Thursday, September 18, 2008

Be The Change

OK, so here's a twist on university alumni relations - the San Francisco chapter of my college alumni association was the source of information on this grassroots community service day - October 4 - be the change day.

Here is some info on this event, which is sponsored by SAALT - South Asian Americans Leading Together.




"Be the Change, formerly known as National Gandhi Day of Service, has been coordinated by SAALT for the past six years. Be the Change is an annual national day of service to inspire and foster civic engagement through volunteerism and community service. Every year, hundreds of participants nationwide collectively contribute thousands of hours of community service in the spirit of Gandhi’s most famous quote, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” In 2008, the theme of Be the Change is “Solidarity in Service”- which reflects the way in which public service can build coalitions, deepen relationships, and bring about solidarity among people of different backgrounds.

why?
Be the Change 2008 will be an opportunity for people around the United States to engage in collective public service activities that will lead to further collaboration, civic engagement, and unity.

when and where?
October 4, 2008 at local organizations in San Francisco, Milpitas and all around the Bay Area"



The timing of this was uncanny, as I had spent some time yesterday speaking with a New England community foundation. Of course, university fundraising/donor services came up as part of the discussion about the evolving philanthropy marketplace and the competitive landscape. We were talking university development offices in terms of their size and reach, their ability to offer broad ranges of philanthropic products and fabulous rates of return on investments, the regular habit many alums have of disclosing key information on their wherabouts/interests/family and professional life to their alma maters (the kind of info most donor services folks would LOVE to have)...and so on.

Until today, however, my alma mater, its development department, alumni association or local alumni club had never been a source of information on philanthropy in my back yard. (Keep in mind I live 3000 miles away from my college town).

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