Can I Ask You Something? Vol. 3

Marilla Harris-Vincent, Connecticut River Conservancy

Last night, I hosted a small gathering for nonprofit folks to talk about boundaries: how we set them, honor them, and hold space for others while protecting our own energy. It was one of those evenings that reminded me boundaries aren’t walls; they’re roots. They keep us steady in the work and connected to who we are beyond it.

That theme carries into this week’s Can I Ask You Something? conversation with Marilla Harris-Vincent, River Steward for New Hampshire at the Connecticut River Conservancy. Living beside the river she protects, Marilla shows how advocacy becomes personal when it’s rooted in values.

Tell us about the Connecticut River Conservancy!
The Connecticut River Conservancy (CRC) restores and advocates for clean water, healthy habitats, and resilient communities to support a diverse and thriving watershed.

CRC has been a steward of the Connecticut River and tributary streams since 1952. Our programs include advocacy, aquatic invasive species management, dam removal, habitat restoration, migratory fish surveys, recreation, trash cleanups, and water quality monitoring.

Through collaborative partnerships in New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, and Connecticut, CRC leads and supports science-based efforts for natural and life-filled rivers from source to sea. We are uniquely positioned to leverage local, state, regional, and federal resources as an environmental nonprofit dedicated to the entire Connecticut River watershed.

Our values of inclusion, collaboration, resilience, and stewardship guide our ongoing work to address the climate crisis, biodiversity loss, and pollution. Together through community engagement and education, we’re dedicated to ensuring equitable access and healthy rivers for all. Learn more at ctriver.org.

What helps you decide what to say yes to - and what to let go of?
In my role as the River Steward for NH, there are endless avenues to pursue. My primary focus is on policy and advocacy in New Hampshire, but that is both vast and vague. At times it can feel overwhelming because there is always something that needs attention and it’s all important. It is discouraging when I miss a deadline to comment on a legislative bill, or have to turn down a project, but understanding that I won’t be able to do everything I want actually feels quite freeing. When I was hired, the other River Stewards told me that one of the biggest challenges in this role is learning how to say no and setting that boundary, because otherwise you could work endlessly.

Being realistic, organized, and resilient helps me prioritize my workload. This role is very fluid- my focus shifts constantly, so I have to adapt to what is happening at that point in time. For example, the legislative session in NH runs from January-June, so during that time I am very focused on policy. The summer months are our field season, so I am on the river removing aquatic invasive species, helping research migratory fish, going on community paddles, or scouting new restoration sites. As the field season comes to a close, I am starting to focus on grant writing, which helps support all of the important work I do. Since I started this job in January 2025, I have been heavily involved in hydropower relicensing, but that is now slowing down, so other priorities will fill my time.

In general, I like to break down my responsibilities into four categories: Important and urgent tasks; important but not urgent tasks; urgent but not important tasks; and not urgent and not important tasks. This ensures effective time management, task allocation, and helps me decide what to say yes to and what to let go of.

What’s one thing you want people to know about your nonprofit?
We are a group of hard-working, dynamic, and passionate river enthusiasts– it’s truly a wonderful place to work! At the CRC, we like to boast that we are the only nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting the entire Connecticut River watershed, which includes NH, VT, MA, and CT.

CRC has many focus areas, including river restoration and dam removal; water quality monitoring; aquatic invasive species; recreation; migratory fish and aquatic species; and policy and advocacy. Because we have very diverse expertise, both in personnel and programs, it puts us in a great position to make a meaningful impact in the watershed.

What’s something your organization is proud of right now?
For over 13 years, we have been involved in the relicensing process of five hydropower dams on the mainstem on the Connecticut River in NH, VT, and MA. They are 30-50 year licenses and the conditions that will be included in the license have significant and long-lasting implications for the river, wildlife, and communities. It's an esoteric process, so it’s essential to provide opportunities for public education and engagement, which is most often done by writing public comments.

Since 2013, CRC has been advocating for the strongest possible license to protect this public trust resource and support a healthier river for decades to come. Part of the relicensing process is the state 401 Water Quality Certification (WQC), which is a certification under the Clean Water Act and ensures that these facilities comply with state water quality standards. CRC deemed that the WQC in all three states did not go far enough to protect the river, so we filed an appeal of the 401 WQC with each of the issuing state agencies.

This is a moment of pride for us because it’s the first time CRC has spearheaded an appeal process, which is very exciting and empowering. We are still in the early stages of litigation, but are actively fundraising and raising awareness about why this appeal is so important.

What’s something bringing you joy in your life right now?
I am currently housesitting for my parents on their small homestead in rural Vermont. I’m surrounded by wilderness, a bountiful garden, farm animals, and the tranquil sounds of nature. For each meal I go to the garden or the orchard and pick fresh fruits and vegetables – it is bringing me so much peace and joy.

What values guide your work when the path forward isn’t clear?
As mentioned in the first question, there are many directions that my work pulls me. Our world is in turmoil, which is discouraging and dispiriting, but I feel so lucky that my position gives me a sense of pride and meaning. What I do is important and it’s rewarding to see how my work affects the environment around me, creating a ripple of positive change. I live on the Connecticut River, and so my efforts directly impact my personal life, which is a lot of pressure - it can be hard to disconnect the two.

But I think because of how my work and personal life are amalgamated, the values I possess beautifully weave through both. As an environmental advocate, both personally and professionally, the climate crisis is at the forefront of my mind. I try to walk through life with intention and awareness of how my actions impact the world and those around me. I value being kind, open-minded, and adaptable; I strive to be creative and challenge myself. Each decision I make, whether at work or at home, is a small expression of who I am and my values.

Thanks so much for these reflections, Marilla! You can find out more about the Connecticut River Conservancy here.

Want to be featured in Can I Ask You Something? You can fill out the quick interest form here and I’ll get back to you soon!

Can I Ask You Something? Vol. 2

Haley Bash, Donor Organizer Hub

This month’s Can I Ask You Something? features Haley Bash of Donor Organizer Hub, an organization that trains and supports volunteer fundraisers for progressive movement groups.

Their work is rooted in the belief that fundraising isn’t just about raising money - it can also be a tool for building community and mobilizing people toward long-term change.

It’s an approach I really relate to. So much of my fundraising work with clients is about helping them see it not as a burden, but as a practice that can reflect their values and strengthen relationships. Haley’s responses are a great reminder of that.

Haley Bash, Donor Organizer Hub

Tell us about Donor Organizer Hub
Donor Organizer Hub trains, coaches, and convenes everyday people to fundraise for progressive movement organizations they care about—and to build teams so they don’t have to do it alone. We believe fundraising can be organizing, and that everyone has networks they can mobilize to resource movements. By supporting volunteer fundraisers and the groups they work with, we help build sustainable grassroots power and reduce dependence on wealthy donors and institutions.

What helps you decide what to say yes to - and what to let go of?
We say yes when opportunities strengthen the fundraising leadership of people organizing for progressive change. That means trainings, coaching, and convenings that help volunteers move from giving → fundraising → coaching for the causes they’re deeply invested in. We let go of work that might raise money in the short term but doesn’t build community power or leadership for the long haul.

What’s one thing you want people to know about your nonprofit?
That fundraising isn’t just for the wealthy or “well-connected.” At Donor Organizer Hub, we train and coach everyday people to fundraise for progressive movement causes they care about—and to build teams so they don’t have to do it alone. We believe everyone has networks they can mobilize, and when those networks are organized for movement causes, they become a powerful source of long-term progressive change

What’s something your organization is proud of right now?
We’ve trained and coached thousands of volunteer fundraisers who have raised millions for grassroots, progressive organizations. But what we’re proudest of is seeing participants step into leadership—hosting house parties, coaching their peers, and sustaining their groups. Watching people grow into leaders who strengthen movement infrastructure is the real win.

Who or what are you learning from lately?
We’re learning from the volunteers we coach, who constantly find creative ways to make fundraising joyful even in tough times. They turn birthdays, hobbies, and community events into fundraising opportunities—knitting for pledges, asking at dinner tables, or connecting it to milestones in their lives.
That creativity doesn’t just raise money; it reminds us that fundraising is relational, rooted in joy, and a way for people to build power together when the challenges around us feel overwhelming.

What values guide your work when the path forward isn’t clear?
We’re guided by values centered on relational connection, grassroots power, creativity, and reflective learning. We believe fundraising is organizing, and even small, everyday asks can be an invitation into the movement, rooted in trust and shared values—not transactional appeals. We trust in the power of everyday people to resource movements, resisting over-reliance on high-net-worth donors and honoring community-rooted fundraising. When uncertainty arises, we lean into creative, joy-filled tactics—from bake sales to themed parties, we mobilize through fun, values-aligned engagement. Finally, we follow a cycle of planning-doing-reflecting, continuously learning and adapting what works in real-time conditions.

Thanks so much, Haley! You can take a gander at Donor Organizer Hub’s website here.

A few quick things before you go:

• I’m facilitating a free, day-long session in Bennington on September 30 called Fundraising That Builds Trust (Without Burning You Out) through the Heritage Family Credit Union Community Conversation series. Find out more and register here.

• The first Way We Work gathering is happening on October 23 in Wallingford, and it’s all about boundaries. It’ll be a (truly) fun couple of hours of reflection, conversation, and space to be with others who get it. If you're local and curious, you can read more or grab a spot here.

• Want to be featured in Can I Ask You Something? You can fill out the quick interest form here and I’ll get back to you soon!

• I also have space this fall for a couple of new client projects. If you could use some support, just reply - I’d be happy to learn more about what you’re working on.

Can I Ask You Something? Vol. 1

In the mission-driven world, it can be hard to find real opportunities for open, human-to-human conversations across organizations. Even at conferences or networking events, we don't usually get a chance to turn to someone new and say something like, “Hey, I'm having trouble setting a boundary. Will you tell me about one that's important to you and how you got to that decision?”

As I’ve said before, I'm so into the minutiae of other people's day-to-day lives. There are great things we can learn from each other when we make time to ask, and to listen:

What feels crappy to you right now? 

What is something joyful about your day?

What do you think everyone should know about your organization, but maybe doesn't?

We work in a sector where there's often such a scarcity mindset: of time, of money, of emotional bandwidth. There's little time given to slow down, to celebrate, and to contemplate. Sometimes we just want to ask questions. And sometimes we just want to be listened to.

That's one of the reasons I'm so excited to introduce my new interview series, Can I Ask You Something? Every month, I'll feature someone working in or around the nonprofit sector, taking time to pause in their day to share things we can relate to, learn from, celebrate, or even disagree with. 

Collective knowledge is so important, and something I try to center in my work. It helps break down our silos, burst out of our bubbles, and remember that there are other people out there. (And if you'd like to be one of those people, you can go ahead and fill out a quick interest form here.)

I'm thrilled to introduce the first person to share with us: Alexandra Pratt, Director of the West Tisbury Free Public Library on Martha's Vineyard. I've known Alexandra since we were both sophomore transfers at Smith College. For the last two decades, I’ve watched her be one of the coolest people I know: farmer, librarian, outdoor bathtub owner, world traveler, and camping buddy. Read on for what she has to share.

Alexandra Pratt on the left - librarian extraordinaire!

What’s one thing you want people to know about your organization?
The West Tisbury Library has been ranked a five star library several years in a row by the Library Journal.

What’s something your organization is proud of right now?
Our Community "Freedge" (free fridge)! Modelled on free fridges and pantries across the world, it is a space anyone can donate to and anyone can take food from. To me, it represents what is at the heart of librarianship: sharing resources and space with each other to build community and help each other. 

What’s one thing you wish you could tell your younger self?

Don't work so hard! Even if you are passionate and devoted to something, self care needs to come first. The adage “you can’t pour from an empty cup” is true! In public service the drive can be to give as much as yourself as possible but that is not sustainable. Show up, work hard, keep caring, but make it sustainable, for the good of yourself and your organization. 

What’s one boundary you’re holding right now?

Saying no to things! Or at least saying “not right now.” Professionally and personally, I love helping folks and trying to say yes to as much as possible, but realistically there is only so much money in the budget, time, and energy! Slowing down and thinking more strategically about the best use of my energy and the library resources has been very helpful to prevent burnout.

What’s something that happened today that stayed with you?

Today, like so many other days here at our public library, I am struck by how rare shared public spaces like this are; and how truly special they are. 
From unhoused neighbors staying cool in the AC, to year-round residents getting books for summer reading, to tourists here for storytime on a rainy day, folks of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds join in our programs - like community dance classes, improv classes, ukulele jams, and more. It's truly an honor to work to facilitate it all! I feel so incredibly lucky to get to serve my community, to do work to hopefully make my neighbors’ and visitors’ lives a little better.

Thanks so much, Alexandra! You can find out more about the West Tisbury Library here. 

And if you’re interested in being featured in our interviews, you can fill out a short interest form here.