What charities do you give do? Which are you involved in?

[kddani]

Originally posted by Rudey
One had an established Senior Board. They wanted to get younger professionals involved because they really cared about it (and wanted others to) and I joined when the Junior Board was being established. Since I joined so early on I was exposed quite a bit to how the Board chose to define its mission. I'm happy that board had such an excellent President to lead it and dedicate so much time to it.

Another board I guess I could say I worked my way up in. Board membership for this is a formality but I don't think I'm different than any long-term volunteer or donor.

I think a major component to board memberships is how much money you can bring in. A lot of board members volunteer or raise awareness, but what separates you from the volunteers is if you can bring in that cash. Usually it's written into the bylaws how much you are responsible for and some people may want to stick to volunteering for that reason. Someone asked that I join a Senior Board but I couldn't afford it. And I've seen a lot of people just drop out of these boards which shows they didn't really think about it when they joined.

And a lot of board members usually serve with other boards so I guess once you get going with one, the next thing you know you're asked to join another and another and another. You start getting emails about fundraisers every week and have no idea which of your friends is in which or why half of these charities even exist.

http://www.boardnetusa.org/ may have something you might be interested in. A lot of charities have Junior Boards for people our age if you're interested but it's not the same as volunteering or donating to.

-Rudey

Thanks, Rudey. Ultimately I would like to serve on a BOD of an organization someday, but as you said, being young and not being able to bring in the $$$ isn't going to work. I'm fairly familiar with how nonprofits are run from a legal standpoint thanks to a class in nonprofit orgs. Many people who get involved don't really realize what it entails.

I'll have to check out that message board, thanks.

[preciousjeni]

Originally posted by Rudey
http://www.boardnetusa.org/

I'm gonna cosign on this one. BoardNetUSA is a GREAT resource!

[irishpipes]

Originally posted by Rudey
I'm on a couple boards. Maybe I've made a difference. Who knows?

-Rudey

I completely thought you meant message boards and I laughed out loud. Then I read Dani's reply. D'oh!

[Rudey]

http://www.volunteermatch.org/

-Rudey

[Kevlar281]

Push America

[alum]

Officers' Wives Clubs and Junior Leagues of everywhere we lived. Girl Scouts since the daughter was a Daisy, Boy Scouts since the son was a Tiger.

[rho4life]

I spend time helping to review scholarship applications and interviewing for scholarships at my alma matter. I also do a BIG push to raise money for AIDS and Breast Cancer every year. Every year I give to my niece and nephew's school, when they have a walk a thon.

[Lisa Fishman]

I usually give to the following: Red Cross (hurricane relief, sunami, etc...), Special Olympics as my cousins are very involved in it. Also, JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) not only because of Alpha Gam, but I have cousins who were diagnosed with it as kids. I do their Walk a Thon andthis year I will volunteer at their Gala Night (auction fundraiser). I also take my clothes I don't wear anymore to the local womens' shelter

[PhoenixAzul]

Originally posted by honeychile
I donate money to:
-The Pittsburgh Project (a mini Habit for Humanity)

Pittsburgh Project is AWESOME. I went to high school w/ the founders daughter (who was also awesome). My high school (Perry High..north side!) did a ton of stuff with them for volunteer day.

My personal favorites are
-American Diabetes Association (gotta help myself here!)
-Western PA Humane Society (see signature! They gave me the best friends a girl could ask for)
-MS. Any of you with a bike, get your butts in gear and do an MS150 ride in your neck of the woods.
or sponsor a rider. There's always a healthy Corporate competition too (last year there was Comcast,Dicks, and FedEx (I think FedEx alone raised close to a million for the western PA ride)
http://www.nationalmssociety.org/MS%20Bike%20Tour.asp
Best 2 days of my life!!

[sageofages]

Time spent in service to others is not charged to your ledger of life...

Over the years I have consistently supported with time (in too numerous positions to list) and/or money the following

Girl Scouts of the USA
Boy Scouts of America
American Red Cross
PTO
Operation Christmas / Toys for Tots / Helping Hand Food Pantry
Planned Parenthood
CASA (Court appointed Special Advocate/Guardian Ad Litem)
Wee Care (respite nursery for parents of young children)
Blank Children's Hospital
Community Information Networks

[AKA2D '91]

The charity I've focused on lately is the New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity. Instead of purchasing gifts, I've made donations instead.

[honeychile]

Originally posted by sageofages
Time spent in service to others is not charged to your ledger of life...

Have you ever heard Albert Schweitzer's quote? "Service to others is the rent you pay for the space you occupy on earth."

We were raised on a daily dose of that!

[DeltAlum]

Family wise:

A Denver Women's Shelter
La Leche League International (Mrs. DA is a former international board of directors member)
Y-Me Breast Cancer charity

[Denise_DPhiE]

Give to:
North Shore Animal League (dog rescue)
Cystic Fibrosis (our philanthropy)
Local Mission which provides food and shelter for homeless

Donate loads and loads of time to:
Junior League
Homeowners Association Philanthropy Chair - Blood Drive Captain and other lesser projects

Denise

[AOIIalum]

Give to:

Humane Society of the United States
AOII Foundation
Red Barn Alumni Association (with specific donations to adult/continuing student scholarship fund, a cause very near and dear to my heart)
Boy Scouts of America
Blue Jackets Foundation
Local youth sports organizations

Volunteer with:

Cub and Boy Scouts
Various schools/PTOs
Destination Imagination