Since August 2009, I have been fortunate enough to have an incredible friendship and relationship with Bev Wallace as well as a working relationship with her charity, Crafters with Love (CWL). I also had the good fortune to work with the Board members for CWL.
Unfortunately, I failed Bev and her incredible charity as well as let down the Board and the people that CWL serves. This post is an attempt to apologize for that.
In working with CWL, I served as President of the Board and then later as a social media advisor and fundraising director. I failed to deliver in these rolls within the charity, and in doing so I let Bev and the Board down and damaged her charity. I apologize for doing that.
My behavior style requires accountability; I have learned this about myself after years of experience. Sometimes I can hold my self accountable, but most of the time I require others to hold me accountable. Bev placed the confidence in me to do what I said I was going to do, and I didn’t. I did not hold myself accountable enough, and failed to deliver what I promised. I made commitments and promises, both personal and professional to Bev, as well as to CWL, and quite simply I failed to keep them. Worse than that, I tried to cover my mistakes so I wouldn’t look bad to Bev and to others. That was wrong.
In leveraging my social network to be an ardent supporter and promoter of CWL, people started associating me with CWL and gave me credit for the charity and its work. I tried to make it clear that I was only a worker for CWL and that it was Bev’s hard work and the dedication of the other Board members that fueled CWL, but I did not make it clear enough; by not making that point clear to others, I actually took credit for the charity. That was wrong as well.
You reach a point in your life and maturity level as a human being that you know when you need to accept responsibility for your actions, that is what I am doing with this apology. These were my mistakes and I am sorry for the mistakes I made, for not delivering what I promised and for trying to cover myself so that I wouldn’t look bad.
To Bev, CWL, the Board Members and the supporters of Crafters with Love; I am sorry and I sincerely apologize.
If you chose to not do business with me, if you chose to unfollow or unfriend me because of this, I understand.
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
I would do business with you any day, John.
John,
It takes courage, humility, integrity and leadership to write a public apology. This furthers my respect for you while clarifying your role within CWL. I am humbled by you. I will continue to support CWL and I will continue to support you.
Respectfully,
Jen
Thank you for your apology on be half of the Board members. We appreciate you`re setting a few matters straight.
Thank you Gina, I am humbled by your comments and confidence.
Thank you Roxie, I appreciate that.
Jen, your comments and support humbles me. Thank you very much. CWL IS an exceptional organization.
how long does it take to reach maturity, i hope im not that old……….
John, you are truly a class act:) You are a man of integrity and honesty to come out publicly and admit your mistakes. It is a pleasure to know you. They key is how we learn from these mistakes and how we grow.
You are fantastic John. While I don’t know the entirety of the CWL situation, I know that I for one would have never even know of their existence had it not been for your suggestion to become a Facebook fan. I agree with Rob, you are a class act in everything you do. And because of the integrity I’ve seen you operate with on Twitter, I have no doubt that CWL benefitted from your participation –however small it may be.
Thank you very much Rochelle for those comments. You are a colleague and a true friend and I thank you for all that you do!
Hey John – I’m sorry to hear about your situation with CWL. But I know from your personality, your work ethic, and your integrity – you ALWAYS mean well, and communication & misunderstandings are a part of growing, developing, improving, and finding your right business and personal fits. “One size does NOT fit all” and “Different strokes for different folks.”
May this help you be a better person (More than you already are!) and find relationships that are appreciated, and are better together than without. Love you, John!
Even though you are a Lush er John….I hope Im half as cool as you! You are the kind. I care to do my business with….