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2022:  David & Goliath Revisited; A Strategic Plan Wake-Up Call 

As pandemic restrictions rollback and global society begins to return to business lunches and face to face meetings, conferences and students return to an in-person education there is both relief and anxiety.  While the last two years are etched uniquely into each of us, the shared environment of change is prevalent in the way we browse, lunch, shop, party, donate, grieve and plan.  Remnants of COVID alter the landscape with loss; long-COVID damaged health for many as time overtakes another Ides of March, the proverbial ‘settle the score’ seems less about Caesar and more about the machinations of a Cold War Goliath over a Ukrainian David. 

It feels overstated to pontificate on the unprecedented nature of our time, yet it bears mentioning the way in which our collective society experienced a stop gap in the access to the basic food, shelter, medication, childcare and education.  Suffice to say, none among us managed to arrive at the back side of the global pandemic without seeing some damage.  Personal choices may have been motivated by concerns, three or four tiers away, from the perceivable:  safety of children, elderly parents, health care, distance are all so individually relative. It seems, it doesn’t matter how far apart you are, if you can’t be physically together. 

The need to marshal resources during uncertainty factored into the timing and tipping point of the great resignation among the employed in America. For the first time in generations, the population stepped back from the accepted norm and banked into personal benchmarking. The pandemic primed the populace with increased reliance on technology and social media communications. Family values, health and survival pivoted a nation’s universal yardstick of success.  The Joneses were no longer relevant in measuring accomplishments.  Atlas Shrugged and the populace took a pass on climbing the ladder of traditional societal standings in order to maintain familial responsibilities. 

On February 24^th, Russia took an astonishing step toward occupying the Ukraine by launching a full-scale invasion.  The world community watched, incredulously captivated by the steady stream of compelling human stories, as the Pontic-Caspian steppe became the backdrop for a potential third world war. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy emerged as a stalwart leader.   The Ukrainian people’s unity, grit and determination to defy foreign occupation, have become the stuff of legends. The Ukrainian flag has become distinguishable, its colors used to signal support from all walks of life.  Even the British monarchy arranged to show Ukrainian support with a backdrop nod of yellow and blue flowers to during a televised meeting with the Queen and Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau.  Social media platforms are crowdsourcing for Ukrainian needs, while Ukrainian ex-patriots have returned to defend their homeland.    Suddenly being Ukrainian is a battle cry directed globally to fight all odds, in protection of the people, culture and land of a country beyond a simple map rendering.  Pandemic-worn, the world stage recognizes the familiarity of a punishing nemesis taking hold of civilians. Despite of claims of de-nazi-fying a dangerous neighbor, the ill-timed Russian invasion gave a fresh face to the villain among us.

From a macro-view, building and strengthening funding is not a dissimilar effort.  Checks and balances, along with trust, freedom and the capacity to grow are best practices integral to fostering stability. Togetherness and effective collaboration, in both for-profit and non-profit arenas are critical success factors as the world readies for the next gen Cold War. 

Tell the story of David to every Goliath settlement that will listen. 

Historically, the aggressive action of a mighty rogue nation begs to increase communications and maintain vital connections among stakeholders.  Times of uncertainty call for reaching out to renew relations. Through families, friends, community synergy; togetherness is a key component to advancing civilization into the future.  Survival of our nation and our very being rely on a keen togetherness.

Knowing detractors is as important as identifying supporters:  what does your database track? 

On the precipice of new world war, being in possession of a well appointed and groomed data is an excellent arsenal.  How long, can your organization function with current reserves?  Does your return-to-work plan include alternative strategies for maintaining services? These days a well-developed contingency plan is more than a credential requirement, it is a roadmap to safety.  Organizations who have invested in thoughtful strategic planning are more equipped to arm their Davids with well-appointed munitions for accurate Goliath-targeting.  If your strategic plan was constructed before 2018 it is time to review and re-allocate resources with respect to the pandemic.  Appropriate planning now can mend future fences and keep emergency services flowing during unrest.

Stay tuned for more information on strategic planning and strengthening fund development.

 Kathy L. McKinley, MBA, CFRE has worked in professional fund raising and development for over twenty-five years.  She achieved the Certified Fund Raising Executive gold standard credential in the spring of 2019.  McKinley has worked in both for-profit and non-profit organizations.  She lives and works in Charleston, West Virginia.  For more information, please feel free to contact her through LinkedIN or directly at: Kathy.lee.mckinley@gmail.com