Daily Archives: 05/20/2009

(Community Matters) I’m so glad Luke sent this to remind me . . . .

(Community Matters) Last weekend, an impressive group of LGBT activists gathered in Dallas and laid out The Dallas Principles.

Civil Rights Goals

Being united by common principles and engaging in united action, we will achieve the following goals:

1.DIGNITY AND EQUALITY. Every lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender person has inherent dignity and worth, and has the right to live free of discrimination and harassment.

2.FAMILY. Every LGBT person has the right to a family without legal barriers to immigration, civil marriage or raising children.

3.ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY. Every LGBT person has the right to economic opportunity free from discrimination in employment, public housing, accommodation, public facilities, credit, and federally funded programs and activities.

4.EDUCATION. Every LGBT child and youth has the right to an education that is affirming, inclusive and free from bullying.

5.NATIONAL SECURITY. Every LGBT person should have the opportunity to serve our country openly and equally in our military and foreign service.

6.CRIME. Every LGBT person should enjoy life protected against bias crimes.

7.HEALTH CARE. Every person should have access to affordable, high quality, and culturally competent health care without discrimination.

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The following eight guiding principles underlie their call to action.

In order to achieve full civil rights now, we avow:

1.Full civil rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals must be enacted now. Delay and excuses are no longer acceptable.

2.We will not leave any part of our community behind.

3.Separate is never equal.

4.Religious beliefs are not a basis upon which to affirm or deny civil rights.

5.The establishment and guardianship of full civil rights is a non-partisan issue.

6.Individual involvement and grassroots action are paramount to success and must be encouraged.

7.Success is measured by the civil rights we all achieve, not by words, access or money raised.

8.Those who seek our support are expected to commit to these principles.

(Community Matters) Well, appears I’ve thrown into the hat to also write a novel in one month. Steven, Kirk Lynn, Carrie Fountain and Steve Moore are launching a group of seven. No Plot, No Problem to serve as the guide. Targeting national novel writing month – www.nanowrimo.org.

(Community Matters) Wow, to be a fly on this wall . . . . Margaret Keys is one of our dearest friends and an extraordinary communications coach. (she and Steven are partners in a corporate communications consulting business.) Lee Walker is another dear friend – a serial entrepreneur, an early Dell Inc president, an uber, Austin community leader and UT Honors adjunct professor. Unfortunately, even money can’t get you into their training session for women on Thursday. So appreciative they’ve included EF’s Amanda Chiampi.

It’s an all day session to explore communications dynamics for women. They’ll focus on four aspects: authority, authenticity, personal style and frameworks (strategies for maintaining perspective and creating connection).

As women have come to the table in shared authority with men there are dynamics in play that can stifle communication, reduce credibility and perceived value and limit possibility. It is important to look at these dynamics together in order to share and normalize experience.

Many women use inherent skills to actively engage others in dialogue and encourage consensus. Often it is difficult to know how to move from engaging and listening to the strategic competencies of positioning and driving to a strong close or ask.

Often women avoid confrontation at all costs even when some “push back” is called for.

Many women discover that the very communication approach and style that helped them succeed in one context hampers success in another.

Competence and confidence stem from awareness and learned skills and strategies.

It is important to understand the unwritten rules of engagement; to demonstrate credibility; to be able to align quickly with a person or group; to be able to “think on your feet” and recalibrate moment to moment; to stay calm and focused when interrupted or challenged.

We will explore as a group:

1. The frameworks you use for perspective
2. How you are perceived
3. How you want to be perceived
4. How to put your thoughts and ideas in play
5. What your voice, body and words convey
6. When you feel in equal authority and when you don’t
7. What strategies help you feel more in control when nerves are triggered
8. How to meet confrontation
9. How to use strategic tools to help you position and leverage information (framing)
10. How to prepare in a way that lets you “think on your feet”
11. How to handle challenges without giving up personal power or authority
12. The power of “verbal economy”

(Community Matters) Last night was the 23rd annual Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award Gala. Embarrassed I didn’t even run into my dear friends Amy Warmke & Gina Budd who organize the event.

Each year successful, innovative and disruptive entrepreneurs are nominated for the prestigious recognition. This year, three business entrepreneurs and one social entrepreneur were selected for the award. After being vetted by E&Y’s assurance staff, nominees are further scrutinized, discussed and debated to determine finalists. The winners were: Brett Hurt (founder & CEO, BazaarVoice), Craig Malloy (CEO & Founder, Life Size Communications), Douglas Harrison (CEO & Founder, the Scotter Store) and Melvin White (CEO & Founder, Digital Workforce).

tons and tons of friends at the event, including these in photos

John Peck (Affiniscape), Roberto Fiebig & Corey Blahuta (vcfo)

Corey a long time friend and huge Entrepreneurs Foundation supporter. Virtual CFO a favorite company. John Peck – just getting to know, Affiniscape an interesting company. Coincidently just met with John this week.

Jeff Browning & Penny Wilson

Jeff the Austin Ventures Recruiting Partner and Penny an executive at 360Training – close friends who I don’t see often enough.

Carla & Jack McDonald

Everyone knows these two, both dear friends – Jack a previous EOY winner, Perficient CEO & COB, an EOY judge and soon to be US Congressman (10th District). This week, saw the tipping point in his race – Republicans, in significant numbers, are crossing over with support. His appeal transcends parties – raw intellect, passion for the fundamentals & a track record. Carla is his secret weapon, a success public relations exec, mom and community volunteer.

Worth & Laura Kilcrease

I’m not sure how much credit Laura gets for Austin as we know it today. When Dr. George Kozmetsky recruited her to launch IC2, we weren’t yet a tech hub. Laura played a big role in our evolution. Worth is a counselor and pastor at Hospice – at least he was last we spent time together; it’s been a while. We need to catch up.

Janet Harmon, Kent Mayes & Tim Klitch

These guys all nearly family – especially Kenny & Janet. Kent an oldest and dearest friend, father of my god daughter and a serial entrepreneur himself. He launched and sold the Timberline Fitness studios in Austin and Houston. He’s now relaunched a new personal training business. Janet (very recently engaged to Kent) the founder and president of the KDK Harman Foundation which is about as studious and sophisticated a family foundation as I know. I’m proud to serve as VP on the foundation’s board.

Tim Klitch, president of Comerica, someone I’ve known since the early 80s. He likes to tell people made up stories of me being some sort of tight ass when I was his supervisor at Texas Commerce Bank – all made up. I’ve always been laid back and happy.

Stacey Higginbotham & Sam Goodner

Stacey formerly a favorite reporter at the ABJ. Sam, a past award winner, CEO & Founder of Catapult Systems. Funny, last night I finally realized Sam had no idea Steven Tomlinson is my husband. Over the years, I’ve always greeted Sam rather fondly and overly familiar – not because we know each other so well but because I know he and Steven are friends. Now I understand his, sometimes puzzled, looks. 🙂 -not to mention I think I’ve confused him for Scott Eckert once or twice.

Roy & Suzi Sosa and Jimmy Treybig

Roy & Suzi proud new parents (6ish weeks), super friends and business/social entrepreneurs. Jimmy, one of the deans in Austin and recently an especially favored guest at the Acton School of Business.

Bob Smith & Gerry Bula

Bob & Gerry manage Bridgepoint Consulting and have been my colleagues for – hmm, 15 and 20 years. Hey . . . where was Tracy last night? I saw her across the hall at some point.

Steve Jacobs, Regina Rogoff, Jack McDonald, Jenny Murphy & Amanda Chiampi

Steve the social entrepreneur winner two years ago (CEO, Capital IDEA). Regina the very capable CEO for People’s Community Clinic (I’ve never told her that in the early 90s she scared the bejesus out of me!).

Jenny is the Director of Communications for Sante Ventures, a firm founded by one of the smartest men in the world, Kevin Lalande, who I never get enough face time with. Amanda – my business partner in the sense that Steven is my life partner. Amanda helps realize all the good stuff at the Entrepreneurs Foundation; she’s our director of programs.

Chad Bockius, Greg Brown & Bret Hurt

Chad the VP product marketing, Greg VP of US Sales and Brett founder & CEO (and winner last night) for BazaarVoice. Brett’s one of the major peer leaders in Austin’s younger entrepreneurial world. They’ve built a tremendous company with even more, real potential. Chad’s on the Bee Caves city council and Greg the lucky husband of Travis County Healthcare District’s CEO, Trish Young Brown.

Andy White & Susan McDowell

Not to start any rumors, Karen was there last night, I just didn’t see her off to the side when I snapped this picture. Andy is CEO for the Silverton Foundation which sponsors the Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award and grants $100,000 to the nonprofit of each year’s winner. Susan a long time friend and Exec Director of Lifeworks – also a past Social Entrepreneurs of the Year winner.

w/ Austin Ventures’ Kim Hughes

Kim one of my dearest friends. We laugh all the time and collaborate a lot. We need to travel together more – even if just to Penny & Jeff’s for the weekend 🙂

Kathy Warbelow & Lori Hawkins

Kathy the Austin American Statesman’s Business Editor and Lori everyone’s favorite business reporter – both important contributors to these communities in ways I’m not sure everyone always realizes.

Diana Holford & Amanda

Diana, the former president of the Staubach Company, now a vice president at Jones Lang LaSalle. We’ve become quite friendly and have a surprise cooked up for Tuesday.

Walter Moreau (lft) & a friend

Walter a favorite social entrepreneur. He’s the President & CEO of Foundation Communities – the most important affordable housing nonprofit in Central Texas. They are holistic,providing a robust continuum of services allowing families to climb the economic ladder to independence.

Kurt Wilkin & Cindy Matula

Kurt I just met last night and looking forward to our follow up conversation on the intersection of his business and social entrepreneurship. Cindy an old friend, EF supporter and president of JP Morgan Chase.

Alan Graham

Alan’s the founder & CEO for Mobile Loaves and Fishes. I didn’t see him after the awards for which he’s now been a finalist four times. I hope he understands that – I believe – part of the criteria for the social entrepreneur award is self-sufficiency of the nonprofit. This isn’t realistic given MLF’s mission and the operations that exists today (may be given new plans). That he continues to be recognized as a finalist despite their near complete reliance on donations is a testament to the respect and admiration for his work.

Mike Turner

Mike’s a former EF board member, an important supporter, one of the founders of Waveset and a former EOY award winner. I miss having him involved in our organization and hope we collaborate on another project.

Baker Bott’s Jordan Herman (2nd from left)

I’m totally flaking on the other guys names which is pretty bad since I know them. yikes. Jordan a long time friend and a member of EF’s legal council.

E&Y’s Ryan Dennison, a friend and Debra & Brett Hurt

Every year, an after party. Much fun & what happens there stays there:

Matt & Julianne Lyons

Matt one of the powerhouse, Austin tech attorneys and a very important friend to EF. Amanda and I call on him too much; he never refuses. Also, a good political debating partner 🙂

Lori, Carmello Gordian & Kim

hmm, the combination of these three a bit frightening, an extreme amount of fun and they can move mountains. Good gosh, add Sherry and the team would be invincible.

(Community Matters) Congrats to SolarWinds – Mike, Kevin, Kenny, Austin Ventures and all the team – on raising $152mm in last night’s IPO.

(Community Matters) Good gosh. Not only do I live with the smartest man I know, but I regularly get to spend time with really, really bright people. Today at breakfast – Phil Siegel (AV general partner) and Kyle Fox (Vinson & Elkins partner) discussing corporate philanthropy, community involvement, IPOs and private equity. Today at my second breakfast – Carol Kallendorf & Jack Spears (partners, Delta Associates) discussing poverty intervention programs. Today at lunch – Joe Liemandt (founder of Trilogy) and Jeff Browning (recruiting partner, Austin Ventures) – discussing our recent Lemonade Day, Lemonade Day 2010 and planning a corporate challenge to rival any other.

Last night, dinner with Marianne & Martin Rochelle, Cookie Ruiz, Mark Salmanson and Joene Grissom – our 10+ year dinner club – discussing water rights, the creative arts, politics and the breast cancer bike ride. Tonight, many from our extended family gathering with me & Steven at Julio’s – Tana & Joe Christie, Margaret Keys, Michael Mitchell, Milinda Mitchell, Robert Torian and Janet Maykus & Mark Smith.

I love my life!