In Tri Delta’s new series, “3 For You,” we’re covering the best tips from experts as we navigate our new circumstance during COVID-19. Tri Delta alumna Tycely Williams, Wake Forest, is a fundraiser by trade who shares her thoughts on giving back to our communities and seeing the “noble benefit” of our investments. Read her three tips below, or listen to the podcast.
Even in the midst of a pandemic, Tri Deltas are always thinking of ways to give back to our communities. Tycely Williams, Chief Development Officer for America’s Promise Alliance, offers her insights on how to be involved in our communities, even during social distancing, and how we too can experience benefits from giving back.
Tip #1 Have Confidence
As Tri Deltas we are taught to have “perfect confidence” in ourselves. That confidence stems from understanding that we each have unique talents and skills that we can share with the broader community. We see this in the philanthropic work our collegiate and alumnae members do on behalf of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, for example. Tri Deltas have the confidence to forge partnerships, build relationships, and pen fundraising letters—all to help make our communities a better place. No matter where you find yourself in life, either from a professional standpoint or as a mom volunteering with the PTA, that confidence is going to come in handy—you’re going to have to be confident and brave enough to step up to do things to support your community and the people you care about.
Tip #2 Look for Virtual Volunteer Opportunities
The nonprofit sector relies heavily on volunteers. Even though COVID-19 has created a situation where we don’t have face-to-face volunteer opportunities, there are several ways that you can still serve and invest in others right now. If you’re looking for volunteer opportunities, visit volunteermatch.org, idealist.org or allforgood.org. Each of these sites will let you enter your zip code and see if there are virtual volunteer opportunities in your area. Volunteering not only helps the community, but it can also be an opportunity for you to discern if you want to commit to using your accounting degree, for instance, or if you’re interested in moving forward with something in communications. Volunteerism gives you the opportunity to try things on for size and learn more about the causes that matter to you. It’s a great way to get involved!
Tip #3 Experience the “Noble Benefit” of Giving Back
Tycely has coined the term “Noble Benefit” to describe what an individual gains as a result of activating generosity. Often when we think of giving back, we think of the benefit to others, and there isn’t necessarily a continuum of thought that speaks to the fact that there’s also a return on investment for the giver. It’s so important that when we think about how are we going to invest in a community that we recognize it’s important for our needs to be met, and we’re not necessarily better or worse than the individuals we’re serving. We all have needs to fulfill, and that’s not a bad thing—it’s a statement of fact! When we accept and own that we all have needs, we humanize those individuals that have needs that are different from ours.
Want more? Watch this video, or find more helpful 3 For You topics.