An Open Letter to our Clients & Partners
“What a long, strange trip it’s been…” and it has only been two weeks since the now infamous memo from the Office of Management and Budget muddied the waters for organizations that depend on federal dollars to serve their clients and communities. I know it feels like it has been much longer and that is likely because we are all simultaneously thinking about not only what has happened but what is still left to come. The memo and subsequent communications from the White House, like everything that has happened since, caused a great deal of panic and confusion, and it still feels very raw.
Although the immediate crisis was ultimately averted, we can say with near certainty that we will see more disruption, confusion, and, at times, all-out chaos for the nonprofit, social services, and education sectors over the next few weeks, months, and years. As of this writing, more than 70 executive orders and administrative actions have been issued by the new administration, many of which impact these sectors both directly and indirectly.
Sorry to have to be a messenger of such optimism. But all is not lost. Please know that you are not alone if you have some anger building alongside the confusion--also know how important it is to stay balanced and measured in the moment.
I often remind myself (and many of you have heard me say) that disruption is not something we should try to avoid, rather something we must learn to manage effectively and efficiently. Disruption has become a normal part of all of our organizations—given the work we do, it’s baked into the business model. Because of this, 1000 Feathers spends considerable time with organizations, communities, and systems that are managing some level of disruption. As a result, I’ve had the opportunity to learn a lot from the shared experiences and collective expertise of those we have worked with along the way. Here is a quick list of things I have learned that I hope will help you now and, in the days, ahead.
Stand on the ground you know. This is the time to be crystal clear, both internally and externally, about your vision, mission, and values. I know you have them because we have helped many of you create them. Now more than ever, you and your organization must use them to help provide clarity and direction as you make decisions and take action. When your decisions and actions match your values, you will feel exponentially more confident in the path forward.
GO! But don’t go alone. I know it seems like the right thing to do at times, but trust that there is nothing to be gained by retreating and hiding in this moment. We must continue to move, to do the hard work, and push forward… our communities are counting on us to stand strong and deliver. Take action, do the bold thing, make the hard decision. It is also important to fight the urge to go alone. In our sector and in our communities, the whole is definitely greater than the sum of its parts, especially in moments like these. Connect with other organizations working in similar places and spaces, share information and even resources where possible, be intentional about building relationships, and be strategic about increasing your partnerships and collaborations with values-aligned organizations.
Continue to be resilient. I have no doubt that the strength and resilience of the nonprofit, social services, and education sectors will be on full display in the coming days. Let’s be honest: the amazing people who work in these sectors have decades of experience doing more with less, making the most of situations where resources were limited, and finding creative ways to continue to serve even when people told us our work doesn’t matter. For those of us who have been doing this work in the South, we have been navigating the equivalent of executive orders from the White House at the local and state level for years. In other words, we have been training for this moment our entire careers.
Remember that “the map is not the terrain.” I saw this quote from Alfred Korzybski recently, and it has really stuck with me. Loosely translated, it is a reminder that our best laid plans (the map) don’t necessarily predict the terrain we are currently navigating (the reality of current times). You can stand strong on your vision, mission, and values while also acknowledging that you’re going to need a new map! Just be sure to be open and honest with your team, your partners, and those you serve about where, when, and how you might need a new map. What changes are needed? What things will stay the same? What are the things that are still unknown?
Avoid distractions and stay balanced, measured, and intentional in your communication. Chaos and uncertainty seem to be the order of the day and that can be demoralizing and paralyzing, especially when we feel like we need to respond immediately to every news alert and social media post. I’ll be vulnerable here. This one is hard for me. But I am also 100% certain that now is the time for all of us to stay focused on what matters most (to you) and stay balanced and measured in our communication and responses. My friend Kevin Dean of the Tennessee Nonprofit Network recently said, “this is a game of chess, not a game of ‘scream real loud and hope something changes.’” Brilliant! And to be clear, this doesn’t mean you have to stay silent, it just means that we need to be intentional about when, where, and how we are responding.
Most importantly, friends, take care of yourself and don’t give up. The people and the communities you serve need you and need you at your best… now more than ever.
