Ralph Zuranski: Hi. This is Ralph Zuranski and I am on the phone with Debra Berg who is an author, researcher and public speaker. She holds both a B.A. in Political Science and Economics and an M.P.A., a Public Administration degree, from the University of Illinois. As an undergrad she staffed the Watergate hearings in Washington, D.C. Post-college Debra was one of the first women to serve on the staffs of the Illinois, Kentucky and Minnesota state legislatures. How are you doing today?
Debra Berg: I’m doing great, Ralph. Thank you.
Ralph Zuranski: That’s pretty impressive. I was just looking at your bio. I was wondering if you could just share with everybody the stuff that you have done and a little bit about your unique book, The Power of One: The Unsung Everyday Heroes Rescuing America’s Cities. It sounds almost like my In Search of Heroes program.
Debra Berg: Yes, yes. Well, that’s how I found you. I was searching on the web for heroes and I found you.
Debra Berg: I’ve had a kind of interesting career. It has led me to what I do today. I’ve been an entrepreneur; I’ve worked for, as you mentioned, the legislature, I’ve worked in corporate America and so I understand all the different industries in this country.
Debra Berg: As I was a business owner I ran into a very interesting couple from Romania who had helped overthrow Nicolae Ceausescu and we became good friends.
Debra Berg: They ran across a Harvard study called Bowling Alone: America’s Declining Social Capital and they were demoralized by it because it maintained that people were no longer interested in their communities. My friends came to learn about democracy here and to take those insights home and teach their grassroots leaders. Their reaction to the study bothered me.
Debra Berg: So that ten years of working for the legislature and doing studies on social policies caught up with me and I just couldn’t believe that people weren’t interested in helping others and in helping their communities. So I went on my own personal quest to find out what was really going on out there.
Debra Berg: I came across an amazing new trend. I call it the New Civic America. It’s about people, everyday Americans, women and men from all walks of life, who are sacrificing big incomes, personal lives.
Debra Berg: One man has even sacrificed an NFL pension to go and create a solution to major social problems like poverty, at-risk youth or crime.
Debra Berg: That’s what I do. What I do is I get out there and I talk to people about what is going on and I encourage others to do the same.
Ralph Zuranski: Wow, that’s really amazing. That sounds like a wonderful work.
Debra Berg: It’s really fascinating and it’s so humbling to talk to these heroes. They are very altruistic, not in it for personal gain at all. They are out there to make a change, to make a difference in the world.
Debra Berg: Their ideas are so good that they are now replicating across the country and in some cases all over the world.
Ralph Zuranski: You know, that’s funny. I just found an article in the newspaper about young people that came up to the one gentleman, Mr. Strickland. I think you are going to be speaking with him at a seminar for Mark Lewis down in Dallas?
Debra Berg: Yes.
Ralph Zuranski: He basically had people, especially young people, come up to him and tell him how grateful they were to have the opportunity to work with him and do something that mattered and that helped other people.
Debra Berg: Yes. And these people have drawn in lots of volunteers, lots of youth, and they have set a fabulous example, especially for the youth. And the stories and spin-offs from what they have encountered with these heroes and what they have ended up doing with their lives is also very inspiring.
Ralph Zuranski: I can imagine that it is. I’d like to go ahead and ask you a couple of the Heroes questions. What do you want out of life, in ten words or less?
Debra Berg: Health, wealth, a successful marriage, and a network of friends helping others.
Ralph Zuranski: What is the dream or vision that sets the course of your life?
Debra Berg: My vision is to create a broad awareness of America’s civic entrepreneurs and what they contribute. These people are altruistic, innovative citizens who have sacrificed much to create successful solutions to major social problems. My ultimate goal is to create an American Institute for Civic Entrepreneurs where these people can share their knowledge with their counterparts in other cities who are working on the same social issues. It will also be a place where they can acquire additional fundraising and promotional skills for their ideas.
Ralph Zuranski: How important is it to stay focused on your primary goal?
Debra Berg: It’s a critical but very challenging skill. It’s so easy to get off on tangents and to think, “Who am I that I think I can actually achieve this huge goal?”
Ralph Zuranski: Do you follow your hunches and intuition?
Debra Berg: I usually do because the hunches are almost always right. It’s the “noise” of other’s opinions or multi-tasking life priorities that sometimes gets in the way of listening to yourself…some might call it intuition. But the older I get, the more I heed it and it’s served me well. Sometimes it’s also a matter of one door closing and another opening.
Ralph Zuranski: What specific philosophy or philosophies guide your life and decisions?
Debra Berg: I am a Christian and was raised that way. My goal is to put God and others first before any selfish interests. Interestingly enough, when I do, I’m more balanced and focused on my personal mission. It also helps me to remember that I can’t control everything. God has his timing and ways for things to happen. Instead of getting uptight over my personal agenda, I’ve learned to relax.
Ralph Zuranski: What is your perspective on goodness, ethics, and moral behavior?
Debra Berg: All of these are critical for a successful working society. Without the greater majority of citizens taking values and ethics seriously, our society would crumble. We’re in danger of this happening without people, like yourself, making a statement about their importance.
Ralph Zuranski: What place does the power of prayer have in your life?
Debra Berg: Prayer is a regular part of my day and is not set aside for just one part of the day or day of the week. I prioritize some meditation and quiet time, even if it’s only for a few minutes at a time at my desk or wherever I am. It makes me more productive and easier to be around.
Ralph Zuranski: What principles are you willing to sacrifice your life for?
Debra Berg: Both my faith and the safety and health of my family are the things that I’m willing to sacrifice for.
Ralph Zuranski: Are your goals consistent with your belief?
Debra Berg: As I achieve goals, I set new ones, but I work to keep them consistent with my beliefs. If they’re not, I get too focused on the wrong things. So I make adjustments. Otherwise, I simply don’t have the energy to fuel a successful outcome.
Ralph Zuranski: Are your actions consistent with your beliefs?
Debra Berg: I believe they are most of the time. I know when they’re not, because I struggle to find the motivation to keep going.
Ralph Zuranski: Is it valuable to have highly charge emotions about achieving your goals?
Debra Berg: I think it’s critical otherwise, it’s too easy to lose focus. If I didn’t have a strong desire to do what I’m doing, I wouldn’t have invested 8 years of my own money and time pursuing dozens of interviews with civic entrepreneurs across America. And I wouldn’t have quit my job to write the book The Power of One either. I think a person must have a strong desire to overcome personal inconvenience, which would otherwise block their success.
Ralph Zuranski: Is it useful to take a positive view of setbacks, misfortunes, and mistakes?
Debra Berg: No one likes to think that they can make a mistake, even the most humble of us. It’s easy to get your ego tied up in whether you’re right or why something failed. What I make a point of doing is to remind myself that I’m a spiritual being have a human experience and that I can’t always make perfect decisions. I work to forgive myself first, then others, and then make any necessary course corrections before going on.
Ralph Zuranski: Is optimism valuable?
Debra Berg: It’s crucial. In all the years I trained entrepreneurs, the one thing I found that kept people from persevering despite obstacles was their own negativity. How they’d read the situation made all the difference in whether they were willing to get out there and keep going. If they couldn’t generate a good level of optimism …see things from a positive perspective, there wasn’t anything I could teach them that would help them succeed.
Ralph Zuranski: Do you maintain your sense of humor in the face of serious problems?
Debra Berg: I have to say that I struggle with this from time to time myself. It’s one reason I married Paul. No matter what’s happening, or how bad it looks, he has a funny take on it and it makes me smile. Then I put the problem in perspective. And if anyone I know has a difficult time pulling themselves out a funk, I suggest a couple of distractions. One is funny movies. The other thing I do as humor-therapy is play with my dog or take him for a walk. He’s so much fun, it makes me pull back and look at a situation in a better light.
Ralph Zuranski: Do you invest time into daydreaming about what your life will be like when you attain your goals?
Debra Berg: Yes, quite a bit. It’s almost like a movie in my head. I call it “truth in advance.” I used to think I was strange because I daydreamed so much. Now I embrace it as a necessary exercise.
Ralph Zuranski: Do you feel it is important to make positive statements about yourself… the type of person you are and your goals?
Debra Berg: I do it in my head mostly, very little around others. Most people aren’t tuned into affirmations. And often it’s considered bragging. So if I ever do affirmations out loud, I do them privately. I also use it to counter a negative self-talk episode.
Ralph Zuranski: Do you take time out of your day to feed your subconscious positive thoughts about you, your goals, and dreams?
Debra Berg: I do this through prayer off and on throughout the day. Some people may perceive this as telling God what to do, but I don’t see any harm in asking. I believe worry is prayer for something I don’t want, and affirmations are a prayer for what I do want.
Ralph Zuranski: Do you have the courage to pursue new ideas?
Debra Berg: Yes. I’m a sponge. If there’s an idea that’s new that might help, I give it serious consideration. Occasionally, I go too far the other way assessing more new ideas than I have time for. But I’d rather error on the side of too much information than miss an option that might make my goal come about faster.
Ralph Zuranski: Were you willing to experience discomfort in the pursuit of your dream?
Debra Berg: Success is seldom easy or convenient for most people. In my case, I gave up large amounts of personal time and, in the pursuit of the interviews I did for the book, found myself in a couple of scary situations. In one case, I was in LA at night and had a flat tire just at the time a gang came through the parking lot. Were it not for a helpful stranger (I often refer to as “the angel”), I’m not sure what might have happened. I also left my job to write the book for a year and I invested considerable resources out of my retirement fund to make the research and book a reality.
Ralph Zuranski: Is it beneficial to make decisions quickly?
Debra Berg: Yes. Otherwise opportunity can walk right on by.
Ralph Zuranski: Are you slow to revise or reverse an important decision?
Debra Berg: Usually, unless I see good reason to change it and a quick response is needed.
Ralph Zuranski: How were you able to overcome your doubts and fears?
Debra Berg: I still work at this. Mostly, I overcome them with action. Long ago I learned the adage “action cures fear.” Whenever I feel paralyzed by something, I take some type of action. It may not be the best action, but any action is better than doing nothing and fretting over something you have little control over.
Ralph Zuranski: Do you readily forgive those who upset, offend, and oppose you?
Debra Berg: I try to. It’s not always easy, but if I don’t forgive, I find that I waste too much time fretting over the situation. Replaying offenses takes away from the energy I need to do important things.
Ralph Zuranski: Do you experience service to others as a source of joy?
Debra Berg: Yes. I think people fundamentally enjoy feeling needed and that’s a good feeling. Even when people don’t appreciate the help, I try and remember the bigger picture of why I’m doing it.
Ralph Zuranski: When was the lowest point in your life and how did you change your life path to one of victory over the obstacles you were facing at that time?
Debra Berg: The ending of my first marriage of 17 years was my lowest point. At the time, I was running a business with lots of responsibility to others. And I was a role model to a number of people. It was hard not letting my personal life and struggles get in the way of being there for them. I learned from the experience and went on to acquire a whole new career, which involved a steep learning curve in the computer industry. If I had not learned those skills, I would not have been able to produce my book the way I did nor earn a good income in the software industry. While I was single for 10 years, I had the time to do the research for my book and to take care of an ailing parent. I also met my new husband.
Ralph Zuranski: Was there anyone who helped give you the willpower to change things in your life for the better?
Debra Berg: My new husband, my mother, and my extended family were all very supportive. I know I couldn’t have marched as quickly toward my goals without their encouragement.
Ralph Zuranski: How important was it to believe your financial dreams would eventually become reality?
Debra Berg: It’s very important to keep focused but it’s probably the hardest thing to do. Learning job skills in the work place is one thing. But for an entrepreneur, the most essential skill is to stay focused, never letting negatives or others distract you from what’s important today. The word “no” from clients or potential partners has to be interpreted as “not yet.”
Ralph Zuranski: Why is it valuable to know exactly how much money you want to have in your bank account and when?
Debra Berg: It’s part of the goal-setting process. If you are not specific about what you want, your brain doesn’t know what it should strive for. Your subconscious mind is very powerful, and once it knows what it should target, it works day and night to help you achieve it.
Ralph Zuranski: What is your definition of heroism?
Debra Berg: Doing what most people won’t do to help others because of difficult decisions that need to be made or obstacles that have to be overcome.
Ralph Zuranski: Did you ever create a secret hero in your mind that helped you deal with life’s difficulties?
Debra Berg: My mother is probably the best role model or hero anyone could have had. I didn’t need to create a hero because she was right in front of me most of my life.
Ralph Zuranski: What were the qualities and attributes of your secret hero or your real life heroes when you were growing up?
Debra Berg: Mom surmounted incredible odds and obstacles to become successful, and mostly she did it while she was a single parent raising me. She was a secretary to generals and college deans. She also headed up a large organization that helped thousands of women achieve a better financial situation. Perseverance was her battle cry. Now, whenever obstacles come up for me, I just remember her example.
Ralph Zuranski: Who are the Heroes in your life now?
Debra Berg: The people I consider heroes today are those I’ve written about in The Power of One. I’m in awe of their sacrifices, generosity, persistence, lack of fear, and concern for others.
Ralph Zuranski: How important is it to have trusted friends or a mastermind group to bounce your ideas off?
Debra Berg: It’s very important.
Ralph Zuranski: How do they make a positive difference in your life?
Debra Berg: I believe we go through many transitions in our life, and it’s critical to have like-minded friends and mentors who can help keep you steered in the right direction. The members of the Mastermind group may change over time and should be chosen carefully. Sometimes they’re there for a reality check. Many times you need them to help you out in a creative way. Still other times, you need them to help you think on a completely different level from your usual way of looking at things.
Ralph Zuranski: Who do you feel are the real heroes in our society today that are not getting the recognition and rewards they deserve?
Debra Berg:I really believe they are the civic entrepreneurs I’ve written about. The reason being that the social ills of poverty, at-risk youth, neighborhood decay, housing shortages and a host of others were escalating and not being addressed in an effective way by our large institutions. Otherwise, these problems would have been solved long ago. The civic entrepreneur in our society is having much greater success at solving these tough issues at a fraction of the cost of government programs. They’re doing it in such a way that is more compassionate, inclusive, and engaging of people in the community (to become volunteers and donors).
Ralph Zuranski: Why are heroes so important in the lives of young people?
Debra Berg: Without good role models in society, children have no vantage point for how to respond to others or to be good citizens.
Ralph Zuranski: What are the things parents can do that will help their children realize they too can be heroes and make a positive impact on the lives of others?
Debra Berg: Parents can introduce their children to good role models and support them in the pursuit of activities that build their character. Your In Search of Heroes program is a great venue for this.
Ralph Zuranski: How do people become heroes?
Debra Berg: I believe people become heroes when their character qualities intersect with an unexpected opportunity to act or to make an important decision that will save or improve the lives of others.
Ralph Zuranski: How does it feel to be recognized as an Internet hero?
Debra Berg: It’s humbling anytime someone refers to me as a hero.
Ralph Zuranski: Why do you think you were selected for this unique honor?
Debra Berg: Perhaps because I’ve made some difficult decisions in my life that others might not have made which ultimately resulted in helping others.
Ralph Zuranski: How will being recognized as an Internet hero change your life?
Debra Berg: I’m not sure, but I hope it will encourage young people, especially young girls and women, to take action toward their dreams.
Ralph Zuranski: How are you making the world a better place?
Debra Berg: Right now, I’m taking on the roles of a stepmother, wife, and researcher/writer about America’s civic heroes. I hope I’m adding value and encouragement to all existing and future civic entrepreneurs. There’s an adage by Edith Wharton that goes, “There are two ways of spreading light; to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.” I view myself as a mirror, reflecting these incredible solutions. Many of the kids in your program may become civic entrepreneurs one day if they have these role models to follow. And if they have the financial resources, a network of friends, and the desire to help others, they could help reverse a major social problem in our society. I also see myself as the front and center cheerleader for all of these inventors, now and in the future!
Ralph Zuranski: Do you have any good solutions to the problems facing society, especially racism, child and spousal abuse, and violence among young people?
Debra Berg: YES! That’s exactly what The Power of One: The Unsung Everyday Heroes Rescuing America’s Cities is all about. The solutions to all of these issues, and more are in its chapters. Civic entrepreneur heroes of all ages have invented these solutions. And most of them are still involved in cities nationwide. They need our support, both financial and emotional.
Ralph Zuranski: If you had three wishes for your life and world that would instantly come true, what would they be?
Debra Berg:
#1. For the Power of One to be a New York Times and Amazon bestseller so that the word can spread.
#2. For my stepdaughters and husband to have greater success in their chosen professions.
#3. For the Center for Civic Entrepreneurs to be established. And to network thousands of CE’s nationwide so as to share techniques that solve a wide range of social problems.
Ralph Zuranski: What do you think about the In Search of Heroes program and its impact on youth, parents, and business people?
Debra Berg: I think your program is a valuable concept because it brings together the hero role models of parents and community leaders with kids who are our future. Through role models they learn important life and vocational skills. Many kids are missing both good heroes and the skills. The result is that they end up floundering throughout the rest of their lives. It’s tough enough out in the real world, even with the best training. Many schools are lacking what the In Search of Heroes program offers.
Ralph Zuranski: You know, Debra, after talking with you I am so impressed with what you are doing and the heroes that you have found and that you have interviewed. I was wondering if you would be open to maybe asking them the same questions that I have asked?
Debra Berg: It has occurred to me and I am excited about that possibility and I am sure they would be very willing to help.
Ralph Zuranski: Maybe after we get off the phone we could talk about that.
Debra Berg: Yes.
Ralph Zuranski: It’s not often that you find people that really are making a big difference in society and helping to inspire others to do more in their lives than they ever imagined possible. Especially not just focusing on wealth but actually focusing on helping others and making the world a better place.
Debra Berg: And my goal, like I said earlier, is really to be the cheerleader and to bring what they are doing out into the open and bring it into conversation in mainstream America so that people realize just how valuable it is and the kinds of things they are doing.
Ralph Zuranski: That’s really great. I real1y appreciate your time. Thank you very much for the interview.
Debra Berg: You are very welcome. I have enjoyed it and thank you for considering me a hero and wanting to interview me. I’ve enjoyed it.
Ralph Zuranski: I appreciate the good work that you are doing and I hope that we can work together.
Debra Berg: Great. I would enjoy that, too!
Founder/CEO of the National Institute for Civic Enterprise (NICE Network), a social enterprise initiative. NICE’s mission is to connect the founders of young nonprofits with experienced founders, encourage collaboration and mentoring as well as offer helpful nonprofit-related resources, training, and knowledge-sharing to causes across the U.S. NICE generates revenue through publication of books/e-books, video production, grants, and social media coaching at special rates.
Inspirational speaker/trainer to the nonprofit community. Training on PR/visibility/social media.
Author of The Power of One: The Unsung Everyday Heroes Rescuing America’s Cities. Individual research based on an eight-year nationwide journey to interview more than 100 social entrepreneurs in 30 cities. Chronicled a “below the radar” trend of citizen social innovation bringing self-reliance to millions in need. Research featured in the Chicago Sun Times, WE TV, Family Circle, and eighty radio and TV interviews.
Ghost writer for Major Gifts Ramp-up, a 400-page nonprofit major gifts fundraising book.
Radio talk show host, The Power of One: What’s Your Mission? on VoiceAmerica.com.
Co-author of “Living in Abundance”, a BarnesandNoble.com Top 50 bestseller.
Marketing Director, Ignitus Worldwide – youth organization
President,TeamNet International. Top 2% of US micro-businesses,1995. U.S. Mexico and Holland. 15 years experience – international marketing.
Senior finance analyst, Group Health, Inc.
Finance analyst, Illinois Senate Appropriations and Local Government Committees. Budget and program analyst Dept. of Human Services – Kentucky Legislative Research Commission. Program analyst, Minnesota Legislative Audit Commission. Authored policy studies on welfare, health care finance, education, and chemical dependency.
Congressional Intern in Washington, D.C. IRS Intern, Statistics Division, Wash, D.C.
President
National Institute for Civic Enterprise (NICENetwork)
July 2003 — Present (10 years 1 month)Eustis, Florida
Author, Major Gifts Counselor and Trainer
Development Systems International
February 2012 — January 2013 (1 year)Eustis, Florida
Major gifts and organizational development coach to nonprofits in Central Florida. Counsel nonprofits on the Major Gifts Ramp-Up system of fundraising. Co-author of the book “Major Gifts Ramp-Up” with founder Jim LaRose.
Marketing Director
Ignitus Worldwide
August 2010 — January 2011 (6 months)Miami, FL
Marketing and staff director for Youth Crime Watch of America rebranded as IGNITUS Worldwide, a nonprofit in two dozen countries on 5 continents for youth ages 12-22. Oversaw social media marketing, coordinating the website, maintaining global affiliate connections, overseeing publication production, and coordinating staff assignments.
Software Support/Technical Writer
As founder/president of the National Institute for Civic Enterprise (NICE), I work to connect the innovations of human service social entrepreneurs with nonprofits and business to facilitate scaling and replication of working human service solutions nationwide.I produce ebooks, books, publications, speak before business groups to engage them in cause-partnering with nonprofits.
Design, promote, and conduct nonprofit marketing training. Recruit and manage volunteers and contract employees for projects and events. I network social entrepreneurs nationally and in Central Florida for resource and knowledge-sharing.