Janese Johnson

There are countless nonprofit organizations that start out with a really great idea, and most often that idea is to have a positive impact on the planet.

But if it were the idea alone that determined the success of an organization, we would have a very changed planet with a lot more successful nonprofit organizations.†

Behind every successful organization there is someone or a group of persons who are very passionate about their cause.

There are some common qualities that these leaders hold. They have great organizational skills, or delegate to someone who does; they do everything they can to get the ìideaî out; and they know how and what is needed to keep the vision in focus so that the direction is clear for everyone.

Amnesty International is one of those organizations that I have been involved with for some time. The organization first achieved success through the commitment of British lawyer Peter Benenson, who founded it in 1962.†

In 1994, Amnesty International moved to a new level when it brought in a new director, Dr. William Schulz. Dr. Schulz spent many years working with human rights before coming to AI. His compassionate nature and strong focus helped bring the organization into the forefront of the news.†

Dr. Schulz was a prominent figure in bringing to the worldís attention in 2005 the U.S involvement with torture. Even after retiring in 2006 from his position with Amnesty International, Dr, Schulz has continued to speak out against human-rights violations that are happening post-9/11, and what we can do about them.

He will be speaking at UNCA at 7 p.m. Sunday at the Highsmith University Union. The title of his talk is ìRestoring Americaís Credibility: Human Rights in a Post-9/11 World.î

This talk is important to attend for several reasons ó he is a man who has made a huge difference in the way human rights are viewed; he has doubled the size, name recognition and budget of the nonprofit organization that he has been involved in; and he is an amazing and compassionate man who really has some great ideas on what we can do to restore Americaís credibility.

There are many other successful nonprofit organizations that are having a similar effect to Amnesty Internationalís on society as a whole.

The continuous flow of information and news about atrocities that are happening on all levels is affecting the way people are beginning to think about the importance of living life ó from a compassionate perspective and not a money-based one.

The more we value compassion and the rights of humans, animals and the environment, the more respect, attention and importance society will place on them. In turn, this will bring in a lower tolerance for greed and power to be the ruling deciders with the laws and regulations that can either hurt or protect people, animals and the environment.

It is organizations that have the true power to bring large groups of people together for an important cause that can continue to fight for it until others see no choice but to change for the better.

Without the groups, the directors, and the people working on the scenes, the cause would be left aside as being just a good idea. It is good ideas plus people power that makes the difference.
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Janese Johnson has been doing intuitive counseling nationally for more than 20 years. She may be contacted at janesej-at-buncombe.main.nc.us.