Current mood: 
cynical
For a large part of my college and post college career, I have worked with various non-profit organizations. For those who haven't ever left the corporate world, theres one major things all non-profits have in common... they ALWAYS need more money and theyre always at the mercy of large donors and rich folk. As a campaign manager, I learned to restate the phrase "DONATE MONEY DAMNIT" in a million and three eloquent ways... constantly giving passionate speeches about how far their dollar would go in "helping the cause." In my current job, its the same thing again - constantly trying to determine how we can get donors, how we can recognize them... blah blah blah.
last night i went to a kick-off event for the Glendale-Ghapan sister city organization's Ghapan Hospital Revitalization project. Granted I'm an emotional sap... but i think everyone watching that video clip on the condition of the hospital was a little overcome. The surgery room was a cot with a blanket and a lamp... the delivery room was similar. The ob-gyn and maternity areas were so old. I'd rather give birth in the back of a car than in that old, dreary hospital. So now, this organization needs...of course... $$$, to renovate/rebuild and modernize this hospital. This is where the numerous doctors, lawyers and businessmen in the room come into play...
One man stepped forward and announced that in addition to the Glendale Rotary clubs pledge to donate over $10,000, he would pledge an additional $10,000 (this money goes to the 14 pre-schools in the city).
Then, the organizations chair (Artin Manoukian) announced that two gentlemen (real estate investors) who were neither Armenian nor from Glendale, would each be donating $50,000!!!
My jaw dropped. Here i am, crying over a hospital in ghapan and the most I can do is walk around and beg people for money... OR... help organize events where all the hot shots show up and donate money. am i helping? sure. am i helping as much as the guy who just signed off a check for $50,000? hell no!
the truth is, you might want to change the world and you might have the best intentions in mind but theres one of two ways to change it... dedicate your mind, body and soul to a cause... or donate your $. The first option is taxing, exhausting and frustrating.... Artin manoukian works just like everyone else. After work he serves on a billion and three committees and has been the driving force behind the sister-city organization. You bet your butt this guy has put his heart and soul into this. The second option...well, in some ways, is far more effective. This guy sits at home, writes a check, and bam! the hospital is redone. His wife spends her days donating time (and im sure $) to various organizations that do good including some diabetes organization and i think the red cross. how nice it must be.....
and ya, to everyone out there dreaming of making the big bucks... remember to not be so selfish. its not all about how many ferraris you own... us non-profit organizers need you!!!
