A Message from our Founder, Cynthia Brian
“Without libraries what have we? We have no past and no future.”
― Ray Bradbury
Spring Fling
Congratulations to all of the volunteers and supporters of Be the Star You Are!® as the charity has once again been honored as a TOP NON PROFIT by Guidestar and Great Non Profits, an accolade that Be the Star You Are!® has received every year since the awards have been given. Be the Star You Are® has been offering services to our communities, country, and world since 1999. We are small yet mighty! Thank you to everyone who believes in our mission of empowering women, families, and youth through increased literacy, positive media messages, and tools for living. Read more here .
On May 13th, Be the Star You Are!® will be participating in the 11th Annual Moraga Community Faire. Thank you to Michael Verbrugge who is once again sponsoring our booth. Make sure to visit his web site for your remodeling needs. Gratitude to our two best selling authors, Diana Zimmerman and Brooks Olbrys who have donated books that BTSYA will give to kids and young adults. Additional sponsorships are available. Please email me for details, Cynthia@BetheStarYouAre.org
Our volunteers are our greatest asset so we have decided to profile a couple of our stars each month as they write in their own words how volunteering with Be the Star You Are!® has impacted their lives.
With the April 15 tax day nearing, remember you can still make tax deductible donations to Be the Star You Are!® I much prefer to donate to this charity where I know the money is making a difference to increase literacy and provide positive media and message entertainment than to give my extra dollars to Uncle Sam. Donate by check to PO Box 376, Moraga, Ca. 94556 or directly on-line through PAYPAL where 100% benefits the charity with no fees attached.
Make sure to visit our website to find out more about our events and projects. Join my power party every Wednesday from 4-5pm PT LIVE on our radio broadcast StarStyle®-Be the Star You Are!® bringing you the information and inspiration to thrive. Check out more at our site.
Read a book this week. Visit a library or bookstore. Our motto is “Read, lead, succeed. To be a leader, you must be a reader!”
Wishing you a beautiful vernal equinox. Spring has sprung and nature is reborn in all its glory!
Cynthia Brian
Founder/Executive Director
Be the Star You Are!® 501 c3
http://www.BetheStarYouAre.org
Cynthia@BetheStarYouAre.org
PO Box 376
Moraga, California 94556
Communicating Across Generations
by Karen Kitchel
Communication is a simple process of using words, sounds or behaviors to exchange information. This process, however, can be challenging when those words and behaviors mean different things to different people.
Age differences don’t need to translate into more difficult communication. Bridging age gaps does often involve a bit more effort and investment in the relationship—at least at the beginning. Why? People are products of their history, their environment and all of their experiences, so people from different generations often have very different life experiences that shape how they think, what they value, and what drives them.
However, we shouldn’t assume that because people are a certain age, they will act a certain way. Think about the 70 year old computer whiz who designs websites and blogs, the 25 year old who is not computer literate or the 55 year old who regularly runs marathons. What’s important is to be open to various communication styles and make a real effort to get to know individuals. To do that, try asking what challenges they are facing, since we all have challenges! You may be surprised by some of the things you have in common and want to know more about each other’s different experiences.
Some Tips:
1. Recognize that individuals each have their own personality, experiences, beliefs and goals. Labeling everyone as the same doesn’t work.
2. The stories you can tell. Genuine interest in another’s life unlocks conversation like no other key. Sharing tales creates common ground. Sharing lessons learned from past mistakes can connect the older generations with the younger generations.
3. Social media can help or hurt. Today’s constant technological advances can cause struggles. However, social media can also present the perfect opportunity for the younger generation to mentor its elders on using technologies and understanding social media. Likewise, the older generations can mentor younger generations on the importance of face-to-face interaction and interpersonal skills critical to success. In-person meetings benefit everyone.
4. Ask questions. Open-ended questions (those which can’t be answered with a yes or no) allow for more information to flow and result in more productive conversations. Everyone needs to feel safe to question and know he’s being heard.
Remember that generational differences can inspire greatness. And in the words of someone who invented a character that hopefully will be remembered by many generations:
“If I were given the opportunity to present a gift to the next generation, it would be the ability for each individual to learn to laugh at himself.”- Charles Schulz
About the author:
Karen Kitchel is a Community Volunteer who is passionate about helping those who are homeless or disadvantaged. Previously she served as President of Cheerful Givers, a nonprofit organization, and Director of BI University at BI Worldwide. She can be reached at karenkitchel@comcast.net
Spotlight on Volunteer Brigitte Jia
Radio Host and Reporter, In her own Words
“I love BTSYA! I joined in 9th grade and the organization has become a big part of my life. I’m proud to be part of Be The Star! You Are and I personally think that this organization is unique in its message and goal of literacy and positive media. BTSYA has brought me so many opportunities. I’ve interviewed best-selling authors, TV show stars, anime voice actors, artists, and even a numerologist, a cryptologist and video game creator on Express Yourself, our teen outreach service radio. I talk with other teens every week on the radio, discussing our views on current events and societal values. Through BTSYA I get to host and volunteer at local events and see how books and positive media impact the citizens in my town, and I’ve been able to give back to my community in an innovative way that really matters.
BTSYA is made up of purely positive energy. Being part of it has helped me pull negativity away from my life so well that I’ve even been able to see my political views from another light; I am rather more liberal in terms of beliefs and views and when I am on Express Yourself! I interact with people who identify as conservative and they have helped me realize that at the end of the day, we all hold the same human-ness inside and we all wish to make the world a better place no matter what our political views are. I think with America’s recent political climate that this is the kind of thing that is important—positive media that reinforces the good within us and pulls us away from squabbling over who’s on what side. And I think BTSYA really accomplishes just that.
In the three years that I’ve been part of Be The Star! You Are, I feel that I’ve really grown as a person and as a volunteer. With the help of the support network BTSYA provides and under the guidance of Cynthia Brian I’ve been able to learn and find a path to the good in my everyday life. Right now, I’m improving my communication skills by finding and helping to coordinate guests for the radio show! I’ll close this review by letting everyone know that honestly Cynthia Brian is the positive force behind this positive media charity—she is absolutely wonderful and she is key to our efforts and improvement. Working under her guidance for these past three years has been incredible and she is so positive even when times are tough; I can’t claim Cynthia as my specific role model because honestly she’s so inspiring that she’s everybody’s role model!”
Tune in to Express Yourself! every Tuesday at NOON PT on The Voice America Kids Network.
Shop, Give, and Get Connected
If you would like to make a direct donation to our giving fund, please visit our Paypal page!
https://www.paypal.com/us/webapps/mpp/search-cause?charityId=1504&s=3
Ways to Help
1. AmazonSmile donates .5% of purchases http://smile.amazon.com/ch/94-3333882
2. Discounted books at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/shops/be_the_star_you_are_charity
3. Buy or Sell on EBAY:http://givingworks.ebay.com/charity-auctions/charity/be-the-star-you-are-501-c-3/1504/?favorite=link
4. Use GoodSearch to search the web & buy from your favorite stores,. Choose Be the Star You Are as your charity to support. You can log in with Facebook, too! http://www.goodsearch.com/goodto-go/be-the-star-you-are
5. Shop at over 1300 stores on IGIVE: http://www.iGive.com/BTSYA
6. BTSYA Logo Store: http://btsya.rylees.net
7. Giving Assistant: Shop. Earn. Give! Use Giving Assistant to earn cash back at 1800+ popular online stores, then donate a percentage to BTSYA: https://givingassistant.org/np#be-the-star-you-are-inc
If you would like to make a direct donation to our giving fund, please visit our Paypal page! https://www.paypal.com/us/webapps/mpp/search-cause?charityId=1504&s=3
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GREAT NON PROFITS REVIEWS
Please join us on Star-Style Radio and Express Yourself! Teen Radio. Please also visit our calendar to find local events. www.BetheStarYouAreRadio.com
Care to see what other people are saying about us? See our reviews at Great Non-Profits!
GREAT NON PROFITS REVIEWS: http://greatnonprofits.org/reviews/be-the-star-you-are-inc/
Thanks for supporting BTSYA!
Be the Star You Are!® 501 c3
PO Box 376
Moraga, California 94556
www.BetheStarYouAre.org
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