Month: August 2015

Happy Soul Food Friday!

Thanks to those of you who periodically take a moment to send a ping back (email, phone call or in person) confirming these weekly Soul Food e-missive have value for you and your ecosystem.

Blessings!

This week:

The unprecedented rate of change and humanity’s lack of an adequate sense of its own history are challenging the human spirit, but we are accepting the challenge.

First a video to put the rate of change in perspective, then a focus on a local bright light organization and its extended work, and finally a joke to lighten your spirit…

Did You Know:

http://safeshare.tv/w/ntjwDrwEwh

Addressing Complex Global Issues Locally:

Even the most ardent evolutionary biologists had a devil of a time reconciling altruism in their survival of the fittest models.

In the same way the ascent in knowledge from Darwin’s evolution theories in 1859 àto Watson and Crick discovering DNA leading to genetics in 1953, àto EO Wilson’s understanding of the role of genetic inheritance and us not being just blank slates, with the advent of socio-biology in 1975,à to Richard Dawkins work on the Selfish Gene and memetics in 1976 (gene pools not species are trying to survive), à to recent advances in neuroscience and our understanding of how the human brain tackles complex problems around 2006 (counterfeit correlation masks complex problems) has each changed our understanding and theories of action, so too must we change the conversation on social justice, human rights, civility and the importance of social network.

One amazing organization that is doing just this in San Diego is La Maestra

http://www.lamaestra.org/index.html

With human trafficking from 15 different countries happening right here in San Diego, along with a host of other crazy challenges including poverty, violence, unemployment and underemployment, migrant issues, and more with more than 26 languages spoken in just the City Heights area of San Diego, and our public policy agenda just not keeping up, we are left with ludicrous systems with incomplete categories of political asylum, judicial opinions with political consequences that are under-privileging these victims due to antiquated notions, ethno-centric mind sets and vastly outdated models of human governance. Man’s inhumanity to man is hard to fathom…

My soul cried, my spirit was inspired, and I feel humbled by the important work I found this team doing for what I am choosing to reframe as an ’emerging population’ rather than underserved, displaced, migrant, forsaken, downtrodden, or any other label demeaning of their immense spirit and difficult challenge as victims of circumstance. Many of us won’t survive a week in their shoes.

This segment of our population are clearly outside the purview of our traditional societal norms and safety net -which should be basic and inalienable human rights for ALL in 2015 especially in a country like this.

Many right here in San Diego don’t even know they exist…

<Breathe>

For all of us working collectively to move the needle on serving our global brothers and sisters in need, and striving to make this NOT “America’s Finest City” but “America’s Kindest Region”, there might be some applied practice here for you, whether helping at La Maestra or with a similar cause of your choosing.

The La Maestra “Circle of Love” model is a best practice validated in a 2011 Stanford Social Innovation article.

Their current framework actually has attributes and benefits beyond those included in the article, as I would categorize this initiative as a “place-based, whole person, wrap-around, cross-sector, preventative, networked, systemic, human-centered, collective impact model”

Each of these descriptors reflects a key insight into the nature of the work and its impact, along with the theory of action supporting it.

Complex, long term, seemingly intractable human problems like the ones they are taking on can only be addressed in this type of framework in my opinion…

Given society’s choice of building a pipeline to prison and/or poverty v. a pipeline to possibility and promise– the choice is clear.

With City Heights in particular representing less than 1% of San Diego’s geography but 15% of violent crime, endemic food insufficiency evidenced in the area being declared a federally designated food desert, and with San Diego in general having the 5^th largest homeless population in the US and 3^rd largest number of displaced Vets in the country, we clearly both have a huge challenge and a huge opportunity to crack the code on how to serve and move this disenfranchised part of humanity- from survive to THRIVE.

Making the Net Work is akin to moving a market, so here are 5 key market-changing levers of which one needs to apply at least 3 to ensure mission success and systemic change.

Borrowed from The Purpose Economy, they are:

1. Identify Bright Spots or positive deviants- small scale efforts that have achieved a remarkable result
2. Leverage Research & Data– This is not only about the bottom line. We need to identify and measure non-financial success. What perceptions do stakeholders carry around with them that prevent them from making the switch? This applies both to the population served, and the stakeholders we want to ignite to be aware of and address the important issues at hand
3. Apply Disruptive Technology– Can we use technology to catalyze massive change?
4. Move Public Perception– People can’t join the cause if they don’t know about it, or have the wrong frame of mind about it. Our work must include changing and elevating public consciousness
5. Shift Public Policy– When we change policy –remember that just because it is legal, doesn’t mean it is ethical. Slavery was legal at one time but that didn’t warrant endorsing it! When we change public policy, we change the rules of the market.

Note: All these apply  to different initiatives but with different weighting especially if you intend to tap the pro bono or volunteer engagement cohort in your work.

Altruism, compassion, kindness, love, and trust are our special sauce and we must use them abundantly!

No one of us is as smart or as capable as all of us, so leveraging our social capital in a networked people system comprised of an inclusive & healthy climate and culture will also be key…

Learn more about scaling this work and an upcoming summit in San Diego at: http://www.alliance4empowerment.org/

Finally, as this week’s content is a bit heavy, here is some laughter to lighten the load…

The Goldberg Brothers – The Inventors of the  Automobile Air Conditioners

The four Goldberg brothers, Lowell, Norman, Hiram, and Max,  invented and developed the first automobile air-conditioner.
On July 17, 1946 , the temperature in Detroit was 97  degrees.

The four brothers walked into old man Henry Ford’s  office and sweet-talked his secretary into telling him that
four gentlemen were there with the most exciting innovation  in the auto industry since the electric starter.

Henry was curious and invited them into his office.

They refused and instead asked that he come out to the  parking lot to their car.

They persuaded him to get into the car, which was about
130 degrees, turned on the air conditioner, and cooled the
car off immediately.

The old man got very excited and invited them back to the  office, where he offered them $3 million for the patent.

The brothers refused, saying they would settle for $2  million, but they wanted the recognition by having a label,
‘The Goldberg Air-Conditioner,’ on the dashboard of  each car in which it was installed.

Now old man Ford was more than just a little anti-Jewish,  and there was no way he was going to put the Goldberg’s
name on two million Fords.

hey haggled back and forth for about two hours and  finally agreed on $4 million and that just their first names
would be shown.

And so to this day, all Ford air conditioners show —

Lo, Norm, Hi, and Max — on the controls.

Lose control of yourself & pass it on!

Thanks this week go to Larry H for the chuckles, the amazing team at La Maestra- Zara, Carmen and friends, Naila, Feroza, Sneha-ji, Amanda, Anna, Azim K and others living their values, and altruists everywhere!

Pay it forward…

Love,

Neville

“The principle goal of education is to create men who are capable of doing new things,

not simply of repeating what other generations have done – (whoa)men who are creative, inventive and discoverers.”– Jean Piaget

Happy Soul Food Friday!

This week:

There ARE Still Good People in the World!

The Mormon Tabernacle Choir was on tour in Memphis, Tennessee .

At St. Jude’s Hospital there was a little girl who had been admitted with an aggressive form of brain cancer.

Her chemo treatments prohibited her from being in crowds and so, with great disappointment, she learned she could not attend the Mormon Choir’s final Memphis concert.

But, a hospital nurse sent a request that perhaps a few of the choir members could meet the young girl at the hotel where she and her family were staying, as she knew this would raise the little girl’s spirits.

When the girl and her family walked into their hotel lobby ….

Thanks to Larry H for this post and to all kind, compassionate beings everywhere!

Please Pay it Forward…

Love,

Neville

“If you want to be happy practice compassion; if you want others to be happy, practice compassion” – The Dalai Lama

Happy Soul Food Friday!

This week:

If this is

We better:

Eliminate Stress:

Move From Well-being to Well-doing

Engage in Our Community: Scroll down to the Mission Fed spot where Drew S and I chat about SD’s social sector with a cameo appearance from my son Arman

Support Each Other: If our video is selected, the $1,000 will be donated to one of Mission Fed’s nonprofit community partners.

Experience Wonder with these Cool Pics:

Eliminate Stress:

An elderly Florida lady did her shopping and, upon returning to her car, found four males in the act of leaving with her vehicle.

She dropped her shopping bags and drew her handgun, proceeding to scream at the top of her lungs, “I have a gun, and I know how to use it! Get out of the car!” The four men didn’t wait for a second threat. They got out and ran like mad.

The lady, somewhat shaken, then proceeded to load her shopping bags into the back of the car and got into the driver’s seat. She was so shaken that she could not get her key into the ignition.

She tried and tried, and then she realized why. It was for the same reason she had wondered why there was a football, a Frisbee and two 12-packs of beer in the front seat. A few minutes later, she found her own car parked four or five spaces further down.

She loaded her bags into the car and drove to the police station to report her mistake.

The sergeant to whom she told the story couldn’t stop laughing. He pointed to the other end of the counter, where four pale men were reporting a car-jacking by a mad, elderly woman described as white, less than five feet tall, glasses, curly white hair, and carrying a large handgun.

No charges were filed.

The moral of the story?

If you’re going to have a senior moment….make it memorable.

Move From Well-Being to Well-Doing:

Enjoy a new CSRwire/Creating Good Work column on how well-being leads to well-doing.

http://bit.ly/1Mww8SG

Engage in Our Community:

Scroll down to the Mission Fed spot where Drew S and I chat about SD’s social sector with a cameo appearance from my son Arman

http://wsradio.com/071015-c3-communications-mission-federal-credit-union/

Money Smarts”: Vote for our video daily, now through August 31!

One of our vendors, GoBankingRates, launched their 2015 #MoneyMinute Video Challenge.

Contestants were asked to submit their favorite money tip in a 60-second video, and Mission Fed was encouraged to participate.

We thought it would be fun (and ironic) to borrow the format of an infomercial from a shopping channel and use it for something with genuine value: tips on how to save money.  Mission Fed team members put on their acting hats for “Money Smarts” to talk about the 50/30/20 Rule for saving money. The clever script was written by our internal Multimedia Producer and Developer.

Voting runs from August 3-31, and you can vote daily.

Watch the video and vote by clicking the THUMBS UP button here:  http://www.gobankingrates.com/personal-finance/50-30-20-rule/

The videos with the most votes are then judged by a panel and the winners will be announced in September during #FinCon15 (a conference for digital content creators in personal finance and investing). The Grand Prize winner receives a $1,000 prize! If our video is selected, the $1,000 will be donated to one of Mission Fed’s nonprofit community partners.

GoBankingRates is a national website dedicated to connecting readers with the best interest rates on financial services nationwide, as well as informative personal finance content, news and tools.

Cool pictures indeed

Thanks this week go to Maurice C, Ron S, Drew S, Arman S-B, Heidi E, Vince N, Robin M and Larry H!

Pay it Forward, you can’t take it with you…

Love,

Neville

 “The principle goal of education is to create men who are capable of doing new things, not simply of repeating what other generations have done – men who are creative, inventive and discoverers.”– Jean Piaget

Happy Soul Food Friday!

This week:

Ok there are a few more but this should get your weekend started!

This Soul-Filled Clip Will Get to You:

Some Humor:

Btw I am part of a culture affectionately known as the Jews of India so this is as much self-reflective as other-directed in the real spirit of equity, diversity and inclusion…

Remember the old-time Jewish comedians – Jack Benny, Shelly Berman, Red Buttons, Totie Fields, Milton Berle, Henny Youngman and many others with their distinct humor. 

Not a single swear word in their comic routines… 

A car hit an elderly Jewish man.  The Paramedic asked, “Are you comfortable?”
The man replied, “I make a good living.”

I just got back from a pleasure trip.  I took my mother-in-law to the airport.

I’ve been in love with the same woman for 49 years.  If my wife finds out, she’ll kill me!

Someone stole all my credit cards, but I won’t be reporting it.  The thief spends less than my wife did.

We always hold hands. If I let go, she shops.

My wife and I went to a hotel where we got a waterbed.  My wife calls it the Dead Sea.

My wife and I revisited the hotel where we spent our wedding night.
This time I was the one who stayed in the bathroom and cried.

My Wife was at the beauty shop for two hours.  That was only for the estimate.
She got a mudpack and looked great for two days.  Then the mud fell off.

The Doctor gave a man six months to live.  The man couldn’t pay his bill, so the Doctor gave him another six months.

The Doctor called Mrs. Cohen saying, “Mrs. Cohen, your cheque came back.”  Mrs. Cohen replied, “So did my Arthritis!”

Doctor: “You’ll live to be 60!”  Patient: “I AM 60!” Doctor: “See!  What did I tell you?”

* A Doctor held a stethoscope up to a man’s chest. The man asks,
“Doc, how do I stand?” The Doctor says, “That’s what puzzles me!”

*Patient: “I have a ringing in my ears.”
Doctor: “Don’t answer!”

*A drunk was in front of a Judge.  The Judge says, “You’ve been brought here for drinking.”
The drunk says, “Okay, let’s get started.”

*Why do Jewish Divorces cost so much?
They’re worth it.

*Why do Jewish men die before their wives?
They want to.

*The Harvard School of Medicine did a study of why Jewish women like Chinese food so much.
The study revealed that the reason for this is because Won Ton spelled backward is Not Now.

*There is a big controversy on the Jewish view of when life begins.
In Jewish tradition, the fetus is not considered viable until it graduates from Law School.

*Q:  Why don’t Jewish mothers drink?
A:  Alcohol interferes with their suffering.

*Q:  Have you seen the newest Jewish-American-Princess horror movie?
A:  It’s called, “Debbie Does Dishes.”

*Q:  Why do Jewish mothers make great Parole Officers?
A:  They never let anyone finish a sentence.

A man called his mother in Florida. “Mom, how are you?”  Not too good,” said the mother.  “I’ve been very weak.”
The son said, “Why are you so weak?”
She said, “Because I haven’t eaten in 38 days.”
The son said, “That’s terrible.  Why haven’t you eaten in 38 days?”
The mother answered, “Because, I didn’t want my mouth to be full in case you should call.”

*A Jewish man said that when he was growing up, they always had two choices for dinner – Take it or leave it.

*A Jewish boy comes home from school and tells his mother he has a part in the play.
She asks, “What part is it?” The boy says, “I play the part of the Jewish husband.”
The mother scowls and says, “Go back and tell the teacher you want a speaking part.”

*Q:  Where does a Jewish husband hide money from his wife?
A:  Under the vacuum cleaner.

*Q:  How many Jewish mothers does it take to change a light bulb?
A:  (Sigh) “Don’t bother.  I’ll sit in the dark.  I don’t want to be a nuisance to anybody.”

* Short summary of every Jewish holiday:  They tried to kill us, we won, let’s eat.

*A Jewish mother gives her son a blue shirt and a brown shirt for his birthday.  On the next visit, he wears the brown one.  The mother says, “What’s the matter already?  Didn’t you like the blue one?”

*Did you hear about the bum who walked up to a Jewish mother on the street and said, “Lady I haven’t eaten in three days.”
“Force yourself,” she replied.

*Q:  What’s the difference between a Rottweiler and a Jewish mother?
A:  Eventually, the Rottweiler lets go.

Where Ever You Find Yourself:

A Humane Planet Post Cecil the Lion

A lot has happened since Cecil, a beloved lion in Hwange National Park, was killed in a senseless act of trophy hunting. His unfortunate death has shone a light on the devastation caused by trophy hunting, the wildlife trade, and acts of cruelty to these majestic creatures. Thankfully, Delta Airlines announced it will no longer transport big-game trophies on flights, and we are calling on other airlines to adopt similar policies. If you haven’t yet had the opportunity, please join us in urging U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services to include African lions under the Endangered Species Act. Thank you for taking action to honor Cecil’s legacy and protect all animals.

Cecil the lion, pictured above, was widely photographed and somewhat habituated to a non-threatening human presence in Hwange National Park. Photo by Brent Stapelkamp

Breaking News: Since the posting of this blog, Delta has announced a ban on the transport of trophies from lions, elephants, rhinos, leopards, and buffalo — the Africa Big 5. This is just as we’d hoped. We urge all other airlines to follow their lead.

Dr. Walter Palmer’s behavior in killing and mutilating Cecil the lion is disgraceful. But he’s not a one-off character. He’s a very enthusiastic participant in the larger enterprise of globe-trotting international trophy hunting, where rich trophy hunters seek out and kill some of the largest animals in the world to fill their dens or private museums, get their names in the record books of Safari Club International, and brag to their buddies that they’ve killed the biggest and the grandest of creatures on earth.

Now, sure as shooting, a second low-life character has come to light — Jan C. Seski, a gynecologist from Pittsburgh — for a possible illegal lion killing under similar circumstances in April. In addition to the lion he killed, Dr. Seski also shot his sixth elephant on that trip. (He apparently threatened to shoot his neighbor’s dogs too — as if any of us needed more evidence that this guy, too, is heartless thug.)

Seriously, what is wrong with these people? Why are they obsessed with killing the world’s biggest, most magnificent animals, and denying the rest of us the pleasure of sharing the earth with these creatures? What is it about the serial killing of animals that titillates them so much?

It’s been reported that after Cecil’s death, Palmer requested help in finding an elephant with tusks above a certain weight. He only left the country after he was informed by his guide they could not help him with that.

The trophy hunters like to excuse their passion for killing by saying that their spending promotes conservation. That’s nonsense, and more of a self-serving diversion.

A 2013 economic report demonstrated what anybody with their wits about them knows: These animals are worth more alive than dead. Kenya, which banned trophy hunting in the 1970s, has an eco-tourism economy that brings in far more than trophy hunting brings in to South Africa as a whole.

The fact is, trophy hunting of lions, elephants, and rhinos is a net revenue loser for African economies. Trophy hunters may throw around some money, but they rob parks, reserves, and other natural areas of the wonderful animals that are the real draw — the animals that attract countless people willing to spend money to see them and to be close to them. In that respect, trophy hunters are like bank robbers who leave a little cash behind.

South African Airways suspended the transport of big game trophies from Africa several months ago, including the heads of lions killed on canned hunting operations in the country. But recently, under pressure from Safari Club International and other groups aligned with the trophy hunting industry, they resumed transports. Emirates Airlines, on the other hand, has remained steadfast in not accepting hunting trophies of lions, elephants, and rhinos.

Let’s let all the major airlines know it’s time to cut off the shipments for good of African lions, elephants, rhinos, leopards, and Cape buffalo — the so-called Africa Big Five. This “hunting achievement” award leads to disgraceful behavior, and the airlines should not provide a getaway vehicle for trophy hunters’ larceny.

Using wealth to kill the magnificent animals of the world is a misuse of the gifts these people have been given. If trophy hunters are serious about conservation they should do some real good with their wealth — and stop spreading destruction, pain, and death.

Take action today to tell the rest of the airline industry: Don’t fly wild»

The post Time for Major Airlines to Stop Shipping Africa Big Five Trophies appeared first on A Humane Nation.

Related Stories

• Time to Shut Down Trophy Imports of All Lions to the United States
• American Public Roars After It Gets a Glimpse of International Trophy Hunting of Lions
• In the Land of Lincoln, Lawmakers Smear North American Bobcat

If you are local:

SDNA presents Naila Chowdhury: On Creating an Equitable, Diverse, and Inclusive World via Social Credit – Aug. 8/28 at the San Diego Foundation

Please share this with your network and join members of the SDNA as we grow together to create an equitable, diverse and inclusive society and world through social credit empowerment right here in San Diego!

Join The San Diego Nonprofit Association and other local leaders for a special “In the Know” event featuring
Naila Chowdhury, global leader  in self-sustaining programs for the economically disadvantaged.

Naila Chowdhury 
In Conversation with
Neville Billimoria, Chief Advocacy Officer of Mission Federal 
Creating an Equitable, Diverse & Inclusive World through 
Social Credit Empowerment
Friday, August 28, 2015

9am – 10:30am
At The San Diego Foundation
2508 Historic Decatur Rd., Ste. 200 San Diego, CA 92106

As we model cross sector collaboration, use best principles and practices to inform our work, & seek new models from across the globe to advance our thinking and impact, here is a unique opportunity to connect first-hand with and learn from Naila Chowdhury, a global leader specializing in creating self-sustaining programs that empower economically disadvantaged people.

Naila was the first woman director of GrameenPhone Ltd in 1999, and held the Acting CEO position from time to time. She was part of its growth into the largest mobile operator in Bangladesh. The GrameenPhone’s Village Project supported the grassroots women of remote villages as they extended telecom to the rural population. This project earned Professor Muhammad and the Grameen Bank, the Nobel Peace prize in 2006, and allowed her to work closely with Professor Yunus for 17 years. Naila has been involved in global networking, developing effective teams and providing sustainable technology driven entrepreneurial platforms for young people globally, and empowering individuals by creating opportunities to self-organize and succeed with minimal resources and options.

Naila’s international work spans Bangladesh, Africa, and the Americas with organizations including but not limited to UNICEF and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation among many others, with more than 1.2 million members globally. Locally, she is also Co-Chair of Alliance4Empowerment in San Diego, which gives Nano-credit to immigrants, and works on several projects to eradicate poverty in San Diego through Social Credit Empowerment. Her focus is to take people from an extremely low income into a sustainable income bracket and thus empower them economically. 

Please share this with your network and join members of the SDNA as we grow together to create an equitable, diverse and inclusive society and world through social credit empowerment right here in San Diego!

Naila’s depth of experience and passion for social economic empowerment will provide deep insights and new ideas for increasing your reach and impact.

This event is hosted by The San Diego Foundation.

We expect this event to fill quickly so please sign up ASAP to avoid disappointment…

RSVP HERE:

http://www.eventbrite.com/e/in-the-know-naila-chowdhury-global-sustainable-economic-development-tickets-17948207572?aff=eac2

RSVP is REQUIRED – While free, there is limited seating for this exclusive event

This event is made possible by the active members of SDNA: The San Diego Nonprofit Association (formerly SANDAN) who welcome your participation!

To become a member  of SDNA: The San Diego Nonprofit Association (formerly SANDAN) and ensure that you are included in our region’s  “Chamber of Purpose”, you are invited to join us at:

http://www.sandiegononprofits.org/membership/sdna-membership/

Copyright © 2015 SDNA: The San Diego Nonprofit Association, All rights reserved.
This list combines SDNA members, board, event attendees and email subscribers

Our mailing address is:

SDNA: The San Diego Nonprofit Association

8265 Vickers Street, San Diego, CA

Suite C

San Diego, CA 92111

With a direct link to RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/in-the-know-naila-chowdhury-global-sustainable-economic-development-tickets-17948207572

Turn that Frown Upside Down:

Mission Fed’s popular Refer a Friend program is back, now through September 30—and it’s adorable (you’ll see!). Referring a friend or family member means $40 for each of you when they open a Checking Account and follow a few simple steps. https://www.missionfed.com/refer-a-friend

The Real Meaning Of:

Dog Tired

“The U.S. Constitution doesn’t guarantee happiness, only the pursuit of it. You have to catch up to it yourself.”– Benjamin Franklin