Starfish Circle

Calling all philanthropists!

If you have been working in the non-profit sector for any amount of time, you probably have seen a million and one companies that have come through with ideas to revolutionize the way fundraising happens. Often they are from MBA teams that have limited experience in the sector, or more over, groups looking for ways to make money off of agencies with limited returns.

The San Jose Mercury wrote about a new company, Bring Light, that is currently in beta. You can check out the full article here. While they are just starting out, I think they have great potential. A solid team and financial support, this seems like a service worth the effort for organizations and a great resource for donors! I especially appreciate that they are local to Silicon Valley an feature some of my favorite organizations. It also allows you to nominate organizations that should be listed. This is great for a small, grass roots organization.

Check it out and let me know what you think!

Asian American Politics Upfront

A few weeks ago at a vigil organized by PACT, San Jose Councilmember Madison Nguyen spoke to why she stood for immigration reform. This well organized effort, involved multiple elected officials, youth and parents who spoke about why they supported the march’s sentiments. Yet Councilwoman Nguyen’s comments had folks in tears. As a Filipina-American, I felt proud to have her at the podium and representing San Jose. Madison has become a rock star of sorts nationally for being one of youngest and few Asian Pacific Islander elected officials. What struck me about her was how she spoke with rare authenticity.

The immigration debate has often been painted with a “brown” face, focused primarily on immigration from Mexico. But Councilmember Madison’s presence was a reminder that people immigrate for many reasons and in many different circumstances. She talked about how her family had fled Vietnam, how they started over with nothing and how difficult it is for families to be separated. Her story was probably more typical than atypical of first generation immigrant families and their attempt to find the American dream.

This Thursday, Stanford University is hosting a panel on Asian Americans in politics.
What is interesting is that it features elected representative from throughout many levels of government in the Bay Area.

According to statistics from the US Census and from APIAVote.org between 1990 and 2000, the Asian American population grew by 48.3 percent, more than three times the growth rate of 13.2 percent for the total national population. The increase in social awareness, combined with strength in numbers, has changed the political scene in many states. Even though Asian Americans make up just 4 percent of the U.S. population, in a close race, whose result is decided by a small margin, Asian Americans can play an important role.

Check out the panel at Stanford on Thursday – meet Madison and others share their trials and tribulations. Political agendas aside, go and be inspired by our shared stories and listen to what they hope to contribute to ensure that all can have the “American Dream”.

Details:
Defying Expectations Asian-Americans Breaking Into the Political Scene

a panel led by Professor Luis Fraga
featuring

Senator Leland Y. Yee, District 8, Assemblymember Fiona Ma, 12th Assembly District
Councilmember Mike Guingona, Daly City
Councilmember Madison Nguyen, San Jose
Councilmember JoAnne Del Rosario, Colma

Thursday, May 24
7 PM
Stanford University, Tresidder Oak Lounge
brought to you by Okada Asian-American Theme House and Asian American Student Association
On Campus Map
Download PolticiansPanel.pdf

Blast Off

Welcome to “ Starfish Circle” - my personal addition to the blogosphere. What is it all about and what does it all mean?  There are two separate stories that inspired the name “ Starfish Circle” -one that is a tale many in the non-profit sector have heard many times and the other hails from a B-school book I stumbled upon. 

First, there is a story about a young person who spent his entire morning throwing back beached starfish into the ocean.  He was stopped by an old man who said, "Why are you wasting your time? There are too many of them, you can't possibly make a difference."  The smart, young boy threw another starfish back into the ocean and replied. "I suppose, but I made a difference to that one." 

It is my hope that this blog will showcase some of Silicon Valley's most innovative non profit organizations and what is happening in the Valley as it pertains to community development, youth development and issues that affect the community I live, work, and raise my children in.  I will highlight the latest technology tools and potential applications for agencies big and small.  I also plan to feature interviews with some of the Valley’s non-profit and community leaders, hoping to share some insight on what it takes to survive and thrive in a local community based organization

The second bit of inspiration came from a book I recently read, The Starfish and the Spider by Ori Brafman and Rod A. Beckstrom.  It is about the unstoppable power of leaderless organizations. – Huh?  In this day and age, when so much is focused on individual leaders; I found this book refreshing as it focuses on how to harness the power of leadership on many levels.  The book describes that if one were to break a spider’s leg or smash its head in (ugh sorry for that image), the animal would die immediately.  The starfish, however, is the only animal that actually replicates itself.  When it is cut in half, the starfish regenerates itself into two new starfish.  Brafman and Beckstrom identify many corporate and social movement examples of both types of organizations from EBay to General Motors.  Its applications in the non profit world are limitless.

I plan to share ideas from the best and brightest on the web and locally.  These tips are yours to make your own. In true Starfish fashion, I hope will be useful to you and help you make a difference in your own communities.  Respond back and let me know what you think and how you applied some of these or tell me that these absolutely did not make sense for the sector.  Change happens in circles, right? Someone has to put out the idea, try it and then readjust with feedback. 

My goal is to make this space somewhere we can try out ideas and make social change together.