Economic Multipliers (178) Do you know what these are? They help CREATE wealth in systems. Poverty is not an economic multiplier. (No. 8) ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ I reiterate:
¤¤¤¤¤ Rarely a day goes by when I cannot think of someone who is doing something to make some other person’s day better. Recently an older woman expressed concern that many of the ‘doers’ are aging out and noted that it can be difficult to find people who are able to volunteer large blocks of time (at least 4-8 hours every week or every month for years on end) for sometimes rather repetitive tasks. When I think of individuals younger than me, I usually think of young people who are very generous with their time (and many times their money, talents and things). A ‘gap’ in thinking is when you have two or more groups which really want the same good things for themselves and others yet can’t find a ‘process’ which bridges the gap. Sometimes the groups don’t even bother talking with each other to know they want the same good things. The United States has historically discounted ‘volunteer time’ without recognizing the contributions to its own economic multipliers (that 2 + 2 ≥ 8 world). In the volunteer world, on the front end, individuals:
In the volunteer world, on the back end, individuals:
A younger person may not want to stuff envelopes if they could use an envelope stuffing machine. Local corporations and smaller businesses may not even know that small volunteer organizations might only do one large mailing a year and an ‘in kind’ service could make a huge difference. Lots of ‘in kind’ services have been making huge differences for years. A younger person may be more interested in ‘doubling up’ with their best friend to volunteer 2 hours a month while writing a computer app on the side that makes it easier for volunteer organizations to track volunteers or provide clear instructions on the tasks that are to be completed and the best way the organization currently knows how to do them (which saves a LOT of time). As an individual who has occasionally offered assistance in traditional volunteer channels and also ‘impromptu’ channels, the number of things I’ve learned over the years from other individuals and the organizations themselves is staggering:
It’s easier to understand how economic multipliers work if you are able to see how the ‘volunteers’ in your community make and have made a difference and why. Misunderstood economic multipliers are the benefits of:
I've observed and worked with a lot of women and men over the years on many ‘not terribly complex’ but ‘quite a bit of work and time’ tasks who ‘show up’ and in the absence of a lot of formal coordination, just get things done. I myself never expect to remember ‘steps.’ Many years ago, when an older neighbor showed me how to operate their older model snowblower for use when they were away, I drew a rough picture and numbered and labeled all the things that needed to be turned on, pushed and pulled and slid over. I also did a reverse numbering and labeling scheme for shutting the unit down. I could tell he thought it odd – I considered it necessary. In college, they’d call something like this a ‘cheat’ sheet. In real life, it’s just great to know how to get things to work. It’s just great to work with people who have a lot of skills. Newer snowblowers seem to have less steps. If I use one, I still use a ‘cheat’ sheet. Every model has its own nuances (nothing substitutes for the manual). These few things get me going: Start
Not on my list: If you can’t get it started, shut/power everything down, wait 5-15 minutes and start over (similar to electronic equipment). This and checking to make sure the safety key is in if you have one solve many problems. Ready to Run
Stopping
Is it just me or does this seem like a lot to remember? – the first time around – even if you’ve used other equipment. And, do you remember everything season to season? Things that aren’t on the list:
Other things not on the list:
‘Oldsters’ have an advantage in a lot of things. If it takes (roughly) about 16 times to permanently imprint something on your brain and oldsters not only have over 16 times but 16+ years, it’s no wonder that a since passed neighbor had thought it unusual that I’d want to write a few things down. If you’re young, even if you don’t talk to many older people, pay attention to the things they do. If you’re in the presence of people who routinely create economic multipliers, you’ll be amazed by what you learn. |