Letting go…

Moving Claire into her dorm at college this week has been tough on my emotions. Even though she’s a junior, and I’ve done this with her two times before, I know why this has been the hardest. She could have done it totally without me. So organized, so mature, so capable. She figures out answers to questions before she has to ask, and she’s even helping me solve problems that should be my own to solve. Sometimes, I’m not sure who the parent is. What I am sure of is that she loves me and understands my need to be involved in this part of her life…especially if it makes ‘letting go’ just a teensy bit easier for me, her mom. She is going to be a great mom someday…and I know that for sure because she parents me so well! She will always be a part of me, and me of her…just in a different way. For now, I will draw on this experience as a metaphor for ‘letting go’ of some responsibilities with Impact Austin. The love affair continues…it’s just maturing.

Rebecca Powers, Founder and CEO

Dream the dream

I heard Israel Kamakawiwo Ole’s version of “Over the Rainbow” at a funeral this weekend. The sadness of losing a friend eased a bit when heads bobbed and smiles took shape as the song continued. I felt my brother Peter’s ‘presence’ in that place. He perched on my left shoulder and reminded me to continue to dream ‘the dream that you dare to’. I left that service with tears in my eyes and a renewed commitment to dream…I think others did, too.

Rebecca Powers, Founder and CEO

Resilience

A good friend of mine shares an inspirational newsletter with me on occasion. This quote by Harold Kushner moved me: “It may be that instead of giving us a friendly world that would never challenge us and therefore never make us strong, God gave us a world that would invariably break our hearts, and compensated for that by planting in our souls the gift of resilience.” I am choosing to be resilient today…wanna join me?

Rebecca Powers, Founder and CEO

For Pete’s Sake

February marks the 7th anniversary of my brother’s death from cancer. Peter’s memory lives on–the hole in our hearts is still there, but the pain is more manageable now. From tragedy, hope blooms. From despair, laughter emerges. From strangers, empathy abounds. In death, one can find miracles. Impact Austin continues to be that miracle for me. I do this ‘For Pete’s Sake’.

Rebecca Powers, Founder and CEO

Partners become Members become Supporters

Julia Cuba and Lorene Phillips

Impact Austin member, Lorene Phillips, makes beautiful handmade jewelry. I admired a necklace she was wearing at an Impact Austin member orientation meeting, and before I knew it, she was creating a necklace for my husband to give me for Christmas. We decided to meet at Russell’s Bakery, a halfway point in Austin, and she would give me the new creation for my husband to put under the tree. As I was exiting my car to meet Lorene, Julia Cuba, Executive Director for GENaustin (a 2009 Impact Austin Community Partner), was entering Russell’s for a meeting. She and I shared hugs and smiles as Lorene approached. I explained to Lorene that Julia had just become an Impact Austin member. Lorene said, “Well, your brochure has been sitting on my nightstand for a while, and I was going to make a donation before year-end. I guess now is as good a time as any.” Lorene literally whipped out her checkbook and wrote a check on the spot, in the parking lot, to GENaustin. Julia was floored. Lorene was pleased. I was humbled. Talk about impact….

Climb on Board!

Dr. Seuss says, “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself anywhere you choose.” Well, then…. I am renting a really big bus, filling it with women who want to invest in Impact Austin, and carrying them across the finish line by 12/31/09. I believe we can reach our 500-member goal as long as we use our brains and keep moving forward. Come learn more about us at www.impact-austin.org and jump on the bus. We’ve been waiting for you!

Rebecca Powers, Founder and CEO

Come find your wings

I wish I could write lyrics like this: “I’m one of those who knows that life is just a leap of faith. Spread your arms and hold your breath and always trust your cape.” When Kathy Mattea sings this song, I visualize the cliff, my leap, a huge intake of air, and the spreading of my cape. It’s purple. Come leap with me…we’ll find our wings on the way down…promise! It’s trust like this that brings 500+ women to Impact Austin each year. See you at the finish line!

Rebecca Powers, Founder and CEO

Your personal brand?

What is your personal brand? I sat on a panel at a NetworkInAustin meeting last week that addressed this question. Three of us shared our brands and how we distinguish ourselves and our products in an increasingly competitive market. At first, when asked to participate, I wasn’t sure what to say. Finally, I realized my personal brand isn’t what I say…it’s what I do and how I act. In public. At home. On the internet with email, FaceBook and Twitter. When no one is looking. When everyone is looking. Warm, welcoming and accessible…that is my personal brand and also what I want Impact Austin to reflect. Please hold me and Impact Austin accountable, and let us know when we stray from our brand! We are always looking to improve.

Rebecca Powers, Founder and CEO

“We are going to relentlessly chase perfection, knowing full well we will not catch it because nothing is perfect. But we are going to relentlessly chase it because in the process, we will catch excellence. I am not remotely interested in being just good.” –Vince Lombardi, Green Bay Packers Head Coach, in a declaration to his new team in the early 60′s.

I think it takes a lot of guts to stand in front of a crowd like that and say those words…let alone believe them. But, upon reflection, I realize Impact Austin embodies that mantra. We will never be perfect, but the women who volunteer in our organization don’t settle for ‘good’…and it shows. We’ll never be perfect (wouldn’t that be fabulous?!), but we will always pursue ‘excellence’ I am grateful for every women who graces our doorstep…I hope you stay and make yourself comfortable…all while sharing us with a friend.

Rebecca Powers, Founder and CEO

Come learn more about Impact Austin

Grapevine Market rocks! They generously host several Impact Austin recruiting events each year and serve great appetizers, desserts and tastes of wine. It will happen again this Thursday, 9/17, at 6:30pm. Please come learn more about Impact Austin …and see if we’re a good fit for your philanthropic dollar. “Ordinary women…extraordinary impact.”

Rebecca Powers, Founder and CEO

Grapevine Market is at 7938 Great Northern Blvd., Austin, TX 78757