It started because of an angry message.
We had wanted to thank our most generous supporters for their gifts to our fundraising campaign. To give them a token of our appreciation that demonstrated everything that their generosity had enabled us to do. And so we created a small hardcover book that featured stories and photos of all they helped us accomplish – a new play program, a refurbished theatre, new rehearsal halls. And we personally wrote a note of thanks in each book, letting the donor know how grateful we were for their gift. Truly, it was a lovely gift.
At the time, I wondered how our donors would feel receiving it. Would it meaningfully communicate our gratitude? Or would it be seen as just another tchotchke, collecting dust on a shelf? When a donor makes a significant contribution, a letter of thanks or an invitation to an event doesn’t seem like enough. Something more lasting, that can be looked back on for years to come, might speak to the depth of our appreciation.
So my heart sank when I listened to her message. She had received our book and letter of thanks in the mail, and while she appreciated the sentiment, she was outraged by what she perceived as waste. In a world that is facing an existential crisis, why on Earth would we create more “stuff” that is just destined for the landfill? Ouch.
I couldn’t disagree with her. And so I called to apologize. Even though we had long ago adopted green practices in our daily course of business, she reminded me that we need to be mindful in every interaction that we have. And so it got me thinking about the changes I could be making, not just at the office, but in my every day life. The big things, and the small things. Because they all mattered.
This blog is a place for my musings. Maybe they’ll inspire you to think creatively how to live a little differently, a little lighter on our Earth. And I hope to glean best practices from you. Together, maybe we can leave this planet a bit better than we found it.
