Saturday's Pumpkin Festival in West Village

Join us Saturday for the Life is good Pumpkin Festival!

Saturday, October 27

12 to 8 p.m.

West Village in Dallas

National Health Care Company, VHA Inc., Expands Corporate Citizenship Initiative, Signs Up 1,000 Employees for Annual Community Day

It looks like another corporation launched a big, public "hurrah" around the issue of volunteerism. These "days of caring" are seeming to become increasingly common, particularly for United Way-funded organizations that are frequently tapped for such projects (i.e. that are asked to make up something for a big donor's employees to do for six hours so that they feel validated in their support of the United Way).

I have mixed feelings about such programs. They try to maximize "bang for buck" in terms of public reaction to the company's support of the community. They are focused on the employees themselves getting the most out of the experience, not the people they are intended to help.

And yet, I am reminded of an article from PhilanthroMedia that I blogged previously, called "Volunteerism As a Lever to Promote City Revitalization."

It's a good read. And perhaps it's right -- perhaps this latest campaign is a good thing for Dallas as well as VHA.

DISCUSSION: What do you think of such corporate volunteer programs?

National Health Care Company, VHA Inc., Expands Corporate Citizenship Initiative, Signs Up 1,000 Employees for Annual Community Day

IRVING, TEXAS--(Marketwire - October 9, 2007) - Demonstrating a strong commitment to the environment and community, more than 1,000 employees of VHA Inc. and its family of companies -- Novation, Provista and Goodroe Healthcare Solutions -- joined forces with local, community-based organizations across the country today to volunteer their time for the company's annual Community Day. At least 500 Irving-based employees and 500 more from the company's 17 regional offices left their desks behind to make a positive difference in the communities where they live and work.

With the growing national call to 'think green,' some Irving-based employees are digging in on two environmental improvement projects: The Rock the River program from Keep Irving Beautiful, which includes walking the Irving waterways and collecting debris; and the Texas Trees program that involves planting and transplanting trees for a healthier community.

The focus on environmental projects and active community involvement is one part of a larger corporate citizenship effort at VHA that includes supporting earth-friendly practices as a way of creating communities that keep people healthy and safe. Just last week, VHA worked with its contracting services company, Novation, to secure discounted bulbs from GE Lighting and distributed them to employees, along with a pledge to switch at least one of their regular bulbs. The efforts, part of the ENERGY STAR® Change a Light Day campaign, resulted in more than 150 VHA employees pledging to change 1,400 light bulbs and an estimated energy savings of more than $35,000.

Local employees will tackle other projects around the community today ranging from painting, sorting clothing donations, landscaping and rejuvenating playground areas. Groups VHA is partnering with include: Buckner Children & Family Services, Dallas Heritage Village, Faith Christian School, Heart House Dallas, North Texas Food Bank and CC Young Memorial Home.

"Both VHA and its employees have made a commitment to the environment and to contributing to the communities in which we live and work," said Curt Nonomaque, VHA's president and CEO. "We believe that together, we can make a difference."

Since its inception in 2000, VHA's Community Day has generated at least 15,000 volunteer hours and more than $100,000 in donations to 80 charities. VHA's commitment to community extends beyond this annual event as well with an active volunteer program that enables employees to volunteer each month and then matches their time with a financial contribution.

To learn more about VHA's Corporate Citizenship efforts, visit www.vha.com.

About VHA Inc.

VHA Inc., based in Irving, Texas, is a national health care alliance that provides industry-leading supply chain management services and supports and promotes the formation of regional and national networks that help not-for-profit health care organizations improve their clinical and economic performance. With 17 offices across the U.S., VHA has a track record of proven results in serving more than 1,400 hospitals and more than 21,000 other health care providers nationwide.

God is watching....

... do you have your outcomes report ready?

Stewardship

Later today, we will make a presentation to the United Way's stewardship committee to defend our organization's stewardship ranking. The committee is concerned that we don't have enough cash on hand to sustain our growth.

Of course, they are right. And yet we continute to grow. For twenty years, we have been hand to mouth, continuing to add programs in response to pressing needs of the community. True, we have not built up the operational reserve that we need to weather the tough summer months (let alone an endowment). And yet, our growth has been so phenomenal that Charity Navigator awarded us a four-star rating for our capacity to effectively utilize our resources.

(The United Way has only received a three, and previously received a two).

What should we say?

Should we mention the fact that they have nearly twice our overhead despite the fact that they are merely a fundraising organization? That their CEO is paid over $325,000 (2005 figure)? That their top seven staff are collectively paid over $1 million of donors' otherwise charitable dollars?

Or should we perhaps just tell a story?

For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.

And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.

Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.

And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.

But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.

After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.

And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.

His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.

His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:

And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.

His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:

Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.
Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.

For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.

And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Today is Community Hunger Day

On Monday, October 22, 2007, CDM's supporters will take a stand against hunger by joining us for Community Hunger Day 2007. See the video below.

See the sponsors list here.

See the list of online donors here.

Critics Say Bono's Business Practices Belie Africa Efforts - Philanthropy.com

The Chronicle of Philanthropy posts a very interesting article called, "Critics Say Bono's Business Practices Belie Africa Efforts." The article cites the apparent hypocrisy within Bono's efforts to increase tax-provided support to Africa on one hand while working to decrease his personal tax burden on the other.

For another perspective, GOOD Magazine put together this interesting video on U2's Bono, calledBono: A Brief History - From Rock Star to Philanthropist. See below.

School District raises $9.3 million in philanthropy

An amazing campaign recently hit an important milestone... though I am saddened that the school district must make such an enormous effort to raise funds, it is truly an honor to post this wonderful announcement here on this blog. Perhaps one day our country will make adequate and effective investments in the school system so that our public schools do not have to rely on charity to achieve their mission?

Thanks to the Dallas Morning News' Robert Miller for his coverage of this event.

DISD campaign raises $9.3 million
12:00 AM CDT on Tuesday, October 9, 2007

Dallas community leaders have rallied around a plan to achieve academic excellence in the Dallas Independent School District with a passion and sense of unity rarely seen in the city's history.

The campaign is announcing $1 million gifts today from the Harold Simmons Foundation, W.W. Caruth Jr. Foundation Fund of the Communities Foundation of Texas and Texas Instruments Foundation, bringing the total to $9.3 million.

"The Road to Broad" is being pushed by Dallas Achieves Commission as a candidate to win the nationally coveted Broad Prize for Urban Education by 2010.

J. McDonald "Don" Williams, a retired managing director of Trammell Crow Co. and co-chairman of Dallas Achieves Commission along with Pettis Norman and Arcilia Acosta, explained the background of Dallas Achieves.

The commission was organized by Superintendent Michael Hinojosa to support the goal of making the district one of the country's top-performing urban school districts within five years, with every graduate college- and workforce-ready.

It is a collaboration of the Foundation for Community Empowerment with the co-sponsorship of DISD, Texas Instruments and the National Center for Educational Accountability.

"I believe public school transformation is the most important task for the future of our democratic society, as well as our workforce," Mr. Williams said. "And I now know that it is doable.

"DISD is overwhelmingly poor and ethnic minorities, about 160,000 kids, [but] demographics need not be destiny.

"We plan to raise $20 million locally to leverage national funders to join us. Also, over time we must provide a much more robust and expansive early childhood set of programs for low-income children so they can arrive at school either already reading or ready to read.

"We have a long way to go here in Dallas, [but] this transformation is possible."

Other major donors include:

• $450,000 to $1 million – Hoblitzelle Foundation, The Roger and Rosemary Enrico Foundation, Sally and Lee Posey and Ellen and J. McDonald Williams.

• $300,000 to $450,000 – Lisa Blue and Fred Baron, Nancy and Randy Best, Deedie Potter and Edward W. Rose and Gay and William T. Solomon.

• $150,000 to $300,000 – Belo Corp., Dallas Citizens Council, Molly and Gregg L. Engles, Linda W. Hart and Milledge A. Hart III, Hawn Foundation, H-E-B/Central Market; Susan and Larry Hirsch, Naomi D. Aberly and Laurence H. Lebowitz, Joy and Ronald Mankoff, The Eugene McDermott Foundation, Ellen and John McStay, Alice and Erle Nye and The Rosewood Foundation.

• $25,000 to $150,000 – American Airlines Inc., Austin Industries Inc., Nell and Henry C. Beck Jr., ChildCareGroup, The Constantin Foundation, Trammell S. Crow, The Dallas Foundation, Esping Family Foundation, Marguerite Steed Hoffman, The Lightner Sams Foundation Inc., Bobby B. Lyle, Ivette and Pettis Norman, The Vin & Caren Prothro Foundation, Cindy and Howard Rachofsky, Peggy and Carl Sewell, Phyllis and Ron Steinhart, Tenet Healthcare Corp., Todd Wagner Foundation, Washington Mutual Bank, Abby and Todd Williams and an anonymous donor.

Online NPO Video Competitions: $1,000 For those who give a damn, $25,000 for those who give a bit more...

Two interesting video contests for those of you who, you know....

Give a Damn :: GOOD :: MOLI ::

"One year ago GOOD magazine launched for people like us – people who give a damn. Since then, GOOD has been a beacon for all of us who dream of a better world – and especially for those of us who are taking action to bring change.

"MOLI.com wants to know what YOU give a damn about, and wants to help you tell the world.

"Tell us: * What do you give a damn about and why? * What are you doing about it? * How should others who give a damn about this issue get involved?

"The “___ Like You Give a Damn!” Video Project will be featured in October on MOLI.com/giveadamn, where viewers can comment on which projects are most important to them and why.

"At the end of the month (October), MOLI and GOOD will select a “winning” issue or organization to spotlight.

"And MOLI.com will donate $1,000 to the winning cause."

Trent Stamp's Take: What Do You Stand For?

"Our friends over at Google wanted me to share with my readers a cause-driven contest being sponsored by MGM and supported by Google and YouTube in anticipation of the new Redford/Streep/Cruise film, Lions for Lambs. They're asking you to submit a short video explaining an issue you're passionate about. The winner gets a nice chunk of cash to give to your favorite reputable charity.

"Yes, I know it's a marketing ploy. And yes, I know that the pay-out ($25,000) is less than what MGM would pay to run a single ad on commercial television. But that doesn't change the fact that it's a cool idea. Check it out. Tell the world what you're fighting for. Maybe you'll win. Probably you won't. But I believe that by being bold enough to tell the world what you believe in, and what you're willing to stand for, you've already won."

http://www.youtube.com/lionsforlambs

A Few Articles on Improving your Online Impact

Proving that there are only a few real writers on the 'net compared to the swarming hordes of copying-and-pasting linkers like me, below is a quote I saw in a FundRaising Success article called "Young Donors, High Expectations" that cited Betsy Harman's blog "Reaching Donors Under 40." Betsy's original blog itself was in response to a presentation that she saw at the AFP Northern New England chapter conference.

“I often visit nonprofit websites where it takes multiple steps to get to the online donation page and then the online donation page takes multiple steps to fill out and I think back to [a presentation on reaching donors under 40 that I attended a few years ago] and the donor under 40 who said ‘If your online donation page doesn’t load within 6 seconds and doesn’t work with Google autofill forget it, I’m not donating to your organization.’ These donors are busy and because they grew up in the Amazon era, they expect technology to be easy to use and they expect a high degree of personalization.”

Betsy makes some excellent points. Fittingly, here are some additional articles from Fundraising Success that will provide some good advice on building more effective charity Web sites:

Choosing the Right Online Payment Tool

Five Steps to Effective EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer)

12 Musts for Your EFT Program

While you're doing all this reading online, consider following Gayle Robert's advice in her blog Fundraising for Nonprofits: Getting to know LinkedIn.

And yes, like a foolish lemming, I am on LinkedIn:

LinkedIn: Jeremy Gregg

So, you wanna be a blogger?

For God's sake, don't start blogging.

(sigh)

There, I've said. You've been told. And yet, you still want to do it. You think it will be good for you or your organization. You might be right.

You also might ruin your experience with the Internet.

I started this little blog as merely a place to keep the links and articles that I have read so that I could quickly find them later. Next thing I know, Phil Cubeta links to me, and suddenly people are reading this thing.

And amazingly, subscribing.

And so the addiction builds. And I start blogging daily. And then I find myself blogging today for blogs I'll publish tomorrow, fighting the temptation to put up more than one blog per day.

Because that is a sign of the end-times.

Anyway, I am sure that I cannot distract you from your desire to blog. And so, I ask, if you must blog...

Please read "What not to name your blog" by Michael Weiss of Slate Magazine.

And then wait a day before blogging.

And if you do blog, consider putting up one of these stickers on it:

http://ourpla.net/cgi-bin/pikie.cgi?BlogStickers

But seriously, do not create a blog. We all have everything we need at Gift Hub.

(sigh)

Community Hunger Day 2007: Join our fast on October 22

Thanks to the Dallas Mornings News' Religion section for covering the following story in their blog, "Central Dallas Ministries wants show of support for the hungry."

---

On Monday, October 22, thousands of our neighbors will skip breakfast, miss lunch and go without dinner. They will go to bed hungry.

We ask you to join them.

For this one day, I ask you to go without food for at least one meal. Share in the pains of hunger that many of our neighbors experience daily.

Make a commitment to your community on Community Hunger Day 2007.

Your neighbors will be strengthened and encouraged by your support.

Sign up for the campaign today at www.CentralDallasMinistries.org/HungerDay

Below is our video about this event. Please share it with your friends, family and neighbors so that our community can join together.

Al Gore donates award from Nobel Peace Prize to climate change

Al Gore sent out this letter following his receipt of the Nobel Peace Prize....

"I am deeply honored to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. This award is even more meaningful because I have the honor of sharing it with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change--the world's pre-eminent scientific body devoted to improving our understanding of the climate crisis--a group whose members have worked tirelessly and selflessly for many years. We face a true planetary emergency. The climate crisis is not a political issue, it is a moral and spiritual challenge to all of humanity. It is also our greatest opportunity to lift global consciousness to a higher level.

My wife, Tipper, and I will donate 100 percent of the proceeds of the award to the Alliance for Climate Protection, a bipartisan non-profit organization that is devoted to changing public opinion in the U.S. and around the world about the urgency of solving the climate crisis.

Thank you,

Al Gore"

Thank you, Mr. Gore, for standing by your beliefs and donating your $750,000 portion of the prize to the organization that is on the forefront of this fight in the U.S.

Are relationships "everything" in philanthropy, today?

The blog Seeking Grant Money Today invited me to respond to some questions for the next Giving Carnival.

"Lasciate ogne speranza, voi ch'intrate..."

Are relationships "everything" in philanthropy, today?

Yes. But not just today: always and ever. Philanthropy cannot exist outside of the context of a relationship.

Here is some background on this term that we bandy about like a flag, full of pride in watching its colors wave but forgetting its deeper significance:

philanthropy: 1608, from L.L. philanthropia, from Gk. philanthropia "humanity, benevolence," from philanthropos (adj.) "loving mankind," from phil- "loving" + anthropos "mankind." Originally in L.L. form; modern spelling attested from 1623. Philanthropist is first recorded 1730.

Philanthropy is a means of connecting to others with whom we share some form of relationship, even if nothing more than shared humanity and cohabitation of the same earth. It is this "relationship" that compels us to practice philanthropy, that most human of acts. . . indeed, greater than human. For there is no reason for philanthropy. It is not a reasonable action within the void of self: it only makes sense relationally.

The term relation further comes from the Latin relationem, signifying "a bringing back, restoring." Hence, the very genesis of our understanding of relationships is a core identification of our connection to others within a shared space -- a common fate and destiny, even.

When people say that philanthropy is "all about the relationship," they generally are talking about the way that someone can convince a donor to invest in a third party (i.e. an organization). But we must remember that the fundraiser is irrelevant to the act of philanthropy. In the best of circumstances, they are a guide to the donor ... a facilitator of the donor's own natural philanthropic intent. They illuminate the path, they point the way -- they are at best a Virgil to the donor's Dante.

Although their relationship to the donor is important in allowing them to gain the position of guide through heaven and hell, it is the donor's relationship to the souls along the path that compels their philanthropy.

If a fundraiser wants to succeed, she must step aside and focus the donor on their relationship to the beneficiaries of their philanthropy (and, just as importantly, on their relationship to their idealized self).

If philanthropic relationships are not everything, what is critical to philanthropy's modern success?

Modern success is no different than past success. It cannot be measured in dollars or percentages. It can be measured only in terms of its impact on the relationship between the donor and the "other" to whom they are connected through their philanthropy.

A philanthropic action that secures funds but fails to build a connection between the donor and the mission is not a success. It is a transaction.

Philanthropy should aspire for more than the transactional: it should yearn for the transformational.

Fundraisers must realize that they are more case managers than marketers.

Who do relationships in philanthropy form between today, compared to the past?

The tools may be different and the pace a bit faster, but the relationships are the same. There are possibly more distractions, but that is likely the fault of the fundraisers who consider themselves marketers rather than relationship coaches.

Where is the innovation, in developing relationships in philanthropy?

The aforementioned tools can enhance the ability to quickly develop massive amounts of weak relationships: correspondence vehicles such as mail merges, emails and blogs dramatically expand the capacity of a fundraiser to shout from the rooftops. But to be more than a fly buzzing in a donors' ear, fundraisers must tap that eternal source of philanthropic drive: the connections that motivate philanthropic responses in the donor.

These tools are best utilized as a way of tracking relationship growth and analyzing donor data to determine their most responsive connections. Beyond that, they can be very helpful in their ability to mass-personalize otherwise impersonal items such as receipt letters and reports. This makes them feel far more personal than they are.

But in relationships, perception is often reality.

How do modern relationships in philanthropy begin; and how are they maintained?

The same as ancient relationships: they begin with our connections as children to the world around us; mature as we enter adolescence and begin to understand ourselves within the context of that world; and become realized when we enter adulthood and begin realizing the impact of those connections on our core identity. There is no new science to the development of our minds, souls and selves. Technology simultaneously creates more noise in the physical space in which our connections exist as well as greater capacity to cut through that noise to find what we want... but it's still all about relationships.

The music might have changed, but we still use the same muscles to dance.

What are philanthropic relationships' effects on the causes they are supposed to serve?

Relationships do not serve causes. People in relationships serve people. The effect of these relationships is that their strength determines the capacity of people to achieve the goals of the cause, but it must all fundamentally come back to people.

Is their oversight of relationships in philanthropy, and if so, what are the checks and balances on them?

Again, fundraisers need to see themselves as relationship managers more than marketers. There is still a far greater emphasis on marketing than relationship management in almost all fundraising courses and philanthropy seminars.

The checks and balances are that donors who do not have a strong relationship to the people served by the fundraisers' organization will react by ending their philanthropy.

Are there times that relations should be broken, and if so, in what situations?

Of course. There are expensive donors who do not have a positive relationship with the people served by the people seeking philanthropy. These relationships should be broken for the good of all parties. It does not help a client to be connected to a donor who does not have a positive relationship to them.

Again, philanthropy should aspire for the transformational over the transactional. It is not about funding. It is about achieving our purpose.

As a person of faith, I believe it all comes back to developing a relationship that mirrors our desired relationship to God. Securing gifts that do not come out of a positive relationship not only struggle to yield positive results, they can destroy the results of those gifts that do result from a positive relationship.

For the sake of your donors and the clients you serve, focus on building relationships between them that are based on mutual respect, compassion and a shared sense of responsibility to one another.

Stop Marketing and Start Fundraising

Our friends at Donor Power Blog really knock it out of the park again with this amazingly simple but powerful article:

The differences between bad and good fundraising

I would print the whole thing here, but this blog is so good that I want you to click on the link above and read it. And then I want you to subscribe to their blog.

And then I want you to read their Donor Power Pledge. It will be one of the best things that you have read since the Donor Bill of Rights.

And, please, tell me that you have read the Donor Bill of Rights....

Anyway, click the link above. Here's a teaser:

Bad Fundraising:
Organizations focus on their mission (as they should), but it has no connection with their donors -- in fact, the mission-focused people are often hostile to donors, seeing them as a problem, something they'd be better off without. As a result, fundraising becomes an external discipline, a set of practices they adapt out of necessity, like an ugly old coat that doesn't quite fit.

Good Fundraising:
Mission matters, and so do donors. They work to make their programs understandable and motivating to non-experts. Fundraising becomes an integral part of who they are, and everyone is responsible to make it happen

That analysis cuts so close to the bone that I think I need a skin graft...

Acumen Fund and Echoing Green: Fellows Programs for Those Who Wanna Change the World

So, you wanna change the world?

Check out the following from the Acumen Fund's Web site:

"Each year, the Acumen Fund Fellows Program provides extraordinary young professionals with a unique opportunity to use their skills to effect real social change with our portfolio organizations in Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, India and Pakistan, and to build lasting relationships with other like-minded individuals. Joining us in September, fellows will spend one year working with our team and with local entrepreneurs, gaining intensive experience in price performance, logistics, distribution systems, scaling and innovative technology. Fellows will learn and apply these skills while enjoying an unusual level of responsibility both at Acumen Fund and within our portfolio organizations.

"Ideal fellows include those who have already decided on a career in venture philanthropy, those who are seeking a career at the highest levels in the corporate world but want to better understand and have an impact on problems of global poverty, and budding social entrepreneurs who want to learn about managing organizations in the most demanding settings."

For those who are less into travel but equally ambitious, check out Echoing Green:

"Echoing Green awards two-year fellowships to emerging social innovators creating new organizations. Annually, we award approximately twenty fellowships to individuals with innovative ideas for creating new models for tackling seemingly unsolvable social challenges. These fellowships offer them the opportunity to develop and test their ideas. We accept applications from citizens of all nationalities, working in any country.

"This is not a scholarship program. Our fellows do not develop their ideas in an academic setting. Our fellows work in the community. They launch, manage and grow organizations that implement and continually expand their ideas for creating lasting social change.

"During the two-year fellowship, Echoing Green provides both financial and technical support."

"New Nonprofit Rules Capacity Building Report" now available

I received an email from the Mission Movers Group's Curtis Brown that
Version 2.0 of (their) nonprofit capacity building report is now available.

Mr. Brown said, "I have taken the feedback from many sources and provide new insights on nonprofit capacity building. The 'US Scarcity Mindset' along with the reports debunking aspects of Social Enterprise, Outcomes Based Evaluation, Board Development and the new movement toward scale may be of special interest to you."

The document may be downloaded at www.missionmovers.com.

Mr. Brown has asked for feedback, which he says "has really helped make this a document that can help nonprofit go to the next level."

You can find his contact info here:
http://www.missionmovers.com/Default.aspx?pageId=28747

Stephen Covey's "Big Rocks" (First Things First)

The following idea comes from Stephen Covey. It continues to be a reminder to me of how to focus on the most important priorities.

In the middle of a seminar on time management, recalls Covey in
his book First Things First, the lecturer said, "Okay, it's time for a
quiz." Reaching under the table, he pulled out a wide mouthed gallon
jar and set it on the table next to a platter covered with fist-sized
rocks. "How many of these rocks do you think we can get in the
jar?" he asked the audience.

After the students made their guesses, the seminar leader said,

"Okay, let's find out." He put one rock in the jar, then another, then
another--until no more rocks would fit. Then he asked, "Is the jar
full?"

Everybody could see that not one more of the rocks would fit, so
they said, "Yes."

"Not so fast," he cautioned. From under the table he lifted out a
bucket of gravel, dumped it in the jar, and shook it. The gravel slid
into all the little spaces left by the big rocks. Grinning, the seminar
leader asked once more, "Is the jar full?"

A little wiser by now, the students responded, "Probably not."

"Good," the teacher said. Then he reached under the table to bring
up a bucket of sand. He started dumping the sand in the jar. While
the students watched, the sand filled in the little spaces left by the
rocks and gravel. Once more he looked at the class and said, "Now,
is the jar full?"

"No," everyone shouted back.

"Good!" said the seminar leader, who then grabbed a pitcher of
water and began to pour it into the jar. He got something like a quart
of water into that jar before he said, "Ladies and gentlemen, the jar
is now full. Can anybody tell me the lesson you can learn from this?
What's my point?"

An eager participant spoke up: "Well, there are gaps in your
schedule. And if you really work at it, you can always fit more
into your life."

"No," the leader said. "That's not the point. The point is this: if I
hadn't put those big rocks in first, I would never have gotten them in."

In both our business and personal lives, we have big rocks, gravel,
sand and water. The natural tendency seems to favor the latter three
elements, leaving little space for the big rocks. In an effort to
respond to the urgent, the important is sometimes set aside.

What are the 'big rocks' in your life? A large project? Spending
time with your family? Your health? Your finances? Your faith?
Your personal development? Your dreams?

Make a list of your big rocks. Then make a plan to ensure that your
big rocks are put first. Block out the time in your schedule for those
activities. Amazingly, the other stuff still gets done.

Periodically reflect on how you're doing. Are you putting your big
rocks first, or does gravel, sand and water dominate your life?
If the big rocks aren't getting in, what will have to happen so that
they do?

When you're planning your month, your week or your day, and
even when you're making specific decisions during the day, refer
back to your list of big rocks. Then, put those in your jar first.

Corporate Charity: Kroger Creates New Position To Strengthen Its Hunger Relief Efforts

Interesting news in the arena of corporate philanthropy...

Kroger Creates New Position To Strengthen Its Hunger Relief Efforts
Director of Retailer's Perishable Donations Partnership Links Stores With Local Food Banks To Get Fresh Food To Hungry People

CINCINNATI, Sept. 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- As part of its continuing leadership in helping to feed hungry people in our communities, The Kroger Co. today announced Kathleen Wright has been named Director of the Company's Perishable Donations Partnership (PDP).

Kroger's Perishable Donations Partnership is a Company-wide project that will increase the number of stores in the Kroger family that donate safe, perishable food to America's Second Harvest food banks that have the capacity to safely handle and distribute fresh food.

Today, Kroger donates food valued at $45 million annually through its existing programs. These donations are primarily dry grocery products and can goods. In addition, approximately 300 stores in the Kroger family donate eight million pounds of perishable food annually to local food banks in Michigan, Ohio, Utah and Washington.

Under Wright's leadership, Kroger's Perishable Donations Partnership program will expand to include the Company's family of stores. Kroger's goal is to donate 50 million pounds of nutritious, fresh food to food banks across the country through this expanded PDP program.

"This is an exciting opportunity to bring even more food and hope to hungry people," said Lynn Marmer, Kroger's Group Vice President of Corporate Affairs and a member of the board of directors of America's Second Harvest. "This initiative not only increases the amount of fresh food Kroger donates, it will help improve the diets of individuals and families who depend on hunger relief programs by giving food banks access to a variety of nutritious meats, fruits and vegetables."

Ms. Wright brings 25 years of experience in the grocery business to her new role. During her career, she has held leadership roles in food safety and store operations. Most recently, Ms. Wright served as Director of Food Safety for Kroger's Fred Meyer Division.

Ms. Marmer said the dedication of store managers and associates throughout Kroger's network and their close working relationship with local food banks are the keys to expanding this program in the communities where Kroger's customers and associates live and work.

Kroger has helped lead the fight against hunger in the United States for more than 25 years. Through the Company's "Bringing Hope to the Table" campaign, a nation-wide that encourages customers to purchase participating items in stores to support America's Second Harvest and local food banks, Kroger and its family of stores have raised $6 million in cash and $2 million in food in the past two years. Kroger plans to expand the program in 2008. In addition to food and monetary donations, Kroger's hunger relief efforts include volunteerism, fundraising, and board leadership with local food banks.

"We appreciate working with our partners at local food banks and look forward to their continued leadership as we grow this important program with their help," Ms. Marmer said.

Finally, an event worth attending... Dessert First™ on October 16

My dear friend Cara Bush is one of those true "community builders" whose heart and hard work make our city a better place to live. Among her many services to Dallas, she is a member of the local chapter of Altrusa International. She recently forwarded me an invite to their upcoming event, Dessert First™.

Dessert first?!?! Now this is an event I could get into! Here are the details from the site:

Dallas Contemporary - Tuesday, Oct 16, 2007 - 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm

"Dessert First™" is the unveiling party celebrating the design of edible chocolate sculpture created by legendary Dallas architect, Cole Smith, FAIA. Cole has created a unique piece that has been made into 2 sizes of European style gourmet chocolate that can be purchased the night of the event or ordered online at www.altrusadtd.org.

We are honored to have Cole along with his wife, noted Dallas interior designer, Sherry Hayslip, ASID serve as Honorary Chairpersons for the event.

The event will be held Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2007 at the Dallas Contemporary museum located in the Wilson Historic District at 2801 Swiss Ave. The Dallas Contemporary spotlights smart art by emerging Texas talents. Currently on exhibit is the work of 2007 Texas Legend, Roger Winter.

Veuve Clicquot champagne provided by Moet-Hennessey will be served with chocolates truffles from Chocolate Secrets, cheese provided by Chateau de Fromage and Jimmy's Italian Market and desserts from York Street restaurant. Samples of the molded chocolate sculpture will be provided by Morgen Chocolate.

This European style gourmet chocolate sculpture will be offered along with chocolate truffles and poinsettias for your holiday gift giving to raise funds for the charitable projects of the Altrusa Club of Downtown Dallas Foundation.

Altrusa International, Inc. of Downtown Dallas is an organization of business professionals dedicated to serving the Dallas community. Our focus is on helping women and children in need in the Dallas area. Since 1982, our fund raising projects have raised almost $500,000 for community grants. We have contributed over 50,000 hours of hands-on services to local community agencies. Your support will help us to further our goal to help as many worthy organizations as possible.

Thank you, Cara, for all that you are doing for Dallas! And thank you Altrusa for putting on an event that looks too tasty to pass up...

Great News for Non-Profits, from Google... but some Caveats

For the past few days, I've wanted to blog about the most recent news from Google, which is now offering free checkout services to non-profits (i.e. 100% of donations come to your organization) as well as an expanded YouTube for non-profits, including a non-profit. But as I gathered my thoughts, I came across this blog that does a fine job at explaining the upsides and potential risks of using these two new "boons" for the charitable sector:

Katya's Non-Profit Marketing Blog: "Tips for Google Checkout, YouTube freebies"

I am very thankful that Google is leading this charge towards a sensible for-profit/non-profit collaboration that enhances both entities' work. I have wanted this for some time, as I blogged about it here on February 18, 2007:

The Raiser's Razor: Open Letter to Venture Philanthropists

Thank you, Katya, for your excellent work.

DISCUSSION: Is this development a good thing for non-profits? Are you going to use these tools to help your non-profit?

Continuing Legal Education

Central Dallas Ministries is hosting its second annual Continuing Legal Education (CLE) seminar, "8 Things that Every Lawyer
(and pro bono volunteer!)
Should Know About Practicing Family Law," today at the Belo Mansion.

Friday, October 5, 2007
The Belo Mansion (Belo Hall)
12:00 – 4:45 p.m. with Reception to Follow

Click here for more information.
Tickets are still available at the door. Proceeds from this event benefit the public interest law firm of Central Dallas Ministries, Legal Action Works. The event helps the firm to fulfill three of its goals: achieving its mission (improving the quality of legal services available to the poor), building community (particularly among the legal community) and raising funds to support its work.

You can read the Dallas Observer's take on this event here:
Family Law For Families the Law Forgot

Online Video as Engagement Tool: Why Clients are your Best Fundraisers

There are very few organizations that I have been more impressed with than the Prison Entrepreneurship Program. The founder, Catherine Rohr, has built an amazing organization that is changing the lives of some of the toughest men in Texas. PEP was founded less than four years ago, and is already on track to raise nearly $2 million this year.

One of the main reasons for their success is that Catherine gets out of the way and lets the clients speak for themselves. Check out this latest video from PEP, and then consider visiting them to learn more at http://www.prisonentrepreneurship.org/.

Please also consider donating online to support this amazing organization, which has less than a 5% recidivism rate among graduates. They will be excellent stewards of your funds.

"The World Without Us"

The Web site for Alan Weisman's The World Without Us is an excellent example of clean design that engages the viewer in very compelling way. With one click, you can activate the display and witness the unfolding of a powerful story.

This is the kind of thing that cannot be done in books, and that even films cannot replicate. Web sites have an ability to engage their visitors in a way that no other medium has been able to accomplish, short of architecture.

Fine work, Alan.

For those who -- like me -- lack the ability to develop a powerful Flash-driven site, the "Getting Attention!" blog offers some good advice for integrating the more passive medium of video into your work:

How to Use Online Video to Strengthen Your Nonprofit Marketing Impact -- Carnival of Nonprofit Consultants| Nonprofit Marketing: Getting Attention Blog

And yes, I am definitely posting a link to this blog because it cites CDM's own usage of video. What can I say, I am a shameless promoter...

Trent Stamp Strikes Again

Trent Stamp would likely be proud of this article in The Dallas Morning News by Kim Horner (one of the strongest reporters in North Texas). The article, entitled, Cattle Baron's Ball nets millions for cancer, but party's cost is a secret" delves into the sour side of sweet events like the world-famous Ball after penning the apt phrase:

"Tonight's Cattle Baron's Ball is the kind of party that would make J.R. Ewing feel right at home."

In fact, Mr. Stamp is quoted in the article:

Officials from charity watchdog groups say charities should provide more information to back up fundraising figures.

Trent Stamp, president and executive director of Charity Navigator in New Jersey, said that expenses equal to 20 percent of gross proceeds – the cancer society's goal this year – makes for a good rate of return. But he said a charity should disclose publicly all of its finances.

"To not be totally transparent about that is perhaps a red flag and something that donors should be cautious about," Mr. Stamp said, adding that donors increasingly are demanding more accountability from charities.

Go get 'em, Trent.