GiveNow News Edition 20, 2010

EDITION 10, 2010 The official news from www.givenow.com.au

Give More, Give Smarter, Give Better, Give Now!

Special GiveNow Week Edition: Crammed with ideas for a good giving season

A Sustainable Christmas: How to reduce your carbon footprint during the festive season Page 6 www.givenow.com.au

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GiveNow News

GiveNow About Us: GiveNow News is the official newsletter of GiveNow.com.au (proudly supported by ) dedicated to helping Australians give more, give smarter and give better.

GiveNow.com.au is an initiative of the Our Community Foundation, a not-for-profit foundation established by Our Community to catalyse funding for Australian community groups and to transform the community sector through greater efficiencies and effectiveness.

This newsletter has been produced with the support of the Liberman Family Foundation.

Publisher: Our Community Foundation National Headquarters 51 Stanley Street West Melbourne VIC 3003 Australia (PO Box 354 North Melbourne VIC 3051) Telephone (03) 9320 6838 Fax (03) 9326 6859 service@givenow.com.au www.ourcommunity.com.au/foundation ISSN 1441-8947

GiveNow.com.au We all want to give, but sometimes it’s hard to know how to get started.

GiveNow.com.au is Australia’s most user-friendly giving portal – a place where you can put your dollars to work to start building the kind of world you want to live in.

No money? No worries! Through GiveNow.com.au you can also find out how to give time, blood, clothes, blankets, computers, mobile phones, bikes, even corks!

Log on to find the tools, ideas, inspiring stories and practical tips you need to convert your good intentions into action.

t START GIVING t READ THE GiveNow MANIFESTO

Editorial Content: Mind Film and Publishing www.mindfp.com.au Telephone 0409999529 Copyright: © Our Community Foundation.

This is a free newsletter and we would like it to be distributed as widely as possible. Please feel free to send it on. If you want to use the individual articles, however, you’ll need to ask our permission (we almost always give it). Email your request to service@givenow.com.au The articles in GiveNow News do not necessarily reflect the views of the Our Community Foundation, its staff or members.

The purpose of this publication is to provide ideas, inspiration and best practice examples.

We are not responsible for any actions taken by, or losses suffered by, any person on the basis of, or in reliance upon, any information in this newsletter, nor for any omission or error.

We welcome your input: We welcome your article ideas, input and feedback. Email service@givenow.com.au Production schedule: GiveNow News is distributed monthly via email. This Issue Published: December 2010 Our Commitment to Corporate Responsibility: In line with the Australian Institute for Corporate Responsibility (AICR) model actions for achieving environmental sustainability, this publication is produced for online distribution.

Where a hard copy is requested, we use 100% recycled paper.

Our Commitment to Accessibility: We are committed to ensuring our resources are accessible. This newsletter is available to subscribers in alternative formats on request.

Email service@givenow.com.au

HAPPY GIVENOW WEEK! This annual celebration of giving takes place around the country from 29 November to 5 December.

The aim is to focus attention on the many ways that individuals, families, businesses, and groups can make a difference to the community in the lead-up to Christmas.

It’s about helping people take some small, simple steps that open the way for a better supported, more inclusive, more vibrant community – not just during the Christmas period but all year long as well.

Find out how you can take part at:

www.givenowweek.com.au

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NOT JUST FOR CHRISTMAS ...

W What’s On? DECEMBER: 29/11 - 5/12: GiveNow Week t GIVENOW Christmas Giving Cards: For every card purchased (at a cost of $3), $1 goes to a community group of your choice t GO

1/12 - 8/12: Coastcare Week t GIVENOW 10/12: Human Rights Day - United Nations t GIVENOW 3/12: Boardies Day - Surf Life Saving Foundation t GIVENOW Register for Boardie’s Day: Wear your board shorts to work / school to help our volunteer surf lifesavers. t GO

5/12: International Volunteer Day - United Nations t GIVENOW 26/12 - 31/12: Festive Recycling Planet Ark t GIVENOW MORE EVENTS: t www.ourcommunity.com.au/calendar/

WHAT’S HOT:

Adopting an abandoned pet or a retired/abandoned farm animal is a wonderful way to give that animal a new life in a loving family. Dogs from animal shelters are usually desexed, vaccinated, wormed, microchipped, vet-checked and temperament-assessed prior to adoption.

But remember: a pet is not just for Christmas – it really is for life. Before giving anyone a pet consider whether they have an appropriate home and lifestyle for a pet. It is important not to give a pet to someone who is rarely home or moves often.

It is also critical that the person who receives a pet can afford the upkeep. Pets are expensive to own: they require food, shelter and immunisations. Plus there are registration fees to pay. Some pets also require grooming, worming and flea treatment. There are vet bills to pay if animals get sick, and kennel fees if the owner travels.

Most animal shelters are run by volunteers and rely on donations for their continuing existence. So if a pet is not on your gift list but you still want to help out, consider a donation to help ensure that animals are nursed back to health and ensured a good life, rather than being destroyed.

DON’T BE AN UNSUSPECTING LINK IN THE SUPPLY CHAIN OF CRUELTY. When looking for a new pet, try animal shelters before pet shops. This will ensure that you are not supporting cruel puppy factories and pet farms. Consumer watchdogs receive hundreds of complaints annually from consumers who have been sold sick animals and have incurred large vet bills – often the result of unscrupulous pet shops and factory farmers who have cut corners to maximise their profits. Find out more at www.oscarslaw.org STOP THE CLOCK Stop The Clock is a campaign to remove Victoria’s 28 day deadline for shelters to rehome animals before they are killed. Victoria is the only state in Australia that enforces an arbitrary deadline on pounds and shelters looking to find new homes for dogs and cats. To help end the unnecessary killing of healthy adoptable cats and dogs, visit: www.stoptheclock.com.au

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WHAT’S NOT:

BUYING LAND FOR CONSERVATION:

MINIMUM FUNDRAISING TARGETS

Self-made multimillionaire Jan Cameron has spent almost $20 million in the largest land purchase for conservation in the history of Australia. The 23,804 hectares purchased from timber giant Gunns Ltd has assisted the Tasmanian Land Conservancy to take control of approximately 1% of Tasmania’s freehold land.

Organisations that hold fundraising regattas, fun runs and rides around the country are copping some flack over their decisions to set or increase minimum sponsorship levels for entrants. The minimum targets are often essential so that events don’t run at a loss, but some complain that they exclude long-time supporters.

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7 GREAT WAYS TO GIVE THIS CHRISTMAS WRAPPING NOT REQUIRED Christmas is a time to give to family and friends. But truly getting into the giving spirit involves getting connected with the wider community. Here’s a small sample of the 50 ways individuals and families can give to the community this Christmas.

Volunteer to help your local community group put together hand-written holiday cards to everyone who’s helped the organisation over the year. Handwritten notes are a great way of saying thanks and establishing goodwill for your group.

HAVE A PARTY.

It’s a gift more precious than anything money can buy. The Christmas and New Year period is particularly important for blood donations. See www.givenow. com.au/otherways/blood

HELP WITH CHRISTMAS CARDS.

DONATE BLOOD.

If your workplace, family, neighbours or friends are a throwing party this festive season, think about who you’re going to get to cater. In Melbourne, the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre’s Catering Service not only produces great food, but uses the money it generates through catering to support asylum seekers and their families. In Brisbane, Food Connect can provide fresh produce direct from the farm for you to do your own catering. See if there’s a similar group in your area that can assist with your party.

GET INVOLVED. Don’t stay home and watch the parade pass you by. Get involved in your community’s local Christmas activities, whether that involves singing (or listening to) carols, attending a fair or a function, or taking part in a community get-together.

PROVIDE A BREAK OR LEND AN EAR.

BUY AN EXTRA PRESENT.

If your friend or neighbour is a fulltime carer, offer to step in and help for a couple of hours so they can get out and do a bit of shopping or just have a break. Or sit down and talk to a person who is in need of some conversation and support during what can be a stressful time.

Buy an extra toy or present this Christmas and put it in the collection boxes at your local shopping centre, office or church for distribution to disadvantaged groups.

WRITE A LETTER TO YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY. Now is as good a time as any to make contact with friends and family members who you haven’t seen for a while. Drop someone a quick line to let them know you’re thinking of them.

Even an email’s better than nothing.

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WHO GIVES? WHO? Brian Egan

WHERE?

Charleville, QLD

WHAT?

Founder, Aussie Helpers

WHY? Brian Egan knows what it’s like to lose everything. Back in 1999 the Queenslander suffered debilitating depression after losing his farm as a result of severe drought. When his psychiatrist suggested he go out and help others as a form of diversion therapy Brian initially laughed off the advice.

Ultimately Brian’s pain became the seed from which Aussie Helpers was born. Aussie Helpers is a nation-wide not-for-profit organisation that aims to lift the spirits of those affected by drought in outback Australia.

“We believe in Mother Teresa’s saying that giving is receiving,” Brian explains, “it’s obviously true because people all over Australia support us.”

“We are very blessed in that many companies and individuals support us and believe in what we do. We are so well supported sometimes I have to pinch myself.”

Brian, a Vietnam War Veteran, together with 40 volunteers, visits families in Australia’s worst affected regions offering support in the form of food, household necessities, sporting goods, toys and stock feed, as well as emotional support.

“We try to express to the farmers that we are very proud of them and believe in what they are doing,” he says.

Since its inception in 2002, Aussie Helpers has assisted more than 3000 farming families in need. Brian says the dairy farmers in northern Victoria and farmers in the West Australian wheat belt, which runs from Geraldton to Esperance, are currently the worst affected by drought.

Volunteers from Aussie Helpers literally drive into every farm gate offering their services.

Brian says the Christmas period is a particularly difficult time for those in the outback grappling with poverty.

During the Christmas period Aussie Helpers aim to feed more than 500 families as well as provide gifts for children.

A gift from Aussie Helpers brings a child some joy (above) Brian Egan (below)

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GIVING BOOTCAMP ENJOYING A SUSTAINABLE CHRISTMAS To some, Christmas is a time of fun and fulfillment. But to many, particularly those conscious of their environmental footprint, it is a holiday defined by expenditure and excess. This year, give the planet a present by enjoying a sustainable Christmas.

Set off and offset: If you have to fly to the family rendezvous, buy some carbon offset credits, investing in renewable energy or planting trees, or make a large donation to an environmental group.

Drive Right: If you’re driving, try to car pool, and remember that if you’re driving slowly, you should cool down by opening the windows; if you’re driving fast, wind them up and turn on the air conditioning to avoid drag (More of eco-driving tips, are here).

Presents: There are ways to build relationships that don’t involve buying the latest gizmos.

Trim your present list. If you cut off the outliers, would they be annoyed or just relieved that they didn’t have to reciprocate?

Lucky dip: If you’re tired of the Christmas hassle, go for a Kris Kringle and cut down the choosing and buying and wrapping. An agreed spending limit will help prevent everyone feeling they have to go overboard.

Make it work: The most wasteful present of all is the unwanted one. Ask people what they’d like,

or pay much more notice to hints throughout the year! Remember, it’s the thought that really matters.

chocolates that ensure a fair price for farmers in developing countries.

Think global, buy local: Buy gifts

present that appeals to the recipient’s good side. Give a donation to a good cause in their name. There are many ‘good’ gifts listed in the Good Gifts Guide.

Give good: Get a

from local craft stalls or shops. You’ll be supporting local artists, rather than mass-produced objects made by offshore companies.

Give green: Buy gifts that help someone else live sustainably, such as seedlings for a vegie patch (see www.communitygarden.org.au) or a water-saving showerhead.

Get good: Ask your friends not to give you a Christmas present this year but instead donate the money they would have spent on you to a nominated community group at GiveNow.com.au.

Give fair: Avoid sweatshop goods.

Buy Fair Trade coffee, tea and

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Batteries not included: Batteries contain toxic chemicals, don’t biodegrade and are difficult to recycle. When you give a gift of battery-powered toys, throw in some rechargeable ones or try the new AA size USB rechargeable batteries.

Better still, give ‘battery-free’ gifts – books or toys that require the child to use some imagination.

Making it: People really appreciate something handmade.

What about whipping up a batch of kumquat marmalade, or home-made chutneys or cakes, or flavored olive oil (or vodka!) with dried chillies, garlic or herbs? Break out your artistic talents and give a drawing or even a poem.

Give health: Get the kids to appreciate the environment by getting them outside in it. Camping and sports gear, binoculars, and bug catchers are popular gifts. Swimming and beach gear also get them out and about. Throw in a hat and some sun cream for good measure.

Ageing them: Buy vintage, secondhand presents – anything from valuable antiques to garage sale or op-shop treasures. Take some time to find gifts you know your friends and family will appreciate.

Wrapping: Go and get out the wrapping paper that you saved from last year’s Christmas presents. There’s no point recycling if you don’t reuse.

Coloured paper is coloured paper: You can wrap presents in newspapers with interesting headlines, or magazines.

AN EASY WAY TO SAVE A TREE Help save some trees by cancelling delivery of the Yellow and White Pages to your home.

Find out how at www.directoryselect.com.au/ds/

String it out: Use ribbon or string instead of stickytape to wrap presents.

Stickytape isn’t biodegradable, and also prevents the wrapping paper being reused.

watts per bulb, 10 times less than mini bulbs and 100 times less than traditional holiday bulbs. As an added bonus, if one of the LED lights burns out the rest of the strand will stay lit.

The Tree: Use a tree or a

LED FAIRY LIGHTS An eco friendly alternative to traditional fairy lights. Featuring long lasting, low power consumption, LED technology with up to 8 years/50,000 hours continuous operation! Available at the Neco online store.

shrub in a pot and wheel it in each Christmas, or consider purchasing a blow up tree that you can re-use every year or an attractive alternative made from metal or wood that can go in the cupboard between January and November.

Under the tree: Why not just hang the baubles on a tree or a shrub in your back yard? Most of them are water-resistant. Give your garden that extra sparkle.

They live again: Failing that, buy a locally grown tree, preferably from a community group, and then recycle it afterwards.

BUY A CHRISTMAS TREE FROM A SCOUT Scout groups are among the many groups selling Christmas trees to raise funds.

See the full listing here: www.givenow.com.au/givenowweek/ xmastrees

Decoration: Artificial Christmas decorations are generally not biodegradable. Luckily there are environmental options to add some cheer. Balloons made out of latex (as opposed to plastic) biodegrade at the same rate as a leaf from an oak tree and research suggests that balloons made out of latex have no adverse effect on the environment. Make sure you attach a 100% biodegradable cotton string.

Lighting the Tree: Choose LED fairy lights – LED (Light Emitting Diode) lights use up to 95% less energy than larger, traditional holiday bulbs and last up to 100,000 hours when used indoors. LED holiday lights use .04

Deck the halls with real holly: Make house decorations out of recycled and scrap materials.

Try popcorn, dough, cinnamon sticks, bows, gingerbread, holly, pinecones, eucalyptus leaves, seasonal berries, ivy, dried flowers, and evergreen branches – once you’ve finished with them, you can put them in the composter.

Enough, not too much: Most people buy too much food at Christmas, much of which goes to waste and much of which goes straight to the hips. This year plan your meals and only buy what you need to make the guests feel satisfied without actually being stuffed full.

Be a local yokel: Remember to buy local food (check the label) – it helps the local economy and is better for the environment because the produce hasn’t needed to be transported long distances in carbon-emitting planes, ships or trucks to get to you. Support local shops. Even better, get to know your local food co-op.

Eat sustainables: Buy loose rather than prepacked vegetables to reduce packaging waste.

Better still, grow your own next year. If you eat meat, think about buying organic and free range. (But don’t forget that many believe that the vegetarian diet is greenest of all - not to mention cruelty-free). If you eat fish, check the Sustainable Seafood Guide (below) first.

SUSTAINABLE SEAFOOD GUIDE Get insight into the sustainability of over 100 seafood species. Only $9.95 from The Australian Marine Conservation Society

And afterwards, Frisbees: If you really must use disposable plates, choose the sturdy paper variety, not plastic, and reuse or compost them.

Even better, serve your food on a bread base.

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Photos by PR Photos

2010 Top 10 Good Celebs: Here is a list of this year’s top givers, according to Philip Beresford, compiler of “The Sunday Times Rich List” in the U.K. They are ranked by what proportion of their annual earnings goes to worthy causes worldwide.

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ANGELINA JOLIE & BRAD PITT The most photogenic couple in the world is also the most generous. They have actively campaigned and channelled tens of millions of dollars through the Jolie-Pitt Foundation to aid humanitarian causes.

Their donations equate to more than 35% of their combined annual earnings.

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ELTON JOHN

JK ROWLING

OPRAH WINFREY

GEORGE CLOONEY

Since the death of his close friends Ryan White and Freddie Mercury, Elton has channelled loads of cash to HIV/AIDS causes. He also supports many other causes. Last year alone he donated nearly $30 million to medical, humanitarian and arts charities. His giving equates to 32.9% of his income.

The Harry Potter author has gone from a single mother on benefits to a multimillionaire. Rowling set up the Volant Charitable Trust in 2000 and recently gave $15 million to fund multiple sclerosis research at Edinburgh University, in honour of her mother. Rowling’s giving equates to 23% of her earnings.

Never forgetting the poverty of her childhood, Oprah has become one of the greatest philanthropists in American history. The causes close to Winfrey’s heart include education for girls in South Africa and re-building New Orleans. Winfrey’s charitable spend represents 15.9% of her income.

Ever since his first trip to Darfur in Sudan in 2006, Clooney has campaigned to bring humanitarian aid to the region and to end the ethnic conflict. He has also raised funds for the victims of 9/11, the 2004 tsunami and this year’s Haiti earthquake. He gave away 10.5% of his earnings last year.

6 7 8 9 10 TIGER WOODS

MADONNA

SIMON COWELL

A troubled personal life and massive divorce settlement hasn’t dented Tiger Wood’s commitment to giving. Through his foundation, the golfer provides scholarships to disadvantaged children. He recently injected nearly $9 million into the foundation, representing 9% of his annual income.

Madonna is the world’s top-selling female recording artist, reportedly making $56 million last year alone.

But she is also aware of her moral obligation to give back. After controversially adopting two children from Malawi, Madonna has pumped money into the region. Her donations represent approximately 8.6% of her earnings.

Acerbic American Idol judge Simon Cowell also has a soft side. Cowell is a supporter of countless organisations devoted to children and animals. He also helped produce the single Everybody Hurts, which raised more than $1million for the relief effort in Haiti. His donations equate to 8.5% of his earnings.

POSH & BECKS

LEONARDO DICAPRIO

A strong campaigner for the environment and for Haiti, DiCaprio also puts his money where his mouth is. He has donated about 7.1% of his income through his foundation, which was established in 1998.

Last year, David and Victoria Beckham gave about $2 million to causes that support children,sports relief and humanitarian work. They also lend their star power to charitable organisations including Unicef, the Unite for Children campaign and the Unite Against AIDS campaign. Their donations represent 4.5% of their earnings.

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VOLUNTEERING CHRISTMAS OVER-SUBSCRIBED

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very year, thousands of Australians seek to get into the true spirit of giving by volunteering on Christmas Day. But many are disappointed as they discover that soup kitchens and support services are oversubscribed or closed. Organisations like The Salvation Army and Melbourne’s Sacred Heart Mission give priority to regular volunteers and are forced to turn down countless other offers of assistance.

THE SALVATION ARMY Salvation Army Victorian Volunteer Co-ordinator Glenyse Guinan believes people are motivated by a real desire to get back in touch with the “spirit of Christmas” and give something back to others.

During December, Glenyse receives more than 20 calls a day from prospective Christmas Day volunteers in her Victorian office alone. “We don’t want people to think that we don’t want volunteers, because we couldn’t survive without them, however, volunteers build strong relationships with clients throughout the year, which makes it difficult to take on new people on Christmas day,” she says. “Emotions are heightened at Christmas time, which makes the volunteer training we provide and the experience volunteers gain during the year all the more important.”

SACRED HEART MISSION The Sacred Heart Mission in St Kilda, Victoria feeds the homeless and hungry every day of the year, with the aid of 700 regular volunteers.

More than 150 of these regulars offer their services for the Sacred Heart Mission’s annual Christmas lunch, but only 60 volunteers are needed.

After Christmas, and through January, not-for-profit organisations are desperate for volunteer help. Volunteer

Coordinator Gerardine Enright says that during January many of the regular volunteers, as well as full-time staff, take time off to be with their families or simply have a break.

SECOND BITE & FARESHARE SecondBite collects fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, fish and deli items from donors and redistributes them to local agencies that assist those in need. FareShare utilises food donated

by Victorian businesses to create meals in its purpose-built kitchen.

Both organisations are closed over Christmas.

FareShare Chief Executive Officer Marcus Godinho explains that it is easier and more cost effective for notfor-profit organisations to shut down over the Christmas period when so many volunteers and staff members take time off. “The consequence of doing that is there is far less support for those in need across the community,” he says.

Both SecondBite and FareShare experience a spike in the number of people who want to volunteer with the organisation on Christmas Day. However, without active agencies to feed people, their work is redundant.

“It’s great that people want to help others at a time that is difficult but what charities really need is people willing to help on September 22 and May 3 as well as on Christmas day,” he says.

The message is clear – there are 364 other days of the year ripe for volunteering, and January is an ideal time to sign up. Becoming a regular volunteer before the Christmas period is the best way to avoid disappointment when it comes to doing your bit on Christmas Day.

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GIVING DOCTOR Q: I’m considering my New Year’s resolutions and want to make some long-term commitments to giving. Can you suggest how to do this wisely?

Great idea. Making a Giving Plan will clarify your priorities, empower your social conscience and return the best value for your contribution – be that time, money or effort – to the causes you support.

Put aside an undisturbed hour and follow these eight mindful steps:

STEP 1: ASK WHY YOU WANT TO GIVE • Are you seeking a connection with other individuals? With your community? With humanity?

• Do you want to “give back” for services you’ve used, or may need to use in the future?

• Do you have more than enough clothes/free time/ spending money/energy?

• Do they deliver gratifying results?

• Are they there for people you care about or those you’ll never meet?

STEP 2: CONSIDER WHAT SORT OF • Are you looking for organisaCAUSES YOU WANT tions that are locally based?

TO SUPPORT Based on your reasons for giving, ask • What inspires, excites, disturbs or frustrates you?

• Where you feel change is needed most and how you can best bring it about.

STEP 3: DECIDE WHICH ORGANISATIONS TO GIVE TO Determine whether the organisations you currently give to reflect the issues you’ve prioritised above.

Ask the same questions of those you’re considering: • Do they resonate with your interests and values?

Historically successful?

Volunteer run? Research oriented? Accessible and financially transparent?

STEP 4: EVALUATE HOW MUCH TO GIVE Whether it’s money, time or material aid, you should consider: • Your personal, family and savings priorities.

• Quarantining a percentage of your income or superfluous earnings, e.g. eBay sales.

• Balancing recreational time or expenditure with volunteering or donating material aid.

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• Whether to give large amounts to a few organisations, or spread smaller donations across a broad range.

STEP 5: RESOLVE HOW TO GIVE No matter how much or where you give, the method you decide on will influence both your giving capacity, and the way organisations will utilise your contribution: • Do you want to give anonymously or visibly? (Worldrenowned ethicist Peter Singer argues the more visible the giving, the more contagious it becomes.)

• Are you “giving while living” or saving to make a bequest?

• Do you want to make pre-tax donations through a workplace giving scheme?

• Can you give professional skills pro bono?

• Do you want to give your time to campaigning?

• Would you prefer to target a particular project, or let the organisation direct your funds?

STEP 6: PLAN WHEN TO GIVE Scheduling your giving plan will improve its effectiveness and empower you to make rational decisions when campaigners call or disaster strikes. Most organisations prefer their donors to take a proactive rather than reactive approach so that they can plan sustainable aid programs.

• Do you want to make regular, automated donations or respond to appeals as they arise?

• Are your or your family members’ birthdays a good time to request or make donations in lieu of presents?

• Should you set aside an amount for crisis response?

(Donor fatigue saw July’s Pakistan flood disaster grossly under-funded compared to Haiti’s earthquake crisis in January.)

• Should you give in the “off season” when others are less likely to?

STEP 7: FOLLOW THE TRAIL If not-for-profit organisations ask for and accept your money, they need to be held accountable for it.

• Demand integrity and demonstrate your commitment by researching, questioning and following up on organisations.

• Attend meetings and conferences.

• Read internal and external reports.

• Scan the media for information.

• Observe programs in action.

STEP 8: REVIEW ANNUALLY Make a date with your Giving Plan at the start of every year. Even if your giving values haven’t changed, it could be an opportunity to rotate your contribution to other organisations. A fresh approach will ensure you’re giving to the best of your ability, and your community is getting the best out of you.

SMALL BUSINESS, GRAND PLAN: THE MARKLING FAMILY, PERTH “Running a small business and a family of five means our expenses are high and disposable income modest. We facilitate our desire to give back to the community by donating in-kind through our business.

“We respond to almost all requests for donations of our merchandise (essential health and safety products) to schools, community groups and fundraisers. Our staff accepts our modest gift-giving policy at Christmas time, which we supplement with a generous donation on their behalf to a different humanitarian cause each year.

“Outside the business we make monthly donations to environmental and animal welfare groups, and rotate our raffle ticket book purchases across a few different disability organisations. We also respond to disaster appeals alternating between local and overseas disasters.

“We actively encourage a giving spirit in our children, who have sold their hand-made wares to raise money for causes of their choice in the past.

As a family, we regularly submit under-used, good quality household items for donation, and one of us has just begun a regular volunteer shift, generating a healthy interest amongst the kids.

“Even though we don’t apportion specific dollar amounts to our giving plan, there is definitely a framework, and it empowers us to say ‘no’ when other requests come our way.”

WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY • Everyone has a role in changing the inequities of society, regardless of income or class.

• The most effective philanthropy joins your interests and experiences with the current needs in your community and seeks desired outcomes.

• Thoughtful, planned giving enables you to express yourself and your passions, as well as your goals and reasons for giving.

• Inspired philanthropy has transforming powers for all – givers and receivers.

Tracy Gary and Melissa Kohner, Inspired Philanthropy, Jossey-Bass, San Francisco, 2002

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GOOD GIFTS GUIDE Don’t want to give yet another unwanted, unnecessary gift? This year, give a good gift! Use the Good Gifts Guide to help create more meaningful gift giving this Christmas.

Villa Maria: 2011 art calendar $20

McAuley Community Services for Women: Sterling Silver Bracelet ‘COURAGE’ or ‘BELIEVE’ $60 each $100 set

Lost Dog’s Home: “Little Buckley” Toy $19.95

Orphfund: 100% Cotton Scarf $22

Animal Liberation QLD: “Be kind to animals” t-shirt $28

Blessed-Life: Rainbow Felt Ball Bag $30

Australian Marine Conservation Society: “Sharkwater” DVD $24.95

ANTar: Original soundtrack from the movie “Samson and Delilah” $30

The Big Issue 12 months/ 25 issues $155

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Swags for the Homeless Backpack Bed $68

t BUY WWF: Premium Tiger Animal Adoption Package. Your adoption will help the WWF Tiger Program which works with local communities, governments and experts to provide a brighter future for tigers in the wild through monitoring populations, restoring their habitats and strengthening anti-poaching efforts. $70

Alola Australia: Weekly student metcard $14

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Oxfam: buy loads of manure for families in Sri Lanka, and help grow their crops without the need for chemical fertiliser $15

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Greenpeace: Protection for one Paradise Forest tree. The Paradise Forests of South-East Asia and the Pacific are under threat from rampant deforestation.

This gift will help save one of those trees for future generations. $30

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t DOWNLOAD THE FREE GOOD GIFTS GUIDE

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