Thank YOU, George!
July 26 2011: Last Tuesday’s meeting featured a practical and entertaining lesson in gratitude.
A former museum director, fundraising professional, and research scientist, George Stevens, the well recognized CEO and President of the Coastal Community Foundation, provided a succinct overview of the foundation’s performance in giving to support our region’s charities. He then surprised the audience with a welcome and captivating lesson on the etymology of “Thank you.” His focus was to discuss the challenges many of us face in deciding just what the appropriate gestures should be in acknowledging a person’s or organization’s philanthropic support.
George’s talk was a perfect theme dovetailing with our historic club’s commitment to “Service Above Self.”
“All successful philanthropy begins with a study of non-profits, charities and the overall needs and resources of a community,” he said. “We need to be intelligent about how we allocate our valuable resources and also communicate what our mission is.” He advocated members of our club becoming involved in grant committees. “How often do you have a chance to decide on how to give away millions of dollars? Besides, it’s fun,” he added with a winning smile.
He also spotlighted an issue that arose when some individuals who were studying grant options and saw just how much the Foundation and other parties contribute to community charities and non-profit organizations. “These people studying the grant options became angry,” he said. “Why doesn’t the community know more about what we’re doing?” So, we must always be attentive to communications. Furthermore, how do we leverage the concept of community? “Rotary is a community,” he said, “in fact, Rotary is MY community,” making the point that when likeminded people join forces, amazing things can be accomplished. Thank you, George.
Commitment becomes contagious when we have the right communications and the right way to acknowledge the efforts of others and say…”Thank you!”
LEARNING FROM THE PIG
George cited a sign he noticed in the corporate offices of Piggly Wiggly, that simply said, “Go find someone to thank.” Meaning, literally, make it clear that you are thinking of someone else and their needs. It is human nature to appreciate that someone thinks about us. And as fundraisers and business people, we should all be cognizant of the power that can have.
The audience was given the chance to consider points made in a letter to the editor in the Post & Courier (3/4/11), submitted by David Schools, CEO for Piggly Wiggly that rightly compared
instances of Wal-Mart’s philosophy of community contributions (with strings and publicity) to that of our regional grocery store. The CEO of Piggly Wiggly said simply, “We don’t think of community support as a publicity stunt.”
To further illustrate his points, George shared with us examples of people who give very generously to the community and how we can best thank them. Most importantly, he reminded us, the real dividend for benefactors is the sense of community and compassion that is realized through giving. “It feels good, to know we are helping others, no matter the scale.” The discussion was grounded by the precept we find in Luke 6:38:
“Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.”
Thank you, George! We mean it. A wonderful and important reminder of the power of human compassion and selfless service. Thank you.
After nearly five years as President and CEO of Coastal Community Foundation, George’s local expertise has been built by thousands of conversations with nonprofit leaders and contributors to nonprofit organizations throughout the Lowcountry. Finding connections between community needs and donor interests keeps him searching for the next great listening opportunity. When George is not at work, he enjoys botanical illustrating and Japanese nature printing.
Coastal Community Foundation began in 1974 with $9,000 from The Rotary Club of Charleston to serve the tri-county area. Today we manage over $150 million in combined assets held in over 570 individual funds. Thousands of donors are served and charitable organizations supported throughout the eight coastal Carolina counties.
Submitted by Mark Danes, Keyway Committee