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Lynn Price is a social entrepreneur, speaker, and author. She is the recipient of numerous national awards and accolades including the Points of Light President’s Service Award, presented to her by President Bill Clinton, Oprah’s Angel Network Use Your Life Award, L’eggs Women Who Shape Our World and Redbook Mothers and Shakers. Prior to founding Camp To Belong in 1995, Lynn was a marketing and communications professional, helping launch the ESPN cable network and playing a key role in expanding cable programming for Group W Westinghouse Satellite Communications. She also founded the communications firm Price & Associates. An Ashoka Fellow and member of the National Speakers Association, Lynn currently lives in Denver with her family. For more information, including speaking engagements and her 2004 book, Real Belonging, Give Siblings Their Right to Reunite, visit www.LynnPrice.com.
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Author's Note
When my advisor and friend, Mark LeBlanc, Founder and President of Small Business Success, suggested I write Vision For A Change, A Social Entrepreneur's Insights From the Heart, I wasn't prepared for the rich, soul-searching exercise that would follow as I relived the stories you'll be reading.
Going deep into thought led to constant daydreaming of people, places, and things that have shaped my visions for many changes in my life. Whether they were changes that I consciously initiated or changes that came along sometimes haphazardly, sometimes brilliantly, I've come to appreciate change as a gift. And whether it's a gift that's given or received, I believe it's a privilege to make change for ourselves and for our world.
I realized change is like riding an emotional roller coaster ride-the trepidation of the deliberate ride to the top, the exhilaration of the swift drop to the bottom, the anticipation of the upside down and curvy loop-de-loops, and the deep release and relief when the ride comes to a halt.
I rode this roller coaster repeatedly as I wrote this book, at times disbelieving the person in each story could really be me. I shed tears and I shouted cheers. As I look back, though, I feel blessed for the lessons I've learned on the ride and for the people who taught me or learned alongside me. As I approached polishing the final draft, I shared with my editor Barbara McNichol that perhaps this book serves more as a journal, a validation of my experiences, than a tome that delivers value to my readers. Then I realized this truth: Stories educate. If we don't share stories about our heartfelt, roller-coaster experiences, how do we learn?
Please know this book is about us and about you, told through the roller coaster experiences of my life. My intent is that in sharing insights from the real me, you will find the real you. How? By reading my stories, you embrace the truth that anything is possible when you have a vision for a change. Please let my stories be catalysts for your thoughts, your daydreaming, and your own roller coaster ride of action.
Those around me know I'm uncomfortable using the word "I." It's not only because I don't like to be the center of attention; it's also because I believe messages are strengthened by the sense of inclusion inherent in the word "we." Using "we" or "us" takes the attention off an individual and puts it on groups, families, friendships, colleagues. After all, people like to be a part of things, not separate from them.
Even since the early days of Camp To Belong, which you'll be introduced to in Chapter 1, we presented everything as "we." That's why it's especially ironic that each part and chapter name in this book starts with the letter "I." In addition to the English language having lots of strong, empowering words that start with the letter "I," I clearly remember my sister Andi saying, "Lynn, stop saying 'we.' You are creating all of this at Camp To Belong. It's you who thought of it and you who's doing it. So use the word 'I'."
That's when I realized that every change starts with an "I." And every vision for a change starts with an "eye." The vision only shifts from "I" to "we" when others trust in that vision, believe in it, and wholeheartedly jump into it to cause a ripple effect in the world.
As you relate my experiences in this book to your own and share them with others, I feel confident that they'll ripple out into the world, too. And from these stories, you'll create an even greater vision for a change that's completely yours.
So get ready to enjoy the ride through the chapters of Vision For A Change, A Social Entrepreneur's Insights From the Heart. And thank you for the privilege of letting me share.
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Vision For A Change, A Social Entrepreneur's Insights From the Heart is a thought-provoking, problem-solving blend of relatable stories that serve as the catalyst for change and sustainability. Lynn Price reveals the formulas to plant seeds and grow forests, incorporating small action steps to large visionary landscapes, from an entrepreneurial mindset of big corporations, private businesses and non-profit organizations. Her laser-sharp focus regarding ideas, inside-preneurial skills, impact and I-ethical fiber introduces powerful and compelling leadership lessons for taking action and making a difference in our world.