Impact your world.

I was trolling CNN for news items that might inspire a post when I stumbled upon Impact Your World. It seems CNN has already done the work for me! Impact Your World challenges readers to "Take action on the news you consume!" The facilitate that work in several ways:

* Click the links associated with the news stories to donate to organizations that make a difference.
* Follow the progress of the Be The Change volunteers. and be inspired to do your own work.
* Visit the Planet in Peril page for tips on protecting our Earth.
* Inspire others to action by sending your story about how you make difference in your community.
* Nominate a CNN Hero and get that person and, more importantly, their cause the recognition they deserve.

Today's front page features ways you can help children in Iraq, people affected by the floods in Bangladesh, and US veterans. Often reading the newspaper or watching the evening news can seem like an exercise in futility. How can one person lessen all the suffering that is reported. Thankfully, CNN's Impact Your World shows us that indeed we can make a difference.

Happy new year, readers! I wish each of your every happiness, every blessing, every joy for 2008.

"Are you a politician asking what your country can do for you or a zealous one asking what you can do for your country? If you are the first, then you are a parasite; if the second, then you are an oasis in the desert." - Khalil Gibran (1883–1931)

Put people first.

Since I commute by train and bus, I run into many of the same people everyday. Yesterday, on my way home I rode the train with a women I see frequently. She's blind, and when we moved to exit at the same stop I asked if she needed assistance. We chatted on the way to her bus and were pleased to note that her first name is the same as my middle name. My conversation with Carol inspired this post on putting people not disability first.

Here are some resources that will help you interact with all people regardless of their (dis)abilities. It's not surprising that that these guidelines apply to everyone because species atypical people (like blond people, blind people, and any other group that is not in the majority) have many of the same needs, desires, concerns, hopes, etc. as everyone else. Considering that most people will be disabled at some point in their lives, this is especially true. Consider these suggestions:

--> Recognize that people are individuals. Give them respect and treat them they way you would want to be treated.
--> Treat adults as adults. Do not patronize people with disabilities by telling them how courageous they are, talking to them like they are children, or talking down to them.
--> Speak directly to the person not their companion (if they have one).
--> Offer assistance but only give it if your offer is accepted. Wait for any instructions the person may give you.
--> Don't focus on the disability, but don't pretend it doesn't exist.
--> Be willing to adjust your pace of walking or talking as necessary.

You may think that this will be easy, but take this test for bias first. If the results surprise or disappoint you, consider a visit to Tolerance.org to learn how you can promote tolerance in yourself, your home and your community. Here are a few more resources you may want to consider:

* From Linc, Inc: www.lincinc.org/faq.html
* From the National Center for Independent Living: www.ncil.org/about/MedicalAndILModels.html
* From Disability Rights Advocates: www.dralegal.org/publications/index.php

Remember that perspectives may differ because all people with disabilities don't agree on everything. Neither do all women. Or all wealthy people. Or all black people. You get the idea. When we recognize the value that all people possess we're well on the way to putting people first.

It was great meeting you, Carol! See you on MARTA!

"I freed thousands of slaves. I could have freed thousands more if they had known they were slaves." -- Harriet Tubman

Vote smart.

The candidate for whom I am most likely to vote for in November's presidential election is one which many call "unelectable". That's okay. The candidate is the one I think is best for me, my country, and my world. Although I initially worried about "unelectability" I put those concerns aside when I remembered my favorite Ghandi quote: "Be the change you want to see in the world." Everyone should vote for the person the person they believe will do the best job. If we just vote the person who is most "electable" we could end up with a president everyone voted for, but who no one really likes. That's not a recipe for success. So in the spirit of choosing the person who is best for you, your country, and your world, I present VoteSmart.org.

Project Vote Smart is a political research organization that gathers information on candidates to help you make the very best decision you can on Election Day. Visit Votesmart.org to learn about the candidates. You'll find

* Biographical Information
* Campaign Finances
* Issue Positions
* Interest Group Ratings
* Voting Records
* Public Statements

It's all collected and assembled by people from both major political parties. It can help you make your decision both for the primary or caucus and in the November general election. It is indeed our responsibility to vote responsibly. VoteSmart.org helps make that possible.

"Onward and upward." -- Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865)

Give and get back or give and grow.

I happened upon a press release from echoDonations.org today. What a cool organization! They have developed a way for everyday people to give an interest-bearing donation to their favorite charity and earn a return on their gift. It's called a Charitable Mutual Fund and they've been in use for years, but only for those who can make very large donations. Using the power of the internet, echoDonations enables people to participate with only a $25 donation (or more).

Here's how it works: You make a donation to your favorite charity through echoDonations. They invest the money in the charitable mutual fund. There are two choices on what to do with the interest earned: Give & Get Back™ or Give & Grow™.

* Give & Get Back™ - With this option, the interest is split between you (or your beneficiary) and your charity. Each of you gets a yearly check for the interest, and when you die, your charity gets your original donation. Use this option to get Lifetime Cash Rewards™.

* Give & Grow™ - With this option, the charity gets half the interest in a yearly check. The other half is reinvested in the charitable mutual fund. When you die, the charity gets the original donation plus all the compound interest it has earned.

--> Use their gift calculator to determine what your gift will mean to you and to your favorite nonprofit. echoDonations is a nonprofit so your contributions are tax deductible, but the amount you can deduct is based on your age at the time of donation.

echoDonations.org is a wonderful way to make a meaningful donation to an organization you care about. And it is particularly nice that both you and your charity can benefit from the interest. What a great way to get your money back. Enjoy!

"Capital as such is not evil; it is its wrong use that is evil. Capital in some form or other will always be needed." — Mohandas K. Gandhi

Improve your vocabulary.

I was on the Clinton School of Public Service blog yesterday and found the neatest thing: freerice.com.

FreeRice.com is a click to donate or CTD site with twist: vocabulary lessons. Each time you correctly select the meaning of the given word, 20 grains of rice are donated to the World Food Programme. When you get the definition right you get a harder word (and the WFP gets rice). Get it wrong an you get an easier word. It's addictive, so be careful. As with other CTD sites, advertisers donate money for rice based on how many visitors test and improve their vocabulary. Yesterday 369,007,280 grains of rice were donated.

Every little bit helps. So visit freerice.com and learn a little to give a little. It's a win-win! Have fun!

"Today the man who is the real risk-taker is anonymous and nonheroic. He is the one trying to make institutions work." - John William Ward

Get your money back.

You don't have to read So What Can I Do long to know that I'm a big believer in donation. We can donate almost everything: clothes, money, even life. But sometimes making a monetary donation just isn't practical. Thankfully there are many ways to do good for others and get your money back. Check out these lending opportunities:

--> Kiva.org. This nonprofit organization allows the public to finance microloans throughout the world. Lenders can choose the entrepreneurs they want to support. With their very low rates of default, lenders almost always get their money back though they don't earn a return on their investment. I first wrote about Kiva two years ago.

--> MicroPlace.com. This for-profit company just launched last month. They allow the public to buy securities that fund microfinance organizations throughout the world. "Lenders" earn a return on their investment, but are not able to choose who they fund. Learn more by reading this interview with the founder.

Kiva and Microplace may appear similar, but they have different business models. There's no reason you can't lend through both, especially since you'll likely get your money back. For broader lending opportunities, consider these options:

--> Prosper.com. Loan to people in the US and elsewhere. If you practice due diligence you may well earn a nice return.

--> LendingClub.com. Loan to people in the US and elsewhere. If you practice due diligence you may well earn a nice return.

--> Virginmoneyus.com. Loan to family members and friends. Having a third party involved could help reduce or prevent disputes and broken relationships.

And if you need a loan to start a small business, stop using payday lenders, get out of debt, pay medical bills, etc. consider registering with one of these companies as a borrower. Lenders, if you choose carefully, you'll be able to help someone in need and earn a return on your investment. Nextbillion.net is devoted to just these kinds of opportunities. Now that's socially-responsible investing.

"Self-pity in its early stages is as snug as a feather mattress. Only when it hardens does it become uncomfortable." — Maya Angelou

Redefine the holidays.

I opened Monday's New York Times and found the following full-page ad:

Let's redefine Christmas. By putting more Thanksgiving in it.
No sooner does Thanksgiving end, than the loathsome shopping season begins - a month-long compulsion to by something, anything, for everyone. We're pressed. We're stressed. And our money is wasted. But we can change all that by focusing on the giving. And redefining Christmas.
Give people donations to their favorite charities.
And request that they give donations to your favorite charities.
A lot more money would go to people who need it. Shopping would be easier and tax-deductible. And our giving would be more in keeping with the Christmas spirit.

The Dalio Family Foundation, which paid for the ad and accepts no donations from the public, ends by saying "The sole purposed of this message is to facilitate charitable giving. Please pass it on." So that's what I'm doing. Consider it: Less hassle. More good. Less taxes. It's win-win.

So this year, instead of or in addition to materials gifts, try giving and requesting charitable gifts. They are gifts that keep on giving. Happy Thanksgiving!

"History is a vast early warning system." - Norman Cousins

Give a child a family.

What do you have to be thankful for this year? As of Saturday, November 17, more than 3,300 children are thankful for their new adoptive parents. On National Adoption Day these children and their parents finalized adoption proceedings and made their families legal. Congratulations!

There are still 114,000 children in foster care, hoping for loving permanent families. Want more information?

* Visit www.nationaladoptionday.org
* Call 1-800-TO-ADOPT or 1-888-200-4005
* Write info@adoptuskids.org

There is a child waiting for you. You can change a child's life and your life for the better. Won't you consider being an adoptive parent or foster parent?

"Every child begins the world again." ~Henry David Thoreau

Make and keep a blood donation appointment.

I just came from my regular bimonthly blood donation. Making the donation appointment was on my to do list today and when I registered online I found a drive very nearby. How convenient! Here are a few ways for you to make a blood donation appointment.

* Call the Red Cross at 1-800-GIVE LIFE (448-3543) to find a blood drive near you
* Call 1-888-USBLOOD (872-5663) to find a community blood center near you
* Visit www.givelife.org to make an appointment with the Red Cross online
* Visit www.americasblood.org to make an appointment at a community donation center.

Once you have your appointment, remember to drink lots of water in the days before and once you've given, pat yourself on the back for saving up to three lives. What a nice way to spend an hour of your time. See you in 56 days!

"Mankind must remember that peace is not God's gift to his creatures; peace is our gift to each other." - Elie Wiesel

Send a net, save a life.

Back when I was in high school, my grandmother got food poisoning from some bad tuna. After she recovered, she told me, "I haven't been that sick since I had malaria in '37!" I was a bit surprised since, at the time, I didn't know malaria had been a problem in the United States. I remember responding, "You had malaria in '37?"

Well, malaria is no longer transmitted in the US, but 41% of the world's population lives in places where it is (Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Central and South America, Hispaniola, and Oceania). Want some more stats?

--> Over one million people die each year from malaria, most of them young children.
--> In some parts of the world where transmission rates are high, there can be as many as 2 deaths per minute from malaria.
--> Life-saving treatments for malaria are relatively inexpensive: $0.13 for chloroquine, $0.14 for sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine, and $2.68 for a 7-day course of quinine.
--> "Insecticide-treated bed nets can reduce transmission as much as 90% in areas with high coverage rates."

That's right: NETS SAVE LIVES. And you can too when you purchase a net for just $10 through the Nothing But Nets Campaign from the United Nations Foundation. Just visit NothingButNets.net to make your donation. And check out So What Can I Do - News for a recent press release about their work in Congo. And here's the great thing: because of Ted Turner's gift to the UN Foundation, every cent of your donation goes toward getting the nets to the people who need them. No administrative costs are taken out.

Mom (my grandmother) took quinine when she had malaria, but others won't have to if malaria can be prevented in the first place. So in honor of her birthday today (it would have been her 97th), I encourage all of you buy a net. I bought two. It's that easy: Send a net, save a life. Happy birthday, Mom!

"You go your way and I'll go mine." — Griffin Henry Belk, grandfather of Fanilla Suttles Cobb, grandmother of Karama Neal

Trade amongst yourselves.

I'm a big believer in barter and trade. It makes good use of good items, reduces waste, and allows you to save your cash for when you really need it. So in the spirit of clothes swap, I am pleased to present it's high-tech child-focused cousin, U and I Trade.

Visit UandITrade.com to trade new or gently used children's clothes, toys, and other items with families from all over the United States. It's a great way to recycle the items your child has outgrown and give those things a new life.

And check out So What Can I Do - News for the latest press release from U and I Trade. They are now collecting items for donation to the people affected by the California Wildfires. Great work! Happy trading!

"Early to bed, early to rise, work like hell and organize." —Albert Gore, Jr.

Do Something.

Writing So What Can I Do for three years has reinforced my knowledge that we all can do something to improve our world, everyone, no exceptions. DoSomething.org is a place for young people are are excited about making our world a better place for all of us. They provide "a place to connect, a place to be inspired, be supported, be celebrated." Here are just a few of the things you can do:

* Search their site for teen volunteer opportunities in your area. They even have listings for virtual volunteers.

* Apply for grants to get your service project off the ground or take it to the next level. Hurry! The next set of applications for the Del Monte Do Something Good For You! Grant are due November 9th.

* Nominate someone who makes a difference for a BR!CK Award.

* Exchange ideas about service on the topical message boards.

There's even a page for "old people" who want to support young folks in their efforts. Remember, no one can do everything, but we all can do something, and probably more than we think. Now let's get busy!

"I would rather be ashes than dust! I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze than it should be stifled by dry-rot." —Jack London

Check out the new blog.

It's our birthday! So What Can I Do was launched three years ago today and to celebrate I'm starting a new blog: So What Can I Do News and Press Center. The News and Press Center collects press releases and news stories related to the mission of So what can I do: ethics in action promoting positive social change.

Please send your press releases that publicize opportunities for each of us to make a difference in our world. I'll post them at the News and Press Center and some of them will be discussed atSo what can I do. And visit the So What Can I Do News and Press Center regularly to identify opportunities to serve and contribute.

Thanks for three great years! Keep reading, keep contributing, keep acting!

"Be the change you want to see in the world." - Mahatma Ghandi

Stop buying, stop drinking bottled water.

There is a growing movement against bottled water. All kinds of folks from newspaper columnists to religious groups to city governments are eschewing bottled water.

Here's why:
* 86% of plastic water bottles used in the United States become garbage or litter. That means less than 15% are recycled.
* Transporting heavy bottled water uses lots of oil for shipping. More oil is used to make the plastic for the bottles. That means more air and water pollution, and increased dependence on petroleum products.
* 40% of the bottled water is just over priced, high-falutin tap water. Read the label.

What a waste of money and resources! Not to mention the increased pollution. "So what can I do?"

* Stop using bottled water. Pick up a glass and turn on the tap. Ahh! Good water!
* Order "still water from the tap" at restaurants. Environmental stewardship is nothing to be ashamed of.
* Provide cold quenching tap water at your parties, events and home.
* Promote the passage of a bottle bill in your community. These provide an incentive to recycle and increase recycling rates.


Okay, okay. I know bottled water is convenient. So if you must carry around the plastic, do the following:

* Purchase a heavy duty plastic bottle that will last for years.
* Refill it so you can use it multiple times.
* Recycle it so someone else can use it multiple times.

We need not succumb to the advertising and marketing that would have us believe that there is no good alternative to bottled water. We know that tap water is the better choice for us and in the environment in which we live.

"The night whose sable breast relieves the stark,
White stars, is no less lovely being dark." — Countee Cullen (1903–1946)

Donate your jewelry.

I am prone to clutter. [ Admitting it is the first step in recovery. :) ] It can be so hard for me to part with many of the items I have but being able to recycle them certainly make me feel a lot better about getting rid of them. I've written about purchasing environmentally responsible jewelry, but it wasn't until a conversation with Nicole Lorimer that it occurred to me that I could donate jewelry too! Thanks Nicole! Check out GreenKarat.com to donate the jewelry you no longer wear.

Remember these steps to reduce the clutter in your home and the waste in our world:

* Reduce - Do you really need it?
* Reuse - Can you use it again before getting rid of it?
* Recycle - How can this be used differently or reprocessed for use again?
* Restore - How can I replace the resource I consumed?

The order matters. Have fun decluttering!

"Pick battles big enough to matter, small enough to win." — Jonathan Kozol