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The beginning | What drives us | About our founder | Acknowledgments | Contact us |
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In early 2000, PeaceDiviners™ International’s founding president Penny Poole dined at the home of friends—a South African family working as foreign missionaries with southern Philippines tribal groups in Davao City, where she had been working on a development project. As she was leaving for the evening, Ms Poole spontaneously gave her hostess a small donation (about $30), stipulating that it be spent on the family’s personal needs, thinking they could use a meal out or a day at the beach. She worried when she drove away that she may have crossed some uncomfortable line in the relationship because although the friend accepted the gift, she was silent and appeared distressed while standing near the car to bid a polite farewell. An hour later, the friend called with thanks and said she was sorry she hadn’t been able to speak earlier for emotion, but was grateful to now be able to take her son to the dentist, as he’d been in pain for several days. In the two years she had known the family, Ms Poole had no idea they were in personal financial distress much of that time. That incident shocked her into keener observation, and Ms Poole began to give small financial gifts for personal needs to other friends who were performing similar full time community service, to cover things such as camp fees, a child’s bicycle, occasional medical emergencies, or sometimes just for nothing, only specifying that the money was to be spent on the personal family needs, not for their projects. She became aware that these social entrepreneurs – whether driven by faith or a passion for a particular issue – are much like artists, often in need of patrons to help with their own needs so they can continue the work about which they are passionate. Through friendship and professional interaction with several of these committed individuals, she came to realize that many of these extraordinary people who are willing to work at the grassroots of philanthropic service are driven by both blinding passion and resolute compassion for the less fortunate, to the extent that their personal needs are often overlooked—even neglected. These ‘changemakers’ who are truly committed to making a difference will seek funds relentlessly for their projects and programs, but are uncomfortable (or in some cases prohibited from1 ) using these same skills to seek personal income that would cover their contribution in time and lost opportunities. MEMBERSHIP | EMPLOYMENT | LINKS PRIVACY POLICY | CONTACT US| SITE MAP
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• The multicolored solid circle symbolizes planet Earth, with the diverse hues corresponding to North-South, East-West distinctions, while the cheerful brightness of the colors suggests Hope. • The figure represents the individual changemaker, with arms uplifted, delighting in the opportunity to be an instrument of positive change in the world. The androgynous being appears to be flying to emphasize the social entrepreneur’s ability to accomplish what others have declared impossible. The halo-like quality of the head distinguishes the essence of the individual who commits to service above self. • The arms double as the handles of the divining rod and also form the curved ‘V’ of the peace sign, which is presented upside down to acknowledge the turbulent times of the early 21st century. • If you look carefully, you will also recognize other important icons within the mark.
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The multiple symbolic aspects of the PeaceDiviners™ mark are easy to
recognize: