Building Bridges Share the Love Economics Standard Frequently Asked Questions
Who Will Write the Standard?
The Share the Love Economics Standard will be written by Karen Lile, with contributions from those who participate in the Share the Love Project and an advisory committee. It will contain specific examples of the standard in practice through the Share the Love Project.
What does a non-profit organization have to do with economics?
First of all, let's examine what the word "economics" means, as I am using it here. The American Heritage Dictionary defines economics as:
- 1. The social science that deals with the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services and with the theory and management of economies or economic systems.
- 2. Economic matters, especially relevant financial considerations:
Every individual, and organization, whether that organization is set up as a non-profit organization or a profit organization, has to deal with some form of economics in order to function interdependently in the world.
A non-profit organization can and does engage in many activities that for-profit organizations engage in. It can have profits and losses, just like for-profit organizations. It is different from a for-profit organization in that it is open to public scrutiny, has tax-exempt status, and has to abide by specific requirements to keep its non-profit status.
This standard assumes that that all non-profits participating in the Project, including Building Bridges, will behave in the manner that is appropriate for their non-profit status when interacting with individuals, social groups, businesses and other entities.
Why are you creating an economic standard?
We believe it is important for all those who participate in this project to look at the way that they interact and complete transactions with each other and to ask themselves the question, "is this something that I am doing with love and respect for myself and others?"
Often, people and organizations will ignore the means they use to accomplish an objective. We believe that the means is as important as the end. If we cannot see love and respect in the means we use, then we believe we have not achieved the end of promoting love and respect. Creating a standard causes us all to examine ourselves and our behavior.