First Friday Update - December 4, 2009
I just got back from a pre-planning meeting, preparing for a major Strategic Planning meeting we will hold on February 4 – 6, 2010. For a variety of reasons the time is upon Nevus Outreach to create a formal Strategic Plan to take us through 2020. Our big funders require it, but you know why? Because they have faith in what we are doing and because they want to support us more, but they can’t unless we can demonstrate that we have arrived at a certain level.
To complicate matters, the IRS only allows them to give as much as other donors give. They can’t support us if you don’t because their giving is keyed to your giving by law. When you give to Nevus Outreach, Foundations give to Nevus Outreach.
So are we worth it? You be the judge. In the past month, I have met with the heads of nevus organizations from France, Italy and England. We are ready to work together and move forward together. We thought our research was good stuff? There is research going on in other countries that would make your head spin. We must open channels and find ways to collaborate with these other groups. Our Strategic Plan will incorporate this, and many other concrete steps to take toward our mission of improving the lives of people affected by giant nevi.
I’ll close with the words of Dr. Veronica Kinsler, the young Wellcome Trust Principal Clinical Research Fellow in Great Britain who has devoted her life to “fixing giant nevi.” Dr. Kinsler says emphatically “We can do this! It isn’t rocket science!” You will have to trust me that Dr. Kinsler is made of the right stuff. Developing a working relationship with Dr. Kinsler and other scientists like her will be of huge value, but we can’t do it without your support. There has never been a better time to support Nevus Outreach.
Happy Holidays!
Mark Beckwith
Executive Director
Nevus Outreach, Inc.
(918) 331-0595 office
(918) 440-6123 cell
