There is a concept that I subscribe to, that every day, is proven right.

Give without expectation.

Every day, I try to do something where I give something (time, money, expertise, humor, whatever) with no expectation of something in return.

The reactions are interesting.

Some people dont believe it.

Others dont trust it.

Most people appreciate what I have to give.

But, for me, its somewhat of a selfish act. It makes me feel good.

Over the past week, I have researched and written about online ways for people to give. I even asked people in lieu of giving me a gift or wishing me birthday wishes, to check out SocialVibe or DonorsChoose. Two online giving vehicles that I am rather involved with.

The response was amazing. So many people decided to get involved with one of the two sites. I was humbled and amazed.

Many people dont know that I was a fundraiser for 7 years early in my career. I love the act of raising money for causes that I believe in, like education, empowering young people, art, etc.

The last week has rekindled that feeling of doing something that makes a difference.

Doing something that allows me to give without expectation.

Where does social media fit into all of this?

I dont really know. I do know that so much of what we talk about in social media is connections and community.

But, what if we want to mobilize that community? If we want that community to rally behind a cause or a need? Would it rally?

And how does one filter all the requests? In the past month, I have been asked to be involved in no less than 5 causes. Some I believe in, others I dont really.

Am I being part of the community, if I turn down requests for involvement?

Given that so much of what we do (Twitter about blog posts, hype up our friendfeed feeds, tag our flickr feeds, etc.) to about self-promotion, about taking, how does giving without expectation fit in all of this?

I dont know. But I do know that our community should figure it out.

Or else at some point in the near future, social media will have little value outside of self-promotion.

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