Sometimes you've just gotta get out of the office! Here are some appearances NCGives staff have been making of late:

Two weeks ago, our executive director Donna Chavis gave the keynote address at the Annual Freshman Honors Convocation at NC State in Raleigh. Donna spoke to students about their crucial role in the world of today, not just as the hope of the future -- especially with the opportunity to give back and make a difference in the here and now.

"The Boy Scouts were recognized in the NC Legislature this week for the more than 300,000 hours of service they gave to communities through out NC in 2010. 300,000 hours. If we monetize that at the rate of $10 per hour that is equal to 3,000,000 dollars. Giving at that rate happens all the time in North Carolina...Yes, you represent our hope of tomorrow – the future. However, we should not be fooled by that. You are also our hope of the present, the leaders of today."

Yesterday and today, Donna and our program coordinator Arlene Ugbaja were at the NC Network of Grantmakers annual meeting in Greensboro, keeping up-to-date with North Carolina's foundation world. (Several years ago, NCGives partnered with NCNG to help the state's community foundations institutionalize and expand their work with communities of color, women and youth.)

And tomorrow (Friday), Donna is back on the speaking trail, this time in Pittsboro for RAFI-USA's Eastern NC "Come To the Table" conference (a gathering of people of faith supporting local farmers to relieve hunger). Along with The Duke Endowment's Rob Webb, Donna will lead the session, "Finding Funding & Support For Your Ministry."