A bit more about the concept of at least 10%

[avad]

Most of us give on impulse. It's wonderful when we are suddenly moved to action...by a cause that crosses our personal path or is presented strongly by the media. But I think we all know something is still not working. There is SO much suffering in this world that I feel is completely avoidable...stemming from lack of attention. We are aghast when we hear of it. Yet it is the daily life of so many. And those working/volunteering in these areas feel forgotten and alone while the masses go on with life. We need something drastic, and I honestly think the 10% idea is it. One person doing that is nice, eighteen people...very nice,... but imagine thousands. Constantly. Mathematically.In every financial level, sending help like a pulse to where it is needed. Yes, it could change the world.

I really feel the purpose of the 10% vow is towards creating a measurable baseline that is more consistant and will always be adhered to for life, week by week, month by month, year by year...because it is Needed. It becomes a constant reminder like an alarm bell for us to stay aware of and actively contribute to the various needs of the world that are often Beyond those that come into our daily lives and projects. We start to Search for new ways to help...and that constant searching and listening becomes an important and rewarding part of our lives.

The 10% is based on 'income', but not in a strict end-of-the-year tally. It is simply done in a way that whenever a 10%er receives money, 10% of it is given to help others. It's really supposed to be simple...and I know for me, it's become something I look forward to.
For those that get weekly or biweekly paychecks it is the most continuous process, but I think it also works for those of us that are self-employed or only get paid once in a while. Whenever a check or cash is received, simply move the decimal point over one to the left and you have that much to give. Until next time.
For example: This situation in Pakistan has been bothering me immensely, SO much help is needed,the situation is desperate and it has gotten much less media coverage than Hurricane Katrina or the Asian Tsunami. But I have not had any income in a long while. I finally just recieved $200 from working at a gallery for 2 days, so I am now happily researching where best to donate $20 towards help for the many people suffering there. I also sold a few small artworks at the fair, so as soon as I get paid from that I will have more to contribute.

Perhaps there should be a byline: 'At LEAST 10%' always and forever. The 10% refers to the minimum monetary donation only, but the unspoken understanding is that people who are aware and concerned will always be giving much more in other ways as well...usually by hefty volunteered time involvement in projects that can create better situations and sometimes also by giving more than 10% in monetary donations if and when they can. Giving with time, expertise, or money are equally important. The 10% vow is just one PART of a larger transformation for each individual, but it refers to a continual commitment of a percentage of your monetary income.

As 10%ers it is also a very important thing to be ready to give as a network when a crisis arises. I see it much like setting up a nervous system for the health of the body. Daily we cells must do our best to help the overall organism...and if there is pain or undernourishment in an area of the body we must be ready to react with help. If all of us really start to be 'on call' that way, I truly believe together we could quickly end some of the greatest unecessary suffering.


Also, just a note of caution: having one project or organization that becomes the only thing contributed to tends to cause the donor to become paralyzed and feel they cannot respond to outside needs, so we always must try to be careful of that. I think it is very important to stay flexible with 10% donations so that we can nourish many many different things and not feel overextended...so that we can respond as quickly as possible whenever needed. If one cause truly holds your heart, you can donate often to it...but try to remember that this is a lifelong thing...and perhaps donate every third 10% or so in order to remain more flexible and aware.

Comments

[lynchazrael.livejournal.com]

in the end, does money end this suffering? its like the hole in the dam, you plug it with your finger only to find another leak has sprung..

[avad.livejournal.com]

glad you asked.
Money is merely a transmutable medium that travels well over distances. It is what it does.
When it changes into a tent to shelter someone from the harsh cold after they've lost their home and everything they own, it does Something to alleviate their suffering. Would we rather say, well, it's not going to end All suffering to give a tent so let them just be in the cold? Doesn't make sense to me.
Yes,and then we have to move onto food...and then reconstruction....and job opportunities...and healthcare...etcetc. Thing is,no matter how awesome a task it may seem, Together it's really doable. You have to give credit to all the people dedicated to this that merely need our support, need to be Enabled.

Money Enables aid of all different kinds. Usually we are not sending a dollar to land in paper form in the hand of someone suffering. If you look around, we are truly lucky enough to be living amongst many amazing human beings that are dedicated daily to helping to end suffering on all different levels with their own two hands. They band together into small groups and form large organizations...whether it is for bringing meals to the elderly and ill in their homes, or rebuilding after natural disasters, or teaching literacy or job-skills to enable someone to become self-sufficient, as many things as you can think of...there are thankfully people dedicated to it with their heart and hands. But their grandest efforts will crumble into ineffectiveness without financial support. You have to think of ways to help fuel these efforts...from the most visible (let's take the example of the tent), to the invisible (the shipping costs, the gas for the car of the volunteer running back and forth, a simple meal for the workers after constructing tents all day). We can do this and I feel it's the very least we can do. It's part of a great system that needs our help to function and grow.

You'd also be surprised to see when and where a very small amount of money itself (not even given but Lent)can raise an entire family out of a cycle of unecessary poverty. It's hard for us in the developed world to imagine how a lack of $12 to invest in a small business (raising chickens, basket-weaving, a sewing machine) can be the Barrier that is insurmountable. Should we band together to lift that tiny barrier if it means an opportunity for self-sufficiency, dignity and a rise out of poverty for a family? If it means being able to have their kids be able to go to school, have milk and food, etc? um, Yeah.I think so. I've been reading more about micro-loans as a one tool for ending poverty and it's really fascinating and hopeful.

So in the end, does money end this suffering? It is an indispensible help in the process. If we all just throw our hands up, say suffering will never end, and look the other way...well, sadly we'll be right. Because what is needed is our awareness and cooperation, our willingness to Try.
Personally I'm trying this experiment (http://www.livejournal.com/userinfo.bml?user=10percentclub) because I want to see as much suffering end as possible in my lifetime..and I figure that's got to include me. It's been an amazing and eye-opening journey so far and it's only the beginning.

[lynchazrael.livejournal.com]

initially, i was never going to check on this, but i felt the 'impulse' ;) in the end, we do what we can, but who is to say the suffering is unwarranted? or 'unneeded?' as such, who is to say the giving is unwarranted or unneeded? personally, i have learned some AMAZING things from poverty. i was in a position once where my rent alone exceeded my income. this "lack" showed me what is truly important. many many homeless people are that way by choice, others arent. everything happens as it should, this applies to both giving, and the "impoverished." suffering is by choice, many do not believe this though.

[avad.livejournal.com]

I may be reading your comment wrong, or else perhaps you meant to end with 'suffering is sometimes by choice'. If I'm reading it right then I find it very upsetting to hear a generalization like that...especially having been currently reading about the horrible situation in Uganda where children from the villages are being kidnapped and forced to be child soldiers to commit horrific acts. Are you are saying it is their choice? And the innocent people being slaughtered...are choosing this? And the villages without access to clean water have chosen this? I find it hard to believe you would say this (unless you are perhaps speaking of multiple lives/karma/reincarnation). But if you are speaking of this life now:
I am interested in us enabling there to BE a choice for others. Here in the developed world, with your education and resources...yes, I think you have certain 'choices' that are simply NOT in the lives of many around the world. I myself am currently in the situation you mention having been in...but I know I can find my way out of it. The opportunities are all around me. However this is simply NOT the case for a major percentage of the world. I am advocating that we who Have the opportunity work together towards creating opportunity where there is currently none.

[darkfader.livejournal.com]

Thanks for continuing to post stuff like this. I am guilty of being way too sporadic with my charity (monatary and otherwise) and it is a hard thing to do, but by doing it you gain a new level of control over not just your generousity, but yourself. A regular 'tithe' is what always gets me because I don't usually work a steady job, and my income varies from 0 to 10000$ a month.

The above comment while kind of missing part of the point, is nonetheless valid, and I think that we should spend some time considering the results of our actions. A good idea can do more than millions in the right hands. I was shocked to learn the overhead of many 'charitible orgs' including posh offices and new computers every year, and paid vacations, etc. the Make-a-wish foundation i have noticed to be bad, but that is just personal experince from working with them locally, so it varies.

Anyway, didn't mean to be long winded, but wanted to thank you for, and encourage this kind of discussion.

[avad.livejournal.com]

hey there!:)
I just posted a reeeally obscenely longwinded reply to the comment just before yours so please do me the honor of reading that because you know I can't help it.
The 10% though is just whenever you get the money. Like I said, I don't work a steady job either. I pick up part-time work here and there and get larger chunks of money if and when my artwork sells. So you'd just be doing it less Often, but that certainly wouldn't change the effectiveness.

As for ideas or money,like I said, "Giving with time, expertise, or money are equally important. The 10% vow is just one PART of a larger transformation for each individual, but it refers to a continual commitment of a percentage of your monetary income." By all means, give ideas, give time- all this is needed! Giving 10% also enables you to give to other projects as well at the same time.

oh and researching where your money goes is a wonderful way to be involved in good decision making. Resources like CharityNavigator.org make it easier...I'm actually developing a list of resources for this purpose that I'll include on the 10percentclub page.:)

10% Club

[(Anonymous)]

Thank you Darlene for your donation to The Soup Kitchen at Dolma Ling Community Center in Mongolia. What's great about this organization is that 100% of your donation goes directly to providing a daily warm meal to children and families that live beneath the city (in sewers to stay warm in sub-zero climate). That's because FPMT was given a building that is rented out to pay for their entire overhead that runs this and 9 other programs in Mongolia. To find out more visit:

http://www.omidyar.net/user/u284289309/news/14/