Mission

The Expectation Gaps exists to help anyone, who is willing to examine the expectations that are holding them back, realize their full potential.

How We will Accomplish Our Mission

We need to first define “expectations.” You may use a different word — judgments, perceptions, opinions, beliefs, morals — but if you stop to really think about it, each of these concepts originates from a tangled set of expectations. Our expectations create the lens through which we see the world. And they have been instilled in us since birth from our parents, family, friends, society, religion, coworkers, and on and on. Using this definition of expectations, we will:

• Educate ourselves.  We all see the world through a different lens, but somehow our default setting is to expect that everyone should think the same way we do, react to situations the same way we do, and want the same things out of life that we do. And of course, our way is best — right? To change our default setting, we will explore issues that tend to divide us. The goal…to see the world through someone else’s lens, if only for a moment. Not to foster agreement, but to foster compassion. And in the process, we will uncover the societal expectations that are keeping us from realizing our own potential.
• Identify the expectations we are willing to live by.  We have ONE job in this life — to become the very best version of ourselves. Our days are limited, and we spend way too much of our time developing and examining our expectations of others. And not nearly enough time developing and examining our expectations for ourselves. When we identify the expectations we are willing to live by, we will be able to live each day with intention, knowing that we are getting closer to being our best self every day.
• Build a community.  I can attest to the fact that fostering compassion and questioning our beliefs is hard, gut-wrenching work. It cannot be done alone. But it can also be difficult to find people to take on your journey with you. Chances are, most of the people in your life are just not mentally prepared for it and will unknowingly, yet lovingly, discourage you. But here’s the wonderful reality — this great big world is much smaller now. With a few clicks of our mouse, we can connect with people who we would never have the opportunity to meet in our day-to-day lives. We will find people who want to go on this journey with us and want to be a part of our circle.
• Support organizations that promote similar ideals. The operating plan below gives a better picture of how we will do this, but I project that with only 2,000 members, donating an average fee of just $7.99/month, we will be able to donate over $100,000 annually. How amazing is that! And in this digital world we live in, 2,000 members is very attainable.

Operating Plan

• Members of The Expectation Gaps’ “circle” will donate a monthly membership fee. Fees are dependent on the level of connection each member is seeking. Our intention is to register The Expectation Gaps as a 501(c)(3) public charity, meaning that the membership fee may be tax deductible. But first steps first, we need to build a membership base before the IRS will approve this status.
• The Expectation Gaps will have a Board of Directors, but all operating functions will be carried out by, you guessed it, me. Besides researching and writing, this will include building relationships with our circle, fielding questions and comments, marketing, billing, the works. I am a CPA so I am also qualified to prepare all required tax filings, meaning the Organization will not have to pay for those services. As you can see, this is a full-time commitment, which is why the Organization will pay me a reasonable salary, to be approved by the Board.
• The Organization will incur various operating expenses including, but not limited to, domain maintenance and protection, web hosting and security, email servicing, marketing, payment processing, and office supplies.
• The Board may also determine that it is prudent to build a cash reserve to ensure continued operations.
• After paying all operating expenses and funding any approved cash reserves, all remaining membership fees will be donated, annually, to one or more independent 501(c)(3) public charities to be recommended by the Board and voted upon by certain members.