up to be recognized. Did this send a message that he had
passionate caring board members? Absolutely not! In fact
people commented about the fact that the board members,
who should care more than the rest of the community about
an organization, did not even bother to show up at this event.
Hardly instilled passion in any of the attendees.
Talk to staff, to volunteers, to clients, to board members.
What drives them to work with this organization? Do other
companies and colleagues support the organization, if so, ask
them why?
Visit the organization and see if the staff looks happy. Do
they seem to have passion for their job?
An example of an organization that got this message
through loud and clear is a free medical clinic, whose staff are
mostly volunteers, except for a paid medical director, and a
few other administrative staff. This clinic holds weekly tours
for potential volunteers and donors. It is so apparent that this
group has a real passion for what they do every day that almost
everyone who tours cannot help but catch that passion. The
clinic’s case for support quotes several clients whose stories are
so compelling it is hard for the reader not to feel passion.
Interact with clients whenever possible. They will tell the
“rest of the story.”
So, think with both your mind and your heart about the
charities you want to support. What is your passion? What
brings tears to your eyes? What makes you laugh with joy?
What makes you feel inspired? What makes you angry enough
to fight an injustice? As Azeem said to Robin Hood in the
movie, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves: “Is she worth dying for?”
This is passion! Is this charity worth dying for?
Although no charity will likely ever ask you or your
company to die for it, is it a charity that you would remember
in your own will? Do you feel that much passion for it? If not,
maybe you need to keep looking!
The Philantrepreneur Journal
9