Taking The Leap

As a child, Leap Day always made we think of two things, my dad's birthday and the Olympics.

Now that the Olympics are ever two years and my dad is perfectly happy to celebrate his birthday sometime in February or March Leap Day isn't really on my radar.

This week, however, I found myself thinking a lot about this one day, it's subtle and tremendously powerful role in our lives. Simply put Leap Day maintains the balance for the calendar year as we know it. Without Leap Day every four years our calendar would begin to slip out of balance and eventually we would find ourselves celebrating Christmas in July.

So once every four years we are given this gift of time to keep things in balance, we are offered the opportunity to take a leap -a careful, calculated leap. At the start of this week I spent my hour and half yoga practice thinking about the leaps in my life, focused on the qualities I had to summon to make them happen.

I landed on three: Courage, faith and the willingness to be uncomfortable.

At the close of practice on Monday our teacher retold the story of Hanuman's Leap, the Monkey God in Hindu mythology which reinforced the power of moving with intention, dedication and courage from where you are toward something you believe in.

Before the last hours of daylight tick away, before the clock ticks away the minutes of February 29th, 2012 and before you find yourself out of borrowed time - name your leap, summon the qualities you need support the action and start the journey.

A Little Over the Winter that Wasn't

I live in the Northeast and learned a long time ago that being grumpy about the weather is an absolute waste of time, wait 24 hours and it will change. Weather in northern New England is also great for many things.

1) Teaching preparedness.

2) Offering ample opportunities to reflect on your love for the first snowfall, a crisp bluebird fall day, a cozy rainy spring afternoon that smells of new growth or an endless summer day long enough to fit in everything you love and still leave time to watch the fireflies come out with a cold beer in hand.

3)Providing enough days perfect for play balanced with enough days to get your work done. Confession...If I lived in Boulder, Co I am not sure I go ever bring myself to go inside and work.

Now that I have affirmed all the great things about living a in northern climate with four distinct seasons - six if you count November Rain and Mud Season, I am giving myself a brief window to say...I am over the winter that wasn't.

Winter 2011 - 2012 will be remembered for unseasonably warm temperatures, almost no snowfall and plenty of wet, slushy matter to go around.

With some quality days of ice climbing behind me and a few less days then I'd like on my teles in the books, I am ready to think about trail running, road riding and rock climbing.

On Thursday (February 23rd just for the reminder) temperatures in North Conway hit the 40's and what's more impressive, that didn't really surprise anyone, including me. Embracing the warm temps, I grabbed my sneaks and microspikes and left the office at 3pm for a long run in the sun. It was glorious, I felt like I was floating along, great tunes in my headphones and spring was just around the corner.

Remember what I said about waiting 24 hours.

Friday afternoon the snowflakes began to fall, they continued through the night and six inches or so of Sierra Cement greeted me as I left for yoga on Saturday morning. I smiled through the day, appreciating winter's last hurra and then last night temperatures dipped and winds howled through till morning.

The sun is shining this morning and the winds have died down some but I can't shake the itch for spring. I looked around the house this morning and the feeling seemed mutual. This is the 11th March Guinness has patiently waited for the sun's strength to grow, the snow to melt and the fields to open up so he can once again play ball for hours without his jacket. As the sun came through our glass slider the wind gave one more howl through the trees, Guinness looked up, one eye open as if to acknowledge the longing for spring we both feel.

For now the porch is full of snow, my bike is still on a trainer in the basement and this morning rather then brave the cold I decided to bake a batch of cinnamon, almond, walnut muffins, pour myself another cup of lady gray and read the New Yorker cover to cover while Guinness follows the morning sun from spot to spot through the living room.

Cartesian Merger

This week I helped one of my clients hire their first employee. The women they hired is a perfect match for the organization and I look forward to working with her. During her interview the new hire asked several questions about the work culture within the organization, her questions came out as more of a cautious inquiry - What days and times she need to work? If there were weeks when she worked less then her contract 20 hours was that ok, could she work more hours if needed other weeks?

Much to her surprise and pleasure when she had asked her questions my face lit up, I might even have giggled. I immediately told her to relax. What is important to the culture of this organization and to me is the work gets done with excellence, in a timely manner and that the people doing it love what they do.

I have file folders full of templates for work plans, paper and digital systems for project and time management which provide the architecture for working in a more organic and individualized fashion.

This management style plays to individual strengths - some of us work better in the early morning, some of us (ME!) crash hard at 3pm and need to get out and get some exercise before returning to work, others like to work in the evening, standing up at their desk, working with music or without. Thinking about the merger of work and life rather then the separation of work and life provides flexibility, creates a more productive work environment, encourages creativity and in the end the product, whatever that may be, is better for it.

Dennis Crowley the CEO of Four-Square was interviewed on Marketplace a few days ago and I love what he had to say about going to work, it is a feeling a share and the type of work environment I help my clients create.

Crowley said, "I never think of it as going to work everyday. It's just, hey this is where I go to do the stuff I like to do."

Will You Join Our Board of Directors?

I recently finished a three year term on the board of a local nonprofit. During my tenure the organization hired its first full-time executive director, expanded its program service area and grew the board to include members new members. When it came time to consider another term I made the decision to encourage new leadership and continue my support as a volunteer.

A month after my last board meeting I received a phone call inquiring about my interest in joining another board. The inquiry reminded me of being college, of meeting the trustees of my alma mater, thinking about a board seat more like an Oscar rather than obligation, hopeful that one day the honor would be bestowed on me.

Years later, the inquiry fills my brain with probing questions, allure and prestige are the furthest things from my mind. Being a board member requires a significant commitment of time, often the commitment to make a gift, personally, or find others who will, fiduciary responsibility and the duty of care to the organization's constituents. As a board member you are a critical ambassador of the organization's mission, which means you should make sure it is something you are passionate about. Think about it - if board members of an organization aren't excited, engaged and willing to go the extra mile why would anyone else feel compelled.

Before you hear the words board member and jump to how it will look on your resume or the relationships you might build in that role, spend some time getting acquainted with some standard commitments board members are asked to make and then start asking some hard questions.

Expectations

Ask about them. It is in your best interest and the organization's to be clear about what is expected of board members. This clarity helps you understand your role and promotes a culture of accountability. Most established organizations have this documented in a clear list or narrative about what they expect from all board members. If the organization you are considering doesn't have this information, be concerned.

Board Meetings

Frequency and length of meetings vary tremendously. It is common for organizations to meet quarterly or monthly for a few hours at time but other organizations may operate with a different model. One thing is always true - you are expected to be there. Skipping out on meetings not only makes you look bad but can build resentment among other members and make it difficult to get work done. Most boards schedule meetings well in advance to ensure members can be there. Unclear about the meeting schedule, duration or frequency? - ask before you say yes.

Committees

Most organizations have board subcommittees (Ex: Finance, Development, Board Resource) and they expect each board member to serve on one or more. These committees often meet between board meetings and are responsible for tasks related to their area of expertise. How does the effect you? In short this means planning for occasional meetings in addition to board meetings and time to get committee work done. Committee commitments vary depending on the organization and within organizations depending on circumstance (Ex: The finance committee may meet more often that start and end of the fiscal year.) Before joining a board be sure to ask about committee structure, requirements and goals.

The Big "F"

You don't have to love fundraising to be a board member. You do need to understand that you will be asked to support the organization's fundraising efforts in one way or another. Many boards require that every board member make a personal contribution to the organization annually (amounts vary). Fundraising is a broad term, yes it includes asking people for money but it also includes preparing mailings, sending thank you notes, proof reading grants, researching prospects and attending events. Figure out where your comforts lie, consider stretching a bit (remember the organization can't survive without money in the coffers).

Passion for the mission

I am ending the list with this, you might argue that interest in board membership should start with passion. You are right, so I am, here's why. You can appreciate services offered by an organization, believe in their value to your community but you need to be willing to tackle everything I just wrote about and the unexpected things I didn't mention to serve on their board, that requires a commitment that exceeds appreciation, allure and the promise of a nice addition to your resume.

If you would like more specific direction on what questions to ask before agreeing to join a nonprofit board check out this great Board Source article. Serving on a nonprofit board is incredibly rewarding, it can also make you want to pull your hair out. Before you say yes, do your homework, find an organization that needs your skills and one you are passionate about supporting. Your work ahead of time will benefit you and the organization interest in your support.

Cheap Inspiration.

I turn thirty this July. The milestone doesn't phase me much but I am using it as a mid-year marker to get some things done that made there way to the bottom of the list in 2011 in favor of other urgent, necessary items and some spontaneous whims.

A few of the items on my list are investments in professional development. I never have trouble dropping money on these items or carving out time for them. There is always room in my budget for a new workshop and time in my schedule to learn from my peers.

There is a gross inequity in the way I treat the other items on my list, the personal ones and specifically the utterly self-serving and absolutely critical to my well-being ones, they always draw the short straw. But not in 2012. And here's why.

It is January and the ground is brown here in northern New Hampshire so I decided to borrow a bike trainer and get a jump on training to knock one item off the list, the Rev3 Olympic Distance Tri in the summer of 2012. When I picked up the trainer from my friend Sarah we got to talking about the event. I mentioned that I hadn't officially registered yet. No, I wasn't intimidated by the training or the .9 mile swim in the Atlantic. My hold up, spending $115 to compete in something just for the fun of it.

Sarah's smiled and said, "$115 is cheap inspiration, just do it".

She is absolutely right. When I register for a professional development workshop I sign up, carve out the time and go because I paid for it, because I'll learn something, meet a new contact and come back inspired to push myself in the office.

Being outside, pushing my physical and mental limits makes me a better person, feeds my creativity and productivity. And, I don't think I am alone. So as you look forward this year what items on your personal list will prioritize to challenge yourself, to connect a sense of adventure and accomplishment, to spark your creativity? Whatever you choose, make it count, make it epic.

“There is a certain part of all of us that lives outside of time. Perhaps we become aware of our age only at exceptional moments and most of the time we are ageless.”

And there you have it. Game On

You have registered for the 2012 Rev3 Maine

A copy of your receipt has been emailed to you.

Event Confirmation #

60592777-010512171833

Date

Sunday, August 26, 2012 @ 7:00 AM

Address

Old Orchard Beach, ME

Purchase

Alexandra (Sasha) Eisele - Olympic Rev - USAT Member

The Vicarious Line

For the last two years I have run an ice climbing festival in the Mount Washington Valley. It is a bit on an anomaly in my work as a nonprofit consultant. The pay is minimal and pulling off an event of this scale so it feels seamless to participants takes a ton of work.

This year is the 19^th Mount Washington Valley Ice Fest, the first weekend in February hundreds of men and women will make the pilgrimage to The Mount Washington Valley to experience the magic of the place I call home. Some of these pilgrims come to learn to climb ice, some to summit Mount Washington, others, to spend a day mixed climbing with local legends like Mark Synnott and Kevin Mahoney or to test their skill on classic lines like Dracula, Drop Line and Great Madness.

In the background, the Sirens of Ice Fest (the crew of lovely ladies who work on this event) will watch six months of work come together, sleeping a few hours here and there, living on Frontside Grind coffee and the generous Flatbread pizzas our friends drop off at IME.

We won’t climb a single pitch of ice the entire weekend and we will be happy for it. Instead we will make sure waivers are signed, clients get to demo the gear they are excited about, guides are well fed and caffeinated, slideshows run smoothly and the keg is tapped and food is on the table when the gang returns from a day our playing.

When clients and others just out for the day on their own walk through the door of IME smiling from ear to ear, laughing with friends, and recanting epic moments from their day we know our job is done. In that moment it doesn’t matter if they climbed Willy’s Slide, Standard Route or tested their skill on Unemployment Line and it doesn’t matter that we haven’t swung a tool all weekend - their send is ours too.

We exchange high fives, share tips about gear, and provide encouragement to do it all again tomorrow.

The Art of Thank You.

Gratitude should not have seasonality to it however the time between Thanksgiving an d Christmas is punctuated with reminders more then any other season. As the wave of holiday asking, giving and receiving crests, I find myself thinking of my Marmee (my maternal grandmother), whose zealot like convictions about the value of a hand written thank you are engrained, deeply, in my personal and professional life.

I remember one winter morning sitting at my kitchen table with construction paper, glitter glue and colored pencils, my mother prepared the materials and sat me down to write thank you notes for holiday gifts. I don't remember exactly how old I was but I remember being miffed that I wasn't out playing in the snow. My mother explained the importance of thanking people for their generosity, when I continued to protest she handed me a blunky Sony portable phone and dialed Marmee.
My Marmee was born in 1919 and so spend her childhood living through The Great Depression. Her family was fairly well off but she watched others struggle and people who had little to give go out of there way for others.

If you are wondering, I sat down and wrote my thank you notes that day and many days since. In my professional life I encourage my clients to write a personal note for every gift they receive and I do the same when I am responsible for stewarding the gift.

I worked for a wonderful man early in career who, second to Marmee, had the greatest impact on affirming the value of thanks. In the competitive world of small nonprofits, taking a moment to acknowledge the people who make your organization run matters, it sets you apart. You don't need to shower donors or volunteers with lavish gifts, in fact many prefer you spend the money on your programs and avoid such things, but ALWAYS remember to say thank you.

Three rules I live by when it comes to gestures of appreciation

Be Timely.
If you attended a event or dinner, write a note or call the next day.
For gifts and donations you have a week or two window.

Respond Appropriately.
Different acts require different kinds of thanks. A holiday gift can be acknowledged with a nice card while being a house guest for a weekend might warrant a small gift. In business a $25 donation can be acknowledged graciously with a simple note to the donor while a $5,000 gift may call for a personal call, sending photos from a program or offering a personal visit.

Make it Personal. A generic thank you is not much better then no thank you at all.

*Note what I am about to suggest would not be sanctioned by my Marmee, who at 92, believes the internet is entirely useless and turning all of us into unrefined, ungracious drones.*

Personal doesn't mean time consuming. Talking with colleagues, clients and friends people often sight a lack of time as the reason they don't get around to saying thank you. While my Marmee believes you make time to write (and by write I mean pen out, not type) a thoughtful, personal note each time you wish to thank someone, I believe in using technology to make sure get our thank yous in.

Confession. I have texted several thank yous, in the case of an impromptu dinner with friends or after a rewarding meeting with a colleague. Texting is certainly not my preferred method of saying thanks but in a pitch, it lets people know you are thinking about them.

The semi-antiquated phone call. I actually do this quite often. It's really rare that someone calls me just to say thanks for something, when it happens it feels really special so I try to pass on the good will.

Paperless Post. Check out this site. I am not a big fan of email thank yous, I get hundreds of emails a day but the delivery of this e-greeting is top notch.

The Handwritten Note. It is still unrivaled. As a result of the barrage of email I get to four different email addresses daily, there is something warm and nostalgic about going to my post office box and finding a hand written card inside. Yup, they take a little longer then the options above but it's worth it. Here a few tips to make it easier...

Keep a supply of cards and stationary on hand.

Buy stamps. (Fun stamps, not the boring generic forever stamps)

Find a pen you love. (Sounds silly but writing with a crappy pen is well....)