During the NFPW board meeting, we looked at postcards that had quotes on them about ideas. The premise was to reflect on the quotes, discuss them and use them to inspire us as we worked on NFPW business.

Oliver Wendell Holmes said, “Man’s mind, once stretched by a new idea, never regains its original dimensions.” We took that to mean that NFPW needs to continue to grow and expand.

We also decided that ideas connect us to the past and the future. We came up with that after reading what Friedrich Von Schlegel said: “Ideas are infinite, original and lively divine thoughts.”

Bill Moyers said, “Ideas are great arrows, but there has to be a bow.” That one resonated with us and we referenced it throughout a brainstorming session. We realized that ideas need a catalyst.

Our brainstorming on membership resulted in lots of ideas, but only a few good ones. That’s okay because Linus Pauling said, “The best way to have a good idea is to have a lot of ideas.”

We’ll keep thinking of ways to better connect with members and to make membership a valuable resource. I hope you will share your ideas. After all, the more we have, the more likely we’ll have a good one.