Winning in Losing

The results are in -  Lawn Life and Tim Arnold heads to Washington D.C. for the National Jefferson Award ceremony.  Thursday's Cincinnati Rotary celebration and announcement of the three finalists - Lawn Life,  Sweet Cheeks Diaper Bank, and SVP Cincinnati from the 39 applications was quite an honor.  Ironically both Lawn Life and Sweet Cheeks were winners in SVP Cincinnati's Fast Pitch Contest (2015 and 2018 respectively).   Lawn Life was also selected in our three year investee programs (see Passionate Tie Breaker - Nov. 2013) and SVP Cincinnati sent Lawn Life to Austin Texas for the SVP International Fast Pitch Competition (see Pitching Joy in Giving - Sept. 2015).

So - for SVP Cincinnati and me personally - it was Winning in Losing :)

Thanks to Glenn Bitzenhofer (SVP Partner), and Lauren LaCerda Merten (SVP Cincinnati Executive Director) for their kind words about me in the Channel 12 video.  Now as a competitor, I hate to Lose (even with the Win Win comment above) and especially when SVP Cincinnati was in the race.  But when I reflect on our purpose -  Invest Differently.   What better outcome than to see one of our Investee Non-Profit not only show sustainability - but excellence in growth and delivery to their mission.

Congratulations to Tim - Hard Work Counts!   Thanks to Cincinnati Rotary for recognizing the Non-Profits in Cincinnati.

Thinking More or Less

Headed back from the SVP Cincinnati All Partner meeting, J.R. and I started discussion the challenge of individuals with chronic pain, illness or conditions - Back/Shoulder/Knees and Joints; Diabetes, Crohn's, Parkinson's, etc.  Only when the reality of these conditions hit you personally - as the individual coping with the condition;  a care-giver living this condition with you;  or a family/friend who sees the condition through the lens of the person affected - do you really understand the daily life challenges and the long term implications the individual faces.

J.R. (one of the most humble people I know and someone who has a chronic condition) had a great response to my own "enlightenment":

"It's not a big deal....  but it is".

How true!  Individuals that persevere; draw the least attention to their condition; live life to the fullest with whatever handicap they have been dealt; demonstrate the ultimate humility.

 It is that very courage that cries out in humility -  "It's not a big deal.

Yet - for those of us close enough to see the adversity they face and deal with - "It is a big deal"!

It's only when you think less about yourself - that others think about you more!

FUN in Funding

Just got back from Family Nurturing Center a Social Venture Partner Investee from 2013 to 2015 and still an Investee that the Partners feel connected to in many ways (in fact P.G. is now the Board Chairperson).  Today's purpose was to highlight what SVP Cincinnati does combined with showing a team that I worked hands on helping in their infrastructure.  Channel 12 was compiling a short video for Cincinnati Rotary in their selection for the Jefferson Award.

It is an honor for me and SVP Cincinnati to be named as one of three finalists this year.  Only through serendipitous discovery, did I come to realize that the other two finalists are connected to SVP Cincinnati through our Investee Investment and Fastpitch programs.  Wow - what a bonus -  everyone is a winner!

SVP Cincinnati "Invests Differently"  - and since June 2007 our 60 partners (and 40 Alumni) have helped over 100 Non-Profits in Cincinnati giving over $1.5Million in our time, talent and treasure. 

Our grant money is unrestricted; our coaching is strategic; our time is focused on critical non-profit back office needs freeing the non-profit's time for programs.  The organizations we touch become sustainable, efficient, strategic and better in their delivery of good to the community. 

One of the most important word for a non-profit is funding.  So how do you put FUN into the word funding?   That is the mystery of philanthropy - "The mystical mingling of the Joyful Giver, the Grateful Recipient and..... the Artful Asker".   Giving is serious business - deciding how to steward and avoid CAREless gifts. The real gift is the opportunity to serve - it takes two.  Giving was never meant to be a individual sport and joy multiplies exponentially with a team.  

Discover your return on life - join with others in giving.

Guns vs Drugs

A.S. (one of my SVP Cincinnati Partners) sent me a link to Great Courses lecture on the Opioid Epidemic with University of Michigan Professor Thad Polk.

What is the single most common cause of death for people under age 50 in the USA?  Not car accidents; not aids, not gun related deaths.

Here's the answer:

Source:  Great Courses - Thad Polk Ph.D.

The media attention and national dialogue about the tragic loss of 17 people in a gun related death crisis in a Florida school is a natural reaction to shock and compressed timing/location (at School)  of those who died. Yet the slow -  one by one - deaths by overdose are hidden from our view and slip into obscurity.  This problem is overwhelmingly more important than gun control.  

Yes we lost 17 in less than an hour because of a mentally unstable person with access to a gun.  But what about the loss of 175 people EVERY DAY (7 per hour) by their own addictive condition using the equivalent of a gun inside their brain (that death instrument hidden quite effectively inside schools, medicine cabinets, and economically available for delivery to your door).

Where is our media outrage and national dialogue for the Opioid Epidemic?


PS -  Guns and Drugs by the numbers:

(1)  There are over 310 million guns owned by 37% of USA households.  Pew Research 2/2013
(2) Healthcare providers wrote over 259 million prescriptions for painkillers in 2012 and there are 2.1 million people suffering from Opioid substance abuse and 467,000 addicted to heroin.  CDC and Drugabuse.gov

Lord Over Drugs

It was an "Mighty" Evening with the M5 - Mighty Methodist Men's Movie Ministry.  A last minute organization by leader T.C. resulted in 15 of us watching 15:17 to Paris.   My favorite line (for obvious reasons) - "My GOD is bigger than your statistics".

Naturally, I agree with this statement by the Mom refusing to jump to drugs as any solution to parenting.   The Teacher jumped to the conclusion that the son had Attention Deficit Disorder and suggested medication. A "fix it" with medicine problem solving mentality.  While I understand (especially with my own back pain at times) the real need for drugs and medication, I also believe we are an overdrugged culture and jump to that solution as the easiest way out.

The Wall Street Journal recently reported that more than one quarter of all American children and teens now take prescription drugs on a regular basis, too -- and this percentage is on the rise as well. Many of these children are taking dangerous psychiatric medications like Ritalin and Risperdal for so-called behavioral problems like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Could it be that the early history of drug acceptance for all ailments (and especially to our children) was the seed of our hard drug problems today? 

Now the big news (although it is old news) is about the Opioid and epidemic overdose crisis that is infecting the USA (over 130 deaths per day).   Check out this interactive map from 2009 to 2014 to see it's spread and geographical dispersion at  A Deadly Crisis. 

One of the SVP Cincinnati Fastpitch finalists is Drug Free Club of America  and is trying to change the landscape of this picture by proactively incenting youth to say no to drugs.  

Can Government help with these statistics?   How long has the war on drugs been publically proclaimed?  Nixon used those words in 1971.  Looks like Government is losing the war.

Time for something bigger than statistics.

Belated Christmas Post

Here is the Belated December 2017 Christmas e-Letter:

    Wisner Family   December 2017

C'est a year to be born again, and the Wisner's had many milestones to celebrate - newly weds blessed, a nuptial nest, graduation and new college test, a couple publicly profess, even a semi-empty nest  -  this year vows to be the best.

Ellen (College Test)  - A K-12 Brave graduate, U.C. it was either an Escape, break, or fate that she stayed in town.  No more bakery - babysitting is now serious business - maybe even a degree to pursue.  Leaving Rock was a Bear, no Cat was happy about that choice - a bow wow pair also.  Rowing has a ring to the idea of exercise, but 4am alarms and weekend excursions can bug you (and "sit up" can too).

Jenna and Paul Robinson (Nuptial Nest) - May made marriage more memorable this year with a merger of Robinson with Wisner.  The Wedding consultant (SDW), kept it low cost and a home was MADE. I RAte it a 10.  YOU Can sLIDe over anytime to see the new gas fireplace.  With busy careers in Nursing and Health Insurance, they will greet you with Hello Fresh and use their time for handyman (and handywomen) projects.

Susan and Garen (Publicly Profess) - Now Semi Empty Nesters, they are experiencing new life together.  A big step for Garen turned into #100 Emmaus Walk (17 years late).  Sounds like Susan could relax now but instead she presses on - the new Lay Director for Greater Cincinnati Emmaus in 2018. They continue to focus energy Outback with spiritual power of a backup generator.  New members in two clubs - books and paddles will create activities together.  There was a ginger moment on the cruise that filled the empty nest home sickness with the Mediterranean Sea.  Other options like the trip to Salt Lake City may be future common stock for them both - with bountiful returns.  Susan's avalanche of cards now allows her to talk like the rest of us about the 60's.

Some Very Philanthropic dinners preceded the Social Venture Partner Cincinnati 10 year anniversary celebration.  Even declaring "I'm In" multiple ways, reflects the joy of giving - every bit of coin.   Changing Gears from a Freestyle was a gift in two ways.  Exploring the landscape of servanthood with and through others is our return on life.

However, renewals come with setbacks and attacks in many ways - oneself, friends, family and on the world.  There is safety in only one place and one way.  Christmas lights that way.  Our hope is you follow the star, shine in glory, and rely on God - this day and the next.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

"Don't shine so others can see you ......

              Shine so that through you, others can see HIM."

                                       C.S. Lewis

Friendly Sons of St. Patrick

I was the guest of R.F. at the 149th Annual Banquet of The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick at the Netherland Plaza Hotel on -  of course St. Patrick's Day. 

A black tie event of over 500 men, it was an evening of networking, dining, speeches (Dave Lapham former Bengals offensive lineman was the keynote), and music by the Glee Club of the Society.  What a wonderful tradition to be included in.  The Cincinnati chapter was founded in 1868 and the third oldest in the United States (behind Philadelphia and New York).  Dedicated to the principles of brotherhood, charity and community service, the society is open to Irish as well as non-Irish men of goodwill.  

I guess my 17% Irish www.ancestry.com DNA results was sufficient to allow me to feel connected to the long traditional Irish names in the program (see Mutt or Mutation - July 25, 2014).  Needless to say I didn't mention that it also estimated 44% Great Britain.


It was a table of fun with R.F, M.L., G.N., and two other guys I just met T.M. and M.S.  And of course there were other connections with Vistage B.E. and SVP Cincinnati A.S.  I ended up being the designated driver and good think because the Irish really do know how to drink and be merry!

Board Room Exit

No one got my point when I said the departing Board members for SVP Cincinnati reminded me of the final scene of One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest.  They wanted me to explain - my response (like the intrigue of interpreting the book) was - "watch the movie and decide for yourself".  It is a very complicated book. The movie, with Jack Nicholson, is a 1975 classic, and does a good job of delivering the complexity of the book.

The interesting philosophy I remember most about the book and the movie is trying to determine who is crazy and who is sane?  What is "prison" and what is "freedom"?  Who is in control and who isn't?

In the final scene the Chief (pretending to be deaf and dumb) leaves the Mental Ward and it's up to you to decide, based on the outcomes of all the characters, who is better off.

So what was my point as the three departing Board members left me with yet another term?

Depends on your perspective :)

Giving Counts

At breakfast with fellow Social Venture Partners (Cincinnati) we began discussing philanthropy.  While SVP Cincinnati's public purpose is "to enable our investees to make the Cincinnati region a stronger and more vibrant community", I believe the real purpose is to grow an individual (a Partner) in their giving of time, talent and treasure.

Cincinnati and our giving community is one of the most philanthropic in the United States.  I remember doing the business plan for SVP Cincinnati and discovering the Cincinnati's contributions to the United Way is in the top five cities (at least back in 2007) PER CAPITA.  The Cincinnati chapter of De Tocqueville Society ($10K or more) claims over 900 members and $11M and "one of the largest chapters in the country".

Naturally the skeptic in me wanted to fact check this "marketing claim".  Indeed it is one of the largest .... but naturally it depends on how you count:

- Denver 400 $10M; Chicago 650 $12M; Milwaukee 403 $15.3M; Houston 876 $17M; Dallas; Atlanta (claiming to be the largest) >1000 members;

Even SVP International attempts to count our impact:  "With more than 3500 Partners from Boston to Bangalore, Social Venture Partners is the world’s largest network of engaged donors".  SVP Cincinnati promotes ourselves in "Giving Results" - Partners Give More, Strategically, and are More Involved in their Community. 

So are all these discussions an attempt to show Pride in Giving?  Or to be an examples/witness of the journey of a giver. 

Externally it is impossible to discern.  Internally it is impossible to measure.  Or as a more famous person said:

"Everything that can be counted does not necessarily count; Everything that counts cannot necessarily be counted." Albert Einstein   (see "Counting Feelings 1/11/2011")

ERA - Eternal Retirement Account

While at Scott River Lodge, upon my suggestion to read Ron Blue's book "Splitting Heirs", S.L. suggested I read "Money, Possessions and Eternity" by Randy Alcorn.  Of course, had read Randy Alcorn's book "Heaven" during my early Heaven Board research, so this recommendation was an easy "sell". 

At first glance the book seems daunting - 504 pages, 22 Chapters and additional appendices and 840 Bible Verse references.  But I have found that nudges occur for a reason.  I'm now on Part 2 - "Seeing Money and Possessions in Eternal Light.  As I was preparing today for SVP Cincinnati's Membership Committee meeting some of the coincidences just converged.

S.L had also asked : Why I had chosen SVP Cincinnati to invest my time and treasure vs a faith based activity?   I didn't have a pithy or quick response.  Yet in today's planning, I feel making investments in SVP Cincinnati is building eternal wealth.  As Randy Alcorn puts it - Jesus isn't saying (Matt. 6:19-24) it's wrong to invest.  He's saying, "Don't make a stupid investment, make a smart one". 

That's what SVP Cincinnati is all about - Engaged Giving and Investing Smartly (vs Checkbook Philanthropy).  I will present an idea that came to me to help build the retention,  renewal, and relations of our Partners - SVP Philanthropy Night (Some Very Philanthropic Discussions).  Groups of 3-6 Partners will dine and discuss topics of significance instead of the typical chit chat on meaningless affairs (like our current politics).  With the help of my other Partner's we will create a list of 10-15 questions in Philanthropy to discuss - JIGS (Joy in Giving Scenarios). 

So the to S.L.'s question - SVP Cincinnati  is like making deposits into my ERA (Eternal Retirement Account).  It's just another form of asset allocation with eternal dividends :)

Boston Legal #8

It was my turn to host what has become a fun summer tradition that came about rather spontaneously. It was a GOLDEN SESSION.

There are just times the guys need to convene independently and without female supervision or oversight.  I justified this principal in two ways - first citing Brian Tome's recent book "Five Marks of a Man" and C.S. Lewis's excerpt from "Four Loves".

Long before history began we men have got together apart from the women and done things. We had to.  And to like doing what must be done is a characteristic that has survival value.  We not only had to do the things, we had to talk about them.  We had to  plan the hunt and the battle.  When they were over we had to hold a post mortem and draw conclusions for future use.  We liked this even better.  We ridiculed or punished the cowards and bunglers, we praised the star-performers.  We reveled in technicalities.  In fact, we talked shop.  We enjoyed one another's society greatly: we Braves, we hunters, all bound together by shared skill, shared dangers and hardships, esoteric jokes ---away from the women and children.

What were the women doing meanwhile?  How should I know?  I am a man and never spied on the mysteries of the Bona Dea.  They certainly often had rituals from which men were excluded. ......

This pleasure in co-operation, in talking shop, in mutual respect and understanding of men who daily see one another tested, is biologically valuable.  You may, if you like, regard it as a product of the gregarious instinct... something which is going on at this moment in dozens of ward-rooms, bar-rooms, common-rooms, messes and golf clubs.  I prefer to call it Companionship --- or Clubbableness.

In a perfect Friendship.... each member of the circle feels, in his secret heart, humbled before the rest.  Sometimes he wonders what he is doing there among his betters.  He is lucky beyond desert to be in such company.  Especially when the whole group is together, each bringing out all that is best, wisest, or funniest in all the others.  THOSE ARE THE GOLDEN SESSIONS; when four or five of us after a hard day's walking have come to our inn; when our slippers are on, our feet spread out towards the blaze and our drinks at our elbows; when the whole world, and something beyond the world, opens itself to our minds as we talk; and no one has any claim on or any responsibility for another, but all are Freemen and Equals as if we had first met an hour ago,  while at the same time an Affection mellowed by the years enfolds us.  Life ---- natural life --- has no better gift to give.  Who could have deserved it?

 

Whether it's Wednesday Guys Tennis, SVP Cincinnati Guys Appendix club, AC Alumni Partner, Friday Morning Men's Bible Study, or Men's Movie night (e.g. War Movies), Vistage (mainly the guys), we Braves can mark ourselves as MEN not BOYS!

 

April Showers

A rainy Saturday prevented me from outside spring work.  This time of year as the snowbirds return to Cincinnati, the beauty is evident.  My lack of posts is not reflective of the percent of change in life events.  Jenna's engagement to Paul and a family trip to Portugal created distractions from taxes, the political circus, and my SVP Cincinnati activities (Fastpitch, Investee Selection, Full Throttle Membership campaign, and Keeneland Trip). 

The Crossroads "Brave Journey #2" has increased the spiritual disciplines and helped to prioritize the "first things first".  May will be equally filled with relationship activities including visits with McCord, Boston Legal, and the Wells Family Reunion. 

I'm always late to the popular shows and finally got around to watching the first five seasons of Downton Abbey (season six is not yet available on Amazon Prime).  Now that I watch everything with subtitles, I have created a list of vocabulary words (including the British slag expressions) that I believe 80% of the viewers had no clue what was said.  A future post will provide the test.

Even later to the game - Ellen and I are binge watching the five seasons of 2005 Prison Break (a Shawshank Redemption like story) in anticipation of a sixth season arriving this summer.

I don't even want to count up the viewing hours I've "invested" in internet streaming.  What a change from 40 years ago in entertainment delivery and consumption.  Has this time increased or just changed in daily routine?  

The average time spent watching TV (I wonder if this includes streaming) is 5.11 hours  (see Statistics Brain) and over your lifetime that will be 9 years.  An average youth spends 1200 hours per year watching TV and only 900 hours in school. 

Maybe we need more shows like Downton Abbey with vocabulary tests :)

Music to my Ears

SVP Cincinnati Partners had the difficult time of choosing 8 finalist for the FastPitch2016 event to be held March 2 downtown at the Phoenix - 6:30pm.  It was a very enjoyable night as we heard 19 worthy non-profits three minute pitch hoping to master the 4 "C"s.  Clarity, Compelling, Community Impact, and Creativity. 

Naturally I was biased because of my coaching of MRC (Music Resource Center) - but I was only one vote of the 24+ partners at the event.  I'm proud to announce that MRC is one of the final 8 and will compete on March 2.  But....... the competition is extreme.  They will have to step up their game to win it.

On the fly, I had to "pitch" SVP Cincinnati to the non-profit participants that evening.  While everyone was complimentary,  I think I could use some coaching too. :)

Musical Coach

Yesterday was a snow day - so no blog (what an excuse).   I was assigned the MRC (Musical Resource Center) for coaching for the Semi finals of Fast Pitch 2016.

Twenty non-profits in Cincinnati will present their 3 minute pitch to the SVP Cincinnati Partners and we will vote for the final 8 that will practice and refine their pitch for the March 2 Finals.

Three minutes is not much time to introduce your non-profit and show how you are making an impact on peoples lives.   Too often they try to impart too much information with too many words.  My advice is that you will win or lose based on the first ...... and last 30 seconds. 

My suggestion to MRC for their final 30 seconds:

So….. What does MRC mean to you?   Well it’s not about trying to find America’s Next Idol or Band.  It’s not about aspiring to be the winner of The Voice.  MRC is about inspiring America’s youth through music.  MRC is about winning in Virtue – building virtue each and every day – 4 hours a day, after school, in Cincinnati.  Vote for MRC and you will be expanding our 2000  family of successful youth now and for generations to come.

Just visiting MRC was enlightening and educational.  It brought back memories of how my parents nurtured the gift of music in my life.  The discipline of practicing, preparing, and performing helped me be more successful in everyday activities.  So many kids do not have anything structured in the 4 hours after school that can create problems -  "Idle minds are the Devils playground".

Full Throttle SVP Cincinnati

Last night 40+ Social Venture Cincinnati Partners(SVP Cincinnati) and their guests arrived at our house for a social evening of fun and philanthropy.  It was the kickoff of our Membership drive to add new Partners and provide even more good back to Cincinnati.

It was great to see the energy and excitement of my fellow Partners as they each told our guests about their philanthropy journey of joy through Social Venture Partners Cincinnati.  Our goal this year is to add 10 new partners and over $30,000 to our existing base of 40 partners and $120,000. 

But it is not about the money - it's about our engaged philanthropy model and combines our time with the treasure.  On March 15 we will select our seventh non profit in Cincinnati that will receive a minimum of $60,000 over three years.  But each of those non-profits always discover that the real value is the Partner team that helps them increase their effectiveness and sustainability.

You could label the group a philanthropy club - but it is a very diverse set of thoughtful givers who can all come together to provide innovative solutions for non-profits in Cincinnati. We are the catalyst for social change.

"Cincinnati's Go-To Organization for Innovative and Engaged Philanthropy"

`

Bloggers Resolution - De ja vu

So -  A dismal 2015 performance on blogging (see Bloggers Resolution 2015) is a public display of my failure in New Years Resolutions (specifically the number of blogging entries for 2015).  So for even more public accountability and resolution delivery risk, I have listed my 2016 goals:

(1) At least double (minimum of 114 entries) the 57 entries from 2015 blog (note my most prolific year was 2010 (259)
(2)  Improve my technology organization.  With six different devices (not including my 2 dormant laptops on my office desk), I need to get my email organized and synchronized.  This may be the year of the cloud.
(3)  Follow through with SVP Cincinnati Full Throttle membership drive.
(4)  Better monitoring and financial control over Real Estate Investments
(5) At least double entries in my "Daily 5 Grateful Journal" (from 2015 performance)
(6) Solo time with Ellen (J.H. Ranch diaries)
(7) Weight -  yes an actual New Year goal  - of 185
(8) Physical Exercise -  Weekly Tennis and Daily Walks
(9) Financial returns - exceed the S&P 500
(10) Modify and Update Giving Strategic Plan
(11) Continue Relationship traditions
(12) Readdress Project list -  Ancestry.com; Reel to Reel digitize; My Dad gift from Jenna; Collections; Book Inventory; Decade reflections;
(13) Set Health Goals - eyes, ears (yes I'm getting old)


That's enough  for now.  I'm sure there are more I could invent. What's the old adage - "Plan the work, work the Plan";  "You only get what you measure";

“If you want to live a happy life, tie it to a goal, not to people or things.”
― Albert Einstein

But what about goals that include people and things :)

Statistics Tell; Stories Sell

I met with A.S. yesterday and our conversation immediately went to the topic of fundraising.  It's on my mind after Crossroads just finished their "All In" campaign and raised over $85 Million (yes that is million). 

A.S. sent me an article by Jerold Panas : "The 60 smartest things you'll ever hear about fundraising".  It was #28 - Statistics tell; Stories Sell that spoke so clearly to me.  Crossroads definitely can show the numbers -  food pounds delivered, Go Cincinnati hours, mission trips, women saved from sex slavery, sponsored Nicaraguan children, baptisms, man camp participants, etc.-  all just statistics.

Yet it was the stories and testimonials of change that created a visceral giving feeling in others.   In corporate terms - the Stories Sell. I naturally passed on this article to the SVP Cincinnati Full Throttle membership drive team members.  We are educating our partnership on the skill (and privilege)  of being an "Artful Asker".  I was moved by Douglas Lawson's article titled the same which defines "Philanthropy as the mystical mingling of a joyful giver, and artful asker and a grateful recipient'.

So -  tell your stories first.... but have your statistics to back them up

Pitching Joy in Giving

This week was filled with Philanthropy. Four of the Social Venture Partners (Cincinnati)  cheered Lawn Life to a victory of $9,500 in the Philanthropitch competition of 10 SVP Affiliates. 

It was a fun evening punctuated with Texas BBQ that evening.  From the smiles you can see the contagious joy of giving that is generated when people join together in a community of giving together. 

Heaven Board - Entry #8

J.V. walked into Friday Morning Bible Study and tilted the chair next to me against the table - as one would do to save the seat location.  It was Bob Edwards normal spot to sit and one I was privileged to be near for the ten plus years I have been attending. 

Today his seat is near God in heaven.  Yesterday a tragic accident occurred when Bob was hit outside of his car on I71 by a cement truck traveling southbound  (why .... we may never know). 

My memories of Bob are many -  his gift to Ellen 10 years ago -- a glow in the dark Rubber Duck;  his interest and support of SVP Cincinnati; his idea that got me interested in researching my Grandfather's cattle brand;  our joint interest in talking about WWII history........... and many more.

Bob Edwards was a witness of what philanthropy and Christian discipleship is all about.  His passion with the Freestore Foodbank and his fund raising effectiveness in bringing the Rubber Duck Regatta to Cincinnati will be how many will remember Bob.  My memories will be as a mentor and person with the gift of exhortation to other philanthropists -  and his example of how to be an "engaged philanthropist".

I will miss you Bob - but your spirit lives on.

Mason, Rainbows, and Stars

A.M. invited me to the PNC Economic update which was held at the Cincinnati Masonic Center downtown. It was quite a beautiful building inside with sculpted painted 25 foot ceilings.The auditorium was impressive.

My grandfather Wells was a Mason (Freemasonry) and likely Grandmother was an Eastern Star (I know my Mom was).  In fact, Mom might have grown into the Eastern Star as a Rainbow girl (since Rainbow Girls started in Oklahoma). 

There were all kinds of references to Scottish rites and  33 degrees.  "The Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite is a system of 33 degrees (including the three blue lodge degrees) administered by a local or national Supreme Council."

I don't know what degree Grandpa obtained (the order probably keep these things secret or preached humility), however it states "it is the obligation placed on every Mason to contribute to charity. This occurs at both lodge and Grand Lodge level. Masonic charities contribute to many fields from education to disaster relief.^["

So in a way I'm following in my ancestors footsteps when I joined the giving group: Social Venture Partners Cincinnati.  We just don't have a lodge, degrees, or secret handshakes :)