Firestarter Fieldnotes | Giving Thanks, Giving Back

Greetings, all, and happy Fridays!

During these times of great uncertainty, staying connected is more important than ever. With Thanksgiving just around the corner, we wanted to take this opportunity to thank all the individuals and institutions who have supported us since the beginning, and those who have joined us along the way.

We are grateful for your support along this journey, and thank you for being here with us!

FSINSPIRATION: “May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears." – Nelson Mandela
FSBOOKS: In a time when so much of our national and global conversation (at least the headlines, tweets, and voices that are front and center and loudest) is focused on the negative—a pandemic that has impacted so many lives and pushed global economies to the brink; a divided country; the steady march of climate change, which we continue to spur on through our collective inaction, to name a few—global social innovation leader, scholar, and speaker Steve Davis’ new book Undercurrents: Channeling Outrage to Spark Practical Activism offers a sense of real hope, that we—all of us, not just global leaders and experts working on the world’s issues, but ordinary citizens, no matter our age, affiliation, or profession—can do something in our lives and communities to be part of the change we want to see in the world.

Our instinctive response to these real global challenges (not to be minimized) may span between overwhelm and outrage, but this book encourages readers to harness these emotions and capitalize on global trends to instigate and encourage positive change. The author Steve Davis is a dear family friend so I'm admittedly biased, but I really appreciate how he weaves in his own personal and professional story, which makes the book and its thesis all the more approachable and compelling. It’s a book that is at once global and local, and gives us so many reasons to be optimistic—which we all need right now. As we reflect together on how we can build a better tomorrow, on what that tomorrow can look like, I highly recommend you pick up Undercurrents for fresh inspiration, insight, and hope. As the holiday season approaches, it would make a great gift, too.

FSSNAPSHOTS: A few Instagram #fieldnotes photos:

We've been thrilled with the initial response to our film on early childhood education, Starting at Zero: Reimagining Education in America, with around 4K viewers tuning in for our virtual premiere event in August, and over 75 inquiries coming in from organizations around the country interested in hosting screenings of the film. If you'd like to host a free screening of Starting at Zero in your community, please send us a message. We'd love to be in touch.

We're currently preparing the film for educational and institutional licensing and distribution, launching in January 2021, with release on mainstream streaming platforms like iTunes and Amazon later in the year. In the meantime, we're continuing the conversation online: connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, or visit the film website to watch the trailer and sign up for updates.

We are excited to announce that we have partnered with 1% for the Planet, committing to donate 1% of annual revenue to environmental causes. From the very start, a desire to give back to the environment and other causes we care about was part of the guiding ethos of Firestarter. We're thrilled to finally bring the vision to fruition through this partnership, joining 205 other businesses from around the US and world who stepped up in October to join the 1% for the Planet network and initiative.

I have always believed in the mantra, "if we all do a little, we can do a lot," and that philosophy is truly at the heart of 1% for the Planet. 1% may not seem like a lot, but if we come together in that commitment, deciding that business can and must be a force for good and change, not just profit, together we can move mountains (or at least protect them).

The challenges of 2020 have been a call to action to think differently and act differently. It's our collective responsibility––and opportunity––to tackle the world's most pressing issues. Learn more about the Top 4 Environmental Causes Businesses Can Support in 2020, and about how to support the organizations working on them.

Visit 1% for the Planet to learn more about joining the initiative as a business, individual, or nonprofit member. We hope to see you there!

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Thanks so much for joining us! Stay safe and well, Happy Thanksgivings, and we look forward to keeping in touch.