An international speaker, trainer and consultant, St. Louis native Carol Weisman has also written a number of books, including the recently released, “Becoming One of the Grateful Dead: Where’s There’s a Will, There’s a Way.”
Her latest offering is described as part “Chicken Soup for the Soul,” part estate planning and part legacy building. The book encourages readers to think about something they might not have thought about before: What legacy do I want to leave behind? She believes, “Whether you are uber-rich or drive for Uber, you can make a difference in this life and the next.”
The book contains a “baker’s dozen” of examples of how people give away their money, and offer a variety of perspectives and takeaways. The stories of inspiration are what Weisman said compelled her to write the book. Her parents provided a model of giving for her growing up, and perhaps due to their example, she, herself, has offered time and money to nonprofits, and financial support to family members in need.
After every story in the book, Weisman provides a section for fundraisers and a section for donors. Why fundraisers? Two reasons: A planned gift is approximately 200 times an annual gift, and according to Giving USA, 5 percent of all donations are from corporations, 9 percent from planned gifts. Weisman said the bottom line is: Dead people give more than corporations, yet who do nonprofits approach? The most over-fished pond: corporations. Hence the lessons learned section for donors.
The people featured in “Becoming One of the Grateful Dead” range from the great granddaughter of a slave, who works as a cleaning lady, to a poet and a multi-millionaire oil man. Some stories are witty, others poignant – and some are quite funny, offering uniquely heart-warming, sometimes heartbreaking lessons.
Weisman encourages everyone to make plans now for how you want your children cared for and your possessions and money allocated after you’re gone. Otherwise, the state will make these decisions for you.
Weisman is the president of Board Builders, and specializes in volunteerism, fundraising and governance. She has personally served on 40 boards, and has been president of nine.
Other books include “Raising Charitable Children,” “Fundraising Superheroes” and “The Business Professional’s Guide to Nonprofit Board Service.”
“Becoming One of the Grateful Dead: Where’s There’s a Will, There’s a Way” can be purchased at amazon.com. For more information about Weisman, visit boardbuilders.com.
