Picture it: It’s Sunday morning, the last day of the All Fellows Conference. We’d spent four ten-hour days in a room together going through just about every aspect of nonprofit management that you could think of, and there were three hours to go. You might think that we were looking forward to the end of this time, but no, not really. When you’re an overworked executive director of a fledgling world-changing operation, time away from the office and overdrive is a vacation.

The class of 2004 stepped to the podium. They were following a tough act: Eric Dawson in earnest mode, telling a room full of overachievers and super hard workers to slow down, live life outside of the cause, and step away from martyrdom. Wise words indeed. We looked to 2004 to speak up in their moment of farewell.

And this is what they gave us. We were expecting a staff roast, maybe some ribbing, hardly the inspiring tool they surprised us with. As always the class of 2004 exceeded expectations, this time with their gift to Echoing Green.

As we listen to their wise words and observe their distinguished looks, let us take a quick glance at the photo at the top right of the page. Look at those bright young fellows. They’ve been an inspiration and a privilege to work with. As Furman Brown, what makes Echoing Green unique is the “big thinkers and big dreamers all”. To those in the class of 2004, we wish you well.

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