TED
The Challenge of Inequality
After viewing this talk I am convinced that the social sector may be uniquely positioned to navigate the way, addressing the issues surrounding inequality that Richard Wilkinson’s data reveals. How do we balance the American dream of opportunity with the stark reality that those who are most well off are leaving those who have the least in the most challenging situation of any developed country? Are we gathering the huddled masses only to leave them on the other side of the golden door?
New Colossus
Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
“Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she
With silent lips. “Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
“Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she
With silent lips. “Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”
Emma Lazarus
Intelligent Risk-Takers
Rory’s talk is terrific and provides an inspiring context to view current events. If the state of foreign affairs is more than you want to wrap your mind around, skip ahead to the 16:00 mark for a tremendous metaphor.
Repackaging Knowledge
Rules for Selecting Furniture and Other Observations
David Brooks presents a compelling case for the emotional role that mind-sight, sympathy, street smarts, and limerick play in our collective intelligence.
Engagement
Running an effective volunteering program has been a theme for a few nonprofits I am in touch with. Many find they are challenged to get volunteers to engage consistently. One summarized it beautifully, saying there is a difference between volunteering and voluntold. It is easy to say we have a need and ask the next person that comes along to fill the gap. It is bit like filling open seats on an airplane, just take the next available seat. The difference is that volunteering does not come with a contract or ticket. It is an expression of a gift, sharing time and talent to assist an organization.
Volunteers don’t get paid, not because they’re worthless, but because they’re priceless. ~Sherry Anderson
The great volunteering coordinators act like a concierge. They get to know their clients, understand their passions and motivations. Then they call on them when the perfect opportunity appears. There are always a few people who say yes to everything but a majority readily decline opportunities that appear too generic thinking somebody else will step-up. If you can engage potential volunteers with the right project you have taken an important step to deepening your cause’s relationship with an advocate. It is a lot of work up front but nothing is more powerful than a highly functioning system for recruiting and engaging volunteers. Daniel Pink identified autonomy, mastery, and purpose as the three keys for motivation in his book, Drive. Interestly, volunteering removes one of the greatest hurdles to motivation (compensation rewards). Take a moment to watch.
What do you want to believe?
Borrowing from a Samaritanblog post last week. Powerful message for all of us, not matter the labels or limitations we use to define ourselves.
Definition of Balance
What does fear keep you from doing?
Would you be willing to learn a foreign language, take-up swimming, learn ballroom dancing in public venues when you are starting from square one? Tim Ferriss discusses how to become accomplished and feel like the Incredible Hulk.
What is fear keeping you from experiencing or achieving? In Tim’s terms, “what is the worst that can happen?” It may show you what you should do.
Compassion and Enlightend Self-Interest
Would we be more serious about committing and rebuilding Haiti over the next decade if we found that a Taliban training camp had been established inside Haiti’s borders? Would we be more serious about climate change if a polar bear showed-up in the backyard? Would we be more serious about addressing homelessness if one received a picture, profile and in-person introduction to the homeless person your tax dollars were funding?
Paul Collier has a simple formula to address the needs of the bottom billion of the world’s population.
What-if-concepts 