Bring a taste of happiness to your holidays this year.
The holidays may be different these days and you can use that to your advantage.
Offer those at your virtual or actual “table” a chance to share what is important to them and to GIVE together. I promise you this will bring more meaning and more connection to those gathered - even if it’s from afar.
I know that helping others lifts me in ways I can’t describe. Join me, and bring a taste of happiness to your holidays by playing this fun group activity 1-2-3 GIVE IT.
Supplies needed:
Monopoly money, real bills, or poker chips. All those playing need THREE of the same bills or chips (you will be deciding in advance what the actual values will be)
A computer or phone with internet access (or a print out of the materials). The game will go smoother if everyone has their own device, but sharing will work as well
A designated timer in each group
Something to take notes on and a pen
Set groups of 5-7 people to play the game
Advance prep:
Let everyone know you’ll be playing a new game
Ask them to bring 3 bills (see above)
Let them know they will need their phones (or tablet or computer) and internet access
A message from Sue: how to play
Directions:
>> The facilitator can read the directions and the leading question aloud…
The last few years have been like no other. Together we have made it to this day!
We have all heard about the chaos the pandemic has caused- the closed businesses, closed schools and overrun healthcare system, loss of life and economic despair. Let’s add to this year a boiling point of the systemic racism in the US and a divisive election. Some say we are a country divided.
I know that what unites all of us is the generosity of the human spirit.
Let’s take this moment to be grateful for own good health and the opportunity to be “together” by giving together. Let’s use this unique moment to talk and learn about what is important to all of you- and to do some giving.
Below is a partial list of some growing needs and issues in our country.
>> Read this list aloud, or find it on your phones at
schwartzmanadvising.com/giving-activity-holidays
Select which of these issues you are you MOST concerned about and why?
(Yes, you have to select only one)
Hunger
The environment and climate change
Economic hardships
The need for bridge building across faiths
Kids falling behind in school
KID’S mental health and wellness
Go around the table and share what issue you are most concerned about and why.
Each person has 90 seconds (assign a timer).
** As always, feel free to share any additional issues or non-profits you would like to present to your “Table”.
Example: If you have school-aged kids, you may want to add an animal category
Now that you selected an issue you care about…
Check out the suggested organization for that topic (listed below)
You will find a “hot fact”, a video clip and a link to their website
Take 7-10 minutes to learn about it and review the websites
When you come back together, share with the table what you learned about the organization (2 min each - use a timer)
While people are sharing, we all need to think about where we will want to “invest” our three bills. They can be done together or separately.
>> Facilitator note- when everyone is done sharing, give them a few minutes to ask questions and talk between themselves about where they will “invest” their bills.
take meaningful action
>> Facilitator to read aloud:
All of these organization have been vetted, so you know your money will be used well. Please share where your bills are going and why.
Assign someone to track where each of the bills are invested
Tally the bills and announce the totals
>> Facilitator can ask the group:
What do these totals reflect about the concerns and values around the “table”?
Example: we seem more dedicated or concerned about hunger. Or, Global warming topped our list of concerns.
Decide the value of the bills to your group and make a donation now to the organizations you have selected.
Example: 10 bills went to #1 then does that mean a $100 or $1000 donation from the “table” goes to #1?
Those with credit cards make the donation and those without can venmo or hand cash to the one who made the donation on their behalf.
GAME HINTS:
This is best done in groups of 5-6. If your group is larger, break them up into smaller cohorts and assign someone to share at the end.
Mix multi-generational groups where possible
Have pen and paper handy for those who want to take notes
Decide before you begin, what each “bill” is worth. Is it $1, $10 or $100?
If you are doing this over a meal, you can break up the learning and the “investment” decisions with eating the meal and announcing decisions during dessert.
RECOMMENDED ORGANIZATIONS
Feeding America's work with food banks.
the environment:
COMMUNITIES FOR A BETTER ENVIRONMENT
Builds the power of California’s communities of color and low-income people to achieve environmental health and justice by preventing and reducing pollution and building green, healthy, and sustainable communities and environments. CBE provides residents in blighted and heavily polluted urban communities in California with organizing skills, leadership training, and legal, scientific, and technical assistance, so that they can successfully confront threats to their health and well-being.
FACT: Low-income communities of color face the greatest risks from environmental hazards. They are most likely to live with local sources of industrial pollution concentrated in or near their neighborhoods and close to heavily-traveled highways (trucks and cars account for much of the air pollution in the United States).
Communities for a Better Environment does critical work on environmental justice and empowers Californian communities to stand up to polluting industries and build a green energy future. This short film highlights the hope and tenacity of the young activists of Wilmington, California as they push the Los Angeles City Council to prohibit new and existing oil and gas drilling operations within 2,500 feet of homes, schools and hospitals.
ECONOMIC HARDSHIPs:
RENAISSANCE ENTREPRENEURSHIP CENTER
Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center offers business support, expertise, and resources to support a diverse group of business owners in California:
85% who are low income
70% business owners of color
76% women owned businesses
The mission of Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center is to empower and increase the entrepreneurial capacities of socially and economically diverse women and men, and thereby strengthen our communities through the creation of sustainable new businesses, new jobs, and the promotion of financial self-sufficiency.
🔗 About
FACT: Economic Inequality is growing, especially in the SF Bay Area. Underserved and under-resourced, low income community members can support themselves and a thriving community business with a little support and access to resources.
Bridge building and interfaith relationship building":
INTERFAITH YOUTH CORE (IFYC)
We are a nation divided. As the United States becomes an increasingly diverse community composed of citizens with myriad worldview narratives (informed by race/ethnicity, gender, religion, political orientation, sexual orientation, and/or identity intersection patterns), individuals must learn how to positively and meaningfully interact with others across differences. In many ways, colleges and universities serve as ideal environments for young adults to develop the skill set and mindset required for effective interfaith cooperation.
🔗 About
A nation divided or a nation united?
Ask yourself: what it would look like if every American, regardless of their faith or worldview, was inspired and equipped to:
Come together in a way that respects different religious identities?
Build mutually inspiring relationships across difference?
Engage in common action around issues of shared social concern?
Kids falling behind in school:
SPRINGBOARD COLLABORATIVE
🔗 About
FACT: Nationally, only 17% of low-income 4th graders are reading proficiently; not coincidentally, only 9% earn a college degree. This leads to underemployment and financial hardship. The national adult illiteracy rate of 14% closely mirrors our poverty rate of 15%.
Springboard Collaborative has a vision to close the literacy gap by transforming the summer from a barrier into a springboard for financially disadvantaged students and families.
KID’S MENTAL HEALTH & WELLNESS:
MINDFUL LITTLES
Faced with navigating complex social and global issues and the rising mental health crisis, our youth need vital social and emotional skills now more than ever. By combining the power of mindfulness and community action, Mindful Littles equips kids to make conscious choices for a more positive future for themselves and the world— no matter what life brings them.
🔗 About
FACT: The rising mental health crisis is worsening from COVID-19 pandemic. Increased levels of stress, anxiety and depression- have tripled emotional distress in our youth.
Mindful Littles founder and executive director, Tanuka Gordon, shares how we are responding to the current global health crisis and how we hope to share mindful resources to support all beings throughout this challenging time.
SPECIAL NOTE FOR THOSE WITH SCHOOL-AGE KIDS:
You may want to add an animal category, as it is common for animal causes to be close to their hearts.
Here are a few examples:
Your local SPCA
Your local zoo
What People are saying:
“Using one of Sue’s *giving activities*, I instituted a multigenerational “night of giving” during our Thanksgiving. It was very successful. We had Grandparents, an aunt, 5 kids, a set of friends and my husband and I all engaged in taking turns telling us about their organization (or two) they selected to donate to and why.
They were all fired up about it, and it was the most meaningful Thanksgiving I’ve ever had.
I learned so much about my family and friends and why that cause mattered to them. It was really beautiful. I even learned a lot about my own kids. They’re so deeply caring and thoughtful about their selections, truly I’d never given them enough credit for being as such in my mind.
Thank you for bringing that (new) tradition into our lives!!!!! We’ve always said what we were grateful for but this seriously added depth and meaning at a very real level that I appreciated.
”
Looking for more?
This year we are focused only on GIVE IT.
The full version of the game “Get it- Got it- Give it” can be downloaded here:
Need guidance or coaching to maximize your philanthropic potential while lifting up, uniting and inspiring your family?
Drop me a message and let’s get started!
Contact us below or email sue@schwartzmanadvising.com