The reminder popped up yesterday at about Noon – ding! Yes, Erica, there IS a Trendsetters meeting tomorrow at 11am in East Hartford. “UGGGGGGHHHHHHH”………..I have so many pledges to enter, I have deposits to reconcile, I have a camping display to set up, I have stewardship letters to generate…the list goes on. “I’m sure Chris could email any pertinent information I may miss…” I thought about it for a few minutes, then heaved a sigh as the angel on my shoulder whispered to me in quite a puchy manner. I rearranged a few things on my schedule, checked with Kaitlin, a fellow Trendsetter, to ensure her attendance, and resigned myself to schlepping out there with a heavy heart.
The above paragraph is an example of something that Jim Scherer pointed out during that very same meeting about me – my ability to be honest. We had been discussing the struggles we face as the leaders of our Living Our Cause initiative – disinterested staff, lack of time, etc. I had been feeling pretty low about the whole thing and wanted some input from the other bright minds in the group about ways to combat those woes. What I got was not only validation that what I had been running up against was not unique to me, but a renewed confidence in myself and the movement on the whole. What I realized as we all talked and were treated to a very inspiring, motivating soliloquy from Jim was that I had been approaching the whole thing from the wrong direction. Suddenly, it dawned on me – “THIS IS ALL GOOD STUFF, ERICA!!”
Honesty is not only an extremely fine trait to possess, but it is, in fact, one of the YMCA’s four core values. Today I realized that we’re not always the pillars of honesty that we profess to be – especially in the face of potential ridicule. I’m guilty of it myself – upon hearing great sighs from colleagues after announcing that yes, we were in fact going to do another Big Picture Deck activity, I’ve actually changed my tune and muttered something to the effect of “yeah, I know, but we’re SUPPOSED to.” That stops today.
Chris Pallatto has often remarked that this project is not reinventing anything; it’s not turning anything upside down. Living Our Cause and being a Trendsetter Y is only meant to enhance, celebrate, share, and communicate the work we are already doing. That doesn’t sound so bad, does it? Today’s Trendsetter epiphany has me reinvigorated, excited, and ready to share with my team. I will approach it with enthusiasm, and will make certain that I continue to remind myself that this is very important work that impact the quality of life for others.
And I won’t forget it in three hours. Honest.
Erica Donovan
Wheeler Regional YMCA