Happy Second Blogaversary.

It’s my second blogaversary. Over the past two years I have shared with you thoughts on the Enterprise 2.0 marketplace, as well as thoughts on Open Source, Personal Branding, and other random musings on technology, culture, and workplace behaviors. I have published 130 posts so far (averaging just over one post a week), and received well over 1500 comments from you. I reviewed a couple of important books, shared my notes on conferences I attended, highlighted many important vendors, and addressed current issues that came up on the blogosphere. I plan to keep on doing this (although I admit I have been less active recently). Your feedback and readership make this blog work. So THANK YOU for being here!

I’m going to do something in this post that I thought I’d never do. But since you are a loyal reader and you have found value in this blog, I hope you’ll forgive me. I have avoided self-promotion and appeals on this blog. Today however, I’m going to toot my own horn.

If you are a reader, or better yet, if you know me in carbon, then you know that I’m passionate about how people form and operate communities for purposeful results. My focus on Enterprise 2.0 is  a result of being in a technology role and seeing how people use business tools for workplace results. My renewed focus on Open Source is similarly motivated by seeing how people work together in purposeful ways. But my passion for community comes from my appreciation for the human tendency to form tribes and affiliate groups. And this is fueled by my personal experiences being a community member.

Over the past few years, I invested some of my free time and energy into a variety of community service efforts. Nothing huge, but apparently helpful to some. These projects ranged from technical support for some community projects, physical help on projects that needed extra arms or leadership skills, education in the form of classes and lectures, and emotional support for people who needed someone to help them — or at least to listen to them. It’s the kind of stuff that I don’t want to elaborate about, but that I think you’ll find that many people do these kinds of acts of community services. I learned about community service from my parents, and I found much added support in these efforts from my wife.  Many of my personal heroes are people who look out for others, or help others orchestrate themselves for collective benefit.  Being in a community is a benefit.  Giving back is simply a good character trait.  You feel good when you give a little bit back.  And it’s nice to be appreciated too.

So why mention this here, now?

An organization in my old town of Sharon, MA is honoring me with a community service award. They noticed my contributions and were helped by my volunteer-ism,  so they wanted to thank me. They have an annual event where they present  awards and thank those who have contributed to their organization and to the community at large. The organization is a synagogue which I’d describe as being both modern and traditional; orthodox and somewhat unorthodox. The synagogue is led by a Rabbi who is unique in his depth and breadth of knowledge and sensitivity. He is a college professor and an active member in an international interfaith organization. His  ability to see the world as his community of interest inspires those who know him to being a citizen of a world that we can improve. The leadership and membership of his congregation span a wide variety of professions and personal values. They describe themselves as authentic and inclusive.  Indeed they are good people.  And I appreciate the fact that they appreciated my community service — especially since much of it was in areas outside of their organization.  In other words, they saw beyond themselves — impressive.

Their honor comes with an opportunity to show your appreciation for me by supporting them in their ad journal. Yep — this is a pitch for some money. Hear me out and then decide what you want to do.

If you have found value in this blog, my conversations on twitter, at conferences, webinars, etc. and you want to say Thank You — you can. The money does not go to me, but to the organization that is honoring me. And if you find this at all interesting, contact me directly at gil “at” gilyehuda.com and I’ll share the details about the organization and their award process with you directly. They offer ads for $50, $100, $150, $360 and more (depending on the size of ad and the amount you wish to donate) — and you can either provide a real ad (for your business) or a message along with your donation.  The journal is then given to all the attendees of the event and I will have a copy as a keepsake.  In fact — I’ll post a thank you on this blog (if you want me to, with link and logo) furthering the goodwill.

So that’s the pitch.  Yes, I’m guilty of self-promotion and asking you for money.  But it’s for a good organization, and hey, you read this blog — so maybe it’s OK for me to have a “Public broadcasting-like pledge drive ” once in two years.  So if you are inclined to contact me about this donation / advertisement opportunity, please do.  And look forward to my next posts where I’ll resume the regular discussions  that you have come to know, and hopefully appreciate.

Happy Second Blogaversary and love to you all.

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Tagged as: acknowledgement, blogaversary, blogging, community, culture, milestone, request, thanks