Pathways to Happiness are tools for policy makers and community organizers to address low volunteerism and charitable giving

1. Pathways to Happiness
for communities where volunteerism and donating rates are low

2. Pathways to Happiness are ways to increase
Volunteerism
Donating

3. Community
scores are
the third
lowest overall
100= happiest

4. Let’s look at one aspect of community:
volunteerism and donating

5. On average, people
donate or volunteer
less than once
every 6 months.
a score below 60 means we volunteer and donate less than once every six months

6. CourageousPolicies

7. City run awareness raising campaigns
Educate through public service announcements and media
and how to make an impact through donations and other giving
Increase sensitivity and understanding of need
ranging from child & domestic abuse to sustainability; homelessness to climate change, etc.
Raise awareness through media – from radio to social media

8. Resources for awareness raising
http://connectivity.cqrollcall.com/50-grassroots-marketing-campaign-examples/
Examples of social media pubic awareness projects
http://www.reddeer.ca/media/reddeerca/recreation-and-culture/community-programs-and-information/Public-Awareness-Toolkit.pdf
Toolkit for city public awareness campaign
http://www1.nyc.gov/site/fund/multimedia/public-service-announcements.page
Public service example

9. More resources for awareness raising
http://connectivity.cqrollcall.com/50-grassroots-marketing-campaign-examples/
Examples of social media pubic awareness projects
http://www.reddeer.ca/media/reddeerca/recreation-and-culture/community-programs-and-information/Public-Awareness-Toolkit.pdf
Toolkit for city public awareness campaign
http://www1.nyc.gov/site/fund/multimedia/public-service-announcements.page
Public service example

10. City Sponsored Volunteer Program
choices that fit needs and life circumstances
Access to volunteer opportunities
in-kind and financial
Information about donation opportunities

11. Resources for volunteer program
http://www.volunteermatch.org/search?l=Daly%20City%2C%20CA%2094014
Use of Volunteer Match by a city
Why people volunteer: http://www.volunteerpower.com/articles/why.asp
2 interesting pieces on volunteerism
http://www.cityofsacramento.org/HR/Volunteer-Opportunities
City volunteer program example
Volunteer management: https://www.501commons.org/resources/tools-and-best-practices/volunteer-management

12. Resources for youth volunteer programs
http://www.summerinthecity.com
Simple volunteer program example
http://blogs.volunteermatch.org/engagingvolunteers/2014/09/10/5-tips-for-engaging-youth-volunteers/
Tips for youth volunteers
https://www.newyorkcares.org/youth-volunteering
Youth volunteer program example

13. Resources for charitable giving
http://www.cambercollective.com/moneyforgood/
Whitepaper on increasing charitable giving
https://www.theguardian.com/voluntary-sector-network/2015/mar/23/the-science-behind-why-
people-give-money-to-charity
Article on why people donate

14. What’s it going to take?

15. hygge time (danish for cozy or restorative time)
it is important to take care of yourself
regularly take time to restore before you get exhausted
giving and working for social change can be overwhelming
light some candles, read a book, go on a picnic…

16. Lots of stories
simple small ways to volunteer
stories that educate potential donors & volunteers about
how a gift is used
the landscape of the cause
i.e. history & need, other organizations, etc.

17. Stories come in many forms
tell stories in newsletters, on blogs and other social media
tell stories when giving speeches & talking one-on-one
written, video, pictures, comics
tell your own story, and explain why you care & act

18. Other policies in the Pathways to Happiness tool series
Campaign finance reform
Guaranteed basic income
Media reform
Massive public transportation
Local food reliance
Village living (cities and rural)
Multi-use zoning
Public spaces
Political festivals
Participatory governance
Participatory budgeting
Anti-corruption policies
Transparency in government
Compassion training for police
Community-based monitoring
Sousveillance
Vote holiday
Vacation laws
Family leave laws
Sick leave laws
Flex time and job share laws
Telecommuting policies
Babies at work policies
Intergenerational care
Department of neighborhoods
Volunteer programs
Mindfulness practice in schools
Social justice awareness
raising
Mental health –priority
counseling

19. We envision a world where all beings can thrive.
Can you envision it too?
happycounts.org