Our Foundation's Standing

We had a great Executive Committee Meeting today. We have certainly been through a lot over the past few months as staff, as board members and fund holders- the market has tanked, the communities are needing more to meet basic needs- and we are trying to figure out- what is our role? But I am so ever proud of our response. It's as if the past two-three years have been a rehearsal for this time. We have been tested for this. We have not 'suffered' as much as others. Sure, we are down, we have lost assets. We need more money! (Contribute , folks!: www.trianglecf.org- or call Fred Stang: 010-474-8370). But our staff is thriving, the nonprofits with whom we collaborate are keeping up with their creative works, and they need our resources. So I keep at it. And yes, I'm exhausssssted (so everyone tells me" Andrea" you look tired!) but I'm glad we are relevant and that we are where we are..

I want to thank our Board Chair, Dr Phail Wynn. Who Could Ask for anyone better. And all of our Executive Committee Members. They have guided us and continue to ask the right questions. THANK YOU ALL.

Common Causing

Bob Edgar at Hodding Carter's home

Gene Nichol, master moderator, led a discussion panel made up of Hodding Carter, Frank Daniels and Bob Edgar. What a treat it was to hear from these folks about Watergate, Election Reform and Investigative Reporting...

Bob Phillips- head of Common Cause here in NC.

with President William Friday- what a wonderful man.

Every once in a while, I find myself in a place or event and get a chance to stop, think, feel grateful. Take in the event and listen to the wisdom of those around me. Such was the case last week when I attended a couple of gatherings to welcome Bob Edgar, head of Common Cause national as he visited Chapel Hill.

Bob is a dynamo- he served as the Congressman from Pennsylvania - was actually part of the congressional class nicknamed "the Watergate babies," those elected in the wake of the Watergate scandal and who led sweeping reforms of Congress.

We have had a chance to work and fund some of Common Cause's good efforts here in NC- including their outreach in HBCU's campus. From their work on the NC Coalition on Government and Lobbying Reform, to Public Financing- this is critical focus for our state. Keep it up everybody and thanks for a great historic gathering. Food for the intellectual soul!