Posted: 13 September 2008 by Kristi

It's been a big few weeks.  I've talked so much, I actually lost my voice yesterday.  The Social Investment Guide has given us a platform to open conversations with people about philanthropy and social investment that are different.  People are sharing their own personal stories.

I've heard hundreds of stories from individuals doing their bit, dreaming and being their vision for change.  I'm inspired because it comes where you don't initially see it or expect it.  Like the very successful businessman I met on Thursday on a plane (this always happens to me) whose philanthropic contribution started with a dollar investment made with a group of businessmen and associates investing together to support the self-determination of a local community in Indonesia. Six years on, he is now very much involved by lending his expertise and coaching to extend the resources within this community to make the vision possible.

There's also the story I heard yesterday about the wealthy group of men who went through Africa and just signed cheques.  Giving freely, without expectation. There's the wonderful gentleman who acts as a mentor on behalf of severely abused and marginalised young men to allow access and navigation within our systems, which presently are inflexible, not catering for these individuals and situations. There's the group of women in Brisbane who are on a yarn drive so they can create more hand made gifts for people in need.  There's the young woman lobbying for change in the non profit sector.  There's the young gun in the bank who sees philanthropy as a key strategy for his life and he is bringing this to his clients.

This is a movement - it does feel really good - and there's definitely something exciting happening.  It's the intention of so many people wanting to make a difference, now it's harnessing that energy and bringing it into being.

But how?  A new friend told me it's as simple as 1 - 2 - 3.  Three simple things a day and we'll be right mate.  I like it, now I have to live it.  Felicity will be happy.  So much easier to have a to-do list with only 3 things on it.

p.s. I'm working on opening the comments option. Sorry to all of you who have asked and I still haven't gotten there.  Will get onto this during the week.