You're weird.

Yes, you, my friend, are a strange little duckling, as my father would say.

A recent survey uncovered that a mere 25% of the 2600 Americans surveyed feel some responsibility to improve the world they live in.  Think for a moment about your friends at the church, their activities and level of involvement.  It should be pretty clear that you are part of a very unusual group of people.  Does this statistic answer why there may not be as many Humanitarians on the honor roll as you may like?  It makes anyone who donates anything at all look like a superstar, huh?

This is a case where I think it's ok to be in the minority.  Can you imagine being in such a mental condition that you didn't actually think that you should do anything to improve the world?  If one were so spiritually blind as to be able to ignore any of the myriad non-optimum conditions on the planet that can be improved with effort, technology and energy, how else might that affect one's life?

Remember, if you begin to feel lonely, these words by Margaret Mead -

"Never believe that a few caring people can't change the world.  For, indeed, that's all who ever have."

Get out your #2 pencil

I thought it was time for a quiz.  I know you like the staff members at the St. Louis org.  Let's see how well you really know them.

1.  57% of the voting age population voted in the 2008 election.  What percentage of staff members who were eligible to vote went to the polls?

a.  40%
b.  57%
c.  74%
d.  97%

2.  38% of the voting age population voted in the 2010 election.  What percentage of staff members voted?

a.  13%
b.  36%
c.  50%
d.  66%

3.  55% of the US population has attended "some college" or has gotten a degree.  What percentage of staff members have at least "some college" or have gotten a sheepskin?

a.  24%
b.  33%
c.  54%
d.  66%

4.  20% of the US population smokes cigarettes.  What percentage of staff members of the St. Louis org smoke?

a.  8%
b.  16%
c.  24%
d.  40%

5.  The average length of time on a job in the US is currently 6 years.  What is the average tenure of the current St. Louis org staff member?

a.  2.5 years
b.  5 years
c.  6 years
d.  9 years

EXTRA CREDIT:

1.  The average tenure of the Executive Director of a non profit is 6.1 years.  How long has the current Executive Director held his position?

a.  Who's that?
b.  4 years
c.  8 years
d. 12 years

EXTRA EXTRA CREDIT

What is the date when the St. Louis Church of Scientology moved into its current building at 6901 Delmar?

ANSWERS

1. D  97% of staff members voted in 2008.
2. D  66% of staff members voted in 2010.
3. D  66% of staff members have attended at least some college.
4. A  6% of staff members smoke cigarettes.
5. D  The average tenure of our current staff members is 9 years, with Robin and Carla topping the list at 34 and 31 years respectively.
The answer to the extra credit question is D, 12 years.  I just hit my 20 year anniversary as a staff member in June... Happy to be here :)
The answer to the extra extra credit question is October 31, 1997.

Pebbles in a pond

I feel revived. 

I received a little note in the mail today.

It was from one of the kindest people I know - and with it was a small donation to the Church.

The amazing thing about this little letter is that it came just as I was feeling a little worn down on the blog.

However, JoAnn was kind enough to mention a metaphor from a recent blog post.

JoAnn and her husband, Bill, are amazing people.  Two of their daughters are on staff at the St. Louis org, and are both among our more stable and productive staff members.  I believe this is the result of the strong work ethic that their parents provided as an example to them - both JoAnn and Bill work together as dentists in the same office - probably one of the few offices anywhere at which the receptionist must announce that the caller has reached "Doctors Kathrein office."

Further, they are leaders in our fundraising efforts, being double Humanitarians.

I also have to mention that they are avid motorcycle riders, and Bill has been honored with the "Iron Butt" award for his lengthy outings on a Harley.  (This may be self-assigned... you'll have to ask him)

This little letter and donation that arrived in the mail this morning meant much more to me than you may guess.  The intention behind the gift is meaningful.  It reminds me that we are in a reciprocal relationship - fundraisers and donors.  The fundraisers inspire donors, who in turn inspire the fundraisers, so that they can continue to do their job so that everyone wins.

Thank you!

"What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal." - Albert Pike

How to say thanks?

photo by Paul Downey

"I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder."
                                     - G. K. Chesterton

Chesterton is right again.  I know that most of you don't donate to get a t-shirt, pen or plaque, but I also know that it makes a difference to have these items in use and of uniform appearance.  We will shortly be producing new items to give to those of you who make donations and who achieve honor statuses.

I'd like to receive comments from you regarding items that you would like to see as acknowledgements for your donations.  You can simply leave a comment to this blog.

T-shirt or hat?  Both?  Color?  Logo?

Would you wear a pin?  Bracelet?

Do you like pens?  What kind?

Jackets?  Other apparel? Jewelry?

Would it appeal to you to be taken to dinner with others who had donated to a similar level?

Other ideas?  As an example, Dallas produced belt buckles and 10 gallon hats as awards for donors.  What would be comparable here?  St. Louis Cardinals tickets?

What would you definitely think was cool?  What sorts of things would you not want to see given to yourself or other donors?

Finally, what represents St. Louis to you?  What represents the building project?

The more answers I get, the better... your input is valuable and will lead to getting the fundraising for the St. Louis org done sooner - something that I know we all want.





Carry on, Sherry

"Life is either a daring adventure or it is nothing.  To keep our faces toward change and behave like free spirits in the presence of fate is strength undefeatable." - Helen Keller


I am fortunate to have a friend who lives life as though it were a daring adventure.  Despite confronting tremendous adversity over the years, she keeps her heart and her focus on helping others.  She's a Humanitarian, a Patron with Honors, passes out Way To Happiness and anti-drug literature to anyone who so much as glances in her direction, and isn't above calling politicians to task when she feels it will do some good.

She and her husband are staunch supporters of the church, and probably hold the record for consecutive attendance at fundraisers.

She is a true picture of "strength undefeatable," and considering that tomorrow is her birthday, I decided that today was a good day to pass on to her my admiration for her courage and for her insistent (yes, insistent) love and care for others.

Happy birthday, Sherry Ridenour!

Why me?

Everett pointed out last week in his comments on the blog concerning the question "Why now?" that "Why me?" is another frequently asked question in fundraising visits.  This is very true, and is usually the first question that has to be answered.

Knowing Everett as I do, I know that he isn't asking this question in the same way that Job asks God to explain the reasons for his trials.  Anyone who has donated their time and money to the degree that Everett has does not view charity as a trial.  This is, however, a valid question and one which I feel deserves an answer that is as honest and complete as I can muster.

In the Old Testament, there is the story of David and Goliath.

Goliath was a champion from the army which opposed David's tribe.  He was nine feet tall, was clothed in bronze armor and carried a huge spear while his shield-bearer walked in front.  For 40 days, he challenged the Israelites to produce any warrior who would fight him, and if he were to lose, he said that his entire tribe would become the subjects of the Israelites.

None of the trained warriors would take up his challenge.  David, who was a very young man with no fighting experience, heard Goliath's challenge while running a message to his brothers on the front.  He expressed indignation that no one else would stand up to fight Goliath, and volunteered to do it himself.  He believed that God would help him win the fight.  Despite taunts from his brothers and the expressed doubt of the Israelite leader, David donned warrior attire and prepared to do battle.  However, he found that he was unaccustomed to the armor and sword, so instead grabbed a few rocks and his shepherd's staff.

David beaned Goliath with a rock and cut off his head.

David took the tools that had been provided to him and used them to their best advantage to win against insurmountable odds.

Our modern-day Goliath is a huge beast.  He is 9 feet of solid ignorance, armored with the fog produced by drug addiction and his shield-bearer is world-wide illiteracy.  Shackled behind him are the 12 million people currently held in slavery and the 5 billion people living on less than 10 dollars per day.

Why me?  And you?

Because we have a rock.

Because we are willing to use what God gave us to try and bean Goliath in the head.

Why now?

"Why now?"

Despite the fact that I interact with very enlightened people, I am asked that question frequently.  The person asking is usually very interested to hear the response.  Why does it matter whether a donation is made today as opposed to tomorrow, this month instead of next?  After all, maybe the [stock market, credit card bills, new baby, political situation] will be [better, worse, happier, more stable] given a little bit more time.

It actually causes me a bit of pain to answer it.  I'm not a guy that is big on high pressure and sales techniques.  I would be more at ease in a monastery than on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange.

I have found two very competent answers to that question.  The first is from Ralph Waldo Emerson, who says,

"You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late."

I like this because it leaves the reader to decide in what way it will be "too late."  Is it because the kindness is no longer needed or because one is no longer able to provide it?

The other answer comes from the book, Born to Raise, in which the author Jerold Panas says, 

"Many of us think of sin as being an act against God or our fellow man.  There can be more to it than that.  Sin can also be the failure to reach your full potential.  Not attempting the great leap.  You must reach beyond your grasp, seek the full limits of the possible, then go beyond.  Sin is not working at your highest potential.  The unlived life.  Standing by the sidelines, watching."

It definitely matters that we take every opportunity to achieve our goals.  To do otherwise is to waste our God-given potential.  If we fail to take those opportunities as they arise, we may not get another chance.

I look forward to seeing you tonight at our fundraiser - I know we'll all have a great time!