Honor Thy Father: a Salute to Dr. Larry D. Winkler, USAF Lt. Col. (Ret.)

As I write this, it's almost exactly a week to the day and time our family laid my father to rest at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Omaha, Nebraska. I was honored to be asked by my mother to write Dad's obituary, shared below in today's blog, along with relevant links of interest. Dad's was a life well-lived and he will be sorely missed. If you knew him, I'd love to hear any "Larry Winkler" stories you might have in the Comments Section below. Times like these are good reminders to cherish every moment.

Larry Winkler Obituary
Larry Winkler Flag Lowering at UNO
Larry Winkler Photo Montage (played silently during the visitation and before the memorial service, then added music of him playing clarinet and singing for the YouTube video)

Larry Winkler on Clarinet with FPC Bell Choir - "Just a Closer Walk with Thee"

Larry Winkler on Clarinet with FPC Choir - "When the Saints Go Marching In" 

Today's Quote:

My Mission
Dr. Larry D. Winkler

I will do my best to insure that I fulfill the following objectives for the rest of my life on beautiful Planet Earth:

- To glorify and praise GOD each and every day
- To live by discipline and principles that have stood the test of time
- To control my passions and my tongue so that others will not suffer
- To be positive in outlook and in deed so that I may contribute to the positive vibrations of the human race
- To love all living things with an understanding found only in the depths of  the mind GOD gave me
- To learn and rejoice in the ability to learn new knowledge each and every day GOD grants me
- To love and honor my closest friends -- my wife, my children, my son-in-law and daughters-in-law, my grandchildren
- To be helpful, kind and caring to all those with whom I come in contact
- To keep myself physically fit, mentally alert and morally straight through thought, word and deed each day of my life

(discovered on Larry's cell phone by Granddaughter Mindy)

FOUNDATION FOCUS NEWSLETTER May-June 2016

FOUNDATION FOCUS NEWSLETTER - March-April 2016

The Art and Science of Letting People be Who They Are

Everybody has pet peeves or things they’ve decided annoy them. Everybody also has things they do themselves which would fit into another person’s list of pet peeves. Some people even get annoyed by other people’s efforts not to annoy people—i.e. chronic accommodators. The bottom line is, in our human experience, we are never completely satisfied with everything someone else does or says—even those we most adore.

For this reason, I learned at an early age to essentially categorize people as I gather experiences with them. This person is driven to help others reach greater heights…this person is highly competitive with themselves…this person chooses unhealthy coping skills…etc. I don’t make any formal list. I just filter the dozens of moments I have with a person into a profile of sorts, and it allows me to more readily strive toward letting people be who they are, and accessing what I’ve found to be the best way to communicate with that particular person. I’ve found this can really be an art of sorts, as well as a science. The art is in finding creative ways to meet people where they are and striving for the most positive and productive interaction possible. The science is in identifying what may be known best practices for certain personality types and putting those to use toward that same goal. We humans are fascinating!

By letting people be who they are, I don’t see myself as an enabler, but some might. I could choose to let something go which another might feel the need to address. This doesn’t necessarily mean I missed it, are oblivious to such, or don’t feel it’s important. It just means I’ve learned to pick my battles more strategically, build more of a focus on what I feel is really important, and what might be better left alone. And what’s "really important" can look different from individual to individual. It’s always interesting to me what people choose as triggers for their anger, annoyance, disappointment, etc. 

In this time of political campaigning, letting people be who they are could also mean staying away from politics in conversations! Whatever it means to you, I have to say this mode of operation has served me well and highly recommended, especially if you’re finding someone getting on your last nerve. Remember, it’s your choice whether or not they steal your joy. 

I’d love to hear what coping mechanisms YOU use for keeping a positive and productive life. Please feel free to share them in the Comments section below!

Exploring Non-Profit vs. For-Profit Entities

I’ve been blessed to have worked in several for-profit and non-profit entities in my 30-year career, and have found that, while there are many basic elements in running a successful organization, there are also several differences, which affect decision-making, governance and operational procedures.

Common Assumptions

While I worked at a non-profit radio station early in my career and volunteered for nonprofits much of my life, my first paid leadership role in one was over a decade later, as a marketing, public relations and eventually resource development director for a local chapter of a national non-profit. This was the first time I really began to learn about similarities, differences and even perceived differences about which I had wrongly made assumptions. An example of this was when I learned 501(c)3’s still have to pay sales tax—the opposite of which is an assumption I find many still mistakenly make. While this ends up actually being a similarity between non-profits and for-profits, it presents as a difference in regard to our perceptions about it. This is only the tip of what can be a confusing non-profit-versus-for-profit iceberg!

Major Differences

In exploring the major differences between non-profits and for-profits, some are easy to see (i.e. product/service sales versus serving a mission, etc.) while others are not as clear. Marc J. Epstein and F. Warren McFarlan’s Nonprofit vs. For-Profit Boards: Critical Differences states “…new board members must understand deep differences to avoid irretrievable damage to their credibility and effectiveness in a nonprofit organization. Five major differences are:
- Mission
- Nonfinancial performance metrics against mission
- Financial metrics
- Governance
- The chair and CEO relationship

To me, there is clarity in such a structure, so it’s beneficial to briefly visit each piece…

Exploring in More Depth

If we stick to the mission and ensure we are using our resources to serve it to the best of our abilities, we should be golden, right? Simple as this may sound, the challenges can come with building consensus in what are often large non-profit boards, because each member has deep emotional passion for certain pieces and little interest in other pieces of the mission pie. It’s a delicate dance to engage a large group of highly dedicated volunteers toward a common goal and ensure they all feel needed, appreciated and valuable in creating successful outcomes relating to mission goals.

When speaking of measuring a non-profit’s nonfinancial and/or financial metrics against mission, the main difference between it and a for-profit becomes clearer: accomplishing mission goals is key, and any surplus goes back into growing the ability to serve those goals, rather than dispersed to shareholders.

The governance structure is another unique difference between non-profits and forprofits in that a large group of volunteers serves as an oversight body for the paid staff leadership. This structure sometimes seems out-of-the-box, but it does have a balance that makes sense in ensuring the health of the organization as a whole.

Challenges sometimes arise in the financial expectations related to non-profit board service. The aforementioned Epstein and McFarland state, “because of the philanthropic aspect…expectations for capital gifts, annual giving, and participation in galas…are so high that many people can’t afford to consider being a board member.”

Henry Hansmann states, in Two Systems of Law for Corporate Governance: Nonprofit Versus For-Profit, that perhaps the most salient difference between the two is in their objectives. He says business corporations have a single clear goal: maximization of share price. He goes on to say, “Nonprofits, meanwhile, have no such clear single goal…they’re dedicated to a broad group of rather ill-specified goals that are all hard to measure. This means that different donors or beneficiaries might have different views of what goals should be pursued.”

I can say, from personal experience, this is true.

As a recently hired education foundation executive director in a newly created position, I’ve had an interesting journey learning what has and has not been in place in the foundation's first 30+ years. As many school foundations before it, ours began as a vehicle through which donors could set up memorial scholarships and make tax deductible donations to benefit the school district. We are blessed with a very active board, several members of which serve as committee chairs--often more like department heads--with volunteer staff ensuring several pieces of the foundation are moving forward. While this independence can present challenges in ensuring we’re all on the same page at times, I appreciate all the efforts and the foundation could not accomplish near what it is currently without this level of dedication.

Maintaining a Mission Focus

Considering my brief time as executive director, the main non-profit versus for-profit difference that comes to mind in my personal experience would be in maintaining a mission focus, as we’ve had some moments of needing to ensure we are revisiting our mission, staying in tune with our goals and making decisions which align with such. In for-profits, I’ve seen more freedoms and liberties taken with pet projects and things the leaders might want to do, but which may have little or nothing to do with the business itself. In non-profits, it’s important to remember we can’t be all things to all people. We really need to constantly revisit the mission and ensure our decision-making is based on meeting it and staying within relevant parameters. Donors count on us to pursue and protect our mission, and we want to continue to build their trust so we can grow and expand our capabilities, and do even more for our district.

We're All in This Together

With all this talk of differences, it’s important to remember that non-profits are not—and in my opinion, should not be--the only ones who can drive movement for school support, social change and life enrichment. As Natalie MacNeil shared in her November 20th, 2013 vlog of She Takes on the World TV, entitled Non-Profit Versus For-Profit Structure If You Want to Change the World, for-profit businesses may also devote a significant portion of their proceeds to address such societal needs as well, which can translate into supporting those already working in a particular mission, or into the company’s development of their own entity. It’s exciting for people to know they’re making a difference through whatever structure in which they choose to work. Whether it be in a non-profit or a for-profit, it really boils down to the fact that every dollar and every form of support counts when it comes to making the world a better place in which to live, and all efforts are appreciated!

Patience: I Can't Wait to Have More!

As I write, it's the end of a long weekend of Sweet Adelines Midwest Region 5 Competition in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where Acappella Omaha and our quartet--Firelight (lovingly referred to as Firelight 3.0 as we welcomed our third baritone this past year)--did our best onstage. We're quite a ways from the top of the heap in both groups, and I feel that is somehow a test of patience as much as anything. 

Many of us have been part of award-winning musical groups and know the hard work and zip-zest-pep-drive-and-desire it takes to make it to the top. Acappella Omaha has medalled several times, but has never been number one in the 19 years in which I've been a member. Although there are still some long-timers who remember winning regional championships 30+ years ago. Whatever the reason, I try to remember to enjoy the journey and not focus on the lack as I've learned you typically get more of whatever you focus on, and who needs more lack?! 

When I distance myself a bit, it just all seems more like a test of patience than anything else, as both the chorus and the quartet have moments of magic about which we can all be proud. I feel it's a test of patience with ourselves (as sometimes sounds fall out of our mouths which aren't the intended), patience with our riser mates, patience with our directors, patience with our choreographers, patience with our coaches, etc. We're all on a mission and I really hope to be a part of it when we finally reach our destination! However, it only starts all over again the next year, so a person has to think there's more to it all than a first place blue ribbon and medal. What are we here to learn?

When I think of patience and people in my life who have done such good jobs of modelling it, my one-and-only aunt, Mary Ann Winkler, comes to mind. She passed away a little over a week ago, and so was prevalent in my thoughts this past weekend, as we were competing in Cedar Rapids. She was one of those people you might say had 'the patience of Job'. I posted a tribute to her on my Facebook page and one of the dozens of comments reads, "She was brilliant. Thoughtful, courageous, faithful. One of those people you are fortunate to know..."

I believe Mary Ann was truly put on this earth to teach those around her. Not only was she a professor for part of her life, she dealt for many years with the pain of Crohn's Disease, other ailments and finally colon cancer--about which she rarely complained. She was also a model to all of us of what a supportive wife and devoted mother looks like. She was married to my one-and-only uncle, Dana, a retired city attorney, and mother of my one-and-only cousin, Jonathan, a Rhodes Scholar who happens to be deaf, but never let that slow him down. I believe part of Jonathan's patience and stick-to-it-tive-ness stems from being raised by a mother with admirable patience, who did all she could to give him the tools he needed to succeed. I know the loss of this very special wife and mother will be significant, and I wish Dana and Jonathan peace, comfort and finally joy in having had the blessing of being so close to such a loving soul.

I personally will miss the connection Mary Ann and I had regarding gardening. This photo was taken in 2009, the last time she was able to visit ours (Mary Ann is sitting between my mother an me).

I think the way the last week has unfolded is another of God's many teachings in patience, love and what's truly important in life, and I will strive to remember the lessons.

Today's Quote:

"Adopt the pace of nature--her secret is patience."

-- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Introducing the BPS FOUNDATION FOCUS NEWSLETTER!

Today's Quote:

"Accept what is, let go of what was, and have faith in what will be."

-- Sonia Ricotti

Sharing the Journey: A Meaningful Logo Transition

I'm feeling very blessed to have begun work as the Bellevue Public Schools Foundation's first executive director earlier this month.  After 20 days, I'm all moved in, learning much and putting several new pieces in place, with many thanks to a hard-working and dedicated Board of Directors along with top-notch leaders in the Bellevue Public School System. One of the first things I did was use my 25+ years of marketing skills to update the logo, and wrote a brief overview of the thinking behind the design choices for anyone interested in a more in-depth explanation. I posted pieces of it on social media recently and thought I'd share it in today's blog in case of interest.

Today's Quote:
"Change can be scary, but you know what's scarier? Allowing fear to stop you from growing, evolving and progressing."
-- Mandy Hale

How to Ensure Best Practices in Your Visuals

I've had a lifelong interest in creating aesthetically pleasing things, and continue to work at learning and growing in this area. While my degree is in broadcasting, I've worked in image-building much of my career and have had numerous experiences in print layout and design.

Information Everyone Can Use

I noticed something interesting once most people began doing their work on computers: we all have times when best practices in our visuals would serve us well, and especially now--in this age of social media and apps galore--when there are more tools out there to help us communicate better visually than ever before. The tendency I see in novice designs is often either a very vanilla lack of anything visually appealing or the opposite--an over-designed look that jars the eye. That's why I thought this would be a good time to blog about key things to consider when working in the graphic design arena.

The Four Main Elements of Graphic Design

In her book, The Non-Designers Design Book, Robin Williams does a nice job of simplifying the main elements of graphic design: contrast, repetition, alignment and proximity (remember C.R.A.P. and your designs won't look like crap!). If you're interested in seeing great examples illustrating each concept, I highly recommend this best-selling author. She writes with humor and levity, which makes learning fun!

Contrast

If we look at each element separately, contrast is simply making elements stand apart from one another visually, whether it be a headline from an article or subheadings within the article (as shown in this blog), or graphic elements in a logo, or a focal point of a flyer, or different pieces of a web page, etc. Contrast simply means if you're going to make things different from one another, make them very different for visual clarity.

Repetition

If there are like things in a design project, make them all the same. The subheadings of this article, for example, are all in the same font, bolded and in the same point size, adding visual clarity and making an easier map for reading.

Alignment

Imagine an underlying grid which shows ways elements of a design can relate to one another. A good rule of thumb is to have an element line up with at least one or two other elements in the design, again creating clarity and unity which is most appealing to the eye. In this article, everything is left-justified, or lines up along the left side of the page, so your eye knows right where to go to read the next line.

Proximity

The distance between elements in a design is also key. If you're creating a business card, for example, similar information like the address, phone and email may be single-spaced in a block together. However, a logo, tag line, quote or other non-data information might be set apart in some way, again for visual clarity and readability.

If you start looking at visuals with these key elements in mind, you'll begin to quickly see what makes for stronger design, and have fun incorporating them into your own work. Here's a recent business card I created with these elements in mind. Can you find these four elements?

Whatever you're creating--even a simple report--can be improved with these quick tips. If you have other ways you like to ensure clean strong designs, please feel free to share them in the Comments section below. I'd love to hear from you!

Today's Quote:
"I strive for two things in design: simplicity and clarity. Great design is born of those two things."
-- Lindon Leader