Older Americans Month

This month marks the 50th anniversary of Older Americans Month, a time set aside to appreciate and celebrate the vitality and aspirations of older adults and their contributions to our communities.  This year’s theme is “Unleash the Power of Age!” and, for me, that theme instantly brings to mind two Older Americans who were a great inspiration in my life.

My paternal grandparents, George and Virginia Kepnick, were senior citizens for my entire life, yet they were never anything less than contagiously energetic, positive go-getters right up until they left us (both lived into their 90s).  Often mistaken for being 20 years younger than they actually were, even as they aged, my grandparents unwaveringly lived each day to its fullest. They never slowed down and always made light of getting older, two things I believe were keys to their great attitudes and long lives.

My grandparents also taught me the importance of love for others.  Married for 67 years, they were never happier than when they were together, surrounded by friends and family.  My grandma in particular was the consummate hostess.  She loved to feed people and, to this day, I blush when those who knew her assure me I have inherited her talent for baking.

In our culture, an emphasis on youth often overshadows respect for our elders, so it’s important to make a conscious effort to show our appreciation of the important contributions these people have made to our world.  During Older Americans Month, it could not be easier to do so!  Here are a few ideas:

• The City of Chicago has activities running all month in honor of our Older Americans, but there are many things you can do too.
• Offer to take an elderly relative or neighbor to the grocery store or just stop by for a visit – they likely have some great stories to tell!
• Volunteer at a local retirement home.  The residents love to have guests!
• Chicago-based Housing Opportunities & Maintenance for the Elderly (H.O.M.E.) focuses on helping Chicago’s underserved, low-income seniors maintain their independence and they want to hear your stories about the Older Americans who have impacted your life.  Email your story along with a photo and it might be featured on H.O.M.E.’s website or social media page!

The Perfect Mother’s Day Gift

With Mother’s Day just around the corner, you’re probably asking yourself “What can I possibly get my mom this year?”  Well, I have the perfect answer!  Buy your mom the gift that just keeps on giving!  Your mom can enjoy reading a different Making A Difference ® Tip of the Day year-round.  With a simple download or by picking up a hard copy of Lisa’s book, this will become a cherished part of her morning or bedtime routine!

At some point, everyone asks themselves what they can be doing to change the world and to really have an impact.  There are so many options, and people often think that they don’t have the time, money or energy to help out.  However, these books show just how easy it is to make a difference!  The Making A Difference ® trilogy will show your mom how she can change the world one day at a time through its 365 tips, ideas and stories.  There’s even space at the bottom of each page for your mom to journal her thoughts on how she can tackle some of these!  This series of books is uplifting and will give your mom a daily dose of inspiration to start Making A Difference ® every day!

To purchase the trilogy for only $50.00 click here!

Sarcoidosis Awareness Month

Did you know that April is Sarcoidosis Awareness Month? Have you ever heard of Sarcoidosis (pronounced SAR-COY-DOE-SIS)?  Many people have not.  Sarcoidosis is a disease that causes inflammation of the body’s tissues. In Sarcoidosis, the immune system does not function properly and lymphocytes, a type of blood cell, become overactive releasing chemicals known as granulomas to form in various parts of the body. The inflammation can occur in almost any part of the body, although the lungs are affected in almost 90% of people with Sarcoidosis.  Sarcoidosis is unpredictable and it affects people differently. In many cases, it can be chronic and fatal. There is no cure.

The Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research (FSR) is the nation’s leading organization dedicated to finding a cure for Sarcoidosis and to improving care for patients.  Since 2000, FSR has funded numerous domestic and international research efforts and has provided resources to tens of thousands of patients, their families and physicians.

To learn more about Sarcoidosis and the work that FSR is doing, please visit www.stopsarcoidosis.org or call (312) 341-0500.  You can help make a difference in ending this often deadly disease.

How to Be a Terrific Volunteer

Volunteering can be one of the most rewarding experiences in life, but what is the key to being a really terrific volunteer?  By following a few key principles, you can not only ensure you will become a valued volunteer, but also have a fulfilling experience yourself.

Keys to Becoming a Terrific Volunteer

• Follow your passion

The first and most important step to becoming a terrific volunteer is to find an organization that is a good fit for you.  We all operate with limited time and resources, so sacrificing them must be meaningful.  More than just identifying a “good cause,” finding an organization you feel passionately about will make it a pleasure to commit your free time as you help to further their cause.  If a loved one was affected by a disease, find an organization that funds research on that particular disease.  If you love classical music, volunteer as an usher at the symphony!  This is the key to having a transformational experience.  There are plenty of worthy causes out there, but the key is finding the one you really feel a connection with.

• Don’t over-commit

Be realistic about the amount of time you are able to commit.  Again, free time is a precious thing, so prior to committing to the organization, take some time to really think about how much time each month you have available to dedicate.  It’s great to be optimistic, but you may only end up disappointing the organization and yourself if you are not able to complete tasks or honor other commitments you have made.

Volunteering to serve on a Board is a serious time and energy commitment and is also vital to the functioning of the organization.  If that is more of a commitment than you are willing or able to undertake, no need to worry!  Most organizations also need volunteers to complete straightforward, one-time tasks as well, such as helping with an event or tackling long neglected administrative projects.  Be realistic and communicate your availability clearly and you will be more likely to have a positive experience.

• Lend your skills

You may choose to volunteer skills you already possess to an organization in need.  Womenoncall.org is an organization that utilizes its volunteer database to match volunteers’ skill sets to the organizations’ specific needs.  One of our clients used this amazing resource to locate a graphic designer to create the programs for their annual gala event.  The programs came out beautifully and the volunteer had a short-term, but meaningful, assignment that was within the scope of her expertise.

On the other hand, volunteering can be a good opportunity to develop new skills.  Since you are not being paid, organizations may be more patient if you are working out some of the kinks while on the job.  However, you are still providing a needed service, so be respectful of the organization and its needs.  There is likely no one there to clean up after you, so do not take on a task that you are not yet ready to tackle.

• Follow instructions

This is the simplest and probably most frequently overlooked of all the tips.  Take your assignment seriously, as you would any paid job.  Arrive on time and ready to work.  Do the task assigned.  Ask questions if necessary.

• Honor your commitment

Once you have selected and committed to an organization, honor that commitment.  Nonprofits function in a very lean fashion and volunteers are vital to their operation.  Follow the tips outlined above and you will be well on your way to helping them work towards accomplishing their mission.  This sense of fulfillment will reconnect you with that passion you identified earlier, which was the reason you chose the organization in the first place.  You’ll be making a difference in no time!

Getting Great Work from Your Interns

Most college students know that tacking one or two internship experiences to their resume can be invaluable.  These ambitious individuals vie for the chance to pour coffee and make copies at any company which will have them because they know the value of such an opportunity.  Most organizations, however, fail to realize just how worthwhile having interns can truly be.  Numerous agencies attract wide-eyed and willing youngsters for a few months just to be able to boast of having an intern program, but they never take the time to learn the worth of having interns on staff.  When organizations place interns in a cubicle and give them mind-numbing, menial tasks they not only keep the student from a potentially great learning experience, but they prevent the company from benefiting from the efforts of a talented and hard-working individual.

When it comes to getting great work from interns there are a few simple things to keep in mind:

• First, recruit rock-star interns from local colleges and universities by posting opportunities on the school’s career website and attending annual job fairs.  Look for students who articulate having more of a reason or desire to work for the company than simply wanting experience.  Interns who are truly passionate about the work or cause of an organization will do great things!

• Next, trust your interns.  Provide interns with a mentor or point person on staff, so they know who to go to with questions, concerns and feedback, but make sure they feel independent in their undertakings.  Micromanaging or being overbearing can make interns feel useless, and more like a cog in a machine than a valuable asset.

• Remember not to be afraid to challenge interns.  They are there to learn as much as possible in a short amount of time, and more often than not they will surpass your expectations.  Expressing confidence in interns makes them feel more confident in themselves and then they are sure to rise to the occasion.

• Improve an internship program in the long run by utilizing your best interns to ensure your next crop of students will be just as excellent.  Ask interns to write testimonials to be featured online, have them run your company’s table at their school’s career fairs and ask them to recommend their friends!

•  Finally, wrap-up an internship by making your interns feel appreciated.  Even simply giving them a thank you card, or offering to write a recommendation later, can make a huge difference and will ensure they always sing the company’s praises.

When it comes to internships, it is crucial not only for students to recognize their importance, but for companies to do so as well.  Remembering these tips will guarantee that your company’s next batch of interns do not go to waste.  Getting the most out of interns is not difficult and helping interns realize their full potential will certainly reap great rewards.

5 Simple Ways to Make A Difference and Stay Within Your Budget!

It is not a secret that everyone wants to help a cause in some way, shape or form.  We are all inspired and touched by stories of generosity and kindness.  But then we wonder, “What can I do to help?” or “How can I help when I am on a budget?”

Here are 5 simple ways to give and stay within your budget – no matter how much is in your bank account.

1. GoodSearch, GoodShop, or GoodDining - http://www.goodsearch.com/ -Let’s face it, many of us do not go a single day without using the internet, shopping online or dining out.  So why not use these every day acts as opportunities to make a difference.  GoodSearch, GoodShop and GoodDining, allow you to choose a cause to support and then they make a donation for each search you perform on the web, each item purchased from participating retailers, and each dining experience at participating restaurants.
2. Tab for A Cause - http://www.tabforacause.org/ Most of us do not keep track of how many tabs we open throughout the day while surfing the internet, but imagine if we did.  Would it be 10, 50, 100, or thousands of tabs on a daily basis?  Each tab can represent a fraction of a penny which has the potential to add up to thousands of dollars for charities.  Tab for a Cause is a not-for-profit organization that helps you give easily to a cause you are passionate about. After installing the Tab for a Cause extension, one of every few new tabs you open is redirected to a donation page for your chosen cause, raising money for your charity!
3.  Roozt – http://www.roozt.com/roozt_home.html  - Rootz has brought together entrepreneurs who are using the power of business to make a difference.  Becoming a member of the website gives you access to discounts from brands and companies that have been hand selected not only for their trendsetting fashion, but more importantly for their focus on community involvement and support.  Just for signing up on the website, Rootz will provide a meal to an American in need as part of its “One Member.  One Meal.” Campaign.
4.  Buy 1 Give 1’s Giving Life – https://www.b1g1.com/givinglife/ – Giving Life helps you match up meaningful personal experiences with the type of impact you want to have.  You can create your own giving journal that will show you that for only $5.46 you can provide three (3) people with one (1) day of health care services.  If your passion is ending hunger, then that’s the impact area you choose – Giving Life’s Impact Options are endless.  For those of with a limited budget, quantifying our impact is priceless!
5.  Charity Miles – http://www.charitymiles.org/ – Running may not be for everyone, but for those who enjoy walking, running or biking, Charity Miles is an iPhone/Android app that empowers you to earn corporate sponsorships for charity by walking, running or biking.  Just choose a charity and press start. As you walk, run or bike, the app tracks your distance and you earn money for your charity.  Bikers earn 10¢ per mile; walkers and runners earn 25¢ per mile, all up to the initial $1,000,000 sponsorship pool.

So pick one or as many as you’d like and do your part to be Making A Difference!

Stand Up, Be Proud

October is National Anti-Bullying Awareness Month and there have been two recent news stories that have reminded me that all of us can make a difference just by standing up in what we believe in and being proud of who we are as individuals.  In Michigan, a 16-year-old girl was named to a high school homecoming court as part of an apparent prank, but this did not stop her.  She took a stand against her bullies and the community and nation rallied behind her.  On September 28, 2012, the young 16-year-old, Whitney Kropp, was crowned Homecoming Queen.

On October 2, 2012, Jennifer Livingston, made national news when she took a stand on the WKBT News 8 evening broadcast in Wisconsin and addressed the local lawyer who sent her an email attacking her weight.

There are so many ways we can make a difference.  From speaking up in what you believe in, to giving a co-worker a helping hand or spending some quality time with your friends and family, everyone has the power to be making a difference.

The PACER National Bullying Prevention Center (www.pacer.org/bullying) provides a number of opportuniteis to help stop bullying in your community.  Below are three steps the organization shares that can help you develop a plan of action to address a bullying situation that is happening to you or someone else.

Step One: Think about the bullying you have experienced, seen or even done yourself.

Step Two: Then consider how that situation could be different.

Step Three: Next, think about the steps needed to make those changes happen.

Visit www.pacer.org/bullying/pdf/StudentActionPlan.pdf to read the entire ‘Action Plan Against Bullying!’  Bullying can be stopped, but only if we take action and speak up!