What a ‘No’ Can Still Do
Hello ladies,
I wanted to share the message below from Cynthia McCauley with Chautauqua, one of our grant applicants.
As members, we often focus on the grants we award and the dollars we invest in our community. Cynthia’s reflection is a powerful reminder that our extends far beyond the funding itself. The application process, site visits, and opportunity to share an organization’s mission can inspire growth, unity, confidence, and purpose within the organizations we serve.
Thank you for your commitment to this work. Cynthia’s story beautifully illustrates why this movement matters and the difference we are making throughout our community.
Best,
Brandy Haiman
Dear Brandy,
The Gulf Coast Women of Impact grant is an incredible opportunity. Just writing the grant helps a person/organization refocus and commit.
The site visit—WOW!! To be selected to be in the Final Four was exhilarating. As a big-time basketball fan, I know, being in the Final Four is Winning!
For the students, it was also winning. Everyone worked hard to show who we are and what we do. In that process, we were able to collectively understand ourselves–our purpose, our mission.
One teacher asked if we should just have the grant committee present in the classroom when we explained the vision for the grant. I thought, and then said, ‘Have the students present, too.’ Then the teacher asked–‘ALL the students?’ Implied in her question was the doubt that ALL the students could behave. Three notably have meltdowns when they feel the nervousness of others. But, guess what—they were all PERFECT. The uniting in purpose caused by the ‘Final Four’ selection let the students pull ‘calm’ from others.
As the grant committee was closing car doors and preparing to drive off, I told the other teachers,”We won!” We may not be awarded the grant funds, but Gulf Coast Women of Impact had the perfect ‘Impact.’
Because of you, all Chautauqua came together, united in purpose, commitment, and impact.
We won.
Gratefully,
Cynthia