Still Crazy After All These Years
Posted by Ashley Graham on Wednesday, November 11, 2009
It’s interesting to attend my 17th Conference of Leaders — an annual gathering of Share Our Strength’s volunteer leaders and partners from across the nation, all doing their part to end childhood hunger in America. It’s always a treat to see so many familiar faces, which makes this a reunion of sorts, but it’s also heartening to see a huge number of new faces.
Last night I met a man who is relatively new to our efforts who said (at the halfway point of the conference) that he was now smitten. Share Our Strength is just that kind of organization and our supporters are just that kind of folk — and it’s hard not to get a crush.
Our leaders inspire the best kind of shock and awe with their amazing achievements and they are each a source of inspiration and motivation. You want to buy what they’re selling and be a member of whatever club they’re in. This gentleman ended up winning our Rookie of the Year Award, so clearly he followed his goodwill with noteworthy action.
Another man, Mark Rodriguez, won our Humanitarian of the Year Award tonight. When I first met Mark in the mid-‘90s, he headed up Evian and, with a major assist from Danny Meyer, we convinced him and his company to join our fold. Since then, he has infused every company he has led with his commitment to Share Our Strength and ending childhood hunger, and he continues to make incredible contributions to our cause.
Ending childhood hunger in America by 2015 is a daunting, but do-able challenge, and with a network full of forces of nature, we can get the job done. I am someone who enjoys constant new challenges and stimulation, so when I joined Share Our Strength in 1992, I remember coaching myself to try to stay 2-3 years and make a “long-term commitment” that would look good on a resume. Fast forward to 17 years later…and I’m still smitten.
November 11, 2009 | | Tags: conference of leaders, volunteering
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