Discipline Over Discouragement.

Eliud Kipchoge, the greatest long-distance runner of all time, once said, “Only the disciplined ones are purely free in life, and the undisciplined are slaves to their moods and passions.” Though unsure if he ever raised support, the statement holds true for those raising support. Being disciplined guides you through the emotional rollercoaster of a fundraising journey. Things may not always go as expected, but it remains our duty and privilege to engage with people, share our vision for a different world, and invite them to be part of this change.

Booker T. Washington reminds us that our efforts may not always yield the desired results. Still, it is our duty and responsibility to be willing to sit down with people, inviting them to contribute and make an impact on the world. Washington shared an encounter with a potential donor, "He listened with some degree of interest to what I had to say but did not give me anything. I could not help having the feeling that, in a measure, the three hours that I had spent in seeing him had been thrown away. Still, I had followed my usual rule of doing my duty. If I had not seen him, I should have felt unhappy over neglect of duty." Fundraisers may find this true in many meetings, but it's important to remember that our obligation surpasses any single encounter. Our responsibility is greater than any rejection, and it is a privilege and duty to be the one inviting others to partake in a vision for a better life and world.

As we celebrate Black History Month, let us be disciplined and faithful to the duty entrusted to us, to invite others to join us as agents of change in the world. Remember, no meeting is wasted. Every meeting is an opportunity to share a vision that we hope will one day bear fruit.

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