The South Pacific County Community Foundation: A Growing Philosophy of Philanthropy

Stephanie Fritts, Board Member

January 18, 2018

Joining the SPCCF Board in mid-2017 has been both a challenge and a pleasure.  I vowed after retirement at the end of December 2016, to commit to nothing for one year.  So much for that vow…. but that said, I could not pass up the opportunity to work toward improving life in South Pacific County.  It wasn’t simple to get myself “up-to-speed” on the workings and plans of the SPCCF, but after several meetings, and a board retreat, I think I’m there.  And what I’ve found is that the initial attraction that lured me to the organization is indeed the central focus of its work:  a philosophy of philanthropy.  

Cape Disappointment Lighthouse on a stormy day
in January, 2018. Lighthouses are symbols
of leadership, helping us to find our way in perilous
conditions. 

Yes - there are a lot of “charitable” organizations in south Pacific County.  But there is a difference between charity and philanthropy.  Most often, we are able only to relieve the symptoms (pain) of our local social problems, and that is what most charitable organizations work does.  Philanthropy, however, attempts to solve the roots causes of those social problems.  That is the mission of the South Pacific County Community Foundation:  “Demonstrate innovative leadership in philanthropy and foster a dynamic community.”   That mission is the driving factor behind SPCCF and also what led me to break that early vow and commit to a three year term on the board.  

It is my intent (and that of the board) that the dollars invested in the SPCCF will improve lives, inspire change, challenge ideas, and open minds.  I am but one of many, however I truly believe the entire board is committed in the same fashion.  

I recently read that the tradition of the ancient Greeks was that philanthropy was inseparable from moral philosophy:   Good works and giving what we can for the good of others is pretty much the whole point of being human.  I would say that I believe this to be true.  

Bottom line, it’s all about being a kinder human - speaking in a positive fashion, eliminating contempt, distrain, and disrespect from our words, attitude and outlook.  We can replace that with a philosophy of philanthropy - in our words, in our deeds, and in the bottom line, with our money.  Help SPCCF find the root causes of the problems in south Pacific County, and assist with the solutions.  

All of this leads to a consideration - there are currently a couple of open positions on the board.  Board members are expected to participate at both the meeting and the “behind the scenes” levels (I’m writing this essay on my own time….), to support the mission of the organization, and to give (as in a donation).  Are you interested in serving and joining in a philosophy of philanthropy?  Interested persons are welcome to contact a board member to ascertain if all positions are full, and to potentially accompany them to a couple of board meetings.  

Give it some serious consideration - simply a donation, or more, through both service and a donation.  You can also adopt the philosophy of philanthropy and make our community the best place it can be. 

Consumer Fraud Program, AKA Fraud Fair #1

Kathleen Sayce, October 11, 2016

When I worked for ShoreBank Pacific, I had to take annual classes in fraud prevention and awareness.  I learned that frauds are endlessly creative in coming up with new ways to part people from their money illegally. So when Teresa Glidden, WA OSOS, Consumer Protection Services, offered the state’s multi-office and departmental program in Consumer Fraud Protection, AKA the Fraud Fair, the Foundation said ‘Yes.’

Our first Fraud Fair was on October 10th on a lovely sunny fall afternoon. Twenty five people put aside the holiday to attend, including me, and it was worth every minute.

Six speakers from four offices and departments did four presentations on various aspects of consumer fraud. Topics include: 

• several flavors of charity fraud, 
• identity theft and its consequences (www.identitytheft.gov), 
• how to talk to phone solicitors, opting out of pre-screened offers and sales offers (optoutprescreen.com and donotcall.gov), 
• investment frauds with an emphasis on senior safe programs and elder abuse programs, and 
• utility and transportation fraud. 

Those attending received magnetized lists of questions to ask telemarketers, helpful phone numbers for several state offices, including Office of Secretary of State Charities Division, State Attorney General Consumer Protection, Department of Financial Institutions Consumer Services, and Utilities and Transportation Commission Fraud Prevention. All of these agencies have online services for more education on frauds and fraud prevention. 

There were short video training sessions on how to deal with tele-marketers:  

ask for their names, the name of their firm, the name of the charity they are calling for, if they are registered in the state, how much of the money that is donated goes to the charity—I have the magnetized list now for easy reference. 

The presenters know the current phone scams going around:  police, sheriff and firemen’s charities, IRS scams, Microsoft scams, the stranded/arrested grandchildren scams. Missing bank card scams. And there are mail scams, Facebook scams, email scams. Funding for areas hit by natural disasters often appear overnight on Facebook, for example. Those communities never see a penny of that money. How much do scammers make? Around $3 billion per year. 

If you have money invested in stocks and bonds, there are other scams to watch for:  unregistered brokers. Unregistered stocks and bonds. The Nigerian Prince. The deal too good to pass up. Licensed financial services people are registered with the state. You can check this online or by calling DPI (877-746-4334) or www.dfi.wa.gov. 

Bottom line on scams:  Trust, but verify the sources independently first. Ask questions. If you are scammed or suspect a scam, tell people (friends, family, local professionals), tell these state offices and agencies. Only one in every 44 people who is scammed ever says anything. Don’t let the con artists talk you into keeping silent. You can always say no, hang up, and block that calling number. 

The Foundation is going to offer this training again next year. If you would like to be notified when this is scheduled, please send your name and email address to info@spccf.org. We will add you to our email list. As a public charity and a nonprofit corporation, SPCCF is registered with the Washington Office of Secretary of State. We know you can find us on the state’s registry!