Archive for March, 2008

The Phoenix Business Journal is reporting that the Valley of the Sun United Way raised a record-setting $52.5 million in donations during its 2007 fundraising campaign.

That’s a chunk of change. Seven hundred (700) companies and over one hundred twenty-three thousand (123,000+) individuals invested into the mission of the organization. This is really good news for those in the nonprofit industry.

Why, you ask, is this such big news? About fifteen (15) years ago, the United Way got into a little trouble. A huge ($463,000) salary and a comfortable expense account are two things that are hard to hide. Especially when you are the CEO of the most recognized and influential charity federations on the planet… Oh, and also when you spent a big piece it on a seventeen (17) year-old volunteer you had a crush on.

Justice was served, and other organizations stepped up to the plate. But as one of my professors is fond of saying, “A reputation is all that a nonprofit has going for it.” And I think to a large extent, the story of United Way shows that. The organization has had to battle through their tattered image, even though one man out of thousands of employees really was responsible for the bad press.

Recently, however, that fight has been fruitful. At least here in Phoenix. Obviously, the news today was huge. Literally. And leadership over at VSUW has been dreaming up some amazing things to do with all that money. A few weeks ago, I saw Brian Spicker (SVP of Community Impact) and David Smith (Maricopa County Manager) discussing their plan to end homelessness. Seriously. Officially, it’s called the Regional Plan to End Homelessness. Here is the sixty (60) page document (PDF) outlining the details. There is also a National Alliance to End Homelessness.

“United Way? Oh yeah, I’ve heard of them. They’re the ones responsible for ending homelessness.”

How’s that for a reputation?

Cheers,
Sam
“We should become prosperous by working hard and then donate generously.”
Atharva Veda

The mayor stopped by Palatte this morning for breakfast with his family. He has been busy the last few days. He threw down a pretty big speech yesterday calling out Sheriff Joe Arpaio on some of his questionable actions lately.

He also took some time out of his day to explain why he feels Earth Hour is so important for Phoenix:

The reason I wanted our city to be one of the lead cities for “Earth Hour” is to help remind every individual that there are small, simple changes each of us can make that will help curb carbon dioxide emissions. Each one of us can make a difference. Emissions equal to taking 48,000 cars off the road will be reduced during that hour.

That’s alot of cars. Here is his full letter posted on the Downtown Phoenix Journal, and here is a list of the other seventy (70) sustainability programs that the City of Phoenix is committed to.

I would love to hear about how you celebrated Earth Hour. Let me know in the comments!

Cheers,
Sam
“How far that little candle throws his beams! So shines a good deed in a naughty world.”
William Shakespeare
(In The Merchant of Venice)

I am doing a little virtual “soul searching” and I’m trying to focus the vision of the blog a little bit.

Over the next few days everything over there –> will start to look a little different. Right now there is a few options for getting the blog sent right to your feed reader of choice, and the option to make it a “favorite” on Technorati.

Just for fun, anybody out there getting this through a feed reader, or do you most of you just stop by all willy-nilly?

EDIT (3/28) – The side bar has been updated! After doing some serious consideration, I decided to focus on two main areas – The Nonprofit Industry, and Downtown Phoenix. Let me know what you think works, and what doesn’t work. Thanks!

Cheers,
Sam
“There is an eternal landscape, a geography of the soul. We search for its outlines all our lives.”
Josephine Hart

Next Friday (April 4th), ASU’s Downtown Phoenix Campus is hosting NPR Senior Correspondent Juan Williams. He and Raul Yzaguirre – former CEO of La Raza – will be leading a community forum on civil rights. After the forum, participants in the inaugural Community Advocacy Symposium will engage in focused dialog through breakout sessions. Through “Vision Mapping” (solutions through art) and community-led discussion, members will begin conversations surrounding topics such as Economic Justice, War, Immigration and English Only, and Gender Issues. A full list is on the flier pictured to the side.

The event happens at ASU’s Downtown Phoenix Campus, but is open to all community members. In fact, a wider audience would only make this a more vibrant discussion, so please consider joining us next Friday. Registration and lunch begin at 11AM, with Juan and Raul taking the stage at noon. Register here. More information here. And just in case you needed another motivator for joining us, I will be co-facilitating the breakout session on Economic Justice. Does it get any better?

Oh yeah, it does. After the sun goes down, we break out the party hats for First Fridays. Once a year, ASU Downtown opens up its doors for First Fridays, calling the event TRES (Timely, Rea,l Expressive, Social). That flier is to the side. Great live music from The Stupors, and showcased art from local nonprofit organizations. There you have it, a fantastic Friday all set and ready for you. Discuss real-world civil rights issues with members of your community, and then relax and have a great time enjoying good music and beautiful art in the evening.

Can’t wait to see you there!

Cheers,
Sam
“Injustice is a sixth sense, and rouses all the others.”
Amelia E. Barr

I am an avid user of all things Google. I use it for my email, my calendar, my photo storage, and my feed reader. You cynics out there might say I have no choice. That in fact, all things are Google. They own almost everything, you say. Well, I would like to think they are a little more altruistic than that awful picture you just painted. Have some decency.

Last week, Google announced a “one-stop shop” for people who make the world a better a better place. That’s right – Google for Nonprofits. With the exception of Google Grants, no programs are brand new, or specifically tailored for the people working in the nonprofit industry. However, all the programs in the bundle would greatly aid an organization with a small technology budget (all of these programs are free to the end-user), or any-sized organization with an interest in lowering technology costs.

To keep up with what Google is doing, I highly suggest the Official Google Blog. If only I went the way of my cousin Matt and learned computer programming, I could have been working for these people… Hey, a guy can dream, can’t he?!

Google also has Google for Educators for all you teachers out there. I’m looking at you, Mom, Dad, and John. Also recently released, a new feature through Google Earth to watch a tree grow.

I feel like soliciting a little feedback today. How do you use Google? Daily, once a week, twice a month? Let me know via the comments section.

Cheers,
Sam
“As a rule, we don’t preannounce new features.”
Eric Schmidt
CEO of Google, Inc.

Cheers,
Sam
“Enter, Click, Plan Your Trip!”
TARC Slogan

Reportedly, this song is about large-scale consumption and mass marketing. I hate it when musicians hide the meanings of their songs under layers and layers of confusing subtext. After the band got back from seeing Jeff Buckley, Thom went into the studio and recorded the vocals in two takes, breaking down in tears after the session. Complete lyrics here.

Every once in awhile, I like to research causation. You know, the what and why behind someone’s actions. What makes them tick. It was this thinking that lead me to believe that this song is possibly what brought to the band announcing that they will only play at venues easily accessible by mass transit. Pretty cool, huh?

So cool, in fact, that back in January NME Magazine named Radiohead the “World’s Greenest Band.” The ratings were based on bands’ efforts to reduce their carbon footprints while on tour. Thom and the boys scored a two (2), far outshadowing many others, including The Police who chalked-up a seven (7). Maybe because they don’t care if it is wrong or if it is right…

Anyway, just a fun little piece of information for you as we head into the weekend. Now, we just have to figure out the best way to get to Grant Park by bus…

Cheers,
Sam
“One of the conditions of the band carrying on touring is that we do everything we can to minimize our impact on the environment. That has included buying two lots of equipment and keeping one in Europe and one in America so we never have to fly our kit around the world again.”
Thom Yorke

It was a little chilly for the season this past weekend. I had to wear a sweatshirt riding my bicycle. But temperatures are getting back to normal now (83 for a high today), and we have nothing but higher temperatures to look forward to. Found this on Wooster, and it reminded me of exactly what we are in for…

It’s the first day of spring, which means long-time Arizona residents are preparing for summer.

Cheers,
Sam
“Spring is nature’s way of saying, ‘Let’s party!’”
Robin Williams

Cheers,
Sam
“My job is not to represent Washington to you, but to represent you to Washington.”
Barack Obama

“Join thousands of people across Phoenix-and millions of people around the world-to make a bold statement about climate change on March 29th from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Turn out your non-essential and non-emergency lights for one hour. Earth Hour.

World Wildlife Fund is partnering with Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon and community leaders to help make history. Phoenix is honored to be one of four major cities in the nation-along with Atlanta, San Francisco, and Chicago-leading this landmark international event. Public buildings, landmarks, and major corporate offices will take part, and residents throughout Phoenix and its surrounding cities are encouraged to participate in this groundbreaking celebration.

At the first Earth Hour last year in Sydney, Australia, power consumption dropped by more than 10 percent. But Earth Hour is not just about cutting back for one hour. It’s about taking a stand and thinking ahead about what you, your neighbors and your city can do to make a difference.

Seize the Earth Hour moment. Change some of your outdated energy-wasting light bulbs to new, efficient and inexpensive compact fluorescents (CFL’s). Think of other ways you can cut your energy usage and trim your electric bill after Earth Hour has passed.

In 2007, Phoenix experienced the second hottest year on record. Six of the 10 hottest years in the Valley’s history have occurred since 2000. We have realized that we have to take a stand on climate change. That’s why World Wildlife Fund is organizing Earth Hour around the globe, and that’s why Phoenix is committed to this unprecedented event.

One person can make a difference. Cities, coming together, can change the world.

One hour, Phoenix. Earth Hour.”

Cheers,
Sam
“We waste our lights in vain, like lamps by day.”
William Shakespeare