Think back to the Humanitarian Quadrants™, many of times people will say to me “I volunteered this weekend and I made a difference.” I will in turn reply, “While it was very nice, and probably well intentioned, you did not make a difference.” Volunteering as well as Donating are on the left side of the Humanitarian Quadrants ™ . The left side of the quadrants does not make social change only the right side does. Let me explain: Social Entrepreneurs and Philanthropist are truly making the social change, you working in their system helps them to accomplish their social change.
Volunteers and donors have no control in the social arena, especially when trying to make a difference. Think back to 911, the Red Cross was responsible for collecting millions of dollars for the incident. What happened? The Red Cross received to many donations, more than enough to support the disaster of 911 so they redistributed to money, while they did catch some heat, they were never truly punished for not informing the donors. Why? Because it is the social entrepreneurs and philanthropist that make all the decisions for the Red Cross. They are the people in control of who, what, when, where, why, and how. Social changes are made by these decision makers. The donors and volunteers are only pawn in their strategic moves.
If you want to make a big difference you must begin to think like a philanthropist, or social entrepreneur and less like a volunteer. Instead of wasting your time you could be spending your time making a difference.
How do you spend your time?
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