By: Anna Clark, BA 2016
If this class were a semester-long skydive, the first few weeks of reading would be the equivalent of suiting up for the plunge: shedding our valuables (pride and preconceived notions about Waco and philanthropy) and donning a philanthropist’s green and gold jumpsuit (humility and curiosity). After these essential steps, and a somewhat overwhelming perusal of the sixty organizations and their missions, we were placed on a team, within a sector and prepared to jump, none of us being experts. The research we did on each of our organizations, scouring the Internet, served as our ascent in the plane toward our jump, our stomachs churning with an unidentifiable mixture of fear and excitement. More recently, our conference calls with Executive Directors and experts of the public service trade forced our teams to put our legs outside of the plane, stare down at the cold, hard ground of an impending decision, and use the skills we learned in theory at the beginning of our skydiving (ahem, philanthropy) training. Then, in a moment that seemed to simultaneously last a second and two weeks, we jumped (or were gently nudged) into the free fall: the first board meeting. Yes, we feared the 20 pairs of critically thinking eyes on us during the presentation and squirmed in our professional attire, but after the first bit, our fear shifted into excitement and we could all feel the stillness and restlessness of innovation surrounding the reality of impacting our beloved Waco and its people.
This week, we pulled our parachute, slowing our 120 mph free fall and cruising into the scenic third floor room in Carroll Library, catching our collective breaths, and preparing for site visits. After drafting general agendas for the visits, we welcomed a guest speaker to our class. As Pratik Patel, a distinguished Baylor alumnus, told his story involving philanthropy and professionalism and collaboration, drawing us into belief in his words through his charismatically relaxed demeanor. He spoke with expertise in many aspects surrounding philanthropy, leaving us encouraged, with practical means of achieving a life of service like his, and a charge to experience. To use our knowledge and apply what we know about philanthropy to everything around us. To take off the blinders of our preconceived notions, and experience life and philanthropy for ourselves, without fear of failure. This stage allows us to do the tricks with the parachute, pulling one arm down to enact a circular, holistic experience of the side of philanthropy that “secures the floor,” and successively pulling the other arm down to circle and observe the side of philanthropy that “raises the ceiling” for the public good.
Our instructor doubles as our metaphorical tandem diving instructor and has slipped our hands in the ropes that direct the parachute, trusting that we are capable program officers. Next week, as we pull down with both arms, we’ll enter into a stall, briefly close our parachute and return to free fall for the weeks leading up to our next board meeting. We’ll take Mr. Patel’s advice to experience everything, making our next decisions, and anticipating further use of our skills and the ultimate landing on solid ground, having been changed by our experiences in this class.
*This post inspired by a recent skydiving adventure.
Anna is a senior English major, Poverty Studies and Social Justice minor from Wise, Virginia. She loves coffee, books, and long discussions involving both of the former.
“I have hated the words and I have loved them, and I hope I have made them right.” (The Book Thief)