INSPIRATION Don Saracen
(read by Walter Cotter)
“The spring equinox on March 20 marks the first day of spring, signaling renewal and new beginnings. We are coming out of a time of despair and moving into a time of sunshine and hope. Don’s wife is receiving her first shot of the COVID-19 vaccine this week, and Don will receive his second shot. As philosopher Robin Williams once said, ‘Spring is nature’s way of saying, let’s party!’”
ANNOUNCEMENTS, Etc.
HAPPY BUCKS
Margaret Kane: $5 happy bucks because spring is here and the light at the end of the tunnel is not an oncoming train!
Paul Segal: $30 happy bucks for his 30th year in Rotary!
Jim Gilcreast: $10 happy bucks for St. Patrick’s Day (complete with several Irish stories)! Bill Sweeney used to do this every St. Patrick’s Day.
Anthony Hollingshead: $2 happy bucks for Wendy Marcus and Jeff FitzGerald, for attending today’s meeting in their vehicles. If they can do it, anyone can!
Sharon Garland: $1 happy buck to welcome Kim Dumpson as today’s speaker!
Wendy Marcus: $5 happy bucks for coming back safely to Rhode Island from South Carolina.
Mary Brewster: $5 happy bucks to welcome Kim Dumpson and for her second vaccine shot today!
Bryan Cook: $5 happy bucks for his Ohio State Buckeyes, who beat Michigan!
“PEOPLE WITH PASSION GIVE
TO PEOPLE WITH PURPOSE.”
--Kimberly Conway Dumpson
Kimberly – proud member of Providence Rotary! - presented on what every donor should think about when they want to make impactful charitable gifts.
To start, Kimberly asked members to consider: “What values are important to me? What causes do I believe in? What do I want to achieve with my contribution?”
So, what should you ask your favorite charity? Kimberly gave these three suggestions:
What can I give? It’s not just treasure! You can also give of your time (volunteerism) and your talent (pro-bono services related to a particular skill or expertise)!
When can you give? It’s not just immediately! You can give over time (pledges over a period of years for a certain purpose) or later (planned / deferred gifts, like bequests, in perpetuity, etc…).
How can you give? There are so many options here!: in person (ex. religious contributions), by mail, online, via payroll deduction, matching gifts, IRA rollovers, etc…
And what should you ask the gift officers at charities you’re thinking of supporting? A few great suggestions from Kimberly:
- “What is the scope of the issue / problem/ need? What are the priorities of the organization?
- Are there others who are already meeting the need (opportunities for collaboration, to avoid duplication of effort)?
- Where can I do the most good? What type of gift will be the most impactful (immediate needs or long-term needs)?
- What level of ongoing engagement can I have?
- How can I be assured that my donation will go towards the cause / purpose that I identified (gift agreements)?
- What reports will I receive on the impact of my gift?”
The key takeaway for members is that being a well-informed and prepared donor can create the greatest impact for the causes that you care most about and “set the stage” for a truly fulfilling relationship between you and your favorite charity!