Nonprofit Ingenuity!

I keep getting Asian language comments posted-fina...

2010-04-17T21:10:16.550-05:00

I keep getting Asian language comments posted-finally realized I could use Google translate.
The comment by LonniePettus0908 translated to:

"BLOG read your article, is really a delight to do!"

Thanks so much and for your faith that I would understand!

Thanks so much. That is the point after all, isn&#...

2010-04-08T12:28:08.777-05:00

Thanks so much. That is the point after all, isn't it. Maybe some of the CJHS kids would do a drive to collect office supplies for CarePoint...would be wonderful!

Heidi, thanks for informing us about these great o...

2010-04-08T12:20:03.268-05:00

Heidi, thanks for informing us about these great organizations. You are giving us the opportunity to do many mitzvot with this information.

Yasher Koach,

Ruven

Hi Heidi, I keep looking on this page for a way...

2010-03-06T17:48:14.775-06:00

Hi Heidi,

I keep looking on this page for a way to email you but I guess it is only by commenting on an article. First, I love the ideas you've shared, so thank you. . and of course, as you can imagine when you reach the end of this note, I love the zero waste concept.

Plus, I have worked my life overseas with Peace Corps and NGOs and USAID and World BAnk. . and am now starting my own social entrepreneur idea that will hopefully stimulate other green entrepreneurship via re-use.

We aren't yet live, but my father and I are developing ReUseConnection to provide a global platform for reuse ideas and encourage entrepreneurship from these ideas. If that interests you, we have a splash page at www.reuseconnection.com and/or our fb page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/ReUseConnection/253021991560.

Thanks again and hope you have a great weekend.

Warmest regards,
Ian Moise
imoise@reuseconnection.com

Thanks for the post, I saw the No Impact Man docu...

2010-02-09T10:47:42.481-06:00

Thanks for the post,

I saw the No Impact Man documentary, and found it wonderful, especially as it mirrored a more extreme version of many of our personal environmental journeys. He started just trying to go off the grid and no impact. This had tremendous benefits, but was also aelianating and frustrating. I love that he ended his journey realizing the most important thing you can do is get involved in your community. Building social ties=improved environmental relationships and responsibility.

So my tip for saving the environment is volunteering with a community organization. I know you can help us all there Heidi :)

Hey James, So glad you are already part of the rev...

2010-01-05T07:28:20.408-06:00

Hey James,
So glad you are already part of the revolution...keep spreading the word...and Shabbat is a really great idea. Who thought of that one? (haha) Thanks for the comment. Looking forward to your next HuffPo piece!
Heidi

Heidi, Thanks for printing -- I'm glad to say ...

2010-01-05T07:18:26.592-06:00

Heidi,
Thanks for printing -- I'm glad to say I do many of the suggestions as you mention but can see some that I could easily add. I want to point you to this article in which I point out that if each of us went 'off the grid' for one day of ever week, a personal shabbat, we'd have an enormous, world (and psyche) saving transformation. Try the Article, Saving the World in One Day: Shabbat Around the World, on Huffington Post.
Cheers,
James.

Hi Olivia, What a struggle to be green! I wonder ...

2010-01-04T17:16:09.231-06:00

Hi Olivia,
What a struggle to be green! I wonder if there are community groups in Buenos Aires to help navigate what you are able to do. You might want to look around for that...maybe there are things you can do there, that are hard to do in the states. And if nothing else, maybe you will be the one to start the revolution. I think it is only a matter of time (and necessity!) before being "planet friendly" will be how we all operate. It will happen, and until then, continue being a role model for everyone else.

Thanks for your inpu, as always!

Heidi

Heidi, great post. I've heard about his projec...

2010-01-04T16:27:06.694-06:00

Heidi, great post. I've heard about his project, lifestyle and, well, impact. You offer great suggestions. I'm frustrated because while I was implementing many of these while I lived in Santa Monica, now that I'm in Buenos Aires it's much harder. I can't get the biodegradable dog bags to walk my dog with, so I have to collect plastic (cringe) bags from the grocery store. There is no tap water at restaurants or cafes--if you want water, you MUST buy a bottle. Cringe. Bike riding in the city is extremely dangerous so purchasing a bike for travel is out (although I do walk more). So while I can use tupperware and I love the suggestion for the toilet tank, I feel I've backslide in so many ways since leaving green, clean Santa Monica. The other thing I've noticed is that 'green' hasn't made a cultural impact here yet, so I feel like my efforts are in a vacuum. Can they make a difference when no one else follows suit? The answer, I know, is of course "yes!"

Thanks for the tips and inspiration.

Thanks Pam, I am glad it was helpful. My family is...

2009-12-17T14:15:40.479-06:00

Thanks Pam,
I am glad it was helpful. My family is loving the cards I gave them and are fast at work deciding what charity to donate to!

Happy holidays,

Heidi

Great resource, Heidi. Love it. Thanks for brin...

2009-12-17T11:21:01.072-06:00

Great resource, Heidi. Love it. Thanks for bringing some meaning to this season (and all year round).

Hi Pants, Interesting name :) I have heard a lot ...

2009-12-04T00:53:51.458-06:00

Hi Pants,
Interesting name :)

I have heard a lot about ammado and have looked at them a bit. I know they started in Ireland and I had heard that they have a Chicago group. Thanks for the tip-I will look into them further.

And thanks so much for the kind words. I am thrilled so many folks are finding meaning in this post. It is just why I wrote it.

Hope you have a wonderful holiday and a happy, healthy new year...and I saw your blog-new house. Enjoy! Looks beautiful!

Heidi

Heidi - one thing I am doing is giving gift cards ...

2009-12-03T21:08:22.605-06:00

Heidi - one thing I am doing is giving gift cards to ammado.com - the recipient can donate the money to the not-for-profit of their choice. This is a wonderful post full of great ideas that capture the true meaning of the holiday season. Thanks for writing this@

Amy, Anyone who has heard it loves it! You deserve...

2009-12-03T18:26:58.899-06:00

Amy,
Anyone who has heard it loves it! You deserve all the props you have gotten and will continue to get if I have anything to say about it!
Heidi

Heidi, thanks so much for the props on that song :...

2009-12-03T17:49:52.300-06:00

Heidi, thanks so much for the props on that song :) You're great! Thanks for spreading the word!!

Olivia, Thanks for your thoughtful comments. I cl...

2009-12-03T15:53:10.888-06:00

Olivia,
Thanks for your thoughtful comments. I clearly hear your passionate voice coming through. I am hoping to have an impact on buying patterns of at least some folks!

And I am glad you loved the song. Amy Carol Wolff and Steve Jennings of zyOzy are doing some fantastic work, along with so many others.

Thanks again,

Heidi

Great profile of wonderful initiatives and alterna...

2009-12-03T15:40:00.722-06:00

Great profile of wonderful initiatives and alternative choices. I'm committed to changing the way people think about buying products this holiday. Purchase with a purpose and give gifts that carry a secondary benefit. The more we demand from consumers, the more products and projects they will create to change lives.

Loved Amy's song. Incredibly moving. A goat was donated in my name as a wedding gift through Heifer. What a cool organization!

Thanks James. I appreciate the feedback, especial...

2009-12-03T15:13:17.822-06:00

Thanks James. I appreciate the feedback, especially from someone who blogs for Huffington Post!

I think Heifer was mentioned on Joanne's post as well. They are truly among the best! You can give an entire ark! Give the man a fish, he eats for a day...give him a fishing pole, he eats for a lifetime...Heifer!!!

Thanks again,

Heidi

Heidi, GREAT ideas here. We have our kids pick out...

2009-12-03T15:10:37.068-06:00

Heidi,
GREAT ideas here. We have our kids pick out one gift per birthday to donate as we also have too much stuff.
One more great giving idea, especially for clients, is Heifer International. I gave a cow one year and know it changed a families life forever!
Great post; keep 'em coming.

Hi Steve, Always happy to promote folks like you ...

2009-12-03T15:08:19.628-06:00

Hi Steve,

Always happy to promote folks like you and Amy doing good work. There are some pretty extraordinary people out there doing some amazing things!

See you on twitter :)

Heidi

Hi Steve, ALWAYS happy to promote great people do...

2009-12-03T15:06:49.927-06:00

Hi Steve,

ALWAYS happy to promote great people doing great stuff! There are a whole lot of folks like you and Amy doing some pretty extraordinary work.

See you on twitter :)

Heidi

Heidi, thanks for the Brighter Way 'shoutout&#...

2009-12-03T15:03:41.940-06:00

Heidi, thanks for the Brighter Way 'shoutout' Steve (aka @zyozyfounder)

Thanks Joanne, Coming from you that means a lot! ...

2009-12-03T14:59:57.818-06:00

Thanks Joanne,
Coming from you that means a lot!

Folks should check out your blog regularly. It is a great resource!

Heidi

Heidi, thanks so much for mentioning my post about...

2009-12-03T14:55:45.142-06:00

Heidi, thanks so much for mentioning my post about gift giving. This is a wonderful roundup of sources!

Hi Jenny, Thanks for commenting. You are so true....

2009-11-19T19:38:07.781-06:00

Hi Jenny,
Thanks for commenting. You are so true. I will make sure that Dan sees your comment...I actually attended the first of a 2 day conference he is running today and will be there tomorrow as well.

Volunteer management is always a struggle in the nonprofit community. My favorite connection who provides loads of great info on that is Chris Jarvis. His blog, Realized Worth, is listed at the top right of this page under "So many teachers, so little time." Chris creates meaningful volunteer opportunities for companies and is masterful at conveying how to effectively manage volunteer programs. Check the blog out...and say hi to Chris from me!