Recent Events 10/08: Portland Conference
Posted by Priscilla Macy on October 22, 2008
A note from Priscilla who led the conference:
A big thank you to all of you for gathering in Portland (Vancouver) to learn and share ideas regarding the GS Giving Circle! We so appreciate your interest, your input and taking the time to gather.
It’s a crazy time here economically and politically but, when I find myself complaining, the Giving Circle helps me to quickly remember just how blessed I am and how very tough the kids in Livingstone and the townships have it. It’s a treat to know that we are making a positive difference in some of these children’s lives.
Thank you for being part of the Circle! Your interest, your input, your support and your funds all make a difference-
Below are the notes from the gathering:
Global Sojourns Giving Circle Oct 12, 2008 Meeting
Attendees:
Chris Schnacky
Resa Thomason
Alexandra Hasson
Heidi Bixby
Sarah Williams
Naomi Hall
Linda Dee
Lynn Findlay (may help w/admin database)
Megan Wodward
Priscilla Macy
Peter Macy
Paige Hasson
Priscilla gave a brief introduction about Clarence Foundation, Giving Circles and the Global Sojourns Giving Circle (GS-GC) including the fact that within the Clarence Foundation “family” of Giving Circles only the GS- GC gives internationally and has a membership that is distributed nationally. Priscilla also discussed the GS-GC Vetting process and Vetting Committee and the project being considered for funding for 2009.
Priscilla, Sarah and Linda talked about the recent wine tasting fund raising events in Colorado and California. This year (2008) we raised $14,560 for year 2009 donations which represents a modest growth from the previous year, the 1st year of GS-GC
We have 14 members and many donors.
GROWING DONATIONS
To help expand donations we first tried to list why we feel that people want to give to the GS-GC, which included:
* The simple desire to give to worthwhile causes
* Those who have a heart for Africa
* From those who want to avoid the typical non-profit route
* People want to feel good about where their money goes, more direct, and less administrative costs
* People wanting to be connected w/the projects (engaged giving at grass roots level) and vetted by those that are trusted
* The GS-GC raises awareness in the US to the # of children who are orphans
* The GS-GC introduces people to intl. development
There was some discussion about “selling” GS-GC through the Global Sojourns clients either upfront or afterwards, when the clients return from trip. The consensus appeared to be to “soft sell” the GS-GC.
Priscilla advocated for larger donors/donations rather than more, smaller donations, as this helps to better help the GS-GC to predict how to operate in the year ahead
CLARENCE FOUNDATION ADMINSTRATIVE FEE
Priscilla explained how the Clarence Foundation “administrative fees” are covered by Priscilla so that GS-GC member donations go 100% to the recipients
Chris suggested we consider having an “administrative fee” drive, at the end of each year, so that one person (Priscilla) does not have to cover this cost
Donors like giving 100% fee to projects
Note that Global Sojourns takes no “administrative fees”
GS-GC INFORMATION SOURCE
Maybe GS-GC should have its own website, separate from Global Sojourns, but with a similar look
We need a standard template for project descriptions; a sort of fill in the blanks format, so that there is a consistent look when describing projects
Chris recommended having a “money map” showing the path of where a donor’s money is going
4 conf calls/yr was suggested as necessary to keep members informed and to tap into their creative thinking/ideas. Also we would want 4 newsletters/yr
Conference calls, as opposed to the newsletters, should cover deeper issues like “dependency” and “education” vs. water projects.
We need an update on projects. We need guidance on “what should we be talking about/learning about”
GS-GC PROGRAMING
Priscilla and Linda explained that the GS-GC “cycle” starts October 1st of each year, and while members tend to concentrate giving near the end of September (for the following year), they can give at any time. Heidi noted that it would be better to given later in the year (e.g., closer to September) so that funds were not “sitting” in the Clarence Foundation account doing nothing, for long periods of time. Heidi also felt the need for a GS-GC Schedule for the year to better help members plan their involvement/ engagement with the GS-GC. A recommendation was made for GS-GC to sent out an email in Sept, about status of total funds, to help those who want to meet the GS-GC target donations. What Peter and Priscilla agreed to do this year was to “top off” the donations to ensure that there was growth between 2007 and 2008.
BUSY LIVES AND VOLUNTEERS
There was allot of discussion about the need for help, even a little, to minimize the burden to just a few individuals. We discussed the dichotomy between very busy lives and the need for volunteers. If anyone feels that they can commit time (either open ended or fixed increments) to help out, please forward that kind offer to Priscilla. There are immediate needs for administrative help, computer and database management help.
PROJECTS
Priscilla and Linda described the projects:
* The Committee selected two Zambian recipients, Ray of Hope and Tusamunyandi, for $4,000 and $6,000 donations respectively in FY 2009
* Ray of Hope will use the $4,000 for micro loans
* Tusamunyandi will use the $6,000 to support a “small army” of young students ($5,000) and a small micro loan ($1,000). Tap into local supplies for schools. For the school program, we may want to consider the Alphabet learning set ($50/13). See Sarah Williams for details.
* The Committee is strongly considering giving Jikeleza $4,000 to help young girls in the townships of Cape Town, South Africa
* Paige also discussed a new project of distributing rag dolls:
*Megan and Linda sew and graciously agreed to help with this depending on how far we want to “develop” each doll before sending
*Can give rag dolls to Global Sojourns travelers to hand-deliver (either a completed doll, or an “unstuffed” doll or even just the pattern, having someone locally sew it together)
*Have 17 from the Auburn Sewing Circle
*There was some discussion on jealousy associated with doll distribution as there will invariably be those who receive them and those that don’t. We should take the lead from the folks on the ground on how to distribute the dolls and how far to “develop” the dolls before sending
*Linda Dee will approach Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) for sewing
*Megan mentioned the American Sewing Guild as another source
*Paige’s preschool can help with collecting cloth
*Catherine (”Kit) and friend will want to sew dolls
*If we have a separate GS-GC website, one idea was to have a link to sponsoring a doll for say >$20 calling it a “gift of love” We thought this should come from the GS-GC rather than one individual. Website/newsletter, need to list donors of dolls
*Maybe hold a Ragdoll Party
GS-GCTRIPS
The recommendation was for two ½ day GS-GC visits, if the trip is not specifically for the GS-GC
Highlights from the 1st such visit included: pre-school (Ernest, director of one of charities); seeing how people live and seeing all the women and one man in matching outfits
June 2009 trip will include Livingstone, Zambia, Capetown, South Africa
