The Gift - Paying It Forward
Donation protected
Next month I have the privilege of turning 70. SEVENTY!! I know many people dread this big birthday. Entering my 7th decade! OMG!!.
But for me, every year I am given at this point in my life is a gift, a gift denied to many. Many around me have not had the privilege of being healthy while growing older and having so many amazing people and opportunities in their lives. I am grateful every day for reaching this milestone, and hope to have many more.
And, I want for nothing. Truly. I have a wonderful new home in the city, a son and daughter-in-law who are amazing, a loving husband who supports me in all my exploits and passions, meaningful work in the world, and dear, dear friends.
So why am I creating a crowdfunding campaign?
Anticipating my birthday, I realize that two additional gifts have contributed to my well-being over the past decade: The World Cafe & Giftival. Both are based in gift - both span the globe - connecting people in meaningful relationships and learning to foster generative change. So in lieu of any gifts to me, please consider contributing to one or both of these gifts for our world.
World Cafe
Many of you know that I fell in love with the World Cafe 10 years ago. I continue to marvel at its elegance and utility as a conversational leadership process for natural cross-pollination of relationships, ideas, and meaning that enables us to learn, explore possibilities, and co-create together.... something so needed in our complex - often chaotic world.
What you may not realize is that World Cafe is offered intentionally in gift - as a vehicle for social innovation and positive change in the world. Indeed, the World Cafe invites us all to use and adapt it to advance our learning and work - while asking for nothing in return. Yet, continuing to serve as a globlal resource - the World Cafe requires some minimal funding - i.e. website, resource development and translations, research and publications. We need The World Cafe to continue connecting us and deeping our collective learning.
Giftival
Every year, I am honored to attend an event called Giftival. It takes place in different countries and its purpose is to call people from all over the world who working in gift economics and gift culture to come togther and share best practices, stories, tips, and strategies for spreading this important paradigm far and wide. These wondrous people come from places as diverse as Senegal, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Turkey, Jordan, India, Japan, Brazil, Mexico, and many other countries. We learn from one another about how to revive this most ancient practice for getting everyone's needs met: The Gift.
Each year, Giftival attendees work to raise much of the cost of participating in the event themselves -- from their own communities. However, some are unable to afford the entire cost of their travel - yet they have vital experience and information to share. We need their stories and cost should not be a barrier to their participation.
This November, Giftival is in Brazil. And, I will turn 70 at the gathering!!
The Gift -- Paying It Forward
So I am asking my friends and family to gift it forward and support these important gifts - World Cafe and/or Giftival as a birthday present to me. Please indicate how you want your gift to be distributed.
Thank you in advance! Your gift will mean more to me than all the gift-cards, pampering potions or fancy coffee mugs in the world. Indeed it is our relationship over the years that matters most to me!
Big hug,
Lina
But for me, every year I am given at this point in my life is a gift, a gift denied to many. Many around me have not had the privilege of being healthy while growing older and having so many amazing people and opportunities in their lives. I am grateful every day for reaching this milestone, and hope to have many more.
And, I want for nothing. Truly. I have a wonderful new home in the city, a son and daughter-in-law who are amazing, a loving husband who supports me in all my exploits and passions, meaningful work in the world, and dear, dear friends.
So why am I creating a crowdfunding campaign?
Anticipating my birthday, I realize that two additional gifts have contributed to my well-being over the past decade: The World Cafe & Giftival. Both are based in gift - both span the globe - connecting people in meaningful relationships and learning to foster generative change. So in lieu of any gifts to me, please consider contributing to one or both of these gifts for our world.
World Cafe
Many of you know that I fell in love with the World Cafe 10 years ago. I continue to marvel at its elegance and utility as a conversational leadership process for natural cross-pollination of relationships, ideas, and meaning that enables us to learn, explore possibilities, and co-create together.... something so needed in our complex - often chaotic world.
What you may not realize is that World Cafe is offered intentionally in gift - as a vehicle for social innovation and positive change in the world. Indeed, the World Cafe invites us all to use and adapt it to advance our learning and work - while asking for nothing in return. Yet, continuing to serve as a globlal resource - the World Cafe requires some minimal funding - i.e. website, resource development and translations, research and publications. We need The World Cafe to continue connecting us and deeping our collective learning.
Giftival
Every year, I am honored to attend an event called Giftival. It takes place in different countries and its purpose is to call people from all over the world who working in gift economics and gift culture to come togther and share best practices, stories, tips, and strategies for spreading this important paradigm far and wide. These wondrous people come from places as diverse as Senegal, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Turkey, Jordan, India, Japan, Brazil, Mexico, and many other countries. We learn from one another about how to revive this most ancient practice for getting everyone's needs met: The Gift.
Each year, Giftival attendees work to raise much of the cost of participating in the event themselves -- from their own communities. However, some are unable to afford the entire cost of their travel - yet they have vital experience and information to share. We need their stories and cost should not be a barrier to their participation.
This November, Giftival is in Brazil. And, I will turn 70 at the gathering!!
The Gift -- Paying It Forward
So I am asking my friends and family to gift it forward and support these important gifts - World Cafe and/or Giftival as a birthday present to me. Please indicate how you want your gift to be distributed.
Thank you in advance! Your gift will mean more to me than all the gift-cards, pampering potions or fancy coffee mugs in the world. Indeed it is our relationship over the years that matters most to me!
Big hug,
Lina
Organizer
Lina Cramer
Organizer
Chicago, IL
