Community Matters

(Community Matters) An insightful email blast from my friend, Andy Tobias:

Listen:

Yes, of COURSE there’s lots to be distressed about.  Duh!

And I’ll get back to that.

But —

1.  Politifact.com lists 79 campaign promises Obama has thus far kept.  (Politifact is the Pulitzer Prize-winning fact-checking service of the St. Petersburg Times.)

2.  In commenting on that list, J.E. Robertson writes:  “There are a further 226 campaign promises officially listed, after extensive fact-checking, as ‘in the works’ . . .  Many of these will be accomplished in 2010, giving Pres. Obama the most extensive record of success in fulfilling specific campaign promises in US history.”

3.  Thanks to your efforts in electing Barack Obama and Joe Biden — and the appointment of Secretary Clinton — America’s standing in the world has been restored.  Most of the world now once again respects our leadership, is now once again rooting for us.

4.  “The Administration has done more in its first few months to protect our air, water and communities than we’ve seen in the last decade,” says the National Resources Defense Council. Continue reading →

(Community Matters) After brunch, I’m headed to San Jose, CA for our Entrepreneurs Foundation affiliates meeting. Amanda & Shobie already there. They attended EF-Bay Area’s CSR Conference on Fri. Reps from 8 or 9 EF’s around the country attending – we have 13 including Tel Aviv. Commonwealth Ventures facilitating visioning and operations sessions. EF – Central Texas has been quite fortunate these last few years. Hope to share best practices and pick up others.

Great dinner last night with Sonya & Reid Cramer and Ted Smith at Central Restaurant, then dessert after at Ted’s and a night cap with Reid. Sonya off to her aunt’s performance, Pearl Seeger. Posted from my blackberry

(Community Matters) It’s a gorgeous day in DC. Highlight of the panels and meetings was hearing from Hilary Rosen and Jonathan Capehart. As well, enjoying the conversations and presentations from HRC senior staff and national & regional political leaders.

I am reflecting on DC, fundraising, giving, relationships, efficacy and the clubiness. I was on HRC’s board ages ago. Surprised how many of directors still on board. That’s a good thing in many ways, and there’s definitely an insider/outsider thing happening. One would expect a bit more love from the organization’s ED and long time board members for the major donors assembled.

That’s just the Washington way – talking with folks looking over your shoulders, folks evaluating whether you’re important enough or not to speak to, a million dollar smile while they are asking for money, averting eyes when they are looking for the next wallet – just the DC way. I’m more interested in what’s getting accomplished and am fortunate enough to get smiled at more than my fair share. But, I don’t like the clubiness, even when I’m invited inside. At near 50yo, I realize we are at a disadvantage when we aren’t spending time with the 20-somethings and 30-somethings. I’m participating, evaluating whether staff is really listening, really soliciting opinions from outside the beltway. I worry that I may help raise money for organizations with too little respect for their donors, for their donors’ opinions and for the value of their dollars. Fortunately, HRC appears to have a high level of accountability for its spend, even if perhaps the beltway mentality that great ideas are only born here.

A good leadership summit so far. Posted from my blackberry

(Community Matters) NYT – “Haitian Singer and His Guitar Fight Urge to Weep”  article here

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(Community Matters) @Concern’s Ed Kenney (@eokenney) reports this music blasting in the streets of Haiti – “the official recovery anthem”

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(Community Matters) AAS article on Austin gang activity – Progressives and conservatives alike would probably agree combating gang activity is as critical as terrorism. If we are going to push limits of civil liberties fighting terrorism, we ought to be at least as aggressive against gangs. We need to nip their growing Austin presence in the bud, and we need to impress upon our Travis County elected judges that we will not tolerate recidivism among this bunch.

(Community Matters) Arrived yesterday for a Human Rights Campaign (HRC) leadership conference.  Regrettably, missed Thursday’s lobby day.  LGBT donors and leaders from all around the country at last night’s reception.  Of course Kirk Rice taking care of the home team.  I snuck out with the DNC’s LGBT Council executive director, Tom Petrillo, and DNC regional deputy, Guy Selden, for dinner.  We met up with Haylie Rudy & Cory Vargas at Founding Farmers.  Sad to hear Tom is leaving the DNC – terrific new opportunity for him; interesting opportunities in filling his position.

(Community Matters) Every week, Andre writes and performs a song for the top donor to her Hill Country Ride for AIDS fund. She is a hoot

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(Community Matters) My friend, photographer Matt Rainwater (http://www.mattrainwaters.com) has just returned from Haiti.  This one of his pictures

doctors assisting this woman in delivering a dead fetus

(Community Matters) With $100,000 from Livestrong, the Entrepreneurs Foundation/AV fund has now raised $571k against the $600k match for a total of $1,171k. Still matching contributions for Haiti earthquake relief at http://GiveToAustin.org/HelpHaiti

(Community Matters) Gonna be mighty tough.  With 91% reporting, 1.4mm Texans voted in the Republican primary for governor; 643k in the Democratic primary – the difference (752k Texans) is more than all those who voted D for governor.  Steven and I are enthusiastic Bill White supporters.  Subject to a viable road map with milestones for success, I’m gonna jump in.  Any plan has to include turning out D voters – a very strong GOTV efforts in targeted counties – as well as enough money for major media – against Rick Perry and introducing Bill White to the rest of Texas.

(Community Matters) Happy Texas Independence Day.  Entrepreneurs Foundation, friends and supporters celebrating at the Four Seasons Hotel and honoring:  Donna & Philip Berber, Convio, Troux Technologies, Innography & Phurnace Software.