Think About Things Differently
January 24 is the United Nation’s International Day of Education, “a platform to showcase the most important transformations that have to be nurtured to realize everyone’s fundamental right to education and build a more sustainable, inclusive, and peaceful future.”
Although the United Nations’ intent is far broader, mission-driven organizations can embrace the concept to educate their constituents on how their work solves common challenges. After all, why you do what you do is integral to gaining the support of everyone vital to your success—the general public, customers, donors, beneficiaries, and, of course, employees.
Inspire and equip them to share your story on social media, with their elected officials, or friends and family.
Here are ways to educate your constituents and further your mission in the process:
WELCOME 2022
Why a New Year's Resolution?
Does it strike you as funny the amount of pressure we put on January to start, re-start, or jump-start something we feel is lacking, missing, or behind schedule? Sure, the year just changed, but time changes literally every second. What makes the shifting of the year more important than the shifting of the moment?
Nothing. In fact, if you apply the lens of mindfulness to it, you’ll see that focusing on January as the supreme agent of change robs us of any agency we have throughout the year to affect meaningful change. Every moment is important. It’s all we have. We no longer have the past and we certainly don’t have the future. So if you feel January and its promise of a new start all ready slipping away from you, fret not. Start now. In this moment.
As Leo Tolstoy said: “Remember then: there is only one time that is important–now! It is the most important time because it is the only time when we have any power.”
MESSAGING ON A MISSION
Listen Up: New Episodes Available!
If you’re not already subscribing to our podcast, Messaging on a Mission, what are you waiting for? Here are our two most recent episodes:
If you or your organization have a story to share about how your message impacts your work, don’t be shy! Let us know! We’re always looking for new guests.
MISSION DRIVERS
Massachusetts Land Trust Coalition
In this recurring feature of Focal Point, we profile people and organizations on a mission! If you have someone to suggest, let us know!
The Massachusetts Land Trust Coalition (MassLand) advances land protection in Massachusetts by providing education, tools, networking and advocacy support for land trusts and their partners. They envision a healthy and diverse mix of protected open spaces created and sustained by an effective and united Massachusetts land trust community. MassLand’s work includes:
- Strengthening, connecting, and unifying over 140 land trusts in Massachusetts to preserve open space, conserve habitat, provide recreational access, protect water quality, promote sustainable agriculture and natural resource management, and engage the community.
- Advocating for strong legislation and innovative funding at the state level.
- Facilitating partnerships among conservation entities in order to launch collaborative, high-priority projects on-the-ground.
- Building the capacity of the conservation community by providing direct technical assistance, hosting workshops and forums, and organizing one of the nation’s largest land conservation conferences.
For more information, visit https://massland.org/.
Focal Pointing: Education
Here are resources for educating yourself and others on three important issues: food insecurity, child abuse, and the environment.
FOOD INSECURITY
CHILD ABUSE
THE ENVIRONMENT
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Well Said
"Forgiveness says you are given another chance to make a new beginning"
—Desmond Tutu
Desmond Mpilo Tutu, who passed away last month at the age of 90, was a South African Anglican bishop and theologian, known for his work as an anti-apartheid and human rights activist. He was Bishop of Johannesburg from 1985 to 1986 and then Archbishop of Cape Town from 1986 to 1996, in both cases being the first black African to hold the position. Theologically, he sought to fuse ideas from black theology with African theology.
