Five Reasons to Grab A Ticket to #Gigs4Good Thurs 4/12! April 11, 2012

Team Up for Nonprofits presents Gigs4Good this Thursday 4/12 7 – 11pm, benefiting Seattle Works. $20 in advance.

There are so many reasons to buy your ticket today!

5. The music is good!  If not, GREAT!

Don’t believe me? Go ahead, throw your headphones on, hit play and let it carry you through today: http://bit.ly/ziHQYQ

   

How you doing?

4. The show is being produced by a fellow nonprofit – Team Up for Nonprofits!

A minimum of $15 of your $20 advance ticket goes to Seattle Works.  That’s incredible.  With Team Up, you buy the ticket, they bring the music and nonprofits get the money.  That is awesome sauce.  Your ticket makes sure this can keep happening: http://bit.ly/G4GSW

3. The weather has been ab-fab. Time to take advantage of a rooftop patio.

Have you seen Hard Rock’s patio? Well I dare you to find a better one in Seattle my friends.  Perfect for a little pre-game beverage if you know what I mean. Don’t worry, if Seattle’s true colors come through and it’s raining they have some fancy cabanas.

2. Seattle Works is known for bringing together nice, fun people – and this is no exception. Come meet some of them!

Almost 5,000 people are on this facebook event!  That’s because people are connected and looking to mix, mingle, network and meet new folks.  Come to move, shake, do your thang.

1. You <3 Seattle Works and want to support us!

$20 is likely cheaper than your average night out – right?! Affordable philanthropy – don’t mind if we do.  We’re gearing up for Seattle Works Day on Sat May 19th, which is our largest annual day of service and gets 1,300 people out in our community to give back. Seattle Works gets you connected to your community… and Seattle Works Day is just one way that we do it.

Grab your tickets to Gigs4Good and we’ll rock out with you on Thursday! http://bit.ly/G4GSW

Seattle Ranked Most Generous City! February 17, 2012

The Puget Sound Business Journal reported findings from Convio, Inc. that Seattle is ranked NUMBER ONE in the nation for online giving. Read the full article: http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2012/02/15/seattle-ranked-most-generous-in-the.html
This isn’t all that surprising given the history of generosity in our city and the clear technology focus we enjoy in Seattle.  It’s still nice to be reminded of how awesome our city, our community and the place we call home is!

2011 Giving Campaign Results January 9, 2012

Our 2011 annual giving campaign ROCKED. With the help of our Rock Stars, we raised a total of $13,585 for Seattle Works!

But that’s not even the best part. We raised the money from individual donations given by 259 people.  That’s a lot of people showing a lot of love to Seattle Works!

And now for a spectacular showing of data:

Thank you to each and every green dot. Every single gift matters to us.

Round of applause for our Rock Stars, without which, we would have fewer green dots.

Rochelle Audette, Cate Bardelson, Jennifer Boehme, Tyler Bosma, Bekah Bridges, Nick Brown, Thomas Buford, Shauna Causey, Michael Closson, Nick Cullen, Lisa Danielson, Casey Dilloway, Norma-Erin Espinosa, Kathleen Ferguson, Laura Ford, Ellen Frierson, Lorraine Goldberg, Sarah Haeger, Stephanie Heffner, Pierce Hofman, Kim Leary, Alex Lewis, Jon Liechty, Austin McNamee, Shane McNamee, Jen McNeil, Madeline Moy, Gillian Murphy, Adriane Musuneggi, Frank Nam, Fred Northup, Jaxon Ravens, Monstrous Root Ball, Percival, Rebecca Roy, Irfan Shariff, Paul Shoemaker, Sergey Smirnov, Tara Smith, Karianne Stinson, Megan Szerwo and Bevin Wong.

Want to see the best giraffe impression ever? December 20, 2011

Tara makes us laugh… and she’ll make you laugh too.

http://youtu.be/3S6Mcs9gXDw

 

But the real point of all this is to support Seattle Works! When you give a gift today, you’ll be entered to win two tickets to Swank 2012! One of, if not THE BEST, party of the year!

 

Make a gift today: https://seattleworks.ejoinme.org/RockStar

A Comment Box has never meant so much! December 16, 2011

Our giving campaign is still rockin’! We’ve got under five grand to go until we hit our goal.  Here’s is the second portion of the comments that peopel have left when they’ve donated a gift to Seattle Works.

Comments that make us laugh, cry and feel the incredible love of our community!

- My darling wife is amazing!

- Keep up the great work!

- Woo hoo!

- Keep on rockin’, Seattle Works!

- I’d like to donate on behalf of Shane McNamee, who is an amazing guy.

- Keep up the great work in 2012!

- Ellen is stupendous!

- So proud of all you do. This organization changed my life as well.

- because I like to be matchy-matchy

- i heart Seattle Works (and Madeline and Tara)!

- I heart you Seattle Works.

- Megan is the cooles, smartest, best looking, funniest, and nicest person in the greater Seattle area.  I’m a non-paid endorser.

- Go Ellen! Keep doing great work for the Seattle community!

- Soy dung nook, Jen! Hung ging gone done yall!!!

- Proud of your involvement with Seattle Works

- Good luck fundraising, happy to help!

- We miss participating in Seattle Works!

- I heart Seattle Works! Ganbare!

- Laura is hella cool.

- I have worked with Jen in the developing world.  If she says your cause is good I believe it.

- Love you Rochelle!

- Great organization!  Love the philosophy behind what you’re doing!

- Tapas Party

- Wouldn’t be who I am today without you, Seattle Works!

 

Please consider supporting Seattle Works this season!  We rock community engagement by connecting volunteers, developing emering leaders and inspiring dialogue.

 

Give a gift today! https://seattleworks.ejoinme.org/RockStar

“I wouldn’t be where I am today in my career without Seattle Works.” December 15, 2011

I moved to the Seattle area a little more than six years ago to teach 3^rd grade in Auburn. I joined Seattle Works quickly after I moved to meet new people and make connections in Seattle. Over the last several years, I’ve volunteered with countless non-profits through the Team Works and Hot Projects programs. I fell in love with New Orleans while helping with the rebuilding efforts after Hurricane Katrina. Seattle Works Day is one of my favorite days of the year. It is incredible to see so many people come together to make our city a better place for everyone. Each and every one of these projects and events has touched me and affected my life. But when I reflect on my time with Seattle Works, I am most grateful for my time with The Bridge.

 

 

I started The Bridge during my fourth year of teaching. At the time I was soul searching and trying to decide where I saw myself in five years. While I loved my students, I wasn’t sure I had it in me to teach for decades. At the start of The Bridge, we each took a behavioral assessment online through True Life Coaching. Shandel Slaten, the CEO of True Life Coaching, taught one of The Bridge sessions and went over our individual results to the assessments with us. I’ve always been a fan of personality assessments, but these were different. These assessments identified what motivates me professionally and how I interact with coworkers. After reading my personalized assessment, I began to understand the reasons I wasn’t finding fulfillment in teaching. Shandel made time to speak with me personally after that class and confirmed that education might not be the best fit with my professional motivators and drivers.

 

I made the decision to change careers in The Bridge class, but Seattle Works’ impact on my career success didn’t stop there. I needed samples of my work, and I couldn’t think of a better way than to promote the organization that I love. I started by writing a press release for Seattle Works Day and then built a whole marketing plan along with social integration for the same event the next year. I have been thrilled to help develop and shape the Seattle Works social media plan over the years. I am forever grateful for the connections and experience Seattle Works has given me. I wouldn’t be where I am today in my career without Seattle Works. I’ve had so many incredible experiences with Seattle Works, and that is just one example of how this organization has changed my life. I know I am not alone; Seattle Works has touched many lives.

 

Please consider giving so Seattle Works can continue its outstanding work. https://seattleworks.ejoinme.org/RockStar

-Karianne Stinson

Spotlight on Rock Star Frank! December 13, 2011

Frank is a Seattle Works Rock Star and he first got involved with Seattle Works through a program we run in partnership with Treehouse, another local nonprofit.
Here’s an excerpt from Frank’s personal blog about his involvement with the Men’s Mentoring Group:

Boy’s Group with Treehouse

Posted on April 14, 2011by franknam

For the past 11 months I’ve been spending each second Wednesday volunteering with some other men from Seattle Works at Treehouse. The program is called Boy’s Group and it’s basically a chance for young men in foster care to interact with male role-models. There’s always food at the start of each event (lots of food – remember my reference to how much teenage boys can eat) and then some kind of fun activity.

In the past year we went bowling , visited Seattle University, played games at Jillian’s, did a casino night, and played Xbox 360 Kinect Bowling and Dance Central.

Our last event is next month and we’ll most likely be going to play mini-golf followed by eating at Subway!

It’s good to see the boys in the group bond with old dudes like myself. I know a number of the kids there since I used to work at Treehouse and it’s been an amazing experience.

If you’re interested in volunteering – check out Seattle Works! They have one-day events and multiple long-term events. Tell them Frank sent you!

What are you doing reading this silly blog still? Get out and volunteer!

Want to support the awesome-ness of Frank?! Make a gift in his name: https://seattleworks.ejoinme.org/RockStar

Can’t Fight this Feeling Any Longer December 7, 2011

We have to share some of the comments that have come in from donors and Rock Stars during our annual campaign. They are too cute to keep to ourselves:

 

-Keep up the good work.

-Let the games begin!

-Love your organization!

-Nick is an amazing young man and I trust his judgement completely when he tells me that Seattle Works is a great cause and he believes in their work.

-Rochelle is my new daughter-in-law. I’m very proud of hte work she does and her community involvement!

-Seattle Works Rocks!

-Thanks Seattle Works, for all you do!

-Volunteerism rocks

-Way to go Frank! hope all is well

-xoxo

-You’re awesome, Thomas. Good work!

-Dear Seattle Works – Thank you for introducing me to my wife!

-For Nymeria and Daenerys – without Seattle Works I would not have these kitties!

-Go Jaxon! You are a rockstar and Seattle Works rocks!

-go panda!

-happy to give!

-happy to support this local cause!

-I miss you, Seattle Works!

-Keep doing good things!

-Keep up the awesome work!

 

You warm our hearts, inspire us and are a constant reminder of why Seattle Works is vital for our community. If you want to contribute to us – we’d love to have your support, and we’ll feature your fun comments on another blog post next week.

Give as little or as much as you are able and we promise to put it to good use. https://seattleworks.ejoinme.org/RockStar  Plus, make a sweet badge and tell the work how much you rock on facebook or twitter! http://seattleworks.sp.splitatom.com/

 

PS – thank you REO Speedwagon for the spot on song (and blog post) title.

Donate like a Diva! December 6, 2011

Our friends over at Team Diva Real Estate wrote this awesome piece about us:

 

“Have you ever wanted to find a way to give back to the community through an organized network of local nonprofits that need helpful, awesome volunteers?  Well you are in luck because Seattle Works has been providing this service to aspiring givers for over 20 years!”

More…  http://www.blog.teamdivarealestate.com/2011/12/04/seattle-works-connecting-people-with-the-community/

 

Team Diva is not just your average real estate team. They go beyond buying and selling homes because their focus is to create community in all interactions.  We love that focus!

Rock on Team Diva – rock on!

“…I have seen the Seattle Works sausage being made.” – excerpt from The Ask, Year Three December 5, 2011

An example from one of our Rock Stars, Thomas who asked his network to support Seattle Works during our annual campaign.  It’s a good read!

The Ask, Year Three!

December 1, 2011

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is that time of year again: the air is cold, the lights are in the trees, and I come to you asking for money for Seattle Works. If you don’t need to hear more, here is the link to give: https://seattleworks.ejoinme.org/RockStar. I ask you to give an amount with which you are comfortable – no amount is too large or too small. For those of you who would like some convincing or would like to hear some more about Seattle Works, I invite you to read the following treatise.

Today marks the start of Seattle Work’s annual campaign and the 22nd year of Seattle Works building community in Seattle. It also marks one year since I joined the Board of Directors of Seattle Works. It has been a great and challenging year for Seattle Works. Our big yearly events went very well. Seattle Works Day was a success with over 1,200 volunteers spread across the city on a single day. Seattle Swank moved to a new venue and was infused with a new energy that already has folks excited for next year – in addition to bringing in more than $158,000 for Seattle Works. Our core volunteer programs – Hot Projects and Team Works – are helping folks get their hands dirty with organizations all over the region. From food banks to homeless shelters to schools to parks, Seattle Works volunteers completed hundreds of projects this year that allowed the organizations we serve to accomplish their fundamental missions. Our leadership training programs – the Bridge and Hands-On Leadership – are continuing to train emerging leaders in our community in board service and project management. Bridge alumni are sought by dozens of organizations across the region – anything from senior centers to street yoga organizations – for their knowledge of non-profit management and their leadership skills. Hands-On Leadership alumni are using their training to plan and execute service projects to assist organizations of their choosing. In short, we have had a busy and effective year.

On a personal note, it has been a great year for me as well. I have been more involved with Seattle Works this year than in any year past. In a sense, through serving on the board, I have seen the Seattle Works sausage being made. Rather than being repulsed (as I think I would be by actual sausage), it has been an inspirational year. In addition to board service, our volunteer team has been chugging on strong. January 2012 will mark five years since the founding of the team. We have been all over the region this year but probably nowhere as impactful as PAWS in Lynnwood. PAWS is an animal shelter and, after our project there, two beautiful kittens went home with one of our teammates and an awesome black dog joined another of our team’s families. We are on course to have more animals than people on our team (which makes planning for team snacks far more difficult). It is a small but concrete example of how Seattle Works affects all of us as much as we affect the organizations we serve.

It is not all sunshine and puppies though. As you are aware, the economy is keeping everyone on their toes and Seattle Works is no exception. Some formerly reliable funding sources have gone away. Others have cut back. As such, our annual campaign has grown in importance – when the people who know Seattle Works give, it provides a reliable source of funding that is unlikely to go away and allows us to plan for our future endeavors with confidence and ambition. In this environment, our gifts to Seattle Works are more important that ever.

Seattle Works occupies a very special place in my life. Laura and I moved to Seattle a little over five years ago. As that anniversary passed earlier this year, I reflected on what that move has meant for us. One thing that struck me is that, with a few exceptions, almost everyone that I spend time with I either met through Seattle Works or we have served on Seattle Works projects together. I am an example of how Seattle Works takes someone, gets them involved, and puts them in a position to make their community a better place through service and leadership. I could not be more thankful or feel more indebted to Seattle Works. However, my story is not unique – this is just what Seattle Works does, over and over again.

So, I have written you a novel instead of an email. Sorry about that. I really appreciate you reading and, hopefully, giving to Seattle Works. Please give today. Here is the link again: https://seattleworks.ejoinme.org/RockStar.

Thank you very much,

Thomas