Quote for May 31, 2006

“So many people walk around with a meaningless life. They seem half-asleep, even when they’re busy doing things they think are important. This is because they’re chasing the wrong things. The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning.” – Morrie Schwartz

Quote for May 25, 2006

“Men wanted for hazardous journey, small wages, bitter cold, long months of complete darkness – constant danger, safe return doubtful – honor and recognition in case of success.” – Sir Ernest Shackleton

Quote for May 24, 2006

"If we use resources productively and take to heart the lessons learned from coping with the energy crisis, we face a future confronted only, as Pogo, once said, by insurmountable opportunities. The many crises facing us should be seen, then, not as threats, but as chances to remake the future so it serves all beings." – L. Hunter Lovins and Amory B. Lovins

Quote for May 23, 2006

“By the strength of my arm, by the sight of my eyes, by the skill of my fingers, I swear, as long as life dwells in me, never will I follow any way but the sweeping way of the wind.” – Everett Reuss

Second Weekend Overnight Camping Trip

Quote for May 19, 2006

“Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising which tempt you to believe that your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to an end requires courage.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Quote for May 17, 2006

“This is the true joy in life, the being used up for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; The being a force of nature instead of a feverish, selfish little clod of ailments and grievances, complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy. I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the community and as long as I live it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can. I want to be thoroughly used up when I die, for the harder I work the more I live. I rejoice in life for its own sake. Life is no brief candle to me. It is a splendid torch which I have got hold of for a moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations.” -George Bernard Shaw

Competition and the Non-Profit Sector

Representing the Cottonwood Institute, I just came back from attending Community Ventures 2006, a professional development conference supported by The Community Foundation Serving Boulder County. During a session called Profit or Non-Profit: The Same Business Protocols Prevail, with Ira Nottonson and Joseph and Kathleen Contrino, a question was raised about competition in the non-profit sector.

As the number of non-profits continues to grow, demographics and laws continue to change, and financial resources become more scarce, I think we will see a shake out in the non-profit sector. A friend of mine predicted that to survive in the non-profit sector, organizations will have to collaborate, consolidate, or vacate.

Question: As the non-profit sector matures and utilizes for-profit business techniques, how will competition positively or negatively affect your non-profit organization? What do you think about competition in the non-profit sector?

Final Reflection Paper

Your Final Reflection Paper is due on Wednesday, May 31, 2006. If you lost the Final Reflection Paper assignment handout, please Click Here to download a copy. Failure to complete this assignment will result in an IP in this class.

Second Weekend Overnight

If you lost the handout and equipment list for our second weekend overnight, Click Here to download a copy of the handout.

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