Book Club Discussions
     
Of the many facts cited in the Introduction, what surprised or impressed you the most about the spirit of generosity and pattern of volunteerism that characterizes the American people?
Which story touched your spirit/heart the most, and why?
Who is your favorite passionary?  If there was one question you could ask them, what would it be?
What are some of the personality traits that seem to be characteristic of all passionaries?
If there was one question you could ask your favorite passionary, what would it be?
Who was the most unlikely passionary?  Why?
Which passionary struck you as the best example of applying creative, visionary thinking to a challenging problem?
Which passionary impressed you most as an example of demonstrating passion and persistence in the face of daunting obstacles?

What do you think motivates these passionaries' call to action?  Is faith or belief in God a factor in their motivation?

A group of passionaries that would seem unlikely were the many full time mothers cited who launched important social programs.  What special strengths do they bring that would offset their inherent disadvantages of conflicting responsibilities and limited time? (E.g., Millie Webb, Candy Lightner, Joani Wafer, Dawn Bodo, Nancy Brinker, Betty Mohlenbrock, Fern Nichols)
 
The book describes a number of celebrities and politicians who used their public stature for charitable purposes.  Should such people feel an obligation to use their prominence in this way?  If so, why do actors often get criticized when they enter a public policy debate on issues with broad human implications? (E.g., Paul Newman, Hugh Obrien, Bob Hope, Gary Sinise, Betty Ford, Dr. Laura Schlessinger, Chuck Colson, George H. W. Bush)
 

At the other extreme, a number of the passionaries are college age or younger.  Why does it sometimes take young people to show us what is possible?  How can we do a better job of motivating and channeling the idealism and energy of youth? (E.g., David Levitt, Michael Spencer, Brandon Keefe, Trevor Ferrell, Wendy Kopp, Roxanne Black, Shauna Fleming)

 
How does Passionaries the book give you a better understanding of what a little idea and a lot of love can do?
Whom have you known personally who might qualify as a passionary?
How have the passionaries been able to encourage and involve thousands of volunteers?  How important are volunteers to the growth of these nonprofits?
The book introduces the concept of "ripples", illustrating the widespread and long lasting impact of the passionary examples portrayed.  What impressed you about the ripple effects?
Does the book make you want to start your own foundation?  If so, who would it benefit?
Have you personally been part of a ripple effect of any of the charities cited, or of others that could have been cited?  What benefits did it yield to you that the original passionary might not have anticipated?
Have you yourself ever been a passionary, undertaking a project or starting an organization that has yielded significant benefits in improving people's lives?
• If yes…Tell about your experience, its ripples and what you learned from it?
• If no…Do you see the opportunity for a ripple either from a story in the book or a    nonprofit you are familiar with?
 
If you were to volunteer one hour a week in one of these nonprofits, which would you choose?  Why?
What are you passionate about or involved in that might be making a difference?
What might stop you from making a difference?  How might these road blocks be overcome?


   
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