- Kevin Spacey is running a contest for independent filmmakers and mentioned being inspired by (I think it was) Jack Lemmon once telling him "When you get to the top, send the elevator back down." That is, if you're doing well from the opportunities you've had, work to create opportunities for others. I find this a very attractive and catchy way of thinking about this concept.
- I don't talk much about the money we give--not because I fear sounding smug or virtuous, but because part of my culture is a very strong taboo about discussing money, period. We do give generously, both through the UU and individually. One thing that our parish is doing that I think is very cool: Last year, before we joined, they decided to try giving 25% of the Sunday plate to a designated charity each month. It was so successful that this year they raised that to 50% of the plate. They take suggestions from the congregation for recipients and have increased charitable contributions by the church significantly as a result of this project.
I do talk about the volunteer work that I do. Specifically, I try to post annually about reading for Learning Ally (formerly Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic). I think part of why I feel more comfortable discussing that is that it's really fun for me, an opportunity that happens to benefit other people, rather than something that feels like work. I talk less specifically about the fact that I devote a great deal of my time to running Theatre@First, building and nurturing that community, providing and promoting performing arts in the community. I mean, I think everyone I know understands that I do that, but it's not clear to me that people perceive it as volunteerism benefiting the community, rather than simply something I like to do, which it also is. I feel extremely fortunate to be able to devote my life to things that I love.
- Lastly, I would love to hear you talk about your LDS upbringing. That's a subject that pops up in my life and thinking and I'd really appreciate the opportunity to hear your thoughts on the experience and the more general subject of the LDS.
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- Kevin Spacey is running a contest for independent filmmakers and mentioned being inspired by (I think it was) Jack Lemmon once telling him "When you get to the top, send the elevator back down." That is, if you're doing well from the opportunities you've had, work to create opportunities for others. I find this a very attractive and catchy way of thinking about this concept.
- I don't talk much about the money we give--not because I fear sounding smug or virtuous, but because part of my culture is a very strong taboo about discussing money, period. We do give generously, both through the UU and individually. One thing that our parish is doing that I think is very cool: Last year, before we joined, they decided to try giving 25% of the Sunday plate to a designated charity each month. It was so successful that this year they raised that to 50% of the plate. They take suggestions from the congregation for recipients and have increased charitable contributions by the church significantly as a result of this project.
I do talk about the volunteer work that I do. Specifically, I try to post annually about reading for Learning Ally (formerly Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic). I think part of why I feel more comfortable discussing that is that it's really fun for me, an opportunity that happens to benefit other people, rather than something that feels like work. I talk less specifically about the fact that I devote a great deal of my time to running Theatre@First, building and nurturing that community, providing and promoting performing arts in the community. I mean, I think everyone I know understands that I do that, but it's not clear to me that people perceive it as volunteerism benefiting the community, rather than simply something I like to do, which it also is. I feel extremely fortunate to be able to devote my life to things that I love.
- Lastly, I would love to hear you talk about your LDS upbringing. That's a subject that pops up in my life and thinking and I'd really appreciate the opportunity to hear your thoughts on the experience and the more general subject of the LDS.