Totally off-topic and a throw-back to my "old life."
OK - if there were keywords for this entry, they would be "philanthropy lover," "ex-corporate worlder," "education-lover," "consumer of books," and "follower of Allison's old philanthropy drum."
Seems my old grassroots literacy group, Room to Read, is growing by leaps and bounds (is it a coincidence that it happened as I left to start a family?). The idea started in Nepal with one vacationing book-lover and a school in need. The yak makes an appearance a few trips later filled on both sides with books coming from all over the world; the result of one plea and one email. John Wood, who started the whole fire by being an interested traveler who penned the email, is coming out with a book. I haven't read it either, but I followed his directions to get a "free" exert and a strike at trying to create a wave of interest from the outside world. John, always aiming high, hopes to create a best-seller. We will help bring the world, right??
Here's the deal straight from my friend John Wood, the founder of the Non-Profit:
"We are hoping to enlist an army of over 5,000 "buzz agents" who will spread the word about the book and book-related events during my 20-city, 3-month tour. There are 500 of you on this mailing list, so we're 10% there! I'm asking for your help in getting the other 4,500 ... ideally by the end of next week!
Here's how it works. I'm asking each of you to email or talk live with 10 friends whom you think might be impressed with Room to Read's mission and who might enjoy hearing more about our story. All they have to agree to do is to receive a FREE electronic copy of Chapter 1, which chronicles my first visit to a rural Nepali school that had 450 students, but less than 20 books. It was here that the vision of Room to Read was born.
To receive a copy, all you, or they, have to do us reply to this email with the words "Chapter 1" in the Subject line. (Or email book@roomtoread.org). We'll then email you and each of your friends Chapter 1, along with a request that they become "buzz agents" themselves.The power to create a best-seller, and to raise millions for Room to Read, is in our hands. It's no longer the major media who turn books into best sellers - it's the average person, and the power of their networks.
Go ahead...get a free copy! It's really a phenominal story when you hear him tell it - and his writing is probably pretty good, too!
