Welcome to our latest initiative we call “Mutare”

As long as charities continue to struggle, year after year, to meet increasing demands on their services I feel I have a right to be cranky, critical, and determined to look for better solutions. For all of those who continue to die from cancer, for those who are experiencing homelessness, for those addicted to opioids, for our environment and animals needing shelter, for those racialized, and for so many more lingering social problems, we need to do things differently. We need critical, open, honest discussions. We need to act with greater urgency. The status quo is not good enough.

I am not criticizing what is being done.  I do not mean to imply anything negative to all of those working, volunteering, donating, and supporting current charitable organizations.  I can’t imagine how our communities would look without you all. Thank you.

I am being critical about what is not getting done. I see the proverbial glass as half empty.

Samuel Clemens was better known as Mark Twain, the American writer and humorist. Among other things, he is famous for many witty quotes. He was an astute observer of life. Here are several of his insights I find relevant to our Mutare Initiative...

“Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting a different outcome.” 

“Necessity is the mother of taking chances.”

“The only person who likes change is a wet baby.”

“Don’t be afraid to go out on a limb.  That is where the fruit is.”

“The secret of getting ahead is getting started.”

So here goes...

On behalf of GIV3, and with my passion for charity, I have decided to share my considerations for the evolution of the charity sector. And I am willing to put some money where my mouth is. But that will come later. Right now, at the risk of self-induced whiplash, I’m writing a series of small blogs over the next several weeks which I hope will encourage a narrative in support of a more effective social sector.

To be clear, this is not a journey about dreams, idealistic hope or a wholistic transformation (which rarely happens in a democracy short of a revolution). I will discuss the importance of pursuing “good politics”. I will share some achievable ideas and discuss the importance of a sector strategic plan.

We can’t achieve this alone. I hope you will join me in this narrative for change, and will help amplify it. Let me know your thoughts, and please continue to follow along via the GIV3 website.

Please, and thank you.