.."And then with a cry from his soul despairing,He bowed him down to the earth and wept. But a voice cried aloud from the driving rain;“Arise, old man, and plant again!” This week, I’m reading a poem, Disappointed, written by Paul Laurence Dunbar, published in 1913. Reflection question: Has there been a disappointment in the campaign where you need to stop and weep before moving forward? Reflection on the quote: Capital campaigns are full of some many moments that can be also hard and taxing on the staff, volunteers and the organizations.  In this series, we are looking at ways to manage the stress. Last week, we discussed the stress associated with waiting and how to use the waiting to nurture relationships with donors. This week, we will discuss areas of stress; that is, when something that seemed certain doesn’t happen during the capital campaign. Because of the length of a capital campaign, it is likely that something that seemed guaranteed will fall through.  A grant is suddenly pulled.  A donor experiences a sudden financial reversal and can’t give.  A key member of the campaign moves, gets sick or passes away and can no longer champion the campaign.  Or, a portion of…

"...Waiting, then, is not passive. It involves nurturing the moment, as a mother nurtures the child that is growing in her womb...” This week, I am reflecting on selected quotes from Henri Nouwen from the The Path of Waiting, published in 1995 and Bread for the Journey, published in 1996. Reflection questions: When you are meeting with donors, are you listening with full attention and waiting with the donor to discover more about themselves and their potential capital campaign donation? Think about the areas where you are waiting, is there something you can do to nurture the donor relationship? Reflection on the quote: Capital campaigns are full of some many moments that can be also hard and taxing on the staff, volunteers and the organizations.  In this series, we are looking at ways to manage the stress. Last week, we discussed feeling overwhelmed about the goal and learning into joy.  This week, we will be exploring the seasons of waiting, which can be stressful.  We wait for the right timing to ask.  We wait for donors to decide to give.  We wait for news about a grant application.  We spend a lot of time waiting. Waiting is not inactive.  Instead, it involves…

"...Life is so generous a giver, but we, judging its gifts by the covering,Cast them away as ugly, or heavy, or hard." This week, I’m reading a poem written by Greville MacDonald to his father George MacDonald in 1930. Reflection question: Who on your list of donors who have already given can you call this week to hold onto joy in the midst of your stress? Reflection on the quote: Capital campaigns are full of some many moments that can be also hard and taxing on the staff, volunteers and the organizations.  In this series, we will look at ways to manage the stress. It is easy to become overcome by the enormity of the capital campaign goal and the number of donors who need to be cultivated and asked.  When we are overwhelmed by the enormity of the goal and the number of donors who need to be cultivated and asked, this is when we must take the joy within our reach. One of the most beautiful ways to take hold of that joy is through stewardship of the donors who have already given.  Rather than seeing stewardship as one more task in the campaign, instead it can be a way…