Fundraiser Husband Dads


 I've posted before about the amazing women in my Pilot Mom's group.  These friends give me more validation than I can say.  As I've pondered this over the last few weeks, it occurs to me that I might have missed something.

Is there a group for the opposite?  Is there, somewhere out there, a group of husbands, married to high powered fundraising women who need some kind of comradery?  I wonder...

Fundraising (and non-profits in general) are heavily managed by women.  Airline pilots are primarily men.  On some level, this makes sense, right?  Sometimes I feel really proud of myself for understanding so much of the airline jargon.  I've learned to speak in airport code.  We don't fly out of Philadelphia, it's PHL.  We didn't go to Los Angeles on our vacation; we went to LAX and then drove to SAN.  Nick doesn't start his trips in Cincinatti, it's CVG.  We ask each other questions about whether or not a certain medication will impact our husband's medical.  We ask each other to check the loads on flights (though I don't get to do this anymore since Nick doesn't fly people--he flies boxes).  We know what KCM is and understand the bid process.  We know what short call means, long call, and we all hate it when he "bids reserve".  I'm convince we ladies know this stuff because we listen when our husbands talk.  We're interested in his life on the road and genuinely want to know what he's up to.  We also NEED to know this stuff.  We bemoan the unpredictability of his schedule and how hard that makes it to plan things.  We share ideas on how to manage weeknight dinners when he's away and we're managing all the things.  We give each other travel tips on the portability of infants and how to manage toddlers on a trans con.  We make suggestions on how to spend more time with Dad--can you meet him on his 1 and 7?  If we're going to run a successful home and have a happy family all while maintaining our sanity, this is important stuff.

But the same goes for the opposite.  The life of a professional fundraiser isn't as predictable as many other office jobs.  I talk about work at the end of the day or call him in between meetings to share what I'm up to.  He asks about events and when I'll be home.  All the same stuff.  So, is there a group of men out there asking similar questions?

  • I'm considering investing in a tuxedo for all the black tie events my wife needs me as arm candy for.  Anyone do this and can share the pros and cons?
  • The AFP conference is coming up next week--who's tagging along and wants to meet up in Boston during the keynote?
  • My wife works for the local chapter of a federated system.  We're thinking of making the jump to national.  Anyone do this and have insight?
  • Just need to vent here guys--I am so SICK of the compassion permeating every level of our lives!  Does EVERYTHING have to be about the mission?  Yes, I KNOW there are starving children who would LOVE to have my leftovers but I'm not about to box them up and take them to the local foodbank.  Can't I just enjoy my pizza for once???
  • Anyone else tired of their wife not getting cost of living increases?
Maybe?  I don't know.  It just got me thinking--

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