How to be altruistic, effectively

[poetrythug]

I have recently been seized by this urge to be more altruistic. And I think, to some degree to be altruistic in a visible way. Not to generate accolades for myself, but rather to influence others to act with kindness as well. I'm operating from the premise that you don't have to be a CEO or a statesman to wield power and influence -- that you can have enormous influence by acting with kindness and integrity, and that your actions can influence others to do the same, and that quiet revolutions begun on a grassroots level can move mountains.

So one of the big questions is: Where should I direct my efforts at altruism? I want every dollar I donate, or hour I volunteer, to be as effective as possible in making the world better.

Some thoughts (feel free to respond and add your own thoughts):

1) Donating blood: This is something I have done for the past couple years; I am going to make an effort to donate more regularly (you are allowed to donate whole blood once every two months, or components like platelets even more frequently; in the past I have donated about 1-2x/year.) Nationally, about 60% of people are eligible to donate blood but only about 5% do.

2) Becoming carbon neutral: I just found the site carboncounter.org, which allows you to calculate your personal contribution to greenhouse gases (through driving, flying on planes, and gas and electricity at home) and contribute money to projects that offset your contribution to warming. I was surprised at how relatively inexpensive offsetting is. [Incidentally, I am in the process of moving to a major city for work. I am strongly considering selling my car in the next couple months, as I will be able to rely on public transportation, and using a car renting/sharing service like Zipcar for those few times when I would need a car. This is a decision I'm not even considering for altruistic purposes, so much as for the cost and hassle of upkeep for a car that I will rarely have need for anymore.]

3) Meditation: There are those who believe meditating can have a peace-increasing effect on those around you. I will make no claim to whether that is true or false. But meditating is something I have recently started to make a part of my daily routine, and I find it has a positive effect on me. So I will continue to do so, and I will not discount the possibility it could have effects beyond myself.

4) Find a cause to support: Here is where I am asking for advice. What areas would be good to support? What criteria should be used in evaluating the good that is done by an organization?

As a logical starting point, if one is aiming to fight disease, it seems like if donating $1 to fight Disease A saves 1 life and donating $1 to fight Disease B saves 2 lives, it is better to fight Disease B. If one is aiming to provide education or vocational training to the economically disenfranchised, it seems like if volunteering 1 hour through Strategy A gives the disenfranchised the ability to earn an extra $100 and Strategy B gives the ability to earn an extra $200, go with Strategy B.

So where do you think my hours and dollars could be most effective?

[mattsonn]

Wow, there's so much to talk about and so many issues that you brought up in that one post, that my head is reeling. I'm just to pick one:

As a general rule, I try to give honest feedback to people who are actually want it. In a very respectful manner of course. I had one professor this semester who was trying out some stuff that wasn't really working for the class. I set up an appointment with him, got into friendly conversation, and then inserted my feedback. He took it really well and actually used one of the suggestions I gave him. So that's one way that I tend to be altruistic.

[DarkSociologist]

Mentor someone. As a matter of fact, mentor two people. If you mentor two people, they can in turn mentor two other people, etc. Even though your efforts are concentrated on two individuals, your effect has the potential of reaching many more, even after you are gone.

[Michelle]

My suggestion as a musician:

Start attending concerts at your local conservatory. The students there often spend between 6 and 12 hours a day in isolation practicing their pieces with no tangible reward. If you hear a student and like them, why not offer them some support? Most music students will never complain about their situation, but I know first hand how poor they can be. It can be awful to prepare and prepare, to work and work and not have that work recognized.

I know there are many worthy causes out there. So, just try to choose whatever is close to your heart.

[ethereal]

There are three kinds of gift. The first is the gift of material resources. The second is the gift of know-how, the gift of the Dharma. The third, the highest kind of gift, is the gift of non-fear. Avalokitesvara (Buddha) is someone who can help us liberate ourselves from fear.

- Thich Nhat Hanh

Maybe that helps shed some light