Community Matters

(Community Matters) An overstatement?  I’m not so sure.

While Convio’s CEO/COB Gene Austin was ringing the bell this morning, a shiver ran down my spine – really.

I know, I know . . . lots of newly listed companies get to ring the opening bell for NASDAQ, but how many have engaged over 20 Wall Street firms to volunteer at 8 NY-nonprofits? And, this is just the start. As bankers and analysts are volunteering throughout the city, we’re already talking about next year.  Imagine the implications of this constituency increasingly aware, increasing committed to making the world a better place for others who happen to be less fortunate – could be seismic.

It also gave me pause when Gene said Convio’s top clients have already raised over $1 billion for charitable purposes just this year. Not only am I proud an EF member company has launched this first step, but it’s an Austin-based company, a company where many of the execs are good friends of mine & Steven’s, and who invited the Entrepreneurs Foundation to help. Thx and congrats to all.

(Community Matters) copied:

Protecting Our LGBT Elders – An Overview of LGBT Aging Issues

by Michael Adams, Jeff Krehely and Ineke Mushovic

Earlier this year, Services and Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and  Transgender Elders, or SAGE, and the Movement Advancement Project (MAP), released “Improving the Lives of LGBT Older Adults” in partnership ith the Center for American Progress, the American Society on Aging, and the National Senior Citizen Law Center.  The report provides an overview of LGBT elders’ unique needs and the policy and regulatory changes that are needed to adequately address them.

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(Community Matters) Flew to NY today to join Convio at the NASDAQ bell ringing tomorrow and for their Wall Street Service Day which EF helped organize.

Lunch with Concern Worldwide’s Sir Dominic MacSorley and US finance manager, Mick Dyson to get updated on their Haiti programs and opportunities for HelpHaiti future investments.  Later, tea with their development director, Rosemary Sicilano, at my hotel, Loews Regency (a priceline find for only $200).

Met with Ken Melhman during the afternoon.  Ken, former RNC chair, came out earlier this year, is being criticized by many in the community for his role in the RNC which used gay marriage as a wedge issue, and recently raised $1.3mm for litigation to repeal California’s Prop 8.  As I’ve noted, I personally think we must welcome men & women into the community as they pass through their closets.  I’m looking forward to working together, across the political aisle for LGBT equality.  (btw, cool view from his office – pic above).

(Community Matters) Following my blog posting on the movie about Facebook, Vanity Fair’s profile this month on Napstar founder, first Facebook President Sean Parker.

VF photo: Jonas Fredwall Karlsson

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Our cousin David Tomlinson also sent me the link to last month’s article on The Social Network movie

(Community Matters) I’m not usually a fan of pics that include me but Melissa Henderson caught some great pics – it’s probably as much that MM had the b/d to celebrate as we all were together

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(Community Matters) In today’s Mike Allen Playbook:

BEHIND THE CURTAIN – HOW WE GOT THE GIBBS STORY: At 4:04 p.m. on Friday, we got an e-mail from a Democratic financial source who had written, Mike-Allen-style, the entire message in the subject line: “You hear about the proposed new chairman of the DNC?” It’s the rare e-mail that makes us pick up the phone, but this one certainly did. “You know how to get my attention!” we said when the sender came on the line. This person had first-hand knowledge of the temperature-taking going on with DNC donors, but was candid that they wanted to kill the Gibbs idea. So we went to sources friendly to Gibbs to stress-test the information. The callbacks came while we were drinking Sapporo with Porritt at Meiwah (after we finally turned our ringer on). These officials explained with the logic behind the idea, and acknowledged the hurdles. We asked one of them if they believed it would occur and they said, “I do.” We still framed the story narrowly – as something being discussed with donors, not as something likely to happen. But that’s how it became news.

(Community Matters) Voters better trust Democrats, rather than Republicans, to handle every problem currentlly facing the country: Afghanistan (by 12%), immigration (by 2%), Social Security (14%), unemployment (12%), financial reform (14%), energy (19%), education (19%).

Don’t misunderstand me. I agree Ds in Congress are gonna take a real licking. We could lose the House, though I don’t think we will (for sure we’ll lose 30+ seats). Americans are pissed – the economy sucks. I just know Americans are smart enough to realize who caused this mess, even if they aren’t happy about the progress yet made turning it around.

Newsweek article below this jump

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(Community Matters) Steven and I saw The Social Network, Aaron Sorkin’s movie about Mark Zuckerberg and the founding of Facebook.

Brilliant dialogue & provocative scenes, though Steven thought its arc played out prematurely. I enjoyed the story – imagining where the next genius might be festering.

Tired (& I presume outdated) narrative about the blue blood Crimson elite; though, I do like it as a driver for monetizing creative genius.  Wondering: does disruptive entrepreneurship always leave road kill?

(Community Matters)

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(Community Matters) in response to the recent rush of gay suicides as a result of taunting and bullying

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(Community Matters) PeopleFund’s East Night Event – With a Little Help From Our Friends, was exquisite.  It honored Margo Weisz, our founder, our north star

notice the people photoshoped into the image

Amanda Chiampi and Rachel Feferman were event co-chairs. Together with their committee, they created a fun, sophisticated, family friendly evening celebrating our honorees, clients, neighbors and the new building in the Chestnut neighborhood at the MLK Rail site.

Tons of friends joined me and Steven (who emceed) including Adrienne Donato & Sam Brown from DC, PeopleFund board chair Jack McDonald, Jill McRae, Stephen Yelenosky, Michael Feferman, Michael Mitchell, Michael Barnes, Tana & Joe Christie, Ingrid Johannsen & Mitch Berman, Suzanne & Marc Winkelman, Amy & Kirk Rudy, Ray Ocanas, Congressman Lloyd Doggett, State Rep. Elliott Nashitat, Council member Randi Shade, Mayor Pro Tem Mike Martinez and Lara Wendler, Missy & Mark Nathan, new PeopleFund Pres/CEO Gary Lindner, Tina Fernandez (Frank’s in Europe, Austin’s newest Marshall fellow), and so many more . . . . it was packed and delicious.