As longtime Rotarians, my wife, Jann, and I have tried to live by the motto “Service Above Self.”
Rotary club members around the world give their time, talent and treasure (the three T’s) to help others, working to “pay our rent” for our place on this planet.
The holiday season provides a wonderful reminder about the joy of giving, and I’d like to offer some ideas that go beyond the frenzied shopping that seems to symbolize gift-giving season.
Many of us “baby boomers” have more stuff than we need, and truly don’t want more as we look to downsize and simplify our lives. Even many of our grown children are in the same boat.
So, what to get for someone who already has everything? Here are some ideas using Rotary’s three T’s.
Time
Time is truly our most precious resource, which comes with an unknowable time limit. I’ve always preferred to think in terms of “investing,” rather than “spending,” my time to remind me how important every day is.
So, what could be a more valuable gift than giving of your time? Time with family and friends. And time helping others.
We are so lucky to have so many great nonprofit organizations in Santa Barbara County that can use some help serving those in need, so it’s easy to find ways to help.
Something as simple as visiting with a lonely senior, helping at the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County, or volunteering at a nonprofit.
“Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on Earth.”
Muhammad Ali
Our Rotary Club, Rotary Club of Santa Barbara Sunrise, just paid for and helped pack 15,000 meals with Rise Against Hunger, and we are getting more than 100 bike helmets ready for Unity Shoppe to give to kids. And our ukelele band has played at senior centers.
These are just a few of the things we’ve done, with so many other options. Try it and you’ll quickly see how true the saying “it’s better to give than receive” really is.
Talent
Each of us has skills, knowledge and backgrounds that make us unique and that can help others.
I know a retired executive who helps local businesses through SCORE Santa Barbara, a retired teacher who volunteers at a local school, and fellow Rotarians who volunteer as prison counselors and lead organ donation education efforts.
I even found a way to use my years of experience as a financial adviser to be a volunteer columnist for Noozhawk.
What talents can you share with others?
Treasure
After years of trying to find “the perfect gift” for my four sons (with arguably very limited success), I came up with a better idea.
Like me, they really don’t want or need much, so last year I decided to give them each “the gift of giving.”
I shared my philanthropic views and plans in a letter to each son, with my gift to them being able to name charities of their choice for a donation in their name. They used my gift to make donations to a food bank, a suicide prevention organization, a children’s benefit group and a high school booster club.
One of the sons even added to my Bike4Kids project for United Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Barbara County. This was easy to do, using the donor-advised fund I started a few years ago for our family philanthropy.
And my Christmas gifts were even tax-deductible!
Just think how good it would feel to give your time, talent and treasure for the holidays. And you can always go ahead and buy an extra-special present or two.