UI Foundation/UI Advancement Weekly Update 07.16.21

Dear Team:

As I mentioned in my last message, I was in Washington, D.C., last weekend, attending a Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) board meeting. Being there prompted me to think about the history of our capital city and everything that takes place in those 61 square miles. Washington, D.C., has been the center of American democracy, a bastion of civil discourse and decision-making for more than 230 years, even though, at times, government and governance can get messy and even a bit uncivil.

A visit to the National Museum of African American History and Culture also reminded me that among the essential freedoms we are afforded in this country is the ability to make choices. We have the freedom to decide every day what we believe and how we live our lives (within the confines of the laws that govern our nation, and local communities). With that freedom comes the necessity of being respectful of other’s decisions. We won’t agree with every choice made by our family, friends, co-workers, or leaders, but we should do our best to be respectful of their choices and differences of opinion. As more people return to their offices, and decisions are being made at all levels for the greater good of keeping everyone safe, try to remember that a little give and take will be required from time to time. We are still in uncharted waters and our managers, leaders, and decision makers are doing their best to be mindful of the safety of our entire community.

On that note, I am excited to let you know we are planning some in-person activities for our annual Foundation Weekend Sept. 30-Oct. 2. The Annual Foundation Member meeting will likely be a digital production, but the UIF Board will meet in person, and there will be other non-virtual events, including a Fighting Illini football game. While 2020 was the year of “pivoting,” 2021 will likely be the year of “hybrid” strategies or a mix of old and new approaches.

Foundation Weekend, and the beginning of the 2021-22 academic year before that, will be here before we know it, so make the most of the remainder of the summer. Enjoy the people you like to spend time with, the activities you like to participate in, and don’t hesitate to use some vacation time if you have it.

In the meantime, have a great weekend. Hopefully, you won’t have to dodge too many raindrops.

Best,

Jim