The mythical bird, the Phoenix was said to have a 500 to 1,000 year life-cycle, near the end of which it builds itself a nest of myrrh twigs that then ignites; both nest and bird burn fiercely and are reduced to ashes, from which a new, young phoenix or phoenix egg arises, reborn anew to live again. It's a pretty dramatic story dating back to around A.D.170 with implications that exist today...or at least the synopsis of the story, death and life.
In composing this blog entry I hearken to the news in Honduras today. News about the political unrest, the poverty, the demise of some parts of the infrastructure of this culture, and the contributions many passionate individuals and organizations have provided through the years to help the marginalized and are now hesitant to engage. It has been a slow, difficult death in some ways. Pain and suffering have been evident yet, amidst the din a new day is arising. A renewed hope is growing and those who have availed themselves in this advent of change will be stakeholders in Honduras' future.
This is the where the Phoenix rises. I am hopeful you are inspired to engage in this next chapter of Honduras' future.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Representing Hope...
A personal perspective by Brian Crowe, Executive Director of Special Missions Foundation
I’ve had the great privilege of witnessing first hand the broad scope of humanity – its wealth and opulence and its deep poverty and despair, but most assuredly, the opportunities for hope. This exposure to the polar opposites in sociology has provided a unique perspective into the human culture. I’ve been amazed, surprised, affirmed, contemplative, challenged, but most of all, blessed to bear witness to the good, the bad and the promise of humanity. Recently I traveled to India to participate in yet another chapter in the great variety of mission opportunities I’ve experienced in my short 46 years. In India I worked in 3 orphanages of children who are all victims of the caste system. We set up a pilot project providing medical, dental, and optometric care for these kids, most of whom have never visited a doctor in their lives. I’ve been blessed to personally serve domestically throughout the United States, into Mexico, Costa Rica, Honduras, Nicaragua, South Africa and now India. Through mission outreach and response I’ve felt a real sense of responsibility to provide my friends, family and those with whom I come in contact my reflection and reminder of the needs of others. One of our fundamental mandates as citizens of this world is to ensure the hungry are fed, the naked are clothed, the welfare of the marginalized is secured and the fragile ecosystem of our planet is protected. It can be accomplished through the collaborative efforts of all of us working at it through our individual gifts and talents.
My current employment includes the role of Executive Director for Special Missions Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit humanitarian service organization. In this capacity I work in collaboration with nonprofit organizations and individuals that serve around the world, all addressing these identified needs through their specific method. Special Missions Foundation is essentially a hub of information sharing, project and mission development, an accountability facilitator, and a vehicle in securing resources that effectuate mission goals and objectives. This organization has been in existence for over 10 years, making notable impact in the lives of thousands who are desperately in need of support or are in crisis.
At this time, Special Missions Foundation (SMF) is in a crisis of our own. Without adequate funding to support our operations, we will be unable to facilitate addressing the needs children like those I worked with most recently in India. At this time SMF is literally in the midst of developing programs and strategies to continue in response in areas throughout Honduras, Nicaragua, Myanmar, India, Africa, and the United States. There are many other opportunities we would like to consider as well, working within the capacity of our resources however these future considerations are in jeopardy.
I make a personal request for you to consider joining our family in response to the needs of others. Essentially, we are seeking visionaries who share in our passion to connect resources to needs. Due to the economy cooling, our primary donor source that has funded our operational budget has expressed their inability to sustain their contribution. As such, we are actively asking for support to help ensure our viability for nonprofits and individuals serving internationally. Our financial support runs through the end of this month at which time we will be forced to consider other strategies for continuance if in fact, operational resources cannot be gained.
If this speaks to you I urge you to consider partnering with us in response effort soon. To be clear, we are not simply asking for donation. My personal philosophy is to engage in collaborative relationship that provides for the biggest impact. SMF offers limited opportunities for Board Membership selecting donors who embody the same philosophies in humanitarian care and candidates who have expressed an interest in facilitating in nonprofit leadership. This invitation occurs through direct dialog, assessing strengths and needs for our leadership board structure. Special Missions Foundation is a tax exempt organization as a registered 501(c)3 (EIN#74-2918194). Please visit: www.specialmissions.org/donate, annotating this contribution as "undesignated".
I truly thank you for allowing me the privilege of making this plea and most especially, for supporting our efforts in humanitarian service outreach. I sincerely hope you’ve been inspired to consider ways in which you would like to support and participate in partnership. This truly isn’t a singular response but a corporate effort and I continually look to ways with which we can make that difference in the world.
Bless and be blessed!
Brian
I’ve had the great privilege of witnessing first hand the broad scope of humanity – its wealth and opulence and its deep poverty and despair, but most assuredly, the opportunities for hope. This exposure to the polar opposites in sociology has provided a unique perspective into the human culture. I’ve been amazed, surprised, affirmed, contemplative, challenged, but most of all, blessed to bear witness to the good, the bad and the promise of humanity. Recently I traveled to India to participate in yet another chapter in the great variety of mission opportunities I’ve experienced in my short 46 years. In India I worked in 3 orphanages of children who are all victims of the caste system. We set up a pilot project providing medical, dental, and optometric care for these kids, most of whom have never visited a doctor in their lives. I’ve been blessed to personally serve domestically throughout the United States, into Mexico, Costa Rica, Honduras, Nicaragua, South Africa and now India. Through mission outreach and response I’ve felt a real sense of responsibility to provide my friends, family and those with whom I come in contact my reflection and reminder of the needs of others. One of our fundamental mandates as citizens of this world is to ensure the hungry are fed, the naked are clothed, the welfare of the marginalized is secured and the fragile ecosystem of our planet is protected. It can be accomplished through the collaborative efforts of all of us working at it through our individual gifts and talents.
My current employment includes the role of Executive Director for Special Missions Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit humanitarian service organization. In this capacity I work in collaboration with nonprofit organizations and individuals that serve around the world, all addressing these identified needs through their specific method. Special Missions Foundation is essentially a hub of information sharing, project and mission development, an accountability facilitator, and a vehicle in securing resources that effectuate mission goals and objectives. This organization has been in existence for over 10 years, making notable impact in the lives of thousands who are desperately in need of support or are in crisis.
At this time, Special Missions Foundation (SMF) is in a crisis of our own. Without adequate funding to support our operations, we will be unable to facilitate addressing the needs children like those I worked with most recently in India. At this time SMF is literally in the midst of developing programs and strategies to continue in response in areas throughout Honduras, Nicaragua, Myanmar, India, Africa, and the United States. There are many other opportunities we would like to consider as well, working within the capacity of our resources however these future considerations are in jeopardy.
I make a personal request for you to consider joining our family in response to the needs of others. Essentially, we are seeking visionaries who share in our passion to connect resources to needs. Due to the economy cooling, our primary donor source that has funded our operational budget has expressed their inability to sustain their contribution. As such, we are actively asking for support to help ensure our viability for nonprofits and individuals serving internationally. Our financial support runs through the end of this month at which time we will be forced to consider other strategies for continuance if in fact, operational resources cannot be gained.
If this speaks to you I urge you to consider partnering with us in response effort soon. To be clear, we are not simply asking for donation. My personal philosophy is to engage in collaborative relationship that provides for the biggest impact. SMF offers limited opportunities for Board Membership selecting donors who embody the same philosophies in humanitarian care and candidates who have expressed an interest in facilitating in nonprofit leadership. This invitation occurs through direct dialog, assessing strengths and needs for our leadership board structure. Special Missions Foundation is a tax exempt organization as a registered 501(c)3 (EIN#74-2918194). Please visit: www.specialmissions.org/donate, annotating this contribution as "undesignated".
I truly thank you for allowing me the privilege of making this plea and most especially, for supporting our efforts in humanitarian service outreach. I sincerely hope you’ve been inspired to consider ways in which you would like to support and participate in partnership. This truly isn’t a singular response but a corporate effort and I continually look to ways with which we can make that difference in the world.
Bless and be blessed!
Brian
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
The Voice of the Marginalized
Awaiting news on Zelaya's next move is an amazing exercise. It seems as though the momentum of real democracy lies on the head of a pin governed by the sheer will and determination of one man - whether that's right or not is a matter of opinion. And opinions swing wide. What seems to be missing in this picture is the faces and voices of the impoverished, impacted by the dramatic decline of Honduras's economy because of the political unrest. As governments and humanitarian aid is cut off, those that chronically suffer are impacted even more. And their problems increase. Finding a resolve is paramount towards alleviating additional unwarranted pain and suffering.
And so we wait. We wait to see what the next move is in this volatile environment where thus far, everyone is losing.
Please keep the voice of the marginalized at the forefront of the news.
Brian Crowe
Executive Director, Special Missions Foundation
And so we wait. We wait to see what the next move is in this volatile environment where thus far, everyone is losing.
Please keep the voice of the marginalized at the forefront of the news.
Brian Crowe
Executive Director, Special Missions Foundation
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Drive To Survive
Special Missions Foundation is now engaged in a mission critical support opportunity. Over the 8 months:
We’ve developed a Pilot Project for TMF in India serving 3 orphanages with Dental and Optometric care;
We’ve provided over 250 hours of administrative services and organizational development to one of our Affiliate Partners over the past 8 months;
We’ve provided administrative support with registrations for Conference on Honduras;
We’re provided a ‘pass-through’ for contributions to fund organizations serving outside the United States;
We’ve welcomed 4 new Affiliate Partnerships into the fold of the SMF umbrella – Urban Promise serving in Copan Ruinas, The Burma Connection serving in Myanmar, El Maestro en Casa serving La Esperanza area, and Fundacion Sindrome de Downs based out of San Pedro Sula;
We’ve provided $6,500 to Helping Honduras Kids providing resources of school books for the children in their orphanage;
We’ve provided free consulting for numerous NGO’s serving internationally;
We’ve been a source of information on Disaster Relief in Honduras and Costa Rica;
We’ve linked scores of organizations to resources of all types within the last 8 months;
We’ve been affiliated with organizations making national and international notoriety in many forms of media venues;
We’ve had a constant, fresh presence in 5 different social networks garnering hundreds of ‘followers’ to our posts and website;
We’ve had US-wide press on SMF related projects through VOSH International, Rotary International, and the ADA News Magazine;
We're impacting the lives of multiple thousands of marginalized people in developing countries around the world through our Network Members and Affiliate Partnerships.
And now, we're in need of funds to continue our efforts at this level. We're seeking donations to sustain our operational budget ensuring Special Missions Foundation is available to assist organizations serving around the world. Please help us secure the future for the hundreds of organizations that are making a very tangible difference in the lives of those less fortunate. Donate today at http://www.specialmissions.org/donate or contact the SMF office for more information and updates on strategies.
Brian Crowe
Executive Director, Special Missions Foundation
We’ve developed a Pilot Project for TMF in India serving 3 orphanages with Dental and Optometric care;
We’ve provided over 250 hours of administrative services and organizational development to one of our Affiliate Partners over the past 8 months;
We’ve provided administrative support with registrations for Conference on Honduras;
We’re provided a ‘pass-through’ for contributions to fund organizations serving outside the United States;
We’ve welcomed 4 new Affiliate Partnerships into the fold of the SMF umbrella – Urban Promise serving in Copan Ruinas, The Burma Connection serving in Myanmar, El Maestro en Casa serving La Esperanza area, and Fundacion Sindrome de Downs based out of San Pedro Sula;
We’ve provided $6,500 to Helping Honduras Kids providing resources of school books for the children in their orphanage;
We’ve provided free consulting for numerous NGO’s serving internationally;
We’ve been a source of information on Disaster Relief in Honduras and Costa Rica;
We’ve linked scores of organizations to resources of all types within the last 8 months;
We’ve been affiliated with organizations making national and international notoriety in many forms of media venues;
We’ve had a constant, fresh presence in 5 different social networks garnering hundreds of ‘followers’ to our posts and website;
We’ve had US-wide press on SMF related projects through VOSH International, Rotary International, and the ADA News Magazine;
We're impacting the lives of multiple thousands of marginalized people in developing countries around the world through our Network Members and Affiliate Partnerships.
And now, we're in need of funds to continue our efforts at this level. We're seeking donations to sustain our operational budget ensuring Special Missions Foundation is available to assist organizations serving around the world. Please help us secure the future for the hundreds of organizations that are making a very tangible difference in the lives of those less fortunate. Donate today at http://www.specialmissions.org/donate or contact the SMF office for more information and updates on strategies.
Brian Crowe
Executive Director, Special Missions Foundation
Friday, May 29, 2009
Wheels In Motion
The wheels are in motion.
Immediately upon news of the 7.3 earthquake that shook off the cost of La Ceiba, Honduras, Special Missions Foundation has sprung in to response providing an avenue to donate. We have leveraged our networks and resources to offer assistance wherever it is needed the most. With literally hundreds of network member organizations, partnerships, and individuals on the ground in Honduras providing humanitarian care response, SMF can direct financial resources where they are needed the most.
Join in this outreach response for the needs of those suffering in the wake of this natural disaster. 100% of designated contributions go towards relief efforts. To donate, go to www.specialmissions.org/donate
Brian Crowe
Executive Director, Special Missions Foundation
Immediately upon news of the 7.3 earthquake that shook off the cost of La Ceiba, Honduras, Special Missions Foundation has sprung in to response providing an avenue to donate. We have leveraged our networks and resources to offer assistance wherever it is needed the most. With literally hundreds of network member organizations, partnerships, and individuals on the ground in Honduras providing humanitarian care response, SMF can direct financial resources where they are needed the most.
Join in this outreach response for the needs of those suffering in the wake of this natural disaster. 100% of designated contributions go towards relief efforts. To donate, go to www.specialmissions.org/donate
Brian Crowe
Executive Director, Special Missions Foundation
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Network Response
Social media tools have launched and explosion of opportunities for people to connect with causes. SMF has been actively involved in consistent, regular updates on all of or social medial portals; this blog, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and our own customized network found on Ning.com. These venues work only as long as they are updated regularly and as long as people are reading them.
Most recently, SMF received a Tweet from a new Follower needing critical assistance locating a missing family member off Roatan, Honduras. This message illustrates the potential for broadcast announcements to network membership to move forward aggressively in response to the needs of others, something SMF has pursued aggressively since entering the social media market.
We encourage all of our viewers to frequent our media sites, giving us the added response traffic to effectuate our desired outcomes. Getting the word out is a massive undertaking. Finding the right mix of media tools is paramount toward reaching our goals. Keeping you informed is our responsibility, taking action is your option. We hope you are motivated to make the biggest impact towards address the needs of others who may not otherwise have a voice.
Regarding the missing family member off Roatan, we will be posting links and information immediately upon receipt. Let's all hope our networks work, before it is too late.
Brian Crowe
Executive Director, Special Missions Foundation
Most recently, SMF received a Tweet from a new Follower needing critical assistance locating a missing family member off Roatan, Honduras. This message illustrates the potential for broadcast announcements to network membership to move forward aggressively in response to the needs of others, something SMF has pursued aggressively since entering the social media market.
We encourage all of our viewers to frequent our media sites, giving us the added response traffic to effectuate our desired outcomes. Getting the word out is a massive undertaking. Finding the right mix of media tools is paramount toward reaching our goals. Keeping you informed is our responsibility, taking action is your option. We hope you are motivated to make the biggest impact towards address the needs of others who may not otherwise have a voice.
Regarding the missing family member off Roatan, we will be posting links and information immediately upon receipt. Let's all hope our networks work, before it is too late.
Brian Crowe
Executive Director, Special Missions Foundation
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Cultivating For Success
Strategies, Action Points, Protocol. Our office is swimming in a sea of NGO development strategies to effectuate goals. It's a very exciting time to be engaged in humanitarian effort internationally, seeing the fruits of our labors come into their season. Cultivation is everything.
Recently, I was provided a copy of a letter of invitation to the President of the country of Honduras to attend our NGO conference in September. It was pretty exciting to see this letter, noting that we'll have the Ambassador of the US in attendance
as well as the Director of USAID, each presenting to the hundreds of participants and NGO's represented there. The picture here is of US Ambassador Hugo Llorens and myself attending the 2008 Conference on Honduras. This year is our 10th year to sponsor this event and it goes without saying, cultivation is everything.
You can't develop a comprehensive strategy for success without careful planning. Look at the success records of some of the most recognizable international humanitarian service orgs on the planet: CARE, Médecins Sans Frontières, Ameri Cares, Mercy Corps, Global Aid Network. It happened through the careful and intentional planning that included contingency plans when the trajectory encountered obstacles. These obstacles didn't derail their plans, it added a new dimension to the existing strategies. And all along, they cultivated the mission objectives, never losing sight of the goal.
As we press onward we offer encouragement knowing that collaboration builds capacity which broadens the footprint of successful humanitarian response. We're excited to be in the midst of incredible things happening internationally.
Brian Crowe
Executive Director, Special Missions Foundation
Recently, I was provided a copy of a letter of invitation to the President of the country of Honduras to attend our NGO conference in September. It was pretty exciting to see this letter, noting that we'll have the Ambassador of the US in attendance
as well as the Director of USAID, each presenting to the hundreds of participants and NGO's represented there. The picture here is of US Ambassador Hugo Llorens and myself attending the 2008 Conference on Honduras. This year is our 10th year to sponsor this event and it goes without saying, cultivation is everything.You can't develop a comprehensive strategy for success without careful planning. Look at the success records of some of the most recognizable international humanitarian service orgs on the planet: CARE, Médecins Sans Frontières, Ameri Cares, Mercy Corps, Global Aid Network. It happened through the careful and intentional planning that included contingency plans when the trajectory encountered obstacles. These obstacles didn't derail their plans, it added a new dimension to the existing strategies. And all along, they cultivated the mission objectives, never losing sight of the goal.
As we press onward we offer encouragement knowing that collaboration builds capacity which broadens the footprint of successful humanitarian response. We're excited to be in the midst of incredible things happening internationally.
Brian Crowe
Executive Director, Special Missions Foundation
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