Today is the last day of my job. I just sent this message to the hundreds of great people I have worked with at Planned Parenthood Federation of America:
Today is my last with PPFA! My grant-funded position is not being continued. Although I am very excited about moving on the next phase of my professional life, I am really sad to be leaving the Planned Parenthood family.
I want to let you all know how incredibly fortunate I feel to have worked with you. This job has been a great opportunity for me to prove my ideas by seeing them put into practice in the field, and to learn from all of you.
In my 2 1/2 years at PPFA, I traveled to 20 different states and met or spoke to people from almost every affiliate in the country! Every person I met – from the geeks to the technophobes – has taught me something about nonprofits, technology, and political organizing.
Seeing the fruits of my labor in your successful online efforts is the best reward. And there have been lots of rewards! Every single e-mail you send and action you promote adds up to to one incredible, national movement. Don’t forget that big picture. You are all doing such wonderful work.
I also have to say that this job has been FUN. In addition to the cool public affairs staffers around the country, I have worked with some amazing organizers in the field department. The field managers – whose roles seems to keep growing exponentially – do an incredible job of tying us all together. Our collective efforts simply wouldn’t be possible without them.
Many of you have asked what is next for me – and this is where the good news comes in. I am returning to my former life as a freelance consultant. I will be providing online advocacy advice and implementation to a wide range of progressive organizations and campaigns – possibly including Planned Parenthood affiliates! Feel free to drop me a line at lotusmedia.org.
I just want to say again what a wonderful experience this job has been for me. I want to thank Jen Frazier for hiring me and being a really great manager (quite an underappreciated skill). I am incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to work with you all on this critical cause at this historic time.
If you want to talk to me about consulting services or just keep in touch, you can always find me at www.lotusmedia.org.
Keep the faith,
= Ruby