Seattle: The best trip ever, Part 1
By Brent Dixon on February 13, 2007
Trey and I returned on Saturday from a week-long trip to Seattle. And let me be frank: we had the time of our lives.
To keep this post out of morbid obesity, I’ve broken it up into two parts.
Monday: We heart Verity
After almost two years of crushing on Verity (see figures a, b, c, and d), we finally get to work with them. We spent the day with Laurel McJanet, Terrell Meek and Shari Storm (who masterminded our entire Seattle trip) discussing the three social media sites we’re creating with them.
This includes:
- A redesign of their current employee blog, “Who Are V?”
- A financial literacy blog and podcast, and
- A social restaurant review site for their Passport program.
We also had dim sum, and I learned that I am not savvy with chopsticks.
Tuesday: Denise Wymore’s “Filene Feast”
Tuesday evening Shari, Trey and I headed over to Denise Wymore’s home, where she treated us to the “First Annual Filene Feast.”
Listen. This woman can cook. Her husband Mark is living the good life.
We ate with Carol Schillios, founder of Fabric of Life and the Schillios Consulting Group.
Carol is changing the world. Fabric of Life brings micro-credit, education, and affordable health care programs to developing countries worldwide. Her donation site says this about her current project:
Our project in Mali, West Africa, is helping begging girl-children off the streets and into their own businesses. To be able to break the begging cycle and attend the 18-month training, we support the students’ food and transportation needs for just $20 a week.
Carol is also hilarious, feisty, and came decked out in traditional African garb. It was a great night.
Wednesday: Credit Unions of Washington…word
Around a year ago, we made open and bitter fun of a Super Bowl spot put out by The Credit Unions of Washington. This became the start of a beautiful relationship. Instead of slapping us with a cease and desist, like we probably deserved, their then-PR Director Jamie Chase invited us up to speak at their annual convention.
One thing lead to another, and on Wednesday we ended up talking with them about how to integrate social media into their ‘07 campaign.
The campaign is all about narrative and untold stories. We proposed they use Give With Us, branded specifically to their campaign, as a way to ignite those stories in the community.
The jury’s still out on how this will play out, but we’ll keep you posted.
That night Shari took us to the Experience Music Project and Trey and I were like hyperactive kids in a very sugary candy store.
Check out photos from the trip on our Flickr page, and stay tuned for Part 2.
Update: Part 2 is here.
Jamie Chase on February 13
Thanks for the mention in your Best Trip Ever entry. I’m honored to know you remember the little people, big smile. Loved your presentation in Seattle. BTW: Last summer I was fortunate enough to visit Carol Schillios’ project in Mali, West Africa. Her work is extrodinary, really beyond belief. Pictures from the trip are at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/74177189@N00
A journal of our meetings with Ambassadors and rural credit unions and village leaders is at: http://www.wtcta.org/index.php?CURRENT_PAGE_ID=501
Roger Conant on February 14
Hi Guys—I’m paying my first visit ever to Seattle to visit my daughter and son-in-law in early April. I’m on my own now and looking forward to my next assignment serving the CU world after 3 years of solid learning experiences. We’ll be talking.
Brent on February 14
Jamie -
Little people, shmittle people. You’re pretty much the single-handed reason we ended up there in the first place. We owe you big. It was great seeing you.
Thank you for sharing the pictures and the journal from your trip to Mali. The stories are amazing. Carol threatened to “send the Tuaregs after us” recently, and now I know what she’s talking about.
Do you think you’ll ever go back?
Roger -
I hope you love Seattle as much as we did. We’re looking forward to hearing about the next big thing on your plate. Your passion is contagious.
Denise Wymore on February 15
Brent and Trey,
You were perfect guests. But my olive tray is missing.
D.
Brent on February 15
Not it!
Trey Reeme on February 15
Don’t look at me!
shari storm on February 16
Come to think of it….. I’m missing my office stapler…..
Jamiee Chase on March 09
Brent-I will definitely be returning to Mali. You and Trey should come too. JKust think of all the good we could do together. My big mouth + your blogging expertise= we can change the world.
Check out my personal blog http://www.jamiechase.blogspot.com/. I posted Carol Schillios’ NCUF Herb Wegner Award video.
Jesse Robbins on May 04
Next time you are in Seattle I’d love for you to meet the players behind
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