Who shows up?

I wrote a post recently titled ‘Just show up’. It references Woody Allen, success and showing up.
And, today, who shows up? No, not Woody Allen, but a guy named Forrest. Close enough to WOODy for me.
He’s a very good listener for starts. And he brings a particular ear, as well. His background is in advertising and marketing, ministry, public relations, non-profit foundations and, while he might not have actually been a bartender, he was a manager at a bar and grill. Again – close enough.

We had a good long ride to Butler and I might have talked the whole way. Really a little different for me. I told him later that, if we meet again, I will try my best to let him get a couple words in.
What I wanted to check out with him is his take on the viability of my GoodWork mini-thanks cards as a potential conversation starter to be deployed by non-prof teams and their fanatic groupies whenever and wherever they go.

Of course, non-profits are always fixed on the budget, but … how else does one create opportunities to start warm conversations, or, failing the actual conversation, leaving the impression of warmth tied to the core mission?

The organization trains and models behaviors and supplies their staff, volunteers, philanthropists, groupies and newbies with varieties of tools with which to further their core mission.
The training on this new tool is to be kind. Simply that. Show up. Say thank you. Be the change. Be grateful.

Minds are not changed nor hearts swayed all at once. You personally might not make any converts – ever. Be kind. Know that it’s all working together.

So, if your mission is to save whales you start by recognizing someone.  Anyone. Strangers are perfect practice partners. Hand them the Thank You card. They will smile. They will turn it over. They will read Save the Whales.

Given everything that’s going on in that moment they may or may not ask you about it. And, in that moment, you may or may not have time for a discussion.
All of that is okay. A warm and personal step has been taken. They will wonder if all the whale people are so friendly.

I made an offer to Forrest to make some cards for his organization at no cost to them – except that I would like them to put a few people in a room, possibly demo a first training, lead a Lunch-and-Learn, and/or track and use the results in my own marketing. I am still learning. Thank the heavens.

No. This isn’t for everyone. For 80% of your people this will just seem like more work. But sometimes all we’re looking for is an uptick of a percent or two. Find your biggest fans and supply them with tools they can play with.
I’d like to make a similar offer to you, dear reader. Let’s make a test. Raise your organization up and see what happens.

Contact David at goodworkcards <at> gmail.com