The Seattle Chapters Launches Today 4-4-10

We are about to launch the Seattle chapter of the Secret Society of Creative Philanthropy. Tomorrow we will gather for the first time and our first group of agents will take on the steps that have been defined in the starter kit:

• “Step one: Pick 10 people. (DONE)
• Step two: Distribute an equal amount of money to each with clear instructions that they give the cash away and live to tell a story about it.
• Step three: Get together and spill your giving guts. Document. Rejoice.
• Step four: Tell us about it.”

I've also asked the agents to join this group on CAN so we can stay connected during the next 20 days and beyond.  We are planning to have the party in which agents come "spill their giving guts" on Friday, April 23 the night before the upcoming Compassionate Seattle: it's Up to Us! event on Saturday, April 24.  Courtney E. Martin will be in town and having her at the party will be another way of acknowledging and affirming her creation and strengthening our local chapter.

Here is the opening statement from the starter kit:

“This is all about giving, born in a spirit of community, creativity, and trust. The Secret Society for Creative Philanthropy is aimed at fostering a dialogue, literally thinking through money. It’s a framework for exploring the often invisible tensions and opportunities that pervade the philanthropic spirit.”

Just today I had an interesting experience that affirmed how powerful the simple act of kindness can be. I parked my car and went to the pay station to purchase a parking sticker.  Just prior to me arriving  someone had come back to their car and realized that they had purchased more time than they needed. So they took the time to walk to the pay station and paste the parking sticker with the available time on for someone else to use.  It turns out that the 15 minutes that was left was just the amount of time that I needed.  I thought how kind of that person to take the extra time to make it possible for someone who they would never meet but would still benefit from their kindness.  I love when I see things like that. I am very much looking forward to seeing what our agents uncover.

Thank you, Courtney!