Happy Soul Food Friday!

Happy Soul Food Friday and Happy Birthday Arman!

 

Citizenship in the Republic

It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better.

The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.

— Theodore Roosevelt

This week:
A Surprising Prescription for Heartbreak and Let Down:
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/surprising-prescription-your-broken-heart-bea-boccalandro?trk=mp-author-card

The Power of Vulnerability with Brene’ Brown:
27 Million Views of one of the most popular Ted Talks out there- for darn good reason
https://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_on_vulnerability?language=en

Your Last Call to Sign up for FutureFit LEAP for Education November 29^th and 30^th:
Note: We have limited space left and while the event is free, we are going to ask no shows to make a $50 dollar donation to the nonprofit of their choice if they don’t attend as they precluded someone else from being there:)
The reception on the 29^th will be at the Bella Vista Café with more details forthcoming for all those that RSVP…
FutureFit Invitation

National Philanthropy Day 2016 in San Diego: A Symphony of Philanthropy
Extreme gratitude to all of you in our community and beyond that make every day Philanthropy Day by your generous contributions of time, treasure and talent to create transformations for others!

If You Are Local:
Do watch us on KUSI TV this Sunday Nov 20^th at 11am (correction this will air on Sun Nov 27th same time)

Return Kindness:
Just buying someone else’s gasoline can make their day!
Are we at 200,000 acts yet?
Gas Station: https://youtu.be/9isQLeR33Fw

Thanks this week go to those mere mortals that through their authenticity and vulnerability dare greatly, and teach us what it is to be divine!
What would you attempt to do even if you failed magnificently?

Pay it forward…
Love,
Neville

Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NevilleB108
Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nbillimoria

“Give me the courage to show up and let myself be seen”
–Brene’ Brown’s Vulnerability Prayer

“Come friends, it’s not too late to seek a newer world.” – Alfred Tennyson

This week:
EVERY Day is National Philanthropy Day in San Diego

November 16^th 2016 marks the 44^th annual celebration of National Philanthropy Day (NPD) around the country. But EVERY Day is National Philanthropy Day in San Diego. If you are committed to a New Culture of Philanthropy, We Hope We See You There
San Diego has a long and distinguished history of philanthropy.  Even in a region with a limited number of national corporate headquarters or industries that spawn the wealthy, this community has demonstrated enduring kindness and generosity to help better the lives of San Diegans in need. November 16^th 2016 marks the 44^th annual celebration of National Philanthropy Day (NPD) around the country, and San Diego’s gathering is one of the largest in the nation. This is a huge testament to the generosity and civic engagement of our community.  NPD is an important opportunity to recognize and celebrate the critical role philanthropy plays to position San Diego as both America’s finest city and America’s kindest region.

Whether you define philanthropy as a love of humankind, or an activity intended to promote human welfare,” said Neville Billimoria, SVP Membership/Marketing and Chief Advocacy Officer Mission Federal Credit Union, “we know that to have a healthy vibrant region to strengthen our social fabric, we need the interdependent work of committed nonprofits working effectively on their mission, coupled with generous and smart investing by philanthropists.”

Billimoria noted that while the heart-set has not changed, both the face and nature of philanthropy has evolved significantly over the last decade and it is time for our mind-set to catch up. Today’s new face of philanthropy is engaging so many heroes – young people and adults — through strategic volunteering.

Keely Tidrow, AFP San Diego President and Major Gifts Officer, Old Globe Theatre stated that efforts in philanthropy have moved from working largely in silos to solve a specific problem to more systemic, integrated efforts that achieve collective impact.  AFP has a unique opportunity where over 300 local non-profit professionals convene monthly to discuss how to collectively work together to solve and better our community by saying that Philanthropy Matters in San Diego.

“Today,” said Tidrow, “there are more nonprofits doing good work- 12,000+ in San Diego- seeking support and exposure, a more diverse and inclusive community than ever before. Today’s leaders understand that effective collaboration and partnership are essential for sustainable and scalable social systems change.”

She added, “To be more reflective of the face and needs of today’s region, we were inspired with the help of our friends to envision and implement an entirely new National Philanthropy Day experience for this year – A Symphony of Philanthropy for San Diego.

“The Symphony, “said Billimoria, “is a perfect metaphor for society. After countless hours of perfecting their craft, musicians come together with intimate care for every note, breath and emotion, knowing some of that individual nuance might be lost among the numerable other musicians on the stage, but trusting that something bigger will come from that collective sound. This is what makes society great! Each of us laboring diligently in our own area, yet recognizing that while what we do individually might have impact, what we do collectively changes the world.”

“This metaphor holds true for the philanthropic community as well. Every grant, every gift, every hour we invest, every need we fill, every heart we touch, every life we improve- each adds up for the greater good. We are all instrumental in this effort but when we play symphonically our impact is transformation.”

This year’s National Philanthropy Day offers the community an opportunity to connect with young people that are changing their communities, and adults that have devoted their life to serving others. Proceeds go to scholarships and monthly educational workshops to build our capacity and improve outcomes right here in our region.

A limited amount of complimentary tickets are available to those that are not able to purchase a ticket.  For additional information, please contact Georgia Ringler, Chapter Manager, AFP – San Diego at 858.212.1706 or reach her by email at georgia.ringler@afpsd.org.

Celebrating 35 Years of Teaching the Wisdom Traditions at UC San Diego
Hard to believe it has been 35 years of teaching traditional martial arts, yoga & meditation to kids, students, the campus and general community at UC San Diego.

This week people from all over are returning to connect deeply & celebrate our collective efforts touching thousands of lives on our shared journey Embracing the Past, Polishing the Present and Reflecting (our best selves) in the Future.
My heartfelt gratitude to each of you for your loyalty, steadfast commitment to lifelong learning, and dedication to making our world just a little bit better on step at a time!

UpWorthy:
Do the wisdom traditions really matter in the 21^st century?
You can ask those with a practice.
Meanwhile, here is a school that replaced detention with meditation. Check out the results…

https://www.facebook.com/Upworthy/videos/1428562230517964/

http://www.upworthy.com/this-school-replaced-detention-with-meditation-the-results-are-stunning

Another 200,000 Thank You Vid
Our Return Kindness Campaign continues and we hope you can add your energy to the positive wave spreading through our community!
It is fun and so easy!
Carnitas Snack Shack: https://youtu.be/ZxXKSlyN6Q8

Thanks this week go to the entire Aoinagi Ken Shu Kai community, Margaret M, those returning kindness and YOU for reading this!

Pay it forward.
Love,
Neville

“By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.“— Confucius

This week:

Let Unity and Civility Define Us:
No Matter Who Wins

Returning Kindness:
A 200,000 Thank You Campaign:

Committed to Education?
 Join this amazing and diverse team that will ensure our lifelong learning educational systems are future-proofed, future designed and ultimately future fit.

The Power of Education:
 13 Year Old Girl Named America’s Top Young Scientist and Wins $25,000:

National Philanthropy Day November 16^th 2016- A Symphony of Philanthropy
Is Social Purpose An Integral Part of Who YOU Are?

 

Let Unity and Civility Define Us, No Matter Who Wins by Ken Druck, Carl Luna and Neville Billimoria:
                     What so funny ‘bout peace, love and understanding…

As Election Day nears, it is time to shift our attention from the damage this campaign has done to our nation and our standing in the world, and focus on what happens after November 8th. The divisive political discourse that has filled our heads and airwaves for the past 18 months has rendered our democracy weaker and less functional than at any time in recent memory. Playing to the lowest common denominator of hatred, distrust and vengeance, we are now at an all-time low.

America faces real risks at home and abroad if we continue to viciously attack our countrymen and women with whom we disagree. It’s time to transmute the daily dose of hatred, vitriol and contentious arguing and shift our attention from throwing fuel on the “Who is more corrupt?” fire to asking “What exactly are we doing to our country and our children by modeling hatred and spewing vitriol?”

Exercising our right to vote is critical. It’s what makes up a great nation. But civility goes beyond voting to policing our words and behavior in the service of the common good. Each of us needs to remember the values that have made this country a model for the world for the past two hundred years. It is time for our elected officials and their surrogates to check their self-righteousness and overblown egos at the door, and to begin acting like public servants who want to bridge the partisan gap and end gridlock. “Do what you were elected to do!” as one local community leader put it, “and work with your fellow Americans to build a better America.”

It’s time to take ownership for our part at citizens in making our democracy work. Asking “What’s best for America?” Rising above the fray is a tall order indeed when so many of us, it seems, prefer to rubberneck a good fight. We need to demand a change in the conversation to “How can we make positive change in an atmosphere of mutual respect?”

This country has always endured candidate bashing during an election cycle, yet years of divisiveness and inaction at the legislative level have frustrated and polarized the American people of all persuasions like never before.

Millions of Americans are likely to feel deeply depressed and disenfranchised the morning after the election, whoever is elected. And what will we do then?

Do we have the character strength to reach across the aisle and work together or will we allow the philosophy of “my side is right and yours is not just wrong, but Un-American,” to prevail?

The time between now and January 20th when we inaugurate our new President, will say it all. Our age-old tradition of agreeing to disagree with civility has kept our nation united and strong. The choice to heal, respectfully agree to disagree, find common ground, choose civility over civil war, reunify our nation and move America to higher ground begins with each of us. Here are a few ways to help make this happen:

– Refocus on the end goal. Make unity, civility and respect a priority. Be passionate, yet tolerant and inclusive.

– Pivot from a “Tear Down” to “Build Up” mentality.

– Engage others with respect, open-mindedness, trustworthiness and a genuinely interest in learning why they feel the way they do.

– Champion community, corporate and elected leaders who model civility.

– Listen, learn from others, work collaboratively to solve problems across the partisan divide, embody fairness and support those with have a proven capacity to bring about substantive and sustainable change.

– Vote

We are one nation. As Abraham Lincoln so sagely pronounced, “A house divided against itself cannot stand.” Strengthening America from the inside out starts with bringing out the best in ourselves and one another, working through impasses, reconciling differences, finding common ground and working together for the common good.

Returning Kindness; 200,000 Thank You Campaign:
As we reach our 200,000 member milestone, we are practicing, intentional acts of kindness all over San Diego and inviting our community to pay it forward…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AaQG9FYoOk&feature=youtu.be

Committed to Education?
Join this amazing and diverse team At FutureFit LEAP for Education
Networking November 29^th and the Main Event on November 30^th in San Diego:

Future Fit LEAP for Education 2016
Networking on November 29 and Main Event on November 30

Download a version of this email

Once all the election noise has abated, as a nation we will need to turn our attention to making America better no matter who wins. As someone committed to critical issues in education, we would like to personally invite you to a convening on the evening of November 29th (Pre-­Reception & Networking) and morning of November 30th  (The Main Event) to shape what Future Fit Education in our region will look like.

A diverse group of leaders from education, business, government, community, philanthropy and other sectors will come together to discover what our community cares most deeply about and then focus on what we can do in and for education in our region. Together we will harness the best thinking from the micro-­neuroscience of education to the macro-­collective impact community building models to deliver on the promise that those served by our lifelong learning educational systems are future-proofed, future designed and ultimately future fit. Together we will answer Who Cares? What is Possible? And validate how we will we know we have been Successful with a whole person-­‐centered orientation.

Please join our LinkedIn group, Future Fit: Our Next LEAP for Education, to get connected and learn more about others in this dynamic ecosystem filled with amazing people. As appropriate, do invite others that you feel resonate with this focus and work – we seek quality, not quantity participation.

What matters to you matters and guess what? It is the same for our kids…  Let’s not waste this leap year!

No one of us can do it all, but all of us can do something meaningful to advance this mission. We welcome your energy and experience in the inspiration, ideation and implementation of a FutureFit Education Model.

Thanks for all YOU do to make our community better.

With LOL (Love of Learning),

The Future Fit Team -­ Alan Daly, Neville Billimoria, Devin Vodicka and Brenda Hall Please register for the event here:

Pre-­Reception & Networking: November 29th 5:00 – 6:00 PM Location: TBD
https://sdcoe.k12oms.org/eventdetail.php?gid=1020&id=123617

Main Event:  November 30th 8:30 AM – Noon Location: Quantum Learning Center
https://sdcoe.k12oms.org/eventdetail.php?gid=1020&id=123619

 

The Power of Education:
13 Year Old Girl Named America’s Top Young Scientist and Wins $25,000:
Maanasa Mendu, a 13-year-old girl from Ohio, recently won the Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge for creating a $5 energy harvesting device. Mendu’s innovative design, called HARVEST, converts sunlight, wind, and rain into renewable energy. Mendu has been named America’s Top Young Scientist and won $25,000.
http://inhabitat.com/13-year-old-maanasa-mendu-invents-groundbreaking-clean-energy-device-that-costs-just-5/

National Philanthropy Day November 16^th 2016- A Symphony of Philanthropy
Is Social Purpose An Integral Part of Who YOU Are?
It is us…

San Diego has a rich legacy of giving and generosity, with an aspiring vision to be widely recognized as both America’s Finest city and America’s Kindest region.

So many San Diegans consistently share their time- volunteering, treasure- investing, and amazing talent- helping those in need, and we are so proud of them.

This year, Mission Fed is proud to partner with the San Diego Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and its mission to recognize and celebrate the critical role that philanthropy plays in enriching our San Diego community.

With social purpose as an integral part of who we are, Mission Fed is honored to serve as Presenting Sponsor for National Philanthropy Day in San Diego. Every grant, every gift, every hour we invest, every need we fill, every heart we touch, every life we improve adds up for the greater good. We are all instrumental in this effort, but when we play symphonically, our impact is transformational!

Visit afpsd.org for more information.

 

If you are local – The San Diego Nonprofit Association (SDNA)
“YOU are only as good as your Board. You get the board you deserve”:

Only Few Seats Available to  Access Insights on Effective Board Leadership SDNA & TriNet  “Access to Experts” Series on Nov. 15th

“YOU are only as good as your Board. You get the board you deserve”

“Exceptional governance is always a work in process.”
Liz Shear, USD Nonprofit Governance Symposium Director

Join a Spirited, Strategies-based Discussion Moderated  by Donald Stump Executive Director, North County Lifeline

• Janine Mason Executive Director, The Fieldstone Foundation
• Javier Guerrero Executive Director, San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum
• Tamara Fleck-Myers Executive Director, Casa de Amparo
• Rob Hutsel  President & CEO, San Diego River Park Foundation

 Gain insights and share strategies to build and strengthen board relationships and critical communications between directors, board members, staff and key stakeholders to maximize effectiveness and impact.

Tuesday, November 15, 2016
8:30am Check-in, Refreshments
9am Sharp -10:30am
Program At Mission Federal Credit Union Headquarters
5785 Oberlin Dr. San Diego, CA, 92121

Click Here to RSVP

There is limited seating for this event.  Tickets are required.

Non-member price is $25

No Charge for SDNA Members
Members Receive Priority Access
Memberships start at Only $100

You are invited to become a Member of SDNA, at:
http://www.sandiegononprofits.org/membership/sdna-membership/

These events are made possible by the active members of SDNA: The San Diego Nonprofit Association (aka SANDAN) and TriNet.
We Welcome Your Participation!

Leadership Sponsor
Supporting San Diego’s Growing “Chamber of Purpose”

$50 for You and $50 for a Friend or Family Member

A new way we’re thanking you for the loyalty and trust that helped us grow to 200,000 members strong!

With money-saving benefits and great service, Mission Fed membership is the gift that keeps on giving.

Ask a friend or family member to open an account, and you’ll both receive $50.

Just be sure to tell your friends and family members soon, because this offer ends December 31, 2016. Details: https://www.missionfed.com/gift-of-membership

Thanks this week go to Civic Leaders like Ken and Carl, Kind Souls, Purpose-Driven organizations, Whole Person Educators of all stripes and Lovers of Humankind everywhere!

Pay it forward!
Love,
Neville

“You see things; and you say Why? But I dream things that never were; and I say Why not?”— George Bernard Shaw

Happy Soul Food Friday for the Week of UN Day,

The 71^st anniversary of the United Nations as a force for global peace and progress.
http://www.unfoundation.org/

The UN has done so much to advance human rights. Their new global goals for sustainable development could transform our world by 2030, from ending poverty to empowering girls and women to promoting peace to protecting the planet from climate change.

Speaking of empowering girls and women, this week’s Soul Food Friday is dedicated to just that- with one specific and horrific issue- Sex Trafficking

Sexual exploitation in the form of sexually-based human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation of children is happening right here in our community, (and probably yours) and it’s time we know how to recognize it, prevent it and STOP IT!

This is sexism at its worst and gender based violence that is simply intolerable…

This past weekend, The Alliance 4 Empowerment and UC San Diego hosted the Global Empowerment Summit 2016 to generate awareness for, and to identify effective solutions to end human trafficking and sexual exploitation both here in San Diego and beyond.

De-stigmatizing this issue in the same way the AIDs movement or the Breast Cancer movement have done with previous social justice and public health issues will be critical to creating any real and permanent change and will require all of us!

Sadly, each year, over 20 million people are victims of human trafficking, forced labor or sexual exploitation.

It’s a $150 billion industry and every dollar is fueled by someone’s pain. That is someone’s daughter, sister, mother or friend.

Incredibly, the most likely abuser is someone in the victim’s trust environment, not some random stranger unless purchased sex is part of the equation.

Don’t be fooled. This can happen to anyone
Here are some of the stories beyond the statistics…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sb5DsZ_O-NQ

We have to address the demand side of this issue.
If there were no buyers, this would end.
This means a wholesale systems change and new social narrative that stops blaming girls and making excuses for boys
Buyers Beware… There are stings in place to catch you

Education is key, beginning with effecting parenting and extending throughout our lives.
We need to raise decent men while empowering women.
Let’s come up with a replacement word for bystander. There is no by-standing for that implies tolerating and that is unconscionable…
Wake up, Speak out, Make your community aware of this issue- today!
Through teaching we can touch eternity…

For more on San Diego’s local efforts to address this issue head on, learn about The Ugly Truth campaign.
Please share this with families, friends and neighbors:
http://theuglytruthsd.org/
Call 1-888-373-7888 or Text BeFree (233733)

Campus Climate:
College campus statistics on this subject are sobering and not part of the educational experience we want for our kids.
Here is what UC San Diego is doing with the Its On Us White House Champion of Change Initiative
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlVDQf23bzY

A World Without Exploitation:
The movement to end human trafficking and sexual exploitation is a powerful resource if you want to help catalyze a change
http://www.worldwithoutexploitation.org/
Read their stories…
http://www.worldwithoutexploitation.org/stories

Note: Local Leaders are working on Legislation
The first round was recently vetoed by the Governor of California but there is an advocacy movement underfoot that will not be denied.
Stay current on the legislative opportunities to support this cause…

For more on the Alliance 4 Empowerment Summit:
The Alliance 4 Empowerment (A4E) is a non-profit organization created to empower underserved people with the universal opportunity to live with dignity, self-esteem, respect and love, in the San Diego region and beyond. Our goal is to create inspired, innovative & inclusive communities that are sustainable economically, socially and environmentally, and to develop platforms for full participation of women and youth globally.

A4E provides a hand up instead of a hand out, ensuring recipients thrive through the power of Social Credit loans, rather than a historical dependency on charity.  This unique model strives to overcome poverty at the root level through a more efficient use of capital and innovation. Our primary focus is building financially inclusive communities, by helping hard-working individuals develop their existing skills into profitable, self-sustaining small businesses, in a nurturing, loving and supportive environment.

To attain this goal, A4E partners with existing community organizations. Instead of working in silos, A4E  collaborates with other effective nonprofits to identify as well as work with qualified social entrepreneurs to leverage global connections with the expertise to enable them to maximize their impact, increase employment and use resources sustainably. Knowing that access to affordable quality health care is essential for communities to thrive economically and socially, A4E advocates for community access to quality healthcare and wellness programs, that contribute to long-term growth and prosperity.
Consider joining or making a contribution…
http://www.alliance4empowerment.org/event/global-empowerment-summit/

Now the other myth that gets around is the idea that legislation cannot really solve the problem and that it has no great role to play in this period of social change because you’ve got to change the heart and you can’t change the heart through legislation.

You can’t legislate morals. The job must be done through education and religion. Well, there’s half-truth involved here. Certainly, if the problem is to be solved then in the final sense, hearts must be changed. Religion and education must play a great role in changing the heart. But we must go on to say that while it may be true that morality cannot be legislated, behavior can be regulated.

It may be true that the law cannot change the heart but it can restrain the heartless.
It may be true that the law cannot make a man love me but it can keep him from lynching me and I think that is pretty important.
So there is a need for executive orders. There is a need for judicial decrees.
There is a need for civil rights legislation on the local scale within states and on the national scale from the federal government.
–Taken from Martin Luther King, Jr.’s address at Western Michigan University, December 18, 1963

Our hearts goes out to the incredibly courageous and resilient women who shared their stories and transmuted their pain into learning for us all to address this important issue.
You raised us up!
You Raise Me Up with Manny Perlman:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEyQAfHXgdA

From last year’s Summit…
Ode to Empowerment, Owed to the ‘Heart-ist’ in YOU
Inspired by the Presenters at A4E

It’s not important what you look at,
What’s important is what you see,
See me, respect me, remember me. 

What good is sight, if you have no vision?
Realize, with re-a-l eyes,
There is no division.

Know your vision and stay true to it,
Through passion, purpose, and strategic partnership.
 Empower a compassion-based, kind comm-unity
Ennoble self-efficacy with universal access to opportunity 

See me, respect me, remember me,
My demography won’t determine MY destiny!

Failure is a bruise, not a tattoo
Our world so needs the transmutation in you.
To hide your pain is to hide your power,
This might be your finest hour.
That’ MY sister, MY daughter, MY kin, MY wife,
Love it. Own it. Elevate Your Life!

You are the change we wish to see,
Let’s manifest it thru A-4-E.
Remember lasting change comes from within,
I will stop now as time is running thin…

Your soul speaks.
Are you listening?
Your soul speaks.
Am I listening? 

Is your heart singing yet?

Thanks this week go to all who speak up for the disenfranchised, including the A4E team!

Pay it forward
Love,
Neville

In Germany, they came first for the Communists, And I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Communist; And then they came for the trade unionists, And I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a trade unionist; And then they came for the Jews, And I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Jew; And then… they came for me. ..And by that time there was no one left to speak up. –Rev Martin Niemoller, January 1946

First, A Joke Every Grammer Nerd Can’t Help But Love:

This week:

National Philanthropy Day 2016:
November 16^th 2016 marks the 44^th annual celebration of National Philanthropy Day (NPD) around the country and San Diego’s event is one of the largest. This is a huge testament to the generosity and civic engagement of our community. NPD is an important opportunity to recognize and celebrate the critical role philanthropy plays in manifesting San Diego’s aspiring vision to be widely recognized as both America’s Finest city and America’s Kindest region. Mission Fed is the Presenting Sponsor this year and as part of both the Honorary Committee that helps determine  the winners and the Taskforce that produces the event, I have had the opportunity to help shape the direction of this year’s Symphony of Philanthropy which is on Wednesday November 16th.

Here is a U-T “Community Spotlight” radio interview highlighting the NPD with Keely Tidrow, AFP San Diego President and Major Gifts Officer, Old Globe Theatre and me, hosted by Drew Schlosberg.  http://wsradio.com/101416-national-philanthropy-day/

You Might Have a Bank, but You Need a Credit Union- Celebrate International Credit Union Day by Trying One Out!

Credit Unions as part of their organizational DNA are double bottom line orgs focused on both financial performance and social purpose.

International Credit Union (ICU) Day® has been celebrated on the third Thursday of October since 1948 to honor the movement and its members. The day is recognized to reflect upon the credit union movement’s history and to promote its achievements. It is a day to honor those who have dedicated their lives to the movement, recognize the hard work of those working in the credit union industry and show members our appreciation.

The ultimate goal is to raise awareness about the great work that credit unions are doing around the world and give members the opportunity to get more involved. Credit unions and associations throughout the world celebrate the day with fundraisers, open houses, contests, picnics and parades.

I am proud to work for a credit union!

Try on the credit union difference and experience your Mission Fed Moment…

Unpaid Baby Sitters: These Pictures Should Warm Your Soul!

Thanks this week go to Keely and the hard working team ideating and putting on National Philanthropy Day, Drew and the U/T community spotlight team, credit union movement members and organizations worldwide, & Larry H for steadily sending me soul-filling pictures like these baby sitters that care for our young ones…

 

Pay it forward!
Love,
Neville

 

 “It is we who nourish the Soul of the World,
and the world we live in will be either better or worse,
depending on whether we become better or worse.
And that’s where the power of love comes in.
Because when we love, we always strive to become better than we are.”
–Paulo Coelho

This week:

Puns for Educated Minds:
The Four Virtues of a Leader by Eric K:
If growing your leadership capacity is critical to your success you need to know about Eric…

9 Inspiring Leadership Videos around 3 minutes:
(Kids are the stars in #8)

The One Thing that Makes a Leader Great with Will M:

If you are local, Cherish Our Women! (both are about women’s empowerment):
Join MANA de San Diego’s Latina Success Conference this weekend!
Workshops on Leadership, Business, Finance and Health
Build your network and make new friends!

UC San Diego Organizes Second Annual Global Empowerment Summit:
Sharing best practices, connect, brainstorm and come up with solutions for the social challenges that we face…

Puns For Educated Minds:

1. The fattest knight at King Arthur’s round table was Sir Cumference. He acquired his size from too much pi.
2. I thought I saw an eye doctor on an Alaskan island but it turned out to be an optical Aleutian.
3. She was only a whisky-maker but he loved her still.
4. A rubber-band pistol was confiscated from a geometry class because it was a weapon of math disruption.
5. No matter how much you push the envelope, it’ll still be stationery.
6. A dog gave birth to puppies near the road and was cited for littering.
7. Two silk worms had a race. They ended up in a tie.
8. A hole has been found in the nudist-camp wall. The police are looking into it.
9. Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.
10. Atheism is a non-prophet organization.
11. Two hats were hanging on a hat rack in the hallway. One hat said to the other: “You stay here; I’ll go on a head.”
12. I wondered why the baseball kept getting bigger. Then it hit me.
13. A sign on the lawn at a drug rehab centre said: “Keep off the Grass.”
14. The midget fortune teller who escaped from prison was a small medium at large.
15. The soldier who survived mustard gas and pepper spray is now a seasoned veteran.
16. A backward poet writes inverse.
17. In a democracy it’s your vote that counts; in feudalism it’s your count that votes.
18. When cannibals ate a missionary, they got a taste of religion.
19. If you jumped off the bridge in Paris , you’d be in Seine.
20. A vulture carrying two dead raccoons boards an airplane. The stewardess looks at him and says, “I’m sorry, sir, only one carrion allowed per passenger.”
21. Two fish swim into a concrete wall. One turns to the other and says, “Dam!”
22. Two Eskimos sitting in a kayak were chilly so they lit a fire in the craft. Unsurprisingly, it sank proving once again that you can’t have your kayak and heat it too.
23. Two hydrogen atoms meet. One says, “I’ve lost my electron.” The other says, “Are you sure?” The first replies, “Yes, I’m positive.”
24. Did you hear about the Buddhist who refused Novocain during a root-canal? His goal: transcend dental medication.
25. There was the person who sent ten puns to friends with the hope that at least one of the puns would make them laugh. No pun in ten did.

The Four Virtues of a Leader by Eric K:
If growing your leadership capacity is critical to your success you need to know about Eric…

Dear Leaders,

I’m incredibly excited about the recent release of my book The Four Virtues of a Leader – Navigating the Hero’s Journey Through Risk to Results published by Sounds True. In fact, Barnes & Noble got so enamored that they featured my book on a promotional table in their Top 100 stores. WooHoo!

Marshall Goldsmith, Best Selling Author and the World’s Most Influential Leadership Thinker, calls this book “A truly visionary work” and this Publisher’s Weekly review calls it a “meditation on the soul of a leader.” The book reviews are flowing in and I’m grateful for the amazing response and community that is building around this book so quickly!

My book challenges common thinking while giving practical ideas on what I have found to be the four virtues, or cornerstones, of good leadership, how to:

• Stay focused
• Be courageous
• Persevere as you accelerate your organizational growth
• Take the leaps of faith that we all need to do to move from the old to the new

It differs from other leadership books on the shelf as it guides leaders to successfully fuse an unwavering commitment to business results with a deep respect for the human spirit.

If you have already purchased a copy, THANK YOU! Please leave me a review on the Amazon page for the book.

If you haven’t purchased a copy yet, head over to http://www.fourvirtuesofaleader.com/ where you can buy my book and unlock exclusive bonuses with your purchase!

9 Inspiring Leadership Videos around 3 minutes:
(Kids are the stars in #8)
https://www.resourcefulmanager.com/leadership-videos/

The One Thing that Makes a Leader Great with Will M:

390 – The One Thing That Makes a Leader Great

PONDER THIS: What’s the number one thing that makes a leader great? The answer might surprise you. It’s actually humility.

RESEARCH SAYS: It’s true. Researchers have found that personal humility and great ambition, two seemingly conflicting qualities, are the most important qualities found in today’s top leaders. The secret to achieving both humility and ambition simultaneously is the best leaders are highly ambitious, but their ambition is not for themselves; instead, they are ambitious for the greater good. Because their attention is focused on the greater good, they feel no need to inflate their own egos. That makes them driven and inspiring.

TRY THIS: Think of how can you incorporate both humility and ambition into your work life and home life.

If you are local, Cherish Our Women! (both are about women’s empowerment):
Join MANA de San Diego’s Latina Success Conference this weekend!
Workshops on Leadership, Business, Finance and Health
Build your network and make new friends!
Latina Success Conference

UC San Diego Organizes Second Annual Global Empowerment Summit:
Sharing best practices, connect, brainstorm and come up with solutions for the social challenges that we face…
http://qi.ucsd.edu/news-article.php?id=2763

Thanks this week go to Larry H, Eric K, Mitch S, Will M, MANA Leadership and my colleagues at the Global Empowerment Summit!
May we all have the courage to:

• Stay focused
• Be courageous
• Persevere to accelerate our organizational growth

• Take the leaps of faith that we all need to move from the old to the new

Pay it forward!
Love,
Neville

Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NevilleB108
Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nbillimoria

It is better by noble boldness to run the risk of being subject to half the evils we anticipate than to remain in cowardly listlessness for fear of what might happen.
— Herodotus (485 – 425BC) Greek Historian

Happy Soul Food Friday!

This week:

Celebrate World Animal Day, the 100^th Anniversary of the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park & Making Sure ALL Kids Get to Experience the Animal Kingdom- Thanks Mission Fed!

Why Celebrate World Animal Day?

World Animal Day is an international day of action for animal rights and welfare celebrated annually on October 4^th the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals.

Throughout history, social movements (mass actions) like World Animal Day, have always been a major vehicle for ordinary people’s participation in politics, and key in fighting for social justice and reform. The lives of animals are profoundly affected by the actions of individuals, businesses, and nations.  It’s therefore essential that, as sentient beings, their rightful status as recipients of social justice is established and translated into effective animal protection.  Through increased awareness and education, we can help develop a compassionate culture which feeds into legal reform and social progress to make this world a fairer place for all living creatures.  A world where animals are recognized as sentient beings and full regard is always paid to their welfare.

http://www.worldanimalday.org.uk/about_us

Kids Free in October- Thanks Mission Fed!

This past weekend, together with our friends at the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park, we kicked off Kid’s Free in October and celebrated the Zoo officially turning 100!

On Sunday, October 2 (the Zoo’s REAL birthday), the Mission Fed team was at the Zoo as part of the celebration and live via Facebook.

Our first live video, promoting our Food 4 Kids campaign, had over 1,300 views  and generated over $20,000 for the San Diego Food bank to make sure kids in need have food over the weekend.

This Facebook live experience captured this event’s energy, and highlights the partnership we have had with the Zoo since 2008.

We have sponsored Kids Free since 2011 and our commitment to giving back to the community and Kids Free in October allows all children to experience a fun day with their loved ones while learning about animal care and conservation science.

We hope every child, yours included if you live in San Diego can experience the beautiful wildlife and enjoy all the kid friendly activities that the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park have to offer. Look for us on Facebook.

The Morning After The Zoo’s Annual Holiday Party…..

Good Party Eh?

If You are Local:

Join us this Saturday, October 8 from 10 am – 3:00 pm for our upcoming clothing drive to benefit the YWCA’s Becky’s House domestic violence programs.  Together with our friends from Spanish radio stations Pulsar 107.3 and La Invasora 99.7, we’ll be broadcasting live next to Mission Fed’s Terra Nova branch and will be accepting women’s gently used casual/professional clothing in all sizes. Becky’s House offers a safe haven for women, men, and children to overcome trauma, improve their economic status, and ultimately achieve self-sufficiency.

Thanks this week go to animal lovers everywhere, & the Mission Fed team! Go for great. Own your game. Be kind. Get big things done.

Pay it Forward
Love,
Neville

“Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy.

O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled as to console,
To be understood as to understand,
To be loved as to love;
For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
It is in dying to self that we are born to eternal life”

-Saint Francis of Assisi

“The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change”—Carl Rogers

The Biggest Happiness Mistake:

WHAT IF . . . the best person you can be is you? RESEARCH SAYS:  The biggest mistake you can make when it comes to happiness in lifestyle, career, and relationships is not being yourself.  Here are some guidelines to help you be your authentic, genuine, awesome self from the folks at Pick The Brain: If you have positive intentions, don’t apologize for yourself.  If you do people will think you’re at fault when you’re not. Focus on being fully present in your external environment (rather than in your own internal world); react and create without over-analyzing. Quit worrying about how others see you, or it will unnaturally alter your behavior and probably make you seem insecure. Get to know yourself. Take time daily to reflect on your values and how you really want to live. Learn to appreciate who you are now – faults and merits – and others will too. TRY THIS: Make a list of the top three personality traits that make you . . . you.  How can you use these three things to strengthen your lifestyle, career, and relationships?

Also this week:

With all the political divisiveness in the country, as the Obama Presidency comes to a close, here are some apolitical opportunities to applaud the twin pillars of honor and humility with the Office of the President and First Lady

Honor-
President Obama Awards the Arts and Humanities Medals:

The National Humanities Medal is awarded to individuals or organizations whose work has deepened the nation’s understanding of the human experience, broadened citizen engagement with history and literature or helped preserve and expand Americans’ access to cultural resources.

A real feel good experience as we celebrate artists and humanitarians that really make our souls sing!

Awards begin at around the 9-minute mark with Mel Brooks for making us all laugh and setting the tone and tenor for the event.

My favorite interviewer EVER, Terri Gross is honored around the 24-minute mark for her artful probing of the American experience for over 4 decades…

National Humanities Medal and National Medal of Arts awardees include actors Mel Brooks and Morgan Freeman, composer and musician Wynton Marsalis, record producer and songwriter Berry Gordy, and two New Jersey residents acclaimed writer James McBride and religion scholar Elaine Pagels.

http://www.newsworks.org/index.php/local/item/97407-watch-live-at-1145-am-president-obama-presents-terry-gross-with-national-medal-of-arts-and-humanities-

Humility-
Ellen and First Lady Michelle Obama Go to CVS:

This is hysterically funny and shows you why we shouldn’t take ourselves too seriously especially as leaders…

If You Are Local:
A 30-Day COMPASSION IT Challenge http://compassionit.com/30DayChallenge

Finally, Some Good Apolitical Posters to Keep Us On Track:

Thanks, this week go to Will M, NPR, Aysha S-B, Larry H and YOU for staying soulful!

Pay it forward

Love,
Neville

“Teach thy tongue to say ‘I do not know,’ and thou shalt progress” –Maimonides

Happy Soul Food Friday!

As we celebrate more than 5 years of this blog, longer if you count our email beginnings, enjoy our new look and feel and do add your comments so we know what you care about most!

This week:

World Gratitude Day Sept 21^st
The awareness of the benefits of having time in one’s life for gratitude, appreciation and positive reflection have become increasingly apparent. The hope of the founders of Gratitude Day is that by taking time, one day a year, to reflect on the many amazing things we have in our lives, it would positively impact our well-being and make us happier, more contented people.
https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/world-gratitude-day/

Character Day September 22^nd  and the Periodic Table of Character Strengths:
What kind of person am I and who do I want to be in the world?
A global movement we can all be part of…
http://www.letitripple.org/character-day/

The Science of Character:
What are YOUR Top 5 Strengths?

“The Science of Character” – new 8 min film from The Moxie Institute on Vimeo.

“Teachers need to attend to creating a sense of community in the classroom, where mutually respectful relationships are nurtured and prosocial behaviors are welcomed and rewarded.”

-DeRoche & Williams, Educating Hearts and Minds.

In the Character ED Business? The Purpose of Education in the U.S.
Americans do not agree. Academics? Work ? Citizenship?

• Less than half say “academics” (45%)
• Preparing students for work (25%)
• For citizenship? (26%)

Here is a caveat from the PDK Poll  (2016)–68% of Americans polled say local schools should focus on career-technical or skilled–based classes rather than more honors or advanced academic classes. What say you?

News You Can Use
News & Notes for those who Care and Share!

• References   •Resources   •Research  •Ramblings

September 2016 – Issue 1. Editor: Ed DeRoche. Co-Editor: Serena Pariser

21^st Century Skills

More than 250 researchers across 60 institutions worldwide categorized these skills into four broad categories:

• Ways of thinking: creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving, decision-making and learning;
• Ways of working: communication and collaboration;
• Tools for working: information and communications technology and information literacy; and
• Skills for living in the world: citizenship, life and career, and personal and social responsibility.                                                                                                                                     21^st century skills require 21^st century people of “character.”

Class Culture
Excerpt from https://www.teachingchannel.org/class-culture

We all want to build a positive classroom culture. But sometimes it can seem so elusive! This Deep Dive is here to help you consider how you can build a class culture that promotes academic achievement and social and emotional literacy.  Class culture is the foundation of a successful classroom, setting the tone while communicating and maintaining clear expectations. It also sets students up to hold each other accountable in reaching the classroom expectation and their shared goals.

As you begin this school year ask yourself:

• How can I build relationships with students?
• What does a vibrant and engaging culture look like?
• How can I create, uphold, and share responsibility for classroom norms?
• How can I help students work together?

Goal Setting                                                                

As you begin a new school year take note of these recommendations.

ASCD Smartbrief (5-26-09) reports that teaching middle school students WHY doing well in school is important and then helping them develop EFFECTIVE WAYS TO STUDY may do more to improve their grades than homework help.

Researcher Nancy Hill says, ” PLANNING AND DECISION-MAKING SKILLS can make middle school an especially effective time to use such strategies to overcome students’ decreasing interest in school.”

http://www.goalsettingforstudents.com is where we found this useful acronym:
SMART—which should be useful to your students.

S = Specific  M = Measurable       A = Attainable               R = Realistic      T = Timely

Have you considered goal setting using social systems for support in your classroom? Read about it here:
http://www.serenapariser.com/start-2015-off-right-student-goal-setting-using-social-systems-for-support

Narnia Virtues Project
The Center staff is pleased to connect you with a new educational project from our colleagues at the Center for the 4th and 5th Rs and the University of Leeds, UK.

The Narnia Virtues Project is a literature-based character education curriculum for students ages 11 to 13.   If you are an educator who teaches students in the 11 to 13 age -group, then you are eligible to join the Narnia Virtues project.  All teacher and student materials are free.  The project that will begin a pilot launch of its curriculum in fall 2016, and are looking for participants.

If interested, visit their website, http://www.narnianvirtues.leeds.ac.uk, for further information on this year’s pilot project, short videos, and sample project materials.

Celebrate Character Day
The Center staff  invite you to join us in celebrating Character Day on Thursday, September, 22^nd.

Check out Let It Ripple’s website, where you can find suggestions for activities, discussion kits, free materials, and videos for all ages.

September Freebie Caring Teacher Inventory

This inventory can be used in staff development or to have students assess their teachers’ caring behaviors, but the primary intent is for teachers to use it as a self-evaluation instrument

Why take the inventory? “Teachers need to attend to creating a sense of community in the classroom, where mutually respectful relationships are nurtured and prosocial behaviors are welcomed and rewarded.”-DeRoche & Williams, Educating Hearts and Minds.

A Fulbright Scholarship
Have you ever consider applying for a Fulbright Scholarship? Now is the time. Applications are currently open for 2017-2018. Read about one of our staff member’s insider perspective with Fulbright in Africa here:
http://www.smartbrief.com/original/2016/07/coaching-teachers-botswana-insider’s-perspective

Something to LINK To
Noisy Class = http://www.edutopia.org/blog/30-techniques-quiet-noisy-class-todd-finley?

How San Diego Is Teaching the Next Generation of Innovators:
“Our vision for leading the innovation economy leverages our unique competitive advantage rather than replicating what has been done elsewhere…”
http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/opinion/commentary/

National Hispanic Heritage Month:
Paying tribute to the generations of Hispanic Americans who have positively influenced and enriched our nation and society!
http://hispanicheritagemonth.gov/

Practicing Focus in a World of Relentless Demands: The Energy Project https://theenergyproject.com/

Thanks, this week go to Ed DeR, Serena P, Laura K, David L, Tony S, Meg M and Grateful Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Characters Everywhere!

Teach AND LEARN for America and our WORLD
Pay it forward, please…

Love,
Neville

In Germany, they came first for the Communists, And I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Communist;
And then they came for the trade unionists, And I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a trade unionist;
And then they came for the Jews, And I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Jew;
And then… they came for me. ..And by that time there was no one left to speak up.
–Rev Martin Niemoller, January 1946

 

Happy Soul Food Friday!

People are Awesome:

Dogs are Awesome:

Love On A Leash:

You might say these dogs are in the love business. They give it, and they get it in return.
http://www.kpbs.org/news/2016/sep/05/therapy-dogs-bring-love-leash/

Empathy- The Most Important Back to School Supply:

“Absent empathy, sincere kindness and unity, how useful are passing test scores for changing communities and an ailing world?”
http://us12.campaign-archive2.com/?u=d22785f089ea8dd144f3fa531&id=233d38b963&e=618c3f571f

Giggles for You:

 

Thanks, this week go to the Eric K, the EdTrans team & Larry H!

Please Pay it Forward…

Love,
Neville

“LOVE is our Soul Purpose”