In what might initially sound like a leisure water sport, dragon boat racing will undoubtedly leave paddlers breathless and drained of energy after three intense races across Creve Coeur Lake.  In what is symbolic of most team activities, whether it’s in the athletic arena or corporate and government workforce, synchronized team effort and coordinated action define success at the finish line.  Despite the physical exertion, the competitive nature and philanthropic spirit of the event sends teams rushing back each year to take part in the festival and benefit the Signature Health Foundation.  Aside from the races, the festival included live music, barbeque, and fun activities for the 25 teams, friends, and families.

All proceeds of this event benefit Operation Family Help, a new Signature Healthcare Foundation initiative to assist families of patients with financial challenges by providing services such as therapy, equipment or transportation.  Signature Healthcare Foundation was founded in 2002 with a vision to “be a recognized leader in the local and national health care dialogue and spearhead physician leadership in improvements and efficiencies in the healthcare delivery system.” Signature Medical Group, its founding organization, has been a longtime lobbying client of Pelopidas in the Missouri Legislature and our organizations have actively worked together outside of government affairs over the years to benefit a variety of philanthropic causes in the St. Louis community.

Our Pelopidas team would like to thank John Marshall and the rest of Signature Healthcare Foundation for putting on a great event to benefit the community.  After a few weeks of rest and muscle relaxers, the Pelopidas Pow-Oar-House will begin training for next year’s competition!

Travis Brown, Rachel Keller Brown, Rex Sinquefield and Jeanne Sinquefield

In its fourth year, the annual Christmas benefit for St. Vincent Home for Children continues to build momentum. This year’s benefit brought in $75,000 through sponsorships from community leaders and businesses, and a live auction. St. Vincent’s creates a safe place for some of St. Louis’ most vulnerable children to live and learn.

One of the reasons that ideas like St. Vincent’s have been so successful is our country’s rich legacy of philanthropy. It is not casual. It’s not an afterthought. With centuries of growth and innovation, philanthropy has truly become a national treasure – and a nimble vehicle for change.

Early philanthropists like Andrew Carnegie and John D. Rockefeller used their wealth to create public assets – hospitals, schools, libraries, research – that are still used today. They popularized the idea that one could donate wealth while they were still alive, and that it could be a dynamic part of life, instead of a perfunctory part of a will.

In the early 20th century, fundraising grew to include more group giving, foundations that report on social conditions, and corporate giving. Recently, venture philanthropy and online fundraising have again revamped the idea of giving.

Applying the idea of venture capital to philanthropy has changed the donor-foundation relationship from one of transaction to one of ongoing support. Beyond financial support, a company assists with management and structural support, helps measure and improve outcomes, and typically invests over a period of years. Riffing on that model, organizations like Venture Philanthropy Partners pair D.C.-area donors who want to see great, positive change in their community with a portfolio of projects that combat a litany of issues facing children in D.C. Of charities and not-for-profits, VPP Co-Founder and Chairman Mario Morina says, “We ask them to do the remarkable, but we don’t give them the support to even do the negligible.” Venture philanthropy models hope to help donors give more strategically, and provide more comprehensive, long-term support for organizations.

Online giving has been especially powerful in giving donors of any size access and information to donate at any time. It’s a way for people to seek out causes they care about, and helps charitable organizations educate the public about their cause. E-philanthropy has also tapped small donors who may not be the target of mail campaigns, but could spare “as little as a cup of coffee”, and helped engage large efforts to respond quickly to disasters like Hurricane Katrina or this year’s devastating earthquake in Haiti. More than $30 million of donations to Haiti came in the form of text message. The Future of Philanthropy estimates that 25% of personal giving will be done online this year. But that still leaves 75% of personal giving that happens through personal appeals or fundraisers, and remains the core of fundraising.

Think about this for a minute: of the $303.8 billion charitable dollars given in the US in 2009, individual donors gave 75% of those dollars. The majority of US giving came not from corporations or foundations, but from individuals. In 2004, donations to tsunami victims reached $2 billion – three times what the US Government spent on disaster relief. Donations after Hurricane Katrina were nearly $6.5 billion, and donations to Haiti reached a similar level – in the first three weeks.

That’s an incredible force of people who weren’t coerced to give anything, but who chose to take action and donate to advance the causes they felt strongly about.

Missouri’s charitable giving is also quite strong: Missouri Foundations provide the state with $675 million in giving, and Missouri individuals gave $2.8 billion in 2008 (that’s an average of $3290 in contributions from each person who filed itemized charitable deductions). While individual donations may go to causes around the world, Missouri Foundation giving is a good measure of how Missourians support in-state needs.

We’re fortunate to work with the Sinquefield Charitable Foundation, which gives to such diverse causes as the Boy Scouts of America, music composition, education and chess – their giving directly impacts children in the area, our friends and neighbors, and it makes Missouri a magnet for organizations, talent and leaders who also want to see these causes thrive.

Philanthropy is more than a way to make us feel good. It might have that effect, but something more significant is driving this incredible scope of action. There’s a spark when we realize something is wrong – and that we have the tools or resources to do something about it. It’s a legacy our country has spontaneously nurtured, that we carry forward and improve upon, and it strengthens us as much as it strengthens the people we give to.

This weekend’s opening events included a “Queens of Jazz” concert at the Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis with Grammy nominee Ann Hampton Callaway and St. Louis’ own jazz queen, Denise Thimes, and the Opening Ceremony on Saturday. The Opening events had players draw colored scarves to determine their pieces for the opening round. They also hula hooped while playing chess, made moves with life-sized chess pieces, and participated in ‘bounty blitz’ matches! Two-time U.S. Women’s Champion Anna Zatonskih impressed crowds by defeating 5 challengers simultaneously – while blindfolded.

Rounds began Sunday, and continue through October 13th. Rounds begin daily at 2 p.m. at the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis, 4657 Maryland Ave., St. Louis, Missouri.

This morning, the club’s founder and chess advocate Rex Sinquefield joined his coach, Woman Grandmaster Jennifer Shahade on the Charlie Brennan show on KMOX. Listen to hear the interview on the Women’s Championship, Chess events around the city and the benefits of playing chess:

[pro-player type="MP3"]http://www.pelopidas.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/RS-and-JS-on-Charlie-Brennan-KMOX-10.6.09.mp3[/pro-player]

Recent dealings with sports celebrities and major league greats like Cardinals legend Bob Gibson can remind us the important role that we all can play in our own social networks.  Long after his 1981 Hall of Fame induction, a St. Louis Cardinal like Bob Gibson can remain an important civic figure off the field: as a coach, mentor, role model, and inspiration. 

In the context of baseball, these titans of roundball help us place value on the sport’s accomplishment, talent, and tenacity.  Off the mound, the role of celebrity can be leveraged in many ways:  raising money for charity, giving voice to important causes, volunteering your time for awareness, and building unique relationships across many walks of life.

Rachel Keller Brown, Pelopidas, with Bob Gibson (July 2009 All Star Weekend)

Celebrity brands offer punch and potency inside a sea of public noise and media clutter.  So, as consumers take control of their own media channels one iphone or blackberry at a time, it’s not a surprise that those that lobby from a known industry reputation will fare much better than those who remain in cyber-silence.

This week’s Wall Street Journal story shows us more about how consumer movements may occur.  Major League Baseball is bringing live baseball as an iphone application.  First, you merge the influence and flexibility of the mobile device platform that has great picture and video capability.  Second, you target a demographic market and loyal fan audience that buys direct from their ultimate network:  their entire league (already at 400,000 subscribers at MLB.TV).  Third, once you prove that live streaming is more valuable than local television broadcast, it’s game time for all venues, not just out-of-market events. 

One can only imagine how exciting it may be in the future when individual URLs load up a creative celebrity encounter, clock their own radar during the next fast-pitch, or videocast to their grandmother the latest score.  New technologies like these don’t have to be feared by personalities of interest.  We believe that, with integrated marketing and media strategies, access to these tools may make your star power even more entertaining. 

Imagine the potential value of real-time brand metrics via mobile devices when President Obama unveiled his White Sox uniform before the Cardinals All-Star crowd.  In the not-so-distant future, the President may want to text you back a personal message in the grand stands, like, “It could be worse.  It could have been a Chicago Cubs jersey.”  Real-time responses related to your market reactions might be used to fellow Cubs fans to find others in the stadium, and for local vendors to peddle Chicago-styled merchandise.

If you question the value of your network’s ability to respond, engage, & expand under these new consumer rules, maybe it’s time to upgrade your tools to become Major League.

Busch Stadium was packed last night for the Major League Baseball 2009 Home Run Derby, and the players put on a show worthy of the crowd. The lineup for the derby included: Carlos Pena (Tampa Bay), Joe Mauer (Minnesota Twins), Brandon Inge (Detroit Tigers), Nelson Cruz (Texas Rangers), Ryan Howard (Philadelphia), Prince Fielder (Milwaukee), Adrian Gonzalez (San Diego), and local favorite (and soon to be National League MVP) Albert Pujols.

But the derby began with a few treats for the Saint Louis crowd. From 4PM until 7PM stadium goers could watch all of the 2009 MLB All-Stars (not just the aforementioned players participating in the Home Run Derby) warm up at Busch Stadium during batting practice. These players included current greats like Ichiro Suzuki (Seattle) and Derek Jeter (New York Yankees) just to name a few.

While batting practice drew baseball fans to the stadium early, it may have been the grooming and presentation of Busch Stadium that stole the show. Stadium crews had meticulously put an image of the Saint Louis Capitol Building and Arch into the grass on the field! The field looked stunning and represented our baseball-loving town well.

As batting practice drew to a close, fans were given two more surprises. The first of which was a fly-over by two F-15 fighters in tight formation, followed by a two-song concert from American Idol Star David Cook.

Finally it was time for the derby to start. Cruz and Fielder set the bar early with 11 home runs in the first round and they would easily advance to round 2! Ryan Howard and Albert Pujols would also advance to the next round with 7 and 5 home runs respectively. Pujols almost didn’t make it; tying with Joe Mauer and Carlos Pena who had also both hit 5 home runs in the first round…it came down to a 5-out slugfest between these players, in which Pujols ended as the victor.

Unfortunately for the Saint Louis crowd, Pujols home run streak ran dry and he was eliminated by the end of the second round. Fielder and Cruz advanced to the last and final round, but not before Fielder hit a 503ft home run! Even though Saint Louis fans were saddened by Pujols performance, they could not help but applaud Fielder for the 500+ ft homer. The entire stadium rose and gave Fielder a standing ovation!

Fielder would go on to win the derby with a total of 23 home runs, and seemed as though he could have hit many more, given the chance.

All and all, it was a perfect 83 degree July day in Saint Louis, Missouri. A perfect day for fans, young and old to gather and watch the best long-ball hitters in the Leauge do what they do best. A perfect day to crown Prince, king of the home run derby.

Next weekend, St. Louis, MO hosts the 2009 Major League Baseball All Star Game. The 80th mid-season exhibition will be the first MLB all star game held in Saint Louis since 1966.  The outcome will decide the home field advantage in the 2009 World Series.

Tuesday’s game will bring a sold out crowd to Busch Stadium, along with a weeks worth of events for baseball fans young and old including: All-Star Charity Concert (July 11), the All-Star Charity 5K and First Run (July 12), All-Star Sunday (July 12), the State Farm Home Run Derby (July 13th), and the Meet me in Saint Louis: An All-Star Celebration (July 11-13th).

You don’t even have to attend the game to join the fun with celebrity athletes.  MAB Celebrity Services, based in New Jersey, has come through big for Saint Louis by bringing some of the biggest hall of fame baseball players to Saint Louis.  This will give fans a unique opportunity to get autographs from the all time greats. Among those available will be: Steve Carlton, Bob Gibson, Red Schoendienst, Lou Brock, Tony Gwynn, Reggie Jackson, Ozzie Smith, Darryl Strawberry, and Cardinals legend Stan “The Man” Musial.

The MLB All Star game is not just a sports extravaganza, it also brings an economic boost our Gateway City.  In 2005 and 2006 the All-Star game brought in more than $52 million in economic stimulus to Pittsburgh and Detroit, respectively, and even more to Houston in 2004 ($65 million)!

Stay tuned for more event planning details over the next week.  Great baseball for a great baseball town. 

All rights reserved for the All-Star Game & Logo above are property of Major League Baseball. 2009

“After serious consideration with my family and trusted friends, it is my intention to seek the office of State Auditor in 2010,” Icet announced. “The Auditor is the top taxpayer advocate and watchdog in the state, responsible for rooting out waste, fraud and abuse of our tax dollars.”

Icet has served on the powerful House Budget Committee since he was first elected to the state legislature in 2002. In 2005, Icet became Chairman of the House Budget Committee after serving one year as Vice-Chair. Icet has become well-known for his staunch defense of taxpayer dollars.

“Over the past four years as House Budget Chair I’ve worked to bring prudent fiscal management to the state’s budget,” explained Icet. “As Missouri’s next state Auditor, I will use that experience to continue protecting taxpayers by fighting for accountability and transparency in state spending.”

Under Icet’s leadership Missouri enjoyed unprecedented budget surpluses by focusing on fiscal restraint and accountability while continuing to meet critical healthcare needs, improve transportation and increasing education funding without a single tax increase.  Representative Icet said, “We forced state government to live within its means just as every Missouri family must do.  That effort put Missouri in better fiscal shape than almost any other state in the nation.”

Icet believes his campaign will be an effort behind which all Missouri Republicans can unite.

“There has been much discussion within our party about the need to stand united for the 2010 election. In accepting the Spirit of Enterprise Award last Thursday night, former U.S. Senator and U.N. Ambassador John Danforth called on Missouri Republicans to stand together. I hope my candidacy will provide the entire Missouri GOP a campaign that we can all get excited about,” concluded Icet.

Icet received his Bachelor’s of Science Degree from Texas A&M University in Civil Engineering and obtained a Master’s in Business Administration from Washington University (St. Louis). Allen Icet and his wife, Carol, reside in Wildwood, MO. They have four children.

June 15, 2009                                                                      For more information contact
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                           Keith Kirk (573)576-8182

Photos from the first two rounds of play are available below:

Round 1 Photos

Round 2 Photos

The challenge was as bold as taking on a chess grand master inside the Chess Club & Scholastic Center of St. Louis.  In less than three hours, can community leaders and volunteers paint an entire St. Louis Metro bus with the look, feel, and brand of the Chess Club’s fine work?

First, we have to give credit where credit is due.  Laying out a clear design for an entire bus wall isn’t a slam dunk.  That’s why we depended upon Susan Barrett and her leadership with Arts in Transit to provide a great design layout.  With the design in hand (picture of challenge), now comes the painting.

Maybe it was the flurry of young chess players that came to the Club parking lot to support their club.  Maybe it was the parents joining in with their paint brushes.  Maybe it was some of our hard-working advocates at Pelopidas that displayed their hidden art talent.  (picture of Emily and Sean here, and Travis Glaspie pic)

All that I know is that, in less than two hours, St. Louis’ first Metro Arts in Transit (AIT) bus dedicated to chess outreach was moving close to completion.  We didn’t even have time to polish off the rice krispie treats (add joi and Karen pic) before the paint was drying, and chess games were resuming.

Checkmate on a great philanthropy.  Once the bus design is fine-tuned, this design will traverse our Greater St. Louis community for at least a year.   Since its inception in 1986, AIT has completed more than 150 public art projects, installations, and community enhancements.  Attached below are more photos of the bus sides as they developed.

In less than a year since its opening, what an impact the Chess Club & Scholastic Center of St. Louis is making.  This community charity reminds us that we don’t stop playing as we grow old.  We grow old when we stop playing.

Best of luck ahead with the 2009 US Championship!

Here are some images from the event: