NONPROFIT - PHILANTHROPY - YOUTH PHILANTHROPY

NONPROFIT/PHILANTHROPY BACKGROUND:   The First Thirty is based on the true story of  Jefferson Award for Public Service honoree Greg Forbes Siegman, his efforts to make a difference during the first thirty years of his life, and the first thirty things learned from the people and places he encountered (and setbacks and successes he experienced) along the way.  A large part of the book revolves around Greg's experience in the nonprofit sector and philanthropy -- including his experience building a nonprofit foundation from the ground up - and the experiences from his youth, teen years and college experience that led up to it.  Greg is now asked to speak at schools, universities, nonprofit organizations, conferences and other events on topics like nonprofit management, philanthropy, youth philanthropy and social entrepreneurship (including talks to audiences about the value of getting involved in philanthropy at any age, 'leveraging' philanthropy - making your philanthropic dollars have a real impact - and talks to groups already involved in the nonprofit world about expanding their efforts successfully and/or speaking with those already engaged in philanthropy about what they can do to get others as involved as they are).  The First Thirty is now used by a wide variety of groups, schools, clubs, teams, organizations and companies  who are studying and/or engaged in Nonprofit/Philanthropy, or who are interested in using the books as part of an actual philanthropy project.

YOUTH PHILANTHROPY BACKGROUND IN PARTICULAR:  Much of the book revolves around the experiences from grade school, middle school and high school that inspired Greg to begin trying to make a difference in the community. Those efforts began at age 6 after he read a book about Harriet Tubman, was inspired to try and make a difference, and began raising funds to help fight a disease through a Read-a-Thon.  It was the first thing he'd ever felt he'd done well, and it helped trigger a lifelong interest in volunteering and philanthropy. The 'later years' in the book celebrate the power of young people as well -- reflecting on other young people who 'took the baton' and ran with it -- and Greg's continued efforts to give other people such a platform. These include: the mentoring programs launched in college and after college so that students and young professionals could serve as mentors to younger students; stubbornly naming his philanthropic foundation after his birthday (to proudly celebrate that a young person was doing something in the community); insisting that high school students serve on his Foundation's scholarship boards and be trusted with this responsibility normally reserved for business leaders; surprising hundreds in attendance at his Foundation's Gala Dinners by staying in the back and 'letting the kids run the show' (kids hosting; presenting the awards; serving as the Guest Speaker; etc). This theme continues right to the very end of the book -- when it turns out readers are not even encouraged to 'be like Greg' (now 30 at the book's end) - but instead to 'be like Alex' (an 18 year old character featured at the end of the book who is among those 'carrying on' the story's legacy).

BIO: - Greg's bio

WEBSITES:  Greg's website  - The First Thirty website - Greg's nonprofit site - www.ShakingUpAmerica.org

BOOK SUMMARY:  One page synopsis of The First Thirty

Sample of HONORS & MEDIA: 
== Good Morning America buries Time Capsule chronicling Greg's civic efforts
== Greg was honored at Princeton University as one of nation's top social entrepreneurs under 40
== The NonProfit Times Cover Story on Greg's unique, successful approach to philanthropy/nonprofit management
== Honored on multiple occasions (as a child) for efforts raising funds to fight Multiple Sclerosis
== Other media includes: Volunteer Leadership Magazine, The Washington Post Co, USA Today, CBS, NBC, Education Week, Crain's Pensions & Investments, Brandweek
== Youngest adult in country honored at National Jefferson Awards for Public Service
== America's Daily Point of Light
== Other honors include: ZBT's National Man of Distinction, honored by Hasbro as one of 30 'real-life American heroes', CBS Tylenol Hometown Hero, Simply Family's Heroes of the Year, honorary degree from Prairie State College.

SAMPLE OF SPEECHES:
.==  Greg (and John Sculley - former CEO of Apple & IBM) spoke at the 2006 Valley Business Conference.  The VBC is sponsored by 40 corporations, organizations and media outlets. Sculley was asked to speak about how to become profitable in business. Greg was asked to discuss what you and your business can do to make a difference along the way. 
== Greg was invited to keynote event for top donors of Menorah Park in Ohio (focus was what they can do to get others as involved as they are).

== Greg was invited to keynote an annual event for 400+ top donors and supporters of a Canadian chapter of one of the world's best known philanthropic organizations.

== Greg was invited to keynote an event on philanthropy, service and mentoring for women business leaders in Canada.

== Greg keynoted the 66th Annual Volunteer Appreciation Banquet for UofC Hospitals
== Keynote Convention on Leadership & Philanthropy for college students in California
== Greg was invited to speak with Entrepreneurship students at Lyles Center of Innovation & Entrepreneurship.
== Greg spoke at Princeton University.  The lead sponsor for the event was the Princeton University Entrepreneurship Club. 
== Guest lectured Global Social Entrepreneurship Course at Daniels College of Business
== Invited to speak as part of the Global Leaders Lecture Series for Harvard graduate students (invited, but did not end up accepting)
==A group for college students in Florida invited Greg to speak to college students about Grant Writing and Nonprofit Seed Funding
== Keynoted an annual event on philanthropy/service hosted by local Mayors in Minnesota

SAMPLE INVOLVING THE BOOKS:
== 6th grade class at Middle school in Chicago launch Youth Philanthropy project based on The First Thirty

== Nonprofit Management & Leadership Program (NPM&L) at University of Missouri-St. Louis ordered copies of The First Thirty for a staff-wide reading.  (One staffer liked the book's concept so much that she also ordered them for her whole family; and then, because she "didn't want to wait the three days until they arrived", also went and bought out every copy at her local Borders)

== An anonymous New York businessman ordered 50 copies of The First Thirty to be given out during the holiday season (2007) to various nonprofit organizations and other service agencies including: a hospital (for its Reach Out and Read program), a medical center (to give to selected patients), a nonprofit organization (for staff and beneficiaries) and an abused women's shelter (for selected women and their kids)

== The National Conference for Community and Justice of Metropolitan St. Louis (NCCJSTL) ordered copies of The First Thirty for a staff-wide reading

== The Minnesota chapter of one of the country's best-known nonprofit organizations ordered copies of The First Thirty for its Summer 2007 Scholarship honorees 

== The nonprofit organization, One by One Leadership, ordered copies of The First Thirty to give to top donors and staffers.

== A Midwest chapter of a college-based organization ordered copies for students in its Leadership Program (One staffer liked the book so much that, after reading it, she bought out two entire Borders in her area, gave the copies to her friends and started a Book Club based on it)

 == UofC Hospitals ordered hundreds of copies of The First Thirty to give out as thank you gifts to 200 of their top volunteers.
== Suffield Rotary Club in CT ordered copies of The First Thirty for local students to learn more about philanthropy. 
== Andover Lions Club did the same thing in Minnesota.
== Undergrads at Northwestern University purchased copies of The First Thirty for the local YMCA (who, in turn, selected the book as the centerpiece for their new Middle School curriculum)

== Princeton University students used The First Thirty as part of a mentoring program.
== California-based BennettFrost Personnel Services Inc. ordered dozens of copies of The First Thirty so that local Business School students studying Entrepreneurship and Social Entrepreneurship could read the book. BennettFrost also did a Staff-Wide reading of the book.
== Genesis Mitzvah Fund & Justice Squared in Minnesota ordered hundreds of copies of The First Thirty -- one for each of their teen philanthropists -- and brought Greg to speak to them about social action & philanthropy. 
== The New York Giants (NFL) sponsored an essay contest based on the book for high school students in NY. 
== In Minnesota, the NFL Vikings sponsored an essay contest based on the book for middle school students in Minnesota.  

SAMPLE OF FEEDBACK FROM GREG'S SPEECHES:

"...May I say what an inspirational speaker Greg is and how energized I felt all day because of his message! I was so happy to share the experience with my son!...I would be so happy to connect with him again... It is always terrific to meet someone who shares the same type of wave length! I especially LOVED his interpretation of the "ripple effect"... It makes such perfect sense to me and is so surprisingly easy!...He is truly amazing! ... And... I loved his [mismatched] socks!" -- Yours in the magic, Shirley, New York

"...Our Breakfast is hosted annually by a Mayor from one of the cities involved in our Joint Powers Agreement. This year...we had over 350 attendees that come from all areas of the community: city and county employees, law enforcement, public school staff, faith based organizations, administrators and youth...It was unbelieveable how Greg catered to every goal we had for the event, the organization and the coming year. He was enlightening, entertaining and passionate with his message. He truly engaged the entire audience...attendees still are calling to say, this was one of the best events we have held. We thank Greg for helping us to focus on the world outside 'our' window. It was a pleasure to work with him..." -- Jan R. Pomeroy, Program Coordinator, 11th Annual Mayors' Youth First Breakfast (Minnesota)

SAMPLE OF REVIEWS OF THE FIRST THIRTY:

"Any man, woman, child with an idea or dream HAS to read this book.   Not only will it give them hope, it will inspire them to do more than they could have ever imagined.  Throughout my life, I have spent countless hours volunteering in the nonprofit sector.  Not only did the book resonate with my experiences, it has encouraged me to do more and accomplish more." - Lindsay K. Walls, Nonprofit Management & Leadership Program, University of Missouri-St. Louis

"I am so amazed at how implementing this book into my after school curriculum has helped my boys with peer pressure, self determination and problem solving. My middle school boys love discussing the book's topics and engaging with our volunteers who run the workshop...." -Sarita M. Gardner, Middle School Program Manager, McGaw YMCA (IL)

"This should be required reading in business school. It's a case study in how to start small, think big and lead by example."  -  Bob Middlemas, Executive Vice President, Nordstrom   

JERRY EHRLICH, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ST. LOUIS SOCIETY FOR THE PHYSICALLY DISABLED:  "The First Thirty WILL inspire you to believe dreams ARE reachable, "I can't" turns into "I can", and that one person CAN overcome and make a difference (It will also give you a new appreciation for milkshakes)."

"For anyone who's been knocked down or told, "you can't do it," The First Thirty is an uplifting read that will make you want to get up, shake yourself off, have a milkshake, and get back to work..."   Jarah Euston, FresnoFamous.com

"...I am just starting a career, and am at a critical point in choosing where I will take it. I have always looked at my career in terms of finding the right balance of [how much I enjoy myself and how much money I make]. Reading The First Thirty has modified my view of success to include the interaction I have with the people around me."  - David Cramer, Allstate