Our board has spent the summer meeting every week (yes, that's every single week!) By their own decision, they looked at what we needed to get organized before we could even start our work and realized that it would take a period of continuous regular meetings to put the foundational elements into place so that we could begin the work we all came together to accomplish. The result - meetings every week. Each week we've tackled a different subject: organizational structure, fundraising, financial structure, branding and projects. From these meetings, we've built a strategic plan. We meet this coming Thursday to approve our plan and then we're off and running. It's been a busy summer and it's given all of us a chance to really get to know each other, appreciate differing opinions and approaches and laugh. There's been a lot of laughter. There's no better proof that you've got a great group, then when you hear them give each other a hard time, laugh a lot and then buckle down to business.
When you are in the middle of hard work, you forget what it's taken to accomplish all that has been done. You forget because you are so busy working, and because although most of us dread the idea of hard work, when it's done with others you like and respect, it's actually a lot of fun!
I was taken aback when a good friend (and experienced strategic planning consultant) was very impressed with the work that we'd done over the summer. Her "wow" made me sit back and realize that while the summer has flown by with enjoyable, laughter filled meetings, we've also accomplished a great deal! What likely would have taken 7 months, has now been finished in 2! We're hitting September with a plan and ready to go. More importantly, that condensed 7 months worth of work has built friendships, and a work ethic that will significantly help all work we do in the future.
I am humbled and excited by this amazing board of very bright individuals. Each brings their own area of expertise and passions and, as a whole, they will move our city to amazing places!
I can't wait to watch!
