Boldyn Networks’ Post

network is important

I admire Catherine Furness for creating my community’s third place. When I moved into my current neighbourhood back in 2018, I threw myself into community building through our residents association. I took on a leadership role, organizing clean-ups, garden tours, summer parties, and community meetings. Fast forward to 2024, I am now a dad to an incredible toddler. Every day, he wants to go to the playground up the street to ride the slide and see his toddler buddies. Despite living here for years, it was only recently that I became curious about the park's name and its origins. I discovered that the park exists because Catherine Furness donated her home and land to the city of Halifax in perpetuity. She didn't leave it to family, sell it, or rent it out; she donated it to enhance the quality of life for her community for generations to come. What a hero. Because of this park, I know dozens of neighbors and their kids. We invite each other to barbecues and birthday parties. Our lives are insurmountably richer because of her generosity. A third place is a space outside of home or office where you see familiar faces repeatedly. This consistent familiarity breeds deeper bonds and relationships. As we build LAUFT, we think about the concept of the third space and what it means for people. How can we make people feel more welcome? How can we break down barriers? How do we help people connect? Catherine Furness is a huge inspiration to me and continues to influence my work in creating a new kind of third place for people with the freedom to work from anywhere. #MakeSmartWork #WorkFromAnywhere #DistributedWork #RemoteWork #HybridWork #RTO #Community #ThirdPlace

Empower Our Community: Join Our Quest for a Permanent Home 🏠✨   In a world where the essence of community is more vital than ever, our journey seeks a pivotal turn—a physical location to call our own, to breathe life into our mission, and to uphold the unique principles that define us. Our dedication stems from a place of deep personal commitment to the success of the Brandon Michael Jeanpierre Corporation, a beacon of hope, resilience, and unwavering determination under the banner of The Black Flag.   With roots firmly planted in the values of autonomy, charity, education, and scientific pursuit, our organization is at a critical juncture. Our deliverables, aimed at revitalizing urban spaces to address homelessness and economic stagnation, hinge on our ability to secure a building. This is not just a structure but a sanctuary for innovation, learning, and community upliftment.   Our commitment is encapsulated in the Building Futures Initiative: a comprehensive plan designed to transform vacant buildings into vibrant community hubs. These spaces will not only provide shelter and essential resources but also foster economic growth and educational opportunities. Our approach is deeply entwined with the principles of equity, inclusivity, and the right to express and pursue one's passions freely and safely.   However, our vision faces a formidable challenge: funding. At present, our resources are stretched thin, making the acquisition of a lease a significant hurdle. Yet, we remain optimistic, ready to seek funding avenues that align with our cause, all while advocating for the principles enshrined in our dogma and the separation of church and state. This endeavor is not just about securing a location; it's about making a lasting impact on our community and ensuring our operations are firmly rooted in legal and ethical grounds.   We urge you to visit our website, delve into the essence of our mission, and consider how you can contribute to a movement that is poised to redefine community engagement and support. Together, we can create a space that not only meets the immediate needs of those we serve but also lays the groundwork for a future where every individual has the opportunity to thrive.   Your Support Can Spark a Revolution of Hope and Healing. Join Us in Making History.   #TheBlackFlag #CommunityHub #NonProfit #Empowerment #SocialChange

So this is happening this evening: https://lnkd.in/gBHizA7J It’s a “Dances with the Stars” format fund-raiser to eradicate homelessness in Seattle. I’m going to post about this on two levels. Let’s start with the principle. Seattle is a city of immense wealth. A veritable Gold Rush Town, both literally and figuratively. The most recent gold rush here has been technology, but it’s never been episodic. There’s something about this place that offers opportunity, and helps one attain goals they never felt were open to them. I’m a fortunate recipient of such opportunity. Through the support, generosity, and love of my closest friends, my partners, my family, and those I serve, I’m blessed to have gotten to places I never thought possible. And yet, people get left behind. The very things that drive equity one day stand to block it thereafter. Take housing in Seattle. As opportunity peaks, rising prices, increasing density, and an infrastructure that was not meant to support this level of growth has left our vulnerable behind. And it continues to get worse. In a place that is home to Microsoft, Starbucks, Amazon, Boeing, Costco - how is it possible that we have those who lack safety, belonging, and above all, are forced to compromise their dignity? Education, Community, and Purpose are three pillars of equity, and helping those without a roof over their heads find safety and community is Plymouth Housing’s mission. (That’s my interpretation, not theirs so if I offended anyone with my lack of polish in wordsmithing, it’s on me.) This event is a fund-raiser that many of my friends and several of the companies I mentioned support. And it’s to give back to the community. To help level the playing field for those less fortunate. And yes, it’s also to bring us all together to celebrate our being in the fortunate position to be able to contemplate helping others. And kudos to those who have donated their time and resources in making it possible. Now on to the second level. I’m participating as a performer in this event. Bollywood dancing. Nope, I’ve never done it before, and my Hindi is atrocious. To say I am terrified doesn’t do it justice. I was severely mocked growing up as a kid for my absolutely terrible lack of coordination, including in dance (I know, “boo-hoo for the bullied kid”, right - but even old wounds are painful at the time). Much of this was also because I lost my community in 8th grade when we moved between countries. So let me be clear: I am not a technically sound dancer. I lack coordination, awareness, and grace. But I’ve got rhythm and spirit, and I’m coachable and work really hard. So I’m going to put it out there. Tune into this livestream tonight at 7pm Pacific to see whether Eshita Jayaswal has been able to turn me into a performer who can help his community by leaping out of his comfort zone (and dropping some baggage along the way). Thanks all for reading. And let’s see where this goes.

Really enjoyed this conversation with the inspirational Lesley Dixon from PSS UK. We took a deep dive into the art and science of commissioning and how often this becomes totally fixated on inputs and outputs, rather than outcomes. This constrains the relationship and flexibility that a commissioner and provider can have when they should be working together to solve really complex and ever-changing problems. This links to the need to focus more on prevention in order to stave off crisis responses later, which obviously leads to reduced cost to the system over time and also much better outcomes for people. This is an area that we're certainly giving a lot of thought to at Mutual Ventures and the previous podcast conversation with Rob Whiteman CBE got into some of the detail of how spending could/should be accounted for within public services. The current “accounting conventions” do not make it very easy to treat prevention spending as investment for the future. We also discussed the social value element of public service contracts. This is a key part of pretty much all public service public sector tenders and people are taking advantage of it. There are often a lot of tender points allocated to it and some companies are saying that they will deliver much more than is possible in order to score highly. It often makes the difference between winning and losing a tender and it is not monitored with anywhere near the same rigour as the core contract deliverables. Some really good social enterprise and charities that deliver a huge amount of actual social value are losing tenders because they're being honest. So a shout out to commissioners that if a social value response in a tender looks too good to be true then it probably is and it should be challenged.

Wrigcoll, a dedicated organization committed to uplifting urban communities in Boston, has faced significant challenges due to systemic racism and institutional prejudice. Despite its unwavering commitment to supporting local neighborhoods by providing essential resources and services, Wrigcoll has been "blacklisted" by larger entities such as the Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB) and others. This exclusion is particularly painful given Wrigcoll's longstanding connection and collaboration with these organizations, including Donald’s ex-employer, Food For Free. The sting of racism has not only marginalized Wrigcoll but has also highlighted how powerful institutions can undermine smaller, grassroots efforts striving to make a difference. This unjust treatment underscores the broader issue of how larger organizations can run over the "little guys," stifling their ability to contribute positively to their communities. Wrigcoll's struggle is a poignant reminder of the pervasive barriers faced by minority-led initiatives in the nonprofit sector. #FoodBankPartners #CorporateResponsibility #CommunityPartners #HungerActionMonth #HungerActionDay #WomenFightingHunger #StrikeOutHunger #DonateToday #Charity #GiveHope #SupportNonprofits #Fundraiser #Volunteer #GiveBack #DoGood #MakeADifference #CommunityService #SupportLocal #CommunityFirst #LocalFoodBank #BostonCares #MassachusettsStrong @gr8BosFoodBank @FeedingAmerica #feedingamerica #HungerActionMonth #EndingHungerHere #EndRacism #hashtagBlackLinkedin #RacialJustice #EqualityForAll #StopRacism #JusticeForBernadette #SupportOurLeaders #FightDiscrimination #BlackLivesMatter #StandAgainstRacism #EqualRights #EndRacism #RacialJusticeNow #BlackInTheIvory #RacialEquity #AmplifyMelanatedVoices  #DigitalMarketing #MondayMotivation #EURO2024 #AddressHealthDisparities  #BlackHealthMatters #EndSystemicRacism #BlackHeritage  #Div #FoodForFree #Freeman #GBFB #BlackLivesMatter #Div #FoodForFree #Freeman #GBFB #boston #bostonevents #Dudley Square  #Nubian Square #TremontCrossing #NewBostonFund #hate #officerBrian #Foodfor the poor #Sad #people #Profiteers #Friends #Government #Hands #Donatedfoods #Cambridge #Robbers #Surburbs #Newton #Brookline #NewEngland

Dreading your next call time session? ☎ Dialing for dollars shouldn’t be a terrible experience. Here are 5 tips to help you go from despaired to prepared! See link below or go to bit.ly/evinco-blog. https://lnkd.in/g-dNbKbF #politics #fundraising #anxiety #campaign

So my question is simple on this Monday morning at 7:34am, (these are the things that keep me up at night), why haven't we done more to empower the good samaritans of our world to be great samaritans or more importantly EFFICIENT samaritans? Saddled with the technology that are two cycles too old, with staff that are paid like we're in the early 2000's, with retread solutions that worked for business but were never built for the nonprofit sector. I've spent the last few months promoting our new technology, meeting A LOT of new people, and perhaps most importantly learning a lot in the process. I've heard about a lot of organizations and people doing really cool things (seriously check out the people I've tagged below and what they are doing, it's amazing, reach out and say hi to them or follow them). There is so much innovation and creativity and maybe more importantly HEART in the work that all of these people are doing right now. Our sector continues to try to answer the most difficult questions that exist in our society, the ones that are created by fundamental and structural gaps. That have no simple solutions. That affects the lives and days of the people that are touched by them. So let's change the paradigm, try to remember to spend a few minutes this week thinking about how you can be more innovative administratively for your nonprofit team. Think about new solutions to the things we've done the same way for decades. Let's not just be innovative about how we feed the hungry, house those in need, and lift each other up; let's be innovative in the ways we maximize the $2.5 TRILLION spent every year, trying to empower those who do. A special shout out to Association of Fundraising Professionals - Greater Los Angeles Chapter (AFP-GLAC), Lisa Z G., Hannah B., Don Baker, Amy McCracken, Sedale Turbovsky, Lauren Agnello, Alyssa Hopf, Cassandra Miranda, Noel Martin Rubio, Jennifer Li Dotson, MSc 李麗玲, Brian L., Charles F. "C.F." Callihan II, MA, Samantha Argosino, Teresa C., Venu Thirumala, Eddie Allen, Hassina Sherjan, Karen Galvan, and many many more that I've spoken with recently.

#Success takes on a profound meaning when it extends beyond personal accomplishments and involves #givingback to the community, lifting others up, and creating a positive #impact. Individual effort can only take you so far, and such, the true essence of success lies in collective efforts that contribute to the well-being and growth of others. Over the course of December, our dedicated team of volunteers embarked on Community Nights at Victory Family Centre. The impact was remarkable, with more than 450 new connections established in just the past two days. This outreach extended from engaging with children to the elderly, fostering relationships that bridged generations and brought together diverse members of our local community with support of our MPs. In the weeks ahead, our commitment goes beyond local boundaries as we aim to extend the spirit of giving to greater communities, including migrant workers who often stand as unsung heroes in our society. The Community Nights were not just about charitable deeds but also about creating memorable experiences. Free food and drinks provided a foundation for building connections, while activities such as carolling, face painting, and hourly light shows added a layer of joy and festivity. Our community came together to bask in the spirit of Christmas, fostering a sense of unity and shared happiness. As I round off anchoring the first two of five days of Community Nights this December, it is an affirmation that: • Collaboration is the key to create impact, • A team of people smarter and better than you will drive victory when obstacles strike, and • Success is not only achieved but also #shared. If you’re interested in checking it out for yourselves in any of our six locations or partnering with us in future runs, you can visit https://vfc.org/christmas/. Video by me.

Want to see how my Marsh McLennan Agency colleagues are making a difference in the community? Check out the latest Community Impact Report to learn about some of the ways my colleagues made a positive impact in 2023. I honored to be spotlighted, amplified, and included in the report. #Volunteerism #CommunityOutreach