Mark Pavilons
Huge gifts vs. huge profits

The world is kind of funny, despite the lack of uproarious laughter from the stands.

By "funny" I mean more than adequately strange, unfair, inequitable and often really odd and cruel.

But, as in all things, there is a bright side to our existence. It lies in the hearts and minds of our fellow human beings. Well, at least some of them.

Fortunately, there are many fine examples of these throughout our society, and in the pages of our recent history.

One of the most famous was John D. Rockefeller Jr., who donated more than $537 million in his lifetime to countless causes and organizations in the arts, education, science, to churches and conservation efforts. He purchased and donated land in New York for the United Nations Headquarters.

Another was industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. Carnegie is best known for donating money to build more than 2,500 libraries across the United States, Canada and around the world. In New York, 31 of the 39 original libraries are still in operation. When he died in 1919 at age 84, he had given away roughly 90% of his fortune - $350 million (billions in today's dollars).

He stressed the need for the wealthy to be responsible and honourable to those less fortunate, and set the stage in his 1889 essay on wealth.

The duty of men of wealth, he wrote, was to set an example of "modest, unostentatious living, shunning display or extravagance ..." As a matter of this duty, the wealthy are bound to administer money "is best calculated to produce the most beneficial results for the community ... thus becoming the mere agent and trustee for the poorer brethren ..."

This insightful man also coined the phrase helping those who help themselves. He also stressed there's no use in dying with millions in the bank. Leaving it for the public good is all that really matters. "... yet the man who dies leaving behind him millions of available wealth ... will pass away 'unwept, unhonored, and unsung,' no matter to what uses he leaves the dross which he cannot take with him."

Another famous giver was George Eastman, founder of Eastman Kodak. It's estimated he gave away a little more than $100 million. In 1924, he wrote four cheques totalling $30 million. He is quoted as saying, as he laid his pen down, "now I feel better."

He also shocked the industrialized world by introducing employee profit sharing, retirement, life insurance and disability benefit programs - unheard of at the time.

We have some unsung heroes here in our own community. While they may not be on the level of Rockefeller, Carnegie or Eastman, they give generously and support the Caledon community.

These are things which make us feel good about being paid-up members of the human race. What makes us want to rip up our membership cards are stories of greed, selfishness, and corporate gluttony.

Let's look at Canada's six biggest banks, who combined earned more than $19 billion in profits in 2006 - the best year in Canadian banking history.

The Royal Bank posted the highest profit ever in 2006 for a Canadian bank; a whopping $4.73 billion, up 39% from 2005. TD Bank more than doubled  its 2005 profits last year, raking in $4.6 billion. Scotiabank made a record $3.55 billion in fiscal 2006, up 13% from the previous year. CIBC only made $2.64 billion in '06, bouncing back from a loss in 2005. The Bank of Montreal made $2.6 billion in 2006, marking its fourth consecutive year of record earnings.

To celebrate such an achievement, BMO is cutting a reported 1,000 jobs to "improve customer service and improve the bottom line."

What? I can understand the bottom line part - fewer people means fewer salaries and benefits. But how can fewer people translate to better customer service?

"BMO's biggest competitive advantage is our people ..." according to outgoing president Tony Comper.

What? So, let's slash the biggest advantage and see what happens.

But, BMO assures us these cuts aren't staff who normally deal with customers anyway.

Sure, it's easy to criticize such huge, lucrative conglomerates. But let's not forget that behind these faceless skyscrapers are people - men and women who sit on the boards, shareholders and you and I - the customers and investors.

So, while we shrug our shoulders and mumble something about the banks doing this and that, let's remember it's people making those decisions.

Such harsh and uncaring strategies to increase profits would likely send Rockefeller, Carnegie and Eastman spinning like tops in their graves.

I'd like to remind everyone that these men were very accomplished and wealthy businessmen, who would give the likes of Gates and Trump a run for their money today. It was their giving that made them legendary, not necessarily their business acumen.

They were way ahead of their time in many ways - their compassion for their fellow human beings was front and centre.

They had no trouble maximizing profits and, at the same time, taking care of their employees and giving back to the greater community. They made the world a better place.

Could the same be said of our top entrepreneurs of today? I hardly think so.

It's a known fact that the most generous givers in terms of money and volunteer time are average citizens - those with limited resources.

Some of us fully understand and appreciate the legacy left behind by philanthropists.

Carnegie believed "the man who dies thus rich dies disgraced." What has happened to our society that we've placed profit above all else? Today's movers and shakers have obviously found a way to take it with them!