Comments on: Death Becomes Us

By: Suzanne Smalley

Suzanne Smalley — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 15:40:33 +0000

I’ve never thought of charitable giving and volunteering as something related to thoughts about one’s own mortality. Did the people in the study choose charities to benefit that were human-related more than animal-related when they were in front of a funeral home?

But then again, I guess my job in nonprofit development and why I “do what I do” is related to thoughts of my own mortality. Since I changed from a music major to PR in college, I wanted to work for the arts and even got a master’s in arts administration. So I have almost always known I wanted to work in nonprofit (though I consider development something I “fell” into and I haven’t looked back!). About a year into my first job, I was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 23, and after continuing to work in the arts (and not progressing in my career the way I wanted), I now work for a hospital in development. I see the people I am helping every single day I walk to the cafeteria, or go past them on my way home to sleep in my own bed, things that many of them can’t do.

One day I hope to be able to help cure cancer, but in the mean time I’m happy making a living by helping people.

By: christopher m. petersen

christopher m. petersen — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 17:05:44 +0000

Justice is one of the reasons I’m in my vocation. It hurts to see others marginalized and denied the basic dignity that’s the gift of being human.

By: Maura Hannigan-Pierce

Maura Hannigan-Pierce — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 03:10:52 +0000

I currently volunteer at non-profits in areas I can, whether that be volunteer time or grant writing. It is for slightly selfish reasons- I want to make my mark in the world. I don’t want to die and not have assisted in making the world alittle bit better for our children’s children. When I truly believe in the mission, I dedicated my whole being to it. I help others all of the time- it’s built into me. I would love to take it to a larger scale.

I look forward to learning & associating with everyone on here. Thank you!!!

By: Robert Evans

Robert Evans — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 19:07:44 +0000

Motivations are varied and not really consistent, especially as we look at age differences.

Generally, what attracts folks to work in the non-profit sector reflect one’s upbringing, life experiences, and personal motivations . . . much like the impact that donors consider in the organizations they support (or not).

I like to think that most of us in the non-profit world truly intend to make a difference in this world . . . and to leave a legacy of something permanent and meaningful.

By: Joni Whelan

Joni Whelan — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 15:21:09 +0000

I’ve never been on a blog before. I’m going to keep an eye on this one. Being a CEO is something I’ve NEVER wanted to become….but here I am. (In my 4th year) I’m working on doing a Beef & Soda (can’t do beer-we’re an addictions treatment & prevention agency.) This will be a first for our agency. Any tips??? Our date is May 15, I’ve got a great hall donated, but nothing else at the moment. HELP???? Thanks! Joni

By: Sheldon

Sheldon — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 18:42:13 +0000

I always say that “a truly righteous man/woman is completely selfish…in that everything he/she does means something better for themselves…especially those done for others”

By: Sarah

Sarah — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 14:26:24 +0000

Laura,

For me, giving is about being human, about feeling gratitude for my place in the world and for the gifts and opportunities I have in abundance. It’s acting on the human impulse to share what I have and on the rage I feel about the scarcity that others live in. Beyond this, though, is the brutal understanding that much of my access and abundance is connected to — really a product of — others’ lack of access. My wanting to play Robin Hood is really about understanding that I stand in such wealth because I am a beneficiary of a system that steals from the poor to give to the rich.

I’m in the middle of reading an amazing Pulitzer Prize winning book by Tracy Kidder called ‘Mountains Beyond Mountains: The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer, a Man who Would Cure the World.” Here’s a quote from Dr. Farmer on p. 40, speaking of white liberals (WL’s) “I love WL’s…they’re on our side…But WL’s think all the world’s problems can be fixed without any cost to themselves. We don’t believe that. There’s a lot to be said for sacrifice, remorse, even pity. It’s what separates us from roaches.”

I don’t need to stand in front of a funeral home to see the cost in our humanity we pay everyday when we benefit from atrocities world wide.

By: Kristine Parkes, CFRE

Kristine Parkes, CFRE — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 13:57:07 +0000

I am looking forward to visiting often!

To answer your question, I often say that I am not going to cure cancer, but by serving the nonprofit sector I can make a small difference everyday!

By: julmer

julmer — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 01:20:26 +0000

I really appreciated Danielle’s comments about using your gifts. When I was worked in development I would tell explain that it wasn’t so much that I liked asking people for money, it was that I found a mission I was committed to and using my talents to raise money was a way to support that mission. I used that approach as a way to coax reluctant board members into helping fundraise as well.

By: Danielle Hamilton

Danielle Hamilton — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 21:56:26 +0000

I do what I do so that hundreds of others can do what they do! I host a website and list that helps over 2,000 animal rescues and humane societies share ideas that are working in fundraising. I could work with just one local humane society, but instead, my fundraising work and research benefits 2,000 groups to make a difference in the lives of thousands of animals. That’s a pretty good return on investment.

Perhaps that professor previously mentioned would state that I have a selfish motive of being recognized in some way… Like most volunteer positions, there isn’t much recognition in what I do. But, I’m still making a difference for thousands of groups and, by extension, tens of thousands of animals who will be spayed/ neutered and adopted. Helping use your gifts to the best of your ability is what we should all be doing.

“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” 1 Peter 4:10

~Danielle Hamilton
http://www.humanefundraising.com