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As the person who helped develop - and who personally implemented - the first Corporate Conservation Leadership Luncheon for The Nature Conservancy of Texas (Austin, 1993), I wanted to share the history of the event. I'm proud that today the event continues to raise millions for The Nature Conservancy. The graphic design Mike Hicks created for various aspects of this first-ever event was quite cutting-edge, and I also wanted to share it publicly in appreciation. Thanks go again to Ronald W. Kessler of Austin for his leadership, as this event would not have been possible without his determination to see it happen in partnership with the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce. And, I would like to thank the late Robin Shivers, one of several volunteers. In truth, she worked hardest in the trenches with me day-to-day to secure funding and to ensure a strong showing.
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The Nature Conservancy of Texas
Corporate ConservationLeadership Luncheon
“Rebuilding the Natural Infrastructure: Public & Private Investment in the Environment”
Austin, TexasFebruary 11, 1993
Carolyn M. Appleton, CFRE
In 1993, I was a new employee at The Nature Conservancy of Texas. I had moved from Austin to San Antonio, the organization’s headquarters in Texas, and I began developing relationships with new supporters across the state, in the hope of raising significant funding for land conservation.
At the time, TNC was one of the first business-oriented conservation organizations in Texas. We worked hard to set ourselves apart from the common image of “nature” groups, which at the time meant “left wing” and “anti-business.”
The graphic designs reproduced herein are by my friend Mike Hicks of HIXO, Inc. in Austin, Texas.
One of my favorite volunteers from The University of Texas at Austin, Ronald W. Kessler (then an attorney with Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue), was someone on whom I counted for guidance in all matters. It took a bit of convincing to get Ron to join the advisory council of The Nature Conservancy of Texas, but thankfully he did, and he became an enthusiastic supporter. Ron was then incoming Chairman of the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce.
The political climate in Austin in 1993 was such that environmental groups disliked the business community and there were fairly constant shouting matches between them as reported in local media. The environmentalists believed the business community did not care about the environment.
Ron and I discussed trying to mediate this contentious situation by bringing the two factions together for a series of events in February, 1993 – a breakfast for legislators and lobbyists, and a luncheon for environmentalists and members of the business community. The breakfast was ultimately held at the Omni Hotel in downtown Austin; the luncheon at Etter Alumni Center at The University of Texas at Austin.
Initial organizational discussions were orchestrated by Ron with key staff of the Greater Austin Chamber, and the current and future Chairmen of the Board. Roger Kinzel of the Austin American-Statesman agreed to endorse the project. It took some negotiating to convince them to support the event, but eventually they did ~ that was due to Ron Kessler’s influence.
We felt strongly we needed to separate ourselves visually in terms of image from other environmental groups, through the printed pieces produced to promote the February events. I enlisted the help of Mike Hicks and Rob Miller of HIXO, whose work is world-class.
Mike and his team developed the items illustrated herein, as well as an award presented to a corporation that demonstrated environmental stewardship and leadership. In 1993, that company was 3M, in recognition of its protection of a large swath of Golden-cheeked warbler habitat (as well as other environmentally sensitive building innovations). The award was presented to 3M during the luncheon. It was a large glass vase set in a wrought iron base, and it was filled with bluebonnet seeds.
This project was frowned upon by many people within The Nature Conservancy at the time, both in Texas and nationally.
In fact, TNC’s national office preferred all state office staff focus on writing grant proposals to secure funding, and avoid special events entirely. Yet in Texas, we knew special events were commonly accepted cultivation tools for nonprofit organizations.
The urgency of quelling Austin’s environmental battles at the time led me to forge ahead. The Texas director and his state development coordinator in San Antonio were not very supportive; I went ahead even though the director informed me pointedly, “if this works, great, if not” … I would assume the responsibility. This indicates how “dicey” these events were perceived to be – both from the business and environmental group standpoints.
My thanks go to the outstanding volunteers listed on the following page who made the first Corporate Conservation Leadership Luncheon an inspiring success! We did it!
Since its inception in 1993, the event has been held in cities across Texas and in other states. It has raised millions of dollars for The Nature Conservancy over the years. It would never have been possible without them.
Photo above ~ the late Frank W. McBee, Jr. is pictured with me during the events in February, 1993. “The Lion” was teasing me, so I’m responding with a wry look. Frank, founder of Austin’s first Fortune 500 company, Tracor, is greatly missed. He was a good mentor and friend.
Ronald W. Kessler
Robert A. AyresDr. Larry Gilbert
Dr. Patricia HayesThe late Dr. Clark Hubbs
Roger KinzelThe late Lowell H. Lebermann, Jr.
James D. MarstonThe late Frank W. McBee, Jr.
The late Robin Shivers Daphne DuPont Vaughan
Primary Donors
Browning-Ferris IndustriesDel Webb Corporation
Jones, Day, Reavis & PogueH-E-B Grocery Company
Motorola
The HIXO design package illustrated on the following pages includes :
1) Save the date postcard
2) Five-panel invitation – I have scanned the breakfast invitation (the luncheon version was of the same design).
For more information about HIXO, please see:
hixo.com/
The support Mike Hicks and Rob Miller provided to me personally during this critically important but highly stressful project continues to be deeply appreciated.
My Story Continues ….
After this project concluded - as well as a fabulous San Antonio gala co-chaired by Caroline Alexander Forgason and Karen Hixon (the first-ever TNC Texas gala, which I also staffed personally) - I chose to move to Dallas to help open a remote office for The Nature Conservancy of Texas.
After two unsuccessful attempts to establish a presence in Dallas, with the help of Robert L. Thornton, III the office did eventually become a reality. Using the Austin event model, we presented two Corporate Conservation Leadership Luncheons there, in concert with the Dallas Regional Chamber of Commerce. The luncheon was also presented in Houston despite initial reticence by TNC staff, where it became quite popular.
For more information:
Carolyn M. Appleton, CFRE
210-913-5055
E-mail:[email protected]
Website:home.earthlink.net/~cappleton
Blog:carolynmappleton.wordpress.com
August, 2011
