There's been a lot of talk lately about Bill and Melinda Gates' and Warren Buffett's push to encourage their fellow billionaires to give 50% of their net worth to philanthropy - during their lives or through their estate plans.
I've just returned from the Giving Institute Summer Symposium in Park City and the CASE Summit for Advancement Leaders in New York City where the topic was debated. The crux of the issue? Is this push a good thing?
I admit that, when I read about what the Gates'/Buffett tag team was doing (check out this article in Fortune), my personal reaction was that this was cool, inspiring, and something that could lead to a lot of good. But I do realize that, given what I do and who I am, I'm predisposed to thinking that any initiative to increase the investment made in the sector is a positive thing. These three folks are so famous already that I can't imagine they're going after philanthropic dollars -- or trying to tackle malaria for that matter -- simply for the PR.
But at both the meetings I attended this past week, a common, dissenting theme arose. The perspective is a valid one - that by focusing on billionaires (and only billionaires), the Gates/Buffett team is letting other people off the hook. They're making it easier for the simple millionaire to say "those truly rich folks have it covered."
I guess I hadn't thought about those situations, but I know they DO exist, where constituents of nonprofits don't make donations because they assume the handful of major donors "who always come through" will take care of things. As a "glass is half full" kind of person, I don't particularly like this point of view.
Cokie Roberts, moderating the closing session at the CASE Summit, asked philanthropists Charles Bronfman and Jonathan Tisch what they thought about the Gates/Buffett initiative. Charles Bronfman, somewhat sarcastically, said the pledge certainly didn't include "the little guys like us." Little? Hmm.
So what can we do about it? First, we should be honest with ourselves that some people may never choose to support the work of nonprofits. Ok, we admitted it. Now we can move on and work to take the essence of what the Gates/Buffett team is trying to do to a wider audience. Expand it to others who, while nowhere near as rich, can and will play a role in driving positive change. One speaker at the Giving Institute said that the issue was that Gates/Buffett focused on money vs. being "self made." So that's one avenue to take. Another is to take the message to anyone you feel seeks to make change in the world and could increase his or her philanthropic stake. I'm talking about major donors of all levels (for some that begins at $1,000, for others it means $100,000). On the other end of the scale, it means spreading the word with students who, more and more, are seeking careers in the nonprofit world or ethical, sustainable businesses. It's about being inclusive with the message, not exclusive.
I'd like to think we can quickly leave the debate behind and focus on what's good about the initiative. The nonprofit sector is a vital part of our system, our world, our communities. Increased investment will bring challenge, sure. But it will also bring good things. And if we stay focused on how to channel the investment and identify the true drivers of change, well, that would just be nirvana, wouldn't it?
This is an exciting week. Of course, a lot of that has to do with the fact that the World Cup in going on in South Africa. And, for all those people who say soccer doesn't have any action, how about the last 15 minutes of the USA vs. Slovenia match today? Do I wish that last goal had been allowed? Yes. But a 2-2 tie is better than an 0-2 loss, which is where we were standing at the half.
Anyway, in addition to being excited about the World Cup and the chance to see so many great players in action, I'm also completely jazzed by a recent announcement made by Charleston County dramatically expanding what we can recycle. Maybe I'm just unsually interested in things like recycling and how individual people can do small things that drive sustainability (guilty as charged), but I don't think I'm alone.
Instead of limiting our recycling to containers labeled with #1s or #2s, residents can now recycle all plastics except plastic wrap, plastic bags and Styrofoam. Yep, that means anything from #1 to #7. I can't tell you how many times I have lamented that the yogurt container I was throwing away was a #5 and how we needed to expand what we could recycle. In fact, I was stomping around my kitchen on Tuesday saying exactly that. Charleston County Council must have heard me!
Actually, I'm sure I'm not the only one who has wanted an expanded effort, and it's nice to live in a place that cares enough to make the investment required to handle this change.
The other really cool piece of news is that, in addition to being able to recycle more at home, Blackbaud's 1,100 employees who work out of the Charleston-based headquarters are also able to join in the effort. We've long had a commitment to recycling, and this just makes it better. I remember, back in 1992 when I joined the company, being presented with cardboard recycling bin for my workspace. Now I'll be able to recycle all those yogurt containers I bring to work.
Yep - within a few hours of the county's announcement, my colleagues in facilities had already confirmed that the new policy applied to us and that we'd be adding a second recycing pick up each week in order to handle the increased volume.
Although recycling the yogurt container that sits on my desk right now won't exactly compare to seeing Landon Donovan put the ball in the back of the net, it is important and satisfying. Instead of creating more garbage for a landfill, my colleagues and I will be sending these plastics back into a system aimed at reuse.
That, as Martha Stewart would say, "is a good thing."
Great news! We've launched a Nonprofit Leadership Circle.
What's that? It's a group made up of all the Blackbaud employees who serve on nonprofit boards.
Why? Good question. There are two reasons.
One - we want to celebrate and recognize our people who truly give their personal time, effort and professional skills to help nonprofits be successful. Although we value all forms of volunteerism, we think board service is especially important. Being a board member means taking on fiscal oversight, really buying into the mission, and ensuring the organization is staying on course.
Two - we want to encourage others to join us. Yep, we're trying to build our very own pool of qualified board members who are ready, willing and able to serve as board members. You know we believe in technology as a key part of an organization's infrastructure. We also believe in sound, qualified boards. So we're doing what we can to make sure our employees are not only ready to serve, but ready to serve well.
Here's how it works. If you work for Blackbaud and serve on a board - any board in any capacity - you're automatically a member. We kicked off the effort with an in-person meeting at our headquarters and a couple of conference calls for those people who work remotely or in other countries. All in all, we know of more than 80 instances of board service, and I am sure there are more. Although I'd love to have more folks join in, starting with 80 isn't bad.
At our kick offs, Sally Ehrenfried -- who runs our philanthropy and volunteerism programs -- talked with the groups about the challenges they were facing as board members and what information or resources might help them better serve their organizations. We were all there are representatives of nonprofits, NOT as Blackbaud people. That was cool. "I'm Rachel, and I'm with the South Carolina Governor's School for Science and Math..."
Following the meeting, Sally sent us all a survey, asking for information on where and how we served, what we knew about certain elements of board service, and how we might want to proceed such as education sessions we could host. Those results are going to inform the offering she is putting together aimed at celebrating, connecting and further educating us to be better at how we give back.
Oh, and guess what? The more we learn about being better board members, the more we understand the market we serve. So by investing in giving back, we're increasing the knowledge of our employees and equipping them to serve our customers better. Pretty cool, huh?
This is an evolving effort, so stay tuned. Later this month, Sally's also hosting our annual volunteer fair at our headquarters with 30+ nonprofits connecting with employees about opportunities to give their time and skills. That same evening, we're a part of the launch of a Corporate Volunteer Council for the Lowcountry of South Carolina. We're proud to partner with the Trident United Way and other great organizations to make this happen. The more people give back the better, after all.
Do you serve on a nonprofit board? If you don't, think about it. You'll learn a lot if you take the plunge!
I'm lucky. Really lucky, in fact.
Every day I wake up knowing that, when I step outside, I will take my place in a vibrant community. A community that has its fare share of issues, for sure (and, right now, pollin). But one where people want to make change. Work together. Do something better, whether it be on a small scale or a large one.
We have something special here in the Lowcountry of South Carolina. An ecosystem that incorporates some of the most beautiful nature I've ever seen...along with people (from all over - including Yankees like me - who have figured out how cool a place this is to live), a passion for historic preservation, a love of food and culture, and so much more.
Going back to those issues I mentioned...well, yea, we have them, but we have another asset that will make all the difference as we fight to change the circumstances of those in need. We have people. And it's these people that make the community what it is.
Some of those people are my neighbors, like Mitchell Crosby of JMC Charleston, who is ALWAYS there when I call and ask for help. Yesterday, I was asking a favor for a friend who was having a tough time. And Mitchell was, of course, there. He is a true pro in every sense.
Some of those people are members of the community, like Jim Fisher, the vice president for development for the Medical University of South Carolina Foundation. This June, we'll be celebrating Jim and his accomplishments as he receives the first-ever Fundraiser of the Year award given by the South Carolina Lowcountry chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. But the award isn't the point. It's what he did...how he helped to secure funding for MUSC's critical programs that matters. I have personal experience with the children's hospital, and all I can say is that, when you need it, it's a true gift that we have such an incredible place right here.
And, yes, some of those people are my colleagues at Blackbaud. Like Kevin Kreamer who created a music program at the MUSC Children's Hospital and who volunteers his time to bring hope, through music, to the kids. Or Jackie Huffman, who volunteers with the SC Aquarium Sea Turtle Hospital. They're releasing seven sea turtles back into the wild on Saturday. If you haven't seen this before, GO (or watch the video in the April 18th hospital blog entry of Mama Pritchard, the 368-pound sea turtle, returning to the ocean). Or Sally Ehrenfried, my partner in crime, who was just named to the incoming board of directors of the South Carolina Association of Nonprofit Organizations. I am so thrilled for her, and she is so grateful for the opportunity to serve.
At Blackbaud, we believe that "our people make us great." It's a core value. Today, I'm sharing that value with rest of this vibrant community. Our people DO make this a great place to live...a place that cares about being even better for tomorrow.
What are you doing to make your community better?
Great news! This week, more than $35,000 worth of grants were distributed from The Blackbaud Fund. I get the easy job - telling the world about the grants. Our employees did all the hard work.
Instead of having grants from the fund be a corporate decision, we have a tradition of putting the decision into our employees' hands. We use the annual process to teach our people how to be grantmakers. Sure, this sounds really fun at the beginning (and it actually is), but over time, the people who get involved learn just how hard it is to determine which worthy cause should receive a piece of the funding pie.
Under watchful guidance from Ashley Cooper of the Coastal Community Foundation, where the fund is held, and Tina Fei, our employee team lead, our people learn how to read a grant application, pulling out the details that give a clear picture of what might be accomplished (and, conversely, what might not). They gather around the table to share their initial reactions and questions... then they head out to do site visits, seeing the organizations in action for themselves.
The site visits, hands down, are the key element of the program from our point of view. They pull people away from their desks, their email, their work and put them into the field with the kinds of organizations we work with every day, just in a different way. They put on their jeans and work boots to go out into muddy fields to watch therapeutic riding sessions with children with disabilities. They sit down with executive directors and talk about long-term sustainability. They travel to rural parts of our community and meet people who have never been to downtown Charleston even though its only 20 miles away.
They come back with perspective. With a renewed sense of what our colleagues in the nonprofit world are accomplishing, about the struggles they face and how the money we grant them will help. This year our team -- Andy, Chanel, Collins, Kelly, Monica, Patrick, Ryan, Ryen, Sarah, Shakeima and Tom -- finished their work by selecting the following recipients:
Please join me in congratulating the 2010 grant recipients and thanking our employee team for a job well done! We are pleased to make the grants. And we're also pleased about what our people learned in the process and how this experience will inform what they do every day.
Last month, I shared the exciting news that Blackbaud had forged a philanthropy partnership with the Charleston Battery pro soccer team. As I said then, it's a natural fit for both organizations -- which were both founded by the same man, Tony Bakker, and both share the spirit of serving others and making a difference in the world.
This past Saturday, at the annual Challenge Cup -- a pre-season tournament that pits Major League Soccer teams against the Charleston Battery -- we honored our first Nonprofit of the Match during halftime. My colleague Sally Ehrenfried joined Andrew Bell, president of the Charleston Battery, on the field with three representatives of HALOS, including Kim Clifton, the organization's amazingly talented executive director.
HALOS' tagline is "turing help into hope." They do this by providing "resources and special opportunities to abused and neglected children and their caregivers." Physically located in the DSS building in North Charleston, SC, HALOS works realy hard to keep children in safe, appropriate situations and to support those people who are stepping in as caregivers. This is difficult work that takes its toll on the soul, but the people of HALOS never show it. They are always enthusiastic, ready to partner and ready to help.
What I love so much about HALOS is that every ounce of energy and assistance you provide is valued like it was a major gift. Whether you're donating an unused bed (yes, beds are in HUGE need and are sometimes the difference between whether a child can stay in a home or not...FYI, HALOS will even pick it up for you), giving your time or making a financial contribution, you're a valued part of the solution.
I want to thank Andrew Bell and the entire Charleston Battery family for making the kick off of our philanthropy partnership such a success. We'll be featuring 12 more nonprofits this season and welcome all of you who live in Charleston to come out for a match. The Charleston Battery did us proud this first game, playing Toronto FC to a 0-0 tie.
Up next....Wednesday, March 17th, Charleston Battery vs. Real Salt Lake. The Nonprofit of the Match is Lowcountry Orphan Relief. Then, on Saturday the 20th, during the closing night of the Challenge Cup, the Battery will face DC United for a much-anticipated rematch. And we'll honor Communities in Schools, a nonprofit that works to keep kids within the educational system so they can lead full, productive lives.
If you can't join us in person, follow us on Twitter - @RachelHutchssn, @SallyEhrenfried and @Chas_Battery.
I am pleased to announced that we have made nine more grants to nonprofits where our employees volunteer. This is through the Reward Your Passion program I have talked about before.
I love this program because it allows us to take corporate dollars and disperse them within communities where our employees work and live - leaving the choice of where and how to volunteer up to each person. Philanthropy IS personal after all.
This round honored employees and their favorite nonprofits from Charleston to St. Louis to New York City to Denver.
Congratulations to these great organizations and the employees who donate their time to further their missions. And thank you to Katie, Stephen, Simone, Victoria, Carolyn, Vanessa, Jennifer and Andy -- our Team Blackbaud Global employee committee, who served as grantmakers!
Late last week, Blackbaud announced a new partnership with the Charleston Battery pro scocer team, a partnership that I think is pretty cool.
I guess I should issue a disclaimer upfront that I'm a HUGE soccer fan, a former player and referee, and -- much as I hate the label -- an oh so current soccer mom (with a Prius instead of the stereotypical minivan, thank you very much.)
Sports have always been a big part of my life, as has a commitment to give something back, making a positive mark on the world in my own small way. So you can just imagine how excited I was when Blackbaud decided to focus its partnership with the Charleston Battery on philanthropy.
Blackbaud and the Battery share many things -- Tony Bakker (the philanthropist who founded both organizations), a beautiful location on Daniel Island, SC,, and a passion for making a difference. What this partnership does is takes the combined strength and reach of both organizations and uses it celebrate and promote the good work done by Charleston-area nonprofits.
We're bringing life to this idea through a "Nonprofit of the Match" where one organization is honored at each of the Charleston Battery's 13 home matches. We're kicking things off (please pardon the pun) on March 13th when the Charleston Battery hosts its annual Carolina Challenge Cup, a tournament that pits three Major League Soccer teams against the Battery. (This year, MLS champions Real Salt Lake will be coming to town, along with DC United and Toronto FC).
It is our combined hope that, through our partnership, we will introduce the broad community that supports the Charleston Battery to the great work nonprofits are doing in the Lowcountry. And if any of those sports fans decide to donate their time, treasure or talent to these organizations, well, that'll be something else to celebrate.
For those of you who live in Charleston and might come out to a game (you should because it's a lot of fun), you'll see another aspect of the partnership in action -- Blackbaud employees working alongside the Battery staff, volunteering their time and serving their community.
We couldn't ask for a better partner than the Charleston Battery. From Tony Bakker and Andrew Bell, the club's CEO and president, respectively, to the staff and the team itself, the Battery family cares about making a difference, about what we like to say at Blackbaud...how service to others makes the world a better place.
As we announced today, Blackbaud has made a $50,000 donation in support of NetHope to provide 20 humanitarian organizations working in Haiti with critical IT resources.
NetHope is an information technology collaboration of 28 leading international humanitarian organizations, which develops and applies technological solutions on the international stage to improve humanitarian operations.
As a global technology company that works to improve nonprofit infrastructure every day, we feel that NetHope is a natural partner. The organization has a broad reach and the ability – through technology – to quickly improve conditions on the ground.
NetHope’s Chief Executive Officer William Brindley recently shared his view of disaster relief efforts in Haiti on www.huffingtonpost.com in the blogpost “Bringing Technology and Communication to Haiti.”
Here’s an excerpt:
Words cannot begin to describe the shock in the wake of this week's tragic events in Haiti. I know I am far from alone in feeling that way. What I can put into words at this time are my thoughts on how we can accelerate relief to those in need: By establishing a network by which humanitarian agencies in the region can communicate with each other and the outside world.
Communication is the lifeblood of rescue operations in Haiti. In fact, in an interview with FOX News, Haitian Ambassador to the U.S. Raymond Joseph calls out help with communications as a top need in the region. Without Internet connectivity, it's incredibly difficult for NGOs and the Haitian government to coordinate the delivery of aid and to communicate about what's needed in terms of food, water, shelter, medical supplies and more.
Our NetHope member agencies in Port-au-Prince have summed it up for me pretty starkly: Operating in Haiti right now is like responding to a disaster 5-10 years ago. With little or no infrastructure remaining, basic communication systems like phone and email are severely hampered, and the technology gains we in the Western world have benefited from in the past 10 years are virtually nonexistent in poverty-stricken Haiti.
To read more about how NetHope is helping with relief efforts in Haiti, read the entire post or visit www.nethope.org to learn how you can help.
I've been telling myself, as the year began, that I should get a jump on things and get a blog posting up. At the same time, I've been getting used to Twitter, and -- I have to admit -- that my attention has been diverted as I learned how to say something meaningful in how many characters???
I began the week knowing exactly what I would post. But then Haiti happened.
Right now, that's all you have to say - Haiti. Everyone knows what you mean - earthquake, disaster, the loss of so many lives, the hopes and fears around all those who are missing. That and the massive confusion as nonprofits and governments try to mobilize relief efforts on the ground (if they can actually land in Haiti in the first place).
So instead of talking about what I planned, I'll simply encourage you to join the effort, however you choose to do so. Blackbaud has created a page on our website listing organizations involved in the relief effort and providing other information about how you can get involved. We're focused on helping to ensure our customers who provide relief aid and services have what they need.
I woke up today thinking about high school. Maybe it's all those episodes of Glee I've been watching that have put me in that frame of mind.
Whatever the reason, I was thinking about the '80s...and life as an average Gen Xer. We were the apathetic generation, you know. The one without a defining event like Vietnam or Watergate... The one that got through high school without cell phones, IMing and Starbucks. And yes, I did go to college carrying a brand new Smith Corona typewriter that cost about the same as a laptop would today.
Life definitely seemed simpler. I won't say easy because nothing about being in high school seems easy when you're there. But definitely more basic. Fewer options. Less noise. MTV was still a new thing. And AIDS, what was that?
It wasn't until I was half way through college when I realized that AIDS was a truly big deal. Like so many other people, that's when I read And the Band Played On, the groundbreaking book by investigative journalist Randy Shilts, which detailed the first years of the virus - the discoveries, the funding (or lack there of), the incredibly disturbing story of how AIDS was spreading...while high school kids like me worried about things that now seem so trivial (because they were).
At first, when people fell victim to AIDS or died from a related illness, there were always other reasons given. No one said the word. But then there were too many people to pretend. Members of our community, the editor of the magazine where I did an internship, and so many students my father had taught through the years. Gone.
I don't know about other Gen Xers, but AIDS - the pandemic - changed how I thought about so many things. It made me conscious of what was really happening in the world. About the people who were suffering. And the people who were working so hard to make a difference. That was just the beginning, of course, because once my eyes opened, I began to see how many other things were happening in the world that I had so easily ignored.
Today, 20-some-odd years after I finished high school, we find ourselves "marking" the 22nd annual World AIDS Day. Although I wish we didn't have a reason to acknowledge this important day, I do thank Randy Shilts for opening my eyes. He was a courageous guy who told a story we needed to hear. A story I won't soon forget. A story that doesn't have an end...yet.
Happy National Philanthropy Day!
Every year, the Association of Fundraising Professionals and its 200+ chapters honor National Philanthropy Day. Chapters around North America (and beyond) host events in their communities, presenting awards to donors and bringing together all those who care so much about investing in the community through giving.
Although the actual day of the event might vary a bit from city to city, National Philanthropy Day always falls a week or two before Thanksgiving. And that's appropriate because, for the members of AFP, it IS our Thanksgiving. A day when we gather around the table with friends and colleagues to celebrate the many acts of kindness we see. A day when we honor giving in all forms, large and small.
Today, as president of the SC Lowcountry Chapter of AFP, I have the honor of serving as host of our annual luncheon. About 400 people will be coming to Thanksgiving "dinner" with us today. And we have a big program to serve up. We're thrilled to have Matt Dunne, who manages community affairs for Google, as our speaker (if you didn't know, Google opened a shop in the Lowcountry a year or so ago). Plus, we have two big awards to give out. Bill and Ruth Baker are being honored as the Outstanding Individual Philanthropists (nominated by the Medical University of South Carolina). And Charleston Place Hotel is being honored as the Outstanding Corporate Philanthropist (nominated by the Coastal Community Foundation).
I am so thankful today to love in a community where donors identify need and use philanthropy as a solution. I am thankful for my AFP colleagues (especially those who made the event today happen) and for the community we all serve.
What's better than National Philanthropy Day? Having is as a part of Philanthropy Week! For the fourth year in a row, AFP Lowcountry has partnered with the Coastal Community Foundation, the Junior League, Women Making a Difference, and the Center for Women on Philanthropy Week. And South Carolina Bank and Trust has graciously supported this collaboration, helping us to spread the message of service and giving throughout the Lowcountry. (Thank you SCB&T!)
So much is happening that is so good. Yep, I'm thankful!
You've heard me say this before, but one of the best things about working at Blackbaud is being surrounded by so many people who care about giving back. Collectively, we believe in philanthropy. Individually, we decide what form our giving will take.
We announced our Reward Your Passion grant winners for the most recent quarter a little while ago, and the list gives you an idea of the diverse causes our people choose as vehicles for making change. Each of the organizations listed has received a $500 donation in honor of a Blackbaud employee who serves as a volunteer. Join me in congratulating my colleagues for what they do.
The Exodus Foundation
Skate for the Cure
San Diego Casa
People Against Rape
Love, Inc.
The Center for Birds of Prey
Make A Wish Foundation of Massachusetts
Rainbow Trust Children's Charity
East Cooper Meals on Wheels
Arthritis Foundation, Carolina's Chapter
Nathan Weidner Foundation
Boston Living Center
Needham Opportunities, Inc.
Evans Home for Children
I had a great opportunity last week to talk about one of my favorite subjects - service.
The topic was "leadership through service," which is something I think is pretty important. How can you divide the two? What leader doesn't serve in some way? But the point I was really making is how you lead through giving back to your community and the world - as a person, a professional, a parent, an advocate or just the resident of a neighborhood.
The talk was a part of the SCB&T Leadership Series at The Citadel School of Business Administration. It was a real honor to be invited to speak with both the MBA students and the cadets. And given that many of those in the audience were early in their careers, it was an opportunity to talk about why and how service could (should, in my opinion) play a huge part in their lives and future success.
It's easy for me to understand why I give back. It's a part of who I am, inside and out. Being put in a position to talk about the influence of service on my life makes me reflect on how, from the very beginning of my life, I had people around me who felt it was important to give -- time, talent and treasure, as they say. But if you don't yet give back or haven't thought much about why it might be compelling, I'd offer these thoughts, which I shared on Thursday night.
Giving is personal. An individual decision. We all decide for ourselves what outlet we want to embrace. This individuality is one of the fundamental reasons why philanthropy is such an incredible field. It allows for diversity of thought and expression, being led by a passion to do something good. As for why we each might serve, I'd suggest there are three views to consider.
The Altruistic View - because it's the right thing to do. Whether the motivation comes from family or faith or maybe something that happened in your life (the death of a friend to a disease, which is an example I shared from my own family's experiences), you take action because you feel you should.
The Career View - because it helps you grow and learn and, yes, build your resume. I talk about this view all the time with people at Blackbaud. One line of thinking is that you have skills you want to volunteer that could be valuable to a nonprofit. The average value of a volunteer hour is $20.25, according to Independent Sector. But when you add professional skills to the mix, that value dramatically increases. A great example is a HR professional helping a nonprofit develop employee policies. Another way of thinking is that you can add skills by giving back, gaining experience in areas that maybe you don't touch on in your own job. Both allow you to expand your resume, either in showing your experience with certain skills and the fact that you cared enough to give back. Employers care about that.
Then there's my favorite one, The Leadership View. This one is all about having a vision and identifying an opportunity to drive positive change. It's about serving on boards and committees and reaching across all aspects of your life to convene people who are willing to drive that change along with you. And you know what's really cool about this one? You can lead from where you stand today. As long as you have passion and vision, you can make change. You don't have to be a seasoned professional before you get involved and help make things happen. Of course, as you do advance in your career, I'd like to think you'd see the value of continuing to serve, providing the unique perspective you've gained, and encouraging others who are just starting to see how they can lead from where they stand.
Leadership is service. Service is leadership. Do what you can whenever you can!
P.S. If you want to read more on giving back, grab a copy of Giving: How each of us can Change the World by Bill Clinton. It's an easy read and provides a really nice summary of how people are giving back -- and creating meaningful change -- around the world. Or, tune into the live webcasts of the Clinton Global Initiative annual meeting going on right now.
September 11th. It's a date we won't forget and, often, don't like to think about. The memories aren't just bad, they're almost unimaginable. Almost...but not completely...since we've become all too familiar with the mark that terror leaves on the human experience.
For many in the Lowcountry of South Carolina, however, the date has become synonymous with something good, something happy, something really worthwhile. I'm talking about the Trident United Way's annual Day of Caring, which brings out more than 6,000 volunteers, participating in 300+ projects in the tri-county area.
Blackbaud has a long tradition of participating in this worthwhile event, sending teams of employees out on company time to share their time and talents to help those in need. This year, more than 150 members of Team Blackbaud will take on 13 different projects for a variety of nonprofit organizations and public schools. While one group will be building a run-in shed and jumps for Rein & Shine, an equine-assisted therapy program in Awendaw, another will be way across town finishing the interior of a house for Rural Mission. In between, teams will be working to clean up parks and beautify some of our local elementary schools.
I'll be spending the day on John's Island, helping to reorganize Sea Island Habitat for Humanity's ReStore, which resells donated furnishings and construction materials as a way to raise money to fund its programs. Have you ever thought about where all that stuff goes when a house is renovated or demolished? The completely usable doors, windows, cabinets, light fixtures and tile? I was introduced to the ReStore by Classic Remodeling and Construction, which worked with my family on a renovation. They not only suggested that we donate materials to the ReStore, they took the materials out there for us.
I'm really proud to be spending the day helping Sea Island Habitat for Humanity (the 3rd oldest Habitat affiliate in the world!), and I know it'll be fun, too. Sally Ehrenfried, our awesome community relations manager who coordinates this effort from the Blackbaud end, promises it will be. She recalled today how, at the end of a long day at the Lowcountry Food Bank last year, a colleague turned to her, covered in mud and sweat, and said with a grin on his face, "This was great. When can we do it again?"
That's what it's all about. Giving back and helping people see the value of staying involved. Thanks to the folks at Trident United Way for making this day happen, to Sally for her work, to our colleagues who are serving, and to the other 5,850 people from the community who are lending a hand to make 9/11 a day to remember - in a positive way.
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