I continue to post in my Giving Back series because doing good for others brings you so many benefits in return. The karma is terrific for attracting good things for you. But it also plain old feels great to know you’ve helped someone else to feel better. Doormats sacrifice their own needs to please others. Nice People on Top help others just to be kind. And, without putting their own needs in the back seat. I give more than I ever did as a DoorMat. Because I take care of me, I have more to give.

Today I’m delight to have an interview with Aria Finger, Chief Marketing Officer of DoSomething.org, one of the largest organizations in the US that helps young people take on causes they care about. Working hard to foster a culture of volunteerism, DoSomething.org is on track to activate two million young people in 2011. By leveraging the web, television, mobile, and pop culture, DoSomething.org inspires, empowers and celebrates a generation of doers: teenagers who recognize the need to do something, believe in their ability to get it done, and then take action.

What is DoSomething.org‘s philosophy about giving back and why target young people?  Our philosophy on giving back is that everyone is passionate about something. Whether you’ve been personally affected by cancer or drug abuse, seen the effects of climate change first-hand or have a special place in your heart for puppies, we want young people taking action around causes they care about. We target young people because we believe they are a great untapped resource. People talk about “future leaders” – teenagers can lead right now!

?How do you personally feel about the work you do? I am beyond passionate about the work that I do.  I’m so lucky to be able to affect hundreds of causes, not just one, and the creativity and inspiration of the young people that I work with keeps me confident about the future of our world.
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Why do you think it’s so important for companies and individuals to do something to help others? Not to get on a soapbox, but we are so lucky! The amazing opportunities that are afforded every single person in the US and Canada are boundless, and due to that, we should absolutely pay it forward. Furthermore, taking action and volunteering is really fun. Our teens want to make a difference because they have a great time doing it. As for companies, the consumers are demanding it. Millennials are demanding more and more of the companies that they shop at and of their future employers.
 
?How does doing things to help others help the person doing the giving? When you volunteer or start your own thing you learn an enormous amount about yourself – you learn to be a leader, how to delegate, how to take orders, how to plan events, how to market your idea with no money, the list goes on and on.
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What advice would you give to someone who wants to do something for others?but may not have a lot of spare money to donate to causes? At DoSomething.org, we never require money.  We think giving money to charity is awesome (and everyone should do it), but we also think its important to give your time, your passion and your creativity.  Not-for-profits need smart, savvy volunteers who will give their brains and their brawn, not just their wallets.

Check out DoSomething.org to see their programs and to see how you can contribute. If you have a young person who would like to participate in a program that does good for their community, send them to the website to see if there’s a way they can get involved. The more we do, the better our world. 

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