â┚¬Å”I want to put a ding in the universeâ┚¬Â Ã¢â”šÂ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å“ Steve Jobs
On September 28, we had our third gathering of The Do-Gooder's Coffee Klatch at Downtown Credo. While the gatherings have been smaller than I first imagined, I have to say I have been pleased with the results so far. In the near future, I'll be able to tell you about some of the things that have been accomplished â┚¬â€œ I'm hearing the buzz that some really cool things are coming out of it.
Take a look at the 3 x 5 cards from that day to see if you can help in some way. You can browse around at cards from other Klatches too to see if you can help. A lot of the needs are ongoing.
Here are your Monday Ripples for this week. I hope they fill you with inspiration.
Have a Heaping Yelping
Can Yelp Help Independent Restaurants Drive Chains Out of Business?
Sometimes I realize I look at my job as a thing that I bring coolness to, but when I look more closely, I realize the opposite it also true. I'm not sure I would have ever joined Yelp if it weren't for Yelp approaching Orlando Ballet to be part of their Culture Club this month. Now, I'm loving the opportunity to tell people about my favorite places. If you don't know Yelp, basically you get the chance to review businesses and, in turn, learn what real people think of these places. This article from the folks at the always delicious Good, talks about how the support of Yelpers is calling attention to local, unique restaurants.
Pay Up, Ya Wanker!
Banker owes Elton John charity Ԛ£700k after auction
As someone who works in the non-profit sector, I found this article empowering. I think there is a tendency for non-profits to view themselves as victims who rely on the kindness of strangers. It's important for us to see ourselves as what we are: crucial members of the community. To allow your organization to be perceived otherwise is the path of madness and unnecessary stress. The Elton John AIDS Foundation is going after this d-bag who hasn't paid his pledged money â┚¬â€œ to the tune of $1 million dollars! â┚¬â€œ and I applaud them.
Plastic's a Beach
One Beach
Nothing recharges my batteries like a jaunt to the beach. I often wish I lived right on the beach. You can consider what I'm about to tell you hippie-dippie and even dismiss it, if you like, but I'm going to tell you just the same. Since the BP disaster, I ritually apologize to the ocean when I first wade into it. Is it something in the scent or the rhythm of her powerful waves or just looking at her endlessness that tells me she forgives us. I hope we can learn to respect the ocean, her beaches, and the planet as a whole â┚¬â€œ it is my fondest hope. It says so much about us that we are making the world our landfill and showing respect for this planet again would show that we deserve to be here. I have my friend Margaret Nolan to thank for bringing this inspiring short film to my attention. I raise my glass to the Barefoot Wine folks for making this happen.
Volunteerism Streamlined
Sparked: A Revolution in Virtual Micro-Volunteering
HuffPo, as we Tweeps like to call it, posted this article about Sparked, an amazing company that is making volunteering easier and more intriguing. You can use the skills you have to help non-profits without leaving the comfort of your home. Heck, you can do it in your underwear if you like. Naturally this is a great thing for non-profits who need help, particularly if they have few resources to manage volunteers.
Be My MoBro
Scottie Saves the World Movember Team
November is fast approachingâ┚¬Â¦seeing as how it's next month and all. For the third year in a row, I will be growing a moustache for the international fundraiser Movember to raise money to fight men's cancers. You can be part of the action by joining my team and helping to raise money. If you're a guy, join in the fun of growing a moustache and sporting a reminder of the cause right in the middle of your face. If you're a woman, you can help as a MoSistah.
