Social Venture Partners Greater Tucson

By Mark Rubin                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

-Founding Partner, Chief Engager and Guest Contributor

When we recruit new Partners, cost comes up, for sure. And in our community, because our philanthropic scale is set pretty low, $5000 per year is a lot of money. (Not so much everywhere else. Recently, a New York City client of mine was being honored by a charity. I got the ask, sent some money and noted that tables for the dinner were between $10,000 and $25,000. Glad I live here!!!)

As we share our story, we must focus on value. If cost comes up, it comes up, and if it’s a big issue for a prospective Partner at the outset, we may not be a good fit. If we focus on value, though, and “show and tell” the value well, for the right person the $5000 can be almost inconsequential. We won’t be right every time, but if we stick with value, we’ll be right often enough.

And what is our value? I think we are the small group of thoughtful, committed people referenced in the famous quote: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”** Many people in our community contribute their time, talent and treasure to help change our world, but I know no other enterprise that has as its mission bringing to situations—in a totally focused way—the time, talent and treasure of a thoughtful, committed (and highly talented) group of people.

So as you go forth, day by day, spread the word about SVPGT, but focus on the value, not the cost. And please share any thoughts you have about the value you receive from your involvement with Social Venture Partners. (And, if you are in Tucson for the summer, stay tuned for and try to attend our summer events.)

**P.S. Research tells me Margaret Mead may not really be responsible for this gem. WikiQuote is fascinating for its comments about quotations and the people to whom they are attributed. Lots of undeserved credit floating around out there!

Ava is an organizational development consultant, specializing in partnering with business leaders to achieve transformational change. She and her husband, Richard, have lived in the Tucson area since 2003 and moved from Oro Valley to Barrio Viejo (just south of the Convention Center) in 2010. Ava is on the Board of SVP, and chairs the Portfolio Review Committee and the Focus Task Force.

Q: Where did your journey in philanthropy begin?

A: My first volunteer experience was as a Candy Striper reading to children in our local hospital during high school, which was both meaningful and great fun dispite the silly outfit. I’ve stayed active in the causes I believe in, either through donations or volunteering my time, ever since. I was very active as a Business Volunteer for the Arts (BVA) both in Seattle and San Diego, and those experiences laid the foundation for my involvement with SVP.

Q: What is the best ski trip you ever took and what makes it so memorable?

A: I’m an avid skier, and Richard and I go skiing every year. We lived in Italy for a year in 1994 and had the joy of skiing the Italian Alps all winter. We also love Whistler BC and go there almost every year. But the most memorable trip has to be a ski holiday in France where we were stuck in our room during a tremendous blizzard that lasted the entire length of our stay, and our only entertainment was watching the beginning week of the OJ Simpson trial with French sub-titles.

Q: What was your favorite SVPGT event so far? What made it such a success in your eyes?

 A: I like our Education events because I believe that SVP is a learning organization, and our partners are the types of people who like to learn new perspectives and ideas. The diversity of our topics reflects the diversity of our group and helps strengthen our collective capabilities. The event on March 15 with Brint Milward was awesome. I enjoyed learning about his topic, the Power of Networks. I learned new information I can use in my work and personal life, and think the topic was also very relevant to SVPGT and our networks.

By Erin Henderson

Programs and Communications Associate/AmeriCorps VISTA

After studying Communication, Spanish and Studio Art and graduating from Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia in 2011, Erin, a true Georgia Peach, pulled her roots out of the thick red Georgia clay and relocated to Tucson to serve one year as an AmeriCorps volunteer with SVPGT. She enjoys exploring the new “Alien Planet” that is the Sonoran Desert/Tucson, never meeting a stranger, and singing in a Reggae/Latin/Funk band.

You’re standing on the edge of a pool. On the edge of summer. It’s scorching outside, yet somehow the placid chlorine waters have remained frigid. You dip in a toe or two, and quickly withdraw with a shudder. “There’s no way…” you mutter to yourself. The bird who watches you curiously from an overhanging branch chuckles to herself at the sight of you.

After pacing a few steps on the hot concrete (which at this point is slowly blistering your poor soles), you set your towel beside the pool, sit yourself on the towel, and gingerly lower your legs up to your calves in the water. “This isn’t so bad,” you think to yourself as you gracefully draw figure eights underwater with your toes, the water molecules creating a slow motion effect on your movements.

The longer you sit there, the more you are urged by the hot sun on the top of your head and shoulders to “Just jump in already!”

Finally, you stand, make a bee line to the diving board (It’s now or never…), take a few large steps and, with a bounce and a gulp of air, take the plunge head first into the man-made oasis.

The shock hits you. With a few strokes you have made it nearly to the other side of the pool and slowly ascend to the surface. With a sharp exhale, followed by a deep inhalation of warm air, you realize you were right. It wasn’t so bad!

Now, instead of standing on the edge wishing you had the guts to risk the minor discomfort of cold water on your hot skin, you are in the pool, lavishing in luxurious laps. Bet you’re glad you didn’t miss that opportunity! Whew!

At the Social Venture Partners Greater Tucson Annual Meeting on April 23, Lance Fors— the SVPI Board Chair, SV2 (Silicon Valley) Member, and our Guest Speaker for the evening—gave an enchanting account of his first days with SVP. From “Know-little Newbie” to “One of the best spokespersons for SVPI we’ve got” (-John Smith, SVPGT Board Chair), Lance’s approach to getting involved says it all: “I just jumped in and did it.”

If today (or yesterday…or tomorrow…) you are questioning where you fit into the SVP Family/Partnership, you are in good company. As Lance said of SVP gatherings, “It’s like living in a 60 watt world and you just walked into a room of 100w light bulbs.”  And as family, we stand beside you to help you find your place and carry your light further. There are no square pegs around here.

Get Plugged In:

Start by completing your Partner Profile, if you haven’t already. This gives staff, committee members and lead partners access to a taste of who you are, what you bring to the SVP table, and what service opportunities are most important to you. We want to help you find an opportunity that is most meaningful to you personally. Click here to go to the Intranet and complete your partner profile. If you need any help, please contact me (erin@svpgt.org).

Grab a cup of coffee or lunch with Julia or a Lead Partner or our Chief Engager to discuss your interests. There is plenty of work to be done with our Investees. And we know that our Partners are out there thinking:

“What can I offer, besides a financial contribution?”

“I want to get engaged, but don’t know where to start.”

“I haven’t heard of any opportunities that are available.”

“There aren’t any projects that interest me.”

“My career field is not applicable to the projects available to volunteer for.”

“I don’t know how to strategically develop a work plan or govern a board.”

“This job is meant for someone else with more related experience.”

Instead, try asking yourself:

“How have I enjoyed volunteering in the past?”

“How much time do I have available to volunteer?”

“Do I want to do more than give a financial contribution?”

“Who do I most want to help?”

“What ideas do I have that other partners haven’t thought of yet?”

Keep an eye out for new Volunteer Your Time and Talent postings on the Monday Missive, svpgt.org, and Social Media. We are working closely with Lead Partners and Investees to give you the latest in volunteer opportunities and find more ways for our talented Partners to give back. Even if you are unsure about a job posting, it never hurts to dig a little deeper. It may be a chance to learn a new skill! We’ll help you find a good fit. Click here to see Volunteer Your Time and Talent Poastings

Attend Committee Meetings, Conferences, Partner Education Events, and Social/Recruitment Events. Discovering and understanding what other Partners are involved in is an inspirational way to picture yourself in various roles or collaborating on various projects.

You’d be surprised how many of your professional skills are in high demand for serving our Investees and our own infrastructure. You might even have a skill our Partnership didn’t know it needed. You never know which of your skills might come in handy! So let’s get creative together!

For example, who knew that our Partner Rhonda Fleming was a Powerpoint Presentation Wiz? As a teacher, she coached students on Science Fair projects for years! With her help, the Focus Task Force delivered a solid presentation at the Annual Meeting (Great Job Julia, Ava and Frank!).

Lance was once in the same boat: wanting to get more involved, but not sure where to start. But he said it was “all about taking that first step.” One of our favorite words around here is “Engagement.” But why get engaged? Why put in the effort to Volunteer Your Time and Talent? When asked why he joined SVP, Lance’s answer was simple: “I wanted a life that was significantly more meaningful.”

What other reason do you need to get engaged? “Just jump in already!”

Jump In and Reach Out:

Sunnyside Parents as Teachers Lead Partner: Harriet Kronman

Reading Seed Lead Partner: Ginnie Griffis

Youth on Their Own Lead Partnet: Ruby Buchsbaum

Chief Engager: Mark Rubin

Executive Director: Julia Waterfall-Kanter

Programs and Communications Associate: Erin Henderson

By Mark Rubin

-Founding Partner, Chief Engager and Guest Contributor

There is an old adage about seminars: Learn one thing and you’ve gotten your money’s worth! I attended the Social Venture Partners Turn Up the Heat: Next-Level Strategies for SVP Winter Conference in Scottsdale on April 16-17. I attended two programs, learned two big things and got a big reminder about the value of Social Venture Partners. Oh, and there was an EPIPHANY! Pretty good value!!!

First, I attended a dinner focused on collective impact. Several presenters related collective impact experiences in their communities. The issues on which these communities focused varied, although most of them worked on education. The players were different, community by community, and the processes also differed. One strand, however, was evident throughout: successful endeavors require a substantial amount of time, talent and treasure, and a total devotion to measurable outcomes.

Can we “do” collective impact in Tucson?  The Community Foundation for Southern Arizona is, already!  As for “can we,” if the “we” is Social Venture Partners, I think the answer is “not right now,” for we lack the capital and other resources that are necessary to be successful. Can we use our social capital to help make things happen in our community? Absolutely, and I hope and expect that we’ll be discussing this issue in the coming months.

Second, I attended The Art and Science of Fund Development, a full-day program about fund development issues. The big takeaway:  Words really matter!  Framing the way in which we communicate about Social Venture Partners—about why we do what we do, and how what we do matters—drives our level of success in broadening our support base. Of course, the message that words matter is not new, but the presentations about how we share our stories allowed me to see the issue from new perspectives. I deal with words every day from 8 to 5. I know they matter greatly (sometimes I tell people I am a technical writer whose forum happens to be the courts). Now I also know I need to give to my SVP life the same attention to words that I give them in my work life.

I also had an epiphany about the fund development side of Social Venture Partners of Greater Tucson. There are epiphanies, though, and then there are EPIPHANIES! I had a few epiphanies during the session, and the EPIPHANY on the drive home from Scottsdale. The EPIPHANY: We own Social Venture Partners of Greater Tucson. We own this partnership, all of us, in the same way in which we own real estate, stocks and bonds, businesses, and other assets. We have made an investment, and now we are responsible for it. What that means, and how it translates into action, requires more thought and plenty of conversation. For now, I’m thinking about it and I hope and expect that it will be part of our conversation in the coming months.

Of course, spending time with Partners always adds value to my life. The SVP network includes a really fine bunch of dedicated, interesting people. Being with them is truly pleasurable!

Bill, a founding father for the College of Medicine at the University of Arizona, attended college at Hamilton College in Clinton, N.Y. and then ventured to Albany for medical school. He continued at Albany with a medical internship leading to medical residency with the hospital. For 3 years, Bill worked in a neurologic residency at the Neurologic Institute at Columbia in NYC.  He served 2 years in the military as a neurologist. After over 40 years of teaching neurology to residents and students, Bill still uses his brain power to teach and see patients. Got Bill on the Brain yet? Keep reading and you will!

Q: What was the best piece of advice that you ever received? From whom?

Susan, whose daughter complains that she “loves everything” (which we just like to think means she is well-rounded) has many grand and simple interests and is an explorer at heart. Her roots are in Passaic, NJ, and she spent 30 amazing years in advertising, including for The New York Times. Now enjoying retired life surrounded by loving people, Susan is setting her sights on new ventures: finally writing a novel (she was an English major) and helping non-profits raise money. 

Q: Where did your journey in philanthropy begin?

A: I guess it began with volunteerism. When I was in high school, my friends and I joined a literacy program for deaf children at a nearby public school. We felt so good about it and had some very emotional ties to the elementary school kids we saw each week.

Q: What is your idea of the perfect day?

A: Walking in Tucson, a yoga class, seeing my daughter on Skype, eating food I don’t end up feeling guilty about, laughing with Stephen at our dogs, reading and writing a few good pages, watching another episode of a series we’re attached to and sleeping soundly.

Q: If you could go anywhere in the world right now and explore it for a month, where would you go and why?

A: Varanasi, India. I am completely fascinated by religious devotion and it is most vividly practiced there. If I focused my explorations in that one spot, perhaps I could figure out this universal mystery.

Q: Tell about a favorite community service project that you have worked on in the past.

A: I’m on the board of the Primavera Foundation — doing tours of their facilities for potential donors is at the top of my list. I have also completely enjoyed cleaning the beach on Long Beach Island, NJ.

Q: Who is your favorite philanthropist?  How does he/she inspire you? 

A: Stephen Golden {Her Partner and fellow SVPGT Partner}. Because he feels responsible to give to non-profits he believes in AND he dives into doing whatever work needs to be done to improve those organizations. He puts his money where his mouth. . .

Q: Tell us about a non-profit organization (besides SVP) that you are passionate about and your involvement/support of it.

A: I am attracted to organizations that help people move out of poverty; I am also naturally inclined to organizations trying to better the environment. I serve on the board of CEDPA, an organization that teaches women in the developing world to assume leadership positions; the Primavera Foundation which tries to give shelter to people on a pathway out of poverty, from homelessness all the way to home ownership. I am VP of their board and involved in board leadership development, fundraising and trying to be as good a board member as the organization deserves — a very lofty goal. I am also on the Rillito River Project board where I learn far more than I contribute. That organization aims to promote a better understanding of climate science through the arts. The most public display of their work is Bat Night, when over 5,000 people come to the rillito under the Campbell Avenue bridge to hear U of A lecturers, poets, dancers, musicians and more. Included in May’s event will be a dance performance by elementary school students from several public schools on the river. Rillito River Project is a testament to the power of collaborative creativity between science leaders and successful artists. I serve on the College of Fine Arts advisory board, too.

Q: What is the best aspect about living in Tucson?

A: Having wonderful friends in this beautiful place.

Q: What was the best piece of advice that you ever received? From whom?

A: ”Spirited cheer saves almost every day.” -My paternal grandmother.

Frank, who is now happily retired, went to Boston University on the GI Bill after serving in the US Air Force for four years, one of them in Korea. He worked as a reporter and editor at four New England newspapers, culminating 32 years at the Boston Globe, 16 of them as an editor and 16 as VP for Human Resources. While at the Globe, he helped found an exchange program between U.S. and Soviet journalists in the early 1980s. He shared his experience in journalism as a mentor to University of Massachusetts Journalism Department students. He has been extensively involved as a community volunteer. Frank is always up for a good show, good book, good movie, or good wine with a side of interesting people. He is a “Globe” trotter (forgive the pun, Frank) and hopes to spend some time in France soon with his wife, Cynthia Dickstein.

Q: What has been your most valuable experience with SVPGT thus far?

A: In addition to meeting a lot of really nice people, it would be learning first hand through the Investment Committee about the wide spectrum of literacy organizations in Tucson.

Q: Where is your favorite hiking spot near Tucson? What is unique about it?

A: The Rattlesnake Trail in Sabino Canyon … first trail where the incredible Gila monster lumbered across right in front of me.

Q: What was the best piece of advice you ever received? From whom?

A: As a young newspaper reporter, fresh out of college, my editor told me, “Keep your head down and work — don’t play office politics; it’ll hurt you in the long run.”

Q: If I could choose one new talent to instantly acquire, it would be ____.

A: The ability to speak French.

Cynthia Dickstein has worked in private sector, non-political international professional exchanges with the USSR and Iran since 1979. Cynthia until recently served on the Board of Access Tucson, was the founder and Chair of People for Access Tucson Foundation, Inc., and was the host of Access Tucson’s TV show “Political Perspectives.” In addition, she is a writer, having published most often on the Op Ed pages of the Boston Globe since 1980.

Q: What was the best vacation you ever took? Who was with you? What did you do?

A: My husband Frank (Grundstrom) and I have taken many wonderful trips. Two stand out, in large part because of the spectacular animal life…an Abercrombie and Kent camping safari in Kenya, back in the 1990′s, and a recent National Geographic/Lindblad polar bear expedition in the Arctic and Svalbard, Norway.

Q: What is your favorite place that you have ever lived? Why is it your favorite?

A: Tucson, because of the weather, and the closeness to nature….certainly not because of the politics!

Q: Have you ever met a celebrity or public figure? Tell about the experience.

A: Yes, many, since I lived in Los Angeles for quite awhile and routinely met people in the film industry. But perhaps most interesting to me were three people, all in the political sphere, all of whom I met while working in my field of international professional exchanges. George Soros….who through his foundation partially funded my visiting delegation of Iranian journalists in 1998 and invited us all to his home in Manhattan; Shirin Ebadi, who I interviewed while I was in Tehran, two years before she won the Nobel Peace Prize, and Eduard Shevardnadze, who I interviewed in Moscow when he was Mikhail Gorbachev’s Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Q: My ideal night on the town in Tucson would include…

A: A midnight walk in Sabino Canyon, just after a heavy rain.

NEW! This new blog will feature different partners. Learn new fun tidbits about our partners! Let’s kick it off with someone you may know, but probably didn’t know these fun facts about…

Julia is the Executive Director of SVPGT

Q: What was the best piece of advice you ever received? From whom?

A: On the day I drove off with my mother to Scripps College my Freshman year, my father said to me, “Above all: to thine own self be true.”  I’ll never forget that great piece of advice.

Q: Who is your favorite children’s book character and why?

A: I love Horton of Horton Hears a Who.  I think I identify with Horton because he is an idealist, a believer and always fighting for those little people in Whoville!

Q: Describe your idea of the perfect way to spend a Saturday.

A: The perfect Saturday for me would be to have my family with me , Brian my husband and my two daughters Samantha (8) and Katherine (10). The weather would be perfect so we could be outside in the pool or in the garden! I would end the day with dinner with friends – again sitting outside on the patio with food from the grill and maybe some cool margaritas!

Q: What was the best vacation you ever took? Who was with you? What did you do?

A: When I worked for Up With People (where I met my husband), Brian and I would take mini-vacations when we were in interesting spots around the globe.  My favorite excursion was to Basel, Switzerland where Brian attended services with a Jewish family he had met when he had stayed in Basel years before.  Later, we ate dinner in a simple Italian restaurant (the best Tortellini ala Panna I ever ate!) with white paper table cloths and long “community” tables.  In the evening we roamed the streets and bars – I am pretty sure we saw the sunrise!

By Erin Henderson

Communications/Programs Associate SVPGT

AmeriCorps VISTA

"Clush" : Power Couple with Philanthropic Presidential Superpowers

Many of America’s prominent figures have paved remarkable paths for philanthropy. But none can compare to the potential powerful impact of a philanthropic president.

Eisenhower promoted cross-cultural communication with the People to People Program. Truman set precedents for international aid with the Marshall Plan which eventually led to USAID. Bush encourages others to serve through Points of Light.  Jimmy Carter is an advocate and volunteer for Habitat for Humanity and developed the Carter Center for human rights. Clinton’s Foundation and Global Initiative supports victims of natural disasters, HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention, accessible clean water, obesity, and a number of other global needs.

Barack Obama, Jimmy Carter, Thomas Woodrow Wilson, and Theodore Roosevelt were each awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

Being president has its perks, but more importantly its powers.

Not only are you a household name, constantly covered by the media, and of some financial pull, you’re also, well…the President! And I’d say it’s a pretty good opportunity to use your powers for good (Super Philanthropist to the Rescue!).

The PPPPPPPP ( count ‘em, that’s 8 ), also known as Presidential Philanthropists Procuring Public Policy for the Poor People of the Planet, could be the next big thing in the non-profit world. That’s a lot of bang for your buck. Or maybe Past Presidents United (PPU). Ok, so I made both of those NPOs up. But we’ve seen Clinton and Bush, Sr. unite for the National Institute of Civil Discourse in our own backyard (through the University of Arizona located in downtown Tucson at the Providence Building).

Why not push for more former heads of state putting their heads together to solve global human rights issues leveraging their presidential super-powers? Imagine the pulling power of more of these power couples: Brangelina. Bennifer. Clush?