Learning to Give, Philanthropy education resources that teach giving and civic engagement

Objectives:

• To ask participants to honestly reflect on their beliefs and feelings about philanthropy
• To introduce the language and actions of philanthropy to the participants

Activity Theme:

“Be bold in what you stand for and careful what you fall for.”

~Ruth Boorstin, Trusteeship Journal, Community Partnerships with Youth Inc., 1994

The facilitator explains that today we are going to take a stand on some statements about philanthropy. “Everyday we take a stand for our beliefs and values by the way we act. Defending a friend who is being picked on unfairly, completing homework daily, and returning a lost item to someone are examples of acts that represent values.” The facilitator asks the participants what the value or belief is for a person who returns a lost item to someone. (Responses could be honesty, caring, respect for others, integrity, doing the right thing, etc.) The participants are asked if they can give examples from their own life or the life of their friends of the way people take a stand for something in which they believe and to share these examples with the total group.

Activity:

The facilitator explains to the participants that he/she will be reading sentences about the acts of philanthropy. Upon hearing the statement, each participant will decide to stand behind a number (1 to 5, with 5 being definitely agree and feel strongly about it and 1 being definitely disagree and feel strongly against it). Construction paper numbers are placed on the floor throughout the room. The facilitator encourages the participants to “Take a Stand: Do you agree? Disagree? Fall somewhere in-between?” The participants are directed to go to the number that best fits how they feel and stand behind the number. The facilitator may want to begin with some current issues with young people. The following are some examples.

CURRENT YOUTH ISSUES:

• The legal voting age should be lowered to sixteen.
• There’s no point in planning since life is a game of chance.
• Males and females are equally qualified to raise their children.
• It is important to continue your education after high school.
• Women should help pay for dates.
• Women and men are paid equally for equal work.

TAKE A STAND Philanthropy Statements

• Everyone has just enough time and money to do what is really important to him or her.
• People should give to and serve each other because it is the right thing to do.
• Philanthropy is only for the rich.
• Our organization (community) encourages its citizens and members to volunteer.
• Young people in our organization are involved in giving and serving in the community.
• Young people are as capable as adults in serving their community.
• The adult members of our organization encourage us to plan and implement community service projects.
• Giving and serving is more than just doing; it is part of who you really are, your character.
• I know and understand the traditions of my organization and the stories of some of the founders/supporters.
• Young people have an opportunity to use their leadership gifts effectively in our community.
• Our organization encourages youth to give their time, talent, and treasure to the organization.
• Giving a portion of the money I earn to causes I believe in is important.
• Giving money to charitable causes is the responsibility of adults not young people.
• Even the very poor can give something to causes they really care about.
• Philanthropy is a thoughtful, intentional, ongoing giving of your time, talent and treasure for the common good.

Processing:

The facilitator talks to the participants about “taking a stand”:

• Which statements were difficult to decide and why?
• Do you feel that your organization values your participation as a philanthropist?
• How do your actions show your “inner” beliefs? Do you always act upon them? Why?
• What would you want to do the same or differently in giving your time, talent, and treasure?

Application:

The facilitator asks the participants to think about the “taking a stand” examples that were given and to pay attention in the coming week to acts of philanthropy they see. The acts of philanthropy could be by their friends, ones they hear or read about, or people they have observed in their community. Participants should come back prepared to share some examples they heard about, read about, or observed in the community.