Neon Green Grass - Corporate Philanthropy vs. Nonprofit

Inspiration is a funny thing. Sometimes I want to feel inspired so bad that I search endlessly through independent films, quirky novels and forgotten blogs. And I do find it sometimes. But I think the best inspiration comes when you least expect it. As such is life.

A little over a year ago, I was planning out my professional development activities with my boss. When the word conference was mentioned, I sighed heavily and said I'd rather go back to school than sit through another dry, freezing and mind-blowingly boring conference on the same topics, repeated issues with cotton-candy answers and speakers who either were "volun-told" to speak or truly love hearing their own voices. Thus, I started my continuing education at New York University. Which, I am beyond thankful for. However, when a co-worker had to drop out of a conference last minute, I was the replacement. Oh the torture!

So there I was on that warm, breezy Tuesday morning. I flew out of our little Upper East Side apartment and ran down York chasing a cab to take me to Columbus Circle during rush hour. I figured, hey, at least the views will be nice right? Yes, they were indeed. But the content, ohhh the content. It was fantastic. Teary eyed - I am ready to walk outside and change the world type of content. The views were an added bonus. Sitting there in the intimate room of 200 other corporate grantmakers and volunteer managers, I felt so moved watching performances and hearing impact stories with the skyline of Manhattan draped around the room. When you sit behind a computer all day putting together presentations, answering emails, approving grants and trying to figure out another way to engagement associates and impact the community... you sometimes have to take a step back to get re-energized.

Anyone that has worked in the nonprofit and corporate philanthropy realms can tell you the internal dilemma that one often faces... the grass being greener, like neon green on the other side. The type of neon green that will allow you to make a bigger, larger and more impactful splash in the community. When you are working your days away inside a nonprofit you are in the weeds. Tired and dirty, understaffed and never loud enough. But you feel connected, deeply connected to the stories and lives of those that you are working with and for. You see and get the small picture. But wait, there is a larger, grander picture. Ahhh, and it can be seen from the corporate philanthropy angle. So you cannon ball into corporate philanthropy ready to make a splash so large that it tidal waves into all the nonprofit causes that you so deeply care about, those that you know how to fix. There are funds, more staff and processes and training and materials than you have ever seen. More than you know what to do with. The excitement, oh the excitement. And you are everyone's best friend. Then there come corporate politics, and you realize just how large and complex this little world of ours is, just how many issues, how many hands, how many strategies - good strategies. You feel disconnected from those weeds that you once knew all too well, those stories, those personalities. You begin to feel lost in this dichotomy.

Time Warner Building overlooking Central Park... told you the views would be grand.

And on the days that you feel this internal pull and struggle, you search for something to center you. Something to make sense of your passions, your need for social change and desired impact. I was blessed to attend the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy (CECP) Summit held in New York City this month. After hearing so many amazing speakers, performers and social entrepreneurs, I started to wonder...how am I going to change the world? What is my big plan? What am I going to do today? The speaker addressed this, almost like she could hear my thoughts. She said, "We need social entrepreneurs, big dreamers, world changers...these people are the driving force of social change. But you know what we also need, even more do-ers, workers, and pushers to get this work done. You don't need a big grand idea or proposal. Social change and impact happens one day at a time, no matter what sector you work in or what part of the puzzle you work on."

I am reminding myself that life is a series of events, chances, challenges and opportunities. All of which can lead to social good, impact and change. And for that, I am thankful.

***

I found the below to be extremely moving and inspirational.

The Power of Storytelling for Social Change (documentaries)
Girl Rising is a groundbreaking film, directed by Academy Award nominee Richard Robbins, which tells the stories of 9 extraordinary girls from 9 countries, written by 9 celebrated writers and narrated by 9 renowned actresses. Girl Rising showcases the strength of the human spirit and the power of education to change the world.

American Promise A documentary 13 years in the making, American Promise provides a rare look into the lives of two middle class Black families as they navigate the ups and downs of parenting and educating their sons.
Social Change through Arts Performance
No Child, written and performed by Nilaja Sun, is a tour-de-force exploration of the New York City public school system. An insightful, hilarious and touching master class not to be missed by anyone who is concerned about the state of our education system and how we might fix it.

Local change started by one very young girl's hope for her brother
Pathways for Exceptional Children To create a future for children of all abilities where they are included, valued, and empowered to redefine the world.

Acela 2164.

Travel. I do it pretty often these days. Both for pleasure and work. My most frequent trip is the Acela, business class. 2 hours and 45 minutes South to DC's charming Union Station. I say charming when comparing to NYC's Penn Station.  There is always routine in these trips. Cabs, Dramamine, starting and stopping, trying to eat healthy. Business people talking proposals, parents  checking in with nannies, daycares and each other. Obnoxious office calls to admins, bosses and clients. Northeast train views, sunsets and life buzzing around. Weather changes. Cool breezes, warm days, rain, chilly temps, snow delays.

I've come to really love a few things about traveling for work, and specifically, from NYC to DC. 

• Cabs - last week, I left on a cool Spring morning. I felt very "movie-esque" running in the street in the Upper East Side to catch a cab to Penn Station. I loved the cool breeze through the windows as we shot down 5th Ave along Central Park and drove straight through Times Square. 

• Food - I have to eat. I love to eat. And I love that I don't have to pay while eating the food I love. 

• Face time - can be fabulous when you spend 80% of your time behind a computer swamped in emails. 

• Daily routines of others - are just flat out fascinating to me. Social media has trained me to pay close attention to everyone's eating, drinking and social habits. Seeing this in person is quite the treat. 

• Train conversations - can be great! A few trips ago, first class was emptied when Dr. Jill Biden boarded the train with her secret service posse. Thus, we ended up next to an investment banking Californian who lives in CT and travels to Philly often. We shared political, social and nonprofit views. 

• Being away from home - Makes you appreciate home and its simplicity. Having dinner with your husband, walking the dogs and the routine that you create in your own little cloud of life. 

• Independence - navigating trains, planes and cabs forces you to gain independence whether you like it or not. 

There are also things I hate about work travel, specifically NYC to DC. 

• Cabs - I get car sick. 

• Food - it's not homemade or routine or always healthy. 

• Daily routines of others, throw my routine off.

• Train conversations - never, ever end.

• Being away from home, my husband, my dogs, my space.

• Independence, I don't always want it. 

And then you have those moments of thought.... Because when you travel, you have a lot of time to think... and your brain begins to pump out questions faster than you thought humanly possible. 

-train leaves- I should get some work done. Internet and VPN are not working. Does everyone have this many IT issues? Am I on the right career path? At the right company? The right level for my age? Do I have a healthy work/life balance? What is a healthy/work life balance? Do I spend all my time working towards my passions? What are my passions? Am I using my greatest strengths? If I'm not, and if I jump ship...will I be able to pay my bills? Will I have enough stability for a family? Or do I really love my career? Why do I always wonder if the grass is greener? Grass... Will we ever have our own yard? I hate yard work... Do I even want a yard? Do kids really need a yard? Should we be starting our family? Are we in the right city? Is this the right time? What is the right time? What time is it? Will my cab be on time? Where's my Dramamine... -train arrives-

And this, my friends, is why I sleep so soundly while staying in hotels and my first night back home. I am exhausted upon arrival. 

Rat Hockey Tuesdays: The tale of those that lost their tail...

One of the things that I have loved about our move to New York City is the flexibility I have with my job. I work from home (or around the city) a good majority of the time. However, it doesn't come without its challenges....specifically, Rat Hockey Tuesdays. And I don't mean this rat.

While accepting a work meeting invite on Tuesday mornings between 9AM - 10:30AM would not bother most, it makes me cringe. Imagine this: maintenance staff, hockey sticks, cheering.

I've been referencing Rat Hockey Tuesdays since our third week in NYC. I guess I failed to give all the specifics to Richard. He understood that every Tuesday morning there is a mad-dash for which maintenance worker can kill a rat the fastest. What he didn't understand is that they bring (yes, bring from home I suppose) their own hockey sticks and play a real hockey game. Once the "puck" has been captured, the game begins.

Have I told you about our gorgeous view?

Oh yes, we live in between buildings and overlook the garbage AKA the Tuesday morning hockey rink. A lucky NYC apartment find. Go us.

As you can imagine, Tuesday mornings are quite loud with all the murder excitement going on below our window. Pickle and Sundae do not approve (we raised them well) and often bark their disapproval out the window. Can you imagine having to explain to your boss what is causing so much noise? "Oh you know, today is Tuesday...Rat Hockey Tuesday". So now you become the weirdo. Awesome.

Icing on the cake? I have a strange connection with my neighbors. Last Tuesday I locked eyes with the 2nd floor girl looking out her window too... I could feel her annoyance pain.