The week in Review (Jan 30)

Have decided that at the end of each week I will do a review of some of the posts I written; just so as those who may have missed something get a chance to read and an opportunity for others to have a second read.

So this week I have touched on:

Are you Prepared to Collaborate?

There’s an abundance of non  profits in New Zealand, something on the lines of 26,000 registered charities, organisations could face support, funding and delivery issues unless there’s more collaboration.

Unless organisations collaborate there is a risk some organisations will cease to exist. There’s only so much people can give, both individuals, business and funding bodies; so just on a funding basis collaboration is needed.

Read more

Are You Singing from the same song sheet

The management, more than anyone in an organisation knows, or should know, what the goals, vision, mission of the organisation are; but is this being shared with all staff, particularly those on the frontline?

It seems that some organisations have a diconnect when it comes to sharing key information with staff, leaving staff to wonder what is happening, where they are in the organisation and how they can confidently do their work.

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Handing over the Reins

It’s interesting to see organisations grow from being something started at a kitchen table, to something substantial.
In growing though there is always a need to bring in others with more expertise, more experience; but in doing so there is fear of the loss of control.

I recall reading about a charity, I think in the States, where the founder who took on a manger; but with the charity operating in an adjacent building to where the founder lived, he would turn up everyday and staff were unsure as to who they should be listening to the new manager or the founder.

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Giving is like Sex

I guess that got your attention.

There’s been numerous studies as to why people give and the effects of giving on those who give.

A recent post I read ”Should you give?” has some great insights into what happens when people give, the effects of giving on the brain, body and soul.

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Charity Events, Plan, Plan and Plan Some More

The pitfalls I hear you say. It’s true not all charity events run smoothly, there can be numerous hiccups on the way to staging an event.

Getting passed these can be a struggle, but you can get passed them.

When it comes to an event, an organisation can spend months planning what they will do, why they will do it and promote, then stage the event. It’s something that can create a lot of stress and frustration.

Read more

What Millennials Want to Know

Gaining support from millennials is important, and yes, they do want to support organisations; it’s just how you go about it that matters.

I’ve recently spent some time with a group of 17 to 26 years olds talking about charities and how people connect with them and how charities work to connect with supporters. Some great insights for me, and I’m glad I had the opportunity.

One thing that came across loud and clear, was the need for great storytelling, not meanigless information, muddled stats, but real stories about the people, the cause that the organisation is working to help.

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They’re peeved off, now what

Why is it that some in the charity sector don’t know how to handle donors who maybe annoyed with you, donors who may feel you’re not deliverying on what you say you will do.

It’s not rocket science, dealing with disgruntled donors is and should be treated in the same was as businesses would deal with disgrutled customers. Simple, customer service skills are needed.

Read more

Something I would be keen to hear is – what would you like to see me blog about; what issues, challenges or general areas of discussion would you like to see me cover on www.charitymattersnz.com

You can email me with any thoughts, ideas … charitymattersnz@gmail.com

We just never know …

This story will leave you wondering … wondering if you ever ignored someone who you may have been able to help; or it will leave you with a more acute sense of others feelings and well-being.

A Boy Saw A Classmate Getting Horribly Bullied. It’s What Happened 10 Years Later That Made Me Cry. 

One day, when I was a freshman in high school, I saw a kid from my class was walking home from school. His name was Kyle. It looked like he was carrying all of his books. I thought to myself, “Why would anyone bring home all his books on a Friday? He must really be a nerd.”

I had quite a weekend planned (parties and a football game with my friends tomorrow afternoon), so I shrugged my shoulders and went on. As I was walking, I saw a bunch of kids running toward him. They ran at him, knocking all his books out of his arms and tripping him so he landed in the dirt. His glasses went flying, and I saw them land in the grass about ten feet from him.

He looked up and I saw this terrible sadness in his eyes. My heart went out to him. So, I jogged over to him and as he crawled around looking for his glasses, and I saw a tear in his eye. As I handed him his glasses, I said, “Those guys are jerks. They really should get lives.”

He looked at me and said, “Hey thanks!” There was a big smile on his face.

It was one of those smiles that showed real gratitude. I helped him pick up his books, and asked him where he lived. As it turned out, he lived near me, so I asked him why I had never seen him before. He said he had gone to private school before now. I would have never hung out with a private school kid before.

Read full story  here

Teach Kids at an early age about giving

Having recently read “ College investors manage $250,000 investment fund ” in the  NZHerald , got me to thinking whatelse can we do to get youth to be interested in charities and the work that they do for many in our community.

One of the participants quoted in the article, year 13 trustee Zac Johns says 

“It provides an experience for all us of involved to learn about investing, trusts and markets. But it’s also about benefiting other people.

“Where we give the money and how we use our capital has far-reaching, flow-on effects.”

Sure, the students are learning about investing, but – they’re also learning how their efforts can help others. Imagine if we had a cluster of schools who all did the same as Dilworth, the possibilities for organisations, students and the wider community would be almost endless.

Other schools, students get involved in charitable activities, coin trails, mufti days and the like; but how many of these students carry out their philanthropic activities beyond the immediate cause they’re supporting?

Community organizations should partner with schools to foster students to remain active in the charitable sector.

We all know schools need their own income for activities, but perhaps by partnering with outside organizations schools can gain insights into how they can nurture students to help with funding issues their school may have.

Is your child’s school involved in community causes, how are they being shown what their efforts mean to the community? What more could your child’s school do to maintain, and grow the seed of giving? 

See also

Teach children the importance of giving

As the population ages, and as other donors move on organizations need to look at ways of gaining younger supporters .

The ways this can be done are many and varied, but what we all know organizations have to get a younger generation on board . Sydney 

Kids in Philanthropy, will be involving children in all aspects of philanthropy guiding them through fundraising and the development of programs to help make a genuine difference to the lives of their peers living in Sydney’s disadvantaged suburbs.

In an article on Pro Bono Australia – KIP’s founder, Dr Catrion Wallace , said that instilling a sense of compassion and giving in children was a vital part of their development.

“Research shows a direct link between giving, good health and happiness,” Dr Wallace said.

“Yet we increasingly find kids in privileged suburbs have little involvement and awareness of how other children may live, even in their own city.”

We hear stories of some schools, children’s groups and individual children doing their bit to help organizations in the community, yet there are many children who don’t know about giving – who needs support, why support is needed or how they can give support.

Even adults who as children may have received support through community organizations don’t know how they can give, if they don’t then it’s unlikely their own children will have learned.

By educating and encouraging children to give not only are a new generation coming on board, but it’s highly likely that they will take what they learn home and talk with the parents – potentially inspiring parents to become more involved in the community.

How can we work with children and youth in our local communities to get them more involved – is it through schools, community groups (Scouts, Guides), churches or do we need to be looking at something like Kids in Philanthropy in our own area?

What are you doing to get kids, teenagers on board?
Have you heard of anything like Kids in Philanthropy in your area?

Please share your thoughts/comments.

Young people need to be nurtured and encouraged

Two_little_girls_playing_doctor

A while ago I wrote Getting a Younger Generation On-board With Your NPO on SocializeYourCause.

Essentially it’s about how young blood is needed, no charity can rely on the ongoing support of their older donors and supporters, a new generation of supporters is needed.

There’s no better time to start nurturing young people to get involved than through their school or community groups.

Recently The Aucklander ran a story on a young girl, Olivia, who wanted to help others who were less fortunate, she did really well and not only raised a good sum of money, but she got others involved – read the whole story about Olivia here.

With about 1 charity for every 172 of us, there’s a lot to choose from and we can’t all be expected to be able to constantly give, all the more reason to nurture and encourage a younger generation to get on board.

 We need to make giving to charity attractive to the younger generation, we need to help them understand the needs of others and how it’s with the help of others in the community that need help.

 If you have a child in school does their school do class projects on the needs of others? If not, is it something that could be suggested to help children understand?

 As a community group, have you approached local schools to see if you can talk to students about the work you do?

 Either of these will help – we all need to do our part to encourage the next generation to help.

 

TWO LITTLE GIRLS PLAYING DOCTOR
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