Non-Profit News

This book by Shane Claiborne, one of the founders of The Simple Way, is taking nonprofit work to a new level. The Simple Way is a monastic community that takes a grassroots stand on changing their Philadelphia community.

 Claiborne’s book titled “The Irresistible Revolution” changed the way I view nonprofit work. His desire to change the hearts of people, rather than just their economic situation, called me to a higher level of service.

I recommend this book for all faith-based nonprofit workers reaching for a higher purpose in their work. Let me warn you though: this book targets those willing to reach the dregs of society.

The Irresistible Revolution: Living as an Ordinary Radical

The American Red Cross responds to more than 70,000 disasters each year, including home fires, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, and more. When disaster strikes, there are sometimes thousands of victims needing assistance. This non-profit organization has not only me, but all of America impressed.

I am currently communicating with Phil Attinger, the Public Relations representative for the American Red Cross in Winterhaven, Fl.  I hope to interview him over the next few days to discover exactly how Red Cross is funded, staffed, and managed.

I am completing my undergraduate degree at Southeastern University in less than three months. What that means right now is that I will soon be leaving Lakeland to begin graduate work at University of Central Florida in Orlando.

 And what that really means is that I need to find a job.

Currently, I am employed by Girl Scouts of West Central Florida. This is the first nonprofit organization I have been involved with and been monetarily compensated for my work. My manager has been so supportive of my job search and is now discussing a possible full-time position for me with Girl Scouts in Orlando.

 I am not sure how this will pan out, but I am very enthused to begin researching the non-profit sector in Orlando.

As I spent my first afternoon “generating community awareness” for the “Have a Heart for the Homeless” concert, I happened to meet a woman named Maria.

Around the age of 60, Maria is a beautiful, soft-spoken woman who lives on the streets of Lakeland. She asked me for change, and almost out of habit, I responded:

“Sorry, I don’t carry cash.”

Then, the weight of the poster I carried showed my own hypocrisy. How could I carry a poster titled “Have a Heart for the Homeless” if, in a hurry to help them from afar, I refused to spend a moment with an individual?

I stopped and turned to face Maria fully.

“I don’t carry cash, but if you’re hungry, I’d love to buy you lunch.”

So I did.  

As I begin my time with Talbot House, I am already experiencing Anthony Fusaro’s #1 rule: “Never pay for advertising.”

Talbot House is planning for one of its large fund raisers, a concert titled “Have a Heart for the Homeless.” Fusaro hopes that a local paper will do a feature on this upcoming event (March 8). He also plans on having local radio stations show their support.

My first job in helping implement the event will be generating some community awareness. AKA, I will be hanging up posters. Also, I will be soliciting support from community leaders who would like to advertise in the event’s brochure.

As I do my part to generate awareness, I want to note the response the name “Talbot House” evokes from the city of Lakeland. That might give me more clues as to their public image and their public impact. 

 The Kaiser Family Foundation released a new study today, showing that broadcast and cable stations do devote some air time to non-profit organizations offering public service announcements. This is incredibly helpful to organizations promoting health, safety, and well-being in the community.

The only problem is, the air time is virtually non-existent. The Kaiser Family Foundation estimated that 17 seconds of each hour are devoted to non-profit PSA’s. That would be only one-half of one percent of all TV air time. And to top it all, 60% of this air time was ran overnight. Only 13% of PSA’s make it to prime time, when the majority of Americans would actually be watching television.

For more info, check out: http://media.prnewswire.com/en/jsp/search.jsp?searchtype=full&option=headlines&criteriadisplay=show&resourceid=3650350

I completed my interview with Lighthouse Ministries yesterday. I am amazed at this organization, and you will be too! Just wait until you hear how this high-budget non-profit organization is funded!

 If you just can’t wait, get a little of the inside scoop at: http://www.lighthousemin.org/about.htm

My first response to Talbot House is: Wow.

Their professionalism and organization of volunteers, clients, programs, events, and donations is impressive. My first project will be under Anthony Fusaro, the director of development. We will be making contacts, printing brochures, and gathering donations for the upcoming “Have a Heart for the Homeless” concert here in Lakeland, FL.

Mr. Fusaro taught me two lessons in our short time together:

(1) Never pay for advertising. (My PR undergraduate degree should come in handy here.)
(2) Non-profit events are nearly 100% legwork. Phone calls, e-mails, and personal visits are essential. (Again, I think my background in Public Relations will start me off on the right foot in non-profit organizations.)

Since I’m the new kid on the nonprofit block, I just have one question: HOW do you do it?

I am going to spend some time with successful nonprofit organizations in Lakeland, FL trying to answer just that question. For my first interivew, I think I will check into an organization that runs multiple programs with lots of volunteers, donors, and events. (Possibly Lighthouse Ministries or Talbot House.) Just dipping my toes in I’m already frustrated at how to make people, programs, and funds work together. 

So, the point of my first article is “Help! How do I make this work?”

I am doing a little research for my first feature story, and here is what I plan to do:

 Lighthouse Ministries, an organization that houses and helps Lakeland locals, has been busy the last few months. They have had an incredible increase in volunteers from Southeastern University, as well as hosted a few community events. Lighthouse was also named a 4-star organization by Charity Navigator for sound fiscal management.

With so many programs, volunteers, and events happening all at once, I want to know the secrets of their success: WHAT is Lighthouse doing to achieve such success?