Our kids' generation has a new tag. They are all a part of Generation G, a generation that recognizes the growing importance of 'generosity' as a leading societal mindset. The argument goes that while consumers are becoming more disgusted with greed and its consequences for the economy, the need for more generosity is coinciding with the emergence of an online-fueled culture of individuals who share, give, engage, create and collaborate in large numbers.
Generation G is made up of passionate, empowered individuals who are more willing and able to give, to share and to collaborate. In essence, they are a generation who are generous in many ways, and I've seen examples of this growing generosity all around me.
Next week, I'm heading to the launch of girl !mpact, "an innovative non-profit designed to empower girls to champion each other on both a local and global level, creating the most direct route to social change." What's incredible to me is not only that this organization is going to match ten girls from priority neighbourhoods with mentors and provide life coaching skills and nine months of training to prepare them for a Kilimanjaro trek, but also that those girls will be fundraising for a school in Africa. What's most incredible to me, though, is that this whole concept was dreamed up by two of my own friends! They went beyond the dreaming and conceptualizing that many of us do, and are implementing this amazing program.
Our own kids are being taught in school about how their philanthropic efforts can make a difference in the lives of others. My son is fortunate enough this year to be taking part in Project Give Back, a unique curriculum-based program "aimed to enhance responsibility and develop a deep seated feeling in one’s self to make a difference in the lives of others" (from the Project Give Back website). Essentially, his class of nine year olds is spending part of each week all year long learning about charity, fundraising, and public relations skills, and choosing a way that they can give back to the charity of their choice. Again, this entire program was conceived and developed by one incredible woman, who is also a neighbour and friend.
Not every display of generosity needs to be so awesome, though. We can all start on a smaller scale. My youngest son was so excited this week to be invited to a birthday partyusing Echoage. In these unique birthday parties, instead of bringing wrapped and packaged presents, guests simply rsvp and make online contributions that are pooled for the purchase of one memorable gift and to support one charity (of the birthday child's choice). These birthday parties encourage a greener way of thinking about parties, and a more philanthropic way of thinking about giving.
I'm encouraged to think that the next generation will be wiser and more willing to share and give, and I'm excited to see where this spirit of giving takes us all.
Kudos to all parents who encourage their children to become generous citizens of the world and put a stop to encouraging rampant consumerism.
However …
My daughter was invited to a friends birthday party in which the invite read , please bring an item to be donated to the local women’s shelter. ( her mother is the executive director )
The birthday girl isn’t the most popular child in her class but has a few close friends in her particular circle.
Over thirty girls ( all of the girls in her class and in the other grade six classes )were invited , of which only twelve showed up.
When she gave out the invites , she endured negative comments from her classmates. They wondered why they would be invited to a party of a non friend.
That dear little girl didn’t enjoy her birthday party , it was turned into a fundraiser by a narcissistic mother who used her daughter’s birthday to get some personal attention.
The party was held in a community room at a local kiwani’s centre and was held for two hours. A few games were played,pizza and cake were served and that was about it.
The entitlement generation was created by our generation(http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1861434/posts) .
A few years ago , every kid’s b-day event had to be big. A result of our generosity can be seen on such shows as “Sweet Sixteen” in which spoilt teenagers demand and get an expensive party on the big 1-6. Our children have been given more than what they need in life and the result is the entitlement generation
So instead of cutting back and reverting to a family birthday party, we turn an expensive undertaking into a reason for a fundraiser !
Fundraising shouldn’t be part of our childs school day.
I’m tired of pta fundraising,charity walks or buyouts as a “legal” excuse to cut class.
School fundraisers may be designed as a “do-good” act of charity but often is the great divider. Kids whose parents have expendable income are able to fundraise money from family and friends , buy that extra school lunch , or buy tickets to the school fundraiser. School charity fundraisers gift good producers with cool toys and gifts.
Children who come from disadvantaged economic backgrounds , don’t have the expendable cash to “raise” and are usually the first to drop out of school fundraisers.
School fundraisers may raise money but also creates a clear division between the kids with money and the kids without .
Should the school system teach children to fundraise ?
What is the percentage of monies diverted to administration fee’s of the said charity?
What does school fundraising really teach our kids ?
I’m not dissing teaching our children to be non materialistic and giving.
I believe our intentions are right but our methodology is out in left field.
There has to be a better way .
My big thing is birthday parties. Who needs all that STUFF! My kids now have parties where we ask people to give what they would normally spend on a gift and 50% will go to a charity of the child’s choosing. This offers an opportunity for us to talk about charity and explore different options. They begin to understand that not everyone is as lucky as they are and they have the power to make a difference. My son usually chooses Right to Play, a charity that supports the development of sports in 3rd world countries. This year my 6 year old daughter chose The Canadian Cancer Society to help her Grandmother. It makes them feel great!
Our family enjoys giving micro loans on Kiva so I’m giving them a little plug: http://www.kiva.org check it out!