Dec. 2, 2015
Unique Gift Giving Ideas
Civic Beat FUNdraising Good Times
How would you rate yourself as a fundraiser? As the year comes to an end, we have the opportunity to reflect on our lives, give thanks, and plan for the coming year. We reflect on family, our relationships with friends and community, and often our work-life. With this column, we offer 10 questions you can use to reflect on your role as a professional or volunteer fundraiser. •
Did you meet your fundraising goals and your priorities? Note: this question has two parts. Success is about more than meeting your financial goal; it includes raising the money you need for the priorities you defined at the beginning of the year.
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Were you able to build or enhance your organization’s fundraising capacity and infrastructure? Did you upgrade technology? Hire new staff? Create a fundraising plan?
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Were you able to increase the size of the average gift? You may have received a few large gifts, but what about the other gifts? Are donors increasing the size of their gifts?
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Did you reduce your donor attrition rate? This is a question you will need to ask your data specialist about. Attrition refers to donors who gave last year but did not give this year. Securing new donors is great, but can you keep donors coming back?
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Was your fundraising plan fully implemented? If you have a plan, did you implement it, or did it set on your shelf?
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Were you able to reduce your fundraising costs without negatively impacting funds raised? Reducing costs and reducing revenue is not a win.
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Did new volunteers join your fundraising team? New people bring new energy and ideas and increase the number of people spreading the word about your nonprofit.
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Did the number of annual donors who give to your organization increase? Did you meet your goal with a few large gifts, or were you able to grow the number of donors who give to your nonprofit?
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Did you attend a workshop, webinar or conference to build your skills? We salute you for investing in your knowledge and expertise.
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Did you have a growing number of donors give without being solicited? This number can reflect the effectiveness of your awareness and education activities. People give to organizations they know and believe in. We hope this number increased for your nonprofit.
Letter To The Editor
These questions are offered as a reflection guide and to help you plan for 2016. We admire your belief in your community and your willingness to raise funds for organizations you believe in. Copyright 2015– Mel and Pearl Shaw Mel and Pearl Shaw join you in planning for 2016 and finding ways to support your development as a fundraiser. www.saadandshaw.com
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ViewPoints
By Dr. T
Terrorism LIVES in America & it’s NOT ISIS Violence, intimidation, extremism, radicalism, bombing, sabotage, assassination and kidnapping are all tools of political terrorism. Although many “Americans” like to believe terrorism is only associated with the “Threats to the Homeland” by radical Islamists (as they say) connected to recent terrorists attacks in Paris, Syria, Nigeria and Kenya, these types of tactics have long been associated with the United States of America and its citizenry. This terrorism is homegrown, not from “outside forces” or agitators, or from individuals or groups communicating with radical extremists encamped in the deserts of Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan or Syria. No. These terrorists are born and raised right here on American soil. The homegrown terrorists, of whom I speak, have not infiltrated our borders illegally or created terrorists cells hidden from sight. They are in plain view and most of them consider themselves to be patriots, taxpaying participants in the “American Dream,” dedicated to the home of the free and the brave built by “their” forefathers as a shining beacon of freedom, liberty and justice to the world. Terrorism lives in the United States of America, and it is NOT ISIS.
African American community in the struggle for equal justice under the law after slavery was abolished. The United States of America has a long history of legalized racial terrorism from The Indian Removal Act, to the Chinese Exclusion Act, to the Japanese Internment, to Sundown Towns (places where African Americans were not welcomed “after the sun went down” and were subject to extreme violence and even death if caught). We need not look to ISIS, Al-Qaida or Boko Haram as the barbaric terrorists they are without, also, acknowledging the brutally, extremism and radical forms of terrorism in which Americans and the government of the United States has engaged throughout our history.
In the decade since America was attacked on 911, there have only been 24 Americans killed by “terrorism” (perpetrated by people “we call” terrorists), while 280,024 Americans have been killed by gun violence. About one-third of the world’s mass shootings have occurred in the Tawnya Pettiford-Wates, Ph.D. United States and, including the recent shootings in Oregon, there have Founder and Artistic Director been 994 mass shootings in the last 1,004 days alone. Our response to The Conciliation Project and this violence has become routine, predictable and commonplace. Violent extremism and terrorism continue to be as much a part of daily life Associate Professor in contemporary America as it has historically been. It is no longer a Virginia Commonwealth University Ted Kaczynski, called the Unabomber, terrorized the nation rare occurrence to see on video tape or on social media police killings DrT@Margins2theCenter.com between 1978 and 1995 by mailing bombs to universities and of unarmed black and brown people, beatings and killings of LGBTQ www.theconciliationproject.org airlines, killing three people and injuring 23 more over several people, escalating attacks on and intimidation of Muslim Americans, decades. Timothy McVeigh was convicted of the 1995 Oklahoma and continuing murders, violence and threats of violence on the lives City bombing, in which 168 people died including many women and children. It has been of people and organizations who provide women’s healthcare and abortion services. All called one of the worst acts of domestic terrorism in American history. However, when of which proves, that the terrorism we should fear comes from within our borders more we look more specifically at domestic terrorism in the U.S., we cannot ignore the lynching often and with more virulence than the terrorist acts we most often SEE covered in the of African Americans and state-sponsored terrorism sustained over a period of multiple news. decades. Bryan Stephenson, founder of the Equal Justice Initiative, has detailed how from 1877-1950 in the United States, over 4,000 men, women, and children were murdered as Up Next Week: “A little leaven, leavens the whole loaf” a form of racial terrorism called lynching, which was used to intimidate and terrorize the
TanyaFree.com/Urban Views Weekly Poll A recent poll revealed that Americans plan to spend a lot more this Christmas. Thirty percent of adults will reportedly spend $1000 or more this year. How about you? Do you plan to spend more this Christmas season than last year?
What’s Your Take? Check out the story and respond to this week’s poll at TanyaFree.com and the Urban Views Weekly FACEBOOK Page. Listen to the Tanya Free and Friends Talk Show Wednesdays @ 2 p.m. on WCLM1450AM streaming LIVE @ TanyaFree.com and BlackTalkRadioNetwork.com.
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Statepoint
Teaching Kids to Trust their Own Instincts
During the course of their day, kids hear the word “No” all the time. And while some of those “Nos” are a necessary part of keeping kids safe, the overall message can be one that stifles courage, creativity and trust in one’s own instincts -- effects that can last well into adulthood. There are many ways that parents, teachers and caretakers can help kids overcome fears and achieve their dreams, while making good decisions on their own. And sometimes the world of children’s books can be the best place to help deliver the message.
“Everyone, young and old, is blessed with unopened gifts, and of the most important is one’s instincts” says Christopher Conroy author of the new young adult novel “Anzard,” which explores this theme. “Children can be nurtured in a way that helps them find that inner voice. This story contains more than just Harry Potter-type magic, it is a tool to nurture the inner voice.”
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Listen and engage: Many households and classrooms still operate on the antiquated “children should be seen, not heard,” basis. But this can be a destructive mentality. While children have a lot to learn, they also have a lot of wisdom to impart. If their thoughts are invalidated consistently, they will learn not to recognize the value of their own minds. Listen when children speak.
In the magical story of “Anzard,” Conroy tells the story of a seemingly ordinary 10 year old boy named Justin who is visited by an enchanting fairy-like pixie named Poofy from galaxies far away, who helps him call on his own instincts and inner gifts to not only find missing parents back on Earth, but to change his world forever.
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Offer encouragement: “Encouragement and praise to a child are like sunshine and water to a flower,” says Conroy. “It’s amazing what can grow out of that cultivation.”
Conroy, who wrote this children’s book because of his own beliefs about the power of one’s own inner strength and resourcefulness, is offering some insights to parents as a tool to empower the life’s journey of their own precious children: •
Don’t ignore your instincts: “I knew I shouldn’t have done that,” you hear those words of regret all the time. From peer pressure to second guesses, there are many things that prevent people from acting on their instincts. Talk to your children about listening to that inner voice. Sometimes, that moment when someone makes the decision to listen to it, is the moment his or her courage and confidence has a chance to blossom. Learning to rely on one’s instincts can also be a useful skill where creativity is concerned.
If your children show an interest in art, music, science or any other topic, foster that curiosity. Applaud their efforts. Acknowledge their growth. More information about “Anzard,” which has been lauded by critics for its writing and reader-friendliness, can be found at www.anzard.com. With the right encouragement, all kids have it in them to be their best selves. Fantasia Travels
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Get real personal with Many of today’s youth simply want to play ball. They live and breathe their favorite sports and are quick to head out after school to practice the afternoon away.
Some sports teams offer exclusive ticket packages that include visiting the locker rooms and walking on the field prior to the game. If this option fits in your budget, it may be the best way to give the youngster a taste of how their favorite sport is played at the highest level.
This Christmas, give those special sports nuts gifts they can use to hone the craft or enhance their passion for the sport they love. From extra gear to useful accessories, the world of sports gifts is vast. The first step to choosing the perfect present is to decide if you want to buy one that is practical or one that is more experience-based.
Memories With today’s online collection of photo product companies, there are more ways than ever to build custom memories of a child’s athletic experiences. Photo books, calendars, coffee mugs and posters are just a few examples.
Private Instruction From baseball and softball to hockey and football, and every sport in between, practice makes perfect. It is very likely that you can find private instructors ready to dole out invaluable lessons.
Make sure to take plenty of photos of games and practices, and turn them into memorable items for the child to enjoy forever.
Check with your local recreational centers or indoor sports facilities to find out what they offer. Be sure to match your athlete’s age with the proper instruction level.
Do you have a friend who lives for the next great howto makeup video tutorial or emerging trend in eyeliner? Why not spoil them with a beautified gift this year? Many boutiques, spas and beauty counters are chock full of various beautification products for the skin, hair and overall physical health. If you’re not sure which types of products to buy, consider splurging on a surprise spa day or getaway with friends.
The Young Athlete
Common lessons can include hitting, pitching and fielding for baseball and softball, or swinging and putting for golf. Pay attention to the child’s game and find areas you think could use some development, and choose the appropriate training package. Game Tickets What better way to treat your young athlete than by letting them learn from the professionals? Tickets to a major sporting event can motivate and educate youngsters who have a true passion for the games they play. You can hide the tickets in a complimentary gift, such as a hat or jersey of their favorite team or player. Also, let the child know you plan on making the game day even more special by arriving early enough to meet players for autographs before the game.
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Urban Views Weekly | December 2, 2015
The Beauty Queen
These types of thoughtful gifts can turn into memories that last a lifetime. Customized Gifts Customized gift baskets are all the rage in the beauty industry. With a few clicks of your computer mouse or a quick visit to your local shop, you could sign your friend up for monthly beauty baskets that are delivered straight to their door. Gift baskets full of lip glosses, hand relief lotions, candles and eye shadows are just the beginning. Many companies will prompt you to share information on your friend, such as her skin tone, favorite makeup and preferred brand.
Once the company understands what your recipient is looking for in beauty products, it will send fully customized baskets on a monthly basis, or for whatever frequency you choose. Many companies send out new product samples with tutorials to make the experience both enjoyable and educational.
The Tennis Player Many people take tennis very seriously. Others use it more as a leisure activity with friends. Either way, there are plenty of gift ideas for the tennis player in your life. Tennis doesn’t require much equipment to get started so you could help the novice player become involved in the sport with just a few purchases. The more seasoned player probably already possesses plenty of balls, equipment bags and rackets. Why not set your gift apart a bit? Memorabilia Tennis fans are some of the most dedicated in the world, following a specific player with a passion. Look around for tennis memorabilia that may be signed by their favorite superstars.
h your holiday giving! Fitness is one of the most valuable, practical gifts you can give this holiday season because of the long-term impact it could have on your friend or family member’s health and lifestyle. Gym Memberships This gift may be one of the most popular come Christmastime, because it helps save your friend money and gets them involved in physical fitness. If you currently attend a specific gym, have your friend join you by buying them a membership. You can motivate each other to get in better shape — a perfect gift combination of fitness and quality time together.
Items like tennis shoes, rackets and balls are oftentimes auctioned off for charitable causes. Check in with player websites and social media platforms to see if any such promotions are in the works. Landing the match-worn gear of your friend’s favorite player could surely qualify as their best gift of the year. Novelty Gifts If you’ve watched any professional tennis, you know that the sport has many nuances. This uniqueness also makes the sport a perfect match for novelty gifts.
Technology Technology and fitness go hand in hand. There are plenty of digital gift options on the market that can track movement, workouts and even sleeping habits, giving your gift recipient a comprehensive overview of their workouts. Look for wearable solutions that are also fashionable. Many will come in the form of bracelets, so consider if your friend is generally one to wear them. The last thing you want is for your friend to feel obligated to wear your gift, especially if they aren’t comfortable doing so.
Anything from table clothes to bumper stickers can be a great fit for the tennis lover in your life. Chef aprons, bobble heads, trick balls and humorous T-shirts are some other options. And your gift recipient will likely use these types of gifts with pride in honor of their favorite sport.
The Proud Grandparents
The Fitness Fanatic
Grandparents are critical in the lives of young people and can form quite a special bond with them. Buying gifts for grandparents can be simple if you incorporate a little personalization into your ideas. The thought really does count when the gift is coming from a child.
The holidays are a great time to flex your gift-giving muscles. Bulking up your gifts this year is easy to do, even if you don’t know the first thing about leg curls or power squats.
Are there people in your life who absolutely love their role as grandparents? Think they’re a tough market to buy for? Think again.
Depending on the age of the child presenting the gift, think about the specific relationship between grandchild and grandparent. Are there certain activities they like to do together? Places they like to go? Once you find that common ground, buying a personalized gift is a breeze. Custom Photo Books Grandparents love to stay updated on the latest family photos. With the help of online software tools, you can easily make your own photo book, personalized just for grandma and grandpa. Kids can choose which photos to put in the book, along with funny captions that would make their grandparents smile. The key is choosing a great cover shot that makes them want to open it over and over again throughout the years. Make a Day of It Sometimes it’s not an item that makes for the perfect gift but more of an experience. Do grandma and granddaughter like to shop together? Why not buy them a gift card to their favorite local shop and let them spend the afternoon choosing new purchases? Do grandpa and grandson enjoy spending time in the great outdoors? Send them on a local fishing expedition with a professional guide. It will be time well spent together trying to reel in the big one.
The Traveler Do you have a friend who always seems to be planning their next vacation? Buying for the traveler can be fun because of the variety of items needed to pull off a successful trip. From gifts that your recipient can use in flight to something that will come in handy while packing, there are many gift ideas out there. continues on page 11 www.UrbanViewsWeekly.com
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The Deal
By Nathaniel Sillin
Americans Spend an Annual Average of $2,746 on Lunch If you want to uncover new ways to save money, start by thinking about what you spend on lunch every day.
The average southern resident spends $1,240 a year on lunches out and an overall $2,953 between lunches out and those made at home. Northeasterners came in second with highest amount spent on lunching out – $1,001. Midwesterners followed at $896 and Americans in the western states at $866 spent on meals out.
A new Visa survey shows that American consumers are spending nearly $3,000 on midday meals each year. But don’t lose your appetite – this is actually a great opportunity to budget and save. Visa’s 2015 survey, intended to call consumers’ attention to opportunities to save and budget in their discretionary spending, reports that the average American consumer spends roughly $53 a week or $2,746 per year on lunch. For meals out, that’s an average of $20 per week or $1,043 per year. Additionally, Americans eat lunch out an average of nearly twice a week and spend more than $11 per outing compared with only $6.30 a day preparing their own. Who are the biggest spenders on average in the lunch-out crowd? The survey shows that men outspend women by a whopping 60 percent. Men pay an average of $24.93 each week on meals out, while women dole out $15.56 by comparison. As for the biggest spenders, the survey found that 1 percent of diners spend $50 or more lunching out for an average of more than $9,000 spent a year. Meanwhile, 32 percent of respondents reported they don’t buy lunch out at all. Additionally, students eat out most often and spend the most with a weekly average of $27.47; retirees spend the
To help Americans monitor their spending on the midday meal, Visa Inc. has developed a new free Lunch Tracker iOS app that calculates monthly and annual spend and helps you adjust your spending habits to save money. Users can take the 30-Day Challenge to start saving, learn cost-cutting tips and share photos of meals with family and friends.
least at $13.92. One worrisome number is that unemployed Americans purchase lunch out more than once a week on average, spending over $15 weekly. The most popular spot to eat lunch in America is at home, according to the Visa survey. Forty-two percent of American consumers report that they typically eat lunch at home. The second most popular location to eat lunch? Work. While 53 percent of office workers report they eat lunch at work, 26 percent say they do so right at their desks. As for regional preference, Southerners lead the nation in frequency of lunches out and overall amount spent on lunch.
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photography and video). We cover the arts, culture, business, entertainment, education and news important to Richmond’s urban and surrounding communities. We seek enterprising reporters and good writers who are equipped with skills in photography, videography and social media.
Paying attention to lunchtime spending habits – whether making lunch at home or eating out – can greatly impact your annual finances. Though lunch is a healthy expense, at least some of the close to $3,000 could be reallocated for other money-smart funds. For example, it could be a great start for an emergency fund, rent or mortgage, education funds or maybe an affordable holiday. Bottom line: Small choices can have a big impact on your wallet. Adjusting and tracking your lunch spending habits can be a surprisingly large source of savings. Nathaniel Sillin directs Visa’s financial education programs. To follow Practical Money Skills on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ PracticalMoney.
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How to Guide
How to Manage Holiday Stress For many people, the holidays can be a source of anxiety or depression because of the flurry of baking, cleaning, entertaining and schedule planning that they entail.
It’s also a good idea to schedule some “me” time. Block off some mornings or nights to do something that you find relaxing — watching the sunrise, reading a book, going to a movie — whatever helps you stay calm and sane at the busiest time of year.
Acknowledge the Stress One of the most important steps is simply recognizing that stress is a problem. It’s a normal, natural thing for many adults to experience around Thanksgiving and Christmas, and being aware of the stress and where it stems from will help you take steps to avoid it.
Plan Ahead Christmas comes on the same day every year. If you find yourself rushing around too much at the last minute, get out a pen and mark your calendar with
specific dates to do your baking, shopping, visiting friends and family, and so on. Be sure you set aside time for preparation and clean-up of holiday events, too. Budgeting can be a big part of the planning process. You should decide on a dollar amount for every holiday category — food, shopping, entertainment and charity — and stick to it. Giving at Christmastime should be a source of joy, not a source of stress, and budgeting for it ahead of time can help reduce your anxiety over money. Focus on You The holiday spirit is all about helping other people, and that can be a good thing. But if you give so
Noise-Canceling Headphones Traveling is supposed to be an enjoyable experience, but that can be difficult to attain when you’re traveling with a plane full of other people. Find a pair of noise-canceling headphones with strong sound quality so your recipient can listen to their favorite music on the flight.
tickets to your recipient’s favorite destination — because you’re going too — would be the perfect start to an amazing trip.
A Trip Any jet-setter will, of course, be thrilled to receive a gift trip. If it’s in your budget, a couple of plane
Your trip could be the gift they look forward to redeeming and will remember for a lifetime because of the special memories you’ll make.
From holiday giving page 7
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If you occasionally overindulge on food during the holidays, that’s OK, but making it a regular thing can add considerably to your stress levels. Consuming healthy foods will keep you feeling better about yourself.
But with a few simple steps, you can make your holidays less stressful and more enjoyable.
If you find yourself with too many things on your holiday to-do list, consider paring back. It’s better to attend or host a few small events that you actually enjoy rather than spending your holidays stressing out over too much work.
804.649.6868 much that it’s detrimental to your own health, that can mean trouble. Make sure you don’t stop paying attention to your own healthy habits. You should continue eating healthily, exercising and getting plenty of rest.
The holiday season is considered one of the most joyous times of the year, but there’s a downside to all those parties, Christmas shopping and family gatherings: they can be incredibly stressful.
It’s important to keep your expectations realistic for the holidays, too. Not every holiday event has to look like a Hallmark card or Norman Rockwell painting, and not every year has to be exactly the same. Or uniquely different.
PLACE YOUR AD TODAY
Manage Family Spending time with your family is a big part of the holiday season, but you need to work on managing expectations if you find family is becoming a source of your holiday stress. Don’t overcommit. There’s nothing wrong with simplifying or reducing your annual traditions. Talk with your family about what’s most important to you all and focus on those few things. There’s a good chance other family members will appreciate the chance to de-stress, too. Communication is an important part of that. Make sure other family members know your holiday commitments so they have realistic expectations for your time and energy. And make sure you schedule some time to relax and recover from family gatherings.
Just be sure to schedule the trip far enough in advance to give your friend or family member time to adjust their schedule or save money for trip extras.
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