SHERPA Institute

12/02/2025

Rarely do we post on Facebook. This is a cross-pollination from LinkedIn.

“Hello in there, hello”*
Andrea Hoffmeier here, Founder of SHERPA Institute, with the first of my 2025 Year-End Messages.

I’ve made no secret about my rollercoaster wellbeing, and and the need to transition my role to one of Sherpa Emeritus; oh, let’s have fun with grammar, shall we? The Institute (organization) has SHERPA in all caps, while a person (or other creature - we’ve had cats, dogs and a chicken join Zooms) involved with SHERPA is a Sherpa (proper noun S in caps).

But I just might have a comeback one days, right Anne Chiaramello?
Who knows - Emeritus might be a sabbatical.

2025 marked SHERPA Institute’s 10th Year of operations (our efforts prior to forming represented DECADES of efforts evolution and global collaboration).

Rather than any hoopla, we spent the year strategizing a seismic pivot. I’ll explain more throughout the rest of this year - throughout the closing of our first decade.

I also thank everyone for all the birthday wishes!
It was a relaxing day and weekend.
We took a ride through the woods, away from cell towers on my birthday; and Sunday I laid around being 100% lazy:)
The blessing of a weekend birthday!

As we emerged from the woods and drove through the small city in, Jasper, Alabama, USA, I was struck by the signs (one pictured below), an initiative of Jasper Main Street.

https://www.jaspermainstreet.com/

As I let loose my white-knuckle grip on SHERPA’s reins it is refreshing to see an honest message like this in Jasper:
“Just as the Phoenix rising from the ashes, we too will rise.
We’ll emerge stronger than ever, ready to THRIVE and FLOURISH.”
A beautiful dove of peace flies with an olive branch - something we need so much today.

This sign came right on time for me, as Founder of SHERPA - bittersweet days.
In future 2025 Year-End posts, I’ll explain the wildfires we’ve survived, and how we intend to THRIVE.

That said, I’ll close with a bit of John Prine*

“You know that old trees just grow stronger
And old rivers grow wilder every day
Old people just grow lonesome
Waiting for someone to say
"Hello in there, hello" “

12/01/2025

Cross-pollinated from LinkedIn:

“Hello in there, hello”* Andrea Hoffmeier here, Founder of SHERPA Institute, with the first of my 2025 Year-End Messages. I’ve made no secret about my rollercoaster wellbeing, and and the need to transition my role to one of Sherpa Emeritus; oh, let’s have fun with grammar, shall we? The Ins...

09/29/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/PDQ6c1cd1qt62Cj5/?mibextid=WC7FN
We are pleased to announce the Fall 2024 Flower Bulb Ordering Fundraiser, for our initiative - SHERPA Pollinator Rescue!

09/28/2024

HIP HIP HOORAY!!!
IT’S LET FREEDOM READ DAY!
9-28-24, take at least ONE action!
CROSS-POLLINATING OUR ENTIRE WEEK OF LINKEDIN POSTS TODAY!
If you’re not following us on LinkedIn, please consider doing so today - this is where we are more active.
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/sherpa-institute_letfreedomreadday-bannedbooksweek-uniteagainstbookbans-activity-7245786565233311744-WG9O?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_ios
SHERPA Institute has been highlighting actions suggested by Banned Books Week, in excrements, descending from 1+ hours, 1/2 hour, to 15 minutes. JUST HAVE 5 MINUTES? SCROLL DOWN TO SEE WHAT YOU CAN DO TODAY!
If you missed any previous LinkedIn posts, here are highlights in order:

1. BOOK BANNING & CENSORSHIP lS GLOBAL!
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/sherpa-institute_letfreedomreadday-bannedbooksweek-activity-7243944871093280768-gSNj?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_ios
The Banned Books Week Coalition is an INTERNATIONAL alliance, promoting the Freedom to Read.

2. ORGANIZE SAFELY & ANALYZE RISKS!
If you have over an hour, take time TODAY to start bringing together friends, family, and other members of the community to fight censorship, with eyes open to RISKS!
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/sherpa-institute_letfreedomreadday-bannedbooksweek-sdg4-activity-7244308042542899200-u0pe?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_ios

3. TAKE 30 MINUTES & LEARN WHERE CANDIDATES STAND!
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/sherpa-institute_letfreedomreadday-bannedbooksweek-uniteagainstbookbans-activity-7244850139633176578-Ejzf?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_ios
Several resources are in the post. Don’t know who are your representatives? In the US, find them here: https://www.congress.gov/state-legislature-websites

4. FIND OUT WHAT’S ON YOUR BALLOT!
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/sherpa-institute_letfreedomreadday-bannedbooksweek-uniteagainstbookbans-activity-7245480162388049920-vFjF?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_ios
Download YOUR BALLOT in less than 15 minutes! What propositions might be on upcoming ballots that could impact schools, libraries, or booksellers? In the US, download a sample ballot from your state election office: https://www.usa.gov/state-election-office
Ballotpedia features OVER 500k articles written/curated by professional editors, writers, and researchers, as well as non-partisan poll results.
https://ballotpedia.org/Main_Page
The Ballot Lookup Tool is bilingual! https://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php?title=Sample_Ballot_Lookup&Source=sitenotice

Back to TODAY, LET FREEDOM READ DAY!
What can YOU DO in just 5 MINUTES?
In the USA, CHOOSE FROM A-B-C!
A. In the USA, Register to vote
https://vote.gov
B. Ensure your voter registration is current!
https://www.vote411.org/ALA
C. Take the Freedom to Read Voter Pledge.
https://oneclickpolitics.global.ssl.fastly.net/messages/edit?promo_id=22560
Commit to voting for Freedom to Read. Support policies/policymakers up/down the ballot that support the right to read!
https://uniteagainstbookbans.org/vote/
A PDF has all suggested actions:
https://bannedbooksweek.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/LFRD-Voting-One-Sheet.pdf

09/23/2024

If you’re not following us on LinkedIn, here are excerpts from our latest:
BOOK BANNING & CENSORSHIP OCCURS ACROSS THE GLOBE!
Please Join SHERPA Institute’s Banned Books Week Awareness Campaign!
Yes, SHERPA is a GLOBAL Nonprofit, and this is largely a USA-Centric campaign, but censorship is a worldwide issue. Literature and facts must be accessible to everyone, everywhere, to CREATE A WORLD WE ALL WANT! Literacy is vital to lifting up humanity, and literacy without access is a rampant overstep of authorities across the planet.
https://bannedbooksweek.org
SHERPA will post ACTION IDEAS daily, culminating:
Saturday, September 28, 2024
***Let Freedom Read Day***
We also LOVE that the graphic featured here is BILINGUAL!
***Freed Between the Lines***
***Libérte Entre las Paginas***

As explained by The Borgen Project, “Book banning has become a dominant form of censorship around the world, as governments try to control the internet and technology available for their citizens….”
https://borgenproject.org/book-banning-and-censorship-across-the-globe/
Throughout the week, please comment and share how YOU are taking action, wherever you are in the world!
And help amplify awareness on social media by using the hashtags:


https://www.linkedin.com/posts/sherpa-institute_letfreedomreadday-bannedbooksweek-activity-7243944871093280768-gSNj?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_ios

09/06/2024

DFR Appreciation Drive (also set up as Event but FB splits 3-Days; caused confusion)! Let's show Decatur Fire & Rescue that we appreciate them this Patriot Day - 9/11!
DECATUR ALABAMA LOCAL EVENT! DFR Meet & Greet, Contributions Pickup by our Local Heroes 9/11/24 5-7pm.
Calling ALL Decatur Houses of Worship, Schools, Clubs, Civic/Youth Groups & Businesses for the CONTRIBUTION DRIVE!
PORCH DROP-OFF ON SHELVES - ADDRESS BELOW
DAILY 9/9, 9/10, 9/11 Noon - 5PM
************
Did YOU know that OUR CITY only funds bottled water in the budget for DFR to refresh & refuel? Their needs far exceed this! Our community can step up and close the gap on the needs of those who RISK THEIR LIVES for US! WHAT CAN WE DO?
Details provided in FLYER pics - please message us for PDF (cannot attach to post)
******************************
DROP OFF ADDRESS:
1306 Carridale Street SW, DECATUR, AL 35601
Wilson Residence Since 1961 - White picket fence, flowers and red door. Please do not enter fenced courtyard.
Notes of gratitude with contributions encouraged!!!
Get creative! These are not just supplies; these are gifts to show appreciation. Items will be brought in throughout drop-off times and every evening. Please do not drop off overnight after 5pm, unless you’ve contacted the Wilsons.
Cooler provided to prevent meal replacement bars from getting heated and gooey. No perishables, please, until Wednesday 9/11.
START GATHERING ITEMS NOW!!!
Questions? Message us!
Decatur Friends, you might have seen us for the first time at the July CommUnity Day. Our efforts normal are on a worldwide scale. As a GLOBAL Nonprofit, SHERPA Institute is turning more attention towards Local Community!
We are excited to organize this, especially given that DFR helped Thomas and Mae Dean Wilson (RIP) up off the floor many times. They do so much more than fight fires. We appreciate FDR - it is personal for us
******
¿Sabías que NUESTRA CIUDAD solo financia agua embotellada en el presupuesto para que DFR se refresque y reposte? ¡Sus necesidades superan con creces esto! ¡Nuestra comunidad puede dar un paso adelante y cerrar la brecha en las necesidades de aquellos que ARRIESGAN SUS VIDAS por NOSOTROS!

No chips, sweets; basically no junk food.
1. SINGLE SERVE flavored electrolyte packs to turn that basic budgeted bottled water into much better refreshment!
Bulk powders with scoop not so helpful.
2. GROCERY CARDS - Firefighters focus on healthy meals, cooking in the Firehouse for both the bond of making and sharing healthy meals. This health-conscious focus extends to grab-and go for emergencies
3. MEAL REPLACEMENT BARS - Protein-packed energy bars are best! These are easy to take along on extended emergency calls when FDR is risking THEIR LIVES to SERVE OUR COMMUNITY!
4. NUTS!!! Individual serving bags of nuts are also great! Mixed, almonds, etc. Choco-covered okay, but need mainly protein and healthy.
5. SINGLE SERVE NUTRITION SHAKES Protein-packed meal replacement shakes are especially helpful in the Rehab Area, when taking off gear, cooling down/exhausted.
*NOTE: FAST FOOD CARDS &N CHIP-TYPE SNACKS NOT NEEDED

08/31/2024

LOCAL DECATUR, AL ANNOUNCEMENT!
DECATUR FIRE & RESCUE (DFR) REFRESHMENT DRIVE - COMMUNTIY GRATITUDE
DFR Refreshment Drive STARTING NOW for Patriot Day 9/11/24

Details on DROP-OFF LOCATION, TIMES & MORE coming soon in Flyer!
As a GLOBAL Nonprofit, SHERPA Institute is turning more attention towards Local Community!
Calling ALL Decatur Houses of Worship, Schools, Clubs, Civic/Youth Groups & Businesses! Did you that the City of Decatur funds ONLY bottled water for firefighters?
WHAT CAN WE DO?
Details will be provided in FLYER...
Start gathering these items ASAP!
1. Grocery Cards - Firefighters focus on healthy meals, cooking in the Firehouse for both the bond of making and sharing healthy meals. This health-conscious focus extends to grab-and go for emergencies*
2. Flavored electrolyte single-serve packs to turn bottled water into much better refreshment!
3. Protein-packed meal replacement energy bars!
These are easy to take along on extended emergency calls
4. Individual serving bags of nuts are also great!
5. Protein-packed meal replacement shakes…
...…especially helpful in the Rehab Area, when taking off gear, cooling down/exhausted.
*NOTE: FAST FOOD CARDS &N CHIP-TYPE SNACKS NOT NEEDED

DROP OFF WILL BEGIN MON 9/9 AND CONCLUDE WED 9/11
LOCATION AND OTHER DETAILS COMING SOON...
....START GATHERING ITEMS NOW!!!
Questions? Message us!

08/20/2024

Garage will not be open today! 🥺😭Both our vehicles batteries are dead!

07/24/2024

Cross pollinating from LinkedIn. If you want to keep up on the hard-hitting reality of corporate bs and our decision to tell the unvarnished truth, please follow us there on LinkedIn. You won’t see much of this here on Facebook, where we focus mainly on local initiatives, from Decatur to Delhi.

From my comment to John Pabon’s post:

If anyone does not giggle at this picture, there is no hope for you to be happy or have a little fun:) But seriously, this post from John Pabon is a must read for anyone who gives a damn. Please take time to read it. I’m not going to steal any thunder from John’s insights, but I will say that I’m continually bewildered by receiving something the size of a flash drive in a box that my one of my Great Pyrenees love crawling into.
Here at SHERPA Institute, we are really struggling with this ongoing shell game of supposed corporate responsibility. Even as we approach the final 5 years of the United Nations 2030 Agenda, and the 17 UN SDGs, which we’ve supported unwaveringly, we find ourselves frustrated with manipulation and marketing ploys.
It actually makes good business sense to operate in a responsible manner. ISO 26000 International for Social Responsibilty was published in 2010. The Brundtland Report “Our Common Future” was published in 1987.
John Elkington has been publishing guidance since at least the 90’s and had the humility, along with intellectual curiosity to re-examine the world and recall the term he originally coined “the triple bottom line”. As Will Harris asserts, we need a Bold Return to Giving a Damn.

07/22/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/MnmVy3vMWmnbVhmh/?mibextid=WC7FNe
SHERPA Institute is so happy to share the joy spread on Saturday by our pariciation in at CommUnity Day! We are a global organization, from Decatur to Delhi, and rescuing pollinators is critical to our worldwide ecosystem. global food security depends on every community taking action!
It is about more than pretty wildflower meadows.
Get in touch with your local agency responsible for pesticide (usually mosquitoes) and get on the no/spray list.
Plant the right plants for your area and those that your pollinators need.
Consider other needs, like waters source (shallow saucers can work) and other habitat support.
What pollinator populations are collapsing in YOUR area? There are resources to help! Follow our SHERPA Pollinator Rescue Page to learn more!

07/18/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/h5Ktu7vCsdxdFnYH/?mibextid=WC7FNe
Please check out our announcement on SPR (sounds like sipper) page! We are expanding throughout our local region (of SHERPA Senior Leaders), then further growing around the globe in 2025 wherever we have SHERPA Team Members!
Also, please like/follow our pages - we need more to meet FB Criteria to go Live, which we hope to do on Saturday!

Don’t miss out on this amazing event! There will be food trucks, lots events, and fun for everyone! At the SHERPA Institute space, here is just ONE activity:
Make your own posie to bring home as a souvenir. Check out this beautiful gal, with her sweet posie - a joyful activity for kids of all ages:)
Don’t worry - we’ll show you how, step-by-step. The cups will be covered with cling wrap, poked with holes to insert stems, keeping the homemade floral water in.
And you can write your name on it with a sharpie; then leave it at our booth to pick up later, so that you don’t have to tote it around (especially in the bouncy houses:)
Stay tuned for more posts about our SHERPA Institute activities!
And we invite you to like/follow our page! We would LOVE to go Live Saturday but FB requires more followers….
Whether you are located in Decatur, Delhi, or points between, your like/follow will help us get to Live status to broadcast!
And may we just say once again, we love our beautiful Bloom Buddy enjoying her posie (bitty bouquet)! Isn’t she so pretty and radiant? Goes to show that blooms brighten everyone’s day:)