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Guiding Vision I have been developing websites and blogs since 2000. My company Step by Step Fundraising provides information for nonprofits to help them get their causes funded. Guiding Vision is my personal blog where I can share about my favorite causes -- like equal opportunity in the workplace, access to healthcare and preventing childhood hunger -- and my perspectives on entrepreneurship and success.

16 January 2009 ~ 2 Comments

Artist of Iconic Obama Poster also Imagines Inauguration

Inauguration poster ObamaShepard Fairey is the artist behind the iconic Obama “Hope” poster in blue/red as well as variations thereof.  A version was on the cover of TIME magazine and now he’s released a special poster for the inauguration.

I caught an interview with Shepard recently on The Colbert Report.  He also talked about one of his earlier projects called OBEY.  Here’s how he described it:

OBEYMy concept with this was that people actually follow the path of least resistance and frequently are not actually happy with thier lives. But if they are confronted with the idea of having to make the choice to whether obey or disobey,

I think frequently they will at least have an inner dialogue and maybe make a choice to do things the way they think they should be done, rather than the way they are being told to do them.

From an interview on The Colbert Report, January 15, 2009

The idea of thinking and critiquing ourselves and society is a continuing process.  It doesn’t stop when you reach a milestone birthday or when something in particular happens.  We must reevaluate again and again. Same is true with society.  Critique, thinking and questioning must continue into Obama’s presidency.  No matter who is in office in this country, or any other, keeping them accountable and doing what we can to make change, are key.

09 January 2009 ~ 0 Comments

Okay I’ll exercise already

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As I was just saying…

Be happy. Start your day with exercise

09 January 2009 ~ 0 Comments

New Years Resolutions, Just Say No

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My comments on Marilyn’s post When Projects Collide are the closest thing I have come to new years resolutions this year:

One of the things that I did drop off completely in the last few months was working out and yoga. Thinking I didn’t have time for it. Wrong. Even if I’m not training for an event regular workouts are great for combating stress. It helps clear the mind and restore the body. So these are activities that have to start being a priority again.

To combat overwhelm I also need to learn to use these two words more often: NO and HELP! Just saying no from the get-go if I cannot commit fully to a project. Then being able to ask for help from other people more often.

This week I did well on eating healthy, but didn’t get any exercise in.  Raking the leaves this afternoon was as close as I’ve come. There are two gyms in town that I would like to check out.  At one I know the yoga teacher so that will be a good de-stressing activity.

I have already resigned from a committee that I’ve been on for a few years.  It will be good to take a break.  I’m also working with several colleagues to plan ways that we can work together on some projects.  Saying “help” when it’s needed is not just a sanity saver. As I experienced with the recent release of the book I co-authored with Sandy Rees, the finished product can be even better than originally imagined by working with other talented people.

06 January 2009 ~ 0 Comments

Minnesota finally has a new senator

Quote of the day via Twitter:

Franken defeated Sen. Coleman in MN. Somewhere in the US, a suicide hotline volunteer is trying to talk Bill O’Reilly down from a ledge. :)

Dennis Metzcher, @dmetzcher

24 December 2008 ~ 0 Comments

2009, A Year in Review

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Me and Troy on VacationJust like many people this time of year I’ve been quite busy.  So I haven’t found much time to post to this blog since last month.  So to make up for it, I thought I’d post a year in review.

Here are a few professional and personal highlights from 2009…

  1. Hired Jim Berigan as editor and feature writer for Top School Fundraisers blog, January
  2. Reflected on Fundraising & Philanthropy Trends Around the World, February
  3. Published the Fundraising Myths Series, April
  4. Got included in Alltop.com, April
  5. Participated in Wichita County Democratic Convention, March 29
  6. Step by Step Fundraising featured in USA Weekend, April 27
  7. Completed a certification course in Nonprofit Management, May
  8. Started a new blog, Cause Blogger, registered the domain last year, finally started posting in May
  9. Attended BPW/TX State convention with friends from Wichita Falls BPW
  10. Said goodbye to our good friend Mr. Kitty, June
  11. Trip to Montreal to visit eFundraising, July 7-9
  12. Hired several freelancers to write for the Charity Mile Blog, August (who are still doing an amazing job!)
  13. Collected 20 Free Grant Writing Resources for Non-Profits, August 13
  14. Vacation in Colorado Springs, August 16-21
  15. Moved into a new office, September 1
  16. Presented Online Fundraising session at Dallas Fundraising Conference, October 29
  17. Announced a grant sponsored by Top School Fundraisers, September 19
  18. Enjoyed keynotes, expo and sessions and met cool people at Blog World in Las Vegas, September 19-22
  19. Celebrated the election: Quotes from Barack Obama’s Speech and 33 Links to Wrap Up Election Season
  20. Step by Step Fundraising listed in Top 10 Fundraising Blogs, November
  21. Published a new book, the 7 Essential Steps to Raising Money by Mail with Sandy Rees, December 4
  22. Hosted a teleseminar Fundraising Teleseminar with Sandy and Marc, December 10
  23. Loved (almost) every minute of Doctor Who Series 4; anxiously awaiting Christmas special
  24. At some point registered and got active on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter
  25. Now celebrating Christmas with friends and family. Christmas door ringers, Acts of Kindness and Oprah

What a busy year it has been!