The Peril of One vs. The Peril of Many

"If I look at the mass I will never act. If I look at the one, I will."

Mother Theresa

Do you ever wonder why people react to the peril of one individual, but often, won't respond to a condition that affects many:

500,000 in the Tri-County area living in poverty - 30% of those individuals are children.

Graduation rates in any city in America.

Genocides in Darfur and Rwanda.




Recent research by Paul Slovic, President of Decision Research and professor at the University of Oregon, sheds light on the issue.

"Most people are caring and will exert great effort to rescue individual victims whose needy plight comes to their attention. These same good people, however, often become numbly indifferent to the plight of individuals who are "one of many" in a much greater problem. "

Slovic's research tells us that when confronted with compelling statistics or mass trauma, our response is not near the level when we are confronted with helping one individual.

Slovic tells us, "People are much more willing to aid identified individuals than unidentified or statistical victims." The research tells us the contribution is nearly half when it is focused on the large scale problem.

Clive Thompson of Wired Magazine recently wrote about the unusual approach that Bill and Melinda Gates are taking with their philanthropy. They are willing to tackle large scale issues that kill millions ----often preventable issues (malaria, diarrhea...). They have embarked and attacked the statistical world of human need.

Thompson asserts that Gates has the unique capacity to imagine large scale issues with a large scale response. He says for most of mankind, "We're very good at processing the plight of tiny groups of people but horrible at conceptualizing the suffering of large ones."

Instead he says: "Gates looks at them and runs the moral algorithm: Preventable death = bad; preventable death x 1 million people = 1 million times as bad."

One of the leadership issues we face at United Way is to take the conditions we face as a region --- large scale poverty, education gap, financial gap --- and translate it into work, results and stories that individuals can relate and respond to.

This is in many ways our work: creating pathways of engagement and understanding for individuals so that we can improve our collective community.

One person at a time. One step at a time.

Thanks for reading. Pass it on.

United Way Sets 2007 campaign goal

Press Release

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Cara I. Belton, 313-226-9484 or 313-520-8454 (cell)
Laura L. Rodwan, 313-226-9484 or 313-477-2750
September 7, 2007

Annual fund drive kicks off Sept. 7

DETROIT – United Way for Southeastern Michigan’s Board of Directors announced it has approved a 2007 campaign goal of raising $59 million and increasing community participation to at least 30 percent throughout the tri-county area. The goal was recommended and unanimously supported by United Way’s 2007 Campaign Cabinet, led by campaign General Chair Troy A. Clarke, president of GM North America and GM group vice president. Last year’s campaign goal was $61 million. A total of $61,071,767 was raised.

“The current economic challenges facing our region continue to put a strain on an increasing number of families and individuals,” said Clarke. “Rising costs for utilities, health care and fuel have affected the demand for health and human services to critical proportions. In order to best address these needs; we committed ourselves to an in-depth process of analysis and discussion to determine this year’s goal. Our focus is on establishing a path of long-term community impact in areas where it is needed most. Together, we can make that difference and begin to pave the way to a brighter future for southeast Michigan.”

Clarke added, “Now is the time for all businesses, groups and individuals to get involved in the business of strengthening our region by contributing to United Way’s campaign. I am proud to live in a region that has a long-history of charitable givin

g, and I trust that we will rise to the occasion and meet the goal for this year’s campaign.”

United Way’s annual campaign helps support programs and services that improve lives and strengthen communities throughout Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. The fund drive will also assist United Way in its efforts to launch the Agenda for Change, a new business plan that focuses on educational preparedness, financial stability and basic needs, with the goal putting more area residents in a position to help themselves to brighter futures.

“Troy Clarke has been a long-time supporter of United Way, ” said Michael J. Brennan, president and CEO of United Way for Southeastern Michigan. “On a personal level, his commitment to community is unwavering, and on a professional level, his leadership is unparalleled. We consider ourselves fortunate to have an individual with these qualities at the forefront of the 2007 campaign. Together, with the support of our many dedicated volunteers, supporters and partners, we hope to reach our annual goal and will continue to be a proactive and vital resource for the people of southeast Michigan.”

The annual fundraising campaign helps support this effort. This year’s campaign kicks off on Friday, Sept. 7 with a 6:30 a.m. lighting of United Way’s 54-foot torch in downtown Detroit. Following the brief ceremony, more than 1,000 volunteers will disperse across the region, giving their time at local nonprofits to participate in beautification, clean-up and painting projects, as well as packing food for area pantries. For more information, dial 2-1-1 or go to www.unitedwaySEM.org.

# # #

United Way for Southeastern Michigan mobilizes the caring power of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties to improve lives in measurable and lasting ways throughout the region. The organization is led by a diverse group of volunteers from business, labor, government, human services, education and the community. United Way provides opportunities to invest in the metropolitan Detroit community through its annual campaign and is a leader in convening partners to impact local residents each year to improve lives and strengthen

United Way's better way

Source: Crain's Detroit Business
Published: 3:01 am, August 20, 2007

The exhaustive effort to overhaul the way United Way for Southeastern Michigan approaches solving social problems in the region is starting to take shape.

Now that United Way has identified the three major regional issues it wants to focus on, it's opening up its funding model to allow new agencies to apply for funds for the first time in 10 years. (See story, Page 1.)

United Way now will focus on three primary goals: helping children be prepared and successful in school, making families and adults financially stable and meeting basic human needs.

And it plans to create a “scorecard” to see how its funding has met any of those three goals.

Change is difficult, and there may be grumbling in the nonprofit sector about the course United Way is taking. It is a big change. But as any business leader knows, you can improve what you can measure.

This new model is a good start.

Big Aspirations and Difficult Goals

I read this morning an old note I recorded years ago ---" just because it is difficult, doesn't mean one shouldn't try."

Appalachian State found that out this weekend in the Big House. Long odds did not stop the belief that success was possible.

I strive to start each day with a focus on our mission of "Mobilize the caring power...." And our priorities of "Meeting Basic Needs", "Financial Stability" and "Educational Preparedness." These are big aspirations and difficult goals.

In my daily travels throughout the region, I often hear comments like --- "do you really think this region can change?" "Educational Preparedness --- good luck!" "In this environment, do you believe "financial stability" is possible?"

My answer is yes.

But I will tell you from a leadership standpoint, you had better believe it at your core --- otherwise the headwinds will wear you right out. The inertia of the current state does not embrace the work of the future state. Hence, one had better be prepared to make decisions not just for today, but for the long haul.

I often think about this region 50 years from now. 2057. What are the decision today that will play out then. I think about that because I face every day the consequences of decisions made 30, 40 and 50 years ago. Some of those are positive. Many are not.

If you believe your actions today influence success 10, 20, or 50 years from now, how does it change your daily decisions? In the world of quarterly returns and drive through service, leadership must seek a daily balance of looking between short vs long term benefit.

For example, do you work on a prevention strategy by focusing on children when they are below the age of five? Or do you focus on the young adults that struggle with academics or social development? The former gets you long term impact at a lower cost. The later, you get shorter term impact at higher cost. Both important --- but the decision on where to place energy and resource is a daily tension of leading social change.

Make your decisions count. Be aware of the intended and unintended consequences of today and in the future. And remember, just because it is difficult doesn't mean we shouldn't try.

Thanks for reading. Pass it on.