Folly #78: Creating Community (III)

Part 3: Creating professional space to ask, connect and learn.

The holidays are funny. It’s a time we celebrate with friends and family. And it’s also a time most of us dread at some level. It’s gotten me on a community kick, because everything is easier with a community of support.

So here’s Part 3. (Click here to catch up on Part 1 and Part 2.)

Asking

It’s not so easy to ask.

Beyond difficult grant proposals, human nature makes it hard to ask.

Navigating knowledge power dynamics between haves and have-nots.

Articulating what I lack can look like weakness.

Being vulnerable in admitting that maybe I don’t quite “got” this.

But there’s something magical that happens when we ask.

People give.

I guess we fundraisers live by, “if you don’t ask, you don’t get.” But asking for someone else is always easier than asking for ourselves.

Asking Together

As you may know, I serve on the board of a professional network for fundraisers called Development Executives Roundtable. At a recent board retreat we asked, what if we hosted an actual Roundtable? Then, together, we envisioned how that might look for nonprofit fundraisers.

We weren’t quite sure how to do it, but our priorities were:

Create connection. Make it easy to share work-related challenges and successes.

Reduce barriers to participation. There was no fee, no RSVP required, and any member could join the one-hour gathering by Zoom.

Increase inclusiveness. We hoped that fundraisers new and old, working in all issues, and representing many cultures, values and beliefs would feel welcome.

Test the waters. In the end, we decided to put it out there and see who joined in. After all, we wouldn’t know whether people would like it until we did it.

The first roundtable was in November. Those who attended represented a broad spectrum of the nonprofit sector (environment, libraries, homelessness, LGBTQ+, mental health, consulting, tech). Topics that emerged ranged from general donor engagement, donor visits, hosting events, year-end giving, crafting messaging, the current funding climate, and donor scams. A bit random, unexpected and fun. We could each relate to something discussed.

Engaged, honest conversation happened because participants freely shared their questions and best practices – and heartfelt support for one another.

This somewhat random community, connected in a not-too-big group by our shared profession of fundraising, magically made space for people to feel comfortable asking questions.

I don’t think any of us had an expectation of how it had to look.

And it worked beautifully.

The overwhelming response was positive, with participants noting they were looking forward to the next Roundtable – it’s next Thursday, December 19, at 10am PT. Join DER and you’ll automatically receive an invitation with Zoom details.

Or message me for more info. (Or for encouragement to move some other community out of your mind and into the universe.)

Creating Space to Speak

There was no planned program. We invited people to share and get feedback on whatever was feeling difficult in their fundraising work. Many asked for advice. Everyone seemed to contribute. All were honest and respectful.

And here’s what showed up in the chat:

I love this!!!!!

This has been so great. Looking forward to the next one!

Good to see you, everyone. Fun and interesting discussion. Thanks for your input.

This is just wonderful!

Thanks everyone!

Thanks for coordinating.

Creating spontaneous community can be so easy, yet deeply affirming. Let’s do more of it and just see who shows up.