The Journey From CharityFocus To ServiceSpace
When a new innovative idea comes up, in most organizations that I’ve worked for, there is a whole set of bureaucratic processes that it goes through. Months of discussions, financial, and staff constraints have to be considered before the idea can even be given serious thought. Sometimes by the time it’s approved, the motivation and enthusiasm has already tapered off.
In contrast, the transition from CharityFocus to ServiceSpace has been an interesting and insightful experience to witness.
In contrast, the transition from CharityFocus to ServiceSpace has been an interesting and insightful experience to witness.
We started with a fundamental question. How do you broaden a dearly loved organization moving forward at a full speed? An organization that seems to be bursting at its seams trying to fit into the clothes of a toddler when it’s already grown into a teenager. There is something chaotic and yet orderly about the realization that the attire must fit its growing body. That inquiry was followed by a vision. Many times Nipun mentioned going from “Charity” to “Service,” and from “Focus” to creating “Space” -- the envisioning of the new clothes, what it’s capable of doing, and its new possibilities. Then, of course, there’s the implementation. To actually make it happen is an overwhelming task. Is it even possible with an all-volunteer-run outfit? With ServiceSpace kind of ecosystem, though, there’s no room for analysis paralysis. Before you can even start to be “realistic” about it, or consider time and resources constraints, you’ve already jumped in headfirst and there’s no turning back. As they say, “You jump and the net will appear.” When that is done as collective, the group energy takes on its own momentum. It’s a beautiful intersection, when a moment of personal inspiration meets the hard work by all those around you.
When we had started this journey in 1999, we never imagined that we’d be here. Armed with the simple confidence of “If its happened before, it could happen again” and having very little idea of what that “it” will be, you start by putting down one small corner of the foundation. Very quickly, you realize that the “I don’t know” in this case is not the typical “I don’t know.” Its actually a very sacred space that makes room for a vision that is far beyond what you can see around the corner. If you don’t allow it that space, you’ll get attached to that knowing and obstruct the movement from where it needs to go. Slowly, deeper designs reveal themselves and things start to make sense. The people organically come in to do their part and go when they’re done. Pieces of the puzzle magnetically fit together.
Still, at the some point, the gravity of the sheer amount of work required to create this space starts to take hold. Long days and months lay ahead. You have your moments. When you start to become too attached to the results, you remember to retreat and step back. Because this is an offering that you’re putting into the world, it must be pure. You can’t hurry it up or birth it haphazardly, out of frustration. You are part of the journey. As Jayesh-bhai often says, “This is not a project, its a process.” Sometimes you’re not sure if you will ever reach the end, but you keep chipping away anyway.
The week before the official launch, when it seemed like this could actually happen, I had the same feeling that I had when we startedCharityFocus. Back in 1999, as a bunch of post-college grads, we knew that there had to be more to our world than securing our own livelihoods, which dominated the lives of most of our friends. Something about this week had a way of bringing me back to the basics. Why are we doing this? Simply put, it is to allow people to serve and explore their interconnectedness with the rest of the world. We have grown so much through the process that it’s only natural to try to create space for others on a similar journey. But more specifically, there were 179 good reasons that helped cross the finish line.The 179 people who already wanted to sign-up to become a ServiceSpace member before we were even accepting members. These people were moved to learn about service. There were many touching messages of people waiting to join, but this one in particular hit close to home:
“Hi, I am twenty-something who's trying to understand generosity, service, and giving and how it fits into my life. Unfortunately I don’t have many friends with whom I can share these ideas because most of them don’t think this way. Looking forward to being a part of Service Space :)” -R.S.
Perhaps because R.S. was the same age as us when CharityFocus was founded, there’s a recognition that we all yearn to make sense of our world. And perhaps it bothered me that a twenty-something-year-old didn’t have any friends that were interested in concepts like generosity, service, and giving. We were (and still are) fortunate to have such “noble” friends on this path. After a decade of a blessed learning journey, you stand up to be that friend that encourages generosity, service, and giving in the world -- simply out of gratitude for what you’ve received.
People like R.S. are the inspiration that helped get us through the never-ending last weeks of work. When you read something like that you realize, you realize all of us have this impulse to reconnect with our sacred oneness. We hold space for it, get out of the way and allow nature to do unfold its magic.
Welcome to ServiceSpace! :)
Posted by Guri Mehta on Feb 6, 2012
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6 Past Reflections
On Feb 7, 2012 Nisha wrote:
So beautifully articulated! To me, this doesn't seem like a labor of love but more like a love of love.
On Feb 7, 2012 Meghna wrote:
What a journey!!!! And what a worldwide family :) I absolutely second Nisha, it is "a love of love" :) I LOVE you all (Pancho style :))
On Feb 10, 2012 Dipti wrote:
Thank you, Guri! The "I don't know" lesson you beautifully offer goes deep and with silence.
On Feb 13, 2012 CJ Anderson wrote:
This weekend, I was privelged to be part of a production that was the presentation of an Adaptathon from Rescues around the State of Arizona brough to the urban area of the Valley of the Sun, Az. This metro are of 4.5 million people (Phoenix is the center) was able top get some where of 100-150 dogs that had been slated for the E-list (ehthanized) who today would not be alive. These dogs were pitbills and other hard to adopt animals who will no live happily every after because concerned citizens came together to help their rural neighbors. There were many problems and obsticles but these people kept their eyes on the goal - and succeeded! What people can achieve when they work together!
On Oct 4, 2012 Vinya wrote:
Guri, I just came across this reflection and it is beautiful. My heart overflows with gratitude to all of you for trusting the unknown and making the first step. ServiceSpace has touched my life in subtle and profound ways and all I can say is, "the magic continues".
On Feb 6, 2012 Pancho wrote:
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