PJ profiles Ilyse Rubin
Director of development at Moorestown Visiting Nurses and Hospice - Moorestown, New Jersey
The nonprofit provides homecare, hospice, counseling and community wellness services to families in Burlington, Camden and Gloucester counties in New Jersey. Contact info: (856) 552-1300, services@moorestownvna.org, www.moorestownvna.org.
If you could live through any decade (past or future), which would you choose?
It would be interesting to go back 100 years, say from 1900 to 1910. The world was changing so much and new ideas were being introduced all the time. There was so much optimism and opportunity. Our own organization began in 1904, with one nurse who traveled on foot to see her patients. I would like to have seen what life was like for her. We’ve all come a long way, thanks to the foundation that was laid back then.
How have you tried to boost morale at your nonprofit?
My perspective on life in general is to be positive; the glass is always half full. I don’t take anything for granted. There is as much excitement and gratitude for a donation of a dollar, or a small in-kind item, as there is for a $10,000 donation. Being positive is contagious.
What are three goals you hope to accomplish in 2009?
Have the most successful fundraising year possible in this economy. Give 100 percent all the time in anything I do. Be a team player, not just within my organization, but with all of those I work with and who honor us with their support.
Why do you work in the nonprofit sector?
I truly believe it takes a special type of person to work in nonprofit. You are doing so much more than just bringing home a paycheck. You are actually making life better for someone. You may never meet that someone whose life you have affected, but in your heart you know what you are doing is making a difference. There is no better benefit.
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