For thirty years Janet Gadeski has dedicated her professional life to advancing arts- and faith-based organizations as well as advancing the charitable sector in Canada by writing, editing or ghost writing countless articles and books. Those who know her personally know her as a superlative listener whose warm, kind and generous presence at conferences will be missed.

How do you give someone who always finds the perfect words, and structures them together so eloquently, an appropriate send-off? The pressure is extraordinary. The words aren’t coming. Why?

As I reflect on why it is that I’m struggling to honour Janet the way I feel she deserves to be, it occurs to me: Janet Gadeski has been a constant in my professional life since I met her at my very first fundraising workshop over fifteen years ago. I simply do not want to say goodbye.

I can now see that I have shamefully taken Janet for granted because when she told me about her retirement plans, I involuntarily exclaimed NO!!! I cannot think of anyone who knows more about the charitable sector in Canada than Janet Gadeski. I feel that as a sector, we simply haven’t appreciated Janet enough for her contribution. Certainly this wee article cannot do her career justice.

Nevertheless I hope that Janet knows that she is deeply appreciated, for she is not the type to seek out centre stage or public recognition. Janet isn’t the person you see at a podium, and  she may not be top of mind when strategizing whom to invite to present a plenary session. Janet is the kind of person you phone for advice to see who deserves the plenary session. Janet is an expert at quietly sitting in the background asking the tough questions, looking for answers and strategizing how to tell other people’s stories.

Jim Hilborn says it best: “When I think of Janet, I think of Socrates, who advised “Moderation in all things.” So I would say that from my perspective, her greatest achievement has been to calmly and quietly throughout her life encourage and motivate the people around her to achieve their best, whatever that may be, by treating us all with honesty, consideration, respect for those parts of us that are worthy of respect and compassion for our human frailties and weaknesses. She is an outstanding and instinctive motivator.”

So I’ve made a decision. I’m not going to say goodbye. Instead I’m going to say THANK YOU. Thank you Janet for the profound impact you have had on my career and my love for the charitable sector. You ROCK! And I will forever be indebted for your wisdom and kindness and wish you all the best on your retirement.

And now Dear Reader, don’t you worry; Janet plans to continue to contribute to her community and various arts organizations. In fact here she explains how she may very well become busier than ever in what she refers to as her “refirement”.

Please join us all at Hilborn in wishing her well. And if you are inspired to express your gratitude and/or have well wishes to extend, I’ve opened up the comments below. Let’s all come together to let Janet know how very grateful we are for all that she has done for us and for the charitable sector in Canada.

Janet, we will all do our best to continue the trajectory you have so gracefully put us on. Thank you for everything.

Kimberley MacKenzie, CFRE
Editor, eNEWS