Give Thanks Any Day

Team Rubicon in the Philippines

Thanksgiving is the day we celebrate the day when Native Americans sat down with Pilgrims and ate together.  For some of us, it's a better holiday than all the others combined because we reflect upon just how much we have to be thankful for.

Team Rubicon in Port-Au-Prince, Haiti

But there's no reason we can't recognize and celebrate unselfish work every day.  Or any day.  Those of you who read me on Facebook may know how much I admire the veterans' volunteer organization called Team Rubicon and the work that these volunteers do during disasters.  They were early into the Philippines and into the devastation in Washington, Illinois.  They sent teams  to help with Hurricane Sandy's aftereffects. Earlier (above), they were in Haiti to help with recovery efforts.  If you'd like to learn more about their efforts or support their work, here's their story.

There are numerous other teams and organizations who do great work and could use your support, or a simple thank you, including our public servants who do their job day after day.

Wave when a fire truck or an ambulance or a police car goes by and give these folks a thumbs up -- something bright and positive to cheer them on.

Say thank you to the bus driver, knowing that profession has become a lot riskier the past couple of years.

You get the idea.

If you're out of ideas on where to donate or how to help and you live in Seattle, then consider a donation to the Seattle Times' fund for the needy, which yesterday discussed one of my favorite charities, Wellspring Family Service.

 Better yet, if you have some spare time, roll up your sleeves and volunteer.  There are so many food banks and emergency services organizations that could use your time, especially this time of year.

So take the risk out of  the beginning of a frenzied season that has become mostly about glitter and gifts.  You'll find that you always get back more than you give, even when giving thanks and helping out.

"Events beyond our control"

"So what you're saying is that you specialize in events beyond our control?"

I don't know how I've never come to this somewhat eccentric description of operational risk management myself.  At cocktail parties, I usually say that I specialize in the unexpected, in things that go bump in the night.   But I'm starting already to refine what he said.

Tacloban, The Phillipines

Washington, Illinois tornado impact this past weekend

Fukashima nuclear rod being lifted some hours ago.

My work is all about identifying events both within and beyond our control so we can plan in advance, thereby reducing both the magnitude, impact and financial loss that results from such events.  Three recent events are shown above, but businesses also sometimes find themselves in events beyond their control when their intellectual property is stolen, or when their online site is compromised.

What's so exciting about what I do is that it's both worldly and academic.  And I'm right out there on the edge, working with some of the best minds available, while teaching the next generation from examples that litter our universe right now of loss and mismanagement.

I was reminded of the intellectual vortex I frequently sit in this weekend, when Mike Crandall sent over his review of the book we'll be publishing by the end of the month, a second volume in a series of research notes.    Here's his take:

“This second volume of Annie Searle’s Reflections on Risk continues her tradition of bringing critical issues facing our society to the forefront through a careful combination of education, collaboration and inspiration. The essays in this book are a result of her mentorship and guidance of students in the University of Washington Master of Science in Information Management program at the University of Washington Information School, and provide a window into the varied and complex issues facing individuals and organizations as we move further into the Information Age. The background and insights provided in this work should be required reading for all; they illuminate the numerous and diverse challenges we face in managing and securing our information assets in the digital world, as well as providing a glimpse into the minds that will be shaping our future. “

·   Michael Crandall, Senior Lecturer and Director, iAffiliates Program, University of Washington Information School

Thanks Mike, and thanks to the unnamed executive who made this tidy summary of the work.  There are 14 authors in this second volume, and we'll be featuring some more extended discussion here of the work when we are closer to publication.