Season of Purpose

Hello everyone,

I hope you are enjoying a beautiful fall!  Here in the Midwest we have had mostly lovely weather and a gorgeous display of foliage.  You may know that I have been away from JDLA work for several months on maternity leave. Our family welcomed our second son this summer, Daniel Ryan Scherer, and we are all doing well.  I’m happy to slowly be getting my feet wet again as I return from maternity leave.  However, for most of you, this time of year you are gearing up for a lot of hustle and bustle with cultivation, appeals, and special events before the end of the year.  In the midst of all the activity, let us not forget the why behind our work.  This is a season to deepen relationships, to cultivate those who care about you further, and invite them to invest in your cause in meaningful ways.  It’s much more than just checking the to-do’s off the list.  Operating from a place of purpose and meaning gives a different feel to the activities you are carrying out, and your donors will definitely notice. Below is an article that highlights this really well - what does happen when you show love and loyalty to a donor? It’s worth a minute or two of your time to reflect on how you are approaching your development work in the midst of this busy harvest season.

I hope you have a wonderful November, I’m thankful for the work you are doing to create change in the world.

Thanks,

Mandy