Did you catch the article in the Charlotte Observer about "Dilworth's Biggest Garage Sale," which will benefit Pat's Place? What a great idea! On Saturday, April 17, you can rent a table (under cover!) at Southborough in Dilworth and get rid of all of your junk--er, stuff. The money from the table rentals goes to Pat's Place, which is the beneficiary of Dilworth Cares, a neighborhood group. Pat's Place will also have a table and will accept donations if you just want to get unload your "stuff."
For more information, contact the Conformity Corporation (which developed Southborough and has graciously donated space for this event) at 704.374.1252.
Each year, Dilworth Cares selects an organization to support through fundraising and volunteer efforts. Pat's Place "provides a child-friendly setting where a skilled team of professionals work together under one roof to evaluate child sexual abuse allegations by offering forensic interviews, medical exams, multidisciplinary team consultation and family support." It is the only child advocacy center in Mecklenburg County and is located on East Boulevard in Dilworth, making it a natural partner for Dilworth Cares.
If you live in Dilworth and are interested in learning more about Dilworth Cares, contact Nancy Kramer at nancy1981@mindspring.com or Arlene Fenlon at afenlon@carolina.rr.com.
To do: Get some friends together, rent a table, get rid of your stuff, help Pat's Place.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Sunday, March 28, 2010
A Community Responds: Cuts, Closures and Access
I was out of town when the announcement was made that the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library would be closing 12 of its 24 branches in response to budget cuts from the county. My immediate reaction was to write a check of some amount, much as my response to the earthquake in Haiti was to write a check to the American Red Cross. A friend posted on Facebook, "Glad to see that so many people are concerned about this. What are we going to do about it?" I emailed back immediately, "Should we have a fundraiser at my house next week?"
However, in the cold light of the next morning, I had had time to contemplate my response (and my hasty offer to host an event which would involve me actually organizing my house). First, I wondered how much of a difference my check (which would not be big) would really make. At best, it was helping to apply a band-aid to a problem that would re-raise its ugly head in July with the new fiscal year. Second, I started to wonder: what other budget cuts are going to prompt drastic cuts in services in other areas of the community that I care about? Sure enough, within days there was more commentary about parks and rec programs and facilities being reduced, not to mention the CMS budget shortfalls and cuts in social services. It was like writing a check to help the Haitians only to hear about another earthquake in Chile.
In February, Mary Newsom wrote a column in the Charlotte Observer about the Facebook page "Save Charlotte's Historic Fire Station #2." Her point was that just joining a Facebook group was not, in fact, going to save the fire station. Only politics and policy changes would do that. Now, you could make the point that similar "digital activitism" did, in fact, save the libraries, since now all 24 branches will remain open. However, the basic budget issue has not gone away. "We were trying to maintain the highest quality of service, at a limited number of sites," [library director] Brown said of the original plan. "But the public has asked for locations, rather than level of service." What do you suppose cuts to "level of service" will mean?
Crossroads Charlotte, which is, more and more, becoming my source for all things community-related, is hosting an evening called "A Community Responds: Cuts, Closures and Access" at First Presbyterian Church (uptown) on Tuesday, March 30, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The Mecklenburg County Budget Director, Hyong Yi, will make a presentation. Then there will be discussion about the impact of budget cuts and suggestions of WAYS TO HELP. I think that this is a "must-attend" event for me before I write another band-aid check.
To Do: Attend the Crossroads Charlotte event "A Community Responds: Cuts, Closures and Access" on Tuesday evening, March 30, to get the whole story.
However, in the cold light of the next morning, I had had time to contemplate my response (and my hasty offer to host an event which would involve me actually organizing my house). First, I wondered how much of a difference my check (which would not be big) would really make. At best, it was helping to apply a band-aid to a problem that would re-raise its ugly head in July with the new fiscal year. Second, I started to wonder: what other budget cuts are going to prompt drastic cuts in services in other areas of the community that I care about? Sure enough, within days there was more commentary about parks and rec programs and facilities being reduced, not to mention the CMS budget shortfalls and cuts in social services. It was like writing a check to help the Haitians only to hear about another earthquake in Chile.
In February, Mary Newsom wrote a column in the Charlotte Observer about the Facebook page "Save Charlotte's Historic Fire Station #2." Her point was that just joining a Facebook group was not, in fact, going to save the fire station. Only politics and policy changes would do that. Now, you could make the point that similar "digital activitism" did, in fact, save the libraries, since now all 24 branches will remain open. However, the basic budget issue has not gone away. "We were trying to maintain the highest quality of service, at a limited number of sites," [library director] Brown said of the original plan. "But the public has asked for locations, rather than level of service." What do you suppose cuts to "level of service" will mean?
Crossroads Charlotte, which is, more and more, becoming my source for all things community-related, is hosting an evening called "A Community Responds: Cuts, Closures and Access" at First Presbyterian Church (uptown) on Tuesday, March 30, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The Mecklenburg County Budget Director, Hyong Yi, will make a presentation. Then there will be discussion about the impact of budget cuts and suggestions of WAYS TO HELP. I think that this is a "must-attend" event for me before I write another band-aid check.
To Do: Attend the Crossroads Charlotte event "A Community Responds: Cuts, Closures and Access" on Tuesday evening, March 30, to get the whole story.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Everyday Philanthropist
Wow, I wish I'd come up with THAT as the title of this blog!
I have been using a website called "Alltop." Alltop's purpose "is to help you answer the question, 'What’s happening?' in 'all the topics' that interest you...We do this by collecting the headlines of the latest stories from the best sites and blogs that cover a topic. We group these collections — “aggregations” — into individual web pages. Then we display the five most recent headlines of the information sources as well as their first paragraph. Our topics run from adoption to zoology with photography, food, science, religion, celebrities, fashion, gaming, sports, politics, automobiles, Macintosh, and hundreds of other subjects along the way. You can think of Alltop as the 'online magazine rack' of the web."
Anyway, by setting up my own Alltop, I've been able to keep an eye on lots of philanthropy blogs and articles that interest me and are useful.
Today, I discovered that a new book is out called--wait for it--"How to Be an Everyday Philanthropist," by Nicole Boles and published by Workman Publishing. I am about to call Park Road Books to order a copy.
Click here to read the book description. It sounds right up my alley. Easy ways to make a difference without drastically changing my lifestyle! I'll let you know...
To do: Become an Everyday Philanthropist.
I have been using a website called "Alltop." Alltop's purpose "is to help you answer the question, 'What’s happening?' in 'all the topics' that interest you...We do this by collecting the headlines of the latest stories from the best sites and blogs that cover a topic. We group these collections — “aggregations” — into individual web pages. Then we display the five most recent headlines of the information sources as well as their first paragraph. Our topics run from adoption to zoology with photography, food, science, religion, celebrities, fashion, gaming, sports, politics, automobiles, Macintosh, and hundreds of other subjects along the way. You can think of Alltop as the 'online magazine rack' of the web."
Anyway, by setting up my own Alltop, I've been able to keep an eye on lots of philanthropy blogs and articles that interest me and are useful.
Today, I discovered that a new book is out called--wait for it--"How to Be an Everyday Philanthropist," by Nicole Boles and published by Workman Publishing. I am about to call Park Road Books to order a copy.
Click here to read the book description. It sounds right up my alley. Easy ways to make a difference without drastically changing my lifestyle! I'll let you know...
To do: Become an Everyday Philanthropist.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Are Special Events Too Special?
A quick follow-up on my earlier post referencing Chris McLeod's great article on donor engagement in Charlotte Viewpoint... here is a study by Charity Navigator on the efficacy of special events for nonprofits. I am not surprised that special events (like galas, luncheons, etc.) are not cost-efficient; however, they do serve the function of getting the nonprofit's name out and about. How can that be done more effectively? How can social media serve an role? I personally enjoy the posts on nonprofit Facebook pages that keep them in my mind.
To do: Click here to read the Charity Navigator 2007 study of special events. How do you prefer to give? How do you learn about nonprofits and their work?
To do: Click here to read the Charity Navigator 2007 study of special events. How do you prefer to give? How do you learn about nonprofits and their work?
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Summer camps
Charlotte Culture Guide has a list of some cool "culture camps" in the Charlotte area this summer. Besides the Children's Theatre and North Carolina Dance Theatre camps, I was intrigued to see camps from Opera Carolina, the Charlotte Museum of History, Carolina Raptor Center and more. Click here for the link to the camp list.
My children have both loved Camp Whip-Poor-Will, which is a decidedly traditional day camp located out past Charlotte Latin School. As a parent, I love the bus that picks them up at 8:15 at Providence United Methodist and returns them there at 3:30. The camp serves ages 4-12, but you have to be 5 to ride the bus. Pony rides, creek walking, arts and crafts and snow cones--you have to love it.
To Do: It's not too early to start planning summer activities!
My children have both loved Camp Whip-Poor-Will, which is a decidedly traditional day camp located out past Charlotte Latin School. As a parent, I love the bus that picks them up at 8:15 at Providence United Methodist and returns them there at 3:30. The camp serves ages 4-12, but you have to be 5 to ride the bus. Pony rides, creek walking, arts and crafts and snow cones--you have to love it.
To Do: It's not too early to start planning summer activities!
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Connecting Meaningfully with Donors
I am linking you to a great article in Charlotte Viewpoint about nonprofits' need to, well, connect meaningfully with donors. Chris McLeod of the Greater Charlotte Cultural Trust makes the point that organizations need to connect with donors beyond just inviting them to black-tie "galas" (or the now-popular blue-jeans events) and chasing the same "500" during every capital campaign. To quote Janet Jackson, what have they done for you lately, to capture your interest and your engagement?
One organization in town seems to have an amazing ability to garner support from lots of people who run in my circles, so I asked one friend why she supported them. "Because a friend asked me," she said. Doesn't that say something? It isn't that she has a particular affinity for THAT cause--she has an affinity for that friend that translates into a donation to that cause which--following Matthew 6 "where your treasure is there will your heart be also"--increases her commitment to that cause.
But, when you are done giving to everyone else's causes, whether you sponsor their run or sit at their table or dance at their gala, how do you decide what to do with your philanthropic dollars and your volunteer hours? Are there organizations that reach out to you as an individual? What about organizations that do work that you believe in but who don't engage you at all?
Which brings us back to Chris' great article. What gets you involved? What fresh approach is needed by the nonprofits you support to bring more people into the fold? Are you one of the known 500, or one of the 250,000 newcomers to Charlotte who are overlooked?
To Do: Read Chris McLeod's article in Charlotte Viewpoint. What should nonprofits be doing to engage you that they currently aren't doing?
One organization in town seems to have an amazing ability to garner support from lots of people who run in my circles, so I asked one friend why she supported them. "Because a friend asked me," she said. Doesn't that say something? It isn't that she has a particular affinity for THAT cause--she has an affinity for that friend that translates into a donation to that cause which--following Matthew 6 "where your treasure is there will your heart be also"--increases her commitment to that cause.
But, when you are done giving to everyone else's causes, whether you sponsor their run or sit at their table or dance at their gala, how do you decide what to do with your philanthropic dollars and your volunteer hours? Are there organizations that reach out to you as an individual? What about organizations that do work that you believe in but who don't engage you at all?
Which brings us back to Chris' great article. What gets you involved? What fresh approach is needed by the nonprofits you support to bring more people into the fold? Are you one of the known 500, or one of the 250,000 newcomers to Charlotte who are overlooked?
To Do: Read Chris McLeod's article in Charlotte Viewpoint. What should nonprofits be doing to engage you that they currently aren't doing?
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