So two months ago at our monthly all staff meeting, we were recruiting for staff to spearhead the Thanksgiving Potluck and the Annual Holiday Lunch. Several staff volunteered for the Potluck, but when the Annual Holiday Party came up, there was silence... I was one of the staff who had volunteered to be on the Thanksgiving planning committee, but not as lead. So when no one at all volunteered for the Holiday Party, I volunteered to excuse myself from the Thanksgiving committee and be the lead on the Holiday Party. After all, it is my favorite time of year...
Still only one reliable friend and colleague volunteered to work with me on the committee... I didn't take that personally because of what happened next! Another staff member and dear friend shouted " I will be on the committee if Colleen can be the caterer!!" Still warms my heart when I write it. And after our empowering and innovative leader said: "That would be left up to the committee!," several staff signed up.
So when things got a bit on the busy side at work and the party planning was a bit behind because of it, I struggled with thinking how I could possibly start my first catering gig of 35-40 in my small kitchen with little to no time to responsibly be away from work. How do I not over-commit myself and not let my second family down? Fortunately, since it is second family it was much easier to excuse myself from the main dish, as they were more than willing to have me be the dessert caterer!
My personal honey badger (if you have not seen the You Tube video, please do!), who is both a colleague and dear friend, told me a story this week that really felt good, and made me think about the title of this blog: Does food have an impact on organizational culture?
She was conversing with several staff members and reminiscing about a potato rosemary quiche I brought to a 9:00am Monday morning meeting: Not an easy space to spark creativity and excitement ... Well, the staff were so enticed by her description of this quiche she responded with, "You gotta get in on those meetings with Colleen!" It was perfect timing given that I spend my evening baking for my second family, and hoping that it is one of the ways I show them how much I care and appreciate their unending commitment, creativity, accountability and just plain quirkiness that makes us Catalyst!
So on to the dessert menu: My famous rum cake, a Black Russian cake (chocolate version of White Russian drink in cake form), peanut butter toffee brownies, and oatmeal dark chocolate chip cookies. One of the things I love about this time of year is the space it creates to appreciate those all around you. You all know who you are and I love you. Thanks for supporting and encouraging me to share my gifts of creativity.
So the answer to my question is....YES! But it is not simply about food. It is about sharing the individual gifts we have with our Second Families (at work). While many might think food would have nothing to do with my role as the Chief of Organizational Leadership at our nonprofit Catalyst Miami, I think you would find many of my second family members would beg to differ.
