|
|
|
|
 |
 |
||||
|
|||||
 
     |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
|
Culture Duck Tales
November/December 2005 A Time of Giving This time of year reminds us to help those less fortunate in whatever ways we can. If we can’t afford a monetary donation to a favorite charity, we can volunteer our time, donate blood, or simply give an unneeded coat to a person in need. Of course, there have been more reasons to give this year than usual: the Asian tsunami, the earthquake in Pakistan, and Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. But Americans have risen to the challenge. The public response to the Gulf Coast devastation is the biggest charitable outpouring in U.S. history—private donations totaled nearly $2.7 billion in 11 weeks—even surpassing the relief effort that followed the September 11 attacks.
U.S. Teens Pitch In Volunteerism is alive and well among America’s youth. A new study found that 15.5 million teenagers volunteered last year, contributing more than 1.3 billion hours of service. That means that 55 percent of kids between 12 and 18 years old participated in volunteer activities in 2004. That rate is nearly double the adult rate of 29 percent. “Too often, young people are seen as the recipients of service. Instead, they should see themselves—and be seen—as leaders and assets, who can make powerful contributions to their communities,” said David Eisner, CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service, which performed the survey along with the U.S. Census Bureau. In addition, the survey found that 74 percent of teens who volunteer do so through their schools, religious organizations, or youth leadership groups such as 4-H or Scouts. Past research finds that teens who volunteer are twice as likely to continue volunteering once they reach adulthood. “By starting early and unleashing the energy and idealism of young people,” said Eisner, “we can help meet pressing needs and create a generation of lifelong citizens.” Making a Difference In his book Drucker on Asia, Peter Drucker, the great management theorist who recently passed away, recalls a valuable lesson he learned from the renowned economist Joseph Schumpeter. The lesson did not involve economic theory or practice; rather it encompassed much more. Schumpeter was famous for his arrogant and flamboyant ways. When he was 30 and already had published two books, Schumpeter said he wanted to be remembered as the world’s most brilliant economist and Europe’s greatest horseman. Years later, Drucker and his father went to Austria to visit the ailing Schumpeter, who was an old friend of Drucker’s father. As the two older men reminisced, the senior Drucker asked the economist if he still wanted to be remembered for the same things. “This question is still important to me,” said Schumpeter, “but I now answer it differently. I want to be remembered as having been the teacher who converted half a dozen brilliant students into first-rate economists.” He continued by saying that being remembered for books and theories was not enough. “One does not make a difference unless it is a difference in the lives of people,” explained Schumpeter. From these words, the young Drucker learned three things: (1) You must ask yourself what you want to be remembered for. (2) Your answer should evolve with your own maturity and as the world around you changes. (3) One thing worth being remembered for is the difference you make in the lives of others. The Man Behind the Prize One morning in 1888, Alfred Nobel, inventor of dynamite, awoke to read his own obituary in the newspaper. The French paper proclaimed, “The merchant of death is dead.” Of course, the newspaper had made a mistake; it turned out to be Nobel’s brother, Ludwig, who had died. Nonetheless, reading the news may have shaken up the inventor. He saw himself for the first time as the world saw him, as “the dynamite king,” the great industrialist who had made a fortune selling explosives. But it seems that Nobel did not want to be remembered this way. Several years later, Nobel, having no direct heirs, changed his will. He wanted to be remembered not as a “merchant of death,” but as a giving man, who worked to improve human conditions. In his will, Alfred Nobel established the Nobel Foundation. He requested that each year the Swedish Academy would choose individuals who improved human conditions through their work in physics, chemistry, medicine, literature, and world peace. Nobel stipulated that the nationality of candidates not be considered. Today when one hears the name Nobel, they are more likely to think of the prestigious Nobel Prizes, rather than the invention of dynamite. And that, it seems, would have been just fine with Alfred Nobel. A Present Just for You No, we’re not talking about buying yourself a new iPod nano or Xbox 360. We’re talking about treating yourself well. The holidays can be a stressful time when many of us focus more on others and neglect our own needs. During this holiday season, be sure to ask yourself how you’re doing every now and then. You may discover you need one of the following:
Wishing You Happy Holidays and a Joyous and Safe New Year |
|
|||||||||||||
| Henkel Corporation Home | Contact | Investor Info | Privacy | Legal | Parent Company |
