Monday, April 19, 2010

In Appreciation…

FaceBook sure has changed birthdays.

It was my birthday last week, and I heard from my oldest, closest friends (they called).

I heard from my employees (they got me a set of espresso cups for the office).

I heard from my nearest and dearest…my family (they got me books, natch).

And I heard from about 30 other friends/colleagues/acquaintances – my FaceBook friends who took the time out to wish me a happy day. And in so doing, to show me how they valued me.

I have to admit, it felt kind of good. Especially because it wasn’t a big birthday that I was particularly focused on, it felt like an “Appreciation Day.” For Me.

Wouldn’t it be lovely if we did that for our nonprofit organizations too?

I’m imagining a day in which we’d celebrate the accomplishments, the impact, the quirky individualism and fiercely-held values, all the why an organization really matters.

Sure, the video at the event that pulls at the heartstrings is supposed to do that – but that’s more akin to a big blow-out party that provides just as much stress as gain.

I’m talking about a day in which we stop and think of something particularly special/unique/valuable about a nonprofit organization (that’s not your own) – and let the people involved with the group know that you notice.

A Day of Thanks For…

Because we all go above and beyond in the nonprofit sector. And we’re certainly not in it for the money.

A Day of Thanks For…

Living a life of service. And successfully making a difference.

A Day of Thanks For…

Celebrating. The Glue that Holds Us Together.

1 comment:

  1. Great post Judy...here's where I think the expanse of our contacts reaches farther than we ever expected much less planned. The idea of building a day of thanks to npos (not the one you work for) is a terrific idea... hmmm, let's see if we can begin to light a fuse around it.
    The essence of all social networking is to engage so let's see where this takes us over the next few months.
    Thanks again.

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