Where everybody knows your name

Zoey (left) and friend

I was pet sitting this weekend and took my friend’s schnoodle to the dog park. I happened upon, of all things, the August meeting of Austin Schnauzer Meet Up. Once a month schnauzer owners rotate among the dog parks of Austin so that their crazy little terriers can play together.

I can usually pick Zoey out in a crowd of dogs. She’s little and perky and gray, with a happy plume of a tail. But on Sunday, I often couldn’t find her in the sea of floppy ears, huge mustaches, awning-like eyebrows and maniacal, toothy smiles.

While I am all about diversity, and Zoey has dog friends of all shapes and sizes, there is something to be said about being among your own kind. To find those people (or dogs) who get you. Creatures who face the same challenges and worries and celebrate the same victories.

Whether you have been writing grants for 20 years or 20 days, I encourage you to seek out and meet other grant writers. You can do this by joining professional groups like the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) or the American Association of Grant Professionals (AAGP), but I encourage you to do this informally. Just call a few of your fellow typing monkeys and get together for lunch or coffee. You will be glad you did.