Peaks and Valleys

In this start-up phase, I imagine that I will learn a lot about my personal strengths and weaknesses.  Important lesson learned this week: I am not an accountant.  I spent most of Tuesday in a fight with QuickBooks, then spent Wednesday figuring out how my bank could do a better job for less money.  In the end, it looks like we're slowly but surely figuring out the necessary systems for tracking donations, monitoring finances, and paying employees.  While it was a very frustrating period of time, it all results in organizational learning.

The entire week hasn't been frustrating, however.  Reach, Inc. did get it's first piece of press in Language Magazine.  Though I couldn't find it through the site, Assistant Editor Kate Sommers-Dawes provided us with a link.  The note about Reach, Inc. is on the lower left side of Page 10, and in some browsers you may have to download a PDF.

Additionally, some other events of note this week:

• I had a great conversation with Charles Phaneuf, Associate Managing Director at The Shakespeare Theater Company.  He provided some great insights and ideas regarding the local non-profit scene and fundraising possibilities.
• This afternoon, I'll be talking with Normandie Nigh, Executive Director of A World Fit For Kids.  AWFFK trains teens to work in after-school programs, so I'm sure she'll be able to offer some information about training techniques and quality control.
• I also started setting up some visits at DC Elementary Schools.  It's very important to me that I spend some time observing great literacy instruction, since I don't have extensive experience working with younger children.  Through a connection made at a volunteer training, I will be visiting Montgomery ES during the summer and Hyde ES in the fall.  I hope they are just the beginning!

Finally, the fundraising continues.  I am currently exploring some online donation platforms to make donating to Reach, Inc. easier; however, many of them charge significant fees.  Razoo looked promising, but they won't work with me until we're granted 501(c)(3) status.  As always, there are always more ways you can help:

• Do you know a CPA with non-profit experience?  This will become a necessity as we move towards December 31, 2009, the end of our fiscal year.
• Do you have tickets to events in Washington DC that you know you can't use?  Donate them to Reach, Inc., then we'll sell them and write you a receipt for the proceeds!

Thanks for reading.

Mark

Founder and President - Reach, Inc.