A Pivotal Space

A Pivotal Space Do good. Be better. Lead best.

By Rochelle Brandvein

Women have always been givers. Look at Marie Curie. Her findings led to effective cures for cancer. Then there is Harriet Tubman, who freed not only herself from slavery, but also rescued 70 others. Think of Mother Teresa and her distinguished charitable work that stretches across the world.

Women’s humanitarian efforts are well documented in books (Ruth Bader Ginsburg for gender equality), highlighted in movies (Norma Rae for organizing a union), and splashed throughout the media in today’s world (too many to mention here).

But what about just looking in the mirror and at those around you? We are nieces, daughters, wives, moms and grandmas who are working toward a common goal: to make the world a better place filled with peace, compassion and goodness. Deep down, we are selfless creatures hungry to support our loved ones and help people we have never even met.

As women leaders, our role as givers should be a no brainer. We must encourage philanthropy for ourselves and our peers. We should demand charity in conjunction with commerce. It is up to us to make these things happen.

Women play a major role in the workplace, and we have the capacity to give back to our communities. If you have not had the time to give in the past—whether monetarily or through volunteerism—then now is the time to do so. And, starting today, Lead Up for Women is going to join you in this very concerted effort.

Lead Up and Give Back It is safe to say women have big hearts and with that comes even bigger responsibility. Lead Up for Women’s current creed encompasses three pillars: Leadership (shares women’s inspiring stories); Business (highlights business powerhouses in various industries); and Lifestyle (focuses on finding the proper work/ play balance).

Lead Up is now adding a fourth pillar dedicated solely to Nonprofits. This new section is a gift to every woman who has ever wanted to make a difference. With this pillar we will:

› Highlight the efforts of the women who have turned their pain into something positive; › Make you stop, take notice and step up for what is right. › Walk the path of self-actualization by reaching your full potential when it comes to spreading the good that we all have inside of us.

Our newly dubbed “A Pivotal Space” section will make you ask yourself, “Am I doing enough?” If you are not, it is time to pivot toward the contribution process.

According to Charity Navigator, an estimated $410.02 billion was given to charitable causes in 2017. Individuals accounted for 70% ($286.65 billion) of the giving, representing a 3% increase over 2016. The primary charity recipients were religious groups, education, human services and health charities. The best part of the data is that donating individuals—not big foundations or corporations—are responsible for the vast majority of annual donations. You do not have to go broke to make a difference. You just need to do so in your own way, which can be your time instead of your dollars.

Passionate women making a difference As altruistic beings, we appreciate others who are changing the world. Look at 16-year-old climate activist Greta Thunberg, who was named Time magazine’s “Person of the Year” for 2019. Her protests regarding climate change started with handmade signs and grew to a global climate strike in September that had four million participants. Thunberg, who has Asperger’s syndrome, is the publication’s youngest person to ever earn this designation.

Talk show host and media mogul Oprah Winfrey created “The Oprah Winfrey Scholars Program,” which are given to students who will use their education to give back to both the US and abroad. She also funds “The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa,” which is for young women who have provided service in their communities to create change. Outstanding work from a woman who began her broadcasting career at age 17.

Melinda Gates and Microsoft chairman/husband Bill founded the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which helps improve the lives and health of those in developing countries and in the US. This foundation is the world’s largest private charitable organization in existence. (financial gurus for funding strategies and initial set up, non-profit lawyer, an advisory board and a knowledgeable support system) to guide you through the process.

Pick your cause — Select a specific industry that you are passionate about ranging from children and health to veterans and animals. Then find the right charity for you by doing plenty

Lead Up is now adding a fourth pillar dedicated solely to Nonprofits. This new section is a gift to every woman who has ever wanted to make a difference.

World Humanitarian Day recently celebrated many unsung heroes who have produced authentic results for the world, including volunteers in the Red Cross or Red Crescent. These women—who make up more than half of the membership around the world—are among the first to respond in disasters, epidemics and conflicts. They include the late Asma Jehangir—a human rights activist who founded the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan)—and Alina Azhar, the first Pakistani woman to receive “The Diana Award” for her humanitarian efforts.

Just keep swimming “Finding Nemo” was an iconic movie chock full of wisdom. The forgetful yet motivational Dory used the mantra “Just Keep Swimming” to stay calm, get a grip and power on. Her persistence, which was key to helping find Nemo, should be an inspiration to all of us when tackling the non-profit component in your life.

Here how you can unite your efforts and help those who need it most: Start your own nonprofit — Define your mission via a strong business plan before you take the leap. Surround yourself with a team of experts of research (check out websites and reviews, as well as seek input from those who currently are associated with organizations you are interested in.)

Dream big — Once you narrow down your selection, it is up to you to select how you visualize your pivot. Your generosity—ranging from financial support or weekend volunteering to lending your expertise as a board member— will be greatly appreciated.

Share Your Story A Pivotal Space is a place to share your wins, your hopes and your talents. Help us inspire others to make your best choices and live healthier lives. So get ready as we embrace an exploration of epic proportions together. Let’s do this.

Rochelle Brandvein is the owner of Brandvein-Aaranson Public Relations, a 30-year-old PR agency that recently pivoted to solely handling nonprofits and companies with a philanthropic arm or foundation. Her company specializes in publicity, copywriting and creative services.

The most important resolution you’ll ever make

At the beginning of this year, many of us promised ourselves we would make improvements in our lives for 2020. It is no surprise that most are struggling to keep those New Year’s resolutions and will break and remake them many times hoping to get one to stick. According to the research group Ipsos, the top vows that Americans made this year were to get their finances in order, eat healthier and exercise more—all worthy pursuits. But studies of the happiest people on earth show that rich or poor, thin or not, there is something that matters more to our overall happiness.

If you could make a single resolution during 2020—and because of it, be happier from now on—would you make it? Turns out you can.

I was able to get motivated to be happier when I admitted to myself that I was not as happy as I could be. I felt an emptiness and a longing for something. But what? I felt well-rooted spiritually, in my home life and in my career. But something was missing. A friend told me about a program that provides food to families in need and encouraged me to volunteer. I had doubts that volunteering would make me happier, but I had nothing to lose and jumped in.

To my surprise, collecting and distributing food to people with real needs was incredibly satisfying. The world’s problems are big, but knowing I could do something small to help a few people was inspiring and empowering. After a few months of volunteering, I actually felt more at ease and happier in my life. This feeling made me want to do more. I decided I would do something every day for someone in need. I was also inspired to kick the commitment up a notch. I had found a Mother Teresa quote that rang true. “In this life we cannot do great things. But we can do small things with great love.”

I felt as though I had been personally challenged. I set a goal to think differently. As I served, I would make a conscious effort to be more observant, more patient, more kind and to grow in love. I was curious to see where that would take me.

It turned out that making good on that two-part commitment had an almost magical effect. Day by day I felt more positive and energized. I also began to see and appreciate how fortunate I had been in my own life and, because of that, how much I had to give. I had never felt so grateful and content. This brand of volunteering— conscious, loving service to others—had replaced my longing with a deep sense of satisfaction.

As it turns out, science backs up the benefits of helping others. Studies by United Healthcare, 1 Carnegie Melon University 2 and others have revealed that people who volunteer feel healthier. They are less likely to develop high blood pressure, which often leads to a heart attack and stroke.

Even more dramatic is the connection between volunteering and emotional health and well-being. People who volunteer report less stress, improved mood and self-esteem, closer friendships and a feeling of belonging. They report a powerful sense of purpose, which in studies of the happiest people on earth, turns out to be key to happiness and as a bonus, to a longer life. 3 At first, it was tough to make time to volunteer regularly, and growing in virtues like patience and kindness is a life-long practice, at least in my case. Change takes time and practice. But it is been worth the effort. If I will live longer remains to be seen, but on all other counts I can confirm the studies. My stress declined, my mood lifted and the wonderful people I met volunteering became life-long friends.

Not only did that nagging longing vanish, but this new path created the most fulfilling life I could have imagined— the stuff that real happiness is made of. And little did I know it then, but with this first step, I was well on my way to finding an abiding purpose in my life. Not too long after my first foray into volunteering providing food to families in need, I ended up volunteering in villages in the Guatemalan highlands. It was in those remote villages that I found a joy like none I had experienced before. I also found my purpose.

I founded a help organization that is still going strong today, nearly three decades later.

In 2013, I was fortunate to be able to become a full-time volunteer in Guatemala. Now I have the honor of working with a wonderful team of volunteers to provide quality health care and education for young people with great need who live in those villages, and I am grateful for every day I have to serve. But fulfillment does not depend on making volunteering a career. With every new day, each of us have the opportunity to do small things with great love for family, friends, and with a little effort, for strangers. If you find joy in walking a dog at a nearby shelter, volunteering at a thrift store, staffing a help project in a far-flung

1 https://www.unitedhealthgroup.com/ newsroom/2017/0914studydoinggoodisgoodforyou.html 2 https://www.cmu.edu/news/stories/archives/2013/ june/june13_volunteeringhypertension.html 3 Shannon Freeman, John Garcia & Hannah R. Marston (2013) Centenarian Self-Perceptions of Factors Responsible for Attainment of Extended Health and Longevity, Educational Gerontology, 39:10, 717-728, DOI: 10.1080/03601277.2012.750981

Stay connected

New Book Hope Dancing [www.amazon.com/dp/1732885605] Website [www.localhope.org] Donate [www.localhope.org/donation] Sponsor [https://xelaaid.org/sponsor/students-seeking-sponsors] Volunteer [https://xelaaid.org/volunteer] Facebook [www.facebook.com/xelaaid/] Instagram [www.instagram.com/xela.aid/] Twitter [https://twitter.com/xelaaid]

corner of the world as I do, or in some other form of loving service, the results will be life-changing for all involved.

If you are already volunteering, you know the benefits. Pass the idea on. If not and you believe the studies and the stories like mine, a happier, more fulfilling life is just one resolution away— and it’s not too late to do it in 2020. If not now, when?

Leslie Baer Dinkel has worked in critically underserved communities in Guatemala’s highlands for nearly three decades. She is the founder of the non-profit organization LocalHope.org. Her new book, “Hope Dancing: Finding Purpose and a Place to Serve among the Maya,” offers tremendous insight into poverty, the nature of self-determination and the transformational power of full-hearted giving.

Join us in leading Up through giving back

Donate: www.localhope.org/donation Volunteer: www.localhope.org/volunteer Sponsor a Child for School: www.localhope.org/sponsor/ students-seeking-sponsors

Did you know your gift of $30 can provide a night of safe housing for mother in need? Make your life-changing donation to Maggie’s Place www.maggiesplace.org.

SheLift is a 501(c)3 organization that empowers young women with physical differences to discover confidence and self esteem through outdoor recreation and mentorship. Donations accepted: https://shelift.org/ Founded by Sarah Herron (previous Bachelorette contestant)

One Love was founded in honor of Yeardley Love, a 22-year-old college student who was killed by her ex-boyfriend. After her death, the family started the One Love Foundation to educate young people about the difference between healthy and unhealthy relationships. For more information, visit joinonelove.org