Thursday, September 16, 2010

TOMS SHOES

One for One

One for One

Why Shoes

In 2006, American traveler Blake Mycoskie befriended children in Argentina and found they had no shoes to protect their feet. Wanting to help, he created TOMS Shoes, a company that would match every pair of shoes purchased with a pair of new shoes given to a child in need. One for One. Blake returned to Argentina with a group of family, friends and staff later that year with 10,000 pairs of shoes made possible by TOMS customers.

Why Shoes?


Many children in developing countries grow up barefoot. Whether at play, doing chores or going to school, these children are at risk:

•A leading cause of disease in developing countries is soil-transmitted diseases, which can penetrate the skin through bare feet. Wearing shoes can help prevent these diseases, and the long-term physical and cognitive harm they cause.

•Wearing shoes also prevents feet from getting cuts and sores. Not only are these injuries painful, they also are dangerous when wounds become infected.

•Many times children can't attend school barefoot because shoes are a required part of their uniform. If they don't have shoes, they don't go to school. If they don't receive an education, they don't have the opportunity to realize their potential.
Read More

Giving

TOMS Shoes

During its first year in business, TOMS sold 10,000 pairs of shoes. Blake returned to Argentina the following year with family and friends and gave back to the children who had first inspired him. Thanks to supporters, TOMS is on track to give the One Millionth Pair of new shoes to a child in need this September 2010. TOMS now gives in over 20 countries and works with charitable partners in the field who incorporate shoes into their health, education, hygiene, and community development programs.

TOMS’ giving partners are made up of NGOs, charities, and non-profits already established and working in the countries in which TOMS gives. Their expertise guides TOMS to give new shoes responsibly, making sure there aren’t adverse socioeconomic effects, and to ensure that sustainable giving is possible. Giving shoes to the same children on a regular basis is the idea upon which TOMS was started, and is what truly improves the lives of children and their communities.




http://www.toms.com/wedding-collection

TOMS Is Hiring

TOMS HQ

We are growing and we've got some big shoes to fill! We're currently looking to fill a variety of positions in our Santa Monica, CA headquarters including:

If you're interested in joining the TOMS Family, we'd love to hear from you! Please send your resume, cover letter and salary requirements to
TOMSjobs@TOMS.com



UNICEF

http://www.unicef.org/

UNICEF in the USA

UNICEF Image
© Gregory H. Stemn
Laurence Fishburne -- actor, playwright, director, producer, and U.S. Fund for UNICEF National Ambassador -- joins Liberian schoolchildren during a visit to UNICEF operations in West Africa.

Guided by a commitment to build a world fit for children, the U.S. Fund for UNICEF -- in partnership with individuals, non-governmental organizations, foundations and corporations -- works to advocate for the world’s children, increase awareness among the U.S. public of children’s needs and raise funds in support of UNICEF’s work.

The U.S. Fund for UNICEF was established in 1947 and is the oldest of the 37 national committees that support UNICEF. Since its creation, it has provided more than $1.3 billion in cash and gifts-in-kind to support UNICEF’s worldwide programmes, with special emphasis on immunization, girls’ education, HIV/AIDS, nutrition and emergency relief.

The Fund is based in New York and has chapter offices in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston and Los Angeles, as well as smaller volunteer committees across the country. Staff and supporters are involved in a wide variety of efforts – from the Campaign to Save Mothers and Babies from Tetanus and the sale of UNICEF greeting cards and gifts, to efforts to secure an annual contribution from the U.S. Government to UNICEF.

The annual trademark “Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF” campaign is of special interest to children, parents and educators and provides an opportunity for children in the U.S. to raise funds to help children around the world while learning about the challenges they face. For many youngsters, “Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF” is their first volunteer experience.

The U.S. Fund for UNICEF has an active troupe of National (Goodwill) Ambassadors and Special Representatives -- including Katie Couric, Laurence Fishburne, Edward James Olmos and Sarah Jessica Parker – who play an important role across the United States and around the world. These spokespersons reach out to fans and supporters to raise awareness about UNICEF's lifesaving mission and help keep children's issues under the public spotlight.

Girls laughing in Tamil Nadu, India | Photo © UNICEF/HQ05-0485/Ami Vitale

Humanitarian Relief for Children

Doing whatever it takes to save a child

Working in over 150 countries, UNICEF provides children with health care,clean water, nutrition, education, emergency relief, and more. The U.S. Fund for UNICEF supports UNICEF's humanitarian relief work through fundraising, advocacy, and education in the United States.

Despite extraordinary progress, 22,000 children still die each day from preventable causes. Our mission is to do whatever it takes to make that number zero by giving children the essentials for a safe and healthy childhood.

Join UNICEF's fight for child survival

There are many ways to join UNICEF and save kids' lives—here are a few to consider:

Jobs

The U.S. Fund for UNICEF seeks talented individuals from all backgrounds to join our fight for child survival.

U.S. Fund for UNICEF staff

Our staff are a diverse group of highly capable and committed individuals who bring a wide range of professional experiences, both nonprofit and for-profit, to bear on our mission. We are an equal opportunity organization and our core values—Trust, Respect, Accountability, Innovation, Teamwork and Service—guide us in how we carry out this mission each day.

To search current staff openings, click here.

    Internships at the U.S. Fund for UNICEF

    A limited number of unpaid internship opportunities are available in our New York City National Headquarters for current university students. Interns support the U.S. Fund in a variety of areas including fundraising, marketing, and communications as well as general research and administration. The U.S. Fund for UNICEF does not have overseas internships nor does it provide financial support for interns. All successful applicants are expected to make their own arrangements for travel, lodging and living expenses during the internship period.

    The U.S. Fund recruits interns on an as needed basis; however the majority of opportunities generally coincide with the Fall, Spring and Summer semester university calendar.

    To search current internship openings, click here.

    Volunteering for the U.S. Fund for UNICEF

    Volunteers for U.S. Fund for UNICEF educate, advocate and fundraise for UNICEF in the United States. Click here for more information or to register online.

    UNICEF does not deploy volunteers to the field but participates in the United Nations Volunteer Program. For more information, visit unv.org.

    A mother and child in VietNam | Photo © UNICEF/HQ99-0826/Roger LeMoyne

    10351 Santa Monica Boulevard, Suite 402
    Los Angeles, CA 90025
    310.277.7608
    310.277.2757 (fax)

    STAFF | RECENT EVENTS | VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
    BOARD OF DIRECTORS

    Staff

    Anne Kelly, Director
    Amber Hill, Major Gifts Officer
    Miesha Cowart, Development Coordinator

    The Southern California Regional Office is grateful for the support of its local Board of Directors and an army of volunteers.


    Give Kids the World- Disney

    http://www.gktw.org/

    Our Mission
    Mission

    Give Kids The World is a non-profit organization that exists only to fulfill the wishes of all children with life-threatening illnesses and their families from around the world to experience a memorable, joyful, cost-free visit to the Central Florida attractions, and to enjoy the magic of Give Kids The World Village for as long as there is a need.

    100,000 children have had their dream come true at Give Kids The World. No child in need has ever been turned away – and no child ever will. Give Kids The World is a place where families find joy, laughter, serenity, and a lifetime of memories. Through the tireless support of our volunteers, employees and generous partners, we dedicate each and every day to these special families.

    Give Kids The World is a 51-acre resort for children with life-threatening illnesses who wish to visit Walt Disney World and other Central Florida attractions.

    This castle includes a grandfather clock that snores, a wishing well that burps and a talking suit of armor. There is also the Fe-Fi-Fo-Fun Arcade that provides hours of cost-free fun.

    Henri Landwirth, still active today in the Central Florida hotel industry, had offered accommodations to a young girl suffering from leukemia and her family at his establishment. However, he was deeply saddened to learn that time had proved the enemy in the race to finalize a multitude of arrangements for the trip. The girl died without experiencing her wish.

    Henri and two staff members began arranging wish vacations out of a converted store room in one of his hotels. He named this fledgling organization after its mission, "Give Kids The World," because that is what he intended to do.

    Soon major corporations committed to providing many of the services families would require for their stay, but the number of requests was quickly outgrowing the lodging that the local hotel industry could provide. In addition, the hotels at the time were not equipped to deal with the unique needs of families with ill children.

    Henri called upon friends from the early days of his career as a hotel manager in Cocoa Beach and Give Kids The World Village opened its gates to welcome its first families in early 1989. His friends answered his call and his vision soon became a reality.

    Today, the Village features 96-villas, a whimsical restaurant, magical play area, an ice cream palace, a movie theatre, an interactive water park, a fishing pond and even a peaceful chapel. Each year, the Village welcomes families from communities in all 50 states and from more than 47 countries.

    How You Can Help:

    Donate on-line!
    If you are interested in helping Give Kids The World through your
    financial support please
    click here!

    Or you may also write to:

    Give Kids The World at:
    210 South Bass Road Kissimmee, Florida 34746
    Phone: (407) 396-1114
    Fax: (407) 396-1207

    Purchase a Paving Stone
    To ensure the organization will always be able to meet the needs of children who have life-threatening illnesses, Give Kids The World Foundation has established an endowment fund. You can help the foundation reach its goal by purchasing a paver on the Avenue of Angels, located within the courtyard
    of the Village.

    For a $200 contribution you can become part of the Avenue of Angels and have a paving stone inscribed with your name or the name of a person you wish to honor.

    Send an email to: joanr@gktw.org and you will be sent an order form.

    Give Kids the World has a web site at: www.gktw.com

    Child-sized tables decorated with 27,000 real peppermint candies,
    Gingerbread House Restaurant

    Employment

    Working at Give Kids The World is not merely a job, it is an opportunity; an opportunity to find a challenging, rewarding career while making a difference in the lives of the very special families it serves. As a testament to our incredible work environment, we are thrilled to have been named among the Orlando Sentinel Top 100 Companies for Working Families in Central Florida. Give Kids The World offers competitive salaries, flexible schedules, compensated benefits and paid vacation.

    If you are looking to join a family whose mission is to inspire hope, create magical memories, and celebrate life, then please contact Give Kids The World to see how you can use your talents, skills and heart to bring joy into the lives of children battling a life-threatening illness.

    TED: Technology, Entertainment, Design.

    http://www.ted.com/pages/view/id/5 The following post contains material from the TED website.

    TED is a small nonprofit devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. It started out (in 1984) as a conference bringing together people from three worlds: Technology, Entertainment, Design. Since then its scope has become ever broader. Along with two annual conferences -- the TED Conference in Long Beach and Palm Springs each spring, and the TEDGlobal conference in Oxford UK each summer -- TED includes the award-winning TEDTalks video site, the Open Translation Project and Open TV Project, the inspiring TED Fellows and TEDx programs, and the annual TED Prize.

    Our mission: Spreading ideas.

    We believe passionately in the power of ideas to change attitudes, lives and ultimately, the world. So we're building here a clearinghouse that offers free knowledge and inspiration from the world's most inspired thinkers, and also a community of curious souls to engage with ideas and each other. This site, launched April 2007, is an ever-evolving work in progress, and you're an important part of it. Have an idea? We want tohear from you.

    The TED Fellows helps world-changing innovators from around the globe become part of the TED community and, with its help, amplify the impact of their remarkable projects and activities. TED Fellows, TEDGlobal Fellows, and TED Senior Fellows are drawn from many disciplines that reflect the diversity of TED's members: technology, entertainment, design, the sciences, the humanities, the arts, NGOs, business and more.


    The TED Prize is designed to leverage the TED Community's exceptional array of talent and resources. It is awarded annually to an exceptional individual who receives $100,000 and, much more important, the granting of "One Wish to Change the World." After several months of preparation, the wish is unveiled at an award ceremony held during the TED Conference. Over the life of the prize, wishes have led to collaborative initiatives with far-reaching impact.

    TEDTalks began as a simple attempt to share what happens at TED with the world. Under the moniker "ideas worth spreading," talks were released online. They rapidly attracted a global audience in the millions. Indeed, the reaction was so enthusiastic that the entire TED website has been reengineered around TEDTalks, with the goal of giving everyone on-demand access to the world's most inspiring voices.


    Interested in interning at TED?

    We're always interested in seeing resumes from prospective interns. To intern with us, you must be:
    + a college senior or above
    + able to work in our Manhattan office for at least 20 hours per week in 5-hour blocks

    Internships are available in many departments, and we rely on your cover letter and resume to figure out where to place you. So be specific about your skills, experience and interests. Also be specific about when you would like to work -- if you can start anytime, or if you can work during a particular semester. Internships are paid, or college credit can be arranged with your advisor. Send resumes to jobs@ted.com with the subject line INTERNSHIP.

    Who can translate for TED

    Language skill: No formal language training is required to translate for TED. But we do ask that all translators be fluently bilingual. It's essential that your language skills enable you to translate not only the words of speakers, but the tone, style, personality and of course -- underlying meaning.

    Time commitment: We don’t require an advance commitment, in terms of speed or number of talks translated. You’re welcome to translate just a single, favorite talk! But we do require each volunteer to translate an entire talk (partial translations aren’t useful to us), and to complete each translation within a month of when it was assigned.

    Collaboration: To ensure quality, we require a second pair of eyes on each translation. Pairs can work together, or we can assign a reviewer. In either case, the translator and reviewer are expected to confer with each other on any changes, and respectfully navigate any disagreements that may arise.

    How translating for TED works

    Our system makes it relatively simple to translate talks. We provide an authoritative English transcript, tips for effective translation and a simple online interface for line-by-line translation of subtitles.

    You can request to translate or review a talk using our Translator Talk Finder, and will receive an email from us once it’s been assigned to you, pointing you toward the online interface for subtitling. (This will be on the site of our technology partner, dotSUB.) When you’re done with a translation, you’ll click “I’m finished” to let us know that’s it’s ready for review.

    Before publishing your translation on TED.com, we will have another translator review it. We encourage you to work together to ensure everyone is satisfied with the quality of the translation.

    Getting credit for your work

    This is a volunteer effort, so we don't pay translators for their contributions (similarly, TED speakers aren't paid to present). But we place a tremendous priority on crediting translators for their work.

    All translators and reviewers will be credited on the web page for a talk they've translated. So, for example, if you translate or review the Italian translation for Karen Armstrong's talk, your name will appear on that web page when someone is watching the Italian translation (e.g., "Italian translation by Marco Federighi and Bruno Giussani.") The first name indicates the primary translator, and the second indicates the reviewer.

    All translators and reviewers will be listed on our TED Translators page, as well as the index page for their individual languages.

    All translators and reviewers will have a special page on their TED member profile, listing their translations

    But most important, every translator will be taking part in our global effort to spread ideas and engage in a global dialogue. We know from our current translators that there's a huge satisfaction in bringing inspired talks to speakers of their own language worldwide.

    Wednesday, September 15, 2010

    Peace Corps

    http://www.peacecorps.gov/

    Their slogan is: Life is calling...how far are you willing to go to make a difference. Instead of complaining about the world and letting life just happen to you, go out and "be the change that you want to see in the world." It will definitely give you a perspective on life, happiness, health, family, and SO MANY OTHER THINGS!!!

    I was in the Peace Corps and can personally say that this experience what like nothing else I'd ever experience but at the same time it put to practice EVERYTHING I had ever learned! It is a different experience for everyone...but it is LIFE CHANGING~how big of a change you allow it to make on your life is up to you.

    If it is something you are interested in, don't let the opportunity pass you by! It's never too late, and you are never too old to go on an ADVENTURE OF A LIFETIME!

    You can check out my own experience if you read through my blog: Life is Calling

    Starting a non-profit

    http://managementhelp.org/strt_org/strt_np/strt_np.htm

    Starting Your Nonprofit

    Should You Really Start a New Nonprofit?

    There is a great deal of misunderstanding about the benefits of starting a nonprofit. Particularly in times of a poor or rough economy, people think they can start a nonprofit to quickly generate income. Or, when people see a strong, unmet need in the community, they often focus only on the singular solution to start a new nonprofit. The following article gives a very useful description of the realities of starting yet another new nonprofit.
    New Year's Resolution -- No New Nonprofits Unless ...

    Also see the article:
    Should I Start a For-Profit or a Nonprofit?

    Before starting a nonprofit business, there is some preliminary "business" thinking that you really should do. Doing this thinking now can save you -- and maybe your employees and clients -- a great deal of anguish.
    Preparation for Planning a Business Venture

    What Do You Mean by "Starting a Nonprofit"?

    Get Clear About the Purpose (the Mission) for Your New Organization

    Perhaps the best way to really clarify to yourself what you intend to accomplish by starting a new nonprofit is to write a basic mission statement for your organization. You'll soon need this mission statement anyway if you plan to incorporate your nonprofit (more about incorporation a little later on). The following guidelines may be helpful to you when writing your first, basic mission statement.

    1. At is most basic, the mission statement describes the overall purpose of the organization. It addresses the question "Why does the organization exist?"

    2. The statement can be in a wide variety of formats and lengths, ranging from a few sentences to a few pages. At this stage in the development of your nonprofit, it might be best to keep your mission statement to at most about half a page.

    3. When writing the mission statement, try include description of what you think will be the new nonprofit's
    a) primary benefits and services to clients
    b) groups of clients who will benefit from those services
    c) values that will guide how your nonprofit will operate
    d) how you'd like others to view your nonprofit

    4. It's often useful to refine the first, basic mission statement by adding or deleting a sentence or a word from the mission statement until you feel the remaining wording accurately describes the purpose of the new nonprofit organization.

    (You may want to read more about Developing/Updating Mission Statements.)

    Now Think About What Kind of Nonprofit You Want to Start

    The phrase "starting a nonprofit" can mean several things. Read the following very basic information to begin thinking about what you mean when you set out to "start a nonprofit". Keep your mission statement in mind when thinking about each of the following. (There will be more specific guidance later on when you read the next subsection Variety of Checklists to Reference When Formalizing Your New Nonprofit.)

    • You can be a nonprofit organization just by getting together with some friends, eg, to form a self-help group. In this case, you’re an informal nonprofit organization.

    • You can incorporate your nonprofit so it exists as a separate legal organization in order to a) own its own property and its own bank account; b) ensure that the nonprofit can continue on its own (even after you’re gone); and c) protect yourself personally from liability from operations of the nonprofit. You incorporate your nonprofit by filing articles of incorporation (or other charter documents) with the appropriate local state office. (An incorporated nonprofit requires a board of directors.) In Canada, you can file for incorporation at the provincial or Federal levels.

    • If you want your nonprofit (and if you think your nonprofit deserves) to be exempt from federal taxes (and maybe some other taxes, too), you should file with the IRS to be a "tax-exempt" organization. (The IRS states that you must be a corporation, community chest, fund, or foundation to receive tax-exempt status. Articles of association may also be used in place of incorporation.) (Probably the most well known type of nonprofit is a the IRS classification of 501(c)(3), a “charitable nonprofit’.) (Being tax-exempt is not the same as being tax-deductible.) In Canada, you can file for tax-exemption at the provincial and Federal levels.

    • Depending on the nature of your organization, you may also granted tax-deductible status from the IRS. Publication 526 lists the types of organizations to which donations are deductible. In Canada, the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency (CCRA) grants charitable status, and you must be incorporated to achieve charitable status.

    • So, for example, you could start a nonprofit that is incorporated, tax-exempt and eligible to receive tax deductible donations.

    • The particular steps you take when starting your nonprofit depend on your plans for your organization, including the nature of its services. They also depend on how the IRS interprets the nature of your organization, including its services. Again, in Canada, you can file for incorporation and tax-exempt status at the provincial or Federal levels.

    You may want to read more about What is a Nonprofit?.)

    Consider Fiscal Sponsorship to Jump Start Your Organization

    In some cases, you might find and work with another nonprofit organization that will act as your fiscal sponsor. A fiscal sponsor might be useful to you if your nonprofit:
    1) Does not have sufficient resources to handle startup costs and fees
    2) Does not have sufficient skills initially to manage your finances
    3) Will address a community need and then no longer need to exist. See Fiscal Sponsorship -- Help You Get Started?

    Do You Need a Lawyer to Start Your Nonprofit?

    You Can Do Much of the Work Yourself -- But Get Legal Advice and Guidance

    You can do much of the work yourself to get incorporated and/or tax-exemption and/or tax-deductibility, but you should have some basic guidance and advice from a lawyer who understands nonprofit matters. For example, in the USA, it's very important how you characterize your plans when filing for incorporation with your state and/or for tax-exemption and/or tax-deductibility with the IRS -- otherwise, your new organization may be deemed a for-profit or you may have to pay federal taxes (among other taxes) on your income. In addition, there are various reports and filings you may have to submit. A nonprofit-knowledgeable lawyer can help you a great deal. Ask other nonprofits for references to good lawyers. Ask a local funder. Call the local bar association.The following link might also help you. See Getting and Using a Lawyer

    Nonprofit Incubators

    Business incubators are usually facilities that help businesses share resources as low-cost means to getting started. You may have a nonprofit incubator in your community. Contact the local office of the National Council of Nonprofit Associations to find out. The following links will give you an overview of business incubators.
    Business Incubation FAQ


    The following table depicts the important steps required to register your new nonprofit. These steps are also mentioned across many of the checklists referenced above. These steps also assume that you chose not to seek Fiscal Sponsorship.

    activity

    comment

    for help
    draft mission statementdraft a brief mission statement that describes the charitable purpose of your new organization; your board should soon review it during strategic planning and authorize the statement

    here
    recruit board members(if you plan to incorporate in your state) recruit at least enough board members to meet state requirements for a corporate board (contact state attorney's office); if you don't plan to incorporate, consider an informal advisory board to help guide you

    here
    get a lawyerto help you file articles of incorporation (if you plan to incorporate), application to IRS for tax-exemption (if you plan to seek exemption from federal taxes); you can do most of the work yourself, but at least have a lawyer review the materials before submission; will eventually need special expertise to review personnel policies

    here
    get banker and bank accountget a bank account; seek bank that understands needs of new, small nonprofit

    here
    get accountantget an accountant or other finance expert to help you set up basic bookkeeping system; when you get a board treasurer, then he/she can be very helpful in this regard

    here
    get insurance agentyou may need liability insurance, property insurance, and when you hire staff: worker's compensation, health and life insurance benefits, etc.

    here
    draft articles of incorporation and get board approvalthese specify legal description of your organization and power to the board; you'll need to draft these only if you plan to file for incorporation with your state; the Board should approve the Articles before submission

    here
    draft bylaws and get board approvalthese specify how the board will operate and configure the staff; some states require these; some of this information will be in the Articles if you file Articles; the board should approve the bylaws

    here
    file for incorporation with stateregister for incorporation including submitting your drafted and approved Articles (if you plan to incorporate); may need to submit bylaws, too; also find out what various reports the state wants from nonprofitssecretary of state or secretary of commerce
    file for federal tax-exempt with IRSapply for tax-exempt status (to be exempt from paying federal taxes); board should approve this filing before submission;

    here
    get state tax exemption from stateonce you get IRS exemption, file for any state tax exemptionsstate attorney, attorney general or secretary of commerce
    get property tax exemption from cityonce you get IRS exemption, file for any state tax exemptionslocal city tax assessor
    get solicitation licenseif you plan to solicit funds, your city may require a solicitation licenselocal city offices
    get mail permitthis permit gives you a discount on bulk mailingslocal post office
    get federal employer number(do this once you start to hire employees) get federal employer number to withhold income and FICA (once you hire employees)secretary of state, secretary of commerce
    get unemployment insurance req'sdo this once you start to hire employeessecretary of state, secretary of commerce

    List of Non-profits in or near Austin