We Ain't Got a Barrel of Money . . . .
FROM THE RETIRED CEONational Cancer Society for Animals
Ten years ago I took my pocketbook and let it run wild creating an organization.
It was a personal mission and I chose to become the sole private benefactor. With no kids to put through college, I felt I could honor the memory of Professor, my Weimaraner who had just died of cancer, with the use of memorial money.
The enterprise grew rapidly due to national need. We supplied a national support service through a 24/7 hotline, educational outreach through the national media and financial help to cancer centers and individuals seeking treatment for their pets.
At the end of 7 years I was urged to go non-profit and give my personal shoes a rest. We applied for 501c3 status and got it.
For the next three years it was maintained as such. I continued spending personal monies to fund it, however. I was too busy working with animals and owners, hosting publicity events, writing and producing educational outreach and managing staff to dig into money chasing.
For the next three years it was maintained as such. I continued spending personal monies to fund it, however. I was too busy working with animals and owners, hosting publicity events, writing and producing educational outreach and managing staff to dig into money chasing.
NO TIME TO WAIT
I had no time to wait for dollars. Animal death and mourning can't hold back until someone writes a check.
We eventually headed into public fund raising by hosting an event on the roof of the Ritz-Carlton in Boston. Thematically it was a smash hit. Financially it was a mess. I decided to start a search for an executive director with expertise in running a charity.
DURING THE INTERIM
We found that as snow white as we were in intention, because money had come into the picture, we were also suspects in everything from paper clip hoarding to illegal taxidermy of Wolverines in Malaysia.
Of course, we had done nothing wrong but spend money without asking for any in return. In addition, no one on board or staff was academian in non-profit structure. We were all bleeding hearts for animals dying of cancer.
We evidently appealed to a leader with the Attorney General. She offered to be our personal guide through new filings. Pages later we rejoiced we had found her.
NEW PERSPECTIVE KEPT NCSA AFLOAT
As my search for non-profit directorship waddled with no immediate result and the dollars in my wallet were becoming coins, I organized a team of money logic colleagues from bank vice president to former CEO of Gillette. The dozen of us worked with my board and staff to take a new perspective towards helping animals with cancer. "No animal with cancer has ever given up, and they have no money." Onward we plodded.
Now at the end of the three year period into non-profit directorship we have lost one such director to cancer herself, another to a family member with cancer, one other to a personal disability and still one more to board consensus.
As for the remaining coins in my wallet -- the economy claimed them.
I am currently endeavoring to settle our 10 years of rich resource into the hands of a favored corporation with the power to turn our startup decade into perpetuity.
I am currently endeavoring to settle our 10 years of rich resource into the hands of a favored corporation with the power to turn our startup decade into perpetuity.
With such seasoned corporate mogulism managing the resource and notoriety we've developed, NCSA will go skyscraper high. Talks are on the table for 2009.
MY 'PROFESSOR', CANINE NCSA FOUNDER AND CANCER HERO
NCSA's struggles aside, the dog who led me to each moment I've lived for 10 years, is gone. Professor died of bone cancer. I was powerless as her head dropped down out of my hands on that day. Profit, Non-Profit, Dollar Bill Heaven, Retiree, whatever. I now know that there is no end to the help needed TO REACH ALL OF THE HANDS OF THE FACES WHOSE ANIMALS ARE BEING BURIED BY CANCER.
2009, we need you.
Andrea Spencer
If you would like to make a donation or talk with Andrea Spencer about the future of National Cancer Society for Animals, please email her at andeee@comcast.net or mail National Cancer Society for Animals at 102 Crane Street, Norton 02766
MORE REACHING ACROSS THE TABLE TO DAWNA. SCROLL DOWN TO "Spent Delightful Time . . . "
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