Mathematics, where art thou...

Week three of our program is when we get to dig into some of the math behind the program.  This is the section that I really enjoy, but completely realize that as a student, math wasn't my thing.  I'm not sure where the switch flipped for me, but it certainly was awhile after I completed my formal education. 

Truth be told, I used to really struggle in math class.  In fact, it was probably my weakest subject, and one that did some damage to my confidence growing up.  From my earliest memories, I've been determined to excel at everything.  I don't do well with others out-performing me.  (That part hasn't changed.)  I think it as about 4th grade when our class was divided into separate groups based on achievement.  This occurred for both math and english/reading.  Smart kids in one group, less smart in the other.  English and reading were never an issue, I did well there.  Math, not so much.  And I longed to be good in math.  Math challenged me all the way through college.  My worst grades we in math! 

The irony - my life is now completely submerged in math.  I rarely do anything without "doing the math."  People call me and hire me to "do the math."  I give advice based on, "the arithmetic says..."  I fully realize that just math does not always prevail in decisions, however, it provides necessary data to improve the odds of a successful decision.  I can only guess that math has always been innate, however, I've never found the actual application of math - what it's good for - until somewhat recently (if the past decade or two can be considered "recent"). 

So, with that, it's always interesting going through the quantitative aspects of philanthropy with students.  I can quickly tell that some are easily on board with the concepts as well as the calculations, some are far from grasping the concepts, but can fill in the forms to get the results, and others are completely lost.  I do my best to recognize each and offer assistance, but I can only hope they will learn that it's okay to ask questions - a valuable lesson in itself; and again, not one I learned until long after high school. 

The neat part about the math of reading a tax return is that's it's relatively simple.  Go to a page, write down a number, go to another page, write down a number, divide them, you have a result.  Getting the output to do the calculation for donations is pretty straightforward.  Understanding the "why" is a little more difficult, but I'm certain a few will grasp it in its entirety. 

If nothing else, I hope these student will be bold enough, and I will be approachable enough for them to reach out with their questions...

As I told them, their ability to "do the math" on an organization will out them in the top quartile (or higher) of any donor considering contributing to a cause.  As I can confirm in working with many philathropic folks, the math does not come naturally; most don't do it. 

Get 'em team! 

My Life in a Brown Paper Bag

Main Street Philanthropy, Week 2! 

My life in a Brown Paper Bag

Week Two of Main Street Philanthropy is always one of my favorites.  This week we led students through the Brown Paper Bag activity.  They were given a small brown paper lunch sack, and asked to bring in three small items that fit in the bag and are a representation of who they are.  People bring the neatest things; what a way to learn about someone!

A few items that stick out in my mind: 

Stuffed Animals: Representing love for animals and a desire to see an end to animal cruelty (might guess the cause selected by this individual!)

Rosary Beads - Representing faith and trust in God

A Charm Bracelet: Multiple charms each representing values of importance and friendships

One entire group all had headphones in their bag!  They all love music and the role it plays in their lives (I can relate to that one!) 

For my brown bag this session I brought in three items important to me:

A CD from our Quartet, Resolved.  This represents my passion for music, and the place I often feel most alive, most connected to God.  Participating in worship is an experience I cannot replace with anything else.  Participating with these three guys (and Sharon on piano!), whether in complex four part chords, in unison, or even in discussion about the central meaning of the music - I feel connected, inspired, home.  There's certainly somthing to the fact that music has deep roots in my family, so there also comes with it a family connection. 

A Piece of the Berlin Wall: I picked this up on a trip to Germany a year or so after the wall came down.  They were selling authentic pieces of the wall, right there by Checkpoint Charlie.  At the time, I don't know that I truly understood the significance.  For me, this item represents the importance of freedom.  Not the simple freedom we think of and take for granted in the United States, but true freedom.  Freedom to make decisions, to succeed, to fail.  It's hard to grasp that some individuals aren't given this basic freedom.  It's hard to imagine the impact this would have on one's general world view and perspective - growing up with the restrictions of being unable to make certain decisions, unable to cross certain borders. I think it's in direct conflict with human nature.  

For the first time in thinking of freedom, I realized that God actually gave each of us ultimate freedom - freedom to accept or deny Him.  Freedom to go alone, or with Him by our side.  Freedom to make our own decisions.  While I often think it would have been much easier if He hadn't, it's this freedom that allows us a genuine relationship with the Creator of the Universe, ideally for eternity!  Pretty cool in my mind. 

A Picture of our Little Family:  There is nothing more special than family.  My wife (who is amazing), and our three kiddos.  There is nothing that can put to words the love a parent has for his/her children.  While they have directly attributed to several of my gray hairs, they are also such an amazing blessing.  There is little more special than the little moments spent in conversation, playing, learning, snuggling. 

In fact, one of the great experiences of this Brown Bag exercise for me was that I had the items with me while driving Maddox (age 5) to school.  I took out the piece of the Berlin Wall and had a wonderful conversation with him about why I'd selected that as an item to share.  He had so many intelligent questions, "Why were the people not allowed to leave?"  "Who kept them there?"  "Why didn't they knock down the wall?"  "Why didn't the guards get them when they eventually did get to knock it down?"  "Why did the guards listen to the people that put up the wall?"   Not easy ones to answer, especially knowing that it's from my perspective that I'm responding.  We even looked up pictures on my phone so he could see what it looked like.  (Technology these days!)  Great conversation, great moment. 

I hope these students are having as much fun and getting as much out of this as I am! 

In week three, we'll dig into the financials of these organizations.  Tax returns, number crunching, formulas and measurable results.  Quantitative analysis...

Cheers, RyP

Here we go in San Diego!!

AAAAnnnnnndddd......   They're off!

This week began week one for Main Street Philanthropy in San Diego at Clairemont High in Alan Walter's junior class of the Academy of Business and Technology (AOBT)!  Week One, in typical fashion has started off with all cylinders firing!!

There's so much to accomplish in this class; in just 55 minutes these bright students joined me in the sprint from background on the program, initial introductions, a history of philanthropy, and the ever impactful MAD (Make A Difference Cards). 

What wonderful insights we heard from a few that shared their passions and concerns - everything from taking care of our war veterans, foster youth, medical and health care, religious freedoms - I can't wait to hear what insights we learn as we continue this journey together. 

Next week is one of my favorite exercises - the Brown Paper Bag.  Time to start thinking about what I'll put into mine!  What are three small items of importance that represent who I am?   Hmmmmm....