Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Taking Legacy Planning to the Next Stage

I came across a four year old but timeless article in Third Age by Jill Fallon called "Taking Legacy Planning to the Next Stage." My favorite quotation from the article was Ellen Goodman, who wrote:
“This packrat has learned that what the next generation will value most is not what we owned, but the evidence of who we were and the tales of how we loved. In the end, it's the family stories that are worth the storage.”

I don't often seek wisdom from Ellen Goodman, but she "nailed it" here.

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

The Authentic Me

Nice mention in Andrew Thorn's The Authentic Me Blog.

Sunday, July 26, 2009

The Comfort of Knowing

I have spent a lot of time over the last few days at the hospital. My health is good, but my mother, having just turned 85 had a bit of a scare the involved a five day stay.

I have spent a lot of bedside hours with her and you know what was one of the primary topics of conversation? Her PLC book! I continue to amaze myself just how impactful the Life Story experience can be . . and often in unforeseen ways.

Not only did I have the peace of mind of knowing that we were prepared had this been the "big one," it also gave my mother a sense of "bring it on" confidence that I found very inspiring.

We spent a lot of time talking about her life and times. The scariness of the episode was much reduced by the knowledge that we had finished that Life Story a year ago.

If God wills it, she and I will keep talking about it for year to come.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

100 Simple Things to Teach Grandkids

Gransparents.com has a fun and interesting list of 100 Simple Things You Can Teach Grandkids. Curiously "Your Life Story" is not #1. It should be.

Artist Outing at Priceless Legacy

If I do say so, we are a talented bunch at Priceless Legacy.

Yesterday, during lunch, the whole staff visited the Magnolia Theater Gallery at Uptown Dallas's West Village to view the art display of our very own operations specialist, Andrew Tolentino.

A mixed media presentation, the show included pieces made from discarded wood products, paint and other materials. To me, the art powerfully evoked the emotional impact of post-apocalyptic angst and yet did so in a playful manner that did not take itself too very seriously.

We expect great things from Andrew, both at PLC and as an artist in his own right.








Monday, July 20, 2009

Obama's Family History

An interesting focus on family history (from a genealogy perspective) as the Mormon (LDS) church presents President Obama with a bound genealogical record of his family.

See Politico for more information.

Remember, we don't have to be President of the United States to have a history worthy of preservation. You and your family history matter just as much if not more.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Nantucket Thoughts

I am taking my first vacation since starting the Priceless Legacy Company.

My family and I are in Nantucket, Massachusetts. It is a place most noted for two characteristics, both of which are also fundamental to Priceless Legacy. One is history and the other is family. Nantucket is old . . . not geologically but culturally. The Puritans and Quakers settled here not long after Plymouth and Boston and the reach of the islands whalers in the Eighteen and Nineteenth Centuries is legendary. Historical preservation is mania and woe be it to anyone who challenges that ethic.

It is also a place where families gather. Many generations of grandparents, adult children who are parents themselves and little ones walk the picturesque cobblestone streets. I can't help but wonder about all the great memories they create and celebrate here . . . but how quick they will fade if they do not take decisive action to save them. I want to grab anyone over sixty and shout "don't you know this won't last forever!"

But that would not be very "Preppy" or appropriate. Clearly, though, we need to keep sounding the alarm.

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Priceless Legacy Printing Process

For those curious about how a Priceless Legacy Life Story book is printed, you may watch this short video from our printing partner.

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Caring.com blog mention

We've been mentioned in Paul Spencer's Caring.com blog regarding our Five Lessons from Seniors .. .

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Strategic Relationship with Philanthropy World


The Priceless Legacy Company announced today that it has established a special strategic collaboration with Philanthropy World, publisher of Philanthropy World Magazine, one of the nation’s premier information sources for giving, volunteering and foundation activity. The two companies will cooperate with marketing and branding efforts to educate communities on the importance of life story preservation and how it pertains to best practices in foundation and nonprofit management.

At a time when most nonprofit organizations are eager for new ideas to deepen their fundraising relationships and further their missions, there is growing awareness of the importance of tending to these organizations’ “narrative endowments.” All organizations are acutely aware of their financial and physical endowments, but it is the sum total of their stories and human impacts that are the critical elements of their true value to their communities and nation. By sponsoring Life Story programs for leaders in their support communities, savvy development personnel are establishing a deeper level of connection and intimacy with their donors while documenting the connection of those donor’s life narratives with their cause or mission.

“Since 1996, Philanthropy World has been a leader in spotlighting best practices in the nonprofit community, and celebrating the positive impact that donors are having with so many worthy causes” said Peter Gudmundsson, CEO and Founder of Priceless Legacy. “Philanthropy World’s credibility, reach and thought-leadership will help us promote the importance of life story preservation and its effective use in supporting nonprofit advancement activities.

“Philanthropy World is excited about its new relationship with Priceless Legacy.” said Chuck May, Chairman/CEO of Philanthropy World, “Our mission is ‘to celebrate and spotlight the good works of individuals and organizations, so that others will emulate that behavior’, and the offerings of Priceless Legacy are perfectly aligned with that mission”.

Priceless Legacy’s first print advertisement will appear in the August issue of Philanthropy World.


About Philanthropy World Magazine (www.philanthropyworld.com):

Based in Dallas, Texas, and founded in 1996, Philanthropy World is a privately-held multi-media company committed to “telling the stories” that inspire greater and more effective philanthropy throughout the world.

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Malcolm Gladwell reviews Free by Chris Anderson: newyorker.com

A really interesting look at the new book by Chris Anderson (Of Long Tail fame) is in Malcolm Gladwell's New Yorker article.

How to Conduct a Great Interview

A Canadian personal historian named Dan Curtis has an excellent blog full of great tips and tricks related to the field. Check it out at: http://dancurtis.ca/2008/07/12/57/