May 21, 2024 • 15 mins
Today, we chatted with Polly Stoecklein, the recipient of the Catalyst Cornerstone Award at the Community Foundation Awards. This award recognizes individuals who inspire and drive transformative processes for GMCF’s benefit. During our discussion, we explored Polly’s background, professional life, passion for dogs, the founding of Fairy Godmothers, and her commitment to creating impact beyond herself.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to Philanthropy Today.
We're excited to shareinformation on ways you can
support the charitable causes ofyour choice.
My name is Vern Hendricks and Ilook forward to being with you
today on our GMCF PhilanthropyToday podcast series.
We're glad to be back heretoday with our GMCF Philanthropy
Today podcast series talking toour Cornerstone Awardee winners
, and today we have PollyStecklein with us.
(00:22):
And Polly, how are you doing?
Speaker 2 (00:24):
I'm well, thank you.
Speaker 1 (00:25):
It was great to have you at our event and provide you
with the Cornerstone Award forthe things that you accomplished
in our first 25 years of theGMCF's history, and so we just
want to learn a little bit moreabout Polly, to see a little bit
about what makes you tick andhow you got started and what
you're doing.
Speaker 2 (00:42):
So be careful what you ask for.
Speaker 1 (00:45):
I understand.
So first off, let our listenersknow a little bit about what
you do professionally.
Speaker 2 (00:50):
Well, I started in business in 1979, so everybody's
probably doing some math here,believe it or not.
I started by selling lifeinsurance to college kids and we
joke now because many of thoseclients, many of those young
people, are still clients and Ialways told them there is life
beyond K-State.
(01:10):
You will turn into an adultsomeday and have other money
issues.
And so we joke and say I wastaking their beer money from
them, but they bought theirfirst life insurance policy,
which I thought showed a greatdeal of character.
But, as we've all grown uptogether, those people are CEOs,
they're attorneys, they'redoctors, they're lawyers,
(01:32):
they're business owners.
They're everyday folk.
But I've progressed throughtheir life with them, making the
financial decisions that we allmake along the way.
So mostly now I concentrate onthe investment world.
I manage assets for clients andeven though I still do business
planning and estate planningand some of those things, my
(01:54):
predominant role right now is tohelp clients not lose money to
create their own legacy, fortheir own wealth and their
retirement.
Speaker 1 (02:02):
And you've done a great job and I know there's a
lot of respect from a lot ofthose leaders in Manhattan with
you.
Thank, you.
So who do you think had thebiggest impact on your life in
those days of making thosedecisions, or what you wanted to
do?
Speaker 2 (02:15):
Well, you know, when I read that question that you
kindly gave me, I kind of triedto think was there any one
person that I thought reallyimpacted me?
And regretfully I could notcome up with any one particular
person, interestingly.
But what I did reflect on is Ithink the success that I've had
(02:38):
through the years has come frompeople that told me I couldn't
do something, and that wasalways kind of a motivation yes,
I can, and watch me.
And so it was kind of anegative but it turned into a
real positive because I really Istill don't like being told I
(03:00):
can't do something.
Speaker 1 (03:01):
Well, a lot of successful people have probably
succumbed to that same thoughtmany times.
So how do you like to spendyour personal time?
Speaker 2 (03:09):
I am a huge dog advocate.
In my second life I hope I comeback as my pet and I just have
a passion for animals, mostlydogs and so I play with my dogs.
At my worst point in my life, Ihad seven.
I was a foster failure, and sothey'd come to my house, but
(03:32):
then they'd never leave, so Ihad to quit fostering and now
I'm down to three.
Speaker 1 (03:38):
So Well, good for you .
Speaker 2 (03:39):
I garden.
I have a big property that Ilive on and so maintaining that
takes a lot of time.
And then, just you know, whenwe have time we can get
everybody together just hangingout with friends.
Speaker 1 (03:51):
Did you have a rural background growing up?
Speaker 2 (03:53):
No, I'm a city girl.
Speaker 1 (03:54):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (03:55):
But I now have my tractor.
I have a Kubota tractor and Iknow how to run it.
I can blade my dirt road and soI know I had no background from
that at all.
Speaker 1 (04:08):
Well, that's actually .
Sometimes we gravitate to thethings that we didn't grow up
with because they're all new tous here.
So when you got involved incharitable activities, what was
the first one that you reallymade an impact in?
Speaker 2 (04:20):
Well, you know I did not grow up in a family that
there was a lot of discussionabout charitable giving.
I mean, I don't ever rememberhaving that conversation, but
just because of my love ofanimals it kind of drew me
toward humane societies andthings that have an impact on
animals.
(04:40):
So, as I've told you, one of mypassions is animals, mostly
dogs, and so that just came very, very second nature to me, you
know, helping an animal thatneeded help or helping people
that couldn't take care of theiranimals, and that has just
continued with me through myadult life.
And then, as I guess, you getinvolved in a community.
(05:05):
Most of my adult life has beenin Manhattan, kansas, and so
Manhattan is just a verycharitable community.
You're kind of surrounded bypeople that enjoy giving back,
and so some of that justultimately rubs off on you and
you kind of find where yourpassion is and you kind of
(05:26):
gravitate toward that.
Speaker 1 (05:28):
So was there an animal shelter here when you
first started your business inManhattan, or did that develop
afterward?
Speaker 2 (05:34):
That's a long time ago, but I do believe the Humane
Society was in place at thattime and I still support the
Humane Society.
Speaker 1 (05:43):
Yeah, and I know the Russell Wright's Animal Shelter
kind of created.
I know that was named during mytime here when I came back in
97, but the shelter I think washere.
Speaker 2 (05:53):
Yeah, so I had the good fortune of being able to
create a donor-advised fundwhich is for the humane
treatment of animals, and that'sreally fun when they send me a
notice and I've got money tospend or to give away and that
sometimes helps an animal thatneeds surgery or as simple as
the facilities need dog food.
Speaker 1 (06:14):
you know, whatever it might be, so when you make that
charitable gift to make adifference in what you're
talking about, how does thatmake you feel?
I mean, what's the emotion thatgets to you to trigger that
decision, and what do you feelafter the decision's made?
Speaker 2 (06:29):
Well, it just makes you happy.
You just are happy that youcould affect a change or put
somebody or something in abetter place.
Yeah, it makes you smile.
Speaker 1 (06:41):
So when did you first learn about the Greater
Manhattan Community Foundation?
Speaker 2 (06:44):
Okay, the Greater Manhattan Community Foundation.
Okay, one day I was quietlyminding my own business at my
office and C Clyde Jones walkedinto my office and he's kind of
a everybody knows who, c ClydeJones is.
And I kind of looked up and I'mgoing, oh my God, what have I
done?
And started processing.
(07:05):
Did I do?
What did I do?
What did I do?
What did?
I do Well obviously I didn't doanything wrong, but he was there
to tell me about the foundationand asked me to be a trustee,
and so I graciously accepted,and that's you know.
His little visit to my officeis what got that going.
Speaker 1 (07:22):
And that would have been in what year?
Oh, my goodness.
Speaker 2 (07:26):
Well, I don't know, when did?
When did you start doingtrustees, I mean?
Speaker 1 (07:31):
that was.
That was before my time.
So it was probably in the early2000s there.
Speaker 2 (07:35):
So yeah, I honestly don't know.
Speaker 1 (07:37):
Yeah, so what, uh?
When you first learned that youwere going to be a cornerstone
awardee, how did that make youfeel?
Speaker 2 (07:46):
Well, I guess I should first say I'm not
particularly motivated by awardsor recognition like that, but I
was very honored to berecognized for the work that
occurred with the FairyGodmothers Fund, because
sometimes you think you kind ofblend in, you don't ever get
noticed, you know, but there'shundreds of people in our
community that don't getrecognized for what they do.
(08:09):
So it was nice, it was a verynice honor.
I appreciated it.
Speaker 1 (08:12):
And I think for our listeners, you and I both know
the origination of the FairyGodmothers, but for our
listeners, tell the story alittle bit about how that got
started.
Speaker 2 (08:21):
Well, as being a trustee, you learn about donor
advised funds and really wasn'taware other than just my own.
But anyway, with when I workwith clients, you're delving
into what's important to themand if they have charitable
wishes.
And I was visiting with aclient who wanted to do
something for women and it wasspecifically around art,
(08:43):
education and things like that.
But I basically went to the mylist of the zero for women.
I'm going oh my God, how canthat possibly be?
And so I said, well, that'scrazy.
So I said we got to dosomething about that.
So I pondered on it a little bitand thought, well, gee, it only
(09:06):
takes 10 grand.
If I can get 20 women togetherand get $500, we can do
something.
So I called my friend Sue Maysand I said what do you think?
And she says something.
So I called my friend Sue Maysand I said what do you think?
And she says well, I thinkthat's a great idea.
So we got a total five womentogether to create that steering
committee and we basicallyreached out to our friends and
(09:27):
kind of shared the vision andpeople just started writing
checks for $500.
Speaker 1 (09:33):
I was excited because I was sure I was going to be
defeated with the idea and I wasjust pleasantly surprised that
you know we could agree on thatWell, and the results of those
five women obviously yourinstigation.
Now there are six or 700 womeninvolved in that process and
they're helping women onfinancial needs on a regular
(09:54):
basis to the tune of, you know,$50,000, $60,000 a year.
Now, that's why you got theCornerstone Awardee nomination.
I am 100% sure.
Speaker 2 (10:04):
Well, that's very nice.
I mean, yeah, I think theycalled the award the catalyst
and I've been called a lot ofthings but I've never been
called a catalyst, but I'llaccept that graciously.
Speaker 1 (10:15):
Well, it's to have someone step up at a point where
they really didn't need to andto connect the dots from
somebody that had passion tohelping women like that.
I think that's wonderful.
Just takes a phone call or amatch to start a fire and this
is great.
My congratulations on that.
Speaker 2 (10:32):
It's a pleasure, I jokingly.
I'm a big believer in doingthings that live beyond you and
I kind of view my work with theanimals.
You know that's that beyond me.
You know fairy godmothers willcontinue to go beyond me or
beyond any of the original women.
You know our daughters don'thave one I wish I did but our
(10:55):
grandchildren.
So you've created this legacythat lives beyond you and that's
what the foundation does.
Speaker 1 (11:02):
Absolutely so, having thought that way.
So if you were to go back andvisit with somebody that's 30
years old now, having theexperience that you've got, what
advice would you give a 30 yearold today?
Speaker 2 (11:13):
I would tell them to see what they're passionate
about.
People are much more motivatedto do things or make a change if
they have a deep passion aboutit and they can speak honestly
and openly about it, whatever itmight be.
(11:39):
And then you will by gettinginvolved, you will stumble
across other things that you go.
Well, gee, I didn't even know Iwas passionate about that, but
that's really cool.
Speaker 1 (11:45):
So, paula, you've been a leader in Manhattan for a
long time and we've talkedabout the animal shelter and
we've talked about the fairygodmothers and what are some of
the things that you have beeninvolved with in this community
at different segments in life.
Speaker 2 (11:58):
I mean what organizations?
Speaker 1 (11:59):
Yeah, have there been some community decisions or
some organizations on boardsthat you've been on that have
been meaningful to you?
Speaker 2 (12:06):
I would say the Fairy Godmothers probably is the most
predominant one, other thanserving on committees with
Rotary or whatever, but I thinkFairy Godmothers is the one that
stands out in my mind.
That is just every day makingan impact in this community.
Speaker 1 (12:25):
Excellent.
We've talked a lot about yourCornerstone Award and that is a
result of us looking back in our25-year history of the Greater
Manhattan Community Foundationand it's significantly come away
a long way way from zero to 367we reported this year.
If we're looking ahead for 25years and seeing a different
(12:45):
kind of foundation and adifferent kind of community, is
there some advice or thoughtsthat you would have on the role
that the Greater ManhattanCommunity Foundation should play
in the future?
Speaker 2 (12:55):
That's an interesting question and you're probably
not going to like the answer,but I just don't see anything
broken right now.
We've obviously got greatleadership.
You've grown this organizationsignificantly.
You've impacted othercommunities around the state.
If I think of something, I'llcall you but everybody's doing a
(13:17):
great job.
Speaker 1 (13:17):
We've grown a lot and I guess from me to you
personally, it's because ofpeople like you that thought
selflessly in the early days.
You're thinking of helpingother women, you're thinking of
animals that have been such animportant part of that.
And you've mentioned Manhattanbeing a philanthropic community,
and we are All we do here atthe Community Foundation.
(13:39):
I always tell people I juststir the pot and we're kind of
the matchmakers of causes andphilanthropists in the process,
and so I appreciate yourthoughts there.
There's a lot to be done.
If there were some projects ofthe community that we don't have
that you think the CommunityFoundation should think about,
is there anything that comes tomind?
Speaker 2 (14:00):
I've pondered on that because you gave me the
question ahead of time and I,quite frankly, I still can't
come up with anything.
That just to me is not beingdone, but I will keep it in my
thoughts and I will call if itoccurs to me.
Speaker 1 (14:16):
Well, you're a loyal trustee, Polly, and we
appreciate all your activitiesthat you've done with us.
I've asked you lots ofquestions and put you on the
spot.
Is there anything that you'dlike to share that you haven't
had a question asked of?
Speaker 2 (14:28):
You know, I think the thing that I want to send out
to people is to think about whatyou can do that will live
beyond you, is to think aboutwhat you can do that will live
beyond you.
So when you know, particularlywhen we lose somebody like Phil
Howe recently and you look atthe legacy that that man has
created, that will live beyondhim for years and years and
(14:51):
years, I mean I can only hope tocreate the kind of legacies
that he has and he'll be soremembered for the work he has
done.
Speaker 1 (15:00):
You're so right, and there will be a Pauley legacy as
well.
The fairy godmothers are goingto be here for a long time and
the story of that phone call andthat conversation will be
remembered and told severaltimes, and so thank you for that
.
Speaker 2 (15:15):
You're very welcome, my pleasure.
Speaker 1 (15:17):
Thank you for joining us today where we look inside
the Greater Manhattan CommunityFoundation.
You can always learn more aboutGMCF at our website, mcfksorg.
We invite you to subscribe toPhilanthropy Today, wherever you
get your podcast.
I am Vern Henricks and haveenjoyed hosting our Cornerstone
Award Series in the Ad AstraCast Studios here in downtown
(15:38):
Manhattan, kansas.
Welcome to Philanthropy Today.
We're excited to shareinformation on ways you can
support the charitable causes ofyour choice.
My name is Vern Hendricks and Ilook forward to being with you
today on our GMCF PhilanthropyToday podcast series.
We're glad to be back heretoday with our GMCF Philanthropy
Today podcast series talking toour Cornerstone Awardee winners
, and today we have PollyStecklein with us.
(00:22):
And Polly, how are you doing?
Speaker 2 (00:24):
I'm well, thank you.
Speaker 1 (00:25):
It was great to have you at our event and provide you
with the Cornerstone Award forthe things that you accomplished
in our first 25 years of theGMCF's history, and so we just
want to learn a little bit moreabout Polly, to see a little bit
about what makes you tick andhow you got started and what
you're doing.
Speaker 2 (00:42):
So be careful what you ask for.
Speaker 1 (00:45):
I understand.
So first off, let our listenersknow a little bit about what
you do professionally.
Speaker 2 (00:50):
Well, I started in business in 1979, so everybody's
probably doing some math here,believe it or not.
I started by selling lifeinsurance to college kids and we
joke now because many of thoseclients, many of those young
people, are still clients and Ialways told them there is life
beyond K-State.
(01:10):
You will turn into an adultsomeday and have other money
issues.
And so we joke and say I wastaking their beer money from
them, but they bought theirfirst life insurance policy,
which I thought showed a greatdeal of character.
But, as we've all grown uptogether, those people are CEOs,
they're attorneys, they'redoctors, they're lawyers,
(01:32):
they're business owners.
They're everyday folk.
But I've progressed throughtheir life with them, making the
financial decisions that we allmake along the way.
So mostly now I concentrate onthe investment world.
I manage assets for clients andeven though I still do business
planning and estate planningand some of those things, my
(01:54):
predominant role right now is tohelp clients not lose money to
create their own legacy, fortheir own wealth and their
retirement.
Speaker 1 (02:02):
And you've done a great job and I know there's a
lot of respect from a lot ofthose leaders in Manhattan with
you.
Thank, you.
So who do you think had thebiggest impact on your life in
those days of making thosedecisions, or what you wanted to
do?
Speaker 2 (02:15):
Well, you know, when I read that question that you
kindly gave me, I kind of triedto think was there any one
person that I thought reallyimpacted me?
And regretfully I could notcome up with any one particular
person, interestingly.
But what I did reflect on is Ithink the success that I've had
(02:38):
through the years has come frompeople that told me I couldn't
do something, and that wasalways kind of a motivation yes,
I can, and watch me.
And so it was kind of anegative but it turned into a
real positive because I really Istill don't like being told I
(03:00):
can't do something.
Speaker 1 (03:01):
Well, a lot of successful people have probably
succumbed to that same thoughtmany times.
So how do you like to spendyour personal time?
Speaker 2 (03:09):
I am a huge dog advocate.
In my second life I hope I comeback as my pet and I just have
a passion for animals, mostlydogs and so I play with my dogs.
At my worst point in my life, Ihad seven.
I was a foster failure, and sothey'd come to my house, but
(03:32):
then they'd never leave, so Ihad to quit fostering and now
I'm down to three.
Speaker 1 (03:38):
So Well, good for you .
Speaker 2 (03:39):
I garden.
I have a big property that Ilive on and so maintaining that
takes a lot of time.
And then, just you know, whenwe have time we can get
everybody together just hangingout with friends.
Speaker 1 (03:51):
Did you have a rural background growing up?
Speaker 2 (03:53):
No, I'm a city girl.
Speaker 1 (03:54):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (03:55):
But I now have my tractor.
I have a Kubota tractor and Iknow how to run it.
I can blade my dirt road and soI know I had no background from
that at all.
Speaker 1 (04:08):
Well, that's actually .
Sometimes we gravitate to thethings that we didn't grow up
with because they're all new tous here.
So when you got involved incharitable activities, what was
the first one that you reallymade an impact in?
Speaker 2 (04:20):
Well, you know I did not grow up in a family that
there was a lot of discussionabout charitable giving.
I mean, I don't ever rememberhaving that conversation, but
just because of my love ofanimals it kind of drew me
toward humane societies andthings that have an impact on
animals.
(04:40):
So, as I've told you, one of mypassions is animals, mostly
dogs, and so that just came very, very second nature to me, you
know, helping an animal thatneeded help or helping people
that couldn't take care of theiranimals, and that has just
continued with me through myadult life.
And then, as I guess, you getinvolved in a community.
(05:05):
Most of my adult life has beenin Manhattan, kansas, and so
Manhattan is just a verycharitable community.
You're kind of surrounded bypeople that enjoy giving back,
and so some of that justultimately rubs off on you and
you kind of find where yourpassion is and you kind of
(05:26):
gravitate toward that.
Speaker 1 (05:28):
So was there an animal shelter here when you
first started your business inManhattan, or did that develop
afterward?
Speaker 2 (05:34):
That's a long time ago, but I do believe the Humane
Society was in place at thattime and I still support the
Humane Society.
Speaker 1 (05:43):
Yeah, and I know the Russell Wright's Animal Shelter
kind of created.
I know that was named during mytime here when I came back in
97, but the shelter I think washere.
Speaker 2 (05:53):
Yeah, so I had the good fortune of being able to
create a donor-advised fundwhich is for the humane
treatment of animals, and that'sreally fun when they send me a
notice and I've got money tospend or to give away and that
sometimes helps an animal thatneeds surgery or as simple as
the facilities need dog food.
Speaker 1 (06:14):
you know, whatever it might be, so when you make that
charitable gift to make adifference in what you're
talking about, how does thatmake you feel?
I mean, what's the emotion thatgets to you to trigger that
decision, and what do you feelafter the decision's made?
Speaker 2 (06:29):
Well, it just makes you happy.
You just are happy that youcould affect a change or put
somebody or something in abetter place.
Yeah, it makes you smile.
Speaker 1 (06:41):
So when did you first learn about the Greater
Manhattan Community Foundation?
Speaker 2 (06:44):
Okay, the Greater Manhattan Community Foundation.
Okay, one day I was quietlyminding my own business at my
office and C Clyde Jones walkedinto my office and he's kind of
a everybody knows who, c ClydeJones is.
And I kind of looked up and I'mgoing, oh my God, what have I
done?
And started processing.
(07:05):
Did I do?
What did I do?
What did I do?
What did?
I do Well obviously I didn't doanything wrong, but he was there
to tell me about the foundationand asked me to be a trustee,
and so I graciously accepted,and that's you know.
His little visit to my officeis what got that going.
Speaker 1 (07:22):
And that would have been in what year?
Oh, my goodness.
Speaker 2 (07:26):
Well, I don't know, when did?
When did you start doingtrustees, I mean?
Speaker 1 (07:31):
that was.
That was before my time.
So it was probably in the early2000s there.
Speaker 2 (07:35):
So yeah, I honestly don't know.
Speaker 1 (07:37):
Yeah, so what, uh?
When you first learned that youwere going to be a cornerstone
awardee, how did that make youfeel?
Speaker 2 (07:46):
Well, I guess I should first say I'm not
particularly motivated by awardsor recognition like that, but I
was very honored to berecognized for the work that
occurred with the FairyGodmothers Fund, because
sometimes you think you kind ofblend in, you don't ever get
noticed, you know, but there'shundreds of people in our
community that don't getrecognized for what they do.
(08:09):
So it was nice, it was a verynice honor.
I appreciated it.
Speaker 1 (08:12):
And I think for our listeners, you and I both know
the origination of the FairyGodmothers, but for our
listeners, tell the story alittle bit about how that got
started.
Speaker 2 (08:21):
Well, as being a trustee, you learn about donor
advised funds and really wasn'taware other than just my own.
But anyway, with when I workwith clients, you're delving
into what's important to themand if they have charitable
wishes.
And I was visiting with aclient who wanted to do
something for women and it wasspecifically around art,
(08:43):
education and things like that.
But I basically went to the mylist of the zero for women.
I'm going oh my God, how canthat possibly be?
And so I said, well, that'scrazy.
So I said we got to dosomething about that.
So I pondered on it a little bitand thought, well, gee, it only
(09:06):
takes 10 grand.
If I can get 20 women togetherand get $500, we can do
something.
So I called my friend Sue Maysand I said what do you think?
And she says something.
So I called my friend Sue Maysand I said what do you think?
And she says well, I thinkthat's a great idea.
So we got a total five womentogether to create that steering
committee and we basicallyreached out to our friends and
(09:27):
kind of shared the vision andpeople just started writing
checks for $500.
Speaker 1 (09:33):
I was excited because I was sure I was going to be
defeated with the idea and I wasjust pleasantly surprised that
you know we could agree on thatWell, and the results of those
five women obviously yourinstigation.
Now there are six or 700 womeninvolved in that process and
they're helping women onfinancial needs on a regular
(09:54):
basis to the tune of, you know,$50,000, $60,000 a year.
Now, that's why you got theCornerstone Awardee nomination.
I am 100% sure.
Speaker 2 (10:04):
Well, that's very nice.
I mean, yeah, I think theycalled the award the catalyst
and I've been called a lot ofthings but I've never been
called a catalyst, but I'llaccept that graciously.
Speaker 1 (10:15):
Well, it's to have someone step up at a point where
they really didn't need to andto connect the dots from
somebody that had passion tohelping women like that.
I think that's wonderful.
Just takes a phone call or amatch to start a fire and this
is great.
My congratulations on that.
Speaker 2 (10:32):
It's a pleasure, I jokingly.
I'm a big believer in doingthings that live beyond you and
I kind of view my work with theanimals.
You know that's that beyond me.
You know fairy godmothers willcontinue to go beyond me or
beyond any of the original women.
You know our daughters don'thave one I wish I did but our
(10:55):
grandchildren.
So you've created this legacythat lives beyond you and that's
what the foundation does.
Speaker 1 (11:02):
Absolutely so, having thought that way.
So if you were to go back andvisit with somebody that's 30
years old now, having theexperience that you've got, what
advice would you give a 30 yearold today?
Speaker 2 (11:13):
I would tell them to see what they're passionate
about.
People are much more motivatedto do things or make a change if
they have a deep passion aboutit and they can speak honestly
and openly about it, whatever itmight be.
(11:39):
And then you will by gettinginvolved, you will stumble
across other things that you go.
Well, gee, I didn't even know Iwas passionate about that, but
that's really cool.
Speaker 1 (11:45):
So, paula, you've been a leader in Manhattan for a
long time and we've talkedabout the animal shelter and
we've talked about the fairygodmothers and what are some of
the things that you have beeninvolved with in this community
at different segments in life.
Speaker 2 (11:58):
I mean what organizations?
Speaker 1 (11:59):
Yeah, have there been some community decisions or
some organizations on boardsthat you've been on that have
been meaningful to you?
Speaker 2 (12:06):
I would say the Fairy Godmothers probably is the most
predominant one, other thanserving on committees with
Rotary or whatever, but I thinkFairy Godmothers is the one that
stands out in my mind.
That is just every day makingan impact in this community.
Speaker 1 (12:25):
Excellent.
We've talked a lot about yourCornerstone Award and that is a
result of us looking back in our25-year history of the Greater
Manhattan Community Foundationand it's significantly come away
a long way way from zero to 367we reported this year.
If we're looking ahead for 25years and seeing a different
(12:45):
kind of foundation and adifferent kind of community, is
there some advice or thoughtsthat you would have on the role
that the Greater ManhattanCommunity Foundation should play
in the future?
Speaker 2 (12:55):
That's an interesting question and you're probably
not going to like the answer,but I just don't see anything
broken right now.
We've obviously got greatleadership.
You've grown this organizationsignificantly.
You've impacted othercommunities around the state.
If I think of something, I'llcall you but everybody's doing a
(13:17):
great job.
Speaker 1 (13:17):
We've grown a lot and I guess from me to you
personally, it's because ofpeople like you that thought
selflessly in the early days.
You're thinking of helpingother women, you're thinking of
animals that have been such animportant part of that.
And you've mentioned Manhattanbeing a philanthropic community,
and we are All we do here atthe Community Foundation.
(13:39):
I always tell people I juststir the pot and we're kind of
the matchmakers of causes andphilanthropists in the process,
and so I appreciate yourthoughts there.
There's a lot to be done.
If there were some projects ofthe community that we don't have
that you think the CommunityFoundation should think about,
is there anything that comes tomind?
Speaker 2 (14:00):
I've pondered on that because you gave me the
question ahead of time and I,quite frankly, I still can't
come up with anything.
That just to me is not beingdone, but I will keep it in my
thoughts and I will call if itoccurs to me.
Speaker 1 (14:16):
Well, you're a loyal trustee, Polly, and we
appreciate all your activitiesthat you've done with us.
I've asked you lots ofquestions and put you on the
spot.
Is there anything that you'dlike to share that you haven't
had a question asked of?
Speaker 2 (14:28):
You know, I think the thing that I want to send out
to people is to think about whatyou can do that will live
beyond you, is to think aboutwhat you can do that will live
beyond you.
So when you know, particularlywhen we lose somebody like Phil
Howe recently and you look atthe legacy that that man has
created, that will live beyondhim for years and years and
(14:51):
years, I mean I can only hope tocreate the kind of legacies
that he has and he'll be soremembered for the work he has
done.
Speaker 1 (15:00):
You're so right, and there will be a Pauley legacy as
well.
The fairy godmothers are goingto be here for a long time and
the story of that phone call andthat conversation will be
remembered and told severaltimes, and so thank you for that
.
Speaker 2 (15:15):
You're very welcome, my pleasure.
Speaker 1 (15:17):
Thank you for joining us today where we look inside
the Greater Manhattan CommunityFoundation.
You can always learn more aboutGMCF at our website, mcfksorg.
We invite you to subscribe toPhilanthropy Today, wherever you
get your podcast.
I am Vern Henricks and haveenjoyed hosting our Cornerstone
Award Series in the Ad AstraCast Studios here in downtown
(15:38):
Manhattan, kansas.
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