In some ways, I’ve been paralyzed lately. What can I write that encompasses everything happening and how Canopy is responding?
Every single day, there’s something new adding to the chaos. It has left me thinking: What to say? What to do? The easiest path is to not do anything, but that’s not the Canopy way. Action is important — even something small, like putting words down on paper.
The relentless media coverage, filled with examples of unkindness and turmoil, can be demoralizing. What’s upsetting to me is that we seem to be walking away from basic moral principles: respect for others, welcoming diverse perspectives, being honest, caring for our neighbors, embracing empathy and practicing kindness. And yet, I truly believe that most of us remain grounded in these core values. I know that we are caring people with compassion and respect for others.
Five years ago this month, the world changed dramatically for all of us, creating a whole lot of uncertainty. We moved through those days unsure of what we should do, shouldn’t do, and terrified about how things would turn out. In so many ways, 2020 was a dark and scary period. For those of us who were lucky enough to come out the other side, we learned an invaluable lesson. When the world turns upside down, we must center ourselves around what’s most important: taking care of one another.
Today feels eerily like it did five years ago — chaos, uncertainty and, for many, worry. What will things look like next month, next year, four years from now? While I will confess to having to fight against pessimism in the short-term, I’m confident we will be okay in the long-term, but the road to get there may be tough.
Know that our entire team is steadfastly committed to taking the same actions we took five years ago. Creating spaces for conversation. Gathering people together. And providing the tools, resources, and perspectives from others to help us all navigate this changing climate. In the coming month, we will start by offering two virtual panel discussions:
Staying True to Your Values: A Conversation with Nonprofit Leaders
In the face of rapid change, how do we stick to our values when it seems that much of the world is working against them?
April 17th at 12pm ET — REGISTER HERE
The Changing Economic Landscape for Cultural Organizations
What does the crystal ball say? Cloudy with a chance of fog.
April 24th at 12pm ET — REGISTER HERE
I hope you’ll join us for one or both of these sessions. In the face of uncertainty, let’s keep doubling down on our values and fighting the good fight.
At Canopy, we are staying true to our company values of putting people first, giving everyone a seat at the table, and always being the real deal — even at the risk of loss or disenfranchisement. We are continuing our work to elevate underrepresented voices, advocate for diverse workforces, and invest in programs that support the up-and-coming leaders who represent the future of our field.
If I can offer support in any way, please reach out to me directly at dwalsh@canopysp.com.
David Walsh
President & Chief Advisor
