“State of the Union” Part 2

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In 2016 I sojourned through the both Party Platforms as  re-election data gathering.  Today we are almost one year through the new Republican administration with a Republican majority in both the House and Senate.  What did Republicans say they wanted to do and what got accomplished?

This is the second in my series. I bolded those area that progressed in the direction the Party Platform intended.  [tweetthis]Will the intended consequences be realized?[/tweetthis]  I think it’s too soon to tell, and in some cases, I don’t know if there will be a direct link.  For example, 20 EPA regulatory actions were reversed in 2017. It’s unclear whether that had, or will have, and impact on responsible home ownership.

If you want a refresher, search this site for “State of the Union.” If you want a review of what I did pre-election, search for “Party Platform.”

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Pause, Breathe, and Take Stock: 2017-45

Last week marked the end of my consulting at Adello. What started as a month, turned out to be nine months.  I may be asked back after the New Year, but for now, it’s goodbye.  I kept it low-profile because, well, you know, who wants to say goodbye, if it’s not real.  Still, a strawberry shortcake piled high with whipped cream frosting and the most lovely card ever, and I left feeling so, so seen and appreciated. [tweetthis]I do strive for kindness. Not a bad goal to continue into 2018.[/tweetthis]

Here are a few more things, in no particular order that remind me how blessed my life is:

[icon name=”bell-o” class=”” unprefixed_class=””]  Rez Book Club: A group of friends who like to read and who also care enough to spread kindness.

[icon name=”bell-o” class=”” unprefixed_class=””]  A freelance writing job where

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‘Tis the Season….

Did you know that December is the biggest month for charitable giving?  Here’s some statistics I got from Neon

  • Nearly one-third (31%) of annual giving occurs in December;

  • 12% of all giving happens in the last three days of the year;

  • 28% of nonprofits raise between 26 and 50% of their annual funds from their year-end ask.

  • Volunteers are twice as Likely to Donate than Non Volunteers.

  • Two-thirds of people do not research before giving

[tweetthis]I like to think that the holidays or perhaps the darker, colder nights makes people consider those who need help. [/tweetthis]Although that may be part of it, someone a little more jaded than me said December is the last chance to get a tax deduction for charitable giving.

Some of us start traditions around giving. Rez Book Club does just that.  This year we are giving books to The Diaper Bank of Northern Illinois.  The mission of THE DIAPER BANK OF NORTHERN ILLINOIS is to give diapers for the infants and children of low-income families, disabled children and adults, the elderly, and the sick, in an effort to improve the daily health, safety, and conditions of their lives. In December, diapers come with gift-wrapped books.

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