Guest Writer Steve Schlesinger…The Time For Giving Something Back Might Be Right Now
I can still remember the dinner conversations growing up and my father instilling the message into our heads. You need to give back to your community. It is not only about your money, it is also about your time and your commitment. Devote at least 10% of your yearly income and more important, devote at least that amount or more of your time. He lived these thoughts and truly believed in acts of charity and kindness. I can still hear his message echoing in my head.
A little over a month ago, I had my first experience in a charity race. Although I have participated in many charity events, this was my first actual race to raise money for a charity. It was a regional 5K Race for the Cure for Susan G. Komen. I have to tell you that it was one of the most moving charitable opportunities that I have been a part of. To be in a pack with over 7,000 people, who all shared the same goal of raising money for a very worthy cause was very powerful. To see the energy and commitment that went into organizing this event was incredible. To see the camaraderie of the survivors and hear their stories was unbelievably moving. To add to this, I was able to share this event with my 2 kids, who ran with me.
Here are some of the details of the race. Yes, I finished it and just under 30 minutes. I ran a good portion of the race shoulder to shoulder with Governor Jon Corzine (NJ), passing him with about 1 mile to go. I did beat my two kids — barely. The event rose over $1,000,000 — incredible indeed. I was really touched by all the friends and family who donated on my behalf. The amazing thing was the number of people who donated, not so much the amount they donated. I so appreciated this support.
As a family, we have done many charitable events together — Relay for Life (American Cancer Society), working in soup kitchens, park clean-ups, etc. As they become adults, I hope my two kids have that same message echoing in their heads just like I do. And with a little luck they will instill that same feeling to their children.
As I continue to instill this message to my kids, I am looking for other types of charitable experiences.
- Please share some of your experiences and what they have meant to you.
- Should we in the marketing research industry, specifically MRA, find a worthy charitable cause to raise money for?
- Corporate charitable giving is also a passion of mine — are there any interesting corporate charity events that you have participated in and what were those experiences like for those that participated?
Merrill, thanks for allowing me to guest blog and I look forward to the comments.
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Steve Schlesinger is CEO of Schlesinger Associates, a global data collection company specializing in qualitative research, with 14 offices in the US and 2 in the UK. He has also served for the past 7 years on the board of the MRA, currently serving as the secretary. He is an active member of AMA, CASRO, CMOR, ESOMAR and PMRG. He also serves on the board of trustees of the Overlook Hospital Foundation.
July 7th, 2008 at 10:28 am
I agree with you a 100% Steve, my parents raised me the exact same way!
Giving my time both locally in the Philadelphia area at Inglis House (www.inglis.org) as a candy-stripper and board member as well as with other local and national charities through walks/runs, balls and fundraisers plus internationally has changed my life.
Working with parapeligics and quadrapegics at Inglis House and malnurished kids in India really puts things in perspective. Live every moment to the fullest and share you time and love with those that need you.
July 7th, 2008 at 10:51 am
Good for you Steve. I think it’s one thing to give money to charity, but when you are able to actually give of yourself, the meaning certainly goes deeper.
I really like the idea of the MRA getting involved in a charity. What if two or three national ones were selected and then sent to the members to pick one. I think it should be a two year selection. Then, all across America members of the MRA can either join in or give to. Not only will be it be good for the soul of each MRA member, it will show the Corporate world that the MRA cares about our society. It could also be a way of sending a message to “john doe America” about what it is that we do and why they should participate in the studies we conduct. We may even want to ensure we pick a charity that someone in the MRA has done significant work for. The media coverage could be great for both causes.
Those are my two cents.
I’m proud of everyone that gives of their time and physical resources as well as money.
Connie
July 7th, 2008 at 11:12 am
Steve,
I commend your commitment to great causes! I think giving back is so important and try to work as much into my own schedule. It’s important in our personal lives - and in our work lives.
At Lightspeed we launched “Bigger Than Lightspeed” and each year we select a charity that means something to all of us globally. This past year’s cause was Children (very broad) and we had fun with work-related spelling bee competitions, slumber parties (pay to have someone wear something silly!) and other office fun. The best part was doing something fun together based on something bigger than the work we do everyday.
Keep up the great work!
Anne
July 7th, 2008 at 11:25 am
Thanks for sharing your experience, Steve! I agree wholeheartedly that actions mean so much more than words or just sending money. It shows those involved in the charities, and more importantly, those directly afflicted, that we really do care. I am so grateful for my life, health, and the good experiences that I have had, that I see it only fit to to share and volunteer for worthy causes whenever I can. I have been involved with helping car accident victims, who have lost the will to live and spoken to them about the experience that I had when I had my accident and how life can be so precious. I have volunteered at the YMCA to tutor students in English/Spanish, helped out with the homeless, & counseled people in despair simply by listening and sharing. Taking on these efforts not only helps the those in need, it also shows how thankful we all should be in our own lives.
Ginger
July 7th, 2008 at 11:40 am
Steve, thanks for sharing your experience and how you incorporate ‘giving back’ into the way you live and raise your children. I’m sure it is no surprise to any of us who have been MRA members with your Mom, Debbie and you through the years, since you have all made time to continuously volunteer and contribute to our professional association. I did the Susan G. Komen 3 day, 60 mile walk and was not only amazed at the number of men and women who walked, but the incredible dedication of the road crews who would work endlessly to provide rest stops, safe routes, meals, entertainment and set up tents for the walkers. The walk itself was not difficult, nor raising way beyond my goal in donations because of the incredible generosity of friends and family, what was difficult was dealing with the overwhelming emotions conjured up by hearing the stories from people I walked with; daughters, mothers, sisters, husbands, etc., walking in memory of their loved ones who had lost the fight. It was also unbelievable to me how many survivors and their families would say ‘thank you for walking’ when I felt I was doing such a small thing. It was shortly after I did that walk that my son decided to start Hope Wine and donate 50% of the profits to various charities.
July 7th, 2008 at 1:09 pm
Steve,
I know that you have a very big heart and that you are a generous person. You always give above and beyond. You are a great inspiration to us all. This blog topic was perfect for you!!
Giving always feels so much better than receiving.
Cancer has stricken many people I love and care for. I am a supporter of the American Cancer Society and participate in many of their walks and benefits.
I love this proverb…
“If you have much, give of your wealth; If you have little, give of your heart”
Colleen
July 10th, 2008 at 3:42 pm
Steve,
Congratulations on running and completing the Race. The Race for the Cure is an enormously worthwhile cause. I have run the Race in the past in honor of a close friend’s mother who passed away of cancer. When you participate in an event like that you do so obviously to help the cause, but what you don’t realize is what you get in return. The amount of energy you put into helping others is returned to you ten-fold. You begin to become less self absorbed. You stop focusing on the things you don’t have and realize how fortunate you are for what you do have. You feel as though you are part of something much bigger than yourself; that your efforts can make a difference and you become a much better person for your participation.
As for corporations, I fully believe in their social responsibility to give back to their communities; which is why I head up M/A/R/C’s philanthropic efforts. At M/A/R/C we feel our efforts can have the greatest impact at the local level and as such we are supporting several local charities this year. We are in the process of formalizing a partnership with a local elementary school to provide much needed class room assistance and financial support in the form of donating uniforms, supplies and books. We are collecting donations for the local SPCA, food for local food banks and adopting families in the Adopt-a-Family program. The national charities are not left out though. In May, employees from our Greensboro office ran the Winston-Salem Race for the Cure raising nearly $500 for the cause and plans are being made to participate in the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Walk later this year. All these activities have a great impact on our local communities, but they also have a great impact on our work environment at M/A/R/C with employees who know they are making a difference.
July 14th, 2008 at 2:14 pm
What an awesome example of leadership at its best, Steve! You truly are inspiring. So glad you shared your story and personal mission(s) and invited us to share ours.
My son was part of a pilot program with his middle school classroom and the B&G Club last year. His class is made up of kids with learning and/or behavioral disabilities who just don’t thrive in a typical classroom setting. The High 5 Adventure Learning program worked wonders for these kids, and no one wanted to see it end. So, in comes Nancy ready to apply what I’ve learned from my friends, colleagues, and clients in the MRA over the years–I just GOT PEOPLE AROUND A TABLE! Obviously, I learned a bit about recruiting, too, as we had the RIGHT people at the table. (Not bad for a transcription company owner, huh? See, I do pay attention once in a while…)
Just two meetings, three weeks, and a mere $1000 in seed money later, we rolled out Friday Night Friends just this past week! I’ve been busy today responding to all positive feedback, as my company provided those initial dolllars. FNF is a family fun night targeted but not limited to kids with autism/Asperger’s/PPDs and aimed at teaching and enhancing social skills. Activities are built around an Adventure Learning model: http://www.high5adventure.org/about/index.html.
Everyone involved in that planning/design team shared a goal to build community and a sense of place for these kids and their families. It’s a broad category since IEPs are given to children with needs that range from simple speech impediments to severe cerebral palsy and everything in between. With privacy issues and other barriers involved, we knew this was a difficult group to target. Understanding this from the outset, it was agreed to grow the group organically and keep our expectations very low.
Well, Friday Night Friends was an amazing success by any measure! We had 30 people from 9 different families, and all the kids and adults participated happily!
Any parent who’s been through the IEP process for his/her child knows what a difficult journey it is, no matter what the particular need is. Because of the stigma associated with “special needs” kids, it can be a lonely road, too, wet with tears, and it’s easy to get mired down in what’s already a broken, difficult-to-navigate system. We need a safe place to share our respective journeys and offer encouragement and the benefit of one another’s experiences.
Now that the need has been recognized and responded to, the ball is really rolling. Based on the emails and phone calls this morning, I’m confident that this program is only going to continue to grow. I believe it may even emerge as a model for other communities.
Despite the naysayers about the economic times we’re in, I’m not worried about funding, either. My company is sponsoring the summer schedule of five evening sessions, and I understand we’ve got an unsolicited pledge from a local pediatrician who heard about it on the golf course over the weekend!
Where do I think the MRA should be targeting their dollars? I’d say towards any entity involved in enhancing science and math education at any level. Federal and state mandated programs/testing are killing our schools, diminishing the academic experiences of our children, sucking the life and soul out of our teachers, and dividing our communities as we all vie for shrinking pieces of the pie. I believe it would be a good long-term investment for research-based organizations to target dollars where they’re so sorely needed.
July 16th, 2008 at 9:53 am
Nancy,
Thank you SO much for sharing your story. Sounds like you are off to a great start for a fantastic cause.
I look forward to hearing your progress.
Nice job!
Merrill