A couple of months ago, I was invited out by a wonderful friend to speak to a group of hospital fundraising and marketing professionals throughout the state of Montana at their bi-annual conference. First of all, I was ecstatic that I was going to be PAID to go to Montana and stay at the amazing Chico Hot Springs Resort. Second, I was getting paid to do something I love - speak about fundraising. Third, I was getting paid to meet new people, and not just any people, but some of the most wonderful, genuine and incredibly nice people I had ever had the pleasure of meeting. Of course, I also got to ski a bit before the conference began and I can't say that was anything less than wonderful either.
So as you can see, Montana had me at hello. She was friendly, welcoming, dynamic, big, vast and all around something I wouldn't soon forget. I knew then that I wanted to be Montana. The trick was how to become more like her.
I was lucky enough at that conference to meet some amazing people who were in a tight spot with their current campaign counsel. They were ready to make a switch and invited me to come out and speak to their full board to see if it was a match. Of course, I knew it would be a match on my end, but after our meeting, it was a done deal. I would be out there for a week each month. WOOHOO!
I just returned from my first week and it was better than expected, which is saying a lot. The volunteers were amazing, the CEO was open and willing and very able, the staff were ready to go, easy to work with and incredibly talented. Can you ask for more? All of this surrounded by the amazing state of Montana and all of her charms.
I hope by the end of this contract, not only will we see tremendous success, but also that I will be one step closer to becoming more like her.
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