November 2008 e-Community

Dear Friends,

Happy Election Day! I must admit, I'm a civic participation geek who has worn her "I Voted!" sticker with glee on every Election Day since I turned 18. I empathize with people who prefer not to vote early or by mail because they feel the "I Voted!" sticker is the cherry on the top of their democracy sundae. If you haven't done so, get out there and vote and wear your sticker with a smile.

To combat what has been a depressing October filled with news of the turbulent economy and divisive political ads, the staff of Community Shares decided to introduce an Ambassadors of Positivity campaign. We started publicly recognizing each other when someone chooses to be positive instead of cynical, patient instead of sarcastic, or willing to reframe a problem as an opportunity. It has made a dramatic impact on the spirit of our office and added a lot of silly joy over small things. Like our giving campaigns, it's amazing how incremental attitude choices make a monumental difference on the people around us.

Studies show smiling increases people's Good Samaritan instinct to help others. (In other words, the next time you need help changing a flat tire, let those pearly whites shine!) I found a study that went a step further. The study set up two sets of two people to interact with 800 strangers. In half of the exchanges, they timed the interaction so the first confederate would smile at someone and 1-2 seconds later a second confederate would drop a stack of computer disks. People who were exposed to a smile seconds before were 10% more likely to stop and help the person in need.

I love the idea of transferable smiles! At Community Shares, we ask you to partner with us to invest in building a stronger community. This week, let's all try to up the investment with a few smiles. Thanks to the Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado, every new or increased gift to Community Shares will be matched dollar for dollar. For the month of November, please note the staff of Community Shares will also be matching all smiles, grin for grin.

Best,


Alyssa Kopf
CEO, Community Shares

PS: Thanks to our lean operations and the match from the Gay & Lesbian Fund a $10 gift can generate $200 in giving campaign donations. Make a Gift Today!

Giving is Contagious

The vast majority of our workplace giving campaigns are running right now. Bring some positive energy to your giving campaign. Here are three easy ways to make giving fun and contagious.

1. A 2005 study disputed the idea that success makes people happy - instead, it turns out that happy people are more likely to be successful. Happy people are easier to work with, more highly motivated, and more willing to tackle a difficult project - all of which lead them to be successful. If you view running your campaign as a great opportunity to increase community investment and bring that positive attitude into your campaign it will change the dynamics of your campaign and boost success.

2. Share success stories. We have many inspiring stories from our member agencies that point out how a few dollars can make an amazing impact. Email Erin Atwell to request positive stories to share with your co-workers.

3. Deliver each pledge form with a smile. It's a free, easy, and effective way to increase a person's likelihood to give.

Bee Positive - Social Mood Drives Social Change

+ If the election process can be described as the quintessential American Roadtrip then I'm the kid in the backseat asking, "Are we there yet?"

+ After an October to forget all eyes are now focused on an election to remember. Mindshare has been crowded for months, fatigue is setting in, and societal acrimony is simmering on the hot collective stovetop.

+ I'm begging for Serenity Now!

+ Thank goodness for Halloween which ironically enough provided a little bit of normalcy to a crazy fall. Mini shareholders hit the streets in search of sugar and we could all open our doors and share with the neighbors.

+ The fact that this occurred with everyone in pretend mode was beside the point. It was just nice to see an uptick in societal mood if just for one evening.

+ What is Societal Mood you ask? It is the human equation - the collective feelings of a community which swing back and forth in never ending succession.

+ A measurable example of mass psychology are the worldwide stock market indicies (Read an interesting article about the madness of crowds here).

+ Simply speaking, social mood is the compilation and dynamic of the attitudes within your social circle!

+ As the socioeconomic malaise jumps the shark into the mainstream and becomes increasingly present in water cooler conversation we at Community Shares encourage you to join us in our Ambassador of Positivity campaign.

+ Look at the bright side, take the high road, and bee positive!

+ Blind optimism? No. Just the recognition that your spirits and actions in the face of negativity have a profound effect on your community.

+ On this most patriotic of days please remember that nothing is more quintessentially American than giving. Whether you open your door up to the kiddos on Halloween or make a gift to your favorite charity during tough times, we all need to pitch in with a little humility and a lot of humanity as we wind down one era and wind up another.

+ As you make your way through the election I'll offer that there are no red or blue shareholders - we're all in this together. So go and cast your votes for a new chapter! Good luck!

Best wishes,

Shareholder Jason Manke
Communications Manager

Thanks to oddtodd.com for the inspiring graphic! To Toddo Harrison at Minyanville for the thought provoking daily words, and to Robert Prechter and Elliott Wave for bringing the most mind blowing concept (socionomics and the wave principle) to life on a daily basis.