How can we help spread wealth and health from the most fortunate areas to the least, while simultaneously protecting and improving our environment?
Through my experiences I am positioning myself to create change through a new social enterprise I am creating, while also sharing my learning's with others. In short, my aim is to empower businesses to help spread wealth and health at home and abroad, while also improving their own economic sustainability.
The following are my experiences... Past, in process, and pending...
Teaching English and Computers In a Remote Mountain Town in Nepal
 |
| Me on a whiteboard... big surprise! |
- Cleaner Than When You Found It
- Give the Gift of Ownership
- Dignity Fuels Progress
- Unlocking a Library (and a future)
- Good News, Bad News
Empowering a Mountain Guide to Develop a Socially and Environmentally Responsible Company, While Developing a New Adventure Travel Niche
Walk down the tourist area of Kathmandu and you will literally see thousands of tour operators promising the same thing. Trekking, climbing, rafting... Nepal tourism is based on the majestic Himalays, and the adventure sports that are feasible because of them. Sadly, the lure of easy money means that many your companies are not very good, and they do nothing or very little for the environment, or to help their porters.
I was fortunate to ski Mera Peak while accompanying Trek Climb Ski and its partner company in Nepal. In addition to being a fabulous guide, Tika Tamang paid his staff more than fair wages, made sure they were properly equipped for the winter weather at high altitudes, and was also coaching them to move up from porter to kitchen to assistant guide to guide. In addition, he expressed interest in doing more to keep Nepal clean... though he is tight on budget and not sure where to start.
I am working with him to develop the ski mountaineering niche in Nepal, while also branding his business as an eco-friendly tour operator. With some web work and some business development, I am confident he can grow his business, while doing more to help the country and the people he loves so much.
Dr. Saroj Dhital is a visionary and a philanthropist who is on mission to improve health (treatment and preventative) in the most rural areas of Nepal.
I met Dr. Dhital while working in Tikot and was impressed by his enthusiasm and drive to help the people of Nepal. Riding the tails of the successful Nepal Wireless Project, Dr. Dhital is equipping communities that have Internet access and on-site community health workers with the ability to continue their health education, and also consult with real doctors via teleconference for more complex cases. His work will develop virtual classrooms in remote areas, improve teaching facilities in regional hospitals, and connect doctors with nurses in remote areas to provide live consultation for complex cases.
I'll be helping Dr. Dhital publicize his program, as well as generate donations through some web work.
I met Dr. Dhital while working in Tikot and was impressed by his enthusiasm and drive to help the people of Nepal. Riding the tails of the successful Nepal Wireless Project, Dr. Dhital is equipping communities that have Internet access and on-site community health workers with the ability to continue their health education, and also consult with real doctors via teleconference for more complex cases. His work will develop virtual classrooms in remote areas, improve teaching facilities in regional hospitals, and connect doctors with nurses in remote areas to provide live consultation for complex cases.
I'll be helping Dr. Dhital publicize his program, as well as generate donations through some web work.
Supporting the International Division of the American Cancer Society Relay For Life Program
I have been volunteering with the American Cancer Society for 12 years now. I have participated in over 20 different Relay For Life fundraisers, and now, I will get to experience one Internationally. I will be spending some time in Malaysia with the National Cancer Society of Malaysia to help them grow their Relay For Life program. Simultaneously, I am working with the co-chair of the International Training Team and the National Director for Marketing and Communications of Relay for Life in America to develop go-to-market training and implementations programs to help other international groups grow their Relay For Life programs
Increasing Impact of an Environmentally Responsible Wood Manufacturing Plant
I admit, I have a bias towards Pacific Ring, Inc. because my brother works there... but that aside, one can't help but admire its work. It has reached the highest levels of environmentally responsible manufacturing and only uses plantation supplied raw materials that are sustainably farmed. It is one of the few companies I have heard of that is carbon negative. With incredibly high-quality wood product and and industry-leading environmentally responsible manufacturing, I will be working with the team convince more users of manufactured wood to switch to sustainable, plantation grown products.
Working with Social Enterprises in New Zealand
Recycling is good, but if we really want to protect our planet and work towards net 0 carbon emissions, reducing and reusing and much more important strategies. Wanaka Wastebusters in Wanaka, New Zealand are driving national campaigns to convince people to use less things (reduce), and to turn all waste into consumables that will keep people from seeking new products.
Working with Social Enterprises in Argentina
Endeavor Argentina (part of Endeavor Global) is an amazing institution that supports high-impact enterprises that are creating measurable social impact, primarily by infusing capital into new markets and by creating jobs. I'll be supporting some of the companies in determining digital strategies, including ones that include reaching into new, global markets. I'll also be helping Terracycle grow its presence in Latin America informing its social media strategy.
Serving on the American Cancer Society's National Relay Advisory Team
Starting my second year as a member for this team I am responsible to two groups:
- I represent the Great West Division on the National Advisory Team team which meets quarterly to develop strategies to grow the Relay For Life program and improve relationships with our volunteers, staff and donors.
- I co-chair the Great West Division Leadership Team which is responsible for working with executives and VPs from our division to analyze date, monitor progress, develop strategies, and activate volunteer channels to help provide services for cancer patients in over 1,500 communities, support over 1,500 Relay For Life fundraising events, and train over 10,000 event volunteers and staff.
There is a LOT more to learn from the amazing people that I volunteer with, so more updates will start coming in the Fall. But one important lesson thus far: Always Give Back.
Serving on the American Cancer Society's National Leadership Training Team
I have been serving on this team for 4 years now, and plan on still supporting this team for a few more. As a member of this team, I help develop and deliver trainings to staff and volunteers throughout America. From keynote presentations to focused work sessions, this team is responsible for training over 50,000 volunteers annually. Over late summer and fall, I'll be travelling to Florida, Alabama, Texas and a few other locations to help lead trainings.
