Hi all,
In computer programming & software design, code refactoring is the process of restructuring existing computer code – changing the factoring – without changing its external behavior. Refactoring is intended to improve the design, structure, and/or implementation of the software, while preserving its functionality.
‘Refactoring’ has sort of become my mantra this past few weeks, ensuring a little progress each day towards longer terms goals and as we collectively come out of the fog of the pandemic. I’m pretty sure we are all continually ‘refactoring’ our lives right now as we transition back to our workplaces and communities in a variety of different forms.
This past month has seen me get back on the road for work, and while my social skills have inherently atrophied, it’s great to reconnect with the broader philanthropic community again. I mentioned in a previous edition that people outside our inner circle ‘just makes us feel more like part of a community, or part of something bigger’ and this has been reinforced in a few short weeks by people I have met in person (after connecting initially during COVID), that have introduced me to new ideas, new information, new opportunities, and other new people. I truly hope these are the same things y’all are experiencing as you similarly re-introduce yourselves back into civic life too.
While I’m not naïve to the fact that Delta is running rampant through our cities (and feel for my family & friends back home in Australia who are feeling this a bit more acutely than others), I feel we are much better prepared & informed to tackle this thing head on, forge our new ‘normals’ and to coin an underwhelming recent political catchphrase - ‘build back better.’
RG
What I’m Writing (& Saying)
‘Refactoring’ Your Nonprofits Governance - A New Culture For Proactive Internal Improvements (4 min read)
What mechanisms might exist for society to move beyond band-aid policies and ordinances, and more importantly see more ‘good red-tape’ moves that won’t simply be unraveled or repealed when a new administration comes to power?
The solutions to how we deal with tech regulations that affect our communities might actually come from the methodologies that fuel the tech space itself. Refactoring.
Look, I’m no economist but I know an alarming finance stat when I see one, and know that there are steps we can take to rectify it, especially if we incubate and prove out these ideas in a collaborative and complementary way across our burgeoning social sector ecosystem.
To that end, is anyone concerned by the continued millions of folks unbanked or underbanked in our community and the lack of progress made this past decade? There is surely a case for fintech & philanthropy to join forces & support a generational shift in financial literacy...surely?
Journey to a CFRE Certification (4 min read)
I recently featured on the CFRE International and AFP Austin Chapter newsletters in an interview I did about obtaining my CFRE (Certified Fund Raising Executive) certification. I mainly discuss how the CFRE builds out your grasp and mastery of the foundational elements in fundraising and why it’s important for those that work in the sector to hold themselves to the highest professional standards possible.
What I’m Reading
A New AI Lexicon: Responses and Challenges to the Critical AI discourse (numerous essays)
In January 2021, AI Now Institute at New York University launched ‘A New AI Lexicon :’ a call for contributions to generate alternate narratives, positionalities, and understandings to the better known and widely circulated ways of talking about AI. The aim is to collectively discuss the limitations of current buzzwords and their interpretation in the critical + ethical AI community.
The first essays have been published and are very, very much worth your time in reading…
What I’m Sharing
Fundraising Webinar: This month (August 19) I will be joining Fundmetric CEO, Mark Hobbs to chat about what we both think the future might hold for philanthropy. If you want a sneak peek at the ideas I've been writing in my book this is the webinar to watch. Let's look to the next decade, anticipate future trends, and prepare ourselves to lay the groundwork for their successful adoption.
Call for Sessions/Speaking Opportunity: Grantmakers for Effective Organizations (GEO) invites its members, grantmakers, non-profits and other organizations outside of philanthropy to submit session proposals to present at the 2022 National Conference in Chicago. The RFP is open now and closes on August 11. Submit your session proposal here.
US - Australia Scholarships: The American Australian Association’s (AAA) Graduate Education Fund is now open for its US to Australia application round. It provides support of up to US $40,000 to individuals undertaking or planning to undertake full-time Graduate level study (Masters, Ph.D. or Postdoctoral Research) at an accredited educational institution in the country of the other, for a minimum of one-year.