Daily Archives: 08/06/2008

(Community Matters) One more reason to love the guy. Responding to a letter from the executive director of the Family Equality Council

[W]e also have to do more to support and strengthen LGBT families. Because equality in relationship, family, and adoption rights is not some abstract principle; it’s about whether millions of LGBT Americans can finally live lives marked by dignity and freedom. That’s why we have to repeal laws like the Defense of Marriage Act. That’s why we have to eliminate discrimination against LGBT families. And that’s why we have to extend equal treatment in our family and adoption laws. I’ll be a president that stands up for American families – all of them.

(Community Matters) Full day yesterday. Exhausted, even knocked out early. Got to spend most of the day with very interesting people. Spent much of the morning with Austin Community Foundation colleagues reviewing the performance of $100mm+ investable assets and discussing/planning how to further improve offerings to donors/investors and to modify investment policy. Paul Legris the newest member of our investment committee, joins me, Jolynn Free, Hal Peterson, Steve Shook, Rick Salwen, Ken Gladish, Mariben Ramsey & Susan Finfer.

Bob Bonnar, Dell Children’s Hospital CEO. We have several mutual friends and though I’ve been in a presentation with him once, we hadn’t gotten to know each other. Appreciated the appointment and inspired by what they’ve built and what he plans to build for all of us here (especially our children & their families) in Central Texas. We’re quite lucky to have him.

New grants to nonprofits, equity grants, fundraising, a poker tournament, CSR – everyday stuff mostly on the telephone & email but a few quick drivebys.

A quick meeting downtown with potential Obama organizers/fundraisers. Planning a statewide fundraising swing.

A beer and catching up quickly with several friends at Thom Singer’s & Marny Lifshen’s book signing event before heading to Hyde Park and “certifying” Robert Torian to change Michael’s catheter dressing – which we should have done prior to now in case I am away or communicable in any way.

Starving this morning and realizing I forgot to have dinner. Too tired last night think allergies must be high. Launching this morning over breakfast with Michael Willard, Michael Kellerman and my other good friends at Habitat for Humanity. Coffee with Justin Day who’s leaving Endeavor to work with Lenny Sullivan. Lunch with vcfo’s Ellen Wood, a bit of paperwork (good gosh I’m behind) and catching up with EF staff, BCS meetings with Nan McRaven, then Betty Dunkerley’s debt retirement party at the Headliners. At least I’ll see Steven at the latter and possibly during a CostCo run if they stay open past 7. Headed back to Houston tomorrow for results of Michael’s tests at MD Anderson.

(Community Matters) I doubt the US can tap Iraq’s unspent $79B budget surplus despite our having spent over $48B on rebuilding the country since so much of what we’ve spent has gone up in smoke due to waste and corruption. Perhaps we’ll recover some of our $48B from profiteers after Congressional investigations and criminal trials.

(Community Matters) Michael Rollins, 22, received a life sentence for drug possession in Guadalajara, Mexico after being caught with a pound of marijuana. His family, prominent members of Marble Falls, Texas are outraged and our government continues to protest the denial of internationally mandated rights – prior to the trial, Michael was denied access to consulate and embassy officials. Michael, a graduate of St. Mark’s Academy in Dallas, was on spring break with friends from SMU when he was charged. Michael’s dad, a retired oil and gas executive, tells heart breaking stories of the conditions Michael is having to withstand in the Guadalajara prison. Despite Mexican federal attempts at intervention, Jalisco governor Emilio Gonzalez Marquez refuses to commute or otherwise intervene despite acknowledging the denial of internationally guaranteed rights to Michael prior to and during his trial.

(Community Matters) Russia sexual harassment – a judge actually threw out a lawsuit citing that harassment was necessary for propagation.

According to a recent survey, 100 percent of female professionals said they had been subjected to sexual harassment by their bosses, 32 percent said they had had intercourse with them at least once and another seven percent claimed to have been raped.

(Community Matters) Attended Thom Singer’s & Marny Lifshen book launch party on 6th Street this evening. Event sponsored by Andrews Kurth & VCFO. Some Assembly Required, a Networking Guide for Women. This follows Thoms first two books on networking. Marny, a long time friend of all of ours, collaborated with Thom and they jointly wrote this version specifically for women.

Tons of tech types and other friends at the event including Boundless’ Jason Black, Carol Thompson, Sentient’s David Lee, VC/Serial Entrepreneur Steve Vandergrift, Region’s banker Robin Ingari, Leadership Austin’s Heather McKissick, EF’s Amanda Chiampi, Nyata Spellman, AAS Reporter Lori Hawkins and way lots of others.

How very cool – Thom’s third book (rest & blog here) & Marny’s first. Congrats!