A Website That Actually HELPS People!
Modest Needs, is the brainchild of a professor of medieval literature, drama and film at Middle Tennessee State University and has a simple vision in mind:
Though there are LOTS of programs in place to help people with nothing (or almost nothing), there is NO program in place to help people who are doing all they can to make ends meet and might need help with just a small expense, like an electric bill, or a car repair, or PART of a month's rent.
Though there are LOTS of people in the world who might not have enough money to pay, say, all of their rent one month, those very same people might have $5 at their disposal.
If enough people like that--not rich people, just normal folks--gave $5 to some organization designed to help THEM, those very people could generate a pool of funding large enough to help themselves and thousands of people a month who, like them, had small but critical needs that they could not meet on their own.
Using the same ideas that I have used in creating WWPN, this gentleman has create a multinational, multifunctional charity (or at the very least gotten a good head start on one). I urge all of those who have special real world talents to at the very least volunteer an hour of their time to this fine organization.
"Think of this: there are now 168 million unique Internet users in the US today--JUST the US, not counting the rest of the world. If just ONE percent of those people in the US believed in an organization of the kind I've described above--one designed to help them help themselves and each other in small, tangible ways--and each of them gave $5 to an organization of that nature just ONE time, that ONE percent of people using the Internet could immediately generate a pool of about $8.4 MILLION.
Invested in CDs at 6.5%, that $8.4 Million is worth $45,000 per month, FOREVER--without EVER touching the principal, and if nobody ever gave another NICKEL to that organization.
In real terms, that means that an organization like the one I'm describing above could help about 225 INDIVIDUAL people a month to the tune of about $200 each. That's a lot of people who need help who wouldn't get it otherwise.
And that's with just ONE organization of this type. What if there were TEN organizations like this? Or 100?
Face it folks, a little goes a long way. Check out http://www.modestneeds.org/
12 Tips for
Making Small Talk
A study at the Stanford University School of Business tracked a group of
MBAs 10 years after they graduated. The result? Grade point averages had
no bearing on their success -- but their ability to converse with others
did.
Being able to connect with others through small talk can lead to big
things, according to Debra Fine, author of 'The Fine Art of Small Talk.'
A former engineer, Fine recalls being so uncomfortable at networking
events that she would hide in the restroom. Now a professional speaker,
Fine says the ability to connect with people through small talk is an
acquired skill.
Fine and her fellow authorities on schmoozing offer the following tips
for starting -- and ending -- conversations:
1. As you prepare for a function, come up with three things to talk
about as well as four generic questions that will get others talking. If
you've met the host before, try to remember things about her, such as
her passion for a sport or a charity you're both involved in.
2. Be the first to say "hello." If you're not sure the other person will
remember you, offer your name to ease the pressure. For example,
"Charles Bartlett? Lynn Schmidt... good to see you again." Smile first
and always shake hands when you meet someone.
3. Take your time during introductions. Make an extra effort to remember
names and use them frequently.
4. Get the other person talking by leading with a common ground
statement regarding the event or location and then asking a related
open-ended question. For example, "Attendance looks higher than last
year, how long have you been coming to these conventions?" You can also
ask them about their trip in or how they know the host.
5. Stay focused on your conversational partner by actively listening and
giving feedback. Maintain eye contact. Never glance around the room
while they are talking to you.
6. Listen more than you talk.
7. Have something interesting to contribute. Keeping abreast of current
events and culture will provide you with great conversation builders,
leading with "What do you think of...?" Have you heard...?" What is your
take on...?" Stay away from negative or controversial topics, and
refrain from long-winded stories or giving a lot of detail in casual
conversation.
8. If there are people you especially want to meet, one of the best ways
to approach them is to be introduced by someone they respect. Ask a
mutual friend to do the honors.
9. If someone hands you a business card, accept it as a gift. Hold it in
both hands and take a moment to read what is written on it. When you're
done, put it away in a shirt pocket, purse or wallet to show it is
valued.
10. Watch your body language. People who look ill at ease make others
uncomfortable. Act confident and comfortable, even when you're not.
11. Before entering into a conversation that's already in progress,
observe and listen. You don't want to squash the dynamics with an
unsuited or ill-timed remark.
12. Have a few exit lines ready, so that you can both gracefully move
on. For example, "I need to check in with a client over there," "I
skipped lunch today, so I need to visit the buffet," or you can offer to
refresh their drink.
When should you exit a conversation? According to Susan RoAne, author
and speaker known as the "Mingling Maven," your objective in all
encounters should be to make a good impression and leave people wanting
more. To do that, she advises: "Be bright. Be brief. Be gone."
Debra Fine is an author, speaker and founder of The Fine Art of Small
Talk, a company focused on teaching professionals conversational skills
for use at networking events, conventions and clients. For more
information about Debra and her work, visit
www.debrafine.com.
Susan RoAne, is the nation's most widely published networking expert.
Her books include 'How to Work a Room;' 'The Secrets of Savvy
Networking;' 'What Do I Say Next?' and 'How to Create Your Own Luck.' To
learn more about the art of Susan and get more pointers on schmoozing,
go to
http://www.susanroane.com/.
CareerBuilder.com
Primary mission is the prevent HIV infection. Seeks prevention methods such as a vaccine, improved treatments and ultimately a cure. Delivers comprehensive clinical trial and treatment information to patients and physicians.
The leading non profit, nonsectarian voluntary organization providing relief, protection and resettlement services for refugees and victims of oppression or violent conflict. Provides resettlement assistance, global emergency relief, rehabilitation and advocacy for refugees. Seeks to have volunteer doctors and emergency supplies in the air within 24 hours of a refugee crisis because it is in the first few weeks of a large scale population movement that overwhelming deaths occur.
Works to defend the legal rights being denied to Native peoples. Is currently representing over 500,000 individual Indian Money trust beneficiaries against the Department of the Interior and the Department of Treasury. Works with tribal governments to reform the education of Indian children on reservations. Works to protect the natural environments of Indian reservations, to ensure police protection in Alaska's Native villages, to protect aboriginal hunting and fishing subsistence rights. of related interest; www.freepeltier.org
Founded to protect children and their mothers in the wake of WWII. Ships clean water, syringes, vaccines, water filters, food, soap, blankets, radio equipment, tents, pit latrine covers, and other emergency supplies to disaster areas. Works to prevent outbreaks of diarrhea, cholera, malaria, measles, meningitis. Creates emergency field schools so that children's educations will not be interrupted. Is working to eradicate neonatal and maternal tetanus world wide.
