Giving

It’s time to learn how “each of us can change the world” … enter former President Bill Clinton who shares his words of wisdom in his book Giving.  The book proclaims itself to be an inspirational call to change how we give in the world, yet I found much of the book to proclaim who are the BIG givers, whom are friends with Bill Clinton, and also some resources of how to get involved.  It is almost a “who’s who” among the philanthropic world.  Don’t get me wrong, the people who do give and the opportunities to get involved are a great service to those who aren’t involved.  So what does the book cover?  Here goes: how to give money, how to give time, how to give things (some neat organizations), how to give your skills, how to give gifts that keep on giving, how to model gifts, nonprofit markets and how they are organized, and finally how much should you give and why?   Clinton provides a very compelling opening chapter on why we should give as a member of this society, outlining how the US has so many reasons to give back.  From addressing AIDS to malaria, poverty to illiteracy, and the list goes on and on, there are so many reasons and causes that need attention.  The Clinton Foundation was created to start addressing these issues.  Some of the groups and philanthropists he notes include: George Soros, Bill and Melinda Gates, Oprah Winfrey, Warren Buffet, all of whom have put their money where their mouths are to help curb the world’s wrongs.  For giving time, he notes Dr. Paul Farmer’s work with Doctors without Borders, Make a Wish Foundation, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, and the Acorn Foundation.  For giving things, he notes Doc to Dock, Dress for Success, Goodwill, and Red Cross.  For giving skills, Clinton notes stories related to some of the following groups: America Reads, Andre Agassi College Prep, Girls Incorporated, and Room to Read.  The nice part of the book is the appendix that lists all of the various community organizations, their websites, and also books related to the groups that he writes about in Giving.  Again, it is a quick read but much more of a great resource for a community service office or library.  It is helpful to review to help one realize that we should act, but a favorite book?  Hmmm...  more of a book to keep on the coffee table while thinking about what I should be doing to help others.