112: Teaching the Spirit of Generosity

"...It is only the spirit of giving that counts, and the very poor give without any self-consciousness..."

This week, I’m reading from Random Reminiscences of Men and Events by John D. Rockefeller, published in 1909.

Reflection question:

• Do you celebrate and promote the generosity of Board members, especially those at the lowest income levels? 

Reflection on quote:

I had a conversation with a colleague on whether the requirement to give to prevents lower income Board members from serving. This is a bit of a soapbox for me and I have some strong feelings. When we assume that lower income Board members can’t give, we are making an assumption that has been easily contradicted for generations.

When we assume that a lower income Board member can’t give and therefore don’t allow them to participate in a Board giving requirement, we are making the decision for the Board member.  We are removing agency from that Board member.  We are asking for their opinions, advice, and expertise as a Board member and at the same time, we in essence don’t believe they have the ability to make giving decisions.  Eek.  That smacks of privilege. Professionally and personally, I believe and wisdom from ages past shows us that the poor can teach us the true spirit of generosity. Lower income Board members have the right to choose whether their passion for the cause extends to giving. Spoiler alert.  If they are giving their time, they will give their money as well.  In a time of abundance and luxuries among most Board members, the lower income Board members can model generosity and the importance of obligations to others on the Board.  

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Music credit: Woeisuhmebop

Transcript

Welcome back. This podcast explores the beautiful space where generosity occurs through ancient and modern writings from all cultures and religions, seeking deeper wisdom for fund development work. If you like this podcast, please rate or review in your favorite podcast app. 

I had a conversation with a colleague on whether the requirement to give to prevents lower income Board members from serving. This is a bit of a soapbox for me and I have some strong feelings. When we assume that lower income Board members can’t give, we are making an assumption that has been easily contradicted for generations.  This week, I’m reading from Random Reminiscences of Men and Events by John D. Rockefeller, published in 1909.

Quote

Probably the most generous people in the world are the very poor, who assume each other's burdens in the crises which come so often to the hard pressed. The mother in the tenement falls ill and the neighbour in the next room assumes her burdens. The father loses his work, and neighbours supply food to his children from their own scanty store. How often one hears of cases where the orphans are taken over and brought up by the poor friend whose benefaction means great additional hardship! This sort of genuine service makes the most princely gift from superabundance look insignificant indeed. The Jews have had for centuries a precept that one-tenth of a man's possessions must be devoted to good works, but even this measure of giving is but a rough yardstick to go by. To give a tenth of one's income is wellnigh an impossibility to some, while to others it means a miserable pittance. If the spirit is there, the matter of proportion is soon lost sight of. It is only the spirit of giving that counts, and the very poor give without any self-consciousness. But I fear that I am dealing with generalities again.

The education of children in my early days may have been straightlaced, yet I have always been thankful that the custom was quite general to teach young people to give systematically of money that they themselves had earned. It is a good thing to lead children to realize early the importance of their obligations to others but, I confess, it is increasingly difficult; for what were luxuries then have become commonplaces now. It should be a greater pleasure and satisfaction to give money for a good cause than to earn it, and I have always indulged the hope that during my life I should be able to help establish efficiency in giving so that wealth may be of greater use to the present and future generations.

Unquote

When we assume that a lower income Board member can’t give and therefore don’t allow them to participate in a Board giving requirement, we are making the decision for the Board member.  We are removing agency from that Board member.  We are asking for their opinions, advice, and expertise as a Board member and at the same time, we in essence don’t believe they have the ability to make giving decisions.  Eek.  That smacks of privilege. Professionally and personally, I believe and wisdom from ages past shows us that the poor can teach us the true spirit of generosity. Lower income Board members have the right to choose whether their passion for the cause extends to giving. Spoiler alert.  If they are giving their time, they will give their money as well.  In a time of abundance and luxuries among most Board members, the lower income Board members can model generosity and the importance of obligations to others on the Board.  

Let’s reflect on a question this week:

Do you celebrate and promote the generosity of Board members, especially those at the lowest income levels?