GOTO Hits the Beach

Back in the early aughts, GOTO burst onto the international press circuit with two articles in Bermuda's daily broadsheet, The Royal Gazette.

Founded in 1828, The Royal Gazette is Bermuda's only daily newspaper and reaches around 90% of Bermuda's adult population. So it's safe to say Bermuda knew who we were.

The first article (published January 25th, 2002) focused on GOTO's humble beginnings and ties to the island. The second article (published June 3rd, 2003) featured an interview with the five founding GOTO Board Members ... live from Bermuda!

Second to emphasizing that the GOTO Board "Retreat" wasn't paid for by our donors, this was my favorite moment from either article: “We're not doing it for money, we're doing it because we believe in the organization and we believe in the kids. That inspires people to help us.”

That's as true today as it was then.

If you're interested in taking a stroll down memory lane, here are the 2001 and 2003 articles for your reading pleasure.

Seen at the GOTO Gala NYC 2010 (Part 1)

GOTO Annual Appeal Video

Click Here for $5,000,000

A few weeks ago, our friends at Chase launched the Chase Community Giving program.

Through this program, they’ll be giving away five million dollars to charities that tally the most votes on Facebook. GOTO is one of the charities vying for those millions.

Check out this link to vote for GOTO and help us raise more money for our awesome scholars. Think of it like a charity popularity contest. If you like us – vote for us. And you do like us, don’t you?

You have until this Friday (December 11th) to register & vote.

So register and vote right now. Our kids are counting on you …

Dan Salmon Guest Post: Looking Back on my Time with GOTO

Hello GOTO enthusiasts. Thanks for tuning in. My name is Dan Salmon and this week I'm a guest blogger for GOTO. 4-9 years ago, however, I was a founding member of the charity, sat on the Board of Directors and ran the Events Committee (you can learn more here).

Unfortunately, my world outside GOTO (mostly the soul-crushing job...OK, it's not soul-crushing, I actually like it, but you know what I mean...) lead me to scale back my commitment.

Today I do my best to help with a donation each year, hounding my employer to do the same and (of course) attending the fundraisers and catching up with old friends. Today, though, I'd like to share my thoughts on how GOTO has helped me in other areas of my life and pass along a little advice about how both you and the volunteer organization of your choice (hopefully it's GOTO) can benefit from dedicating a little of your spare time to a good cause.

Volunteerism offers many things to young professionals including the opportunity to do some good, network with peers and to kick back and have a good time at fundraisers. But of the many great lessons and experiences I gained through GOTO, the chance to assume a leadership role at a young age was the most valuable. Getting the opportunity to lead a group of peers is one that comes rarely to an early to mid-twenty something in New York City professional life, however youth volunteer organizations like GOTO provide them in spades. Now, as I move through my (gasp!) early 30s and more responsibility falls on my shoulders in the professional world, I can look back and see how my time with GOTO taught me skills in people management, priority setting and multi tasking that serve me increasingly well today.

That said, leadership is not for every volunteer, particularly at the outset. In order to best help your volunteer organization, the most important thing one must remember is to not bite off more than one can chew. Nothing disrupts the planning of a fundraiser or scholarship recipient event more than a volunteer who can't fulfill their piece of the plan due to unforeseen circumstances. To use the baseball analogy, start by slapping a few singles and doubles before you swing for the fences. It takes time to figure out how a volunteer commitment will fit into your busy life, so there's no need to rush it.

GOTO By the Numbers

GOTO has been keeping pretty busy since our inaugural fundraiser in '01.  Here are some of the numbers behind our eight-year run:

55: The number of GOTO Scholars we've sent to Appel Farm Arts & Music Summer Camp.

$1,000,000+: The amount of money we've raised through donations & events.

140+: The number of summer camp experiences we've awarded to NYC middle school students.

25:  The number of schools we've partnered with in the five Boroughs.

150+: The number of donors & corporate sponsors who've supported GOTO.

25+: The number of GOTO fundraising events, attended by thousands of partygoers.

7: The number of GOTO volunteer Committees, comprised of more than 80 active volunteers.

2: The number of operational GOTO branches.  GOTO New York & GOTO Boston.

Pretty impressive numbers, if you ask me.   Thanks to everyone who's volunteered, donated & partied for GOTO since '01.  Hopefully the next eight years will be just as good.

5 Questions for a GOTO Alum: Danny Salmon

1. How did you first hear about GOTO?
From my high school and college classmate, Cameron Snaith, GOTO's founder.

2. What were your roles while you were a GOTO volunteer?
I began on the marketing committee and joined the Board when it was first created. I also oversaw the Events committee in 2002-03.

3. What have you been up to since joining GOTO’s Alumni?
I left to focus on a new work opportunity, so that has been keeping me pretty busy. I still live in New York, attend the fundraisers and stay in touch through the volunteers I know.

4. What was your favorite GOTO moment?
Visiting Appel Farm for the first time and overseeing GOTO's first casino night fundraiser before I retired stick out as highlights.

5. Where do you see GOTO twenty years from now?
In 20 cities!

Bonus 1. If GOTO sent you to Arts & Music Summer Camp, what would be your major?
Music, specifically percussion and "beat-making."

Bonus 2. What piece of artwork (song, album, book, movie etc.) best defines you?
The motion picture Die Hard. Like the film's hero, John McLane, I too aim to rid the world of evil with little to no appreciation. John fought international terrorists; I do battle with a messy apartment, which is sort of the same thing.