This post is not meant to add to the incitefulness of the political climate. But most likely will. It comes from a personal quest into career, but ultimately leads me back into the political arena that seems so corrupt and toxic right now.
If you have had conversations with me lately - you know that I'm re-evaluating where I fit into the non profit world and am trying to bring new skills of advocacy & negotiation to the table. They are traits that have always been there, I am just making sure they play a more important role where I land next.
For some additional training I took a worthwhile webinar this week on the topic of Lobbying. And while it is a VAST umbrella, the main intent was to make sure that us participants were able to grasp the distinction between advocacy vs. lobbying. In short, Advocacy is where you have a strong investment in any civic cause and want to make sure you are giving it support in your daily actions. By contrast, Lobbying is more specific where you are aiming that voice to a specific piece of Legislation and trying to sway votes in your court. A key point made, was that any elected official can not possibly know everything in detail about every issue that might cross their path. So in effect, the concept of lobbying, when well intentioned, should be a legal avenue to educate them. And along with this, there are also very black & white legalities over what is ethical and what crosses a line. Ironically, at this same time I have been informed of the existence of ALEC - the American Legislative Exchange Council, which is surprisingly a non profit itself. On paper it looks fine. It is a meeting ground where lobbyists from paid corporations (with an obvious interest in laws) can have table talks with actual legislators to "educate" them on a broad spectrum of topics; Education, Tax Reform, Agriculture - all the heavy hitters have a place here. But to me, the kicker is that all these conversations take place behind closed doors. So rather than a transparent, public forum, these Senators and Congressmen are being spoon fed language that is meant to favor the corporate side of the conversation who has money. In many cases the elected are not even paying for that spot at the conferences, but it is all catered for them as "resource scholarships" taking place at resorts or conference hotels. Also not surprising, are that the elected representatives in the MN contingent are from a certain Republican party as are most, which does make the bipartisan aspect of lobbying fair by any margin. What is crafted over these discussions is Boiler Plate language already pre-drafted, which has been shown in many cases to have been taken directly back to their Congresses and ultimately resulted in Bills on the floor that are verbatim. This smacks of corruption at the most basic level. Watch this expose from an ALEC meeting in GA and tell if you cannot see the conflict of interest. This is what we are up against!
There were a handful of childhood toys that remain with me; Incredible Edibles, Jane & Johnny West dolls, Astronaut G.I. Joe.... But Hot Wheels left one of the most indelible impressions on me. I had the yellow suitcase with all the square compartments for each car. I would constantly rotate the favorites week to week as I'd take the box over to neighbors to play. It was always a special treat to grab a new model off the rack at KMart where they had an entire aisle of them hanging in their small 8 inch boxes. And it was a revelation when they came out with the looping bright orange track - although more often than not, my cars would hesitate on the lift and then fall flat to the floor. This dizzying display is a world of wonder. With lanes & lanes of traffic and a huge conveyor belt lift. It looks like the L.A. freeway. Amazing. Lego Village, Erector sets, or even my sister's Easy Bake Oven didn't hold a candle to my Hot Wheels.
After a few days, here is the official list. I do this every year, not so much to show others, but to keep myself accountable. I always find that when I put something down in writing, it gives me a clearer course to chart along the way. Although I will admit I have become a bit more forgiving of myself. Rather than plead guilty in another month when the good intentions become bad efforts, I am more lenient about giving myself small gold stars for at least trying. I have also made the list shorter. I tend to be over ambitious and thus set myself up for failure. So instead of a major 10 goals, I am keeping it realistic at a mere few. We are also trying a new concept of "joint" resolutions for both Jeff and I. Of course, I pressed the point. But we shall see how these play out. And something else I added a few years back that has proved essential is the "bump" policy. In addition to something cumulative, each year I make a conscious choice to get rid of an obstacle in my life that is creating chaos or a dead weight. #1- Postcard a Day. I have always been an avid writer. Journaling while on vacation, sending a postcard from travels or even simple birthday cards. This year is a twist on that. I picked up a huge box of art cards and will send out a simple note each day to keep in touch with something more personal than a Facebook message or text. Expect one coming your way soon! For a $.32 stamp - you are worth it. #2 - Mindfulness & Wellness. I am lumping them all into one blanket statement so each day I at least stumble on some aspect of it. It can be as simple as a yoga class, a stretch before bed, or making sure I grab that piece of toast in the morning with the coffee. #3 - Game Night once a month. I have tried in vain on this one for 2 years now and am hoping third time is the charm. I love board games and have a whole closet full of them. All it takes is a few days planning to invite friends over with a bottle of wine. Make it happen. #4 - Baking once a month. I think this is a given and usually met. But I got a fabulous new candy apple red Kitchenaid mixer for the holidays and am making darn sure that the motor is going to be running at least once a month. #5 - Cabaret gigs. I managed to get one produced last year - my Coming Out Swinging set. It is monumental from digging up charts, arranging them, working with a new accompanist and then the huge task of finding the space and getting an audience there. I have at least 4 projects in the works that are sorted in binder by the piano. So I need to make sure I step it up and get at least two them on stage LIVE coming to you. Joint Resolutions A - Respecting each other's space. This house is barely big enough for one. Both Jeff and I are collectors - everything from record collections, books, photo albums, cookware, cookie cutters, sweaters... So we will try to make sure there is personal room for both of us and the pets in the midst of all the other clutter we flood our life with, B - Doable House projects. There is the VAST bucket list of major things like a new bathroom and kitchen, new windows and siding on the house. But we also need to look at smaller projects that can feasibly be done to make it seem like we are moving forward in some way. We are heading off to the Reuse It Center today to see where that can all start. C - Fish Bowl Dating. One of the first things we did when we started our relationship was come up with a fish bowl where we both jotted down unusual options for dates to keep things fresh. You know, instead of the usual Netflix and Chill! We always see things and new places and think "we should do this." So we are bringing it back. I know exactly where we left it in the dining room cabinet. Getting Rid Of %&^ - Bad Friends. This isn't a dissing choice. But you know how we all have that small pocket of people on the Christmas card list that you keep reaching out to year after year - and they never bother trying to reach back? I'm not pressing a delete button on them. But just making the wise choice to invest in that closer circle of friends whom you never seem to have enough time with. It's a two way street.
This post is not meant to add to the incitefulness of the political climate. But most likely will. It comes from a personal quest into career, but ultimately leads me back into the political arena that seems so corrupt and toxic right now.
For some additional training I took a worthwhile webinar this week on the topic of Lobbying. And while it is a VAST umbrella, the main intent was to make sure that us participants were able to grasp the distinction between advocacy vs. lobbying. In short, Advocacy is where you have a strong investment in any civic cause and want to make sure you are giving it support in your daily actions. By contrast, Lobbying is more specific where you are aiming that voice to a specific piece of Legislation and trying to sway votes in your court. A key point made, was that any elected official can not possibly know everything in detail about every issue that might cross their path. So in effect, the concept of lobbying, when well intentioned, should be a legal avenue to educate them. And along with this, there are also very black & white legalities over what is ethical and what crosses a line.
