Board-less and Unbound

This year, for the first time in about 40 years, I am not serving on a nonprofit board. Or on five of them simultaneously. Did that the year I left my corporate job to start my consulting firm. And nearly bankrupted myself, as I gave away more time and advice than I sold. Lesson learned.

Being board-less is a strange sensation indeed, but a “time out” was necessary. I had just completed several years of very intensive involvement on four different boards in two parts of the state. Founding chairman, marketing chair, interim executive director, governance chair… if I’m in, I’m in all the way. It was time to redirect my energy.

We have a plan to move toward retirement by working part-time for a few years, so it seemed wise to determine what it might feel like to be a “civilian.” The idea was to ease off boards, adjunct teaching and new clients, freeing up time for travel, painting and relaxing. Whatever that is. LOL My husband is big on it, and I want to keep him!

Travel and painting, on the other hand, are things I understand and am excited about doing more. Recent trips to Uruguay, Greece and southern Spain are yielding paintings, and I’m looking forward to being inspired by northern France. For now, here’s one of the few Havana paintings I have left. The colorful scenes and old cars seems to resonate with my collectors.