What does your Rotary club stand for? What do you stand for? Here is a chance to build your energy and rekindle your passion for what you really care about.
Check out this manifesto from Sasha Dichter, Director of Business Development at Acumen Fund, a global non-profit venture capital fund that invests in enterprises that fight poverty in the developing world. In this manifesto, entitled, In Defense of Raising Money: a Manifesto for NonProfits, the author asks some critical questions that help you clarify and articulate what your Rotary club is up to.
- How good is your idea?
- What do you spend your time doing?
- How important is your cause?
- What is your theory of change?
- What's your time worth?
- Is the "real work" JUST the programs you operate, or is it somthing more?
The five pager is a worthwhile read. Sasha concludes with this inspiring, passionate exploration.
I'd rather be an evangelist, a storyteller, an educato, a translator, a table-pounder, a guy on his soap box, a woman with a megaphone, a candidate for chagne. I want to talk to as many people as I can about my ideas - whether in person or in newsletters or on Facebook or Twitter or in the Economist or at the TED conference or at Davos - and capture their imagination about the change I hope to see in the world.
How about you?
By the way, if you don't know what Facebook, Twitter or the TED conference are all about, it's time to expand your horizons and find out.
Many nonprofits fear that the recession will reduce their funding and support. Don't just emphasize how you keep people busy (the input). Clarify your club's mission and articulate your impact (the output) and you will start seeing more energy flow in your direction.
(Thanks to Seth Godin for the link.)
