Muddy Boots 2.0

Prayer in this time of CV19

Lord, look over all our front line men and women caring for the sick.

Lord, look over all the essential workers keeping the supply chain running.

Lord, have mercy on the sick and grant them healing.

Lord, help us have faith in the face of death.

Lord, help us show compassion to those not working and in need.

Lord, grant wisdom and courage to all our lea...

When I was a young man in boarding school, my Latin teacher was Mr. Hopley who, while proficient with the language of ancient Rome, also had a sense for the English language that he would use from time to time to turn a phrase such that many remain in my memory forty years later. He believed that words can inspire, that the spoken word, well turned, could stiffen a backbone, instill character, provoke thought, and become a touchstone for one’s values. His great gift was the lesson that ...

We all have moments that change the trajectory. The trajectory of our lives, our relationships, our careers, and our opportunity to shape our legacy. One of my all-time Muddy Boots heroes, Herb Brooks, coach of the 1980 US Olympic team, famously challenges his team before they played the Russians in the semi-finals that, “This is your time.”

Well, we are at such a moment. This is our time. We have some choices to make.

Let me frame these ch...

Today marks the 150th year of the founding of Episcopal Community Services of the Diocese of Pennsylvania. For 150 years, we have always run to the fire, and we will continue to do so. As we find ourselves fighting yet another fire, I have never been more proud of the organization.

To our staff, thank you for your service. You live our values of dignity, community, justice, and impact every day. To our board, your support, partnership, and guidance are unmeasurable, and on ...

Last week I had the opportunity to speak to an assembled group of leaders of family businesses sponsored by the Delaware Valley Family Business Center. They asked me to share my perspective, aka scar tissue, on the attributes of leadership observed over my years in business and my service as a board chair with privately held for-profit organizations.

I shared five core attributes.

Muddy Boots. Leaders wh...

Normal?

There is no new normal because there was no old normal. Ever

CV-19 is undoubtedly not the first nor likely to be the last crisis that changes the rules.

So what are the takeaways from this moment?

We are all impacted by CV-19, but we most certainly are not all in this together. If nothing else, this pandemic has laid bare the fundamental economic disparity in America. The reality of essent...

I was recently invited to speakat Westminster where I am an Alumnus. Given our work they asked me to talk about Poverty, Privilege, and Race. The following are my prepared remarks.

Good Morning. My name is Dave Griffith, and I graduated in 1972 and served as a trustee from 2004 to 2012. Our 2 children are among the 12 Griffith’s who have graduated from here since 1953. While here I played hockey with Peter Briggs, I was a goalie, and this was when there was no roof o...

After 37 years of working in the for-profit world, I was asked to lead a nonprofit social service agency in Philadelphia. Having made the switch from CEO to Executive Director, I get asked about the differences from individuals thinking about making a similar transition as a final professional chapter and what they ought to consider.

So after 6 years here is my list.

1. Talent Matters. In both sectors the better the talent, the better the outcomes. Histor...