Check out this article from baseball writer Jerry Crasnick explaining why Orioles fans have reason for optimism.
Go O's!!
Friday, July 10, 2009
Disappointing, But Not Surprising
This article discusses the recent increase in family homelessness in the United States.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Vietnam anyone?
According to a brief blurb in this morning's Argus Leader, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sioux Falls is asking for two volunteers to represent the community during the Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project 2009 Mekong Build in November. Sounds like a great opportunity!
Or, if you're looking to volunteer for Habitat with a cultural twist but remain close to home, come on out to Mission. We'd love to have you. (Yes, I'm shameless...)
Or, if you're looking to volunteer for Habitat with a cultural twist but remain close to home, come on out to Mission. We'd love to have you. (Yes, I'm shameless...)
How to Sell Helping Others
Good Morning! In today's issue of The New York Times, columnist Nicholas Kristof writes an article about humanitarian aid and how humans choose to help other humans, or choose not to help. At the beginning, Kristof talks about the humanitarian aid meetings at the G-8 Summit in Italy for world leaders. But near the end of the article, he says several things useful to us as VISTAs.
"As some research suggests," writes Kristof, "people give in large part to feel good inside. That works best when you write a check and the problem is solved. If instead you're reminded of larger problems that you can never solve, the feel-good rewards diminish." Near the end he asks, "I also wonder if our unremitting focus on suffering and unmet needs stirs up a cloud of negative feelings that incline people to avert their eyes and hurry by."
So, how are these thoughts relevant to what we do as VISTAs? Well, part of "indirect service" includes enticing people to contribute to the organizations we work with in some capacity, whether through donating their time or their money. To convince these people to donate, we have to effectively market our services to them, so they don't feel as if they are wasting their time and/or money. This means selling the problems in our communities, and Kristof argues that individualizing "suffering and unmet needs" makes volunteers and donors feel like their contributions will actually help someone this moment, rather than attempting to solve a massive problem in which their contributions will barely make a dent.
Honestly, I'm hesitant to "sell poverty," partly because I feel like I'm using and manipulating other's lives without their consent so my organization benefits financially. I'm still not entirely comfortable with that. But, learning effective marketing strategies to help others can be part of a valuable VISTA service year, and Kristof's article gives us ideas to reconsider as we work to "build capacity."
I hope everyone has a great day!
"As some research suggests," writes Kristof, "people give in large part to feel good inside. That works best when you write a check and the problem is solved. If instead you're reminded of larger problems that you can never solve, the feel-good rewards diminish." Near the end he asks, "I also wonder if our unremitting focus on suffering and unmet needs stirs up a cloud of negative feelings that incline people to avert their eyes and hurry by."
So, how are these thoughts relevant to what we do as VISTAs? Well, part of "indirect service" includes enticing people to contribute to the organizations we work with in some capacity, whether through donating their time or their money. To convince these people to donate, we have to effectively market our services to them, so they don't feel as if they are wasting their time and/or money. This means selling the problems in our communities, and Kristof argues that individualizing "suffering and unmet needs" makes volunteers and donors feel like their contributions will actually help someone this moment, rather than attempting to solve a massive problem in which their contributions will barely make a dent.
Honestly, I'm hesitant to "sell poverty," partly because I feel like I'm using and manipulating other's lives without their consent so my organization benefits financially. I'm still not entirely comfortable with that. But, learning effective marketing strategies to help others can be part of a valuable VISTA service year, and Kristof's article gives us ideas to reconsider as we work to "build capacity."
I hope everyone has a great day!
Thursday, July 2, 2009
What Is a Master’s Degree Worth?
For those of us considering the pursuit of a graduate degree after VISTA, this article in the New York Times and the accompanying comments were fascinating.
Monday, June 29, 2009
The finish line
The Inaugural Racin' on the Rosebud is in the books. Forty-five runners and walkers participated Saturday on a sunny, breezy morning. There were definitely some challenges that sprung up: food that hadn't been ordered, a volunteer who overslept, and another sick with a migraine. But everything came together just in time for the runners' arrival.
The actual races went off without a hitch. The 1 Mile run only had two runners, one male and one female, so they each walked off with a trophy. The 5K was the main event, with 43 runners and walkers participating. They were from throughout South Dakota, Nebraska, and, of all places, Connecticut.
Ivan Marsh, an ultra-marathon runner from Ashland, Nebraska, was the overall 5K winner with a time of 18:39. Lottie Grimshaw, the South Dakota girls cross country champion, was the first female across the finish line with a time of 23:27.
And, our very own Daniel Prendable finished in 7th place overall with a time of 25:54! Let's wish him luck as he begins training for September's Sioux Falls Half Marathon.
So, I'm thrilled with how the race turned out. I think I would change a couple minor things; however, Saturday should provide a good template for the 2nd Annual Racin' on the Rosebud next year.
The actual races went off without a hitch. The 1 Mile run only had two runners, one male and one female, so they each walked off with a trophy. The 5K was the main event, with 43 runners and walkers participating. They were from throughout South Dakota, Nebraska, and, of all places, Connecticut.
Ivan Marsh, an ultra-marathon runner from Ashland, Nebraska, was the overall 5K winner with a time of 18:39. Lottie Grimshaw, the South Dakota girls cross country champion, was the first female across the finish line with a time of 23:27.
And, our very own Daniel Prendable finished in 7th place overall with a time of 25:54! Let's wish him luck as he begins training for September's Sioux Falls Half Marathon.
So, I'm thrilled with how the race turned out. I think I would change a couple minor things; however, Saturday should provide a good template for the 2nd Annual Racin' on the Rosebud next year.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Raceday Eve
The Inaugural Racin' on the Rosebud 5K/1 Mile Race & Walk is upon us! Frankly, I can't believe the day has finally arrived. As expected, planning has ramped up considerably this week. I just picked up the t-shirts. They look fantastic! I took a chance with the color, but they're sharp. Thanks to my brother for designing the logo.
I'm expecting a decent turnout. I'll admit I was worried no one would show up. I mean, I'm in a sparsely populated area and Mission isn't exactly on the way to, well, anywhere. But between the folks who pre-registered and the folks I know signing-up in the morning, there should be a nice-sized crowd.
And let's wish best of luck to Daniel who will be running in the 5K! I sure hope he included hills in his training...
I'm expecting a decent turnout. I'll admit I was worried no one would show up. I mean, I'm in a sparsely populated area and Mission isn't exactly on the way to, well, anywhere. But between the folks who pre-registered and the folks I know signing-up in the morning, there should be a nice-sized crowd.
And let's wish best of luck to Daniel who will be running in the 5K! I sure hope he included hills in his training...
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