Author Archives: jeffhoffmanassociate

Cambodia, out of a bloody regime, the people work to rebuild.

While traveling through Cambodia, much poverty was evident.  The most I have seen since I spent a day in a Mumbai slum.  The country is still recovering from the repressive, destructive and bloody Khmer Rouge regime.  The brutality was portrayed … Continue reading

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University Students in Ho Chi Minh City Actively Volunteer

Students at both the City University of Social Science and Humanities and the University of Economics and Finance are actively volunteering according to the Vietnam News Service.  Many of the activities the students perform are similar to those in other … Continue reading

Posted in Education, Philanthropy, Volunteering and Service | Leave a comment

International Association of Volunteer Efforts World Conference

We are in Singapore this week for this bi-annual convening.  One thousand leaders from the global volunteer movement gathered to discuss trends and share interesting and inspiring practices.  It has been two and a half years since the last conference … Continue reading

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Vertical Kampong

“Vertical Kampong (Vertical Village) aims to help build connected and mutually supportive communities in our neighbourhoods by creating platforms that enhance informal volunteering activities within the neighbourhood.”  This program recognizes that a vast majority of Singapore residents live in high-rises … Continue reading

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California Volunteers “Propelling” the Service Movement

To quote the Secretary of Service and Volunteering for California, Karen Baker, “Seven years ago, we embarked on an amazing journey to propel the service movement forward in California. Inspired by Governor Schwarzenegger and First Lady Maria Shriver, we pressed … Continue reading

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International Volunteer Day for Social and Economic Development

Today we celebrate International Volunteer Day with the theme Share the Story.  Ten years ago today, we launched the United Nations International Year of the Volunteer (IYV).  I was honored to have played a role in producing the launch event … Continue reading

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The Giving Pledge: Buffett, Gates, Turner…. The Power of the Story.

ABC’s This Week did a special episode today with Warren Buffett, Bill and Melinda Gates and Ted Turner.  Bill Gates talked about the importance of storytelling to get others to act.  Although The Giving Pledge is for the mega wealthy, … Continue reading

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Sustainable Excellence, a new book about The Future of Business in a Fast-Changing World

This afternoon I had an opportunity to hear Aron Cramer and Zachary Karabell speak on their new book, Sustainable Excellence.  I have known Aron through his leadership in this field for many years as head of Business for Social Responsibility.  Zachary approaches … Continue reading

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The UK’s Big Society, Citizen Centered Solutions

This past week I was in London for the International Association of Volunteer Efforts’ Global Corporate Volunteer Council meeting.  While there, I had an opportunity to meet with the architects of Prime Minister David Cameron’s Big Society program, including a … Continue reading

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A Study of the Return on Investing in our Youth: The Boys & Girls Clubs of Los Angeles County

Today, the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Los Angeles County Alliance, released the finding of a new study on the economic impact of the Boys & Girls Clubs within Los Angeles County.  I have long been a big supporter … Continue reading

Posted in Economic Development, Youth | Leave a comment