone! Dear Hildy: I’m hoping to get advice. I read your blog all the time, and I’m with … Read more
Man oh man, if there were ever a week we needed to get grounded with a Rock Out before heading into the world, it is this week! We started this fledgling year with brutal war in Gaza and brutal economic hardship here at home. And everywhere we look, it is getting harder and harder to … Read more