Sunday, February 3, 2013

The Champion Challenge


What's the Challenge?  Assume the role of spokesperson, championing for your favorite cause, for a self appointed # of texts, status updates, hours or days.

Who's Invited to Participate?   Everyone that has a cause close to their heart.

What's the Point?  To give a boost up to those who want to help but don't know where the need is great, what resources are required and/or how to access the proper people in order to participate in the cause.

How Else Can This Challenge Be Utilized?  This makes a great family project as well as a classroom/ scout troop activity.

Different approaches to this challenge could be:

*...that every person (regardless of age, skill level or financial status)  is capable of making a difference in someone's life.

*Highlighting the variety of projects people have undertaken all over the world.  Sending a donation is just a fraction of cause action in this age of info sharing.  'Giving' can range from shoe/clothing/food/toy collection, a lemonade stand (sound familiar?) myth-busting, petitioning (I recently signed a petition penned by an elementary student to Crayola to initiate a recycling program for their markers)....  Find the creative ways people are helping out there!   Everyone can act 'big' in simple ways.

*Emphasizing the range of causes (from eco-awareness, religious tolerance, literacy, animal welfare,  supporting the troops, keeping the arts in public schools, etc...) and finding one that hits home.

Some Helpful Tips Before You Get Started 

- If you are doing this challenge with kids, choosing local causes will further highlight their individual impact on their own community as well as the community's need for individual action.  Ex/ if you choose to promote animal welfare, learn what you can about the shelters in your area.

-When sharing information, put yourself in the shoes of someone who wants to act but is without direction on where, why and how.

      +website info (the url, the cause, and a brief description of what kind of help is  
         requested)

      +stories of your own interaction with a cause.  How you helped and volunteer  
         information on how others can participate.

-  If this is a role you assume on a daily basis already, share your most valuable
   information on how best to spread the word and rally enthusiasm for a cause.

-  For a bit more inspiration before getting started visit the post 'The Champion's Call' at www.crystalmwaring.blogspot.com

4 comments:

  1. A cause close to my heart, depression and its link to mental illness, merits the mention of 'To Write Love on Her Arms' www.twloha.com an organization that acts as a bridge between the victim of depression and the resources available to aid in coping and healing.

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  2. Go ahead and 'Valentine' theme your cause updates, you mushy bastards, by sharing how a couple can get involved in helping your cause. Sponsoring someone/thing/where together, volunteering efforts that take more than one person, or a 'date night for a cause' wherein the couple decides on a financial amount for a romantic dinner out at their favorite location and donates the cold unfeeling money for a cozy night in instead ;)

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  3. This week try taking your 'cause awareness' to a whole new level by re-introducing its roots to your audience (the people who follow your twitter feed, your facebook friends or your e-mail contact list; those you are broadcasting your salt and light to during this challenge, and hopefully beyond). Knowing where and how a cause began reveals a deeper meaning than just announcing events being held or donations that are required.

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  4. I've asked you to choose a cause close to your heart and share information to help others on the road to charitable living. That's the 'How'.

    I've suggested you reveal the roots of the cause (it's beginnings) to give it more personality and life. That's the 'Who'.

    We are at the stage of 'Why', now. Why is this cause important to you? This is probably the most difficult stage because it will no longer be a matter of 'giving from a distance', if you answer. Not everyone is ready emotionally or psychologically to give an answer to why their charitable focus is in one direction and that's okay. But, when you are ready, your answer may make the difference in the lives of others too broken to tell their stories just yet. Championing for a cause is personal. It connects you to people who can benefit from your resources but it also brings the spotlight onto you for a moment and in that moment your story could make all the difference between a friend just helping because they are a friend or someone recognizing the importance and healing behind charitable living.

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