Think of the support our YMCAs received this year: many benefited from SBA funds; our donors stepped
up with more philanthropic gifts; members stayed with us; partners helped create stability; and, we
served ALL. After 2020, I am convinced that establishing a network and culture of giving inside the YMCA will be a cornerstone of our work ahead.
First, a story about this year. During quarantine, my wife had a chance to spend more time at home with our 4-year-old daughter Saylor and that experiment was not the vision many mothers crave. We thought days would start with making cinnamon rolls, walks around the neighborhood, and I would arrive home to see that day’s craft (an Easter bunny made of cotton balls). Reality – open cereal box, dance to YouTube songs, the constant desire for nap time, and calls to Dad to come home were commonplace. We learned Jennifer is not meant to be a stay-home mom. We now have a new appreciation of the teachers in childcare. We learned to pivot. And, we learned how valuable our support system is to us, and also the culture at home needs intentionality and planning – which is no different than the Y’s work ahead.
Without knowing it, NAYDO created the culture of giving that we needed to endure the challenges of 2020. These challenges taught us how to tell our story – with one voice. NAYDO reminded us that being in front of the top 10 funders in our community is a must, no matter the year. As a movement, NAYDO continued to bring us together because we all can acknowledge that our relationships create the trust needed for future success. We often say, “How would our community look without a Y?” I would counter, “How would our Y look without NAYDO?” I am proud of NAYDO’s work to prepare us all by focusing our efforts to build a better us. My hope is more people become engaged in NAYDO – given all the decisions we face, it is the easiest win-win on your desk.
Tuesday 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
February 18 at 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
February 18 at 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
March 18 at 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
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NAYDO is here for you to answer questions, provide a place to share samples of communications and stewardship ideas that are working, and serve as a place you can call for familiar voices eager to listen to what you are experiencing and hear how NAYDO can help you. NAYDO's staff is working and at your service:
