If you do, then will you help with an experiment?
Here it is in a nutshell: On Tuesday, October 2nd, I'm teaching a free teleclass to 150 or so VISTA Volunteers and others who are working for nonprofit organizations. In case you don't know, VISTA is like the domestic branch of the Peace Corps. You can find out all about the Corporation for Community and National Service and what VISTA Volunteers and Americorps Members do, by clicking the link above.
What I can tell you is that these are very dedicated, hardworking people who believe that one person can make a difference - and they're willing to spend up to a year of their lives proving it.
VISTAs have been providing a tremendous amount of help to the victims of Hurricane Katrina. They work with Habitat for Humanity building houses. They feed the poor, help the homeless and work with latch-key kids in after-school programs. They also work on environmental issues - in short, they're taking action to make our neighborhoods a better place to live.
So while I was going through their answers to the questions I asked them in preparation for this first free teleseminar, I suddenly had an idea for a great experiment. And that's why you're here.
I also believe that one person can make a difference - and I'd be grateful if you could help me prove it. Whatever cause you're the most passionate about, I'm inviting you to check the posts on this blog from now until October 1. I've asked the participants of the seminar to write a little bit about their projects and three things they need to help them make those projects successful.
Read through the things they need - and if there's something there that you can provide - please either get in touch with the VISTA Volunteer or me, to say what you can do. Donations of cash and checks are always appreciated - and you can either designate that it goes into a pool which I'll make sure is distributed equally among all the organizations (I'm working on finding a fiscal agent with a 501(c)(3) - so that your donation is tax deductible), or send the check to a specific organization.
And if you don't find something that you're passionate about on this list - look around - give something in your own neighborhood, hometown or to your favorite cause. Just please leave a post on the blog about what you've done to contribute to the "Activist Guide Experiment."
And if the only thing you want to do is pass the word to someone else that's great too! Just leave a note that you've done that - who knows what results your action will have? Whatever it is, you're making a difference just by reading about this and participating.
And, okay, my VISTAs - my secret is out - this is why I've asked you to post your comments about your projects and what you need, and this is the big "experiment"! Lets see what happens, shall we?
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My name is Gina Carney and I am an Americorps *VISTA for Children's Hunger Alliance-- a non-profit organization based out of Columbus, Ohio. Our mission is to break the cycle of childhood hunger through education, leadership, advocacy and service. We take on several annual fundraisers to equip our organization with the means necessary to achieve this enormous feat. Amongst these are a 5K race entitled Panerathon, a Luncheon we call Menu of Hope and a live auction featuring the areas best chefs called Taste to Remember. We rely heavily on In-Kind donations to make these events successful. The three most relevant and substantial areas in need of your support would be 1. Event sponsorship 2. In-kind printing 3. Media Technology (video camera, digital camera, etc.) However, any and all of your contributions and support is more than welcome.
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