Imperfect Prayer for an Imperfect World, 5785

Forging new neural synapses at age 55 is a good feeling. So is being called home by former employers and colleagues to collaborate on meaningful projects. This sums up my first ever first quarter as a nonprofit consultant. Both my mother and former JUF colleague Peter Chiswick recently asked me if I’m less busy than I was before transitioning from a full-time job to consulting. No, I don’t have more free time, but I have more freedom. Freedom to dedicate that time to doing what I do best and love most. And it's not always easy, which is good.

If I’m being honest, my most difficult assignment since July 1 was a pro bono one. A "private citizen Dana challenge of the heart and mind" that came from Rabbi Bruce Elder of Congregation Hakafa. He asked me to write a one to two minute Prayer for the World and read it to the congregation on Yom Kippur morning. Oy. What would you say? This is where I landed.

Imperfect Prayer for an Imperfect World, 5785

Hi. I’m Dana Rhodes.

Writing a prayer for the world on Yom Kippur 5785 is daunting, almost paralyzingly so. Because the stakes are high. Because the world feels big and broken. Because some days it’s exhausting to even wake up, yet collectively we need to wake up. Because I have an aversion to clichés, an unhealthy attachment to perfection, a fear of public speaking – and the public in general. Because I swear when I care, I don’t pray in traditional ways, it’s easier to ruminate, it’s not about me, and I don’t know—on an existential level—if anyone is listening.

And for all these reasons -- these very same reasons, I now realize writing a Yom Kippur prayer for the world is imperative. It’s imperative to push past perfectionism and cynicism and fear to envision the world we wish to inhabit and our role in building it. To consider, perhaps, three things we truly value and how that translates to real life, 5785.

I’ll go first.

1.      Community: Surrounding ourselves with people who understand that showing up matters and who inspire us to do the same. People who drive to Springfield, Ohio for Haitian food to stand in solidarity with others. People who celebrate together, cry together, learn together, sing together—even if I sing out of tune. This year, I will step up and practice showing up for you. It is about me. It is about us. Community.

2.      Democracy: May we choose leaders who choose collective good over ego, who choose humanity over hate. Period. (This is where I’d typically swear but my husband said I shouldn’t swear on Yom Kippur.)

3.     Tikkun Olam (Repairing the World):  I dedicate my professional life to empowering and strengthening nonprofits dedicated to empowering and strengthening people. Because everyone everywhere wants, needs, deserves the same things. It’s Maslow. Food and shelter, safety and security, access to education and healthcare, love and acceptance, purpose and hope and choice – things that are out of reach for too many. As this community well knows, it’s not just nonprofit professionals who show up after floods of biblical proportions, and before elections of epic proportions and during heartbreaking trauma – individual or collective. I have so many stories of selflessness and resilience I could share. Perhaps I will share – another day. But for now – I’ll share three quotes.

My neighbor Greg – who I passed on the street this week in a moment of freakout – said simply, Everyone should do what they can, how they can, the best they can, as often as they can.

As Anne Frank said, No one has ever become poor by giving. I don't think of all the misery, but of the beauty that still remains.

As RuPaul said, We’re all born naked, the rest is drag.

May we all pause, dig deep, and write our own authentic, imperfect prayer for this messy, complex, scary beautiful world, 5785. May we all commit to sharing our strengths and struggles, speaking our truth, and living our values to build a better world. Day by day, bit by bit, we will try. And when we fall short, we will try harder.

G’mar Chatimah Tovah.

3 Lessons on the Path to Nonprofit Consulting: A Thank You Note

I gave 16 months’ notice before leaving my job in June. “I’ll see the agency through one more strategic planning process and then I’m transitioning to my final chapter as a nonprofit consultant,” I said. Sixteen months might seem excessive, but I’m not a fan of surprises or loose ends.

I then did what any introvert who dislikes surprises does when embarking on a new chapter.  I spent my free time creating spreadsheets, trolling LinkedIn, and reading every relevant book at the Highland Park Public Library, especially those in Dewey’s 158 section and any title containing the word “introvert.” I brainstormed branding on the Green Bay Trail, puttered around Wix, and savored seasonal solo silent retreats on the tranquil grounds of Marytown. I spent Sundays memorizing my new EIN, delighting in Harvard Business Review, and booting up my new Dell laptop (thanks, x3, to my husband Brian). I inventoried every moment that made my brain light up (or shut down) throughout all 54 years of my life.

Etcetera.  

While I made good progress, focusing on books, Excel and soul searching will only take you so far. At a certain point, it’s time to talk to real live humans doing what you want to be doing. In this case, nonprofit consultants. Call it a listening tour, start with a humble genius named Alex, and don’t stop until three dozen oat lattes later. 

Actually, never stop. There’s no shortage of questions. What do you love most about being a nonprofit consultant? What did you learn from your early mistakes? Any advice for an introvert on this path? What unmet needs are you seeing right now? What do you think of this? Any must-read books, apps, trainings, professional associations, master Excel spreadsheets? Synergies?

You shared. I listened. Here are three lessons learned on my nonprofit consultant listening tour:

Lesson #1 - Be true to yourself

Many individuals I met with validated my deep dive. Know your values, your purpose, your story.  Be unapologetically clear about who you are, what you love, where you shine, and what you do. If it’s not a fit, say no. In this spirit, I set aside my running list of potential business names. While Strategy Studio, Mosaic Mindset or Integrity Partners may or may not have a nice ring to them, I’m Dana Rhodes Consulting, Inc.  Someone who has been in the trenches for three decades, who listens and understands, who leads with quiet depth. 

Lesson #2 - Build your inner circle 

I may be a solo practitioner, but nobody can do it alone. Surround yourself with trusted advisors. People who recognize your blind spots and superpowers. Invite them to coffee at Astra or for a walk in the woods. Pick their brains. We all need a personal board of directors who can serve as a sounding board, offer invaluable support and guidance, and speak the truth. Your team might include a past supervisor, BFF, longtime colleague or college roommate. Maybe you invest in a professional coach. I, for one, am especially grateful for Pat, Jill, David, Brian, Amy, and Ron.

Lesson #3 - Let your good work speak for itself

Don’t overthink selling yourself. There is so much need out there. Just focus on doing good work, and the right projects will find you. It might take 6 or 12 or 18 months, it might ebb and flow, but you will pass an inflection point. What a relief. I don’t have to perfect a slick elevator speech, hit the organized circuit, mass-produce branded swag, create a lead magnet, or start a TikTok. Kudos to all the powerhouse marketers out there, but that’s not me. What resonates with me is authentic relationships, word of mouth, thought leadership and quality work. Thankfully, after my recent positive experiences, I now embrace one-on-one networking. And thankfully, with today’s tools, even a non-techie like me can build a simple website and blog.

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Valuable advice, esteemed colleagues. I am grateful for your time, encouragement and wisdom. When I started my listening tour, I wasn’t sure what to expect. What I encountered was a generous, insightful, and collaborative community eager to share your stories, resources and networks. Not one yawn or competitive kvetch. A heartfelt thank you to the three Rachels, two Davids and others with biblical and non-biblical names across nine states whom I would publicly name if I had your permission to do so.  I hope to return the favor one day, so please let me know if I can be a resource.

Maybe I shouldn’t be surprised by the kindness I encountered. After all, one commonality among everyone I spoke with – cue the violins -- is the drive to strengthen the social service sector and make the world a better place. I’m honored – and ready -- to join you.

All the best,

❤️ Dana

P.S. I can’t wait to read all the books you recommended. Maybe I’ll share reviews in future posts.

P.P.S. Any tips on how to overcome perfectionism paralysis to publish weekly blog posts?

P.P.P.S. While the Franciscan Friars of Marytown are truly hospitable and lovely, please notify me of any plans to open a Jewish retreat center in the Midwest. One where introverted nonprofit consultants can go and stroll, swing, and silently self-reflect. (I’ll lead your planning process and write your grant proposal!)