About ten years ago, I was working for Mead in Rumford, Maine as the Community Relations Manager. Part of the job was to administer the Mead Foundation funds locally, about $500,000 each year. I was like a kid in a candy store – who wouldn’t love giving money to non profits and schools? The first several months into the job, I met with so many wonderful people in desperate need of funding for their cause. I soon realized that $500,000 was a great start, but in reality, just a drop in the bucket. I was also increasingly uncomfortable with the fact that these organizations would now depend on this funding to be able to move forward and not just tread water. What would happen if there was a down year for the paper mill and funding was decreased?
The other part of the ongoing struggle for non profits and schools is finding enough volunteers.
“Hmmmm…there are several thousand people directly connected to this mill…what a fabulous resource.”
And so the brainstorming began. Could we mobilize employees to volunteer? Would the management team allow it? Would the employees embrace it?
YES! YES! YES!
Week after week I met with small crews within the mill, describing the ideas in detail. We would partner with Big Brothers Big Sisters and have employees mentor school children. The response was amazing. Do you know what I heard about 99% of the time? No one ever asked me to volunteer before! You want me?!
I will never forget the day the first fifty employees met their mentoring buddy or ‘Little” as they were called. There were tears in the eyes of many of the ‘Bigs” as their name was called to come up and greet their Littles. Hand in hand, these new friends found a space to sit and get to know each other. Over the course of the next six months they would spend hours together reading, drawing or just talking. The last day was so emotional, as you can imagine. I expected that many employees would ask to be matched again next school year with the same child. That was a no brainer. What I didn’t expect was for so many of them to thank me for asking them to volunteer!
This T-Day, June 6, ask people to help you with your project. Don’t just put out flyers or emails, personally ask people. You’ll be amazed at the response.
Our monthly Together We Can Change The World Day is about joining together to make a conscious difference.
Please visit our website at www.togetherwecanchangetheworldday.com and scroll across available service projects and add your own.
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Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Monday, May 18, 2009
In the Stillness
I often think back to the years when I worked as a forester in Maine, and remember special, one of a kind moments. Although at the time, I’m sure I thought these were great experiences, it’s only now that I am older that I can really appreciate their value.
One rainy, late spring morning, I found myself aching to get out of the office. I don’t remember what it was that weighed on my mind that day, but I do remember the feeling of needing some space from the world, and a safe place to cry. Surely, the forest would provide solitude. I drove down the winding Canton Point Road to an area I was responsible for managing. Even though I put on my cruising vest and took the orange roll of flagging with me, I knew I had no intention of working. Soon, I found myself sitting on a boulder the size of a VW Beetle, sobbing while the rain fell all around me. An hour went by. Eventually, my tears subsided, and I was quiet in the stillness of the newly green forest. I couldn’t cry any more or even think any more so I just sat and enjoyed the peacefulness. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught some slight movement, and there she was! A dappled fawn, probably only a few weeks old, wandered not more than ten feet from the boulder. How sweet it must be to have not a care in the world.
Our encounter was fleeting, but it was long enough. She looked up at me, I looked at her and whispered, “Thanks.” Then she was off.
So often as we go through our days, we find ourselves in need of stillness, but we reject it. Doing nothing is unfortunately viewed as unproductive in these times of multitasking, texting, and social networking. Now, I know, being still can be just as productive as being busy. It’s part of my parenting repertoire these days for my five children.
When one of them is stressed, I often recommend that they spend a few moments on the porch swing. There’s a bronze plaque hung on the porch post, visible only to the person on the swing that reads “Be Still and Know that I Am”.
On T-day in June, how about offering someone time to be alone, to be still? Whether it’s a frazzled parent, or a teacher pushed to her limits by a class anxious for summer, giving each other our time is so important.
Every project is special enough to be registered on the T-day site. Your idea may spark many others to do the same. Our monthly Together We Can Change The World Day is about joining together to make a conscious difference.
Please visit our website at http://www.togetherwecanchangetheworldday.com/ and scroll across available service projects and add your own.
One rainy, late spring morning, I found myself aching to get out of the office. I don’t remember what it was that weighed on my mind that day, but I do remember the feeling of needing some space from the world, and a safe place to cry. Surely, the forest would provide solitude. I drove down the winding Canton Point Road to an area I was responsible for managing. Even though I put on my cruising vest and took the orange roll of flagging with me, I knew I had no intention of working. Soon, I found myself sitting on a boulder the size of a VW Beetle, sobbing while the rain fell all around me. An hour went by. Eventually, my tears subsided, and I was quiet in the stillness of the newly green forest. I couldn’t cry any more or even think any more so I just sat and enjoyed the peacefulness. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught some slight movement, and there she was! A dappled fawn, probably only a few weeks old, wandered not more than ten feet from the boulder. How sweet it must be to have not a care in the world.
Our encounter was fleeting, but it was long enough. She looked up at me, I looked at her and whispered, “Thanks.” Then she was off.
So often as we go through our days, we find ourselves in need of stillness, but we reject it. Doing nothing is unfortunately viewed as unproductive in these times of multitasking, texting, and social networking. Now, I know, being still can be just as productive as being busy. It’s part of my parenting repertoire these days for my five children.
When one of them is stressed, I often recommend that they spend a few moments on the porch swing. There’s a bronze plaque hung on the porch post, visible only to the person on the swing that reads “Be Still and Know that I Am”.
On T-day in June, how about offering someone time to be alone, to be still? Whether it’s a frazzled parent, or a teacher pushed to her limits by a class anxious for summer, giving each other our time is so important.
Every project is special enough to be registered on the T-day site. Your idea may spark many others to do the same. Our monthly Together We Can Change The World Day is about joining together to make a conscious difference.
Please visit our website at http://www.togetherwecanchangetheworldday.com/ and scroll across available service projects and add your own.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Have you heard the TWCCTW song?
What started out as one company's mission, has turned into a global anthem and one of the most inspirational songs ever written. "Together We Can Change The World." was published in December of 2008 by 4e Productions, a company that merges entertainment and education to enlighten, empower and enrich everyone through inspiration and collaboration. The song features then 12-year old Rilee O'Neill and The SIFA Africa Children's choir, a group of 20 homeless orphans from Uganda who were touring the U.S. to raise money to build an orphanage back in their country. Inspired by the company that bears its name, Together We Can Change the World was written by Mark Shepard and arranged by Joe Mennonna for 4e Music, as part of a musical production called "Letters to Daddy" (www.letterstodaddy.com) that is debuting next month (June 2009) at the Lycian Theatre in Sugarloaf, NY and at Center Stage Theatre in Westport, CT.
It also inspired a powerful You Tube video that was produced by First Image TV. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFy54NmYPyc. For more information about the song and how to purchase it or the sheet music, please call Bill Rodman @ 4e Productions, LLC
860-302-4253 PO Box 612 Plantsville, CT
It also inspired a powerful You Tube video that was produced by First Image TV. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFy54NmYPyc. For more information about the song and how to purchase it or the sheet music, please call Bill Rodman @ 4e Productions, LLC
860-302-4253 PO Box 612 Plantsville, CT
Friday, May 8, 2009
The Big Date
Back in the fall of 1989, I was scouting a tract of forest in a remote part of Riley, Maine. It was chilly enough to see my breath as I hiked up the old skid trail. Riley is known for its rugged terrain, and this was no exception. My eyes were mostly scanning the ground to make sure I had sure footing. These kind of days were what I loved most about being a forester. I had the freedom to let my thoughts wander as I continued up the mountainside.
A loud breathy snort brought me back to attention. Up ahead about 20 feet was an enormous bull moose! Now, these guys run about 1500 lbs and 6 feet tall at shoulder height. To make matters worse, it was their rut, or mating season. Guess who he wanted to be his date?
Panic stricken, I looked all around for a place to hide, eventually crouching behind a huge spruce. Once I knew I was safe from Bullwinkle’s advances, all I could think of was how ‘wicked cool’ this was! I continued to watch the magnificent animal until he was out of sight. My fear had been transformed into appreciation for the majesty of nature.
These can be very scary times for people. Maybe the best thing you can do for someone is to be a safe place. Putting some distance between them and their fears might allow a different perspective on the problem.
Together We Can Change the World, Inc. isn’t just about the big projects. It’s about what we do in our every day lives to make things a little better.
Our monthly Together We Can Change the World Day is about joining together to make a conscious difference, big or small.
Please visit our website at www.togetherwecanchangetheworldday.com, scroll across available service projects and add your own.
A loud breathy snort brought me back to attention. Up ahead about 20 feet was an enormous bull moose! Now, these guys run about 1500 lbs and 6 feet tall at shoulder height. To make matters worse, it was their rut, or mating season. Guess who he wanted to be his date?
Panic stricken, I looked all around for a place to hide, eventually crouching behind a huge spruce. Once I knew I was safe from Bullwinkle’s advances, all I could think of was how ‘wicked cool’ this was! I continued to watch the magnificent animal until he was out of sight. My fear had been transformed into appreciation for the majesty of nature.
These can be very scary times for people. Maybe the best thing you can do for someone is to be a safe place. Putting some distance between them and their fears might allow a different perspective on the problem.
Together We Can Change the World, Inc. isn’t just about the big projects. It’s about what we do in our every day lives to make things a little better.
Our monthly Together We Can Change the World Day is about joining together to make a conscious difference, big or small.
Please visit our website at www.togetherwecanchangetheworldday.com, scroll across available service projects and add your own.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
A Fortuitous Error!
Did you happen to see Oprah earlier this week when a group called Invisible Children were allowed to tell their story? Northern Ugandan children are being forced to become soldiers for a brutal rebel group. I was so upset by this, I immediately logged onto their site and sent an email offering My PowerMall as the way for them to increase funding for their mission. Or at least I thought I was sending them an email...
Turns out, there's another group called Invisible Children (aka Kids At Risk Action, KARA) that is a non-profit advocacy network focusing on issues related to neglected and abused children. The Director, Mike Tikkanen, very kindly sent me a reply saying how he wished my email was for his group (I mentioned I had seen Oprah), but it was really meant for the group of the same name, but a .com, not .org.
"Well why don't we talk? Your mission is every bit as important as theirs!", I email back to the 'wrong' group.
This morning, Mike and I chatted for about 30 minutes about his organization's mission and their funding needs.
Invisible Children .ORG became a NPO World Changer Mall right on the spot.
"I am not a wealthy man, but I continue my work because I so believe that it is necessary to have a voice for these children."
Doesn't that sound like almost every NPO person you have ever met?
The great news is that right now, with My PowerMall, you CAN create the sustainable funding you so desperately need.
By the way, I did send another email to the 'right' Invisible Children offering help from My PowerMall. But now I know, they're both the right ones!
Turns out, there's another group called Invisible Children (aka Kids At Risk Action, KARA) that is a non-profit advocacy network focusing on issues related to neglected and abused children. The Director, Mike Tikkanen, very kindly sent me a reply saying how he wished my email was for his group (I mentioned I had seen Oprah), but it was really meant for the group of the same name, but a .com, not .org.
"Well why don't we talk? Your mission is every bit as important as theirs!", I email back to the 'wrong' group.
This morning, Mike and I chatted for about 30 minutes about his organization's mission and their funding needs.
Invisible Children .ORG became a NPO World Changer Mall right on the spot.
"I am not a wealthy man, but I continue my work because I so believe that it is necessary to have a voice for these children."
Doesn't that sound like almost every NPO person you have ever met?
The great news is that right now, with My PowerMall, you CAN create the sustainable funding you so desperately need.
By the way, I did send another email to the 'right' Invisible Children offering help from My PowerMall. But now I know, they're both the right ones!
Monday, May 4, 2009
T-Day, May 2, 2009
The Connection
I decided to do a short video to put on You Tube that would highlight the needs of our local food pantry. I live in a small, rural Maine town, and many people are hurting right now. The goal was to interview the director while my seventeen year old son, Ian, video taped it. Seemed easy enough. So I fixed my hair and asked my son to get the camera and wait in the car.
“You want me to go in the food pantry? Ewww, no!”
Now, I really thought my kids were socially conscious, or at least human.
“Just get in the car, Ian.”
Just a mile down the road, we pulled into the parking lot. The doors had recently opened and the last of the line had disappeared inside. We walked past the dozens of people picking baskets of supplies. Ian just stared, and seemed uncomfortable.
Afterwards, I stayed to chat for a few minutes with the director while Ian went back with the camera to warm up the car.
When I buckled in, he didn’t move. Instead, he just looked at the food pantry doors and quietly said “Mom, I went to school with some of those kids. I know them.”
The connection was made.
We’re all in this together. Everyone knows someone in need… everyone. We just have to allow ourselves to see the connection.
Our monthly Together We Can Change The World Day is about joining together to make a conscious difference.
Please visit our website at http://www.togetherwecanchangetheworldday.com/ and scroll across available service projects and add your own.
I decided to do a short video to put on You Tube that would highlight the needs of our local food pantry. I live in a small, rural Maine town, and many people are hurting right now. The goal was to interview the director while my seventeen year old son, Ian, video taped it. Seemed easy enough. So I fixed my hair and asked my son to get the camera and wait in the car.
“You want me to go in the food pantry? Ewww, no!”
Now, I really thought my kids were socially conscious, or at least human.
“Just get in the car, Ian.”
Just a mile down the road, we pulled into the parking lot. The doors had recently opened and the last of the line had disappeared inside. We walked past the dozens of people picking baskets of supplies. Ian just stared, and seemed uncomfortable.
Afterwards, I stayed to chat for a few minutes with the director while Ian went back with the camera to warm up the car.
When I buckled in, he didn’t move. Instead, he just looked at the food pantry doors and quietly said “Mom, I went to school with some of those kids. I know them.”
The connection was made.
We’re all in this together. Everyone knows someone in need… everyone. We just have to allow ourselves to see the connection.
Our monthly Together We Can Change The World Day is about joining together to make a conscious difference.
Please visit our website at http://www.togetherwecanchangetheworldday.com/ and scroll across available service projects and add your own.
Friday, May 1, 2009
The Campfire
We've all heard people talk about "Everything I know I learned from my dog" or "Everything I know I learned in kindergarten" or "Everything I know about business I learned from my Momma." The underlying truth in all of them is that the rules for a successful life might not be easy, but they are SIMPLE!
I prefer to think that "Everything I know about life I learned around a campfire." Since our ancestors have been gathering around campfires since the human race began, the wisdom of the campfire is profound and primal.
We sit around in a circle, facing each other. All are equal. All are sharing the same warmth and light. All are singing together or making small-talk. All are responsible for tending their part of the fire, to make sure kindling does not pop out of the firepit and to make sure the fire is stoked. All are in harmony.
When food is made on the fire, it is made to share. When more sticks are needed, even the smallest children can help gather them. When it's time to put the fire out, everyone helps stomp on those last tiny glowing embers.
Together We Can Change The World Day (T-Day) is very much like a campfire. On T-Day, the first Saturday of every month, we join together to offer our hands, and our hearts, to help make the world a better place. It doesn't matter whether we are rich or poor, big or small, young or old, or anything else. All that matters is that we care.
The warmth and light of the campfire grows as kindling is added to it. The world becomes a better, happier, brighter, healthier, more beautiful place when we add more and more service and caring to it.
Our monthly Together We Can Change The World Day is about joining together to make a conscious difference. Please visit our website at http://www.togetherwecanchangetheworldday.com/ and scroll across available service projects and add your own. After all, The first fire we light is the fire within.
I prefer to think that "Everything I know about life I learned around a campfire." Since our ancestors have been gathering around campfires since the human race began, the wisdom of the campfire is profound and primal.
We sit around in a circle, facing each other. All are equal. All are sharing the same warmth and light. All are singing together or making small-talk. All are responsible for tending their part of the fire, to make sure kindling does not pop out of the firepit and to make sure the fire is stoked. All are in harmony.
When food is made on the fire, it is made to share. When more sticks are needed, even the smallest children can help gather them. When it's time to put the fire out, everyone helps stomp on those last tiny glowing embers.
Together We Can Change The World Day (T-Day) is very much like a campfire. On T-Day, the first Saturday of every month, we join together to offer our hands, and our hearts, to help make the world a better place. It doesn't matter whether we are rich or poor, big or small, young or old, or anything else. All that matters is that we care.
The warmth and light of the campfire grows as kindling is added to it. The world becomes a better, happier, brighter, healthier, more beautiful place when we add more and more service and caring to it.
Our monthly Together We Can Change The World Day is about joining together to make a conscious difference. Please visit our website at http://www.togetherwecanchangetheworldday.com/ and scroll across available service projects and add your own. After all, The first fire we light is the fire within.
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