What has always stood out to me about Veterans Day was the silence from the Veterans in my life. When I would come up with ways to celebrate I was met with appreciation, but generally frustration and some confusion over why people suddenly want to celebrate and discuss Vets. This is partly because of the way we, as a nation, look at Veterans and war.

In war, there are no unwounded soldiers. ~José Narosky

We have a weird cycle when it comes to discussing Veterans. The speeches come, as do the parades, the monuments, and the warm and proud feeling of sharing a country with men and women who risk their lives so that I can enjoy mine. Then the celebrations subside. The statistics about the nightmares, depression, alcoholism, and suicide that plague our Vets all but disappear until someone shoves it in our faces and even then, we are too stunned to act. The issues affecting veterans sometimes feel too big: I am not part of the military and I have not seen war. I do not know what the issues are and I do not feel like I can help beyond saying “I support you.”

And make no mistake, that support goes a long way. But what is needed is a consistent voice in times of war and peace that remains deeply committed to preventing war at all costs and when war appears inevitable, support for the physical, emotional, and mental well being of soldiers is available at every step of the way–from the time they sign up to the time they return home.

And we must move quickly for this is not a matter of pity, this is a matter of justice. Pity allows for personal removal from the issue, condescension, and an unwillingness to see strength in sacrifice (afterall, who would actually want to be a soldier except for the desperate and lonely?) Yet when we are moved by justice we see the talents and treasures that each person brings that should be utilized in creating a better world and a connectedness that says “Your well being is tied up with mine–I cannot allow you to suffer.”

“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them” ~ John F. Kennedy

So on Veterans Day, as we honor those who have served, I am making the following committments:

1. I will not trivilaize the importance of mental health and emotional support: You are not “crazy,” “weak,” or “stupid.” I recognize that my language and my attitude have an impact on your ability to get the support you need.

2. I will integrate your needs into my work: “All Volunteer Force”,” a report released today, highlights the desire of young veterans to volunteer when they return and how those who have volunteered have better transitions back. As someone who has devoted my life to service through nonprofit work, I know that the desire to give back is a crucial asset for social change. I will make a conscious effort to include you in the ongoing conversations and activism regarding about social change, social innovation, and volunteerism. And I will encourage my collegues to do the same.

3. I will support causes that reach out to you: I have always admired CUNY (City University of New York) for their Veteran outreach initiatives. However, I am blown away all the time by how many people, moved by your stories and experiences, decide to start new programs and organizations. Civic Enterprises in their “All Volunteer Force” report outline 14 ways we can tap into your talents at the national, state, and local levels.

4. Most of all, I will listen: Although I consider myself an ally, I do not know your story and I cannot tell it. But I can at the very least listen, share, and ensure that your voice is heard.

What other commitments can we make?

Aunt Cheryl, Uncle Donald, Larry, Jerry, and Jasmine–thank you for your service abroad and your continuing service at home.

Last week I wrote about my current struggle in maintaining the passion that brought me to the sector. The comments and feedback have been wonderful and really pushed me to reflect more on what I do and why I do it.  Here are a few things I now know to keep in mind:

Be deliberate about keeping and adding fire to your work:

I think my biggest mistake is assuming that my passion does not need TLC.  But it’s easy to get caught up in your professional work and get out of touch with your original inspiration for pursuing a career in social change. So take time to nurse your soul and get in touch with YOUR mission.  Who or what inspires you?  Why did you get into this work in the first place?

One thing that I enjoyed doing at a former job was actually talking to co-workers about our cause and our role in it.  We shared personal experiences, opportunities to connect with others, and interesting information about our issue.  In fact, talking to people—whether it is at work, at a conference, or even at home—about what’s moves and inspires them, then making connections really helps you see the importance of what you do.

Elizabeth Clawson also made a great recommendation in the comments of my last post:  “Maybe one solution is to work where we can, lifeless or not, and keep up with our passions on the side. Contracting, volunteering, blogging…there are lots of opportunities for that kind of balance.”

Rewrite your job description:

In my last post a commenter who also works in development described their work in a very powerful way:

“I don’t raise money and resources: I help inspire executives to get involved; I help provide the funds that keep the organization going; we don’t do speaking engagements, we are building passion and support for our cause and the cause of our clients; I don’t write grants–I’m inviting foundations to take a hard look at an issue area and make a significant and impactful investment in our mission.”

Sometimes a fresh perspective is all it takes to keep you energized and committed to your work.  What are the larger implications of your work for the cause you are committed to and your organization’s mission?

Focus on the cause not just the sector:

Colleen Dilenschneider wrote a brilliant piece about how Gen Y knows that social change is not limited to one sector. I couldn’t agree with that more.  In fact spending time in the nonprofit sector has shown me just how connected the sectors are, especially in a field like education.  Each sector may engage an issue differently but the trick is to focus on the change you want to see regarding your cause, what you believe is the best method of getting there, and how you want to be involved in that process.

Move around if you need to:

I got into development after spending a lot of time doing direct service work. I needed to look at my cause from a different angle while tapping into my desire to be more behind the scenes doing work with a larger impact.  That said I am still amazed at how many ways there are to engage in social change work.  Whatever skills, experience, time, and interest you have there are so many ways to get involved.  This diversity is exciting and compelling—there is always a way to make a difference.

What do you do to keep your passion?

Elisa Ortiz recently wrote a great piece about her journey into the nonprofit sector.  It got me thinking about mine and the challenges I am facing.  So for this Nonprofit Milleninal Bloggers Alliance post, I’m reflecting on why I’m in the sector.

I didn’t get into the nonprofit sector because of a desire to feel warm inside.  In fact becoming a nonprofiteer was never a goal of mine.  I got involved in social justice work because I was angry.  I was angry at the blatant inequalities I saw every day on my way to my posh prep school in downtown Brooklyn from my family’s tiny apartment in the projects on the other side of the borough.   It was blessing, of course, to be given such an opportunity but it didn’t come without challenges, primarily not really feeling like I fit in anywhere.

College was an escape from the tension and an opportunity for reflection.   I searched endlessly for stories that could articulate my feelings of confusion, frustration, and outrage.  I found them and discovered ways to put my passion into action—volunteerism, research, and connecting with people from various backgrounds to refine my work.  Education was my saving grace and I work to increase access to those who need it most.

Yet oddly enough the more I work in the nonprofit sector, the more removed from my original passion I feel.  The language I use is no longer for the sole purpose of exploring my experiences.  Now, I’m describing someone else’s experiences for someone else’s use.   It almost feels other worldly.  Suddenly I’m a professional which means conversations on branding, development, and other stuff that gets very old very fast.  I’m writing about poorblackinnercityyouth using language that is very distant as if I wasn’t one of those poorblackinnercityyouth just a few years ago.

Where is the fire that brought me to the sector?  Why can’t I integrate it into my work instead of it being a separate private aspect of my identity that simply fuels it?  I came across this powerful article a few days ago which states that as more nonprofits reach out to their poor constituents to see what the issues are, they neglect the employees who were poor and may have their own stories to tell.  Have we considered how these conversations might renew commitment, shed light on different perspectives and ideas?

Or am I here to attend conferences on branding and the like?

Some time ago I posted about the call for submissions for the 20Under40 anthology which will feature 20 essays by emerging leaders in the arts about the future of arts and arts education.  To follow up with this amazing project they are hosting a week-long discussion for emerging leaders in the arts to talk about generational changes in leadership and the value young people bring to the arts field:

Emerging Leaders Blog Salon
Join the Emerging Leaders Network of Americans for the Arts and the 20UNDER40 anthology for the Emerging Leaders Salon on ARTSblog the week of October 19-23. Nearly 20 diverse arts professionals from across the country will discuss the impending generational shift in arts leadership and the value of emerging leaders to the field. Follow these posts and continue the conversation through your ideas, comments, and personal stories.

This is run by The Americans for the Arts Emerging Leader Network which “works to identify and cultivate the next generation of arts leaders in America.”  They have chapters across the country so I encourage you to look into them. Even if you are not in the arts, joining one of these groups as a supporter goes a long way as well.  I am member of ELNYA-Emerging Leaders of New York Arts and always blown away by the events, conversations, and opportunities presented to cultivate leadership!

In the almost two years that I have been blogging I have learned so much about the nonprofit sector and the challenges that young employees face.  This has motivated me to act and to connect with those who share my passion for creating a culture in the sector that values and actively supports young employees.

However, I always wondered how we could include more voices from the next generation in the conversation about the future of the nonprofit sector.  Then I came across this article in problogger about forming a blogging alliance.  While he talks about it being a secret mainly to benefit bloggers, I saw an opportunity to gather a group of young nonprofit bloggers who can help each other reach wider audiences and collectively bringing important issues about the nonprofit sector to the forefront  by actively engaging and sharing each other’s work.

So I am happy to announce that today is the official launch of the Nonprofit Millenial Bloggers Alliance!  This alliance (which is growing!), currently includes the following spectacular bloggers:

• Rosetta Thurman, Perspectives from the Pipeline, @rosettathurman
• James Elbaor, From the Desk of James Elbaor, @jameselbaor
• Elisa M. Ortiz, Onward and Upward, @emortiz
• Elizabeth Clawson, Nonprofit Periscope, @eclawson
• Trina Isakson, Trina’s Nonprofit Blog, @telleni
• Kathrin Ivanovic, The Diversity Projekt, @kathrinoutloud
• Colleen Dilenschneider, Know Your Bone, @cdilly
• Tera Wozniak Qualls, Social Citizen, @terawozqualls
• Tracey Webb, Black Gives Back, @blkgivesback
• Kevin Gilnack, (Nonprofits + Politics)2.0, @kgilnack

Make sure you visit each of their blogs for their take on the alliance.

While each of us looks at the nonprofit sector from a different perspective we share the view that millenials offer something valuable to nonprofits.  You can expect to see guest posts, monthly themes, and blogging challenges.

And this isn’t about listening to millenials simply because folks think we know what’s new and snazzy and we hope the conversation extends beyond our oft cited love of technology.  It’s about the realistic necessity of preparing the next generation to grapple with the pressing issues that have and will continue to shape the way we do business.  It’s about harnessing skills and ideas to move social change forward.  It’s about celebrating the new wave of dedication to public service and capturing it to invigorate our organizations and our lives.

I’m excited to be part of this and look forward to sharing and engaging the bloggers and everyone who is interested in this issue.  The goal is to create an online hub of thought leaders in the nonprofit sector.  In keeping with the spirit of preparing for the future we are starting with millennial bloggers but stay tuned for more!

Last night I had the opportunity to attend a talk hosted by Dean Ellen Schall of NYU Wagner and Newark Mayor Corey Booker about the challenges—both cultural and systemic—in bringing about reform.  While he was speaking primarily about government, his words are of great use to organizations and individuals working for  social change.

Organizations:

• Coordinate the systems: Mayor Booker used a great example to point out how the real challenge is in making sure whatever systems are in place are on the same page: gather a group of people, ask them close their eyes and point north.  When they open their eyes, they’ll see that everyone is pointing in a different direction. Many of us have good intentions and good ideas but we don’t communicate or work together to make sure we reach our common goals.

• Use philanthropy wisely: He noted how often times the public sector will create and lead program while philanthropists will fund it.  Gathering the two together allows us to move from “islands of excellence to hemispheres of hope”; in other words, break out of the tendency to work in little corners on small issues when there are bigger issues to address.  However, when leading a new initiative, gathering money is easy, but becoming sustainable without it is tough.  Your plan should always include a way to move beyond donations.

• Create a powerful system of accountability: One thing that struck me about Mayor Booker was his dedication to research.  He needed to have all of the information before making a move—hence his unorthodox commitment to prisoner re-entry since he realized that that was the city’s biggest problem, which is a much harder issue to sell. Yet change only begins with research.  After doing research to know what the challenges are, be sure to set standards, create a method of meeting those standards, and establish consequences for failing to meet those standards.  The research and the consequences are where people struggle, yet they are most critical as they show you where you need to go and what to change.

Individuals:

• Make it personal: Dean Schall was taken aback by how personal Mayor Booker made his work.  He spoke as though he was personally responsible for every single person in the city.  That’s because he feels as if he is.  He challenged us to go beyond finding who is to blame and start asking ourselves, “what can I do to make this situation better?”

• Forget positions and find your purpose: When someone asked him about what his life will be like in 30 years, he joked about marriage but noted that often people rattle off job titles and responsibilities, not purpose and values.  His goal is to live a life that is true to his commitment to equality and justice.  Who you are goes beyond what job you have.  Jobs come and go but what you stand for will always remain.

Both:

• Empower people to take care of themselves: One of my favorite stories that Paul Light told some time ago is of a volunteer at a soup kitchen who looked forward to seeing a guy every week.  Paul Light was shocked by this—if you are seeing the same person every week, they aren’t getting the help they need.  It may feel endearing but it is actually tragic. We must work for the day where these kinds of services are no longer needed.  Mayor Booker has a similar approach with his Fatherhood Program—it’s about addressing root problems and gradually eradicating them.

While I have always respected Mayor Booker, listening to him last night left me inspired and reaffirmed.  No one says the public service is easy but at times the challenges can be overwhelming.  His input and success show that these obstacles can be overcome.

This post was written for Nonprofit Career Month, a national campaign to promote awareness of careers in the nonprofit sector.

So you’ve decided to explore a career in the nonprofit sector.  Great!  However, if you’re a recent college grad, writing a résumé for your first job out of college is tough. Unlike traditional résumés where you can highlight previous experience that is most likely connected to the job for which you are applying, time in college is often characterized by random jobs and classes that don’t go together. How can you package and present your experiences in a way that demonstrates you’re a good fit to a potential employer?

What you want to send to potential employers is not a traditional resume but rather a Career Launching Résumé (CLR). Lauren Friese over at TalentEgg.ca defines a CLR as a résumé that focuses on your assets, demonstrates your interest in the position, stands out, and is written like a sales proposal. What do these four characteristics look like when applying for a job in social change?

Your Assets:

You need to demonstrate to an employer that you can do the job well and fit into the organization’s overall mission. What skills are your bringing to the table that will meet an employers need?

Showcase accomplishments not just duties: If the job you are applying for wants management skills, give data that shows how you increased sales or followed through with a successful project. Throughout your cover letter use key words like teamwork and resourceful to connect what you did and who you are with what the organization wants.

Your Interest:

A common piece of advice given when applying for nonprofit jobs is to demonstrate passion for the organization and its mission. But what does passion look like in a résumé?

Highlight any academic research related to social change: Did you use your thesis to examine the impact of educational policy on a local community? Have you explored business practices that address poverty or expand employment opportunities? Integrating social issues into research is a great way to show passion while developing writing and critical thinking skills. Since you are just graduating from college, this information should be at the top of your résumé and listed under your college.

Emphasize service and fit: In the cover letter, discuss the organization’s track record and how your skills can fit in with their future plans. If you have done community service before, put it on the résumé and describe. Organize your résumé chronologically but use subheadings and titles that demonstrate the skills and experience applicable to the job. Instead of saying “Relevant Work Experience” try “Community Leadership Experience.” If the job is managerial or administrative related, use related words in your titles and descriptions.

Standing Out:

Many of us have heard of the frightening statistic that most hiring managers only spend 30 second per résumé which means you have less than a minute to catch someone’s eye. How can you make a person keep reading?

Get a personal contact: 90% of all jobs are filled by referral. Try having an informational interview with someone at the organization you would like to work at and use that person as a segue into a job, or tap into your networks (alumni are great for this!) for contacts. Look into organizations that your college has a great relationship with and see if they are hiring. Make sure to mention personal contacts in your cover letter.

Selling Yourself:

In the end you are selling a product: YOU. It is crucial that the packaging is put together and there are no surprises. What is your best presentation?

Proofread and share: Print your résumé and cover letter out and read it the day after your write it to scan for mistakes. Share your résumé with peers for some fresh eyes to ensure that everything you’ve written makes sense and is easy to navigate.

Use social media wisely: “Googling” is all the rage these days. Make sure your internet presence is clean and interesting. Try starting a blog to build yourself up as a thought leader in the field or simply to discuss pressing issues in social change while developing your communication skills. Use LinkedIn to keep people up to date on projects you are working on while connecting with others who share your passion.

Jun Loayza recently wrote an excellent piece on why it’s a bad move to drop out of school to start a business. Some people feel that if they have a great idea, there is really no reason for them to stay in school.

At the root of this belief is a poor approach to college.  While in school we have a tendency to emphasize what we don’t like while focusing too narrowly on what we do like.  However, if you really consider yourself an entrepreneur it’s impossible to ignore the following resources colleges can provide:

Focus groups and product testers: All those students, staff, faculty, and community members!  Seriously, it’s research heaven.  If the group you need to work with is not on campus, most colleges have relationships with many organizations in their city.  Tap into those connections and ask if you can test out your ideas.

Mentors, networking, and learning opportunities: Colleges host conferences, lectures, and workshops often free or at low costs to students.  Professors and alumni can offer the one-on-one expert advice you need and might even let you work with them on projects related to your idea for more hands on experience.  Meeting people at events and developing mentors are what can further your career along and college is a great place to start building your network.

And nothing beats spending lots of time in the library.  Read up on the latest trends in your field, people making moves, and tips on how to develop your project.

Flexible schedule and limited risks: These are probably the greatest gifts.  Most of your basic needs are covered in college and unless you are planning something the risks the security and financial stability of the entire institution, your business ventures, should they fail, will not result in a catastrophic loss.   And you have more time, time that YOU have more control over, to work on your idea.  First class isn’t until 1pm and your shift at the café doesn’t start until 6pm?  Well, you have all morning to be researching and reaching out.

Funding and in-kind support: Some colleges have in-house funding opportunities for students or other kinds of support that you can use to launch your idea.  Website hosting, space for meetings, printing, internet access, and software are just a few of the resources that colleges may be able to offer you for free.  These little things eat up a lot of time and money when you are trying to launch on your own so take advantage of them!

What do you think are some of the benefits to staying in school as an entrepreneur?  What are some of the challenges?

“One of the most subversive institutions in the United States is the public library, where citizens can find a fount of knowledge for personal growth.”

~bell hooks, Rock My Soul

For as long as I can remember the public library has been one of the few places where I could be comfortable in my own skin; alone, learning, reflecting, writing, and being still.  At first my use of the library was out of necessity; in high school the number of books we had to purchase was ridiculous so I would save money by borrowing.  But it was impossible to simply grab a book and walk away.  If I wasn’t signing up for a workshop or doing homework I was browsing books in new topics I was interested in.  And, most importantly, I was being left alone to enjoy it—mom had no problem with me being in the library until it closed and no one interrupted me.

Fast forward a few years and my relationship is the same.  The library is my refuge and wherever I live and work it is one of the first things I look for.

So you can imagine my anger when I received word the unless the PA Senate acts immediately ALL public libraries in the city of Philadelphia will be closed on October 2^nd. While I no longer live in Philly, I frequented its libraries with the same excitement as I do in my hometown.

Shutting down libraries limits citizen mobility and civic engagement.  We aren’t just lamenting the loss of books (which is bad enough), we also risk losing safe public spaces for community meetings, workshops on everything from job hunting, resume writing, to building a small business, school trips, and most  importantly, personal growth.

Eliminating these resources is simply reprehensible.  And in one of the largest cities in the country this kind of loss will inevitably be tragic.

In Pennsylvania? Contact your legislator and call them out on their foolishness.

Not in Pennsylvania? Support YOUR library.  Let’s make it clear how much we value our libraries.  Donate, volunteer, or lend your voice.

Enjoy this post?  Share and tweet your support #savethefreelibrary

Update:  A budget was passed and the libraries have been saved.  If you read, tweeted, called, or shared THANK YOU!  Read more here: http://bit.ly/rqjXf

Then check out these two events:

Twestival is here again!

Last year people in over 150 cities used twitter to raise money and awareness for charity:water, a nonprofit that builds wells for communities throughout Africa.  Giving the overwhelming amount of support and money raised (over $1 million!), Twestival is back this year (September 10-13) but with a new twist—each city is supporting a local charity.  I love the idea of working with a local nonprofit; perhaps it will be easier to keep in touch and updated on what is happening with the org and maybe even get involved.  Look for a twestival in your city or for a way to help out.

Mozilla.org Service Week

Mozilla.org Service Week (September 14-21) asks you to set aside time to help nonprofits fulfill their social justice missions by working on internet  based projects.  We hear so much about how we can use the internet to mobilize and empower people to enact social change now is your chance to participate!  Look for an opportunity.

It’d be great to hear about your experiences if you participate in any of these events.  Also, if you know of any events that allow people to use the internet to connect and give, please share them.