Capacity Building: Yes, Funders DO Support It!

You hear the comments all the time, sitting around bars and coffee houses: “Why doesn’t he understand that I’m not his mother?” “Do they understand how much work something like this is?” “Why don’t funders support capacity-building?”
(Ok, maybe that last one is just something that my friends talk about…)
But it is [...]

T-T-T-Taxes (shudder)

I’ve been hearing a lot about taxes lately. There, I said it — the dirty T word.
Like probably all of you, I can’t say as I particularly like paying taxes. I don’t jump up and down in excitement every time I look at a paystub and see how much cash went directly to the [...]

But Bob Dylan Can’t Sing…

I was listening to Bob Dylan on the way into work today. Boots of Spanish Leather is one of my faves, in case you’re interested. I’ve seen Dylan in concert (not impressed); I’ve seen him forget his lyrics and walk off stage in the middle of a number, at a highly prestigious (and [...]

Inefficiency in State Government?

We debate who is right in the argument on whether government funding is adequate to support our expectations. Here I must be clear on my bias—we are under-funding and over-burdening state government with our expectations. As a former state employee you might expect that response, but I would caution against that preconception. [...]

The Evolution of Dance

I’m new to this technology stuff (have I mentioned that?). I was at a meeting with a colleague last week and she pulled up YouTube on her laptop because there were a couple videos that I just “had to see.” (I’m still amazed by wireless internet. Keep in mind – I learned [...]

Speak Now or Forever Hold Your Peace…

No, I’m not refering to the part of a wedding ceremony when the minister asks if anyone objects to this couple marrying. I’m actually referring to the state budget crisis and the fact that we have to speak up now to say that we can’t afford to make more cuts in programs and services or [...]

Help Me Help YOU…

Jerry Maguire has some of the funniest scenes ever in a movie. Subtle messages, in your face commentary, I laugh and laugh – even though I’ve seen it twenty times. Today I’m thinking about Jerry Maguire trying to figure out his clients’ needs. Communication isn’t their strong suit – quite yet. [...]

It IS All About You!

I just finished another series of our Getting Started Workshop, and I was reviewing the evaluations from the last session (yes, we really do read them!). One of the comments read “Discourage people from asking questions that are specific to their organization; it gets frustrating.” I understand the participant’s point – questions that [...]

So, What If…

My last blog has me thinking. And the NP2020 gig has me thinking. And the fact that I’m surrounded (like Tiffany) by so many amazing, intelligent, creative, kind, caring people has me thinking….
What If we all got together for the world’s biggest brainstorming session? Because even though my baby brother accuses me [...]

Struggling through “Writer’s Block”

I think they call this “Writer’s Block”…that state of mind where you can articulate absolutely none of the thoughts floating around in your head…if indeed there are any coherent thoughts in your head.
When I’m suffering from Writer’s Block, I typically do what I’m doing right now…begin writing anyway, hoping against hope that somehow a brilliant [...]