-----------------------------------------------------------------
DOING GOOD || APRIL 2011 || CHARITY, AGAPE, AND GIVING BACK
-----------------------------------------------------------------

This email is best viewed in your web browser. Click the link
below to see it:
http://dogoodconsulting-newsletters.createsend1.com/t/r/e/jltuel/l/jy/

In this issue:
-----------------------------------------------------------------
- CHARITY: JUST DO IT
- One Simple Act: THE POWER OF THANKS
- Group Profile: UNIVERSITY YMCA


CHARITY: JUST DO IT
-----------------------------------------------------------------
by Laura Huth, President & CEO, do good Consulting

I remember my first real pang of activism – of charity – when I
was about 10. A Time magazine lay open on the kitchen table and I
saw the photo of a child. This wasn't just any ordinary photo.
Like many youth, the boy had large eyes and ears that stuck out
from his head. But this little boy wasn't smiling. And his eyes
were covered in flies. I was stunned – I had never seen anything
like this before. My knees buckled, my stomach sank, and my eyes
welled up.

Ethiopians were starving, I read in the story that accompanied
the photo, suffering from a terrible drought. The imagery of the
words and photos moved me deeply; my throat hurt from trying to
choke back tears I didn't want my parents to see.

Growing up in the suburbs of Chicago in a middle-class
neighborhood, I was relatively shielded from these sorts of
goings-on in the world around me. We watched almost no
television, got one paper a week, and only received Time because
my sister won a subscription in a contest.

This is not to say that we were oblivious to the outside world.
Even as a youngster, I volunteered at the local recycling center
(this before curbside programs), accepting trunkloads of
newspaper and bottles. My family spent time at the Chicago Food
Depository boxing up food for other families, and even
accompanied Grandma Huth on her Meals on Wheels routes.

What was lacking in these experiences, though, was context – a
connection. Holding in my hand that day the photo of that young
boy – though he was on the other side of the planet – so lacking
in nourishment that every bone in his body could be seen poking
out from his skin – made the situation extremely real to me.
Uncomfortably real. Real enough that I decided to take my charity
– my activism – to the next level.

My sister and I decided to harness the power of a group of people
that gathered each Sunday. We had grown accustomed to putting
small envelopes with bits of our allowance into the plates that
came around during services at our church. The next Sunday,
Caroline and I approached our pastor to ask if we could make a
presentation and special appeal to raise money to send to
Ethiopia.

The next Sunday, Caroline and I – knees shaking and palms
sweating – took the pulpit and made our case. I don't remember
much about our presentation that day, but do remember standing on
a short stool so we could see over the pulpit. I looked out at
the congregation and realized they were listening – really
listening – and that we had the opportunity to create change. The
face of the Ethiopian boy flashed in my mind as we made our
appeal for funds to help children like him – to provide them with
food, medical supplies, and housing.

The passion in that appeal – and the face behind it motivating me
– worked. The collection plates circulated and in the end,
Caroline and I had helped to raise about $800.

That Sunday was the day I learned the true meaning of charity. It
felt so good to be charitable – and to help others also be so –
that it brought an otherwise knee-scraped, tough-as-nails tomboy
to tears.

I realize now that what brought me to the pulpit that day was my
family – a family who had been teaching me compassion, justice,
perseverance, and hard work for 10 years.

I was raised on stories from my grandparents Huth about their 13
foster children – kids from all backgrounds, races, and economic
situations. My grandparents Nemetz talked often about their
experience as immigrants. I watched my dad leave for work each
morning for decades, loyal to the same company his entire life. I
remember my mother sitting with me, patient, as she taught me to
be a great communicator.

All these things came together that one day in a fabulous
opportunity of synergy. Ten years of love and life brought me to
the pulpit to give me my first conscious experience with agape,
which I think of as the unlimited love that comes with the act of
giving back. I will never forget the experience, and from that
day forward, I aim to live agape in everything I do, and to use
my life's work to help others also realize the love I found that
day – the love I found in giving back.

As we grapple with lingering impacts of the earthquake in Haiti
last year and now the devastation unleashed on Japan, as we
continue to struggle in a state racked with budget woes and
cities making enormous cuts to make ends meet, remember the
opportunities simple acts of charity can have on others in need –
and how it can unleash the power of agape in you, too.

In the end, it matters not if we have just one hour or 100 to
volunteer. Do it. It matters not if you are just one person, or a
crowd of 100. Speak out. Do it. And it matters not if we have
only $1 or $100 to donate. Do it. To me, that is what charity is
all about.


One Simple Act: THE POWER OF THANKS
-----------------------------------------------------------------
In each month's Doing Good, you'll find one great tip to
implement over the next month. By taking this one small,
achievable action each month, you can make big changes in your
organization's and your own performance, increase donations and
volunteerism, and expand your group's visibility. Give it a try!

This month's ONE SIMPLE ACT was submitted by do good Consulting
subcontractor Tim Newcomb, who specializes in non-profit
technology needs, database systems, and e-communication systems.
It focuses on the simple, but powerful, act of saying thanks.

Make next week "Thank You Week" at your organization. No matter
your role -- staff member, board member, volunteer, donor, or
client -- find some time each day to take a few minutes and thank
another member of the staff, a board member, or a hard working
volunteer for a job well done, a great idea, or just taking care
of business. It takes a lot of good people working hard to help
your organization fulfill its mission and make an impact in your
community, so take a moment each day next week to recognize some
of your team's achievements!

Group Profile: UNIVERSITY YMCA
-----------------------------------------------------------------
by Rachael Dietkus-Miller

"No pool. No gym. Engaging people in service, reflection, and
action since 1873 at the University of Illinois."

This is the main motto of the University YMCA
[http://www.universityymca.org] at the University of Illinois –
one of the oldest charitable organizations in Champaign County.
The University Y is a multi-faceted organization that prides
itself on the energy of its programs and the dedication of their
student leaders and campus community volunteers.

Located in the heart of campus on the corner of Wright and
Chalmers in Champaign, the University Y has been in its current
location for nearly 75 years. As a former student leader with the
University Y in the mid-1990s, I was deeply committed to the work
of Alternative Spring Break [http://www.illinoisasb.org/]. Years
later, I was honored and privileged to be part of the staff
working directly with student leaders of a different era.
Committed to dialogue, cultural exchange, human rights, and an
array of environmental issues, students, volunteers, and staff
involved with the University Y demonstrated how to get things
done all while staying on task with their mission. At present,
the Y is home to 12 impressive and very active student programs
[http://www.universityymca.org/programs/] reflecting issues of
concern that embody issues surrounding culture, the environment,
service learning, and human rights and social justice.

Last year, the University Y adopted the Principles of
Stewardship, further demonstrating that their physical space is
integral to their mission, should reflect their values and
advance their mission, and always plays an important role in
determining how all visitors perceive the organization. The
University Y has recently completed the initial phase of their
current building improvements and the results are both noticeable
and beautiful.

The 138-year old structure is now equipped with a new sound
system, updated and environmentally friendly lighting, and new
paint, carpet, and furnishings throughout. A new elevator,
updated office spaces, and staff and student programming space
that aligns with their Principles of Stewardship are some of the
highlights of this critical phase in renovations.

An updated space on the first floor has now become home to weekly
Cosmo Coffee Hour discussions that are both lively and timely. A
new Art @ the Y [http://www.universityymca.org/art/index.html]
initiative embodies some of the most profound insight, critique,
and creative thinking around the issues which comprise the
mission of the Y. Art @ the Y seeks to engage issues of social
justice, international understanding, environmental activism,
faith, and cultural understanding through quality arts
programming. The revolving exhibition space features artists
whose work speaks to the mission of the Y, the international art
film series, Global Lens, as well as performing arts events
throughout the year.

From the longstanding lectures of Friday Forum
[http://www.universityymca.org/fridayforum/] and Know Your
University [http://www.universityymca.org/kyu/] to awarding
thousands of dollars in scholarships through the Bailey Scholars
program [http://www.universityymca.org/bailey/index.html] and
sending hundreds of students on service trips each year with
Alternative Spring Break [http://www.illinoisasb.org/], the
University Y has not missed a moment in its almost 140 years to
harness the energy of the young student population.

To learn even more about this remarkable campus and community
institution, visit the University YMCA at www.universityymca.org
[http://www.universityymca.org].

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Online donations on the rise

Online fundraising grew nearly 35% in 2010 and now accounts for
almost 8% of total fundraising. Small non-profits posted 22%
growth in online fundraising in 2010, medium ones nearly 16%, and
large ones almost 56%.

Read more here
[http://philanthropyjournal.org/news/online-giving-grows].

-----------------------------------------------------------------

EventBrite [http://www.eventbrite.com/]

Eventbrite [http://www.eventbrite.com/] is an online tool that
helps organizations and individuals manage, promote, and sell
tickets to events. Eventbrite offers great functionality at
reasonable prices and is simple to use even for non-techies.
It's also free to use for no-cost events. These are some of the
things Eventbrite can help you do:* Sell tickets and accept
donations (Paypal, google checkout, pay by check)
* Sell tickets through your own or their website
* Sell discounted, tiered or open-price tickets
* Cap the number of tickets you sell and manage waitlists
* Manage your check-in list, print actual tickets and name tags
* Promote your event through social media sites like Facebook and
Twitter



-----------------------------------------------------------------

New Donor and Volunteer Prospects in just 10 minutes!

Need more contacts to build your organization's donor and
volunteer base? Enlist your board to help. At your next board
meeting, take 10 minutes for board members to write down and turn
in 5 names (along with contact information) of people who might
like to learn more about your organization. Many donors began
simply as newsletter or e-newsletter readers or volunteers, so
begin by adding these new contacts to your mailing and emailing
lists.

Ask board members to brainstorm from the networks and communities
they're a part of (i.e. family, friends, work, faith groups,
clubs/associations, etc.) for this exercise. Having board members
regularly and actively build your group's contacts is a great way
to both engage your board in your organization's growth and to
build your donor and volunteer base for the future.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

GIFT PLANNING SEMINAR: The Basics of Gift Planning, Friday, April
15; Noon to 1:30PM, Champaign Country Club. Successful
fundraisers have a variety of giving options to suggest to donors
and prospective donors. Learn how appropriate giving tools can be
used based on specific donor attributes. Sponsored by the East
Central Illinois Association of Fundraising Professionals
[http://www.eastcentralillinoisafp.org/]. Presented by Bill
Russell, Gift Planning Advisor, University of Illinois
Foundation. AFP members: $20; non-AFP members: $25. To reserve,
contact Holly Thompson at 217-693-4732 or
hthompson@girlscouts-gsci.org [hthompson@girlscouts-gsci.org]
before April 11.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

do good Consulting [http://www.dogoodconsulting.org] is an
award-winning consulting firm serving the needs of non-profit
organizations and small businesses. We have decades of real-life
experience and proven results and bring a wealth of knowledge in
developing the effectiveness of organizations and businesses
across Illinois. Whether you need assistance with fundraising
[http://www.dogoodconsulting.org/services/fundraising.html],
strategic planning
[http://www.dogoodconsulting.org/services/strategic_program_planning.html],
hiring searches
[http://www.dogoodconsulting.org/services/hiring.html],
communications and marketing
[http://www.dogoodconsulting.org/services/marketing_media_comm.html],
grantwriting
[http://www.dogoodconsulting.org/services/fundraising.html],
database work
[http://www.dogoodconsulting.org/services/constituent_relations.html],
teambuilding
[http://www.dogoodconsulting.org/services/interpersonal_dynamics.html],
board development
[http://www.dogoodconsulting.org/services/board_dev_train.html],
website development and social networking
[http://www.dogoodconsulting.org/services/website_internet.html],
or more, do good can help.

Through dynamic and customized workshops and trainings,
one-on-one sessions, strategic advice, and plan development, do
good Consulting helps small- to mid-sized organizations and
businesses raise more money and engage more customers, involve
more people, and do the good work they do even better. do good's
consultants [http://www.dogoodconsulting.org/consultants/] work
with clients [http://www.dogoodconsulting.org/clients/] to
develop a better sense of organizational possibilities and
potential while creating realistic and practical step-by-step
plans and ideas for implementation and lasting impact. Learn more
about do good Consulting's trainings
[http://www.dogoodconsulting.org/services/], services
[http://www.dogoodconsulting.org/services/], and resources
[http://www.dogoodconsulting.org/resources/].

For more information on do good Consulting or our consultants
[http://www.dogoodconsulting.org/consultants/], consulting and
training services [http://www.dogoodconsulting.org/services/],
free resources [http://www.dogoodconsulting.org/resources/],
clients [http://www.dogoodconsulting.org/clients/], and more, go
to www.dogoodconsulting.org [http://www.dogoodconsulting.org/].

-----------------------------------------------------------------

We sent this email to [email address suppressed].

If you no longer wish to hear from us, click the link below to
instantly unsubscribe:
http://dogoodconsulting-newsletters.createsend1.com/t/r/u/jltuel/l/jj/

Thanks,
Laura Huth, do good Consulting