Comments to Brattleboro Hospital Convocation on October 4, 2023

Photo of Brattleboro Hospital courtesy of VTDigger.org We’re here to talk today about how best to design and implement a healthcare and social system that secures our shared goal of… Read More

Comments to BCBS Annual Board Meeting; Woodstock Inn 062123

Thank you for the opportunity to talk with you today, I will use a portion of my time to raise what I feel are the key issues in healthcare today… Read More

Comments to Vermont Adult Learning Graduates 9/16/22

We’re here tonight to celebrate you and your achievements. Yes, I did come to celebrate with you and to share some thoughts but I also came to learn from you… Read More

Comments to Snelling Leadership Students at Graduation 082720

Tenets of Leadership: A Unity of Opposites (applies to all three sectors: gov., bus., & nonprofit) Humility (arrogance is toxic) and Courage Seek and defend truth (no alternative facts, only… Read More

Comments to Sheldon Museum Annual Meeting 11/12/19

We have over 6000 non-profits in Vermont with annual revenues of some $6.5B and assets of over $13B. That’s one non-profit, or “for-mission,” as some prefer to say, for every… Read More

My Comments on Philanthropy to Development Directors 4/9/19

Donor cultivation and approach: Start by building a relationship not predicated on giving, but mission. Do your homework, know with whom you are meeting and understand their relative capacity. Be… Read More

Comments to Lamoille Family Center Annual Meeting – 6/20/18

Many thanks. It’s an honor to be invited home to be with you all tonight. I greatly appreciate the work you do on behalf of Lamoille County’s families and communities.… Read More

Memorial Day 2017

My father died in Leyte Gulf in the Philippines on December 3, 1944, when the ship on which he was serving as a Naval lieutenant was hit by a Japanese… Read More

Key Note to Nat. Ass. of Comm. Dev. Exec. Profs. & The Ass. of Nat. Res. Ext. Profs -June 26, 2016

Our Vermont state motto, “Freedom & Unity” expresses a unity of opposites, posing the goal of achieving equilibrium between the rights of individuals and the well-being of our communities. It’s… Read More

Comments to Chamber Meeting of Business, Non-profit and Legislative Leaders 12/16/15

In opening, I’d like to make just a couple of points. They are similar to the points I made to your Legislative Commission on Government Efficiency. There are three legs… Read More

Comments to Business & Non-profit Leaders at Lake Champlain Chamber

I’ll start with a question: How is it that a small state with a $5B budget, half of which is for the social safety net, a philanthropic community that contributes… Read More

Comments to VT Comm. Loan Fund Annual Board Retreat 9/23/2015

Many thanks for inviting me to this important discussion. My goal in a few minutes will be to look at our state in broad strokes so as to add some… Read More