content development (&) management

I’m a fan of the Mexican popsicles called paletas. My friend Summer lives in North Carolina and owns Locopops, where she makes and sells the best paletas on the planet. I’m not biased. I AM sad that I don’t live within 15 minutes of one of her stores!

Alas, I do not; but I DO live within 30 minutes of wonderful Las Paletas, a great paleteria in Nashville, and every so often I’ll stop in and grab a dozen couple.

The sun came out today, and I decided it was time for a visit. So I swung by after work, practically whistling as I pulled into their parking. I skipped up to the door, pulled it open…

And there were two women lifting weights in a very large open space where the counter and chalkboard used to be. Exercise equipment. Mats. Advertisements for spinning classes. And yoga… I caught my breath and just rushed out a quiet “noooo…!”

And that’s how my week has been. I keep opening doors and finding… not quite what I expected to find on the other side. In some cases the difference felt Earth-shattering; in others, I’ve just been mildly, and usually pleasantly, surprised. 2009 was an excellent year, but it was kind of like that too. Really getting the business rolling and branching into many different areas was a bit of a roller coaster, but I wouldn’t have changed a thing. Doing what you love, and not being afraid to open doors… that’s living. And I can already tell that 2010 is going to be more alive than 2009 was, and it’s only March!

My friend Stephanie Pierce recently posted a great quote: “We don’t know how this is all going to turn out. But the risky thing is to do nothing, to keep on going the way we’ve been going. No matter how dark the times, it’s still worthwhile to do good work.” ~Wes Jackson via TheYearnling

Standing in the doorway of this fitness center, gym, spa… thinking, “wait… this is like the OPPOSITE of yummy desserts…” I’m certain the blood had drained from my face.

But one of the women smiled and said, “They’re up around the corner in that brown building. Just go up to the sidewalk and it’s the 6th door on the left. They moved a few months ago.”

I’m a little frustrated this morning. I signed up a while ago to have Slate Magazine send me news excerpts in email so that I don’t sound like I’ve been living under a rock when people start debating the economy, or Lithuania, or the economy in Lithuania. Sometimes the debate happens on Facebook, which gives me a chance to look it up before jumping into the fray, but I like to be prepared for those times when I’m not near my computer… okay, or when my iPhone is too far away to snap out a quick Google search or Tweet my network!

This morning the news excerpts included a link to a column by Patty and Sandy Stonesifer. They were responding to Ashleigh’s question, “Are ‘click to give’ sites legitimate? If so, why don’t you hear stories about people they have benefited?” Since I LOVE talking about nonprofits and giving, I skipped the stories about Baghdad and Dear Prudence, and went right to it.

Sandy responded with a very comprehensive discussion about the Hunger Site and Free Rice and other click-and-our-sponsor-gives-your-favorite-charity-money. As a side note, I LOVE Free Rice because the game works my vocabulary muscles!

But what frustrated me is that while they acknowledged the general ineffectiveness of these sites, and commented on the danger that  those of us that use them might think we’re “off the hook” as far as giving goes (and if you are reading this blog, you know how I feel about that), they failed to mention the REAL click-to-give sites, like GuideStar.org or here in Middle Tennessee, GivingMatters.com. These sites are where nonprofits can go to setup a public profile, in exchange for which they get a button they can add to their website – which allows users to “click” to donate. No games, no dependence on sponsors. Real dollars. Real folks, really getting help. And these sites are also searchable, so if you are looking, say, for a transitional housing organization, in Nashville, that helps veterans and others who are battling homelessness, you might come across the profile for my friends at Matthew 25. And you can review their financials, see who’s on the board of directors (and read their resumes), and find out if their mission is something that matches your passion and gift. And give. Right there.

If you know a little about SEO, you know that Patty and Sandy missed great opportunity this morning to help a lot of people with a few words and a couple of links! Ashleigh should have been told about GivingMatters.com – that’s where she can read all about the people that are benefiting from her generosity.

Be (frustration) free,

Jeff