2023 Annual Giving Letter
WAVES
Bob Sleppy, Executive Director
November 2023
Over the past few years, I've made it a habit to review Linda's previous Annual Giving Letters, aiming to capture her voice before I start writing. This year was no exception. However, while reviewing Linda’s letters this time, something stood out to me in a way it hadn’t previously.
We are still grappling with the same societal issues that Linda addressed when we started Nuçi’s Space over twenty years ago. Mass shootings, acts of hatred, and our failing healthcare system continue to dominate the news. Suicide remains an epidemic, and conditions like depression, anxiety, and other mental illnesses are more prevalent now than ever before. Linda was always a beacon of hope for our organization and for all those who were fortunate enough to know her. However, I wonder if the current state of the world would test even her resolve.
I won't use this letter as an attempt to make sense of an irrational world. Instead, I'll take this opportunity to share our plans to improve our little corner of the world and, most importantly, how you can best help us realize our vision.
Though it may be difficult to quantify at times, we have made an undeniable difference in our community. With your support, we have saved lives. This difference was not brought about by decree, but rather through the small, consistent acts of kindness, empathy, and hope that define who we are. These have been and remain the most effective tools we have in our fight to end suicide. Although somewhat cliché, I have often likened Linda’s vision for Nuçi’s Space to a stone thrown into a calm body of water. Our work has created ripples through our community and, in some instances, reached further than we could have imagined.
With the incredible support of our community, we are able to offer QPR, our suicide prevention training at no cost. These skills empower our community members to take care of each other and work toward ending the epidemic of suicide.
RIPPLES INTO WAVES
Drawing from my rudimentary understanding of physics, ripples occur when the weight of the stone breaks the water's surface, displacing the water molecules upon contact. As the ripples move away from the point of impact, the surface tension of the water inevitably diminishes their effect. The ripples will then subside as quickly as they formed. However, with the assistance of a steady wind, the ripples are sustained long enough to become waves, which are not so readily subdued.
So if Nuçi’s Space is the initial impact that created ripples throughout our community, how do we nurture those ripples into waves? How do we conjure up a steady enough wind to sustain them? As I mentioned in last year's Annual Giving Letter, Linda instilled in me the confidence that I would "know what to do" regarding Nuçi’s Space and our mission as we continue to evolve. I remain steadfast in our convictions and wise enough to seek good counsel when in doubt. The decision to follow the path we are about to embark on, and the one I want to share with you in this letter, has not been made lightly.
In the first quarter of 2023, our board, staff, and key volunteers convened for our Annual Strategy Retreat, wherein we reviewed our most recent achievements and solidified our plans for the future. This year’s session differed from previous meetings in that we extended the scope of our discussion to encompass a 3-5 year plan, rather than our usual 18-month outlook.
After a full day of small-group exercises and thoughtful deliberations, the overwhelming consensus of our group was that our next steps needed to center around expanding the reach of Nuçi’s Space. With the help of our retreat facilitator, we were able to clearly articulate the goals necessary to realize this vision. We quickly identified that in order to expand the programs and services of Nuçi’s Space, two key areas needed to be prioritized: scaling “deep” and scaling “out.”
SCALING DEEP VS. SCALING OUT
In essence, scaling “deep" involves strengthening our roots and foundation. The process of scaling deep encompasses things like exploring our core values and cultural beliefs, implementing reliable internal systems and procedures, and employing technology where applicable to enhance the quality of our relationships. To succeed in these areas, we will need to remain disciplined, well-organized, and focused.
I often share with my staff a principle borrowed from Jim Collin’s book, “Good to Great” in which he stresses the importance of “getting the right people on the bus” and then “getting them in the right seats on the bus.” Before our plans could move forward, I had to look closely at whether we had the “right people” and if they were in the “right seats.” It was important to evaluate everyone, including myself.
I asked myself a difficult question, “Are my skills best utilized in the seat I am occupying?” For me, the answer is bittersweet. It is safe to say that no one has ever accused me of being “disciplined, well-organized, and focused.” I have no plans to leave our beloved Nuçi’s Space, which has been my home for 24 years. However, I have decided that I need to rediscover how I can use my skills and passion to best serve the mission of Nuçi’s Space. It is time to restructure and ready ourselves for the future.
Debbie Watson, a dedicated member of Nuçi’s Space for nearly nine years, embodies the essence of our organization. Along with her endless reserves of kindness and optimism, Debbie is the epitome of “disciplined, well-organized, and focused.” Her exceptional managerial skills and genuine care for others make her the perfect fit to elevate Nuçi’s Space and prepare us for our next important stage of growth. Earlier this year, with the approval of the Board of Directors, Debbie accepted my offer to assume the role of Executive Director at the Athens, GA location of Nuçi’s Space, effective at the beginning of 2024. Yes, Athens, GA is currently our only location, but we hope to change that in the not-too-distant future. My title will also change to Chief Executive Officer at this time. As I envision Debbie’s success in her new role, my role within our organizational structure is still developing. As usual, I continue to look to Linda for inspiration and guidance. While revisiting Linda’s book “A Beautiful Here,” I found what I was looking for.
“...Nuçi’s Space continues. In fact it gets better and better. We’ve found that with each change, new advocates instill a part of themselves and in so doing improve the Nuçi’s Space model.
Creativity is valued and encouraged. We welcome new ideas and improvement on old ones. We open our hearts and minds and arms to new people.
Our dream is that one day there will be a Nuçi’s Space in every community. It doesn’t have to be called Nuçi’s Space. The name doesn’t matter but the model does because it is tried and proven.”
The passage reaffirmed our commitment to growth and innovation, emphasizing the value of creativity and the importance of welcoming new ideas and advocates. While Debbie and the remarkable Nuçi’s Space team focus on scaling deep, my role as CEO will be centered on scaling “out”, connecting with individuals in new communities to foster positive change through acts of kindness, empathy, and hope. Our collective aim will be to transform the ripples Linda initiated into impactful waves, creating a movement that transcends limitations and stands on its own.
HOW YOU CAN HELP…
I am overflowing with excitement as Nuçi’s Space journeys down this new path. My excitement is tempered with a healthy amount of anxiety, which I’m not afraid to admit, but I am comforted by knowing we are not alone. During the past several months, our Leadership Team, Staff, and Board of Directors have been working tirelessly to build the necessary infrastructure and implement a thoughtful plan to prepare us for our next adventure.
As you’ve heard us say many times before, we can not be successful without you. Here are some ways you can help us bring our plans to fruition:
Make a financial contribution: 65% of our donations are received from individuals. As we continue to grow and our annual budget increases, meeting our financial goals becomes increasingly difficult. We need your financial support to continue serving those in need, attracting the best providers, and retaining great employees.
Participate in our Campaigns and Events: Our staff works incredibly hard to produce several events each year in order to engage with our community. Maybe it's time to put the band back together for Athens Business Rocks or reminisce with your favorite Athens bands during Athens UnCovered? Please consider signing up for our email list and visit our website regularly to see how you can be involved in what we’re working on.
Sponsor an event: We have many opportunities to support our events, whether as an individual sponsor or as a business partner.
Make an in-kind donation: Donate your old and/or unused music gear to our ReWired Program or possibly a special item for one of our annual auctions. Whether it’s catered food, snacks for Camp Amped, or cleaning supplies, in-kind donations go a long way toward helping us meet our budget.
Donate your time and expertise: If you happen to have some time to invest, we are always looking for volunteers. Whether you’re interested in helping answer the phone, volunteering during an event, or sharing your expertise with us, we gladly welcome help in all its forms.
Share our story and mission: If you connect with our mission and know someone in your circle of influence who would also benefit from knowing about our work, please share our story and invite them to join you at an upcoming event. Additionally, stay on the lookout for our social media posts you might like to share with your networks. You can also drop by the Nuçi’s Space anytime for a cup of coffee, and we can show you around. We love giving tours!
Become an advocate: Even if you already support another organization and don’t have the capacity to add another, please share your story and advocate for mental health in your community. There are great organizations everywhere. We need every voice and every story to end the stigma of brain illness and prevent suicide.
Whether you have been a supporter since our inception or a first-time donor, thank you for helping us build Linda’s legacy. With your continued support, together we can go on to inspire communities beyond Athens to share in our vision to end the epidemic of suicide and to create a culture free of the stigma attached to brain illnesses and its sufferers.
We will need your help to succeed. It will take all of us.
Sincerely,
Bob (bob@nuci.org)