River Roots Redevelopment: Conversations in Motion: What We Learned on a Thurs. Afternoon in Emlenton

By: Selina Pedi-Smith, Pellere Foundation

It started as a simple plan: take a walk, capture some video footage, and talk about how different brains and personalities work together to build community. It turned into one of those seemingly-simple but deeply impactful afternoons that left me feeling a little lighter, a little clearer, and even more grateful for the people I’m honored to have involved in Pellere.

Rachel and I spent a good part of the afternoon walking through Emlenton - down Main Street, along the bike trail and the river, and around this town that holds so much opportunity. We started under cloudy skies, but before long the sky broke open into one of those perfect early spring days...blue skies, puffy clouds, light breeze, and just the right amount of sun on our faces. It was the kind of experience that really drives home why this work is worth doing.

At one point, I asked Rachel to be brutally honest with me; what was it about me, when we first met, that made her think, “Okay… this woman’s a little weird”?  She laughed, thought for a second, and said, “Honestly? I was just skeptical. You were so excited about everything, and I didn’t think anyone could really be that enthusiastic.”  Fair enough.  But she went on to say it didn’t take long to realize that yes, I really am that excited. And more importantly, she realized that I don’t just talk - I follow through.  I’ll be honest, that felt amazing to hear.  Being brutally honest, though, we also talked about how she’s learned to nudge me when I forget things - because let’s be real, I do forget things.  But I’m totally okay with reminders.  I actually appreciate them.  And Rachel said that since she and her husband both have their own moments of forgetfulness, so it’s not really an issue.  She figured out my comfort zone for reminders, and I hers, and now it’s all part of how we work together.

As we kept walking, the conversation turned to the mix of personalities on our team. And that’s when Don’s name came up - my husband, Pellere’s co-founder, and my favorite partner-in-doing.  Don is the one who asks the questions Rachel and I are sometimes too shy to ask.  Yes, though we might not always seem it, we’re both actually painfully shy!  So if you ever think we seem aloof...nope, that’s just us struggling trying to get over our introverted natures.  So, points to note: we welcome reminders and we welcome conversation starters!  Don, though - after four decades as a surgeon, he’s more than comfortable asking pretty much any question.  And honestly?  That’s one of the best gifts he brings to our work.  Together, the three of us make an amazing team - building things that matter, side by side.

But as strong as our team is, we both agreed there’s still a gap.  We need someone who’s not afraid to make the ask.  Someone who can share the heart of what we do, get people excited about being part of it, and - when the time is right - ask for the investment it takes to keep the work moving.  Fundraising is a skill all its own, and the people who do it well are worth their weight in gold.  So, hey...if you’re reading this and thinking, “Wow, that sounds like me!”...consider this your invitation.  We’d love to talk!

We wrapped up our walk with more sunshine, more laughter, and a quiet kind of energy that comes from reminding ourselves just why we do what we do.  And if all goes well with the video editing software we’re still trying to wrangle, you’ll get to see the highlights of our Thursday afternoon walk-and-talk on pellere.org sooner rather than later!

Because sometimes the best ideas - and the best teams - come together one conversation, one step, and one good nudge at a time.

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Rachel Brosnahan is the Community Engagement Coordinator for River Roots Redevelopment. She can be reached by email at rachel@riverrootsredevelopment.org