A little trust goes a long way
iGiving Tuesday was less than a month away and I had nothing.
As I hopped on Instagram my thoughts turned to SocalityBarbie, the satirical Portland-based Instagram account with 1.2 million followers that used a Barbie doll to lampoon the #LiveAuthentic lifestyle. I noticed that an overwhelming number of photos were shot in landscapes within Columbia Land Trust’s service area. It dawned on me that a doll modeled on Glenn Lamb, our executive director and one of our founders, could serve as a mascot for conservation — as a fun way to draw attention to the landscapes we’ve protected.
I had no idea if my director, Dianne Alves, would find a doll in line with the land trust’s voice. Fortunately, she loved the idea and the whole team got on board, excited to execute an intricate campaign in just a couple weeks. Dianne and I then brought the idea to Glenn. He hesitated at first, but after reading my campaign brief said, “This is your area of expertise, so I trust you and I’ll support you if you think this is a good idea.”
Not only did these words boost my confidence, they empowered me to take responsibility over the campaign and they made me feel proud to work at Columbia Land Trust. Glenn didn’t just trust the team with a fundraising campaign, but with his name and likeness too.
Nature_Glenn raised a total of $17,000. Twenty-three percent of donors were first-timers. And it caught the attention of Portland Monthly, a local lifestyle magazine.
It all started with a little trust from leadership, which went a long way in fostering a creative, productive and happy workplace. Do you have a similar story of supportive leadership? Share it in the comments!
Jay Kosa is communications manager for the accredited Columbia Land Trust.