How to Be Someone Who Gives a Shit

I started "Fundraising Malawi," as the name hopefully suggests, to raise funds for Raising Malawi. I set a goal to raise $101,000 by Christmas 2008. I've been going at it alone for 2.5 years, but now am itching to tagteam with like-minded people who want to make a difference in the world on a big scale, in a big way.

When I'm not working on this project, I tend to forget how hugely important it really is. I get swept up in the details of my life. It dawned on me today as I was in a trance on the treadmill watching some ridiculous TNT show starring Robin Williams as a mad scientist or something (trust me, you'd zone out too) that I may not reach my goal on time. I am still $68K-ish shy. Fundraising Malawi is just my goal. Not a need. I don't have hunger pangs. If I did, if it were a NEED, I'd keep at it day and night. I definitely wouldn't be so casual about it. How much do I really give a shit? I would tell you it's all that matters to me. But is it? If it were, wouldn't I be pushing harder?

I have to push harder.

A few months ago I started working with four other gals in LA to pull off some exciting fundraising events. While it sure doesn't feel like it on the day-to-day, we are making a real and lasting difference in the world. I know because we have aligned ourselves with an organization that is driving solutions rather than throwing money at problems.

The work of Raising Malawi, as I would summarize it, is to help flip this little sliver of a country from extreme poverty to self-sustaining prosperity. Self-sustaining. Those are the magic words.

For that to happen, Malawi needs an initial boost (OK, major hoist) to get a foot up on the socio-economic ladder. There are so many reasons they are not there now. Jeffrey Sachs wrote a terrific book called, “The End of Poverty” that explains the situation and what they need to break out of it. With our help, they have a chance.

The sad reality is that growth isn't possible for Malawi until they can get beyond survival. With a population of 13 million, one million are orphaned mostly due to AIDs. Knowing that a solution is so readily available, can we really look away?

I chose to raise funds for Raising Malawi because they really do give a shit. When I visited last year, I got how much they care and saw first-hand that they get things done. Raising Malawi recently opened an orphan care center to serve 4,000 children. I saw a lot of new construction actually - educational facilities, homes, feeding centers, even a borehole we helped to fund that attracted an unending line of women and children coming to pump drinking water.

It’s a great dream. And it’s happening.

If you give a shit or otherwise feel the calling to make a difference in the world, here's what you can do to help:

1. GIVE MONEY
Right now, like right this minute, go find your credit card and take it out of your wallet. Then click here to make a 100% tax-deductible donation. The site accepts any amount. Or you can send a check. Their address is on the same link. After you donate, please let me know how much so I can acknowledge your donation on my blog and up my running tally of funds raised to date. (It's my favorite thing in the world to do. :)

2. GIVE TIME
If you're in LA, there're five of us who meet once a week to brainstorm projects and work to fulfill them. Currently, we're looking at hosting our next event at an art gallery. We're still looking for a venue and anyone with some know-how as to how to do it right. If you're that person by whatever qualification (we're not picky), please, let's connect.

Or, see No. 3 below. Can you help us scout around for cool bag stuffers?

3 GIVE THINGS
I just bought 50 cool canvas bags made by the people of Malawi that we need to stuff with goodies and sell at our events (or give to big donors). Do you have anything cool, Africa-themed or otherwise, that could work - a dentist with 50 toothbrushes, a company who could donate 50 product samples, etc.

Or, perhaps you have a service or item we can auction off at our next event?

4. GIVE SKILLS
Some of the ways in which I've raised funds for this cause are by doing things I know how to do. Like moderating focus groups. No problem. I'm QRCA-trained. Have led well over 1,000 groups in my career. Why not do it for charity? I can do that for you if you need someone to facilitate a group. Or I can make a movie for you - I can turn all of your family albums into a DVD, movie cut to whatever music you choose. I can mow lawns, wash cars, shovel snow, move mountains (now I'm just showing off). I can do all sorts of things for a donation to charity in lieu of payment. How about you?

Any skills you can donate to charity? Maybe not even to 'sell'. Maybe you're a ruthless, no-BS coach and you can take me on as a protegee to help me realize this goal. Or, perhaps you have some connections or ideas how to get some PR for our next fundraiser. Maybe you'd be a pro at selling our Africa Bags on Ebay or something. You are uniquely skilled and you know it. Anything you can think to share?

5. MODEL GIFTS
With our newly formed fundraising team in LA, we're trying to create some repeatable models for fundraising that can be rolled out in other cities around the country, or even world. We're all pretty new at this, but ultimately, we want to be able to say, "It works in LA.....and here's how you do it".

It's like the Millennium Villages Project that Raising Malawi is sponsoring in Gumulira. I first learned about these projects on a thinkMTV segment showing Angelina Jolie and Jeffrey Sachs at a village in western Kenya. Brilliant! Click here to see them and get a sense of how the Millennium Villages Project works.

"Model gifts" are what Jeffrey Sachs, Bill Gates, Bill Clinton, Paul Farmer and so many other great leaders are doing: setting up systems that produce results and replicating those systems in other places.

The five of us doing Fundraising Malawi in LA learned a lot from our first event at Kyle Mathis Hairdressing -- some of it the hard way, although all in all, a very successful day. Kyle Mathis himself was most generous. In fact, there's a good chance he'll host another event with us for Raising Malawi. We're only going to get better at this with more practice. We raised over $2K at the last event. We can raise it again, and then some.

If you have ideas, things we should try, a model already proven to work and easy to replicate, perhaps you can advise us?

6. GIVE TO GOOD IDEAS

Raising Malawi just set up weekly international calls with a fairly small group of us to establish committees and subcommittees for fundraising, research and awareness building. Perhaps you'd like to get involved with them directly. Let me know and I'll put you in touch.

No matter what you do, if you choose to do anything at all, please Give a Shit.

Even a small poo will help.

Dear Julia,

In the last couple of years, we have seen significant progress in the fight against poverty: more than 2 million people are receiving lifesaving AIDS medications and 29 million African children, once denied a basic education, are now in school.

Despite proven successes, the G8—8 of the world's most powerful countries – are largely failing to deliver on their promises to increase funds dedicated to fighting extreme poverty. The United States is one of the few G8 countries making progress on its commitments, but there is more we can do, and US leadership is essential to encouraging G8 progress.

Our moment to press the US and other G8 nations into action is quickly approaching as leaders of the G8 will gather in Japan on July 7.

Click this link to add your name to the petition and ask G8 leaders to do their part and work to continue our success in the fight against poverty.

Petition text:
We call upon you to build on recent success in fighting extreme poverty by delivering your commitments on healthcare, agriculture and education and by helping citizens in developing countries in their efforts to improve governance and fight corruption.

This petition builds upon our hunger crisis action in May, when 140,000 ONE members successfully urged President Bush into action in response to soaring food prices.

But the impact of the food crisis – millions teetering on the brink of poverty, riots in dozens of developing countries, and families forced to choose between meals and medicine – stems from a range of causes that demand the G8’s attention. Only by delivering on all of their commitments to the developing world can G8 leaders truly continue on previous successes and prevent future problems like the food crisis.

Please remind G8 leaders that fighting poverty works, but we have a long way to go.

It is essential that G8 nations take this opportunity, while the world’s eyes are upon their summit, to show true leadership by addressing these problems and the underlying issues that cause them.

Thank you for your voice,
Josh Peck, ONE.org

P.S. PEPFAR, America’s response to the global emergency of AIDS, TB and malaria, is at a critical point in negotiations and we hope to have an update for you soon on the results of our campaign to pass it in the Senate.

Please help us fill our bags!

The title of this post reminds me of a story David tells about the flight attendant in BA first class who asked him to please empty his nuts. (Ha!) But that's not what this is about. A little background:

This nice chap Todd Petitt found my blog and reached out seeing as we're up to something very similar. He co-created Africa Bags, a non-profit organization that produces reusable cloth shopping bags.

In May '07, they introduced their project into three villages near Mzuzu, Malawi - Kamweko, Viweme and Nkhata Bay. The villages were provided with foot powered treadle sewing machines, cloth and all other items needed to make the bags. They trained small groups from each village to operate the treadle sewing machines. Shortly after they left, a fourth group formed itself in Chintheche.

The village in Kamweko has really taken off. Currently, they're in the process of making over 25,000 bricks to build a 1,000 sq. foot community center, all paid for by Africa Bags supporters.

Since 100% of the profits from these bags are returned to Malawi, I figured I'd buy 50 or so to get started (they cost $12 each) and see if I could stuff them with cool swag to sell for $50-100 each (depending on content), 100% of proceeds to be donated to Raising Malawi.

Here's where I really need your help. We all are connected to someone who can donate 50 cool items (T-shirts, DVDs, sun lotions, water bottles, magazines, notebooks, vitamins, health bars, etc.) that would be great for stuffing these bags.

I'll sell them at our upcoming fundraising events. I'm working with a team now trying to secure a cool hollywood venue. It's for such a great cause (orphans and vulnerable children) and is awesome exposure for like-minded companies. I really want to STUFF these bags and sell them out fast. It'll give us a reason to buy more and create a powerful circuitry to pump dollars back to the people who need them most.

Please be a hero today. Do you have at least 50 items to donate or know someone/company who does? Even if you just have an inkling....someone you think you can approach who may be interested in helping, will you shoot me a note (jsilka@yahoo.com) or leave a comment and let me know what's in your head? It'd make my whole day. And you know the deal, it could actually save a life.

A note from the Hutchings Family

Actually, looks like Tom wrote this:

Hey dude - are you still doing that Malawi dealy? If so we kicked in $100USD, 8₤ and 9€ for you... didn't see where to plug in your name though. Hope that doesn't hose up your tally.

Best wishes,
Tom, Nancy, Haley & Nathan
(and of course, Rex!)

Ahhh...the Hutchings. Now these are some good people. I worked with Nancy at Arthur Andersen WHQ in the HR department in the late 80s. We were great friends (Tom too). In fact, I was Nancy and Tom's witness of honor on Fourth of July weekend back in the early 90s. Totally forget the year now. They got married on Navy Pier before the city put up the ferris wheel and all the fuss.

It was a hot, muggy, overcast day on the lake, but also perfect. They said their vows, we had a toast and then we all went on a little cruise. Both of their families killed them later for eloping. Despite that, they managed to have two beautiful children and a dog named Rex. I do believe their families have since forgiven their crime of passion.

Sometime later in that very same place, David F broke up with me on his birthday (July 22nd) after dating me five years. We were in front of that ferris wheel. He did it and then the fire works started going off. (Literally). As I stared into the night sky, my snow cone fell on my right foot and quickly melted through my sandal so my toes stuck together. Turns out he met someone. (His now wife). I gave him his house keys back that night and just like that, I was out of his life. What a prick. (I'm over it, really. ;)

Navy Pier.

Anyway, where was I? I think Tom's note means he donated $100 to Raising Malawi. I sent an email back to confirm.

Just confirmed.

Ohhhh.....It's more than $100US. (You have to know Tom). He writes:

Yeppars, that we did. the 8 is for a second donation - made in pounds sterling, and 9 is for the third one made in EUROS. I reckon it's just shy of an add'l $30USD...And no, I can't do anything simply! Isn't it fun to be one of the very few people who gets my sense of humor? [OK - pretends to get my sense of humor:)].

The three items were dated June 20th - I think the exact total was $129.68 in US/equiv.

Hope you are well! Nancy and the kids are great. We'll send recent pix soon!
--

Now how's that for gross, beautiful, well-calculated irony?!....I was BORN on 1/29/68! A VERY PERFECT DONATION!!

Which brings the new total of monies raised to date to $33,200.29.

Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!

It's getting hot out there people. Mind your snow cones.

Thank You Birthday Molly and Mom Lopez!

I got the sweetest email on my way to work today. It was from Molly Lopez, my friend Miranda's sister who crashed at my place in NYC while her apartment was getting ready. Molly made a donation to Raising Malawi back when she stayed at my place, in a gesture of thanks.

Today, she told me her mom made $100 donation to Raising Malawi for her birthday. I was sitting at a red light when I read this. And I just welled up with tears. By the time the light turned green, I could feel the many metaphors of motion happening in my life.

See, I never met Molly. Or her mom. I didn't even know Miranda when I first set this little goal of mine.

It's that thing I say in my blog header above: "I know my goal is possible, only I have no idea how to meet it." I had no idea the people I'd meet. Or how I'd drum up these funds. But I see it happening every day now.

Plus, I never take my eye off the ball. NEVER.

There is a basic rule of spirituality as Kabbalah might explain it: If you don't crave, you don't get. Light only comes to a place where there is a strong desire, a place where there is craving.

I took a course in Wisdom some years ago. Yes, there is such a thing. It outlined 7 stages of success/realizing your vision in the world. They are:

Stage 1: Express.
It's dreaming up your big idea over a few beers or whatever and then declaring it to the world. "I, Julia Silka, will raise $101,000 for the women and children who need it most."

Stage 2: Remember.
Er....what was that promise I made again?

Stage 3: Fail.
Been there. It took a lot to get this commitment of mine in motion. Lots of false starts, ideas without action and fundraising activity that didn't amount to much.

Stage 4: Succeed.
I've had some great wins; great fundraising activity. I'm getting better at it. More clear what works and what doesn't.

Stage 5: Flood.
Here's where the abundance kicks in. More than you think you can handle. So much so, that it wrecks your little structure. Forces you to expand/personally grow. I'm definitely not there yet on this project....although there is an opportunity unfolding with Raising Malawi right now for me to play a more stepped up role with their organization.

Stage 6: Explain & Understand.
This is where you have some mastery around what it is that you've created and you distinguish the concept in such a way that you can extend it beyond yourself. Others can lead your vision.

Stage 7. Lose.
I just love this. I mean, really LOVE this idea. Talk about overcoming your ego. This is the stage where you need to let go so that what you have created can live without you. It has grown so much bigger than you, in fact, that people even forget that you were once associated with it.

I'm summarizing a year-long course, but I hope I can impart at least a touch of its brilliance. Most people never make it past Stage Three. They just close the books on their dreams and find something else to do. At least they get there. Think of all the people you know who don't get past Stage One. They just spend their days talking shit. They're all around us, everywhere.

I'm at Stage Four now and expect to get to Stage 5 soon; maybe even Stage 6.

But Stage 7 will really be the test. Looking back from that future when I know I was behind the design of the fundraising programs that could be replicated by Raising Malawi to effectively flip whole villages from extreme poverty to self-sustaining and bring prosperity where there was once despair..........I wonder.........will I be humble enough to say nothing? To not have to take credit? I don't know yet, but I hope that's the case.

Meanwhile, I am so grateful to every single person who's come into my life to do whatever little bit they can to help. It all adds up. And, as of today, it's added up to $33,070.61

For this, I thank you. And my mother thanks you. And her mother thanks you. And her mother thanks you....(My grandma used to always say that.)

We raised $2,311.04 last Sunday!

The five of us (Leah Reynolds, Meital Levi, Julia Silka, Heather Lounsbury, Selen Ermanav) raised $2,311.04 at our first team event this past Sunday at Kyle Mathis Hairdressing.

In addition to hair, nail, brow waxing and massage services, we set up a donation box and a table for silent auction items.

Selen sold her handmade candles from Sevin Candle Company and donated 50% of the sale to Raising Malawi. They're beautiful! 100% soy, good to environment and available in three choice scents: orange, lemongrass and lavender. I bought two and Leah bought 8 or so to thank the staff volunteers. (If you like Selen, and what's not to like, may I suggest you buy a candle at www.sevincandle.com). I'm counting her donations from the candles as part of our donation box tally.


Here's a quick breakdown of the math

$1,316.04 hair and salon services
$ 570 donation box
$ 425 silent auction **
-----------------
$2,311.04

**I am not counting silent auction dollars till we officially award items and collect on their bids. Still, no time like the present to thank our generous donors:

-Berri Good for $50 gift certificate (winning bid $30)
-Heather Lounsbury for acupuncture session ($85)
-Joseph van Arsdale for private yoga session ($85)
-Selen Ermanav for photo session/headshots ($50)
-Collective Soul for 2 concert tix, backstage passes & signed photo ($50)
-Holly Sidell for HeartMath treatment/therapy session ($125)

Plus, two cases red and white wine from restaurant owner, Franco Simplicio to class up our little event :)

And of course, a HUGE, WARM THANK YOU to the most-generous Kyle Mathis for opening his salon up to us and offering half price services with 100% of all proceeds to Raising Malawi.

Here's a picture of Kyle cutting our first guest's hair. I believe Leah and Heather stopped this fine young man on the street to tell him he needed a haircut and escorted him inside. Nice work, ladies!


I got my do done too.


A personal highlight for me (other than my personal highlights) was giving away a bunch of balloons to an angelic little Japanese girl outside waiting for her dad to get some stuff out of their car. She eyed our balloons and was so happy when I gave her a bunch! Her dad tied them on her wrist and she ran down the sidewalk looking back every few seconds to watch the balloons chasing her. Wish I had my camera for that.

We took turns working the table outside. We had it set up in the Promenade at first, but didn't get a lot of traffic in the morning, so we moved it in front of the salon.

We had wonderful free samples of Lierac skin cream and Macro Greens/Miracle Reds to stop passersby, if only for a 3 second awareness pitch for our cause. We had lots of samples and they all went. :)




And how about this for support: My friend Renee from work was letting her hair grow out for months so she could come out and support us. When she finally arrived for a haircut, everything was booked. We asked if there was any chance she could squeeze in for just a quick cut (her hair was very long) and they agreed, given her commitment and all, but wouldn't have time for a blow dry.

Next thing you know, I look over and my friend has gone all Katie Holmes on me! I could see her neck! How fun! A true charity-inspired transformation.




All in all, we had a great day. And we pulled in a decent till for our first gig. But it's not about the money. Fundraising is never just about the money. It's about building awareness for this great cause and waking up, all of us, one by one, to change the order of things. We can make a difference for the world's most vulnerable, and oft-forgotten children. Together, we can Raise Malawi!


Since we have the check in hand from the salon, I'll add $1,316.04 to our total, bringing the amount raised to date to $32,970.61

That's Numberwang!

Totals from Sunday's Hairdo for Charity event are still being tallied. It's a rule of mine not to count my chickens before cashing out. The salon is estimating $1,300 will be donated this week from hair services. We made a few small bones from the silent auction (which was so silent, not much bidding ensued). I'll add that to the total once it's collected.

Selen made a donation box for the event and Diana (from work) came with her massage chair to give back rubs au gratis (she donated her tips, too). We already donated the box money, so that's $570 we can count as of now, or more precisely, June 8th when we donated it.

Another round of numberwang to follow shortly -

Dye it, trim it, wax it or polish it, just do it tomorrow in Santa Monica

Hair we go. My first-ever real fundraiser. Tomorrow, I'll get to Kyle Mathis Hairdressing at 9:30 to help set up our silent auction swag. I'm getting my do done at 10:30 and will hang around all day with the gals (Leah, Heather, Selen and Meital) between the salon and promenade to help stir up business to benefit the world's neediest orphans.

The salon is offering 50% OFF hair services with 100% donated to Raising Malawi. The success or failure of this event is on all of our heads.

Call (310) 393-7947 or just drop in: 201 Wilshire Blvd #120 Santa Monica, CA 90401

And thanks to Heather and Meital for their early donations, bringing our total raised to date to $31, 084.57