What are your organization’s tent poles, the critical structural supports that allow your enterprise to thrive? What would you list if you could select three essential pillars that enable your ecosystem to flourish? How do these foundational pieces match your cause’s core values? Is their alignment or a disconnect? If one lists their tent poles as annual donations, headquarters building, and fundraising gala, one might wonder if collecting things is more essential than being of service. How might our perception change if the tent poles are considered the beneficiaries of our services, staff, and volunteers? Would it fundamentally change the organization’s mindset and focus? Does a ‘people first’ mindset shift the structural strength and sustainability of our enterprise, or do we consider the resources the tent poles that are necessary to facilitate the programs?

*** Did you spot the moose to the left of the tent in the pond?