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
I just realized that this month is the 3rd anniversary of the publication of my book, FriendRaising. I feel like a mom, wondering how so many years could have passed since my baby was born! To celebrate, I want to share a story of friendship and family and laughter. It has nothing and everything to … Read more
If Community Engagement is like gardening in the front yard, I can think of no one more engaging than Clyde. Clyde is the work of my neighbor, Larry. I don’t know how long Clyde has been around, but we were introduced when we moved into the house directly across from Larry’s in 1996. For 12 … Read more
Today, I was the guest for a Live Online Q&A Discussion hosted by the Chronicle of Philanthropy. The title – chosen by them, not me – was Doing More with Less in Hard Times. Yes, it just about SCREAMS “scarcity,” but that didn’t stop this Pollyanna from talking about the tremendous possibilities we all have, … Read more
At LinkedIn this morning, David North asked this question: In what ways do you honor people who have inspired you in your personal life or career? Do you honor such people in any lasting, dynamic ways? Does it matter whether they are living or passed? Is it a conscious decision to honor them, or a … Read more
This morning’s email at the Community-Driven Institute brought this request: I need help finding a list of community organizations in order to form alliances. This was such a pleasant break from the ever-present request,“How can I get grants?” that I thought I’d answer it here rather than individually, as I am hoping you all might … Read more
Part 2: Community-Driven Tour 2008 (For Part 1, head here) If there is anything that has stood out about this tour, it has been the spirit of connection, friendship, warmth, love that has infused every step along the way. The line between friends and family blurred years ago for me. These days, the line between … Read more
When will we stop the ridiculous demand that boards get past their “hang-ups” and just get out there and ask people for money? This morning’s Google Alert linked me to yet another article excerpted from yet another book on how to get boards to “Break Through Fundraising Anxiety” – this one from BoardSource, but it … Read more
I saw this ad for a Community Engagement Officer in Norwich, England, and I almost jumped up and did a happy dance. First, from the perspective of writing an enticing job advertisement, this is an ad that made me want to fly across the ocean and apply for the position. No government mumbo-jumbo. A truly … Read more
Happy Monday! I spent this past weekend thinking about Debbie, my best friend from childhood. In a few months, Dimitri and my work will take us to the community where she lives, and so I’m thinking a lot about Debbie these days. After 30 years of living 3,000 miles apart, Deb and I are still … Read more