From Grandma to Goal-Getter: My goal setting journey, part 2

June 2, 2025

From Grandma to Goal-Getter: My goal setting journey, Part 2

As promised, here I am six months later to report back about my goal setting for 2025. In part 1, I told you how I use the 12-week year as a framework for setting goals.

In September of 2024 my first grandchild was born, and one of my long-term goals is to retire in 10 years (well 9 now!) so that I can have lots of time with the grand babies. To do that I need to generate some income beyond my main job.

I started painting watercolor cards for my granddaughter, and people began saying, “You should sell these!” That lit a spark — maybe this could become my retirement side hustle.

While the main goal is early retirement, the sub-goals are to save and earn money through my art. Here’s how my SMART goals for this side hustle are going:

1. Work on your art everyday (Specific and Time-Bound)

Whether it’s five minutes in the morning or thirty minutes in the evening, I’ve done something art-related every single day – even on vacation with sketchpad in hand.

2. Sell at least one item each quarter (Measurable and Time-Bound)

I set up an Etsy shop with little expectations and zero traffic at first. Of course, in the beginning, I had virtually 0 visits and 0 sales. As of today: 265 visits and 10 sales! Far more than my goal of 1 per quarter.

3. Gain experience (Achievable)

Practicing daily is paying off – I can already see noticeable improvement in my work.

4. Create some social buzz (Relevant)

I started a couple of social media pages to share my artwork. I even had to guilt my sons into liking my posts (ha!). So far: 4,527 views – not bad for daily baby steps.

While these are personal goals, this framework also works in my professional life. For example, I mentioned in part 1 that I’m aiming to raise $12,000 for the 2025 Wacky Quacky Duck Derby. As of today, we’ve raised $5,629 — with 3.5 weeks left!

We’ve been using weekly tactics like phone calls, ads, and social media — and we’re on track to hit our $12k target. If you'd like to help us get there, adopt your duck today!

What about you? How are your goals shaping up this year? Are you on track, or do you need a fresh start? Drop a comment below — let’s encourage each other!

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Why we stay nonpartisan

By Katie Koglman • October 7, 2026

United We Help: Why United Way Wayne and Holmes Stays Nonpartisan Turn on the television. Scroll social media. Check your mailbox. Election season brings a steady stream of political messages, each competing for our attention and asking us to choose a side. It can be overwhelming, especially when you are trying to separate facts from opinions and decide whom to trust. At United Way Wayne and Holmes Counties, we value the trust our community places in us. That is why we want to be clear about our role during elections.We do not endorse candidates, oppose candidates, or tell people whom to vote for. As a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, we are prohibited from participating in political campaigns for or against candidates for public office. This is a legal requirement , not simply an organizational preference. Our responsibility is to serve Wayne and Holmes Counties and bring people together to help our neighbors. Nonpartisan does not mean silent We see the challenges people face every day: families struggling to afford groceries, workers facing transportation barriers, children needing opportunities to learn, and neighbors searching for mental health support. We have a role in helping our community and policymakers understand those needs. We can share information, educate elected officials, build relationships, and speak up about issues connected to our mission. We can also engage in some lobbying on specific legislation, within the limits that apply to charitable organizations. Speaking up about a community need is different from asking you to vote for a particular candidate. Can we do that? Our “Can We Do That? A Quick Guide to Nonprofit Advocacy” graphic uses a traffic-light approach to explain the difference. Green: Speak up for our community. Share stories, explain community needs, educate policymakers, and encourage civic participation. Yellow: Know the rules. Supporting or opposing specific legislation is lobbying, which comes with limits and responsibilities. Red: No candidate endorsements. We cannot support or oppose candidates, contribute organizational funds to their campaigns, or use our organizational voice to tell you whom to elect. We can encourage people to register and vote, and provide voter information, as long as those efforts remain neutral and do not favor or oppose candidates or political parties. Your vote belongs to you You may hear us discuss hunger, literacy, housing, transportation, or other issues affecting local families. You may see us meeting with elected officials to help them understand what is happening in our communities. Those conversations are about the people we serve. They are not candidate endorsements. We encourage you to ask questions, examine reliable information, learn about candidates, and make your own informed choices. The neighbors who turn to us for help have different backgrounds, beliefs, and political views. So do the donors, volunteers, and partners who make our work possible. Helping our community takes all of us. Election season will come and go. Our commitment to Wayne and Holmes counties continues regardless of the outcome. We encourage all of you to vote, and vote for who you think is the best candidate! Early voting begins October 6, 2026 through Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026 and Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. To find where you should go to vote Click Here. Go VOTE!!