Nonprofit Leadership, Innovation, and Change

Thoughts on MLK day

While talking to a friend in Virginia this morning, he asked why I was not at work today. I reminded him that today is Martin Luther King Jr. day. To my surprise he didn't know that today is MLK day and that turned in to an interesting discussion about how Mr. King is not as popular in his area of the country (Virginia) as he is in mine (California).

Last year I wrote a short post highlighting some of the great work Mr. King had done in his short life of 39 years with us.

Here are a few other links where you can learn history about one of our country's great leaders:

• Here are some stories and history
• Volunteer projects and events honoring the work of MLK
• Some interesting discussion about whether or not Mr. King's "dream" has come true yet

Interview on the 501(c)(3) cast

I recently was interviewed by Corey Pudhorodsky on the 501(c)(3) podcast.

The 501(c)(3) Cast is a great podcast that Corey puts together twice a month. It has fresh news, updates and interviews with great people doing great work in the nonprofit sector.

If you're interested in listening to the interview, check it out here.

Billy Graham's birthday

Today is Billy Graham's 90th birthday.

Very few leaders have had such a significant impact on our world as Billy Graham. He dedicated his life to serving people for God's glory by helping them to know Jesus Christ.

Billy Graham is perhaps the best example of a leader who found what his passion and purpose was in life, and then stuck to it for his entire lifetime. When he launched his career with the LA Crusades in 1949, he realized that evangelism was his gift and it was what God had called him to do.

Since then Mr. Graham has dedicated his life to doing just that, evangelizing and helping everyday people to come to know Jesus Christ. After doing this for more than half a decade the result is the legacy and reputation that he now has.

I hope you will take some time to read a few encouraging notes that people have written to Mr. Graham to honor his 90th birthday.

Mr. Graham is truly of one of the best leaders our world has seen in the past decade.

Happy birthday Billy. . . . . .

I'm Excited

It doesn’t take a whole lot for me to get excited, but I’m very excited after reading this article. Later this year Microsoft Co-Founder Bill Gates will start dedicating a large majority of his time to running his foundation, The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

It’s old news that Bill has been planning on doing this, because he made the official announcement back in the summer of 2006, but I’m excited to see what happens. Not only is he one of the savviest and smartest business leaders in the world, he’s also one of the biggest advocates and givers to helping people living in poverty.

When he steps up to a microphone people listen, and I expect good things to happen over the next several years with his foundation.

Women are Making a Positive Difference

It's no secret that as a male I'm extremely outnumbered by women working in the not-for-profit world (it was the same way when I attended college).  I recently went to a workshop in San Francisco, CA and found that out of the fifteen people in the room, their was only one other male. 

When I came across Katya's post about how how people consider themselves to be generous, it was no surprise to find out that a majority of these people where women. 

Women have such caring hearts and a burning desire to make a positive difference.  I guess it's because they want to spread their love to those who need it most because that they're more likely to have lived in poverty.

Whatever the reason is, I'm extremely proud of all the hard work that women put in for nonprofit organizations.

Goo Goo Dolls

Turns out that the Goo Good Dolls are creating a non-profit based recording studio.  Click on the link below to check it out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMW413A2Gm0

What creates wealth?

This is a question that I have asked many people:

Is Bill Gates wealthy because he gives 25% of his money to charity, or does he give 25% of the money that he makes because he is wealthy?

I will say it another way:

Is Bill Gates the wealthiest person in the world because he gives 25% of his money to charity, or does he give 25% of his money to charity because he is the wealthiest person in the world?

What do you think?

Drop me a line or post a comment. . .