What labor are you willing to do to make a difference in your community

As we celebrate this labor day holiday, we as a society individuals think about what we will do to take advantage of our three day weekend. We make plans to hang out, get some rest, catch up on some projects around the house and eat some good food. Then after we go back to work, get back in the hustle and bustle of our lives; focusing on what we need or want to do for ourselves and our immediate network.

As I look at the number of donors and volunteers the organization has, the level of engagement of SEM Link's board and the number of sponsors, i do a lot of reflection and inspection. So many people are supposedly too "busy" or "broke" to make an consistent adjustment in their schedules to make a difference in their community. I believe that is why most people love to volunteer for adopt a road programs and Hosea Feed the Hungry or Habitat, because it requires a one time commitment instead of a long term investment in the organization.

So what would make you willing to make a long term investment in a non profit organization? What will cause you to decide, I'm going to make a decision based on the economic principle of opportunity costs because I realize that we all have to make choices based on our limited resources and time to give some of your time and/or money to a non profit organization. Will you say that I make a commitment to make a monthly or annual contribution to an non profit organization. Instead of eating that $10 daily lunch, you will take your lunch or by a $5 lunch and donate your savings to our "Donate Your Lunch Money". Would you go into work a little earlier or go to the gym before work, so you can still get your work out on, but volunteer for our after-school programs. Would you be willing to talk and encourage people in your network to make the same choices that you make to devote their time and talent to a non profit.