Wayne Elsey

Joanne Fritz posted a powerful reaction to the current state of Haiti and carefully documented the void of relief efforts in Six Months Later: The Haiti Earthquake. I know exactly what she is talking about. (I posted my thoughts after a recent Haiti trip here.) There was nothing about what I saw, heard, or experienced that didn’t frustrate me and left me with a burning desire to not give up on the Haitian people.

As I’ve had time to reflect on my experience, I’m greatly disturbed by a culture who is quick to rush in to a country after a natural disaster, raise billions in a short period of time, and leave shortly after the last camera stopped filming. What does that say about us?

Charity is not a new work or concept that developed in the American colonies. It’s been around for centuries. In some respects, societies have viewed the poor as gateways to their own self-esteem rather than as equals. That’s not right. The Haitian people deserve better from a country that possess the greatest wealth ever imagined in the history of the world.

Now, let’s get one thing straight. I’m a 100% capitalist. But our economy was built upon the common assumption that people would generally do the greatest good for the greatest number. When we lose our conscience it becomes all about us. Our entire recession came about as a result of our lost conscience. Too many people did what was best for them at the detriment of someone else.

I have a plan for Haiti. My plan is about establishing a new economy, not merely funneling more money to people in need. I want to help these people experience the joy of self-sustainment and the hope that comes as a result of it. However, I’m also committed to provide whatever relief I can until the baton can be passed and their new economy is in full swing.

Have you forgotten Haiti? We haven’t. Join us and give shoes as the first step in a journey to a new life for the Haitian people.

Tom Peters may have written a book about “Wow,” but he didn’t invent the term or the experience. We all remember those moments that made time stand still and those events that were anything but ordinary. Sometimes those are tragic moments like…

…when JFK was shot.

…when the Twin Towers were destroyed.

…when the 1,000 year (apocalyptic) flood hit Nashville.

But “Wow” isn’t always tragic. It can also be full of wonder, hope, and great expectations. Do you remember when…

…you said “I do”?

…you held your child in your arms for the first time?

…you finally got that big promotion at work?

This is a “Wow” week for me. Specifically…

…Soles4Souls will host it’s first open house at our new world headquarters this week. I can’t believe we need this much space! It’s also exciting to have a receiving/distribution center at the same location. This keeps all of us close to those who have joined us in helping provide shoes to the shoeless.

…Kevin our CFO, has informed me that we’ve achieve a new threshold in our race to give away one pair of shoes every second. We are now giving one pair of shoes away every seven seconds compared to this time last year when we were giving away one pair every nine seconds.

I’m certain we’ll talk about this week for many weeks (and months) to come. I’m so excited to see our hard work paying off in measurable ways. As always, I’m grateful for everyone who has donated, hosted or participated in a shoe distribution event, purchased products from our retail partners, and/or helped us spread the word about Soles4Souls. Thank you!

I love my BlackBerry and my iPad. Each of these mobile devices have added some fun and functionality to my life that I only saw on TV shows growing up. It’s amazing to think about how these tools will develop over the next 5, 10, and 20 years.

As a leader of a non-profit organization, I couldn’t overlook the fact that more than $40 million was raised via text messages shortly after the Haiti earthquake. That’s a lot of money. We’ve also had tremendous success offering our donors the option to give via text message.

I do, however, approach this subject with some caution. I want to know who my donors are. I want to know their names and what’s important to them. Anyone who gives over $500 today, receives a call directly from me. Many non-profit leaders only reserve that type of interaction for the largest givers. I believe it’s vitally important that we know who our donors are and respond to their needs and desires.

Text-message giving makes having a personal interaction with your donor virtually impossible. Please don’t misunderstand me. I’m grateful for any and all donations that help Soles4Souls accomplish its goal to distribute shoes to every person in need. My only hesitation (not complaint or frustration) is that I no longer have the option of reaching out to them when someone gives via text-message.

Harvard University’s recent study on the mobile giving habits by age group confirmed what I already knew: younger donors tend to be more willing, open, and prefer text-message giving methods. I was, however, surprised to read that 26% of donors in their 20s mailed a donation in the past two years.

My hope is that over time those who choose to give via mobile platforms will naturally move to e-mail, Web, or even mail for donations. These options are worth growing into. They benefit the donor and Soles4Souls. When we know who you are:

1. We can tell you what we did with your donations rather than give you general information.
2. We can make you aware of opportunities to engage with the people directly impacted by your gift.
3. We can offer opportunities to co-create our strategy with us.

None of those options take place if we don’t know who the person is behind the text-message.

I’m in favor of text-message giving and have given to others via this giving option. While I do find myself conflicted at times over my desire to connect with the donor and the safe distance a text-message gives to the giver, I appreciate the gift and hope that it is the beginning of a lasting relationship that develops through more meaning giving channels.