Learning to Give, Curriculum Division of The LEAGUE

Note: Prior to doing this activity, participants should have completed a personal mission statement. See activity: My True North.

Age:

• 12-18

Philanthropy is:

• Giving, serving and private citizen action intended for the common good.

Purpose:

• Participants will recognize that each individual has or can develop a personal mission that when applied can enhance and guide his/her participation in voluntary activities to make it a richer and more meaningful experience.

Objectives:

The young person will:

• look closely at the mission of many non-profit organizations.
• determine which organization’s missions most closely match their own mission ideas.

Activity Steps:

• Facilitator explains, “Now that we have begun to discover what our own personal missions are or the areas we care about, let’s look at the organizations in which we might want to volunteer.”
• Posted around the room are the missions from a variety of non-profit organizations (see Sample Mission Statements at bottom of lesson). Using mission statements from organizations in the local community is best. Sample statements are available at the end of this activity. Ask participants to walk around the room, reading and reflecting on the organizations’ Mission Statements.
• After the organization’s Mission Statements are read, participants are asked to reread their Personal Mission Statements, looking for one or two that closely match: organization-to-personal.
• Participants decide, based on a mission match, if they might want to volunteer in that organization. If so, they sign name, address, and phone number.
• When all participants have found at least one organization match, ask them to share why they chose this organization and how it fits with their personal mission. What other groups or organizations might exist in the community that might match the personal mission?

Processing Questions:

1. What did you learn from this activity?
2. How does this apply to choosing a governance role for you?
3. How does this apply to choosing an organization in which you would serve on the Board?
4. How did it feel when you were going through this activity?
5. What if you cannot find an organization that matches your personal mission? What might you do?
6. What questions do you have about your own community?
7. What are some ways to get involved in your local community?

Variation:

f the facilitator is leading a group that is associated with one organization, the participants may want to write a group mission for the organization that best fits their personal missions.

Supplemental Activity:

The facilitator might invite several non-profit directors to make a presentation to the group about their organizations: their history, mission, and need for volunteers.

Activity Source:

Community Partnerships with Youth Inc
Youth as Philanthropist

Additional Resources:

Foundations Solving Social Issues
Learning to Give Lesson (Grades 9-12) “The Biggest Common Problem of All? What is It?”
Unit “The New Philanthropy? A Hands-on Way of Giving”
Lesson Five:

Local Organizations
Learning to Give Lesson (Grades 3-5) “Nonprofits in Our Community”
Unit “Nonprofits are Necessary”

Utilizing Guidestar.org
Learning to Give Lesson (Grades 6-8) “What Does a Philanthropic Organization Do?”
Unit “Philanthropy, You, and Your World”

 

 

Sample Mission Statements

American Youth Hostels’ mission is to help all, but especially the young, gain a greater understanding of the world and its people. AYH promotes global understanding by offering year-round accommodations and a full range of educational and recreational programs for travelers of all ages, income groups and nationalities.

Boys and Girls Clubs is a youth serving organization dedicated to enhancing and assisting young people in realizing and developing the essential skills for living through the promotion of health, social educational, vocational, leadership and character development experiences.

Young Mothers Educational Development Program’s mission is to provide an environment in which pregnant teenage girls will develop positive attitudes and will be provided continuing education through accredited course work.

The mission of the Youth Services Bureau is to be an advocate for vulnerable and at-risk youth by providing needed services.

Opportunity Enterprises’ mission is to develop and effectively utilize agency and community resources to meet the needs and enrich the lives of individuals with disabilities.

Church Federation’s mission is to act as a link between churches and public social agencies, enhance local churches’ effectiveness in responding to community social welfare needs, and to heighten congregational members’ awareness of social needs and concerns.

The Urban League’s mission is aimed at the elimination of racial discrimination, increasing the economic and political empowerment of Blacks and other minorities and, in short, helping them to enter the mainstream of American life.

The Information and Referral Network, Inc. connects people who need human services and those who provide them.

The Public Action in Correctional Effort, Inc. mission is to aid in the rehabilitation to society of offenders who are involved in the criminal justice system by providing programs of service: educating citizens of their responsibilities for criminal justice: and implementing change in the system which will provide safety for the public, is economical for the taxpayer and is administered humanely.

Youth Works, Inc. mission is to improve the employment and career development opportunities of youth.

4-H mission is to assist youth and adults in their development by conducting hands-on educational programs, using the knowledge base of Purdue University, other land grant universities, and the United States Department of Agriculture.

Girls, Inc. mission is to help girls and young women overcome the effects of discrimination and to develop their capacity to be self-sufficient, responsible citizens: and to serve as a vigorous advocate for girls, focusing attention on their special needs.

 

Philanthropy Theme Framework :

Strand Standard Benchmark PHIL I. Definitions of Philanthropy DP 01. Define Philanthropy MS 1. Define philanthropy as individuals and organizations providing their time, talent, and/or treasures intended for the common good throughout history and around the world. Give examples.