Creating Personal Legacies' - New Study
26 April 2004 at 1:04 pm
A Brisbane financial services expert has begun a PhD study about understanding peoples needs to leave a legacy and the opportunities to develop social capital through philanthropy.
Robb Musgrave’s thesis is called ‘Creating Personal Legacies’.
Musgrave says the basis of the work is that we all leave a legacy. The personal legacy revolves around our values and is principally about the ones we love- our families.
He says as more people understand their personal needs and the amounts that they wish to provide the immediate family, the opportunity is for the development of social capital provided through philanthropy.
Musgrave has produced a questionnaire that assists people in defining what is important to them (their values)and what they may have or need to provide for their personal financial independence, family legacy and social capital.
The information collected by the questionnaire will remain confidential. There is however the opportunity for participants to receive a summary of the findings as the study progresses.
Musgrave says he believes informing people about better choices in creating personal legacies will enhance their lives and this will lead to more emphasis on philanthropy.
He says the questionnaire will help people decide what really is important to them and what choices they may make towards leaving a lasting and meaningful legacy.
Beyond the research, Musgrave says the findings may result in the offering of a range of products and services specifically structured to assist the public in the design, creation and maintenance of Personal Legacies.
For the purpose of this questionnaire the following definitions of Legacy are to be used.
Broadly defined, a legacy is what you leave behind after you are gone. People often only think of legacies in financial terms for example, when you bequeath your assets in a will.
He says that today, in light of recent terrorist events in the US and throughout the world, people are also turning more attention to the idea of a spiritual/personal legacy that goes beyond material things, eg, their stories, values, hopes, love, wishes, advice, blessings. This broader context is to be the basis for individuals in answering this questionnaire.
If you would like a copy of the confidential questionnaire send an email to Robb Musgrave at robb@musgraves.com.au. Or phone 07 324 2844 for more information.
