Following is a classic segment from Sesame Street that I remember from my childhood. It's all about the people in your neighborhood. It came to mind when thinking about what buythechange is all about. It seems like as a nation we've lost some of the knowledge of the people in our neighborhood. Just last night we hired the daughter of the owner of the local kids' bookstore Auntie Em's and a friend to watch our kids. Nancy (the Mom) dropped them off, and I could tell the boys were fascinated to meet the woman from the bookstore outside of the bookstore. I think we'll all be better off when we know more of the people in the neighborhood, and what they do. The dentist joke alone makes the video worth watching!
Sunday, June 08, 2008
Thursday, June 05, 2008
Notes from the Engaged Philanthropy Conference 2008
I guess it's about time for the bi-annual blog entry! A few days ago when I was thinking I really should get a blog started, I tried to register the blog prefix "fair-profit" only to find that it was already taken. Disheartened, I looked to see who had claimed it, and it was me! Back in 2006. I didn't expect that I could keep a blog that had zero activity for nearly 2 years... but I digress.
I had a great day at the Engaged Philanthropy Conference at the Graves 601 Hotel today. It was hosted by Social Venture Partners a group of business folks with the mission of "promoting philanthropy while doing philanthropy." It was energizing to to participate in a conference about Social Entrepreneurship right here in Minneapolis. It was sold out, with a registration of 400. The morning featured ample time for networking and a keynote by Mr. Bill Strickland, President and CEO of Manchester Bidwell Corporation. Mr. Strickland is an exemplary social innovator who has worked wonders in the inner city of Pittsburgh through his commitment to treat people as assets rather than liabilities. He emphasized that people are a product of their environment, and how seemingly inconsequential details like natural light and public fountains give people hope.
His keynote was followed by a panel discussion about the future of philanthropy, and whether the idea of "engaged philanthropy" or "venture philanthropy" was here to stay. Panelists had varying perspectives, but all tended to agree that the future would embody some sort of compromise between writing a check and micro-managing. The conversation raised a number of thoughts for me, perhaps fodder for future posts (check back in 2 years!). I have some conflicts with the idea of conditional generosity, or generosity that comes with expectations. Maybe there should be a distinction made between "charitable contributions" and "philanthropic investment". At the most basic level, I think generosity is giving an amount that is meaningful without regard for outcomes. That is to say that the most generous act is to give something that you would otherwise actually use for yourself to someone else without condition. I think all acts of charity have merit, but there's a difference between donating a box of clothes you are no longer going to wear and giving away latte money. In the same vein, donations shouldn't be judged solely on size because even a million dollar gift may not be significant to the giver. On the other hand, the idea of "philanthropic investment" could more reasonably have outcomes attached. It speaks to the side of ourselves that likes to feel that our donations are not wasted. We're a nation where even coughs should be productive, so many (myself included) want to be sure that our contributions are put to good use. But giving without strings attached is also good for the soul. It builds trust.
The final portion of the day was the innaugural Social Entrepreneur's Cup competition. Five finalists (including our friends at Marnita's Table) presented their endeavors to the audience and panel of judges. While I applaud the intent behind recongnizing and celebrating entrepreneurial folks in non-profit enterprises, I was suprised to learn that as a for-profit business buythechange wouldn't be able to participate. I thought this would be just the kind of competition that would be made for our fair-profit philosophy of social and economic impact. I felt like one of the missing components of the day was conversation on the blending between the for-profit and non-profit worlds. Businesses are embracing social responsiblity while non-profits are exploring earned income strategies. At the root, entrepreneurship is really about taking risk, taking responsibility and creating value, whether financial or otherwise. Even though buythechange is for-profit, I think our potential for social impact would compare favorably with that of the finalists, in part due to our financial model and capacity to be self-sustaining.
On the whole, I came away energized and optimistic. I was glad to be in the room, and look forward to more active participation as we work together to create a better world for all.
I had a great day at the Engaged Philanthropy Conference at the Graves 601 Hotel today. It was hosted by Social Venture Partners a group of business folks with the mission of "promoting philanthropy while doing philanthropy." It was energizing to to participate in a conference about Social Entrepreneurship right here in Minneapolis. It was sold out, with a registration of 400. The morning featured ample time for networking and a keynote by Mr. Bill Strickland, President and CEO of Manchester Bidwell Corporation. Mr. Strickland is an exemplary social innovator who has worked wonders in the inner city of Pittsburgh through his commitment to treat people as assets rather than liabilities. He emphasized that people are a product of their environment, and how seemingly inconsequential details like natural light and public fountains give people hope.
His keynote was followed by a panel discussion about the future of philanthropy, and whether the idea of "engaged philanthropy" or "venture philanthropy" was here to stay. Panelists had varying perspectives, but all tended to agree that the future would embody some sort of compromise between writing a check and micro-managing. The conversation raised a number of thoughts for me, perhaps fodder for future posts (check back in 2 years!). I have some conflicts with the idea of conditional generosity, or generosity that comes with expectations. Maybe there should be a distinction made between "charitable contributions" and "philanthropic investment". At the most basic level, I think generosity is giving an amount that is meaningful without regard for outcomes. That is to say that the most generous act is to give something that you would otherwise actually use for yourself to someone else without condition. I think all acts of charity have merit, but there's a difference between donating a box of clothes you are no longer going to wear and giving away latte money. In the same vein, donations shouldn't be judged solely on size because even a million dollar gift may not be significant to the giver. On the other hand, the idea of "philanthropic investment" could more reasonably have outcomes attached. It speaks to the side of ourselves that likes to feel that our donations are not wasted. We're a nation where even coughs should be productive, so many (myself included) want to be sure that our contributions are put to good use. But giving without strings attached is also good for the soul. It builds trust.
The final portion of the day was the innaugural Social Entrepreneur's Cup competition. Five finalists (including our friends at Marnita's Table) presented their endeavors to the audience and panel of judges. While I applaud the intent behind recongnizing and celebrating entrepreneurial folks in non-profit enterprises, I was suprised to learn that as a for-profit business buythechange wouldn't be able to participate. I thought this would be just the kind of competition that would be made for our fair-profit philosophy of social and economic impact. I felt like one of the missing components of the day was conversation on the blending between the for-profit and non-profit worlds. Businesses are embracing social responsiblity while non-profits are exploring earned income strategies. At the root, entrepreneurship is really about taking risk, taking responsibility and creating value, whether financial or otherwise. Even though buythechange is for-profit, I think our potential for social impact would compare favorably with that of the finalists, in part due to our financial model and capacity to be self-sustaining.
On the whole, I came away energized and optimistic. I was glad to be in the room, and look forward to more active participation as we work together to create a better world for all.
Saturday, July 08, 2006
The journey of a thousand miles..
Here's a single step in the direction of actually getting a blog going about business, leadership, creativity, and spirituality. I've been interested in retracing the books and ideas that have led me to the understanding of business as vocation and capitalism as the most effective vehicle for social change. The name "fair profit" connotes a hybrid non-profit/for-profit business model that I think will be the key to lasting change. It's akin to "fair trade" or "organic" but has much wider reaching implications. I envision it more along the lines of ISO9002 certification. It would be a standard that consumers could trust to help them choose among multiple product offerings. It would encompass fair labor standards, green business practices, community involvement and executive compensation, among other things. Often we make buying decisions based on price alone and don't think about the other costs associated with low prices. The reality is that we can change the world by changing how we spend our money.
There are a couple of quotes that were particularly influential in my starting this blog. I'll paraphrase them here:
Our task in life is to learn the truth and act on it
- Tolstoy (The Kingdom of God is Within)
Every act is an act of self-definition; everything you think, say, and do continually creates who you are.
- Neale Donald Walsch (Tomorrow's God)
We must be the change we wish to see in the world
- Gandhi
What it really comes down to for me is that I believe that the most fundamental issues that face humanity and the planet, the issues that prevent peace, are spiritual issues. By spiritual I don't mean religious, I mean issues that relate to our understanding of ourselves and our connection to other humans, all of life, and the larger whole. The problems arise from a false notion of separation - the idea that what happens to someone else somewhere else doesn't affect me. That I can succeed at another's expense. That I have done something to deserve my lot in life.
I believe that we are all inextricably connected, and that our sense of separateness is only due to our inability to see beyond our own experience. It is easy for me to comprehend how protons and electrons are a part of an atom, and how atoms are a part of a cell, and how cells are part of an organ, and an organ is a part of the body. Everything that operates on a more simple level than the human mind has been proven to be made up of progressively smaller parts. Even things that are seemingly solid have lots of "space" and "motion" in them on an atomic level. That's why it doesn't make sense to me to think that this progression stops with human beings. Who's to say that we aren't like the protons and electrons, seemingly busy doing our own thing, unknowingly part of something(s) much larger and more integral. So, in refelcting on how to best use my talents to make meaningful change toward a peaceful world, it became quite apparent that the most fundamental work is to increase human awareness of connection to each other and all of life.
The question then became "How?". That's where capitalism comes in. I believe that business is the most powerful force in the world today. It controls money and influences governments. It transcends national borders. In fact, governments and non-profits exist on the proceeds of business. Government in the form of taxes, and non-profits in the form of government aid, corporate donations, and individual donations (from wages, earned in corporations). So it seemed only logical to use the most powerful tool (Capitalism) to tackle the most serious problems (Sense of separation). Hence the fair-profit model which aims to do just that; make people aware of the power of their purchases and provide tools that enable them to more easily spend money in ways that are consistent with their values.
There are a couple of quotes that were particularly influential in my starting this blog. I'll paraphrase them here:
Our task in life is to learn the truth and act on it
- Tolstoy (The Kingdom of God is Within)
Every act is an act of self-definition; everything you think, say, and do continually creates who you are.
- Neale Donald Walsch (Tomorrow's God)
We must be the change we wish to see in the world
- Gandhi
What it really comes down to for me is that I believe that the most fundamental issues that face humanity and the planet, the issues that prevent peace, are spiritual issues. By spiritual I don't mean religious, I mean issues that relate to our understanding of ourselves and our connection to other humans, all of life, and the larger whole. The problems arise from a false notion of separation - the idea that what happens to someone else somewhere else doesn't affect me. That I can succeed at another's expense. That I have done something to deserve my lot in life.
I believe that we are all inextricably connected, and that our sense of separateness is only due to our inability to see beyond our own experience. It is easy for me to comprehend how protons and electrons are a part of an atom, and how atoms are a part of a cell, and how cells are part of an organ, and an organ is a part of the body. Everything that operates on a more simple level than the human mind has been proven to be made up of progressively smaller parts. Even things that are seemingly solid have lots of "space" and "motion" in them on an atomic level. That's why it doesn't make sense to me to think that this progression stops with human beings. Who's to say that we aren't like the protons and electrons, seemingly busy doing our own thing, unknowingly part of something(s) much larger and more integral. So, in refelcting on how to best use my talents to make meaningful change toward a peaceful world, it became quite apparent that the most fundamental work is to increase human awareness of connection to each other and all of life.
The question then became "How?". That's where capitalism comes in. I believe that business is the most powerful force in the world today. It controls money and influences governments. It transcends national borders. In fact, governments and non-profits exist on the proceeds of business. Government in the form of taxes, and non-profits in the form of government aid, corporate donations, and individual donations (from wages, earned in corporations). So it seemed only logical to use the most powerful tool (Capitalism) to tackle the most serious problems (Sense of separation). Hence the fair-profit model which aims to do just that; make people aware of the power of their purchases and provide tools that enable them to more easily spend money in ways that are consistent with their values.
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