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I made it home after posting my last blog and by the way, I did not misbehave, not even once.
I’m lucky to have spent the last four days in Anchorage, sleeping in my bed. Even though two of those days had snow, it was good to be on the ground. Later tonight I leave again for the lower 48 to speak at a couple of conferences.
Since returning on April 1, I have worked with HeartReach a Valley nonprofit that receives support from the MatSu Health Foundation to build its capacity, finished reports for other projects, and dealt with a “crisis” for an anonymous organization – a pretty typical week when I am able to stay in my office. Since I returned from my winter break on January 13, I have not been in the office for many days – less than 10.
However, today was better than normal. I was asked to speak to the Young Lawyers Group of the Bar. It always makes me feel good to be around bright, engaged young leaders, and this group was brimming with folks meeting that description. I presented my usual overview of Foraker and encouraged them to consider joining a board, since we need younger people on most boards.
The “smidgen” of insight today was that many of these leaders were not only interested in getting on boards, many expressed a desire to work professionally in the sector. I was fortunate to have fallen into a nonprofit career. Back when I started, the sector seemed to be a place for die-hard do-gooders willing to work for nothing. I think we’re approaching a new day when the next generations may see nonprofit service not only as a way of doing good, but a way to actually make a decent living wage. That is progress.
For those other old timers reading this blog, let’s celebrate that our boards and communities have finally begun not only to value our good works, but most are beginning to pay a living wage.
Dennis