Listen, Consider, Act
Happy New Year. We're getting ready for Christmas! The normal reaction is to quickly pass this by - Enough of the early "getting ready for Christmas" stuff, already! But just for a moment, stop, and consider what it being said. That's when magic happens.
In reaching out to the commanders or Chaplains, Ombudsmen or FROs, the response we get often depends on who we connect with. Likewise, we reach out to vendors for our special gifts to get the best price or donations and it depends on who answers the request. It's a joy when we connect with those who "get it" and can't wait to help and be a part of the effort. (Thank you Luca+Danni, Lollia, Mary McPhail from Mary Kay.)
We find people want to help because 1. They have served in the military or have a loved one who has served, or 2. They have not, and they appreciate the dedication and sacrifices our service members make. But before they make a decision, they need to understand our mission.
When people listen and consider what is being said instead of what they should say in response to what is being said, opportunities and solutions present themselves. When I bounce ideas off of a few specific people in my life, it's exhilarating! No idea is immediately off the table, and many suggestions develop rapidly, or serve as a jumping off point, as we pile on or move on. That can't be done if one party isn't listening.
More often than not, when we're talking with a military contact, as well as a vendor or donor, we have to circle back around to clarify that these gifts are FROM the troops and not TO the troops. Ah ha moment! I wonder how many people say thanks, no thanks, to FCH simply because they don't understand, or misunderstand, what we do. They have a lot on their plate and can only offer half an ear.
I invite you to consider that Full Circle Home does and how it gets done. We help deploying troops say what they feel is important to their loved one in a tangible and memorable way. We do it at no cost. And we do it with only volunteers (we have no paid staff.) We sign troops us quickly, within 15 minutes or less or work through a POC with the unit. Yet the impact lasts far beyond the deployment and resonates with veterans who volunteer. Companies can give back through donations and, if they desire, a 2 hour employee volunteer experience that requires very little effort on their part.
Easy, efficient, significant. Honor, celebrate, connect. And it starts with listen, consider, act.