Brandywine Homes USA’s Post

“What’s Wrong With A Cowboy Hat And Boots?”: Learning The Ropes In Wyoming When I started in mission advancement back in September, I was told by many to be sure to document my first year in the field. It would be a great way to see my own personal growth. Also it would help me to make the most of my valuable, but fading, outsider perspective. I've see so many thoughtful posts from seasoned professionals in the field everyday. And, of course, I am kept busy driving around the Cowboy State. So it has been slow going to think of something worth sharing and putting pen to paper. However, we all knows how this goes – you’ve got to start somewhere. So here I go! My Three Take-Aways From Three Months On The Job: 1.      Ride For The Brand. I’ll be honest, the hardest decision to make in these past months was what western boots to get – and when. I did not want to seem like I was trying too hard to fit in, but I began to feel a little self-conscious when I was the only one in the room not wearing boots. There’s a strong sense of community here – making the effort to fit in outweighs the potential faux-pas. It’s also not just about the boots – it’s about recognizing the sense of legacy and showing a commitment to embracing and upholding those values. In other words – ride for the brand! 2.     Take Pride In Your Work. I was fortunate to be able to attend the International Catholic Stewardship Conference soon after beginning in this role, and was blessed with the opportunity to hear thoughtful, experienced speakers (like Scott Bucko and Sheila McGirl, CFRE ) break down the fundamentals of development. Questions posed by Aad de Lange were insightful too, as were conversations with Sarah Newman and Benjamin Domingue, M.B.A.. A major theme that I noticed was: “people like to be on a winning team.” As I’ve started to build my network here, the question often on my mind is: “who is the team?.” In a state of this size, individuals have the opportunity to make an outsized impact on life in the state and to promoting its legacy. Likewise, I’ve quickly learned to take pride in the work of our organization ad intra and ad extra. 3.     Talk Less and Say More.  

This week, my daughter embarked on a new journey alongside her friend; they pedaled towards school with the morning sun casting a golden glow on their path. It was their ride unaccompanied by an adult, a significant milestone marking their growing independence and our trust in their abilities. This moment resonates deeply with a core value we cherish in the communities we build: celebrating transitions as progressions, not endings. In our communities, we honor those who venture out to explore new opportunities, recognizing that each departure enriches our collective experience. We applaud their courage to embrace change, much like a child's first ride without an adult. Their leaving is not a loss but a testament to the growth and development we foster within our ranks. Just as my daughter will circle back home, our departing colleagues often return, bringing with them fresh perspectives and experiences that invigorate our community. They venture out, learn, and come back to us, much like the alumni of a great institution whose ongoing contributions fuel continuous innovation and success. The cycle of leaving and returning is a powerful narrative that mirrors life's ebb and flow. It reminds us that each farewell can set the stage for a future reunion enriched by new wisdom and insights. As we bid farewell to a valued community member today, we do so with the anticipation of welcoming them back in the future, arms open, ready to integrate their newfound knowledge and experiences into our ever-evolving tapestry. This philosophy transforms our communities into a launchpad for personal and professional growth, where every individual's journey contributes to our shared story. It's a narrative that celebrates movement, embraces change, and acknowledges that every end is simply the beginning of another adventure. Just as my daughter's ride to school signifies her first steps towards autonomy, our approach to farewells signifies not only our commitment to nurturing a dynamic and forward-thinking community but also our deep appreciation for each member's unique journey. In what ways do you celebrate the departure of your community members? #communityengagement #alumnirelations #personalgrowth

Introducing our CHANGEMAKERS CLUB. A club founded on the belief that small actions will power big change. It’s on all of us to make it happen. Because building a brighter, better future isn’t a singular struggle. It’s a commitment to fight together and implement lifestyle changes that bring about dramatic shifts. By joining our club, you’re going beyond mere benefits. You’re joining a community of difference-makers and problem solvers, of make-change-happeners. Because we’re all made to make a difference.

📚💡 Melinda's journey is a testament to how we're dedicated to transforming careers and lives. Ready to pave your path like Belinda did? Join us today, and let's make your success story our next spotlight. Call us on 0161 210 3788 ☎️ or DM us to learn more! #PitmanSuccess #CareerGrowth #TestimonialTuesday

The R&R expansion continues...

It’s been a BUSY summer y’all! In the past few weeks I’ve learned a ton. I’ve worked hard and put my all into something pretty special. Now, it’s time to talk about it: there’s a new small business in Boise and yours truly is at the helm! HKC Public Affairs is an advocacy strategy shop. Cool! What’s that mean? Advocacy encompasses a wide range of activities -- public engagement, citizen training, capacity building, forming networks and more. We can utilize all these things to create change and build a stronger force for progress. The goal is communities connected to those in power. Small orgs, businesses, informal groups…we’re all affected by policy decisions, but don’t necessarily have a voice in the process. Let’s change that. Setting up shop has been insanely fun, exciting, and challenging. The great website saga of ‘23 (wouldn’t have made it without Cady and Brandon!), general advice about clients (my hometown experts Beth and Whitney), all the love, encouragement and support from friends and contacts…all of you made this possible. Special thanks to Curtis for being the most supportive man on the planet, and for keeping my favorite candy stocked. The organizations and businesses I’ve worked for and in partnership with – the amazing people that do this work – all helped shape the journey. CVI taught me more than I can ever imagine (they’re hiring – check it out!) and my LB network has been invaluable. All of you contributed to making this back-burner dream a reality. “This is so needed” is the reaction I’ve gotten most when talking about this business. I agree. Let’s team up and make progress. https://lnkd.in/gRaQ6syh

All of this cold weather makes us wish we were back at Josh's Frogs like we were back in July because it is so toasty in there! Josh's Frogs was the July Employer for our Employer Showcase! They are a fast-growing online pet store and leader in the industry, and they pride themselves on selling only happy, healthy captive-bred amphibians, reptiles, and insects. They respect and protect their people and animals, value integrity, and commit to constant improvement. They promote from within and offer ample opportunities for growth and advancement. Josh's Frogs was one of the INC 5000's fastest-growing businesses in 2022, this year is their FIFTH year in a row on the INC 5000 List! Only 5% of businesses have made the list five years consecutively. One of their core values isn't "constantly growing" for nothing; the proof is in the pond. Learn more about Josh's Frogs at new.joshsfrogs.com and https://lnkd.in/gfvR-RY4.

The Chief of Staff role is so rewarding because it's so diverse and allows me to touch every part of evolvedMD's business. This week I was able to lead projects in branding, communications, investor relations, coaching, employee experience, and a bit of community engagement and had the privilege of: 🖋 [Executive Branding] Supporting my work bestie, Kim Ho, writing her first LinkedIn article. If you haven't done so already, check out the amazing piece here: https://lnkd.in/gjSjscyA 📝 [Communications] Penning an epic (if I do say so myself) advocacy letter calling for more support for mental health services while briefing our team in Utah on patient messaging. 👨💼[Corporate Development] Partnering with Erik Osland on initiatives to set us up for near- and long-term success. 👥 [Coaching] Hosting a skip-level lunch with Evan Sakrison on career and professional development. 💻 [Employee Experience] Facilitating a webinar with Thanasi Panagiotakopoulos, CEPA, MSF, BFA for our managers on personal finance. 🚘[Community] Volunteering at one of my favorite events of the year, the PHOENIX MENS ARTS COUNCIL Copperstate 1000 vintage car show and route (preview in the pic below). Understanding that to keep leaders motivated they have to spend time on things that make them happy outside of the office (check out my recent post on this here: https://lnkd.in/gsdN-7GU), spending today giving my time (and the rest of this weekend) is recharging my battery for next week. Make it a great weekend.