Hey folks,
This blog has moved to a sweet new home.
Check it out at
www.relayben.com
Seeya there!
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Just when I thought I knew Relay...
2 weeks ago everything changed. And it was awesome.
Update: check out a video of the trip here!
For the last week of March, I was invited to accompany Reuel Johnson and Iris Pendergast on a trip to South Africa. Our itinerary included meetings and training with the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA), a series of press events, and ultimately a chance to take part in the Relay For Life of Soweto. While I was thrilled and humbled at such an opportunity, little did I know this trip would profoundly change the way I view the fight against cancer.
Day 1
There was no time for jetlag after 20+ hours of travel, as we jumped straight into a dinner with representatives from CANSA. Their team was incredibly welcoming, which made the transition easy. In no time, we were swapping stories about local Relays and progress of the movement in our countries. In a short 5 years, Relay For Life in South Africa has grown to 107 events, with 50 new events this year alone! At the end of dinner, CANSA presented the American Cancer Society with a series of framed certificates of appreciation, including one for the Relay Advisory Team for our contribution to the Nicus House. What a crew!
Update: check out a video of the trip here!
For the last week of March, I was invited to accompany Reuel Johnson and Iris Pendergast on a trip to South Africa. Our itinerary included meetings and training with the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA), a series of press events, and ultimately a chance to take part in the Relay For Life of Soweto. While I was thrilled and humbled at such an opportunity, little did I know this trip would profoundly change the way I view the fight against cancer.
Day 1
There was no time for jetlag after 20+ hours of travel, as we jumped straight into a dinner with representatives from CANSA. Their team was incredibly welcoming, which made the transition easy. In no time, we were swapping stories about local Relays and progress of the movement in our countries. In a short 5 years, Relay For Life in South Africa has grown to 107 events, with 50 new events this year alone! At the end of dinner, CANSA presented the American Cancer Society with a series of framed certificates of appreciation, including one for the Relay Advisory Team for our contribution to the Nicus House. What a crew!
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Go CRAZYPANTS.
Here's a slidecast from a talk I gave at the Midwest Division Leadership Summit this year:
Lead Follow or Get Out of the Way
First off, a huge credit to Brian Marlow (past RAT chair, current co-chair of the Relay For Life of Tacoma, all-around snappy dresser), as his talk at the Nationwide Leadership summit was the inspiration for many of these points.
The big takeaway: Just because we're awesome at building Relay For Life events, doesn't mean we should settle for the way things have always been done. To grow, to build, to keep the fire lit inside all of us -- we MUST innovate.
First off, a huge credit to Brian Marlow (past RAT chair, current co-chair of the Relay For Life of Tacoma, all-around snappy dresser), as his talk at the Nationwide Leadership summit was the inspiration for many of these points.
The big takeaway: Just because we're awesome at building Relay For Life events, doesn't mean we should settle for the way things have always been done. To grow, to build, to keep the fire lit inside all of us -- we MUST innovate.
- Instead of re-using materials (guidebooks, scripts, trainings), re-create them to apply to your own community. Make it personal.
- Take risks! Just because you've always done something a certain way, doesn't mean it's the only way. A.k.a. Go CRAZYPANTS.
- Find amazing voluneers, and empower them to do the same. Create a culture of coaching!
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Taking it Back to the Mission.
Uggh. Kelly is 20 minutes late... again. This is the 3rd meeting in a row. I'll bet she still hasn't booked the room for our bank night, even though we've talked about it 10 times!
I've been out here setting luminaria bags by myself for an hour. If somebody doesn't step up to help, I'm going to scream!
We've all been there. Relay is an amazing thing, but it's easy to get stressed by the daily trials of building one. Friction among committee members... that team that's upset with their campsite assignment... pizza guy wants cash on the spot even though they were supposed to donate... RAIN... it can be a lot to take.
When Relayers get frustrated, discouraged, or upset, we often ask, "How do we deal with ____." While there are countless ways to fill in the blank, 80% of the time the answer is, "Remember why we're here."
Take 30 seconds. Close your eyes. Think back to why you got involved with Relay For Life. Think about the people who inspire you to walk the track. Think about the millions of people you will never meet who will benefit from your work here.
It may not make the pizza come any faster or the committee squabble go away, but it might help it matter a little less.
We're saving lives. Never forget that.
I've been out here setting luminaria bags by myself for an hour. If somebody doesn't step up to help, I'm going to scream!
We've all been there. Relay is an amazing thing, but it's easy to get stressed by the daily trials of building one. Friction among committee members... that team that's upset with their campsite assignment... pizza guy wants cash on the spot even though they were supposed to donate... RAIN... it can be a lot to take.
When Relayers get frustrated, discouraged, or upset, we often ask, "How do we deal with ____." While there are countless ways to fill in the blank, 80% of the time the answer is, "Remember why we're here."
Take 30 seconds. Close your eyes. Think back to why you got involved with Relay For Life. Think about the people who inspire you to walk the track. Think about the millions of people you will never meet who will benefit from your work here.
It may not make the pizza come any faster or the committee squabble go away, but it might help it matter a little less.
We're saving lives. Never forget that.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
It's Time.
My name is Ben.
I've been a proud volunteer for the American Cancer Society Relay For Life for over 7 years now. In short - it has been awesome.
Alongside millions of passionate volunteers and staff, I have had the chance help develop and grow the largest fundraising effort in the history of mankind, and in doing so, fuel the lifesaving work that ACS does every day. I have traveled the country witnessing the unique, creative ways that communities have adapted this event to be truly theirs, while at the same time reflecting the greater community of Relayers nationwide. I have seen hope in the face of loss; I have seen triumph in the face of impossible odds.
But most of all, I have met remarkable people. People that give of their time and their resources to an extent that seems unreasonable. People that work full days, raise families, go to school, keep up social lives, excel at talents, and still gather the strength to help others. They fight back against cancer. They Relay.
The American Cancer Society places a huge amount of responsibility in the hands of its leadership volunteers. What's more, ACS augments this responsibility with training, resources and opportunities of the highest caliber to help us develop as Relayers - and as people. Hopefully, I've been able to absorb some of that valuable training and "tribal knowledge" from the amazing folks I have been fortunate enough to learn from. If I'm really lucky (and I'm not making any promises) I'll be able to reproduce of those learning in the form of valuable content here.
This is an experiment... an experiment with a few goals. I hope to write about:
Fighting back,
Ben
I've been a proud volunteer for the American Cancer Society Relay For Life for over 7 years now. In short - it has been awesome.
Alongside millions of passionate volunteers and staff, I have had the chance help develop and grow the largest fundraising effort in the history of mankind, and in doing so, fuel the lifesaving work that ACS does every day. I have traveled the country witnessing the unique, creative ways that communities have adapted this event to be truly theirs, while at the same time reflecting the greater community of Relayers nationwide. I have seen hope in the face of loss; I have seen triumph in the face of impossible odds.
But most of all, I have met remarkable people. People that give of their time and their resources to an extent that seems unreasonable. People that work full days, raise families, go to school, keep up social lives, excel at talents, and still gather the strength to help others. They fight back against cancer. They Relay.
The American Cancer Society places a huge amount of responsibility in the hands of its leadership volunteers. What's more, ACS augments this responsibility with training, resources and opportunities of the highest caliber to help us develop as Relayers - and as people. Hopefully, I've been able to absorb some of that valuable training and "tribal knowledge" from the amazing folks I have been fortunate enough to learn from. If I'm really lucky (and I'm not making any promises) I'll be able to reproduce of those learning in the form of valuable content here.
This is an experiment... an experiment with a few goals. I hope to write about:
- Things encountered in my "Relay adventures"
- Tips and best practices learned along the way
- Interesting thoughts from discussions with the Nationwide Relay Advisory Team
- Stories of Relayers
Fighting back,
Ben
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