Last night, I was on edge.
A year ago, in the United Way campaign planning at our workplace, I suggested that do to changing structures that we grow leaders. I made a proposal to the committee and defended it, that we should hve a special prize for first-time leadership offerings, and that we should also have a leaders breakfast. Now, I had some push back, but, was able to persuade them, and we grew our leaders by 25%. Not bad, when leadership givers have been reitirng, and no new ones coming in.
The leadershp breakfast I really wanted as a kickoff for this years campaign, again with push back, but I persisted that we would wait.
I scooted out locales for breakfast (surprisingly hard to find, and I really wanted to go somewhere ice. I eneded up opting for my favourite funky coffee shop as long as everyone could climb stirs.
Over the last month and a half, I had tried to find dates that the executive leaders could make for a breakfast I did a survey to see if people were interested, and wrote some persuasive emails.
Yet, as of last night, I had a dreaded feeling. Our campaign leader wouldnt' be able to make it. I only had two executive accepted, adn thre givers, others were tentative, hadn't responded or just declined.
I had also had a skip with the coffee place.....and though it should be simple, I was trying not to picture worst case scenario.
1. Two or three people would show up
2. Th e locale would be a wash
3. people would sit like bumps on a log
Well, i am thrilled to say that I left th breakfast this morning thorougly pumped.
There were 7 leaders, plus 2 executive, and wow, the passion of those folks.
We hung out and chatted as people got their coffee, then, moved to meeting space. I laid the cards on the table, that the United Way is looking at serious decline in our workforce.
a) our leadership givers are retiring
b) we have primarily contractors in teh workforce (as compared to employees), so payroll deductions does not work the same way
c we have a large number of new canadians with no experience of united way
d) we are matrix reported, so harder to do a leader who can speak to all of the Canadians.
Well, they listened and responded. The ideas, and the workign through them, with clear practical implications.
At 815 I had them sit down to the table, by 8:25 they were in serious problem solving mode, by 8:50 I was giving them the 10min until we are done, and they just kept going. Pastries & fruit were brought in, and they decided they didn't need breakfast the treats were fine. They kept going. At 9, I told them again, and at 9:10, I shared that I was pretty sure some of them had to go, adn that we should honour the time and wrap up.
Anyhow, from dread and a sleepless night, as I pondered ways to work through the various scenarios and how to engage a small group, to great ideas.
What was awesome, is that they are all passionate about the United Way, (as I suspected), and they thanked me for bringing them together to help troubleshoot this one.
** feeling really happy tonight.
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