The 2nd greatest joy (after my daughter, Shivonne) is definately my work.
I graduated from BYU with what amounts to a business degree for the non-profit sector. I have always had an affinity for community services and while I was at BYU I had the chance to explore the struggles our communities were having from a clinical point of view and learn what makes them work (or more frequently NOT work). At it's simplest level the problem is that resources are not matching up with needs. There are plenty of both in today's world but only a very limited and sporadic ability to connect the two.
The solution is to develop new mechanisms, practices, laws, policies, programs, agencies, and tools to better connect both human and financial resources with needs. No easy trick! Government, faith based and private groups have been attempting to do that for decades but, unfortunately, have not been doing it TOGETHER. Each plays a different role and they require a catalyst before they're willing to collaborate.
Nothing works as a catalyst better than "banking" of new resources. These can literally be new sources of funds or, more importantly, human resources. By recruiting and coordinating an ever increasing pool of people better it forces agencies and government entities to change in order to access the talent they need. As communities, we need to harness and focus our citizens on the causes they care about and facilitate their natural desires to give of their own time and money. Technology, without question, is the ultimate way to do the necessary outreach, coordination, focusing and tracking needed to make all of this happen.
Samaritan Software LLC was formed by myself and another insane entrepreneur to achieve these ends. Incorporated in 1997, Samaritan has become the world's largest private provider of technology needed to recruit, coordinate, focus and track human resources (mostly volunteers). It's a small company (only 18 employees) but highly focused on the mission outlined above. Unlike non-profit or government entitires, Samaritan is an independent corporation that refuses to play ball with political agenda's or other efforts that so often stifle change. As such, we have been blessed to participate in real change occuring across all sectors... and we've only just begun. It took 10 painful years to develop the technology and market conditions needed for the company to thrive but we now have some of the biggest customers in the world including state governments and fortune 100 corporations.
My job there was self invented. I have the pleasure of being on the cutting edge of future changes in our society. I associate nationally with the 'movers and shakers' who have the vision to adjust the course of our world by harnessing human power and focusing it on real needs in a way that only increases the amount of giving over time. Many of these people are customers and partners I associate with almost daily. It's invigorating and exciting to be a part of. It also pays the bills nicely. :)
The downside (and there always is one, isn't there?) is that I travel a lot. It's been insane this year (over 75,000 air miles domestically) but it's settling down fast as we hire new people who are qualified to take on my work load. That's already underway.
For more information visit our web sites:
http://samaritan.com
http://k-12corps.com
http://disasterhelp.net
For more info on current trends I promote please visit my blog: "New Generations in Volunteerism and Technology."
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