With a recent downturn in the economy, non-profits can expect an even smaller amount of monetary donations than usual. This must be causing problems within these companies, including layoffs of different employees, and the cause on which non-profits are based will experience more setbacks.
It seems that companies are more concerned with turning a profit than helping those who are less well-off. I understand that America is a capitalistic society and making a living is a key goal, but when others are suffering, people who have the means to help them should do what they can. I am not saying give up all of your possessions, but could your company not sponsor at least one cause or give X amount of profit to a group that is in dire need of funding?
However, only 38% of companies are being forced to give less to non-profits this year. Eighteen percent are giving the same and a surprising 19% have even donated more. If it comes down to it, at least people and companies are giving something. It will be a sad day when those who are blessed stop helping those who are not so blessed.
Organizations and business leaders are stressing the importance of donating money and volunteering, but are placing more emphasis on the latter, since cash flow is becoming more and more restricted. This is good news for non-profit organizations that need volunteers, such as Big Brothers, Big Sisters, Girl Scouts and many other groups.
http://philanthropy.com/news/updates/index.php?id=9589
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Underdeveloped Health Care
This article dealt with the Doris Duke Fund donating $44 million to support health care systems in different sections of Africa.
Africa desperately needs help in improving its ability to provide for citizens of all its nations. A large majority of the countries on the continent of Africa are deemed to be under-developed and third-world. Therefore, it is unlikely that any kind of substantial health care is available to the general population. Sadly, Africa is one of the continents strongly affected by the AIDS epidemic. 5% of the population of the entire continent has this immune system disease, which translates to roughly 22 million people. In US terms, a little less than the population of Texas would have AIDS.
I especially like the fact that this donation will allow students from the University of Alabama at Birmingham to help support a rural AIDS/HIV program in Zambia. It is essential that more members of our generation learn to help others out. So often, we think only of ourselves and not of the blessings that have been granted in our lives. Most people have at least one parent or a close family member acting as a parent, while in Africa, 11 million children are orphaned by AIDS.
If we spent a little more time thinking about others, the world could become a much better place.
References:
http://philanthropy.com/news/updates/index.php?id=9033
http://www.avert.org/subaadults.htm
http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0004986.html
Africa desperately needs help in improving its ability to provide for citizens of all its nations. A large majority of the countries on the continent of Africa are deemed to be under-developed and third-world. Therefore, it is unlikely that any kind of substantial health care is available to the general population. Sadly, Africa is one of the continents strongly affected by the AIDS epidemic. 5% of the population of the entire continent has this immune system disease, which translates to roughly 22 million people. In US terms, a little less than the population of Texas would have AIDS.
I especially like the fact that this donation will allow students from the University of Alabama at Birmingham to help support a rural AIDS/HIV program in Zambia. It is essential that more members of our generation learn to help others out. So often, we think only of ourselves and not of the blessings that have been granted in our lives. Most people have at least one parent or a close family member acting as a parent, while in Africa, 11 million children are orphaned by AIDS.
If we spent a little more time thinking about others, the world could become a much better place.
References:
http://philanthropy.com/news/updates/index.php?id=9033
http://www.avert.org/subaadults.htm
http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0004986.html
Thursday, September 10, 2009
The State of Education
From Chrnicle of Philanthropy: http://philanthropy.com/news/philanthropytoday/9435/gates-kicks-off-education-campaign-with-youth-focused-cable-channels
Our education system is in need of serious reform. This is often said, but so little is being done about it on any level. So few children and young adults are motivated to stay in school and make an actual effort these days. The new federal mandate that no student in lower elementary grades can be failed may contribute to even lower levels of student participation.
Teachers are teaching, but are students actually listening? The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is actually attempting to aim a positive message at kids and teenagers in a way that may actually be heard. By partnering with Viacom, which includes MTV and several other youth-oriented TV stations, the “Get Schooled” message will hopefully be absorbed by students.
I love this concept because so often people make complaints about our educational system in the United States, but it is rare to see something great happening. Kids and teens watch television and a lot of it, so by blasting them with messages about staying in school and learning, they may be more willing to make an effort. I sincerely hope this campaign works some miracles because America’s education system needs one.
Our education system is in need of serious reform. This is often said, but so little is being done about it on any level. So few children and young adults are motivated to stay in school and make an actual effort these days. The new federal mandate that no student in lower elementary grades can be failed may contribute to even lower levels of student participation.
Teachers are teaching, but are students actually listening? The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is actually attempting to aim a positive message at kids and teenagers in a way that may actually be heard. By partnering with Viacom, which includes MTV and several other youth-oriented TV stations, the “Get Schooled” message will hopefully be absorbed by students.
I love this concept because so often people make complaints about our educational system in the United States, but it is rare to see something great happening. Kids and teens watch television and a lot of it, so by blasting them with messages about staying in school and learning, they may be more willing to make an effort. I sincerely hope this campaign works some miracles because America’s education system needs one.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Seaweed and Other Scary Things
Elizabeth Gilbert, the author of the recent bestseller Eat, Pray, Love, delivered an impassioned speech entitled “A Different Way to Think About Creative Genius” at the recent Technology, Entertainment, Design conference.
Her beliefs and her creativity motivated her to continue to write from an early age, Gilbert said.
“Writing is my profession, but it is more than that, it is my love, my lifelong passion,” Gilbert said
Early in her life and even after her recent triumph, people have questioned her about using her creative powers. They ask if she is scared of failure, of never writing anything worthwhile, and more recently, is she afraid she will never be able to write anything better than Eat, Pray, Love.
“Yes,” she said. “I am terrified…My greatest work may be behind me, but I am also afraid of other things…seaweed and other scary things.”
She said that she often wonders why anybody should have to be afraid of the work they feel they were born to do. Her father, a chemical engineer, was never asked if he was anxious about his career. Yet society does not even do a double-take when another artist commits suicide.
She channeled this fear and curiosity into studying other cultures to see how they handle the notion of creative genius. In Ancient Greece and Rome, the people believed that creativity came from divine intervention, often from some other being that lived in or around you and helped you create amazing things. In these cultures, the pressure to be spectacular was lower since you had help. If you conceived something astounding, you could not take all the glory, because you had that thing to help you, Gilbert said. Conversely, if whatever you designed was insignificant, it was not totally your responsibility because obviously “the helper” was not doing its part. Gilbert said she believes that a return to this way of seeing creativity could sincerely help many artists.
In modern times, emphasis has been placed on the human being as the center of everything. This has caused problems for creative types, since they are often referred to as “geniuses.” This pressure is excruciating and drives many creative people to develop imbalanced personalities and alcoholism.
Gilbert said she has observed and experienced the concept that there is something out there that is intended to help creative people create. She had the chance to interview Tom Waits, who she said is one of the best examples of the tortured artistic soul.
Waits claimed he had an artistic experience that has helped him control the anxiety he suffered over his music. However, one day, he was driving on the freeway and he felt a melody coming on and he had no way to record it. The old terror of missing a song and regretting it for the rest of his life started to creep upon him.
According to Gilbert, Waits then stopped and spoke to the sky, “Excuse me can you not see I’m driving? Can you not come back at a more opportune time? If not go bother someone else.”
After that, he told her he felt he had taken the genie out of himself and he felt less internal pressure.
Gilbert said she even used this concept when she was writing Eat, Pray, Love. She said she believes that the power of creativity any artist is blessed with is on loan from some great divine being. When that artist has accomplished everything he or she was intended to bring about, it goes away and is bestowed on another soul.
In the end though, she said she believes in the power of work, of laying the groundwork for the genius spirit.
She closed her speech saying, “Don’t be afraid. Don’t be daunted. Just do your job. Just show up and do your part.”
If something great comes from it, then congratulations. If nothing comes from it, good job anyway for doing your best.
Her beliefs and her creativity motivated her to continue to write from an early age, Gilbert said.
“Writing is my profession, but it is more than that, it is my love, my lifelong passion,” Gilbert said
Early in her life and even after her recent triumph, people have questioned her about using her creative powers. They ask if she is scared of failure, of never writing anything worthwhile, and more recently, is she afraid she will never be able to write anything better than Eat, Pray, Love.
“Yes,” she said. “I am terrified…My greatest work may be behind me, but I am also afraid of other things…seaweed and other scary things.”
She said that she often wonders why anybody should have to be afraid of the work they feel they were born to do. Her father, a chemical engineer, was never asked if he was anxious about his career. Yet society does not even do a double-take when another artist commits suicide.
She channeled this fear and curiosity into studying other cultures to see how they handle the notion of creative genius. In Ancient Greece and Rome, the people believed that creativity came from divine intervention, often from some other being that lived in or around you and helped you create amazing things. In these cultures, the pressure to be spectacular was lower since you had help. If you conceived something astounding, you could not take all the glory, because you had that thing to help you, Gilbert said. Conversely, if whatever you designed was insignificant, it was not totally your responsibility because obviously “the helper” was not doing its part. Gilbert said she believes that a return to this way of seeing creativity could sincerely help many artists.
In modern times, emphasis has been placed on the human being as the center of everything. This has caused problems for creative types, since they are often referred to as “geniuses.” This pressure is excruciating and drives many creative people to develop imbalanced personalities and alcoholism.
Gilbert said she has observed and experienced the concept that there is something out there that is intended to help creative people create. She had the chance to interview Tom Waits, who she said is one of the best examples of the tortured artistic soul.
Waits claimed he had an artistic experience that has helped him control the anxiety he suffered over his music. However, one day, he was driving on the freeway and he felt a melody coming on and he had no way to record it. The old terror of missing a song and regretting it for the rest of his life started to creep upon him.
According to Gilbert, Waits then stopped and spoke to the sky, “Excuse me can you not see I’m driving? Can you not come back at a more opportune time? If not go bother someone else.”
After that, he told her he felt he had taken the genie out of himself and he felt less internal pressure.
Gilbert said she even used this concept when she was writing Eat, Pray, Love. She said she believes that the power of creativity any artist is blessed with is on loan from some great divine being. When that artist has accomplished everything he or she was intended to bring about, it goes away and is bestowed on another soul.
In the end though, she said she believes in the power of work, of laying the groundwork for the genius spirit.
She closed her speech saying, “Don’t be afraid. Don’t be daunted. Just do your job. Just show up and do your part.”
If something great comes from it, then congratulations. If nothing comes from it, good job anyway for doing your best.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
The Future of Journalism
Journalism, as a field, is known for its dynamic nature. The ability to work in journalism calls for the need to be able to be flexible with the changing face of the realm. Therefore, the future will never be a definite thing since the present is continually morphing into a different face.
The idea that the days of paper journalism is over seems to be far from true. While media continues to become more and more stratified, the desire to still be able to pick up a newspaper at least once a week still remains strong.
As for the future of journalism as a changing field, it appears that more and more journalism is becoming a career that can be practiced anywhere at anytime. Therefore, if the practitioners are able to create news spontaneously, the audience will be able to receive news in the same spontaneous nature. News will most likely continue to become more stratified and as such, consumers will be able to receive many different genres of news, whether it be via e-mail, text messages, or perhaps, even papers.
Journalists will have to continue to concentrate on this idea of news becoming more and more personalized in order to meet the needs of the audience.
Whereas, the concept of consumers being more involved in the news communication process looks like it still has the potential for growth. Currently, the consumer is able to give feedback through comments on articles and letters to the editor. This may be the first step in societal change so that consumers may become more active participants in the news process so it better fits their needs. Local news channels in Memphis encourage their audience to take pictures and/or videos of breaking news stories. This could be a problem legally, as some events are of a sensitive nature and need to be handled as such.
The idea that the days of paper journalism is over seems to be far from true. While media continues to become more and more stratified, the desire to still be able to pick up a newspaper at least once a week still remains strong.
As for the future of journalism as a changing field, it appears that more and more journalism is becoming a career that can be practiced anywhere at anytime. Therefore, if the practitioners are able to create news spontaneously, the audience will be able to receive news in the same spontaneous nature. News will most likely continue to become more stratified and as such, consumers will be able to receive many different genres of news, whether it be via e-mail, text messages, or perhaps, even papers.
Journalists will have to continue to concentrate on this idea of news becoming more and more personalized in order to meet the needs of the audience.
Whereas, the concept of consumers being more involved in the news communication process looks like it still has the potential for growth. Currently, the consumer is able to give feedback through comments on articles and letters to the editor. This may be the first step in societal change so that consumers may become more active participants in the news process so it better fits their needs. Local news channels in Memphis encourage their audience to take pictures and/or videos of breaking news stories. This could be a problem legally, as some events are of a sensitive nature and need to be handled as such.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Dear. Dr. Raines,
What kind of cuts are you and your staff going to make to help students out in this time of economic turmoil?
The Tennessee Board of Regents have obviously forgotten what education is about, the students. Students go to school to learn and hopefully gain a degree. Now, it is going to take many undergraduates a minimum of an additional semester to graduate. This can offset many people's life plans, especially those who must attend graduate school.
Life is hard and everyone must realize that part of the load is theirs and it must be carried. While putting a 12-hour cap on student tuition was obviously not Doctor Raines' idea, she should still be working to assist students as much as possible.
Fred Smith had it right when he asked all of his employees to take a pay and potential benefit cut, while simultaneously taking one of his own. In education, this may be difficult since many of the costs are state mandated and being a professor does not pay very well. However, planning should be occurring now as to how the University of Memphis is going to stay focused on its main priority: providing an education for students.
The Tennessee Board of Regents have obviously forgotten what education is about, the students. Students go to school to learn and hopefully gain a degree. Now, it is going to take many undergraduates a minimum of an additional semester to graduate. This can offset many people's life plans, especially those who must attend graduate school.
Life is hard and everyone must realize that part of the load is theirs and it must be carried. While putting a 12-hour cap on student tuition was obviously not Doctor Raines' idea, she should still be working to assist students as much as possible.
Fred Smith had it right when he asked all of his employees to take a pay and potential benefit cut, while simultaneously taking one of his own. In education, this may be difficult since many of the costs are state mandated and being a professor does not pay very well. However, planning should be occurring now as to how the University of Memphis is going to stay focused on its main priority: providing an education for students.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
News Leads
Anecdotal Lead:
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2009/feb/08/help-give-little-ones-a-bonny-02/
"Chaplain Pearly Stone still remembers the first mother who was in need.
Because her pregnancy was high-risk, the mother was admitted to the Regional Medical Center at Memphis. The mom had worked two jobs, but had to give them up.
Her husband was laid off, and one of the couple's other children had a burst appendix.
The mother checked herself out of The Med, against doctor's advice, to be by the side of her ailing child, then returned to have her baby.
But the mother had no clothes in which to take her newborn home."
As a woman, I understand that having a child is incredibly meaningful. However, it also comes with a lot of stress. The thought of having to work twice as hard to provide for your child. The compassion that this group shows warms the heart. I liked how this organization will continue to donate during the economic downturn.
The reporter seemed to find it important to recognize the work of the program. The lead caught my attention quickly since the woman seemed to have a hard time with her life and her pregnancy. However, the focus was on the program and how it helped women who could not provide for their child's most simple needs
Hard Lead
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2009/feb/08/parking-lot-argument-leads-to-deadly-shooting/
"An argument about cars on Friday night ended with the shooting death of a 52-year-old Lakeland man on a Trinity Commons parking lot, the victim's son said on Saturday.
Police officials confirmed Saturday that the shooting apparently escalated from a dispute between two men in the parking lot.
Police had a suspect in custody but had not filed charges late Saturday, said Det. Monique Martin, department spokeswoman."
This lead got to the point quickly. When I heard about this incident, I truly wanted the facts of the situation. The article answered the 5 W's. The article also gave information about the victim, which was key to the story.
The reporter obviously thought that the fact that a seemingly innocent man had been shot over something incredibly stupid. The ridiculous reason that this man eventually died for is depressing.
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2009/feb/08/help-give-little-ones-a-bonny-02/
"Chaplain Pearly Stone still remembers the first mother who was in need.
Because her pregnancy was high-risk, the mother was admitted to the Regional Medical Center at Memphis. The mom had worked two jobs, but had to give them up.
Her husband was laid off, and one of the couple's other children had a burst appendix.
The mother checked herself out of The Med, against doctor's advice, to be by the side of her ailing child, then returned to have her baby.
But the mother had no clothes in which to take her newborn home."
As a woman, I understand that having a child is incredibly meaningful. However, it also comes with a lot of stress. The thought of having to work twice as hard to provide for your child. The compassion that this group shows warms the heart. I liked how this organization will continue to donate during the economic downturn.
The reporter seemed to find it important to recognize the work of the program. The lead caught my attention quickly since the woman seemed to have a hard time with her life and her pregnancy. However, the focus was on the program and how it helped women who could not provide for their child's most simple needs
Hard Lead
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2009/feb/08/parking-lot-argument-leads-to-deadly-shooting/
"An argument about cars on Friday night ended with the shooting death of a 52-year-old Lakeland man on a Trinity Commons parking lot, the victim's son said on Saturday.
Police officials confirmed Saturday that the shooting apparently escalated from a dispute between two men in the parking lot.
Police had a suspect in custody but had not filed charges late Saturday, said Det. Monique Martin, department spokeswoman."
This lead got to the point quickly. When I heard about this incident, I truly wanted the facts of the situation. The article answered the 5 W's. The article also gave information about the victim, which was key to the story.
The reporter obviously thought that the fact that a seemingly innocent man had been shot over something incredibly stupid. The ridiculous reason that this man eventually died for is depressing.
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