The National Public Radio Talent Quest…

June 13, 2007 at 7:59 pm · Filed under Uncategorized

…is going on right now. And yes, I did enter.

http://www.publicradioquest.com/audio/user/6914

And, no. I didn’t get to Round 2.

Which is ok, because since the day I found out that I’d lost, I’ve been working even harder than ever on the concept of my entry.

The Non-Profitess.

The Non-Profitess is “hostess” of sorts–online and on the airwaves–bringing the people who are making a difference in this world to the attention of everyone else. Giving the people who otherwise work quietly for the betterment of the world the chance to shine and been seen.

What kind of world do we live in when Paris Hilton gets so much media attention–and other young women who are working to combat disease, domestic violence, mental illness, or social injustice are ignored?

I want the world to see these people–men and women, from all walks of life, who are spending their time, energy, money, and creativity improving their communities. THEY are the ones who deserve to be on front pages. THEY are the ones who deserve to be celebrated on a red carpet. THEY are the ones who should be given a chance to talk in a national forum about things that really matter.

These are educated, interesting people with a lot to say. I want to give them a place to say it.

I want the Non-Profitess community to be fun and exciting–a place that people want to go as a form of entertainment. An exchange of ideas, and a place for personality and diversity to paint the walls whatever color they like.

I heard that if you build it they will come.

So, then. Come on.

www.nonprofitess.net/forums

ADQ

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Why do it?

June 13, 2007 at 7:50 pm · Filed under Inspiration

My office is cramped.
My desk is old and shabby.
My computer is most definitely sub-par.
Some nights I work until after midnight, but I don’t get paid for “overtime”.
Yet, every morning when I wake up, I can’t wait to go to work…

In this culture of capitalism, I’m often asked why I work for non-profit organizations. After all, why would anyone choose to spend their time and talent not making as much money as they possibly can?

The answer is simple. I fell in love.

I live in Austin, Texas, which has the highest number of non-profit organizations per capita in the United States. Over the years I found myself investing my time by volunteering at local non-profits and grassroots organizations.

I fell in love with my community. Instead of a vague idea of what the world was like, I met the very people who make up the world: my neighbors, friends, family, and co-workers. I realized how beautiful diversity is, lending its shades and sparkles to otherwise grey and functional agencies. I realized how cool it is to have a unique place on the planet that is part of me—and of which I am a real, working part.

I fell in love with the individuals; People who blazed trails and who were living their passion. Educated, professional, hard working, ethical—and willing to forego a high-paying job to work at a cause they believe in.

I fell in love with the humanness of non-profit work; and with the ‘roll-up-your-sleeves-and-pitch-in’ mentality that permeates it, from the executive level to the volunteer level.

People are multi-faceted. We cannot thrive and be happy by ignoring our basic instincts; the physical, spiritual, emotional, and intellectual parts of us all need to be recognized and nurtured. No other career path does this like working in non-profit organizations.

My volunteer work with non-profits eventually developed into a full-fledged love affair with the work, the people, and the community. I’m pleased and proud to say that my career was one that I chose for the most important of reasons: because it lets me be the very best person I can be.

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