The story of volunteers on crisis lines starts in the 1960s with some of the first programs of its kind here in the Bay Area. In San Francisco, we had a gay British priest who started a crisis line in the back of a tattoo parlor. A few years later, there was a reverend who wanted to bring the same kind of community support to the people of the East Bay, and he started the crisis line in a barber shop.There are stories about him picking up the phone while cutting people's hair. This was not an institutional ...

Core Concept: "Aim Anyway" Formula - The "Aim Anyway" formula, based on the Girl Scouts' problem-solving approach, is presented as a method for positive change, comprising "DECAR" (Discover, Connect, Action, Repeat) plus Courage plus Character [8] - The formula emphasizes that while simple, it requires courage and good character to overcome challenges and achieve lasting progress [9][21] DECAR Framework - **Discover:** Identify a worthy purpose or problem to address [7][16] - **Connect:** Engage with others and build relationships to gather insights and support [7][17][20] - **Action:** Take concrete steps to implement solutions and address the identified problem [7][17][20] - **Repeat:** Continuously learn from each cycle, adapt strategies, and improve outcomes [8][17][20] Key Elements for Progress - **Courage:** Essential for forging new paths and overcoming obstacles in the pursuit of positive change [8][14][18] - **Character:** Good character, encompassing dignity, accountability, and curiosity, guides ethical leadership and sustainable progress [8][21][22][23] Application and Impact - The "Aim Anyway" formula can be applied at local, national, and global levels, fostering positive change in various contexts [9][15][20] - Examples include community volunteering, nonprofit initiatives, and global enterprise solutions, demonstrating the formula's versatility [11][15][20] The Role of Neighborliness - Neighborliness, characterized by kindness, connection, and a "get stuff done" mindset, is crucial for building communities that drive positive change [1][3][4][19] - Volunteering and collaboration with like-minded individuals are effective ways to foster neighborliness and achieve shared goals [10][19] Technology's Influence - Technology can either divide or unite people; therefore, it should be used to foster neighborliness and connection [3][25] - The challenge lies in harnessing technology's potential for good, promoting healing, and strengthening community bonds [26]

Core Message - Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can transform the world, emphasizing helping others through entrepreneurship, business, acts of kindness, and paying it forward [1] - The act of selfless service (Seva) brings joy not only to the recipients but also to those who are giving and organizing [7] - Encourages rethinking a world that starts with giving rather than receiving, emphasizing the impact of asking "Can I help?" [32] Volunteering and Community Engagement - Shares a personal experience of volunteering at a homeless feed, highlighting the concepts of "Langar" (communal kitchen) and "Seva" (selfless service) [4][5] - Describes how personal involvement inspired others to participate, leading to increased volunteers, donations, and fundraising efforts, including raising over 60,000 pounds for the charity [12][18] - Highlights the importance of non-judgmental giving, illustrated by the story of a woman collecting food for her grandchildren [19][20] Neuroscience and Benefits of Giving - Explains that giving releases dopamine and oxytocin, creating a sense of joy and suggesting that selfless giving is something our bodies are wired to do [23][24] - Notes that 27% of the population volunteered in 2002, posing the question of how to inspire more people to increase this percentage [21][22] Call to Action and Overcoming Barriers - Encourages listeners to consider how they can get involved, identifying time and knowing where to add value as potential barriers [24][25] - Provides examples of ways to pay it forward, such as being a magistrate, school governor, speaking on advisory boards, or participating in the homeless feed [26][27] - Inspiring one person can lead to a ripple effect, bringing joy and happiness, and questioning why more people are not engaging in such activities [31]

Personal Reflection and Growth - The speaker reflects on a trip to northern Thailand, highlighting the disparity in access to basic necessities like clean water compared to developed countries [2][3] - The speaker shares experiences volunteering in a refugee camp, witnessing the hardships faced by children affected by war and displacement [4][5][6][7] - The speaker contrasts the privileged conditions of their basketball training with the challenging circumstances faced by children in Thailand, leading to feelings of shame and a renewed sense of responsibility [8][9][10] - The speaker acknowledges a past period of irresponsibility and lack of motivation, emphasizing the importance of personal growth and learning from experiences [10][11] - The speaker initially viewed community service as a requirement for school or college applications but later realized its true value in personal development [12][13] Call to Action and Community Impact - The speaker encourages the audience to be aware of the world around them and contribute to positive change, regardless of their individual limitations [14][15] - The speaker emphasizes the power of collective effort, suggesting that even small contributions can create a significant impact [15] - The speaker advocates for unity and standing together in the face of adversity [15]

As our plane broke through the clouds, we landed at Quimming Airport. A bumpy 2-hour bus ride later, we arrived at town, tucked deep in the mountains. Here, a group of children lives quietly.Many left behind while their parents work far away. In this remote town with limited transport and scarse resources, the future can feel uncertain and overwhelming. Guiding us through the town was teacher Swining.In 2011, after retiring from our school, he chose to leave comfort behind. In his 60s, he came to Yingan and ...

Core Argument - The central idea revolves around shifting the focus of volunteering from "intention-centered" to "mission-centered," emphasizing the needs of the community being served [9][10] - The report advocates for an "ego audit" as a method to examine and improve one's approach to volunteering [8][11] Volunteering Challenges - "Intention-centered" volunteers prioritize their own desire to help, potentially overlooking the actual needs of the organization or community [9][10] - The report identifies four types of volunteers who can hinder mission-centered work: the expert, the party crasher, the vet, and the bleeding heart [15] - These volunteer types, despite good intentions, can disrupt routines, disregard procedures, resist change, or overextend resources [16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23] Solutions and Recommendations - The "ego audit" involves two key tasks: asking questions to understand the actual needs and getting out of the way of the work [11][14] - Asking "What is needed?" instead of assuming "I am here to help" can lead to more effective volunteering [12][13] - The report suggests approaching volunteering with the same level of preparation and respect as a paid job [25] - By prioritizing the mission and the needs of those being served, volunteers can ensure they are making a positive and meaningful impact [26][27] Impact of Volunteering - Volunteering contributes billions of hours and dollars to nonprofits [7] - Volunteering can improve leadership skills, foster community, and enhance mental and physical health [7]

Wow, >> you look so beautiful today. >> I joined the University of Risalam two years ago to pursue actuary sciences. That has always been my dream and I came with a clear definition of what education really meant to me.It meant me spending most of the times in the library. It meant me spending most of the times in group discussions. You know what.I was chasing A's and I got them. So I came with a clear map in my mind. I had everything scheduled up. I mean everything in place.A show, a group discussion. I me ...

The hardest part about finding a place to volunteer in retirement: choosing among the thousands of options. There are ways to simplify that search. https://t.co/vXtwCqeYct ...

[Laughter] [Applause] When I was in fifth grade, I was on my school's track team and I remember a particular track meet. It was an away meet. Um, and I was running I ran the mile. And um, when I say I ran the mile, I mean I sprinted the mile.I ran full speed start to finish. And of course about halfway through I'm about to keel over and I'm panting and I'm gasping of breath. And so, um, but thankfully at the finish line, my brother was there and, um, he, I say thankfully because I literally fell across the ...

Hello everyone. Allow me to begin by asking you a questions. Have you ever walked from home.Anyone. Huh. The ones are okay.Thank you. Have you. Now let me ask you a questions.Have you ever walked an hour. Not just reach back home, but to go to your dad workplace because no one else rush you back. Anyone please raise your hands.Okay, it's okay. Thank you. Actually, that is my rarity.So, 40 years ago, I love someone who used to work beside me. All my friends take me in every night. My mom.So back then I didn' ...