Greg Truog - Friend, Mentor, and Leader
Greg Truog was the heart of Community Shares of Colorado for the 14 years he served as Executive Director. His vision and core values continue to inspire our work today.
Community Shares is honored to welcome donations to the Greg Truog Community Fund. His wife, Laurie Harvey, will determine how to use the gifts made in honor of Greg's legacy. We will contact all who give to the fund to let you know how your financial tribute to Greg is invested in the community.
Make a donation to the Greg Truog Community Fund today.
We welcome all of Greg's friends and colleagues to share your tributes to Greg's spirited, challenging, and inspiring life and work.
Click on "Post a Comment" to share your thoughts about Greg's impact on your life and work.
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52 comments:
Thoughts from Alyssa Kopf, CEO of Community Shares of Colorado
"You want to know the one thing you need to be successful in the nonprofit world?"
Three weeks ago I became the CEO of Community Shares of Colorado, 5 1/2 years ago I met Greg Truog for the first time.
We didn't meet through the process as I interviewed to become CSC's new Program Coordinator and he was out of town for my first few days on the job. All I knew is that I was going to sit down for a few hours Thursday afternoon and Greg was going to give me "Volume 1" of Community Shares History.
The man I met that afternoon was larger than life. He could name off nearly everyone in town, was still passionate about the work of Community Shares 12 years after becoming Executive Director, and he and I both knew that he had forgotten more about grassroots organizing than I will ever learn.
I must admit I had no idea what he was talking about for approximately 40% of the conversation. He spoke with the cadence of the radio DJ he once was and in euphemisms that I realized I would need to quickly learn to translate. What would make Greg laugh is knowing that when I left our first conversation I had to do a Google search to find out what the heck the "War on Poverty" was.
The thing that stood out to me most over the years was the question he asked me near the end of our conversation, "You want to know the one thing you need to be successful in the nonprofit world?" I didn't even venture a guess. "Stamina." I laughed that day not knowing it would be the wisest advice I would hear from a nonprofit leader.
While I learned a lot from Greg in the years we worked together, one memory stands out beyond the rest. In the fall of 2003, Greg led Community Shares in putting a temporary restraining order on the City of Colorado Springs' employee giving campaign. Many of our nonprofit members were not considered to benefit "health and human welfare" as defined by the City's policies and procedures. From the ACLU Foundation of Colorado, to Citizens Project, to the Pikes Peak Gay and Lesbian Community Center, our groups engaged in social justice work were not allowed to participate. Some of our member nonprofit organizations cautioned the negative repercussions from legally halting a charitable drive were too much to bear. However, Greg knew it was the right thing to do.
I have never been more scared in a professional setting than the day we walked into the federal courthouse and came face-to-face with the Assistant City Manger and the two city attorneys. How did we end up in a courthouse in mismatched suits telling these people how to run their city? Looking back, who better than us!!! Greg let our family of member agencies and donors know that Community Shares lives its mission and core values and will stand up for inclusive philanthropy no matter the size of the fight.
Recently, I went to a luncheon featuring Jan Masaoka from CompassPoint. She spoke of generational differences and leadership transition in the nonprofit sector. One point stood out to me most of all and has echoed in my mind the last three weeks since I assumed leadership of Community Shares. Jan explained that the previous generation of leaders never planned to be managers - they were building a movement. And today's young leaders like me are great managers but don't know how to build a movement.
I'd like to think that thanks to my few years knowing Greg Truog, I know the importance of doing both. And, the next time I feel my knees quake like I did walking into the federal courthouse, I will remember, while it can be scary, you have to stand out and stand up when it's the right thing to do. And, I will remember that the ups and downs don't matter, only that you have the stamina to keep going.
My thanks to Greg for his absolute dedication to Community Shares and the movement to democratize philanthropy. My sincere love and condolences to Greg's wife, Laurie, his partner, colleague and friend. I will do my best to make sure the best of Greg's legacy at Community Shares lives on in all we do.
Alyssa Kopf
alyssa@cshares.org
Greg was my brother in law. He spoke words that I didn't understand at first, but he always had a smile. He was a big teddy bear and I will miss him so much. There is an empty place in our family with him gone.
Greg Truog came to do a "pep talk" to the MaineShare board in February, 2004, as he did for so many Community Shares groups. The title of his written materials (that I still have) is "Playing with Passion". That is an apt phrase to describe the way that Greg worked. He reminded me why I got into this work and why I continue to work for social justice funding. I am in this, Greg said, because I am "cause motivated". If were were not cause motivated, we would be spending our time "selling timeshare condos or re-enacting the civil war".
Greg made me laugh while also sharing his many years of wisdom in the social justice world. He taught us to "embrace the conflict" And he taught that "entering into conflict to end repression is not only admirable, but fun as well." If I am not having fun, then I shouldn't be doing this work.
Greg also taught to "operate with a a sense of entitlement". In a phone conversation I had with Greg while he was Executive Director of Community Shares USA, I was, as usual, disappointed with the fact that potential workplace partners were not returning my calls. Greg said, "The sin we are paying for is showing up late.". We may be late to the game, but Shares groups are vital to funding solutions for social justice. Greg urged me to be persistent and that a "no" today, just means "not yet".
I continue to play the game with passion, and thanks to Greg, remember that I can have fun doing it.
Rest well Greg, as we continue your work all across the country, with passion, love, and grace.
Hildie Lipson
Executive Director
MaineShare
Somewhere, Greg is singing kareoke right now and doing a helluva job. A man with a big heart, a bigger laugh, and a bottomless sense of humor. He is gone far too soon and is leaving a big silence behind him. All of his friends grieve with Laurie. That he was in the midst of getting fit when his heart decided to quit would appeal to Greg's sharp sense of irony. Truog, you big ham, this time you went too far for the laugh.
My memories of Greg go back a long ways. For those of you that do not know, Greg was in Rock Bands in his younger days.
His first Rock Band was Lynch and the Hangmen, and I was in the group with him. Greg was our drummer and lead singer, and I played bass. We were just four high school kids in the mid 60s, and formed a typical midwest garage band. I have many memories and stories from those days, and Greg was just as colorful then as he was in his adult life.
As someone else said here, Greg was larger than life. He is one of those people, that once he came into this world, they "broke the mold."
I just visited with Greg last summer at our old home town celebration in Mallard, Iowa. We had a good time, and I'm glad that our paths crossed that last time.
I know that Greg will be greatly missed. But he will live on in our hearts.
Wendell Davis, Overland Park, KS
From Shelley Wascom, Community Shares TN:
I met Greg in 1996 when I had just started at Community Shares TN. It was not love at first site. He seemed to have such strong opinions and was too cocky for my taste. At that point, I just didn't know that he was an "acquired taste".
Over the years I came to respect his knowledge, enjoy his "way with a phrase" and his sense of humor and love him as a person.
Whether it was belting out Karaoke or talking to a group about the "stick back" letter, you could see his passion for life and his passion for this work.
There are so many great stories and anecdotes around Greg, I could go on forever.
In Los Angeles this February, when I was too sick to help out, he took my place as the auctioneer at the Our Giving Community yearly auction. I knew he'd be great and I'm sure he was. I never got to thank him for that -- or for all the other things he taught me and did for me. Thanks Greg. This movement is better because of you. I'll miss you.
Shelley
From the moment of his arrival on the scene, Greg was an important part of our workplace giving culture. He brought so much to the work. While we all had to learn his translate his words, that was part of the joy.
Love and best wishes to Laurie.
Nan Steketee
I can feel the jolly rumbling of his laugh in my heart. I can see the pride in his eyes when those younger “got it” and took the reigns. I know the honest advice and true support he gave me whenever I followed after his steps and I hear him saying “I’ve got your back.” I’m thankful that he knew how much I admired and appreciated him. I told him so. I pray he is at peace.
Trudy Toliver
I am so sorry to learn of Greg's passing. He lived an extraordinary life, albeit far too brief. He made a huge impact on our community and he will be dearly missed. I also regret that I will be out of the state on April 11. My heartfelt condolences go out to Laurie, the family, and everyone at Community Shares.
David Miller
4/7/08
Beverly Feinstein, formerly of Community Shares of Tennessee:
I was with CS in TN for eight years, and I am proud to say that I knew Greg for seven of those eight years. I will remember him most for introducing me to the art of karaoke.
When he first suggested that we find a local karaoke bar close to the conference site in Portland, Oregon, several years back, I had to admit to him that I'd never "done" karaoke. He was stunned. We shared backgrounds in music, and he just couldn't believe that I had never ventured into the world of karaoke. It turns out, there was no better way to experience karaoke night than with him. Thank you, Greg, for taking me there, along with a few other brave CS souls. It was a blast.
When I first experienced Greg leading a meeting, I was so glad his colleague Jill Schneider was there, to assure the "newbies" that the "Gregtionary" would be published in the not-too-distant future. If that reference book didn't make it to print, I think it's time has come. I never knew whether to act like I actually understood what the hell he was saying, or stop him after every third word to ask, "Exactly what do you mean by that?" Many of us found that eventually it all made some kind of sense. What I knew for sure was that Greg had genius inside him, and I'm sure glad that he cared enough about us to share some of it with us.
Damn it, Greg, why didn't you tell me I REALLY REALLY REALLY needed to come to the L.A. conference? I think you tried, but I wasn't listening. I'm missing you terribly right now, and wondering what thoughts were traveling through that big head of yours when your heart decided it was time to stop.
You left this world a much better place than you found it. I think those of us left behind will be working harder to do the same, in your memory, and in your honor.
Thanks very, very much, for the memories.
I only knew Gregg for a short while, but he made a major impact on me this past year as I struggled to learn what I needed to know to get Community Shares of West Virginia moving into becoming a more viable CSUSA member. He connected me with people to act as mentors, and I always knew that, no
matter how stupid the question, he'd answer it in such a way that I didn't feel like an idiot.
Colorado, Community Shares USA, and the world have lost someone who has made more than a little difference, and has definately left the world a better place.
Marta Pate
Coordinator
Community Shares of West Virginia
It was in hearing of Greg's death that I realize how much he impacted me, even though I suppose I didn't really know him very well. I took in the fullness that was so very Greg from afar as I attended a few workplace giving conferences. I smile now at how he took time to get to know some nuance of each 'newbie' attending. A newbie, just like me. And it is in the silence of his absence I truly feel the loss at hand and also the tremendous legacy he has left. We will continue what you took on, Greg. For the people in our world who so desparately need justice and laughter, we continue...
Laurie and Famliy: We at the Colorado Center on Law and Policy and the Colroado Fiscal Policy Institute wish to expres our deepest sympathies. We are sorry to have lost Greg who was committed to ensuring that the social justice movement move forward in Colorado and that funding for such a movemnt was critical.
We mourn Greg's loss with you. Maureen Farrell, Staff and Board.
Though I grew up seeing Greg at our many family reunions and get-togethers, I never fully appreciated how wonderful he was until my cousin Justin and I headed up to the mountain for some skiing over the holidays and asked to stay with Laurie and Greg in case we wanted to get another day in on the slopes (we were originally coming from Nebraska). They, of course, agreed, and that evening, tired and cold from a brutal day on the slopes, we showed up with towels laid out and dinner waiting.
Justin and I briefly considered seeing a movie, but once we started dinner Greg began to dominate instantly. The beauty of his storytelling, and as someone else put it, his old radio cadence, entralled me (a talker myself). Before long he was telling stories of zombie documentaries and how they affected the local Colorado economy, film premieres, and 60 minute specials, all the while my cousin and I were screaming across the table in joy for him to tell the truth, to stop pulling our leg. From that moment on, whenever I consider the idea of a natural storyteller, a natural talker, or a conversation that you will never forget, I always think of Greg and that night where we all smiled around his booming voice in the midst of a cold, cold night.
Laurie - thank you so much for the support both you and Greg showed my over my years at the Academy. I apologize I couldn't make it to say hello more often while I was living in Colorado, but please know that I will forever cherish the times I spent with you two and the memories I will always have. People like Greg usually only come once in a lifetime, and I am glad I am able to say I knew him.
Greg's absence will make the non-profit world quite a bit more boring and certainly a good deal less passionate. Greg was always a true champion for the tax exempt groups whose work focused on issues and/or people who were not held in very high esteem by many others. I always loved Greg for remembering to include the original founders of Communty Shares of Colorado whose work help build the foundation of CSC. The Board of Directors, staff and volunteers of the Empowerment Program send our sympathy to Laurie and our good thoughts to Greg. Carol Lease
If I could leave behind just a tenth of the legacy Greg Truog has left us, I would have lived a fulfilling life.
Greg Truog was the least micromanaging boss I have ever had. In fact, he hired me and then moved on from Community Shares just a week before I started. I always enjoyed catching up with Greg at community events - and thanking him for hiring me to work at such a remarkable and resilient organization.
While I never worked for Greg directly, his impact, passion and dedication were certainly felt in our little office on Colfax. Where ever did he find that bear suit?
He had that "take no prisoners" mindset that perhaps has been lost in the progressive movement. And while he probably saw himself as the defender of all things grass-roots, he had a tremendous impact on larger nonprofits as well.
Greg was truly larger than life and his shadow even larger. His impact in our community can be seen when kids organize a GLBT meeting at their public school; when a homeless woman works to receive her GED; when a group of volunteers get together to clean up a park. And his impact goes far beyond the city limits of Denver. Greg's shadow reaches to pledge cards in workplace giving sites across the country.
Greg's passing is a tremendous loss but also, I hope, a celebration of the remarkable legacy he left us - all things Truog.
Tara Friedman
Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains and former CSC development director
Laurie, we are so sorry for your sudden loss and the loss of our good friend, Greg Truog.
Community Health Charities (CHC) of Colorado and our previous organization, NVHA, has worked closely with Greg and Community Shares of Colorado since the early 1990’s. Before my time with CHC, the local Colorado federations (including UW in those early days) joined together to form the Partnership for Choice. Greg and Karen Klein, who was with NVHA then and is now with CHC, were key organizers of the Partnership—was he ever good at community organizing!! It was unheard of in those days for federations to collaborate in that manner. With only a few bumps in the road, the Partnership for Colorado (without United Way) still works together with CHC, Community Shares, Caring Connection and Black United Fund.
We’ve been sharing some Greg-ism’s (that’s what we called his lingo) the past few days—open it up Jack, stick back letters, the evil empire, go legal, looking corpy, meeting with the suits.
Greg was a bit nervous when NVHA and CHA merged and I came on board— I was too corpy and might leave the Partnership. After my first irate phone call and threats from the evil empire about some insignificant thing, I knew we needed to stick together. He knew the lay of the land in the Colorado non-profit world and I learned from Greg. We had grown up in the same neck of the woods and had similar values. He was a community organizer and I was a political organizer.
We shared our frustration that companies caved into pressure and excluded our charities even when their employees wanted our charities. After 15 years of including CHC and CSC, University Hospital excluded our charities. With Mark Silverstein’s help at the ACLU, Greg and I worked together to “go legal”. Greg and I had coffee a few months ago and were still shaking our heads that University Hospital chose to eliminate their campaign than to include our charities.
Technology wasn’t Greg’s strong suit, but was he ever a good writer. I suggested that he consider starting a blog about community organizing. He replied—“Mother Mary (I was Mother Mary, Karen Klein was Sister Karen)—I don’t know what you’re talking about” and then a great big laugh.
Greg and I had a conversation recently about how community organizing has come back into vogue with the success of the Obama campaign. He was pretty sure he could parlay his community organizing expertise into some consulting contracts. He was taken from us too soon.
Mary DeGroot
Community Health Charities of Colorado
I first met Greg back when I was a reluctant CSC member representative (of a very reluctant member agency). I gained a lot of respect for him when I ended up (in some bizarre karmic payback) as ED of Louisiana Shares a few years later.
I had a conversation with him at the end of February about trying something up here in Wyoming -- after not speaking with him for several years. He had a point of view that was unique and a way of putting things that was always thought-provoking, if not sharply humorous. He was generous with his knowledge and time and had the gift of being able to be encouraging and brutally honest at the same time.
I know I'm not the only person who learned a lot from him over the years, not just about workplace fundraising but more about how to keep after something until you break something loose.
He was certainly larger than life. My heart goes out to his family, who must have a huge hole where Greg once lived so enthusiastically.
Janet Reasoner
Manderson, WY
My heartfelt condolences for Greg's family. I worked with Greg often when he was at the CS of CO and I was with the Needmor Fund, and enjoyed hanging out with him at conferences. He will be missed by all of us in the Colorado and national progressive philanthropic communities for his warmth and his humor, as much as his commitment to empowering the grassroots organizations and communities and causes they supported. The impact of his leadership in the community shares movement will be felt into the future.
Kathy Partridge, Interfaith Funders
I first met Greg in Florida in 1992 and like others I didn't understand most of what he said and did not immediately appreciate his knowledge and wisdom. But he was always organizing, networking and talking and soon he had me working with him to move NACG and then CSUSA forward. I will always hold dear the untold hours we spent strategizing. Greg was always kind and his passion was the medicine we all needed at some time in our tenure as executive directors, board officers or just plain volunteers. He left us all much too soon but he left behind a far better world. I believe that he must have been needed in another world and he is surely organizing something... He will be terribly missed but we are so lucky to have known him. I am sorry to miss the memorial service later this week -- I am sure the play list alone would be worth the trek to Colorado.
My heartfelt sympathy goes to his wife and dearest friend Laurie.
Crystel Anders
Community Shares of WI
One of the many joys of working with Laurie for 8 years has been getting to know Greg. He was truly one of the good guys.
Every time I saw Greg I felt a visible or hidden smile creep across my face. I looked forward to what would come out of his mouth and brain, and to a hit of his energy. And I so enjoy Laurie's stories about Greg. It is clear to me that Greg and Laurie's hearts and humor were well matched.
Thank goodness my husband Mark and I stepped into the world of karaoke one night to see Greg in a regional competition. Hearing Joe Jackson on the radio hasn't been the same since. Mark and I decided that had there been a People's Choice Award, it would surely have gone to Greg.
Peace be with him and with Laurie.
Barb Wallace
I met Greg 16 years ago as a certified newbie, but Greg quickly saw past my inexperience and identified my hidden potential as a movement leader. (Translated, that meant I admired his FDR poster and faith-based background and he surmised I was a kindred spirit.) What impressed me--and it's something I've carried with me to other settings--is that Greg took chances. He saw what could happen, not what had already been established, not only in me, but in countless others and what the movement could be. He was grounded in the hokie and the holy and the ho-ho-ho's, and mixed it all together by being engaged. He called me "Rev" to the end, and was fearless and shameless in being himself and expecting others to accept quirks and passions as part of that collaboration of leadership. Greg, you'll be missed, and Laurie, I send you all best wishes, and world, we're better off having known (and been known by) Greg.
To Laurie and all of Greg's friends: I cannot tell you how sorry I was to get the word of Greg's passing. I looked forward every August to his visit here in the Iowa RockNRoll Music Association Museum at Arnolds Park. He was a valued member of our Association. Each day I think of him as I look up at the Lynch & the Hangmen drumhead he donated to our museum. It hangs proudly on the wall for him to see each time he visits and for everyone else to enjoy. It always garners comments from visitors. He was also so upbeat and fun when he visited. I will miss his enthusiasm and spirit tremendously. God Bless You Greg and may you continue to entertain everyone with your music in Heaven. Laurie: our thoughts and prayers are with you constantly.
Doris Welle, Exec. Administrator
Iowa RockNRoll
From Rev. Sharon McCormick:
I just learned about Greg's death and I am still trying to adjust to the reality of his death. He was such a fun, dedicated, goofy, bright, energetic man. If you knew Greg you knew he was truly a unique being...and just thinking about him always made me feel heart warmth as well as utter joy.
I was the DenUM representative on the board of CSC when we interviewed Greg for the position of CSC. He was also on the DenUM board at that time. I always felt as if I helped get him that job, because I knew very well that he had special gifts and skills. He proved over and over again that my confidence in him was valid.
On the DenUM board, Greg was the chair of our Churches with Small Membership Task group. He and I traveled regularly to United Methodist churches with small membership in the metro area and facilitate a process of helping them re-define their mission, understand the community in which they were located and design ways to re-connect with that community.
We worked with Lakewood,
Bethany, Aurora 1st, Faith and probably others that I have forgotten.
I never did know what the folk in those congregations thought of Greg's quirky style, but I had great confidence that he was just who was needed for this task. His community organizing skills were invaluable in this process.
It was so much fun to work with him on this. He also was a good listening ear to my times of angst with all the non-profit complexities. I considered him a colleague, counselor and friend.
Just writing this brings tears to my eyes. How can such a fine bundle of dedicated energy and spirit be taken from us in such an abrupt and untimely manner? Once again I am reminded of the statement by Henri Frederic Amiel
(1821-1881) that I always used as a benediction at worship services and especially funerals before I retired.
"Life is short, and we have not too much time for gladdening the hearts of those who are traveling this way with us. O be swift to love. Make haste to be kind."
Greg's life was indeed too short, but oh how well he was swift to love and he always hastened to offer justice and kindness as he moved through life.
He was a gem that sparkled with a stunning brightness.
My husband and I are traveling in Texas at this time and I regret very much that I will be unable to attend his service.
My God bless each of us in what ever way we need to be blessed as we mourn the passing of this wonderful man.
Peace,
Rev. Sharon McCormick
It's been so long I can't even remember the first time Greg blew into my life. It was like being around a tornado or at least what I imagined a tornado might be like. He was hilarious, bigger than life, kind, concerned and an absolute rock when you needed someone to listen to you. I will miss him.
Karen Campbell
Community Shares of Greater Milwaukeee
Anonymous
Lynne Brandley Community Shares Utah says:
I met the person who would become one of the best friends I will ever have seventeen years ago this month when I became CEO of Community Shares/Utah. Greg came at the request of the board president to train me. Being with Greg made what seemed to be an
an almost impossible task doable. As Greg said so often "If Utah can do it anybody can". He continued to teach me each year including his visit on the 23rd of February. The training and knowledge he gave to us is the main reason CS/U is alive and well today. His belief, his passion, his fearless attitude and courage will be with me all the days of my life and off in the distance I hear him saying "If not us then who?"
I had the pleasure of meeting Greg at CWEE fundraising luncheons every year for the past several years that I have been working at CWEE. Every year I got a hug from Greg that energized me for the rest of the year. I remembered his great smile that lights up the whole world for the rest of the year and I always looked forward to seeing him the next year. It is so sad that he is not going to be at our fundraising luncheon in body this year, but he will be there in spirit. Even though I only saw Greg once a year, I feel so close to him. His happy face will be in my memory for as long as I am alive. Another thing that makes me feel so close to Greg is our shared love of music and radio. I know of very few people who have such diverse interests in music. I know wherever he is he wants us all to be happy and celebrate his life and legacy with song and dance and keep on going, doing what we are doing. We will miss him, but his legacy will live on forever. He will always be with us in spirit.
Salman
Greg was always a good friend, a mentor, a guide, an inspiration. His phone calls were always welcome, his humor infectious, his chuckle on a bad day turned it back into a good day. I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to work with him - - and we'll miss him.
Ed Ramey
He was very influential in my husbands life and a very funny and caring man. The world, not just those who knew him personally, has lost someone very special. He touched so many lives through his charitable and volunteer work. So many people that don't know his name benefited from Greg's fighting for grants/services, even for their rights. He will be sorely missed.
From Brad Wood - now Executive Director at Hunger for Justice: Interfaith Voices Against Poverty.
I am shocked and saddened to learn of Greg's death, and my condolences to Laurie and the family.
I met Greg when I moved to Colorado in 1995 to be a full-time volunteer with the Urban Servant Corps. My placement was doing public relations at Community Shares.
Greg and I bonded right away, with him taking a fellow Iowan under his wing and showing him about the big city. We would trade Iowa stories during the workday, and I remember the day we ventured to one of the suburbs for "real Iowa pork tenderloins," a food treat that is hard to find here.
After my year with Community Shares ended, I stayed involved with the agency and kept in touch with Greg. We would always talk about our last trips back to "the heartland" and he was a great mentor, giving me advice as I decided I wanted a career in the nonprofit field.
Greg was a good man, and will be missed.
I have worked with Laurie, Greg's wife, for over 17 years and have come to know Greg through that relationship. Greg is one of the kindest, friendliest and most compassionate individuals I know. He could get people to give ok "donate" to any cause he championed just using his wonderful sense of humor and passion. He was an awesome Karoke singer and could do a mean Blues Brothers imitation. Anyone who met Greg imediately liked him as he would always make you feel comfortable. I will truly miss him.
Novella Leslie (CWEE staff)
Greg is gone. That's hard to accept. To anyone who knew him, my guess is the trite old saying, 'They broke the mold,' isn't trite when applied to Greg. Have any of us known anyone who even comes close?
Greg is gone, but his spirit is here. You can tell that by reading these wonderful comments.
Another guess is that the greatest tribute we can pay Greg is to keep up the good fight. And I think we know how Greg defines the good fight.
Max Woodfin
Earth Share of Texas
Dear Laurie and friends,
I am so sorry. There are no words. But we’ll share some words and tears and laughs on Friday at the Applewood Valley Church. And let’s pledge to keep seeing one another for brunch at Key’s and hikes.
Greg, I have some words for you:
Oh Greg, you have been a force to be reckoned with, a big ol’ shares bear, the connector of the continent, a rock ‘n roll soul of the shares movement and a constant friend. You have a big heart, a big voice, a very big soul, and you cared about me and my challenges. You’d drive across the continent to help.
You face caught more light than the average face, your eyes had more sparkle and your smile had more excitement and love than a three-year-old’s.
Dammit I will miss you Greg.
Parts of the Semisonic song, Closing Time, keeps playing through my head
Closing time - time for you to go back to the places you will be from.
Closing time - this room won't be open 'til your brothers or you sisters
come.
So gather up your jackets, and move it to the exits - I hope you have found
a
friend.
Closing time - every new beginning comes from some other beginning' send.
Yeah, I know who I want to take me home.
I know who I want to take me home.
I know who I want to take me home.
Take me home...
Closing time - time for you to go back to the places you will be from...
Closing time - every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end...
Yeah Greg, I agree with Max, we will keep up the good fight. [See earlier note from Max Woodfin] We’ll fight in your name, and we’ll fight happier, wiser, with more music and more success than we would have if we hadn’t had you in our lives. But,Greg, it’s also true that the world was a richer place when you were with us.
Katy Lowery
St. Paul, MN
Minnesota Environmental Initiative
formerly with Community Shares of MN)
I met Greg many years ago - somedays those times seem close and others too far away. We were the old war horses from the "War on Poverty" and we fought many battles together over the years. Greg was always there for me to call and strategize with or just to do a little whining - although he didn't tolerate much. We shared a love of music over the years and an interest in the unfolding of each others lives. He was a lovely joyous man and I will miss him. My thoughts and blessings go to his family and Laurie.
Linda Burt
Executive Director
Wyoming ACLU
From Terry Galpin-Plattner
Greg -- an Original -- Original in countless ways!
I met Greg in about 1990, when he stepped up to become an original member of the Executive Leadership Institute, a leadership development and peer support group of nonprofit executive directors. At each and every opportunity, Greg was SO GOOD at putting his finger “spot on” the key issues, then leading strategies to tackle them. Often GregSpeak launched us into a kind of topspin in the conversation, but at the end we felt gifted and supported by Greg’s sage encouragement.
Softly and lightly, I add my voice to the prayers at Greg’s passage and gratitude for the bright beacon he was in our communities.
I am writing this with a great sense of sadness and loss. I worked with Greg in the early years of Community Shares as well as with Laurie when the movement was building. Many meetings, training sessions and outreach to the community were the order of the day. A moment stands out that is vintage Greg...both of us were interviewing a candidate for a position on a warm day, he insisted on interviewing this individual outside in the sun so "We can see what she's really made of", followed by that wonderful laugh. He truly was one of a kind. He would delight in calling me at KUVO when I was doing a jazz show and offer his critique of the play list and my delivery. I affectionately dubbed him "Oh...Great White Fox"...I hope God can handle his one liners.
George Esposito, LCSW
Carmichael, California
Greg and Laurie are my second cousins on my mother's side, and I always looked forward to times when he was able to join Laurie at family gatherings. One of my best memories of Greg is giving the opening welcome to a huge family reunion in Colorado, in which he discussed how two in-laws who had already died, my Great Uncle Milt and my grandfather, had taught him how to be an in-law in the Harvey family. I remember how everyone rolled with laughter and how thrilled I was to hear stories about my grandfather told with such skill and ease. When I moved to Denver, Laurie was more than welcoming and let me at their house while I was getting moved in, although sadly Greg was out of town. I'm so sorry for your loss, Laurie, and all of my thoughts are with you right now. The loss of Greg is greatly felt by our whole family, and he'll be missed at all the gatherings in the future, although hopefully we can all tell stories about him with half the skill he would have exhibited and enough laughter and joy to make him proud.
-Karen Montgomery
Thoughts from Arlan Beeck arlanb1@msn.com
I was actually Greg's original employer after he graduated from college in the early '70's, I was chairman of the Iowa Governor's Drug Abuse Authority and we needed to hire a Northwest Iowa Drug-Abuse Coordinator. As a board, we interviewed a large number of applicants, but one that stood out was a young man who had, for some reason, carried an aluminum bushel-basket into the interview.
While most of applicants were reticent, this young man was like Barak Obama on steriods, extremely loquacious, alluding to classic poetry and Enlightenment philosophers while taking 15 minutes to answer even the simplest question... After an hour of what was supposed to be a half-hour interview, I knew that I had to close it down, but first I motioned the other board members to lean over towards me...
"Shall I ask him about the basket?" I whispered. The Board shook their heads, vehemently, "NO!" So, we hired Greg, but we never did know the reason for the bushel-basket...
A few weeks later, I picked Greg up at his house to go to an all-day funding conference in Sioux City. I was wearing a suit and tie, but Greg came out carrying his briefcase and wearing what looked like an ankle-length house dress. "This is a mu-mu," he explained, "This is what Native Hawaiians, male and female, wear to the office every day, and I think that mu-mu's will catch on here on the mainland." "Besides," he added happily, "My girlfriend, Sweet Laurie, sent it to me."
Grep didn't look out of place at the Confererence that day because there were several African-American men wearing dashiki's, but afterwards, as we stood in line at a Sioux City Dairy Queen, a pickup full of red-necked young men pulled up alongside us and they all yelled out in unison, "A Boy Named SUE! How Do You DO!"
I immediately created several feet of space between Greg and myself, but Greg reacted with courage and aplomb, waving and grinning at both the pickup and the large crowd of people ahead of us in line who had all turned around to see what was going on. "It's not always easy being on the cutting edge of fashion change," Greg told me, still smiling and waving at the crowd.
After that we became good friends, and Greg spent a large number of summer nights out with me on our front porch, my kids playing wildly around us, while Greg and I argued politics.
Our friendship continued after we had both moved to Colorado in 1977, and, for the last 30 years, I'd stop by Greg and Laurie's house every few months for an evening of conversation and drinks. (The last time was during December, 2007.) Greg was my sole contact for What's-Really-Going-in-Art-and-Music-Right-Now, and, without him, I don't think that I could have ever become the incredibly groovy old guy that I am today.
Two years ago, however, our friendship was sorely tested when Greg inexplicably became obsessed with Competitive Karoke. and he insisted that I accompany him to these events, along with Laurie and his other friends, to form a "cheering section" for his performance. Against my better judgment, I went to a number of these contests...(which seem to have an unwritten rule that most of the contestants must be drunk, and must sing, "I've Got Friends in Low Places!")
Greg, of course, with his cool renditions of 60's Motown, nearly always won, and, besides, I got to see a lot of neat bars that I would ordinarily never go in to. (One of Greg's contests, which my daughters, Kathy and Robin also attended, was at the Rooster Bar in Broomfield, a bar whose motto is "Where EVERYBODY Gets Laid!")
God, I'm going to miss Greg.
Who was it said "If I can't dance I'm not coming to your revolution." If that wasn't one of Greg's, it should have been, because Greg exemplified the joy that we all need to find in the daily struggle that is life. He lived large, he lived full and he loved deeply.
My first introduction to Greg came when someone told me that Colorado Shares had just hired a stand up comic and former DJ as its new Executive Director.
Interesting choice, I thought.
Little did I know.
I am lucky to have known and worked with Greg for the better part of 18 years as he provided vision, inspiration and counsel to the many people that labored to create Community Shares of Colorado, NACG, CS-USA and many other workplaces funds across the nation. He lived large, he had courage and he was just fun (and sometimes frustrating) to work with and to watch. The world is going to be a less colorful and interesting place without having him talking about wounded yaks and calling out the ‘Evil Empire’ for its b.s.
But there was so much more to Greg than the person we saw through his work. He was also a deeply spiritual man. It came out in many ways, but it was an essential part of who he was. The first time I really connected with him was in a bar over beer, talking about faith and the role it played in the careers we had chosen and in our commitment to trying to create a just world. Right now I think Greg would tell us not to sorrow too much, that he would share with us words from an old hymn: “When I die don’t cry for me, for in my savior’s arms I’ll be.”
I’ll miss Greg, but I am so glad to have known him. My life is better for having had him as a colleague and friend.
Laurie, my thoughts and prayers are with you. God bless you and comfort you in your loss.
God bless the memory and soul of this good man.
Kevin Ronnie
Milwaukee WI
Former Field Director – National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy
Carylon and I first met Greg in Canon City, CO. Needless to say that
was many more years ago than we would like to think about. We met
Laurie shortly thereafter and were honored to be at their wedding.
We have remained friends ever since, mainly through the mutual
interests of karaoke and the fact that before I retired I worked for
a labor union – the common thread being to help people.
While busy schedules didn’t allow us to do it very often in recent
years, we would get together every one in a while for karaoke. Greg
and Carylon would sing, while Laurie and I would enjoy the music and
enjoy an adult beverage or two. We also followed Greg’s brief comedy
“career”.
We had been talking about a karaoke date when we were notified of
Greg’s sudden and untimely passing. I’m sure that the next time we
do go to karaoke Greg will still be with us in spirit.
As others have stated in their comments, Greg had his own way of
speaking. Carylon says that half the time she really had to think
about what he was saying and still didn't understand him! Guess she
needed that "Gregtionary" also.
Dan/Carylon Edwards
Edie Muehlberger
Earth Share of Texas
I met Greg for the first time at an NACG conference in Chicago in June 2001. I am appreciative of so many things I observed and have learned from him since that time. It would be impossible to capture it all in a single "Uncle Bill" (for those who may not know what an "Uncle Bill" is – it is a thank you note!). There is no doubt that many have benefited from Greg's years of commitment and devotion to our cause, and for sharing so selflessly his knowledge, anecdotes and advice (some solicited, some unsolicited!) with others. He is already missed.
Although it is important to recall and remember the many contributions Greg made to our industry and the way we approach the work we do, I have a feeling his best legacy is yet to come. Watch for a wonderful collection of individuals who were touched, trained, mentored and cared for by Greg carrying out the work he committed himself to. I am hopeful . . .
Edie Muehlberger
Earth Share of Texas
I have known Greg a relatively short time, but the loss I feel is nonetheless incalculable. I had imagined more frequent contact, and more opportunities to think. For that is what Greg made me do. A too rare trait in too many persons. With Greg, a simple conversation was always fun and interesting. Greg, keep on talking.
Peace and love to Greg and Laurie
Mark Valentine
Anonymous said
To Greg I was known as "Aunt Faye" which I cherished with his sense of humor over the years. A lot of memories are remembered, but the most fun ones were years ago after the last service (late, late) on Christmas Eve at Applewood Valley UMC, Greg and Laurie would come over to my house and our conversations were filled with laughter and fun and joy. Greg was a former Chair of the Administrative Council of our church and full of innovative ideas. He was truly a special person and I will miss seeing him on his and Laurie's super Christmas Cards.
Faye Veal
Anonymous said
To Greg I was known as "Aunt Faye" which I cherished with his sense of humor over the years. A lot of memories are remembered, but the most fun ones were years ago after the last service (late, late) on Christmas Eve at Applewood Valley UMC, Greg and Laurie would come over to my house and our conversations were filled with laughter and fun and joy. Greg was a former Chair of the Administrative Council of our church and full of innovative ideas. He was truly a special person and I will miss seeing him on his and Laurie's super Christmas Cards.
Faye Veal
As the computer guy for Greg of four years I have never met a man so full of life. Every time I serviced CS Greg and I first had a conversation regarding the reuniting of Van Halen. Then we discussed computer issues. I love Greg and will continue to respect the passion and respect he has shown me.
As one of the Van Halen brothers, a running joke for years with Greg, is a memory I will never forget. Greg was always a pleasure to talk to and was a great person all around and will be missed... Our thoughts and prayers are with Laurie and Truog family
Laurie,
I just heard from Salman about your husband the other day. I am very sorry for what you are going through and I wish you the strength you need to get through this difficult time. I plan to be traveling across the country this summer so hopefully I will get a chance to stop in Denver and see you. --- Michelle Constant
From Kathy Lyons, Iowa Shares
The first and only chance I had to spend time with Greg was at the NACG conference in Orlando in 2007. Man, my head was spinning--and not in a good way! I was new in my job, in a new field, with so many questions and seemingly impossible challenges before me....But Greg made it his duty to take me under his wing right away and show me that my instincts were good and that there were solutions to be had. He took to calling me "Hawkeye"--a little Iowa bonding....
I wish I'd had time to soak up more of that formidable expertise and energy. I'll miss you, Greg.
To newbies and seasoned alike, Greg equals wisdom, passion and hilarity. As leaders go he was it, often referred to as "his Gregness" or the Professor of Workplace Giving.
Whether in formal training or intimate conversation, Greg found a way into our hearts and minds. The rythm and metaphor of his tongue encouraged us to step up, to learn, to laugh. His enthusiasm, commitment and clever techniques have become the fabric of our work.
We thank Greg for the laughs, the advice, the knowledge, the many colorful and visually descriptive terms, and the handy references that make our work so much fun and worthwhile.
We thank him for widening our circle with people he trained, touched, mentored and encouraged to do this work. We'll be seeing the results through those many people for years to come!
Finally, we honor Greg by diligently applying his advice and pushing hard for the success he made us believe we could achieve!
From the Our Giving Community (fka NACG) Board of Directors
I could talk about the things we all knew about Greg…….his stories……..back in the day………the fight………..karaoke (I was mortified, at first, when offered to sing at my wedding!)……then I heard him sing…….
Understanding Greg………Boy, those two words say a lot! While we all know there really is a language called “Gregspeak” or “Truogism” what I’m really talking about is his passion.
I worked with Greg directly for 4 ½ years. We remained friends and colleagues since that time. When I first started working for Greg, he used words like “grassroots organizing”…….”passion” ………..”collaboration”…….”making THE difference”……..It was my first paid nonprofit job, so I just listened……..(of course, I ALWAYS asked for clarification if I didn’t understand what the heck Greg was saying!)
Anyway, I thought I understood what those words meant. Grassroots organizing – getting people together to work for a common good………..Passion – really enjoying what you are doing (it’s a bonus if you are helping others too……)…….Collaboration – I personally think this was the precursor to “teamwork” that is so prevalent in the “corpy” world - - - meaning working together toward the common good………….Making THE difference – using your organizational skills, passion, collaborations and your HEART to right the wrongs of society.
Greg lived these ideals with his work. However, I REALLY didn’t completely understand what made him tick…….or where he found his inspiration, until just before he left CSC. He lent me a book, The Conscience of a Liberal – Reclaiming the Compassionate Agenda” by Senator Paul Wellstone. Senator Wellstone was a hero of sorts for Greg. He was deeply saddened by his untimely death in 2002.
But reading that book really gave me insight on Greg and probably many of his colleagues AND brought his world full circle……for me. The “war on poverty” the “fight for the little guy” the “passion” many of us share and “working from the bottom up” in a sometimes elitist society. It really hit home. I suddenly understood and saw Greg in a whole new light. I If you have not read it, pick it up and I defy you to NOT think of Greg when you read it.
I told Greg that reading that book gave me a bigger understanding of the “overall picture” and what we, as Americans, can do. I also told him that his passion became clearer to me too……….He just grinned in his lopsided way and said “welcome to the fight………sister Jill.”
I’ll miss you, big guy.
Jill Schneider, Caring Connection
I am Laurie and Greg's newspaper carrier and I big void is there. It makes my day to see Greg, Laurie and Ruby out for their daily walk, I knew something was not right for the past couple weeks when I had not seen them for their early morning walks.......I dear friend of mine passed away. Just recently I learned what Greg did for work, "Great work Greg" you will be sadly missed by Jennifer your newspaper carrier,
"A revolution is coming--a revolution which will be peaceful if we are wise enough, compassionate if we care enough, successful if we are fortunate enough," warned Robert F. Kennedy. Greg Truog lead this peaceful, compassionate, successful revolution.
He began every meeting with his vision of an "Open America," where all would be equal and all would be welcome. He lived to see his efforts to open workplace giving to disenfranchised nonprofit organizations force the democratization of philanthropy. Greg built a movement for social justice.
There are so many wonderful memories of him to cherish. Once you learned to translate his language, his pithy remarks became favorite sound bites. His phone calls meant to be serious turned into occasions of raucous laughter. His out-of-body transformations when performing at karaoke bars was mesmerizing. Greg taught us to turn evry crisis into an opportunity, every challenge into a story.
I remember roasting musician Greg at a national conference by ineptly playing a tribute on a miniature harmonica. The tune seems appropriate now as Greg is truly "On Top of Ole Smoky" leading the heavenly choirs in peals of song and laughter.
With love, Greg, may you rest in peace.
Nondas Hurst Voll
formerly with
The Fund for Community Progress
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