Posted by Shawna Gnutel
We've all heard the expression
money talks.
I saw an ad for a seminar entitled "Purposeful Purchasing" which read, "Let your money speak for you and watch businesses buy into your mission."
Guest Speaker Maggie Vilvang from (2010 Legacies NOW) is part of a consortium of disability missioned organizations in Vancouver known as accessWORKS. Maggie began her talk by explaining what Purposeful Purchasing was NOT.
1. It was not bulk buying.
2. It was not asking you to change where you buy stuff.
3. It was not about asking you to act more like a business.
Instead, Purposeful Purchasing is about moving away from a conventional charity model and moving toward
acting more like a nonprofit
with spending power.
The Purposeful Purchasing Initiative is about disability missioned organizations in British Columbia "recognizing that every dollar spent, if spent with purpose, will advance the economic inclusion of people with disabilities." (Please read the background paper. )
According to StatsCan, social service agencies in Canada spend over 3.6 billion dollars annually. These organizations buy houses, cars, office supplies, groceries, janitor services, computers. YOU NAME IT!
So then doesn’t it make sense to position yourself as a consumer with a mission? To get started, organizations need to conduct a spend/supplier analysis- how much is being spent and where. Once that's completed you can send the supplier a letter and ask them to do a questionnaire/self assessment to rate themselves and their commitment to becoming a disability confident business.
According to Maggie, building disability confidence in the supply chain is one of the main goals. And THINK ABOUT IT... there's no better time than during an economic downturn. Why wouldn't businesses be motivated to keep their customers satisfied and happy?
REALLY REALLY HAPPY :)
At its heart, Purposeful Purchasing uses spending as a strategy to advance mission and social change. The main inspiration for Purposeful Purchasing is based on the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games (VANOC)
Buy Smart Program. The ultimate priority in VANOCs "sustainability purchasing" procurement policy, is to buy smarter, greener and with more social consciousness. So far, benefits to local communities has been substantial. Between 2003 and summer 2008, VANOC spent $1.8 million with inner-city businesses and organizations.
So whether you are an organization or a supplier, Purposeful Purchasing makes good business sense.
And on that happy economic note, it's time to take action and usher in 2010 as an engaging year of empowerment, opportunity and positive change for you and your community.
For more information about Purposeful Purchasing, feel free to contact Maggie Vilvang: mvilvang@2010LegaciesNow.com.
posted by Shawna Gnutel
Children are the world's most valuable resource and its best hope for the future.
~John F. Kennedy
November 20 marks the 20th anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. (UNCRC) which outlines the basic human rights to which children and youth everywhere are entitled. Adopted on Nov. 20, 1989, the UNCRC has two optional protocols: the optional protocol on the involvement of Children in Armed Conflict and the optional protocol on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and child Pornography.
KVO wishes to mark this important day and extends a special thank you and acknowledgement to all the extraordinary nonprofits and charities who protect and promote the well-being of our children.
Posted by Keep Vancouver Original CCO (Chief Creative Officer) Shawna Gnutel
"Life's most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing for others?"
~Martin Luther King Jr.
National Philanthropy Day was first recognized in 1986 and this year, the Minister of Canadian Heritage, has officially declared November 15, 2009 as National Philanthropy Day in Canada. This special day is marked to celebrate the extraordinary work of charities and to recognize the involvement of donors and volunteers, and their tremendous contribution to the quality of life in our communities.
As I was googling away, I came across author
Robert Urbanowski's book, Kickback. Last year, he donated copies of his book as gifts for a National Philanthropy Day luncheon.
His story goes like this...
After five years of researching the dynamics of successful business, Robert discovered the "Law of Contribution". In his book, he discusses the key ingredients to acheiving a fulfilling, rich, happy life. There's even a quote from Brad Pitt, (the guy who everyone thinks has it all), which will pleasantly surprise you!
When I logged onto his website, I discovered the book and audio available as a FREE Download. I emailed Robert to see if there was a "catch." Here's his reply:
Hello Shawna:
There are a number of reasons why I chose to make the book available for free. Primarily, it is because this book represents a lot of work and a message that has become a passion of mine. It took me five years to write this book, and another year to get it published and into stores. The motive has never been to make money with this, but to get the message out into the world.
What I found was, when people read this book, they would contact me with very positive feedback about what the book meant to them, often asking for additional copies that they could share with friends and family.
While the book is available in stores, and on Chapters.ca and Amazon, I felt that the very best way to promote the idea and the message would be to make it available in a downloadable format, for free. It's a small action that illustrates the principle of contribution. I believe that the message is better in the hands of people, than sitting on store shelves :)
Who can argue with that?
In his book he writes that "many of the problems we experience stem from an incorrect focus."
"We focus inward when we should focus outward. Rather than "focusing inward and asking "what's in it for me" we should be focusing outward and asking "How can I give?" and "what can I contribute?"
And on that philanthopic note, Happy National Philanthropy Day everyone! Feel free to download Robert's awesome book Kickback in PDF or audio format. It's a thoughtful, excellent read! Enjoy.
