Closing Remarks #26

As someone in the Lefty Do-Gooder space, I tend to participate in (or be sent recordings of) a lot of webinars, talks and panels. In watching and attending these gatherings, there is one sort of troubling pattern that has been sticking in my craw. I've noticed that nowadays people often say "compost" when they really mean "throw away."

Of course, if we were living harmoniously with the planet, perhaps everything could be neatly returned to the earth from which it came. However, we don't live in that idyllic utopia.

We live in a world of medicine bottles and aerosol bug spray cans and irreparably shredded rubber tires. Once we use up these things, we send them off...somewhere. Most of us have no idea where. However, we do know that the goal is to get rid of these things in a way that ensures its toxins don't contaminate the air, soil, or waterways. That's the goal. It doesn't get composted; it's just not compostable.

So it is with the work of many organizations. Not every organization is doing something that is a net-positive for the world. Some of them are protecting polluters or spreading hateful ideology across the globe or hatching plans to overthrow late stage-capitalist democracies. I, for one, would like to see those groups tossed completely. There is nothing I want from them but to shove their remains somewhere where they will do the least amount of harm to people and planet.

Now I know I facilitate the Practices of Composting and Hospicing community, but there is something to be said for the steps between these two actions: SORTING and DISPOSING. When we can sort out the leftovers, compost what will be nourishing, and disposed of what will contaminate it, we are one step closer to getting ourselves good, fertile grounds to grow something new.

1) National Novel Writing Month completes its final chapter
Since 1999, National Novel Writing Month has supported writers around the world in a disciplined practice of daily writing to start and complete their own book drafts. In a written message and an accompanying video, the group explains that it has been in final distress for over 6 years and could no longer keep things running.

However, after over 25 years a formidable community has built up, and judging by the Reddit, it seems someone will likely slide in to fill the gap.

2) Ex-prince departs charity amidst governance hailstorm
Harry, Duke of Sussex, has parted ways with Sentabale, a charity he co-founded in 2006 in memory of his mother. He stepped down with his co-founder, Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, and the entire board of trustees, after legal action was taken by their sacked chairwoman. Issues of governance, sexism, racism, and bullying are being investigated by the UK Charity commission.

For its part, the organization claims it is undergoing restructuring while it continues to shift from a focus on addressing the impact of HIV and Aids on children and young people in Lesotho and Botswana to "one that is addressing issues of youth health, wealth and climate resilience in Southern Africa".

3) Michigan community arts center ends its run
The Lansing Art Gallery & Education Center in Lansing, Michigan has announced plans to shut its doors by the end of the month. The space became the city's first permanent art gallery in 1965, and over the years it has presented hundreds of exhibits, supported public art in the community, and granted over $100,000 in grants to local artists.

They are using their final closing reception this month to promote the greater Lansing arts community.

4) MA youth mindfulness group comes to an end
Calmer Choice in Massachussets's Cap Cod was launched in 2009 to empower students and educators to foster a mindful culture in the classroom. While the decision to spin down has been made, the group is still currently trying to raise funds to ensure they can continue to offer their services through the end of the current school year.

5) Nonprofit news org wraps up, transfers archives
After 36 years of independent reporting, The Center for Public Integrity in Washington, DC is sunsetting. The decision was taken after financial setbacks, a failed attempt to merge with The Markup, and several high-level leadership departures --- most notably their board chair, the investigative journalist and author Wesley J. Lowery, who is departing in a hailstorm of controversy.

Ahead of a full operational wind down, the group is working with The Project on Government Oversight (POGO), an anti-corruption watchdog group, to ensure stewardship of their archives.

6) Keeping an award after an ending?

"Your organization may be going away, but the impact you've made will surely outlast the closing of the doors. Every time you look at the award, remember that."

In this edition of the syndicated Ask Eric column, a nonprofit founder in the midst of a sunset wonders whether he should hang on to a prestigious award the group won due to his efforts.

7) "If We Care About Justice, We Have to Care About Endings"

"We can hold multiple truths. It is true that the new administration’s gleeful ending of jobs, centers, departments, precedents and norms is cause for action and outrage. It is also true that for a long time, on a quieter, less public, smaller scale, philanthropy and nonprofits have pulled out of communities suddenly, acted capriciously, shirked accountability, and made sometimes-spurious claims about efficiency to justify bad process — all without owning the power that comes in such actions."

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