
R-I-N-G! R-I-N-G!
That’s the telephone again! Surprise, surprise, it’s another organization asking for donations. Some questions that I raise in my mind when I get such calls are: Is this worthy cause important enough for me to devote my time to? Do I believe in this cause strong enough to advocate it to others to do the same and help out?
Sure, deep down a lot of people want to be that superhero that can save the day, but the reality of the matter is that you are only one person and there are countless organizations that all believe that there cause is the one deserving your time and money.
The only problem is finding the cause that is right for you. Once you find that cause it is easier to feed it, not because it is necessarily more deserving than the other ones out there, but because it appeals to something that you find has a relevance to you or in what you stand for.
As for me, I’m still finding my cause, and you know what, that’s perfectly okay. While it might be easier to just pounce on the first activist project that comes your way in order to lessen your guilt of not helping out, it is more rewarding to find the cause, or organization that you are really passionate for in assisting.
You can try and find that cause by testing out various organizations until you discover which one clicks with you. Currently, I decided to test the activist pool by dipping my feet into a couple of school organized activist projects, including Amnesty International, Artists for Outreach, and the Clean Train Coalition. I selected these for my participation in, based on my interests. Amnesty International appeals to my interest in helping those who struggle under political distress with the goal to “...build a world where all people live in dignity, security and freedom” (Amnesty International Canada).
As for the Clean Train Students Coalition, whose slogan runs, “Transit for a Healthy City” (Clean Train Coalition), I have the opportunity to act upon my interest in protecting the environment through their vision for a more environmentally and health friendly neighbourhood in Toronto, by exploring and using alternative energy sources, such as electrically run trains.
Artists for Outreach on the other hand appeals to my love of the arts, giving the opportunity to, “provide an outlet for students-mostly in media and the arts- to gain experience in their area of study or interests while helping the community” (Artists for Outreach). This activist project appeals to me as an university student looking to help society, and at the same time meet others with similar interests in the arts.
Where these choices will go, I do not know. What I do know is the importance of finding a true cause that fits you.
Work Cited
"Amnesty International Canada :About AI Canada What we are." Amnesty International Canada. Web.
"Clean Train Coalition : Transit for a Healthy City". Clean Train Coalition. Web .
I am still trying to find my cause too. I agree though that it is important to believe in your cause, ensuring that you care about the changes being made by the organization.
ReplyDelete-PF
personally i believe the act of giving does not solely rely upon monetary donations but more of a stress should be palced on giving time. often showing you care enough to physically help out can be more fulfilling, but also can mean more. no doubt that money helps the foundation, but community service or getting involved can also be way more fun and givesy ou the exerience you wanted or could be deemed life changing. this blog somewhat goes along with your blog about the no spending day, in the fact that it touches on the consumer driven society that we live on. our society sees money as the be all and end all of help often and tehse kinds of views shoyld be reversed.
ReplyDeletejust some thoughts...
-Browntown