So this is the new year...

Happy New Year everyone! It's weird to think 2007 is over. It's been an eventful one to say the least. Culturally, we entered a huge election season very early, saw scandals unfold in government and sports, and bought more iProducts than ever before. Personally, I graduated from college, drove across most of America (twice), and became lactose intolerant. Organizationally, we've seen the launch of new initiatives, the growth of existing ones, and most importantly, thousands of youth impacted and empowered to become the next generation of leaders.

I was listening to one of my favorite bands recently, Death Cab for Cutie, who have an aptly titled song: So This Is The New Year. One verse laments: So this is the new year, and I have no resolutions, for self-assigned penance, for problems with easy solutions. And it struck me...this is so true of my generation. We're not out to take the easy route (mostly). We want to solve big problems, problems that have no easy solution. As I thought about this, I realized that through programs like our Catalyst Internship Experience, organizations are providing the skills and experience my generation needs to tackle the big problems, the pressing issues.

What are the organizations you're connected to doing to this end? We'd love to know...an open exchange of ideas is what will make us all function better and more effectively.

-D. Gilson, Director of Communications and Donor Relations