http://philanthropy.com/news/updates/index.php?id=9903

This article described a report released by some of the major philanthropic organizations that included ways to mobilize volunteers. Often, non-profit organizations need more volunteers than they have, but it seems like they focus too much time speaking purely on what the organization does, rather than how volunteers can be involved. As someone who volunteers with a couple of organizations, I know how I was recruited. For Girl Scouts, I am a lifetime member and alumna of the organization so I am strongly motivated to help carry on this organization's legacy. I want to help the next generation of girls to know how awesome working with their sister scouts can be and the pure thrill of knowing that you are a member of an organization created to purely help young women learn and grow, an organization that has been around for almost an entire century.
However, there are plenty of organizations out there that have a huge need for volunteers, but people who are interested in volunteering do not always know how to get involved. I have seen advertisements on television or even on billboards for groups such as Big Brothers, Big Sisters that do not even list a website to visit in order to gain information. If I wanted to get involved, I would have to remember the name of the group, go home, use a search engine and attempt to find some information. However, most volunteer audiences have such a short attention span that they simply will not remember to go searching for information.
I think President Obama's push for more money to be spent helping non-profit organizations sets him apart as a new(er) president. Focus needs to be put on the great organizations that are trying to make the world a little bit better and if the president of the United States is so gung-ho, then what can the world do but follow?
However, this potential for new campaigns to gain volunteers could hurt organizations that do not have a plan in place to handle a large number of new volunteers. This needs to be addressed by someone higher up and funds should be adequately portioned for volunteer orientation, because if you do not have volunteers, how will the work get done? It just won't.

Nonprofit Work May Not Pay the Best,...

http://philanthropy.com/news/updates/index.php?id=9632

With unemployment on the rise, non-profit organizations are seeking to help more and more people than ever. The goal of most is to uplift someone, in some way. This mission is not always easy to follow.
President Barack Obama recently supported an act through Congress that would allow for greater benefits for non-profits. In this act, they may receive more government help. With more benefit, especially more monetary benefits, these organizations may be able to hire some of the 9.7% of Americans that are currently without work.
These organizations are especially encouraged to look into recruiting racial and ethnic minorities, as job loss within these segments of society is soaring.
Often, I feel that people would love to work for something they are passionate about. It's why I plan on going into non-profit work. However, most people are so obsessed with a huge paycheck, that they fore go their passions and work for a company they may not have any strong feelings toward, which is fine. This new act will do great things for our country's well-being. As a member of a family that is suffering a job loss for one of my parents, I think it is awesome that President Obama is striving to benefit as many people as possible. Our will needs to remain strong that we make it through this tough economic time.

Home Depot is a large national corporation and probably has different charities it donates to regularly, but their newest fund is going to support Habitat for Humanity and an effort to make greener living possible.
First of all, Habitat for Humanity is a great foundation, since it provides homes for people who simply cannot afford them otherwise. A home is a basic necessity that oftentimes, I take for granted. What would life be like if I had nowhere to identify as my dwelling? It's the basic center of my family and without it, we would be lost. I have been blessed enough to have always had a home, but there are always going to be people who are less fortunate. This program does awesome work and I hope to see it continue to thrive.
The fact that Home Depot is supporting not only Habitat, but also greener living, is just plain cool. Often, big companies do not seem to really care about their environmental impact and social responsibility, but Home Depot is clearly making a stand that it does care. Our environment needs serious repair and even the smallest things, like building greener houses for people who cannot afford a house, are tremendous. The article makes it seem like the effort will be for things to be green friendly, while still making the houses livable, with the use of things like low flow toilets and adjustable thermostats.
http://philanthropy.com/news/updates/index.php?id=9071

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

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

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.

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.