During the holiday season, we generally try to be more generous to one another. Our efforts to care about our fellow man seem to be more concerted and we seem to be more aware of those in need. What we don't always see is the way that our disposal of waste during the holidays impacts the world around us.
The holidays are a time of year for giving and being with family. Lots of food, gifts and fellowship. As anyone who has been the host of something like this can tell you, the mess can be intimidating. Even more so, the amount of waste produced has to go somewhere. With families around the country all having events like this, the impact of that waste can be devastating.
The bloat of waste dumping offshore during the quarter following the holidays increases every year. This year make an effort to reduce your waste produced. Recycle and dispose of those batteries that every device uses properly. Give your neighbors across the oceans the gift of a cleaner next year.
Friday, November 20, 2015
Friday, November 13, 2015
Fundraising Basics
In the past, we have touched on the topic of fundraising several times and the benefits and challenges associated with taking on this sort of thing. The reality is that no matter what your cause, raising money for it can be intimidating. How do you ask people for money?
Acting altruistically is the main reason people start a fundraiser. But capitalizing on someone's willingness to donate to your cause can be daunting. In many cases, people don't have the same passion that you do for your cause. This can lead to frustration, and in many cases, abandonment of the project altogether. But don't be discouraged. There are ways to raise money and awareness for your organization and below are some steps to make it easier on you and your potential donors.
First, you have to make it easy on the donor. This seems like common sense but most people fail to understand that someone may not be all that enthusiastic about your cause. Making it easy for them to be a part of it makes it easy for them to feel like they made a difference with little to no effort. Remove the barriers for entry and you will find more people willing to back you.
Second, find something that either costs them nothing or gives them more than what they feel like they paid for. In a world that is inundated with charity organizations, people tend to be spread thin on giving so making them feel like they either got something of value in return or lost nothing in the process makes this easier on them.
Finally, make sure you express your gratitude for their involvement. Following up with people to thank them for their involvement and show how their contribution made a difference is key to retaining them as potential future supporters. Again, it would seem like common sense but many people neglect showing appreciation and this may cause more churn in your support than is necessary.
These simple steps can make all the difference in reaching a goal and the frustration of failure.
Acting altruistically is the main reason people start a fundraiser. But capitalizing on someone's willingness to donate to your cause can be daunting. In many cases, people don't have the same passion that you do for your cause. This can lead to frustration, and in many cases, abandonment of the project altogether. But don't be discouraged. There are ways to raise money and awareness for your organization and below are some steps to make it easier on you and your potential donors.
First, you have to make it easy on the donor. This seems like common sense but most people fail to understand that someone may not be all that enthusiastic about your cause. Making it easy for them to be a part of it makes it easy for them to feel like they made a difference with little to no effort. Remove the barriers for entry and you will find more people willing to back you.
Second, find something that either costs them nothing or gives them more than what they feel like they paid for. In a world that is inundated with charity organizations, people tend to be spread thin on giving so making them feel like they either got something of value in return or lost nothing in the process makes this easier on them.
Finally, make sure you express your gratitude for their involvement. Following up with people to thank them for their involvement and show how their contribution made a difference is key to retaining them as potential future supporters. Again, it would seem like common sense but many people neglect showing appreciation and this may cause more churn in your support than is necessary.
These simple steps can make all the difference in reaching a goal and the frustration of failure.
Friday, November 6, 2015
End of the Line
Most people think of the end of a phone's life as the day you replace it. The truth is the end of life for most devices is much further along. The majority end up in either landfills or get shipped overseas to underdeveloped nations.
In reality, there is a dark and toxic end to most of these stories. In most cases, a device will end up rusted, corroding, and seeping chemicals into water supplies and soil. This can go on for years and ruins farmland, drinking water and in some cases, the atmosphere in the surrounding area.
Are you directly responsible for this? No. To blame every person individually for something that is out of their control is ludicrous. But can you help stop this? Absolutely.
By preventing the device from making it to the dump you can prevent this. Reclaiming used devices through sites like Pandabit can slow and even stop this form of pollution. Even if you don't use us, Use something similar. Help make a difference.
In reality, there is a dark and toxic end to most of these stories. In most cases, a device will end up rusted, corroding, and seeping chemicals into water supplies and soil. This can go on for years and ruins farmland, drinking water and in some cases, the atmosphere in the surrounding area.
Are you directly responsible for this? No. To blame every person individually for something that is out of their control is ludicrous. But can you help stop this? Absolutely.
By preventing the device from making it to the dump you can prevent this. Reclaiming used devices through sites like Pandabit can slow and even stop this form of pollution. Even if you don't use us, Use something similar. Help make a difference.
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