The Philanthropist Diaries // Love and Inspiration

//In early 2013, I started a blog called The Philanthropist Diaries. In trying to simplify my life, I'm consolidating blogs and will now feature posts of The Philanthropist Diaries on Life Law Luck. This post was previously published on 7.9.13. //

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The Philanthropist Diaries // International Women's Day

//In early 2013, I started a blog called The Philanthropist Diaries. In trying to simplify my life, I'm consolidating blogs and will now feature posts of The Philanthropist Diaries on Life Law Luck. This post was previously published on 3.8.13. //

"The story of women's struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist nor to any one organization but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights" -- Gloria Steinem

Today is International Women's Day, a celebration of women and girls around the world. Take a moment out of your day to read up on the history of International Women's Day:

The new millennium has witnessed a significant change and attitudinal shift in both women's and society's thoughts about women's equality and emancipation. Many from a younger generation feel that 'all the battles have been won for women' while many feminists from the 1970's know only too well the longevity and ingrained complexity of patriarchy. With more women in the boardroom, greater equality in legislative rights, and an increased critical mass of women's visibility as impressive role models in every aspect of life, one could think that women have gained true equality. The unfortunate fact is that women are still not paid equally to that of their male counterparts, women still are not present in equal numbers in business or politics, and globally women's education, health and the violence against them is worse than that of men.

However, great improvements have been made. We do have female astronauts and prime ministers, school girls are welcomed into university, women can work and have a family, women have real choices. And so the tone and nature of IWD has, for the past few years, moved from being a reminder about the negatives to a celebration of the positives.

While the struggle for equality still exists, International Women's Day is the perfect opportunity to honor the women in your life.  Call your mom, send an email to your girlfriends, say thank you to the women you work with.  Remember the women who have battled before us, but recognize the fight isn't over.  Celebrate their achievements and the achievements yet to come for women and girls.

The Philanthropist Diaries // Success

//In early 2013, I started a blog called The Philanthropist Diaries. In trying to simplify my life, I'm consolidating blogs and will now feature posts of The Philanthropist Diaries on Life Law Luck. This post was previously published on 3.12.13. //

Two weeks ago, I was in Reno presenting at the Alpha Kappa Psi Principled Business Leadership Institute.  I co-facilitated three programs with a good friend and had a blast during the weekend.  We saw Dan Harbeke speak based on his book, Get In! How to Market Yourself and Become Successful at a Young Age.  Dan gave a definition of success that has resonated with me in the weeks since:

ambition + focus + integrity = success

Ambition is the desire to get up and get started; focus is knowing what you want to do; and integrity is doing it well.  Success.

What's your definition of success?

The Philanthropist Diaries // Show Your Love For Philanthropy

//In early 2013, I started a blog called The Philanthropist Diaries. In trying to simplify my life, I'm consolidating blogs and will now feature posts of The Philanthropist Diaries on Life Law Luck. This post was previously published on 2.14.13. //

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I was speaking with my good friend Lauren about our shared love of of philanthropy when she mentioned that she recently looked up the etymology of the word philanthropy. I had never actually done this before so I quickly searched for it so I could be in the know.

Philanthropy

from Late Latin philanthropia, from Greek philanthropia "kindliness, humanity, benevolence, love to mankind" (from gods, men, or things), from philanthropos (adj.) "loving mankind, useful to man," from phil- "loving"  + anthropos "mankind"

The heart of philanthropy is love. That makes total sense to me. At the core of my passion for nonprofits and philanthropies is love.  Love for the world. Love for others. Love for those who inspire and give of themselves. Love for big ideas and big dreams. Love for the faith and hope in humanity that this work gives me.

I'm in this game because of passion and big dreams to make this world a better place.

This Valentine's Day, a day devoted to hearts and romance and passion, show your love by donating $14 today to your favorite charity.  A little love often goes a long way.  Encourage your friends and colleagues to do the same in the name of love!

What do you love about philanthropy?

The Philanthropist Diaries // Breakfast With Nonprofit Rockstar Trista Harris

//In early 2013, I started a blog called The Philanthropist Diaries. In trying to simplify my life, I'm consolidating blogs and will now feature posts of The Philanthropist Diaries on Life Law Luck. It's my life, it's how I'm using my law degree, it makes sense to me. If this topic doesn't interest you, I'll be back with recipes, DIYs and random other things that make me smile. This post was previously published on 2.10.13. //

Two weeks ago, I had the opportunity to attend the first Breakfast of Champions event put on by the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network Twin Cities chapter.  The spotlight champion was Trista Harris, Executive Director of the Headwaters Foundation and co-author of the book How to Become a Nonprofit Rockstar.

The breakfast was one part networking and one part learning from Trista. She focused her talk with us on sharing 6 tips to be a Nonprofit Rockstar. I thought I'd share my quick takeaways from Trista's talk:

1. Develop Expertise

Do your job well. You are in charge of your success or failure. Develop your own personal development plan. Learn everything you can about your job.  Build your skill set.

2. Build a Network

Build your relationships in places you want to be. Volunteer at conferences in your industry. Being an introvert is not an excuse - turn it on when you have to.

3. Establish a Great Personal Brand

Your brand is what people say about you when you are not in the room. It is up to you to establish your brand. See the context of where you are working and work within it.  Highlight your strengths.

4. Practice Authentic Leadership

Be a leader even if you aren't in a manager position. Lead a committee or an initiative.  Manage a budget.  Be intentional about your leadership.

5. Plan for Balance

Nothing else matters if you burn out or quit so find balance that works for you. Un-volunteer for stuff. Build a leadership pipeline in the organization that you volunteer in; it gives you an exit strategy. Keep a thank you note file to remind you that you matter.  Keep perspective.

6. Move Up

Having the hard conversation is critical to your career advancement. Ask for the raise or promotion. Determine what value you add to the organization. Set big goals for yourself. Have people who will push you to the next step. Enjoy the thing you are doing now.

Over the weekend, I devoured Trista and Rosetta Thurman's book, How to Become a Nonprofit Rockstar. This should be reading for anyone making their way in the trenches of the nonprofit world.  They offer a ton more tips that are easy to implement and highly relevant for getting ahead in your nonprofit job.  If you want to be a nonprofit rockstar, you must check it out!

The Philanthropist Diaries // Today's Philanthropist

//In early 2013, I started a blog called The Philanthropist Diaries. In trying to simplify my life, I'm consolidating blogs and will now feature posts of The Philanthropist Diaries on Life Law Luck. It's my life, it's how I'm using my law degree, it makes sense to me. If this topic doesn't interest you, I'll be back with recipes, DIYs and random other things that make me smile. This post was previously published on 2.3.13. //

When I was younger, I dreamed of one day being a philanthropist. I voiced my ambitions to my father who laughed and told me you have to have money to be a philanthropist. Determined not to be discouraged, I set out to not let money dictate my desire to give back.

The word philanthropist calls to mind visions of old white men millionaires divesting their fortunes at the end of their lives.  Well, I'm hear to tell you that today's philanthropist has changed.

By definition, a philanthropist is one who makes an active effort to promote human welfare. I didn't see "wealthy" or "rich" as a requirement to be philanthropic. Today's philanthropists are young and committed to social change. They volunteer in their spare time, if not choosing to make promoting human welfare part of their career. Social entrepreneurship is no longer just a buzzword.

But from one philanthropist to another, I want to let you in on a little secret: It's okay to be selfish when committing your time as a volunteer to a nonprofit. That's the key to becoming one of today's philanthropist.

You need to ask yourself, what's in it for me? Think about how can you utilize this experience to learn a new skill or improve your current ones.  What will be your takeaway from this experience? Take on a leadership role, head a committee, volunteer to be a greeter at the event if you are shy, or brush up on your design skills.  Maximize your time with the organization or cause to make it worthwhile for you.

Don't let money decide whether you will join the ranks of today's philanthropists.  But do let your capacity for leadership shine through in each opportunity.