From Ann Vaughn, President
This month we had our first ever in-person membership social, and I can't tell you how happy it made me! Thank you to our member Niki Mock for hosting, and our Membership Chair Jen Burton for taking the lead on planning.
It can be easy to forget all of the extra hurdles of starting an organization in the middle of a pandemic. Sometimes, I think that's a good thing—we have just plowed forward despite the challenges of connecting virtually and recruiting members in such difficult times. After all, it's made us more resilient, having to figure out new ways to get things done with pandemic constraints.
But other times, I think it's important to take stock of what we have lost along the way. When I saw so many members meeting and enjoying each other's company for the first time, I wished so deeply that we had been able to do this all along.
There are always multiple ways to look at a situation. I like to think that we are getting to a place where we have the best of both — the strength and versatility we've gained from building Impact100 DC in difficult times, and the utter joy of reconnecting in person. And maybe above all, the sense that we don't take anything for granted—not the incredible work of our grant applicants, not our community, and not each other.
Best,
Ann
