Missed Opportunities are a Figment of Your Imagination

This week at work, I am searching databases for grant opportunities with foundations. I am truly baffled at the number and variety of resources out there for funding and collaboration. There are so many passionate people out there!

This inspired me. After discussing it with my husband, I decided that I want to start a foundation in conjunction with my consulting work. We are still poor college students with very little to put aside, but we still give to worthy causes every year, so I realized that this could be an opportunity to connect with friends and colleagues and focus and track out efforts, even if they are small  in the beginning.

This spurred me to think about resources that I have in my life that I can utilize. It was not until very recently that I realized the importance of networking. I don’t know if there is anything more important to your success in any endeavor than having a strong network (by the way, I teach a program on that).

Let’s get to the point. I have a rich friend.

Five years ago, I stayed with her for a week while we planned a conference. I never wrote her a thank you card for welcoming me into her home, and as a result I always felt incredibly awkward about speaking with her. I haven’t spoken to her since I stayed wither her. I regretted failing to send that card for five years! With my new understanding of networking, I decided that it is never too late. I am writing her a letter tonight.

My friend calls herself a professional volunteer. She’s highly engaged in her causes and she would be the perfect donor to approach for my foundation. It’s funny that I never worked up the nerve to write her until I could find a purpose outside of myself. Now, it is not only less scary, but it’s necessary! And now that I have this new perspective, I am seeing that regretting this only harmed any relationship that I could have with this remarkable woman. She would never have known that I regretted not sending the card; I had to carry that alone.

I guess the moral of this story is that it’s never too late to take that chance that you missed. Regret is for people that aren't moving forward. Let’s be brave!

Mission-Slip: Why it’s a good thing… and how to stop it.

To any organization, but especially a non-profit, the mission statement is the foundation, the starting point, the basis of all work performed in the company’s name. Sometimes, though, the organization may find itself veering away from its mission— external and internal factors can spur this. For example, the March of Dimes was founded to fight Polio. Once the vaccine was created, the organization had to change its mission or become obsolete. Internally, mission-slip can occur when employees begin to see another side of the issue they are fighting. For example, an anti-drug organization may begin to emphasize the relationship between poverty and drug use, and want to incorporate poverty issues into their work.

Despite the mission being the core of the organization, slipping away is not a sign of weakness. In fact, internal mission-slip is a sign that your organization is thinking creatively about the problems it combats. No issue exists outside of its ecology. There are numerous factors that play into the work you do. Looking at the

issue from other angles can only make the organization stronger. It also means that your staff and volunteers don’t feel constrained. Creativity is the product of a free mind. A brain that is too concentrated or focused does not think creatively.

External mission-slip is rare, and more often speaks to outdated strategies, not an obsolete cause. If these concerns arise, they should be addressed. Be wary of staffers that hold on to old practices and causes simply to keep their job or avoid learning new things. This does not promote a healthy organization.

When you see mission-slip occurring, bring it to the larger organization, either to the staff, volunteers, or board. Discuss what one idea defines your everyday work. Welcome diverse, personal answers. Ask each person why they believe in their work. Ask them what word they most closely associate with the organization. Develop a phrase, word, or feeling that incorporates the answers of the group. Does the idea parallel the mission statement? Discuss if the mission is slipping toward this idea. If so, go forward with the project. If not, consider revising or ending the project.

These monthly meetings are vital to the health of the organization. If you’re not having them yet, get on it! If you are, make sure you are doing it right. Create a safe place for volunteers or staff to discuss their ideas. Don’t let these turn into the dry, stale check-ups that most offices know. Always have a reminder of the mission statement at these meetings. Either read or display it.

Finally, encourage this thinking—it is creativity! But always hold on to the idea that encompasses your organization; keep it close. All action should further the mission.     

Sometimes Success Tastes Like Dirt

The Mud Volleyball Tournament was a huge success! I knew it would be since we have such a dedicated, passionate, and giving staff. Seven teams formed from community groups and local businesses came out and splashed around in the mud for our cause. Everyone had a lot of fun and it really looked good for our organization.

In development, events are often hard to justify because they are time-consuming and often don’t produce a lot of revenue after all expenses are taken into account. However, events that run as smoothly as our tournament often boost the morale of the staff, increase visibility exponentially, and give the public a very positive association with your organization. Often, the $100/plate dinners that organizations put on to raise the big bucks simply don’t communicate the right message. For organizations like Habitat, Salt-of-the-Earth events like a mud volleyball tournament attract the perfect attention for the right reasons.

Enjoy these pictures from the event and have a great week doing great work! 

My puppy Macey even made it out!

Our Winners!

A crafty little bugger

The mud volleyball tournament is approaching quickly! Three days! I'm excited, and things are really coming together. Let's just hope no one asks me to play.

I don't know what it is, but I have been very crafty lately. I think it's probably Habitat and the restore's inspiration. I want to share some of my inventions!


Since pets are invited to the event, I made a puppy-poo bag dispenser. Wanted to show you because I'm proud of it:

Isn't that great?! I even laced the bags together so they pop-up as you pull, like tissues.

And even better, this is the clever sign that accompanies the baggies:

Hehe.

I also raided the ReStore to organize my desk:

Small things make me happy...

And finally, my photo frame invention:

Love it... 

Just wanted to share some of my crafties! Hope you enjoyed =)

Getting Personal Here at Habitat

This week, I have been plugging away at the Mud Volleyball tournament. Most of the preparation has involved making phone calls and booking various services. I spoke to a particularly enthusiastic shaved ice vendor.

As much as event planning and seeing it all come together excites me, it produces very little inspiration for a blog. Therefore, this week I have decided to introduce you to a vital member of our staff, Anne Plott, our Homeownership Director. She works very closely with the people that we serve, so I want to get inside her head to give us a better look at Habitat for Humanity of Kanawha-Putnam.

What brought you to Habitat?

A friend of mine called me and told me that she thought I’d like this job. I’m retired, 31 years from a bank, and was looking for a second career. I wanted to get into something that would be fulfilling; something that involved helping people. So this job was perfect for that.

Habitat focuses on a smaller level, intensively on just a few families at a time, as opposed to taking a widespread yet impersonal approach to affordable housing. What would you say to someone who was critical of this approach?

That’s an interesting question. With the individual families, we can take a focused approach. This is not a short process, we are talking six months to two years, and through that process, we almost become part of their family. So many people fall through the cracks with a more widespread model; it is far less likely to happen with the way we do things. We’ve built over 150 homes in the past 25 years, so it has obviously been successful.

What is common among the families with whom you are working?

They are all very enthusiastic and excited about the process. They are very positive.

A lot of folks don’t understand the process of getting a loan or managing their finances; something that many people take for granted. My background as a lender and branch manager has prepared me for that side of our process, with the added bonus of working closely with our families.  

What has surprised you the most about this job?

The atmosphere and the environment here is much different than my former work environment in the financial sector. I enjoy looking at the financials—I always have—but now I have the added bonus of working more directly with the public. Before, I needed to retire. Now, I am very happy to get up and come to work every morning. It’s a new lease on life.

I also continually learn about new opportunities and new ways that I can express myself. I’m a creative person, so it’s nice to be able to bring that to my work as well.

I would like to thank Anne for participating and thank you for taking the time to learn a little more about our work here. 

Have a great weekend!

It's never too late or too early to be whoever you want to be...

Get involved with Habitat for Humanity Kanawha-Putnam

When you think of Habitat, you think of volunteering on home builds.

Indeed, that is a fantastic way to get involved, but there are many other ways to contribute. Look for what fits your skills and personality. 

Volunteer at the Re-Store

Work on a Committee 

Committees include Family Selection, Family Support and ReStore Marketing. 

Volunteer at our mud volleyball tournament!

Donate!

Email me and ask about additional opportunities!

or call me at 304-720-0141 ex. 20

Don't hesitate!

We need volunteers for the mud volleyball tournament! I guarantee a funny time! 

Thought for Tuesday morning

"A painter or a composer, when they create a piece of art, they always sign their name... You produce in your daily life thinking, speech, and action... You cannot refuse to sign your name to your product... whether your speech is right or wrong, it bears your signature."
--Thich Naht Hanh on the Mindfulness of Anger

Meet Jasper

I parked my car this morning in the alleyway beside the office, uplifted by a piece I had just listened to on the radio and happy that I was 10 minutes early (I hate being late but always seem to be). On the road behind my car was a little green rock that was egg-shaped. I kicked it and stepped on it, of course; it could be a nasty, man-eating insect after all... or an egg, in which case it was very wrong to step on it. Anyway, I picked it up and this is what I found...

Her name is Jasper.

She's not a scary bug or egg. Just a rock that has been tumbled and shaped. I think it's Jasper, but I'm no geologist. Anyway, she's my little gift from the universe.

Jasper is used in Feng Shui to stimulate energy. It's Monday. The universe is a smart cookie. 

So, thank you, Universe. 

** Correction-- She's Malachite! This stone brings success in business, even better!