On life’s practice field, says Dave Dravecky, “It’s not what you do that matters most. It’s who you are.”
Meeting Professionals International Northern California Chapter (MPINCC) President Joey Nevin of Giants Enterprises fielded an all-star team on MPINCC: Your Practice Field.
During President Nevin’s program year, the powerful messages of three keynote speakers must be remembered long after the applause:
Dave Dravecky
Keynote: The Worth of a Man
Firstly, Dave Dravecky is a Major League Baseball Pitching Great and a former San Francisco Giant.
Dravecky’s career as a Major League left-handed pitcher ended agonizingly when his cancer-ridden left arm snapped in Giants v Montreal.
The riveting account of his journey to redemption and recovery with faith and fortitude held the audience spell-bound.
Key takeaway: “It’s not what you do that matters most. It’s who you are.”
Find encouragement with Jan and Dave Dravecky at Endurance.org
Jon Kedrowski
Keynote: Climb Your Own Everest
Secondly, Jon Kedrowski, PhD, is an Alpinist, Ski Mountaineer, and Everest Summiter.
Highly accomplished yet humble, Kedrowski shared his tales of record-setting adventures on mountaintops.
The audience was completely quiet as Kedrowski described being in Everest base camp during the Nepal earthquake, avalanche, and aftermath.
Key takeaway: “Sometimes in life, you have to do something outrageous to get noticed, to get where you’re going. And there are no shortcuts to any place worth going.”
Support the Sherpa Foundation
Patricia Suflita Wilson
Keynote: Getting Rich in a Non-Profit Career
Lastly, Patricia Suflita Wilson is CEO of Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area and the woman behind SFBatkid and Batkid Begins.
Inspiration over ambition. Meaning over money. Such is the coin of the non-profit realm.
To hear, “This is the best day of my life” from a WishKid motivates Wilson, a hero to children with life-threatening illnesses and their families. In turn, Wilson herself evidently motivates others; in fact, Julia Roberts is playing Wilson in the upcoming film.
Wilson’s story of how SFBatkid became a City-wide event then a global phenomenon and a documentary, Batkid Begins, captivated the audience.
Key takeaway: Wilson’s three directives apply equally to non-profit and for-profit organizations alike:
- “Deputize volunteers.” Don’t delegate.
- “Manage sponsorships.” Ensure relevancy and mutual benefit.
- “Apply the power of social media.” Engage and not just broadcast.
Help make wishes come true with Make-A-Wish
Thanks to President Joey Nevin, the Board of Directors, and all the superhero Committee Chairs/Co-Chairs and Committee members of this program year.
It’s certainly been an impressive, influential, and impactful time on MPINCC: Your Practice Field.
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Photo Credit: Orange Photography
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READ: All That Sparkle and Shine
READ: MPINCC & You Made History
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