rejon.org is Jon Phillips.

Ok, so this list is interesting. But, what is “making a difference”? I make a lot of differences. I just made a difference in my breathing pattern…This site and list still seem so very vague to me and not that interesting.

I just had an instant thought of how I could help out by volunteering but then remembered that I spend 70% of my time volunteering on Open Source. Is this the same thing? Hmmm, I would help possibly in other instituations by volunteering time if there were a simple way to find out plugins. I’ve witnessed the massive disorganization of the American Cancer Society and Big Brothers Big Sisters program regretfully (so I have a slight bad taste).

Here is the list from Clinton Initiative site (done in asp…ugh…so they won’t get the trackback prolly):

Energy and Climate Change

1. Conduct an energy audit of your home or business.
2. Replace your light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs.
3. Buy or rent a hybrid car.
4. Install solar water heaters or solar electric panels at your home or office.
5. Buy a flex-fuel car and fill your tank with ethanol.
6. Buy energy-efficient appliances.
7. Update your company’s energy management system with smart metering.
8. Ask your utility how to buy clean, renewable power.
9. Walk, bike or carpool to work.
10. Donate to organizations that install renewable energy systems in developing countries.
11. Invest in a clean energy fund.
12. Calculate your carbon footprint, reduce your energy use and then offset the rest with investments in clean energy.
13. Demand action from your elected officials on climate change.

Global Health

1. Implement a model workplace health and wellness program to generate awareness among your neighbors.
2. Stop smoking.
3. Teach children about diet and exercise to prevent chronic disease.
4. Get an annual physical.
5. Train community personnel to perform first-level health services.
6. Deploy MBAs in developing countries to build local health management.
7. Provide employee vaccinations (i.e. flu shots) and increase employee health benefits.
8. Donate to organizations that offer free immunizations for children in high risk areas.
9. Donate water sanitation equipment to organizations dedicated to clean water initiatives in developing areas.
10. Donate WHO/UNICEF oral re-hydration solution packets, at 6 cents each, to alleviate diarrhea-induced death among children.
11. Walk or ride a bicycle to work to keep fit. Encourage your friends and neighbors to do the same.
12. Provide transport and logistical services to improve healthcare delivery.
13. Contribute medical equipment to developing world clinics.

Poverty Alleviation

1. Donate leftover bulk food to a local shelter.
2. Brew Fair Trade coffee in the work place and buy Fair Trade products.
3. Start a program in your workplace to provide pro-bono or volunteer services.
4. Donate used computers to schools/start-up companies in need, locally or internationally.
5. Offer your technical expertise to agencies mounting emergency aid programs.
6. Donate to microfinance programs with entrepreneurial training for women in rural areas.
7. Invest in income-generating agriculture projects in developing areas.
8. Support efforts to bring internet and computers to rural areas.
9. Create niche markets for products produced by your company.
10. Start an exchange program designed to provide expertise and skills training.
11. Advise developing countries on diversifying and strengthening investments.
12. Create new financial instruments for small businesses to access capital.
13. Launch a workplace program to raise funds for an effective NGO.

Mitigating Religious and Ethnic Conflict

1. Support non-governmental organizations devoted to respect for human rights and conflict-resolution.
2. Host an exhibition in your workplace on pressing international conflicts.
3. Press your elected officials to demand greater involvement in a specific international conflict situation.
4. Attend a religious service other than your own.
5. Organize screenings of films dealing with issues of cross-cultural conflict and tolerance.
6. Organize inter-ethnic or inter-religious community work efforts.
7. Bring people with diverse backgrounds together via sports/company social activities.
8. Lead periodic discussions about pressing affairs and crises.
9. Initiate educational exchanges among your company’s international units or partner with a “twin” company from another region of the world.
10. Learn about different religions and educate employees or community members about them.
11. Participate in conflict management and resolution workshops.
12. Create a program to share “best practices” on ethnic diversity
13. Mobilize company resources to “adopt” a local or international cause