The run-up to the holidays is always a busy time of year, and can make us all feel a bit overstretched. That’s certainly true at CLF.

In fact, at times this fall it has felt like we’ve been at a pre-holiday pace since Labor Day. In preparing an internal President’s Report in December, I realized I could only capture a fraction of our accomplishments – the tip of a large iceberg of great work that we love to do.

I worry sometimes, frankly, that we love it too much. My concern for all of us (in CLF and in every cause-driven organization) is that we take care of ourselves as we do what we do. This includes optimizing our efficiency, taking time off to recharge, leaving work at work, and of course selecting work carefully so that we spend our time and energy wisely. These are relatively objective elements of prudent and careful management.

It also includes the more subjective, human-oriented, affective things we all do – as human beings – to feel fulfilled, grounded and happy: asking for, receiving and giving help, supporting our partners and being supported by them, sharing common cause. There is nothing quite so energizing and gratifying as knowing that we’re in it together.

This past year was replete with examples of how we at CLF do this at the inter-organizational level. We partnered with other groups, we led coalitions, we leveraged our work for the benefit of similarly-aligned organizations with complementary skills, we developed strategy in cooperation with others and implemented it jointly. As I said in a recent letter to The New York Times, it’s “a great time to be in the environmental movement.” These partnerships are one of the reasons; they sustain us.

As we round the dark corner of the year and head into the light, I wish you all a wonderful holiday season and a joyous new year.

Courtesy of Putneypucs @ flickr. Creative Commons

In talking with guests at CLF’s holiday party last week, I was reminded of something simple and powerful: In this movement, we’re all leaders.

Helping New England thrive is a group effort.  It’s also CLF’s vision. To make it happen we work with  our colleagues, our allies, and our friends – many of whom were present at the party.

These guests included elected officials, heads of state and government officials, business and nonprofit CEOs – even an international delegation. CLF staff and alumni were there. Board members, families and friends joined us.  And also many dedicated people who help New England thrive by doing their part – sometimes small but always heartfelt – every day, week or month.

Talking with many present, I was reminded of what I have often thought: To succeed, we need each other.

I was also reminded of the story of an 8 year old girl with courage and a voice, but struggling against acute asthma. At a hearing for a proposed project in western MA that would aggravate her asthma and further threaten her community, she was sitting with my colleague Sue Reid, vp and director, CLF Massachusetts. She had in her hand a one page handwritten statement she was prepared to deliver that said, among other things, “It’s not fair!” After the committee spoke, she turned to Sue and said: “This really isn’t fair!”

She was right. We have followed her lead, and are working hard for fairness and justice for her community. We all should learn from her, and be inspired by her. She is a leader in our movement.

Reflecting on our holiday season, this message seems appropriate: we are sustained by the work of our allies and friends. In this movement, it does take a village. And everyone truly is a leader.

To all those who have worked with us, to our donors, sponsors, and allies, and to our friends and family, thank you. Without your leadership, we couldn’t do what we do.

May have you have a wonderful Holiday season.

CLF’s supporters are our greatest and most powerful asset. Because of you, we were able to achieve important victories in New England and beyond. This past year, we fought for and secured new regulations to ensure a sustainable groundfish fishery, led the region in advocating for transportation solutions and made concrete progress towards improving water quality across the region. Thank you for making all of this (and so much more) possible.

At CLF, our advocates are already gearing up for a busy and productive new year. And today, I invite you to boost CLF’s impact in 2011 by making a tax-deductible gift to our most crucial work.

In 2011, CLF will:

• Address the proposed billion-dollar Northern Pass project, which would transmit 1,200 megawatts of hydro-generated power from Quebec. The proposal stands to dramatically re-shape the energy landscape throughout New England. CLF will be closely evaluating this project and taking actions necessary to ensure that it proceeds in an environmentally responsible way and results in significant reductions of greenhouse gas pollution.
• Continue our work promoting sustainable ocean management, resulting in healthy fishing communities, protection of areas of particular biodiversity and a promising source of renewable energy. CLF has made real progress in both Rhode Island and Massachusetts, and now we need to consolidate and expand that progress to all of New England’s oceans.
• Bring legal and community pressure on water polluters across the region, whether that pollution is caused by excess nutrients, stormwater or industrial sites. From reducing pollution from wastewater treatment facilities to promoting solutions for New England’s watersheds, CLF has the strength and persistence to protect our shared environment.

2010 was CLF’s most productive year to date. But let’s raise the bar and do even better in 2011. We’re going to need your support to accomplish our ambitious agenda. Please make a tax-deductible contribution today to maximize our impact in 2011.

Amidst the rush of the holiday season, thank you in advance for taking the time to protect your New England.