Meet some of our vol­un­teer trans­la­tors in Brazil

SOFII would like to thank all our vol­un­teers in Brazil. Thanks to them we are now able to offer you a selec­tion of exhibits trans­lat­ed into Portuguese.

Written by
SOFII Volunteers in Brazil
Added
August 06, 2013

Frank Russell Lucas - non-profit governance coach and fundraiser

Thank you is truly the magic word in fundraising. Everything begins and ends here. Fundraising begins with a thank you because the fundraiser or the organisation that is asking must first imagine receiving the desired donations before setting off on that somewhat awkward task of asking.

Thanks means to be appreciative of the benefits received. And, that’s what I want to express here. Thank you to all the Brazilian volunteers who have helped to translate SOFII exhibits. Thank you for all of your love, energy and vision of a better Brazil that have inspired and sustained me throughout my 12 years living here. Thank you too, to the SOFII Foundation, Sue, Marie, Ken and especially Carolina, for all your support, confidence and generosity.

And, thank you, users of SOFII’s pages in Portuguese, especially my Brazilian fundraising colleagues. In Brazil, we don’t say thank you. We use the Portuguese word obrigado. It is derived from the Latin obligare: to bind legally or morally, that is, to put ourselves in one’s debt by favour or service. Think about this. Here lies our first challenge as Brazilian fundraisers whose current task is to shift our non-profit sector from a dependence on foreign funding and the Brazilian government to a culture of direct donor support. Perhaps we should visualise first the more suitable Portuguese word agradecer in our campaigns, which so elegantly and universally expresses: gratitude.

Frank Lucas is a non-profit governance coach and fundraiser in São Paulo, Brazil. He is a SOFII volunteer co-ordinating the talented group of translators. He is American born, but Brazilian by heart, as are his wife and daughter. To volunteer in Brazil, you can contact Frank here.

Sandra Regina Calgaro Lucas, dentist - São Paulo, Brazil

Hi, I’m Sandra. I found translating the SOFII exhibits fun and interesting. I especially enjoyed doing them with my nine-year old stepdaughter to see how giving is expressed around the world. Brazilians are very generous people by nature. We see extreme social inequities everywhere we go. Brazilians give of their time, prayers, property – almost anything they find appropriate. I must say, however, our actions are usually limited to individuals or small organisations that we are usually associated with.

I was particularly fond of the Operation Christmas exhibit. It reminded me of our own Christmas drives here but at an almost unimaginable scale. It would be wonderful to see our own Brazilian gift-giving traditions expanded to benefit children around the world. 

About the author: SOFII Volunteers in Brazil

Sandra Regina Calgaro Lucas

Marina Fiorini

Diana Giannoni

Bruno Gama

Fernanda Laurinda

Marina Freitas

Frank Lucas

Sofia Lucas

Paula Miralles Araújo

Paula Aparacida Abi-Chanine

Marcela Barros Coelho

Mário Guimarães

Recent Articles

Join the SOFII board - could you be our new honorary treasurer?

We are looking to recruit a new trustee with a passion for finance, who will also serve as our honorary treasurer and chair SOFII’s finance and resources committee. This vital role will help ensure our small charity is able to manage its financial resources strategically and prudently, so we can reach even more fundraisers around the world.

Read more

Direct mail clinics – Introduction and contents

Welcome to the Agents of Good (AOG) free direct mail clinics. These 11 useful video lessons offer you tried and tested tips that will make your direct mail appeals more engaging and effective. Please explore all the clinics and share them widely with your fundraising friends.

Read more

Direct mail clinic #1 – All about marketing

John Lepp kicks off his free clinics by explaining why direct mail is a phenomenal tool for fundraisers. He thinks it is the perfect way to start a conversation with your donor and raise more for good causes around the world.

Read more

Fundraising in India – Exploring why face-to-face continues to grow

As Gather Campaigns work to expand face-to-face (F2F) fundraising in India, Ryan Valasapali and Dominic Will explore the cultural similarities and differences that determine how F2F can grow in new, international markets.

Read more

Direct mail clinic #2 – Envelopes

In this direct mail clinic, John Lepp asks you to (please!) turn your attention to envelopes. They are one of the most misunderstood and often ignored parts of a fundraising appeal, but your envelope is key to ensuring a donor opens your pack and engages with what you have to say.

Read more