The Nudge Report (1/8/2021)… Best, Worst Year?!
I recently heard 2020 described as the Best Worst year ever.
Undoubtedly, social unrest, political divisiveness, more hurricanes than we've seen in a lifetime, more fires out west than ever before and a devious little virus made this year a candidate for the Worst Year Ever award.
AND,
because of all of the above, we have a new focus on being antiracist, perhaps a new awareness of climate change, a new appreciation of what it means to put others above ourselves by wearing a mask, a reinvigorated electorate,
AND...
Rebuilding Together Kent County was able to pivot successfully...
to engage contractors
to invest over $150,000 in repairs and building equity in our neighbors' homes
to identify and obtain unrestricted funding from a variety of foundations
to enhance our data management capability
to document and streamline procedures to prepare the foundation for a sustainable nonprofit
to begin in earnest the task of ending substandard housing in our community!
[If you think this year was a challenging year and are having a difficult time reconciling your life with what's happening in the world, I suggest you read Man's Search for Meaning. I remember the impact made on me when I first read this moving account of a holocaust thriver.]
Clarity, not certainty. I like these three words and the concept. I remind myself I cannot know with certainty what WILL happen - and yet - I CAN have clarity about my intentions, beliefs and efforts. We can be 100% clear about our intention to eradicate substandard housing in Kent County. We can work towards this outcome with the belief that it is possible. Intention and belief are not dependent upon circumstances. They exist within us. We are in control. Our efforts are a result of these two internally held concepts... while circumstances may alter our plans, circumstances can only alter our intentions and beliefs if we allow them to discourage us. Again, we are in control.
Where is Rebuilding Together Kent County today?
I am more optimistic about the next 24 months than I was when I first started in April 2019. In an odd turn of events, because of 2020, we are better prepared - organizationally and financially - than I could have imagined only 9 months ago. Just looking at the financial dashboards gives me encouragement. We have customized our data management system to generate useful reporting for grant compliance. We are planning for the largest gathering of volunteers in Kent County for 2021 on Saturday, September 25th - Our fall [Re]Building Day!
We are planning on [Re]starting our monthly [Re]Building day on the last Saturday of the month, beginning with our fall [Re]Building Day.
I'm excited about what our Volunteer & Community Engagement team will create for National Rebuilding Day on April 24th.
We're planning on applying to at least 4 foundations every month! A national survey indicates that donations are flowing into nonprofits at a greater rate than anticipated - even with an uncertain future!
Genevieve and I are continuing our remote classes at USC for the Executive Certificate on Home Modification. We have complete 3 of the 5 courses needed for “graduation.” This was an educational grant ($2,000) provided by the National Office.
I will be attending the Nonprofit Leadership Institute at the Mid-Shore Community Foundation for a 4-session program entitled, “Strategic Planning Intensive.”
I’m anxious to start this year, Fast, Focused & FIRED-UP!
I’m looking for that BIG WIN in the first 100 days of this new year!
Probably the “best” outcome of 2020 is that I’m more optimistic than ever about the future of Rebuilding Together Kent County!