Tuesday Thoughts | 4 February 2025 | At A Loss for Words

A number of years ago, one of my staff said something along the lines of “it’s a shame you’re straight, or you would check all the EDI boxes by yourself”; technically, being nearsighted probably doesn’t count as a disability, so I actually fall short on a couple of accounts, but the general sentiment still holds.

February is Black History Month – at least it still is here in Canada. In many ways Tuesday Thoughts truly found its voice (or I suppose I found my voice – if I drop the third person), during my first year of writing this newsletter in February of 2022.

I’ll be honest with you, some days I just don’t have the energy to even acknowledge discrimination, its just too much when you’re also in the cross hairs; other times, I know something seems off, but it takes me a beat to figure out what it is.

But without fail, when I sit back and reflect, I can always see the truth of it all. Be it micro-aggressions, my ‘favourite’ being “you don’t look like your name”; to all out insults and belittling, a common one is being told I’m talking over someone, when I am literally answering a question they just asked, about a topic where I am the only expert in the room, double points if they don’t even have the courtesy to address their complaint/comment directly to me.

I’ve been thinking a lot about how far we’ve come, and how far we could fall, what’s happening South of the Border is heartbreaking; I feel fear in a way I haven’t in a very long time.

I had a lot of trouble writing this week’s thought, there is just so much going on, all at the same time, and none of it is good. In the end I think I just wanted to remind everyone that its ok to not be ok with what is going on, its ok to be scared or disillusioned.

This week’s call to action, is to recommit to equity, to diversity, to inclusion, in a time in history, when seeing the value in each other, no matter our differences, is so incredibly necessary.

New and Noteworthy is a collection of things readers of #TuesdayThoughts might find interesting, important, or informative;

???Hold These Dates: Watch this space for exciting annoucements coming soon!

? What to Do: Nominate a friend or colleague for the Canadian Meetings and Events Expo Hall of Fame starting February 14 (what a nice Valentine for a professional contact) | Donate in Support of Anna Lee 's walk in support of Blue Door Richmond Hill

?? What to Watch: Cher Jones talking about How to Go Beyond 'Certification Stacking'

????♀?Cool Jobs (Paid and Volunteer): Sales Manager @ Hilton Toronto/Markham Suites, Conference Centre & Spa h/t Karen Tilley-Kelly | GR Professional for Board of Advisors @ Women's Nonprofit Network

?? Take Note: Up and coming Association Executive - Jon MacDougall, CAE is looking for work in the Ottawa area or remotely

CALL FOR CONTENT: I crowd source 99% of what appears in New and Noteworthy, but I would love the help of the Tuesday Thoughts Community to identify content about you and for you. Got a cool new project? A Job Posting to Fill? Or just something you found interesting? DM me with a link.

I am a Certified Association Executive with over a dozen years of experience in leadership positions across Canada’s Not-for-Profit Sector, with deep ties in the Meetings and Events Industry. I use the art of storytelling in speech and writing to explain ideas, and to inform audiences and readers on a variety of topics. Learn more about how we can collaborate;

?? Consulting Services: I offer a suite of consulting services for Associations and Charities, and am interested in working with likeminded organizations on projects that contribute to better governance, leadership and the overall growth and health of Canada’s Association and Not-for-Profit Industries.

??? Speaker/Facilitator: I have spoken to standing room only crowds in the Association and Events sectors, connecting ideas and people; topics include, The Introvert Experience, Imposter Syndrome and Mentorship, EDI: Lived Experience as a BIPOC Woman in Leadership, Minimalism and Essentialism, Finding Your Voice and Building Your Unique Brand, Making and Impact, and the #TuesdayThoughtsFormula. NEW: Speaker Onesheet (ratesheet available on request)

??? Contributing Writer: I have written for Industry Publications and Blogs with a focus on the role of Associations, Volunteerism, and the Intersection of Not-for-Profit Management and many current social and economic trends. My inclination towards storytelling lends itself well to the style of Creative Non-Fiction.

?? The Tuesday Thoughts Formula: I am on a mission to inspire actions that amplify my impact, each week I follow the #TuesdayThoughtsForumla to deliver a call to action inspired by relevant stories; new this year, I’m bringing live demonstrations of the formula to the stage to help conference, event and meeting attendees tell their own stories that amplify their ROI of in-person attendance.

?? Check out my website daniellerussell.ca or email me: [email protected]