The Importance of Showing Up

It’s been hard for me to write over the past month. It has been hard to be still, to be quiet, or to think deeply for very long. In fact, let’s be honest, it has been hard to do a lot of things lately.

COVID-19 and “stay at home” orders are having a huge impact on all of our work, our home lives, and our society.

I was reflecting on this with my son, David, last night on a walk through our neighborhood. Things have been hard for him too. He’s a college senior who expected this year to turn out much differently than it has.

Toward the end of our walk I told him that all I feel like I can do some days is just show up. After I said it, I felt a little sheepish. Like, seriously, that’s it? Surely, we can do better than that? (I’m an Enneagram 2, for Pete’s sake—I live to help people.)

Then I realized that there is importance in showing up. That being present in a conversation is huge. That being with someone in a Zoom meeting is a gesture of kindness. That right now getting a phone call is no small thing and may be the highlight of someone’s day.

In fact, “just” showing up can be a pretty big thing.

At the very core of being human is the desire to be in relationship with others. The importance of showing up is essential in building any relationship. It’s the very first step you take, and without it there can be no second step.

So how can you show up for donors in these strange days? Recently I wrote 3 Things Every Donor Wants to Know in a Crisis and produced a video on the same topic. They’ve been viewed hundreds of times. The ideas in those pieces came from showing up for conversations with clients who were facing tough things—issues that we dealt with together, even though we couldn’t be physically in the same room. (Take that, COVID-19!)

So today, even if all you feel you can do is just show up, be encouraged and be encouraging.

• Make a phone call thanking a donor for a recent gift. While you’re on the phone, ask them how they’re doing, what books they’re enjoying, or the name of their favorite take-out restaurant.

• Pen a handwritten note to an alumnus expressing your appreciation for the work they are doing. It could be the only handwritten note they receive this month!

• Write an e-mail to your board members, letting them know that you are thinking of them and encouraging them in the work they’re doing to support your mission. Thank them for showing up.

Some days, all we can do is just show up. That’s OK. And it’s important, now more than ever.

Click this image to watch a short video on a deeper dive on how to connect with donors during this time.