Gift Hub

501c3Cast

501csCast: "a podcast for nonprofit professionals, volunteers, and do-gooders to share information and resources to help them do their jobs better."

Who is on The Bus? Who is in the Dumpster? And Who Makes The Rules?

Socialmedia.biz:

Socialmedia.biz was named the #1 site covering the social Web. We track news about Facebook and other social networks and Web 2.0 sites. This site is operated by JD Lasica, a social media strategist and:
• co-founder of Ourmedia
• an evangelist for Outhink
• president of the Social Media Group
• author of Darknet, a book about the personal media revolution
• a CNET Top 100 Media Blogger
• a podcaster and videoblogger

Here is a great video post by J.D. Lasica on "who is on the bus"  with political candidates, and who is not. Do bloggers have to tell politicians that they are bloggers when the pol talks informally? Should bloggers be expected to observe the obsequious decorum of journalists who, in return for being on the bus, play back the political line? (Which is how we got into Iraq.)

In philanthropy, as in political coverage, the Citizen Morals Tutors like me desperately want access to those with Wealth and Power. Otherwise we can't rise in our profession, make a good living, or change the world one little flattery, one polite silence, at a time. So, in return, we tend to be nice, putting aside our proven nonconsensual morals training techniques, like spanking, lashing, the lancet and the purgative. I am afraid, in return for access, we spare the rod and spoil the philanthropist.  Should I tell philanthropists that I am a Dungeon Master to the Stars, or consort with such? I wonder. It might not be good for bidnis. No one likes an insubordinate menial.

Are we allowed to write like this? Or, is it taboo? (Query pending with my boss, and generous patron, she who rules us all.)

 

What Fuels Your Philanthropassion?

Jeremy Gregg asks his fellow fundraisers, "What fuels your philanthropassion?" As one who works with clients who are potentially donors, what fuels my passion for the work is what motivated me as a teacher of the liberal arts. I believe each of us has a problems that we might take to a priest or therapist. We also have a daylight self that gets on well enough. And we have at certain rare moments access to a better self rooted in traditions and communities that go deep and may span centuries or milennia. Accessing that moment of vision, that inspired self, that moment of grace in which the most surprised person in the room may be the client, as he or she hears himself say, perhaps for the first time what he or she most cares about, that is what I enjoy most in my professional role, as Morals Tutor to America's Wealthiest Families.

Blogging for a Healthy Body Politic

Years ago, when asked why I blog, I responded, "Because depression is not covered under my health plan." Apparently, medical science has found a connection between expressive writing and healing. I hope it works for the body politic as well.

Heritage Institute Blog

Rob Zeeb and his team at Heritage Institute now have a blog. I went through a 2.5 day training program with them on values-based planning and found it quite valuable. They, as are Tracy Gary and I, are training not only advisors but fundraisers as donor-centered consultants who begin from donor vision and end with solid plans for the donor, the donor's family, and for the donor's favorite causes.

Men in Philanthropy Surface at Council on Foundations Conference

I got an email from an anonymous tipster at the Council on Foundations Conference. He had just had an Orange Mimosa fueled lunch with one of the bloggers responsible for the short lived, and much missed, Men in Philanthropy. Apparently, the site was put up  by a group of three women in philanthropy whose intent was to discredit us as men in philanthropy by making it appear we have a sense of humor. The site is gone; everyone is back to normal. Not even a smile. Back to saving the world.

Council on Foundations Bloggers in Action

Sean at Tactical Philanthropy has organized a team of bloggers to cover the Council on Foundations Conference. Already a bit of ferment is emerging as bloggers react to Steve Gunderson's opening address.

A Fable for My Peers

Diogenes (I am making this up, but it is a good story) trained his dog to follow him on an invisble leash. Together they would pantomime - "Dog saunters happily at end of tether." "Dog is dragged by leash, feet locked." "Dog snarls and is smacked on nose." "Dog stands on hindlegs and begs." In this way Diogenes and his dog taught the Wealth Advisors in Thebes. You can see why Diogenes lived in a Dumpster.  I sometimes think I could learn more from Diogenes's dog than from the Master himself; my peers certainly have. 

The Responsibility Project

What is your policy? A lame attempt by an insurance company to engage people on line? Apparently, America hungers for meaning, as Liberty Mutual found out:

It all began when we ran a TV commercial about people doing things for strangers. The response was truly overwhelming. Thousands of emails and letters from people all over the country thanking us.

We thought, if one TV spot from Liberty Mutual can get people thinking and talking about responsibility, imagine what could happen if we went a step further? So we created a series of short films, and this website, as an exploration of what it means to do the right thing.

We believe that the more people think and talk about responsibility, and even debate what it means, the more it can affect how we live our daily lives. And perhaps, in this small way, together, we can make the world just a little better.

Right, and if nothing else works, run naked through the streets like me, carrying a flashlight in broad daylight to find a responsible citizen.  I hope Liberty Mutual does better converting  virtue to cash than I have.

A Fundraiser's Journey from Insignificance to Whatever

"When I grow up, I want to be GiftHub.org," says Jeremy. As Candidia, my Philanthrocapitalist boss would say, "I am touched, Jeremy, deeply touched. Why grow up, though, you are so cute in those short pants? Now run along and raise some money for the hungry."