Good Works and Almsdeeds

Hybrids  -- have 2 legal entities --o ne for-profit and the other non-profit. Keys to both are  social missions and the clear integration of practices or infrastructure from both sectors. They  can be extremely successful, but they also have trade-offs, for instance, the profit driving activities and the social activities conflict so one overcomes the other.  Pure hybrids --are still few in number.   What makes hybrids so successful it that it  produces both social value and commercial revenue through a single, unified strategy --r ather than take a nonprofit m odel and add a commercial revenue stream—or take a for-profit model and add a charity or service program. Early on social innovation was through organizations that primarily pursue a social mission but rely significantly on commercial revenue to sustain operations --and hybrids existed in certain sectors, such as job training, health care, and microcredit. In recent years new sectors have taken shape...

  The nonprofit industry is changed by incorporating the ideas and practices of social innovation. Nonprofits, though still needing a lot of help, are once again a strong force.  This week, we covered nonprofits and their respective solutions. I had to take a look at nonprofits and  consider what I expect them to look like with ideas on how to transform an organization into a socially innovative powerhouse.  I gained clearer understanding of non-profits. bot (sigh). I am still confused about NGO's.   In a TED message this week given by 'Pallotta' (reference below), he said that  we've been taught to think about giving and about charity and about the nonprofit sector, are actually undermining the causes we love, and our profound yearning to change the world. Many of today's social problems are massive in scale and our organizations are tiny up against them. Our current belief system is what is keeping them tiny.  why do we think...

The youth speaker in church on Sunday, was my gal, whom I fondly refer to as 'Sweet T'. The topic she was to center her remarks around was How do I hear Heavenly Father and draw others to Christ?   I jotted down things she said that stood out to me.  For her, drawing someone to Christ hasn't ever been having a friend agree to take missionary discussions and be baptized. After further thought, realized that drawing others to Christ takes other forms: a smile, words of hope, being a friend … 'Love Centered Actions'.  Music. The 2nd verse of hymn #270, a favorite of hers, says, " perhaps today there are loving words which Jesus would have me speak; there may be now n the paths of sin some wonderer I should seek. O, Savior, if thou wilt be m guide, tho dark and rugged the way, My voice shall echo the message sweet: I'll say what you want me to say" .   If you are trying to hear Him then you'll have love centered actions. The lord asks of us a broken...

Corporate Social Responsibility  (CSR) ,  Certified B Corporations  (B Corp) , Real Solutions for Real People, and what makes a successful social impact company  are the main ideas and topics from this week's lesson material.  DEFINED: Corporate Social Responsibility is:  an outlet of social innovation  an exciting and upcoming industry and holds many possibilities for social innovators   a type of business self-regulation with the aim of being socially accountable ;  how companies measure and control their impact on society. This includes a company's contributions – both negative and positive – to the economy, environment and greater community .    striving to positively contribute to the public, the economy &/or the environment . A company/business who is CSR benefits in two ways:  by improving its brand image.  When customers or clients see evidence of social responsibility, they tend to respond posit...

This week's study focus was on New Business Model and Lean Start-Up.  Two of the main ideas that I took away from this weeks topics were, one, design thinking and the lean start up method for developing businesses and/or products go hand in hand. Two, that you've got to have a consistent plan model to help you track progress and set goals.  The New Business Model has proven valuable in doing just that. A visual chart documents existing business ideas and programs and efforts while aiding new ideas and expansion. This weeks activity of filling in a business model engaged my mind in two ways. First, being a visual learner, I was better able to take in the needful parts of the company, Obesity Action Coalition , I was learning from, and Second, I was better able to see the  Obesity Action Coalition   company's creativity, innovation, and impact.  Sharpening my business skills is helpful in aiding me in helping others just as ...

This past week I received a phone call that knocked the wind right out of me. For me the news was of the saddest kind. The news was that they were turning away from living gospel truths.  Since that call I have cried, prayed, and read --scriptures, general conference talks, & various church articles. Here are two things that were helpful --gratitude & hope.  " Everyone’s situation is different, and the details of each life are unique. Nevertheless, I have learned that there is something that would take away the bitterness that may come into our lives. There is one thing we can do to make life sweeter, more joyful, even glorious.  We can be grateful ! …M ost of the scriptural references do not speak of gratitude  for  things but rather suggest an overall spirit or attitude of gratitude …  grateful to God  in  our circumstances  … in times of distress does  not  mean that we are pleased with our circumstances. It  do...