Greetings from Asheville, North Carolina where the 2013 United Way Southern Institute conference is in full-swing. Today was jam-packed full of informative and inspirational sessions - from community conversations to social media, there was something for everyone.​

This afternoon we had an opportunity to present Community Impact That Works and How to Get There to 40 staff and volunteers from United Ways in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. Although it was the last session of the afternoon there was good discussion about how United Ways can adopt an issue-focus.​

The conference also includes happy and friendly people everywhere you look. A big shout out and congratulations for an excellent conference goes to the always happy and super-friendly Vicki Elmore from United Way of North Carolina. Vicki has organized the last couple Southern Institute conferences, and with her retirement the end of this year, this is her last Southern Institute. It is bittersweet knowing that we get to see Vicki's smile everyday this year - the next Southern Institute will not quite be the same. ​

​One more session tomorrow morning and then it is back home for a long Memorial Day weekend. We wish you were here - and that you have a safe and enjoyable Memorial Day holiday!​