It’s always the same story isn’t it… I get busy or go out of town, and then I don’t blog.  Well, this time it’s been busy and super hot… which being from LA wouldn’t bother me…. but predictably, it’s the humidity.  Ick…. to refer back to a long ago trip to India, “It is too sultry for me.”

I just returned from a Meet Up group for nonprofits.  SFX:  grumble, groan, sigh.

Only two other people I met actually work in nonprofit… one is in a nonprofit and the other consults but at least for nonprofits and has significant nonprofit experience.  Everyone else seemed to be either someone who likes volunteering with nonprofits or… and this was the majority… people who were starting a nonprofit because nobody had come up with their idea.  Truth?  YES, someone has comeup with your idea, and they are probably doing it better.

I mentioned this to my sister who wisely asked if it was a bunch of super young new to the workforce people.  Sadly, no.  If it was, I could be inspired by their desire to make a difference.  These were just a bunch of middle aged folks who have a day job and want to make the leap into nonprofit.  It reminded me of when I was acting and an older or much older person… I was young 20s, had decided to toss their job in accounting, banking, HR, etc. and ‘make it’ as an actor or voice-over in Hollywood.  To which I wanted to smack them upside the head and say… you think this doesn’t take talent, effort, learning your craft?  I guess nowadays that would be hard to argue given the apparent ‘success’ of folk like the Kardashians.

So tonight was a bunch of people who weren’t of particular use to me professionally…ok not all… and who weren’t necessarily people I want to hang out with personally…again for the most part.  However, I couldn’t rain on their parades, and I did decide to use my limited powers and knowledge for good rather than evil.  So I referred people to foundations and/or other organizations for potential funding or partnerships.  They were all super eager to get my business card.  Which means I will have several emails in the morning of people who want to pick my brain for funding.  Not my job.

Cynical New Yorker am I!

As ever,

K. Quinn