The idea of giving to charity is a noble one. In fact, it promotes a feel good factor in the mind of the giver. And rightly too, as it is our duty to help the less privileged than ourselves. This desire stems from a deep rooted feeling of wanting to help others less fortunate than ourselves without getting anything in return. Though money is the primary thing that is given out, it can also be other things like clothes, food or for that matter other everyday things, like school coat hooks.
If you are looking for a new charity to support, then what could be better than supporting a charity that sets out to end the suffering, abuse, poor treatment and murder of millions each year? In my opinion, that seems like just about the best mission plan possible. The reason that some people do not agree is because they are trying to prevent the pain, suffering and deaths of animals, and not humans.
There is no doubt that if you would see some of the poorest people living in India and China, you will start wondering if these two countries are really growingly economically at an unbelievable rate. It’s true that both of these countries are two of the biggest economies in the world, but difference of wealth between the rich and the poor is also unbelievable in these countries. Poverty, illiteracy and child labour can be found in all the cities in India and China, especially in the capital cities Delhi and Beijing.
Telemarketing calls, magazine ads and Television commercials are nowadays flooded with various charity organizations asking for donations for very worthy sounding causes. Many of these causes are probably something you have never thought of doing. However the names of this charity and the way they convey their message is sure to arouse some generosity within you. Within no time they make you feel how bad you are for having the food you worked hard to buy.
It can be quite difficult to say exactly what some charities do with the money that we hand over to their representatives. Whether we have a particular good cause that we donate to every month or we are waylaid by ’chuggers'in the High Street, when you think about organisations like Save the Children, Amnesty or Shelter, what do they actually do with the cash? After all, it is not like they are sending aid to devastated countries like the Red Cross or Oxfam – does the money just get spent on media campaigns, administration and fair-trade coffee for their head office?
A few years back the Daily Mail announced that Bill Gates, one of the world’s richest man'would contribute his wealth to the world and would thus become the person who has invested the most in charity from his own wealth. And while he is not going to give up on his shares of Microsoft, he would still be contributing some 70% or more for charitable work from his own funds over the next decade or so. And this would include vast charitable donations to fight disease and to promote public health in developing countries in Asia and Africa.
Bill Gates'announcement in 2010 revealed his main priority - to fight disease. You can check both videos included in the article to see how exactly he has decided to do that and how he has already contributed to the development of vaccines to prevent the spread of diseases globally. His work includes vast health projects in India (where he has already achieved great success through his charitable foundation) and would these would expand more extensively to other parts of the world including Pakistan, Nigeria and some Central African countries.
But Bill Gates would also aim to provide funds for other charitable costs - ranging from school inset training in third world countries where education is poorly developed, to hospital construction in regions where health care services are decaying slowly thus leaving many doomed by disease spread.
According to the Microsoft Chief, the spread of diseases can be easily resolved should there be enough of awareness and charitable activity among not only the rich people, but the ordinary persons across the globe. His charitable work is an example of how a single man can change the lives of millions of people when dedicated to a cause. Supported by his wife and denying to leave all his wealth to his children, Bill Gates has become the larger donor of financial capital used to fight disease and other problems in third world countries.
Despite fears over what the private tendering for some NHS services taking place will do to the organisation, there are still hundreds of nursing jobs being advertised on a regular basis. The simple truth of the matter is that when it comes right down to the bones of things, doctors and nurses are the key ingredients that will always be required to keep things running. No amount of private tendering will ever change that. If it does turn out that the NHS takes a turn for the worst, then it will come down to the rest of the not for profit sector to pick up the slack. Unfortunately virtually every charity or not for profit based organisation is currently under attack by local councils.
The sad truth of the economic climate is that in many instances front line services and not for profit organisations come under severe pressure from councils and government to produce results usually ending with a £ sign. Every proposal and recommendation is being countered with a question: how much will it cost? Charities and the NHS are in for a rough ride in the next few years and it will only be creative thinking and planning that will help them through these times.
A recent study conducted by the group ‘False Economy'on all charities in the UK has concluded that the impact of all the cuts councils are being forced to impose on their services is devastating. Many charities will see their funding cut by 50% or more over the next year with some charities expected to lose their entire budget. The hardest hit areas include the children’s and young people sectors. 150 disability, 142 elderly and 110 adult care charities will also be affected with some expected to close completely. A financial analysis has concluded that £110 million will disappear from charities'bottom lines and the analysis does not yet include some major cities including Leeds and Manchester. This is frightening news and a growing concern for the NHS as it will be inundated with an increase in patient numbers in response.
NHS nursing jobs will be expected to increase in numbers yet no firm response has been given by the government when asked where the money to fund this will come from. Speculatively it could be said that the money saved from cutting the budgets to charities will serve to boost the numbers of doctors and nurses in the NHS, but that is yet to be confirmed or denied.
Charities must be extremely creative in the coming months in order to survive. No money from public funding can be expected to shore up accounts. This means fundraising and donations must increase to fill in the gaps. Whilst it looks increasingly gloomy, it is not impossible for these things to happen as long as the board members plan ahead accordingly. Events and functions need to increase in order to keep the money coming in. Sponsorship whilst sounding like a dirty word to charity, may have to be considered and with the right type of sponsor, it is possible for many charities to survive the rough seas ahead.
Many charities complain that they find it difficult to identify generous donors for their various causes and activities related to charity. Well, it is important to understand human psychology to find the right donors. Requesting an office refurbishment London service provider to pay cash for a local charitable cause may not work. On the other hand, requesting the service provided to visit a local orphanage and refurbish the same to make it look more appealing and attractive will be an easier task.
Not all businesses may be in a position to hand over cash for charitable purposes. However, offering their products or services at a discount or zero profit for charitable purposes is always a good option. The Huntington hotel group is making use of its charitable activities to enhance its brand image. From securing a football signed by a wounded army veteran’s favorite team to handing over toys to needy kids during Christmas - the hotel group conducts many charitable activities primarily designed to enhance public relations.
This is not a bad thing. Once you adopt this approach, you will find businesses far more eager to help you out because they too stand to gain from the same. Being recognized as a socially aware and responsible organization is a big deal. Instead of demanding money for charity, you can present the transaction as an opportunity for the organization to enhance its brand image. This is exactly what many small and big charities are doing all over the world.
Of course, attempts to find people who are willing to donate without expecting anything in return should always continue. However, to combine the two efforts will be a more productive option. It is important to be creative and to think out of the box to make charitable causes and events a success.
I recently attended a religious gathering where we were fired up regarding giving to charitable causes. A common misconception was also discussed. The preacher made us to understand that giving is not only for celebrities, footballers or the rich. Everyone is capable to giving to charity. He acknowledged how hard it is to part with money given the current economic situation around the world. In the preacher’s opinion, helping and giving to charities does not have to be in the More
One reason why people become volunteers – and this is aside from wanting to help others, which is the obvious – is that it really does enhance their skill base. Why? Because as a volunteer the chances are that you will get to interact with more people, and do more different things, than if you were stuck in some dingy office tapping away on a computer. In Oxfam, for example – where I recently spent a day volunteering to see what it would be like – there are numerous different jobs to do, and many of them came to me as a complete surprise.
With so many people wanting to become volunteers nowadays, it should go without saying that part of your job will be to encourage people to be on time and do their job
Here are just a few of the jobs which I enjoyed; who knows, you may well enjoy them too.
Organising the book shelf: love reading? Fiction or non-fiction or a bit of both? Then organising the book shelf will be for you. Oxfam generally have a lot of foot-fall, with a fair few people citing the book shelf as their favourite go-to place upon arrival. Your job will be to organise the books into the correct categories, as well as remove any books which look too battered to be fit for sale.
Deal with companies over the phone: let’s say, for example, your manager has heard that Red Diesel Portsmouth have a lot of spare orange barrels going out to the skip. Well, in Oxfam they could come in quite useful, and so your manager gets you to call Head Office and ask if they wouldn’t mind donating (once the diesel has been banished from the inside, of course, you don’t want those fumes in the shop!). This kind of talking can look great on your CV and also build up your confidence for when the time comes to seek paid employment.
Learn about routine and disciple: yes, volunteers work for free, but that doesn’t mean they get to waltz in whenever they want. With so many people wanting to become volunteers nowadays, it should go without saying that part of your job will be to encourage people to be on time and do their job as well as you are! After all, it’s the Oxfam image they and you are putting across, so it makes sense that you all work together, as a team, right?
Most importantly of all, you’ll do exactly that: learn to work as part of a team. It may be tough sometimes, but it’s certainly great training for the rest of your life.
