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David Fritsche, Founder
Posts:239
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| 10/08/2007 5:01 PM |
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Global challenges, require global efforts and Global expertise. As we progress here at jamuse, we want to encourage all of us to give back to others. We want to find better ways of impacting the planet with the resources we've been given.
We will be organizing some efforts directly with international groups with which we are associated. You'll be able to participate through your expertise to help these charities be better at what they do, by giving of your time.
In the meantime, We'd like to hear what charities you'd like to support.
We'll select some charities based on these suggestions and organize a campaign to impact the planet! Are you with me? It starts with suggesting a cause in which you care.
What cause should we consider? (Why and are they global?) |
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David Fritsche, Founder
Posts:239
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| 10/08/2007 5:02 PM |
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Here's some categories to consider:
Animals
Environment
International
Arts, Culture, Humanities
Health
Public Benefit
Education
Human Services
Religion |
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Mungo Studios
Posts:34
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| 10/08/2007 8:36 PM |
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Wonderful idea, count me in!
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Angela Hayden
Posts:2
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| 10/08/2007 10:50 PM |
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I suggest working toward stopping domestic violence. Domestic violence encompasses every socio-economic sphere, every culture, every country. Children in this environment can't grow to be capable, contributing citizens. Mother's, wifes, sisters, aunts, cousins are being controlled through fear and can't reach their full potential. It hurts every aspect of society. A woman with a black-eye has trouble going to work, keeping a job, etc.
Domestic violence has many forms, including physical violence, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, intimidation, economic deprivation or threats of violence.
When it comes to domestic violence towards children involving physical abuse, research in the UK by the NSPCC indicated that "most violence occurred at home (78 per cent) 40- 60% of men and women who abuse other men or women also abuse their children.[(American Psychology Association. Violence and the Family: Report of the American Psychological Association Presidential Task Force on Violence and the Family. 1996)]. Girls whose fathers batter their mothers are 6.5 times more likely to be sexually abused by their fathers than are girls from non-violent homes.(Bowker, L.H., Arbitell, M.,& Mcferron, J.R., “On the Relationship Between Wife Beating and Child Abuse.” In K. Yllo & M. Bograd, Feminist Perspectives on Wife Abuse, Sage, 1988)
When it comes to domestic violence towards children involving physical abuse, most violence occurred at home, 40- 60% of men and women who abuse other men or women also abuse their children. Girls whose fathers batter their mothers are 6.5 times more likely to be sexually abused by their fathers than are girls from non-violent homes. |
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David Fritsche, Founder
Posts:239
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| 10/09/2007 12:48 AM |
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Mungo, Thanks you're in...any causes close to your heart?
Angela,
Thanks and welcome to jamuse. Very worthy cause...is there a group leading the way that you would suggest supporting?
What we need from each of the suggestions is to find a group that is making a difference and then work with them to help. We'll use this forum to start collecting the "heart" of the community. Then we'll organize and reach out to help. Best to not reinvent the solution, but to join an existing effort.
David |
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Mungo Studios
Posts:34
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| 10/09/2007 10:00 AM |
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Well I am a type 1 diabetic, so health issues are always a passion. The world is melting, so environment is an issue. We don't have enough religion and world war 3 could start soon. So I have too many passions thus why I just did an I'm in : )
So being an artist, I would like something that maybe impacts art directly, being diabetic I swear I lose a little vision everyday and so I think to go blind and not be able to see art will be the thing I would miss the most. However I could get equally passionate about anything that impacts art, saving the environment for example, as the world has been the biggest inspiration for some of the best of the best artist.
I think as long as we work towards something we are helping, cause we will never be able to tackle it all.
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David Fritsche, Founder
Posts:239
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| 10/09/2007 6:12 PM |
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Cool - very well said.
Do you think Al Gore is the right person to support if we went towards the Global warming and fosil fuels issues? He certainly has taken the lead in this area.
BTW, Allan has a nice sketch of Al: Al Gore
David |
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Director Fox
Posts:48
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| 10/09/2007 11:27 PM |
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This is a really nice idea. It would be amazing to collaborate with artists from around the world on projects like this, without the - ahem - assistance of PR and agency folks. Sort of an anarcho-syndicalist creative collective. Count me in.
When it comes to selecting causes to promote, I think there are a couple of factors to consider:
1) Need. We all know global warming is bad, and recycling is good. Let's make sure to pick issues that don't already have a lot of well-done promotional media.
2) Cooperation. Ever notice that "pro bono" clients are flakier and harder to please than paying clients? Let's make sure we're doing work for organizations that are going to work with us.
3) Distribution. I hate doing great stuff that nobody sees. Let's make sure there's a plan in place for the ultimate use of any work that we do.
As far as specific topics, here are a couple that might be possibilities:
1) Alternative Medicine. There's so much misinformation and misunderstanding about therapies like homeopathy, acupuncture, and herbal medicine, it would be nice to put together some decent collateral pieces that practitioners around the country could download and print out for their patients.
2) Domestic Violence. As suggested above, this is an issue that affects a lot of people. I would add, however, that doing bilingual materials (English and Spanish) would be really nice, since non-English speaking victims of domestic violence tend to be less aware of exactly what it is, and what their options are, than English speakers.
3) Support Small Business. Big companies can afford nice ads, but small businesses often look even smaller than they are, because of lousy promotion. It would be nice to launch a general "Buy Local" campaign that, again, folks around the country could download and post in their businesses.
One question I have about all this: who's going to write the copy? We have a lot of visual artists on this site, but I haven't seen much in the way of copywriters. I'm sure that many of us are perfectly capable of writing copy, but who's going to make the final decision on what gets written? |
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Angela Hayden
Posts:2
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| 10/10/2007 1:46 PM |
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I think Amnesty International's Violence Against Women (VAW) is a good place to start because it is an international agency.
http://web.amnesty.org/actforwomen/index-eng
Violence against women (VAW) is a human rights scandal, yet in many
societies it is met with governmental lack of interest, silence or
apathy. All governments have the responsibility under international
human rights law to:
- Prevent, investigate and punish acts of all forms of VAW whether in the home, workplace, the community or society, in custody or in situations of armed conflict
- Take all measures to empower women and
strengthen their economic independence and to protect and promote the
full enjoyment of all rights and fundamental freedoms
- Condemn VAW and not invoke customs, traditions or practices in the name of religion or culture to avoid their obligations to eliminate such violence
- Intensify efforts to develop and/or utilize legislative, educational, social and other measures
aimed at the prevention of violence, including the dissemination of
information, legal literacy, campaigns and the training of legal,
judicial and health personnel.
They got a "call to action" site http://web.amnesty.org/actforwomen/actnow-index-eng
for signing petitions.
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Hugh Waller
Posts:29
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| 10/11/2007 7:56 PM |
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| Fantastic idea! I'll give it some more thought. |
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amy
Posts:4
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| 10/12/2007 9:42 AM |
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Women For Women International (www.womenforwomen.org) is an amazing organization. Their website explains what they do much better than I can do justice but I really encourage you to check it out. The provide direct assistance to women living on the edges of hope in war ravaged regions of the world. |
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David Fritsche, Founder
Posts:239
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| 10/13/2007 1:57 AM |
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| Wow ... great feedback...I's like to see soe more suggestios as I believe we all have something we care about deeply enough to be involved. |
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Amy Seagram
Posts:3
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| 10/14/2007 12:18 PM |
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Wow, I think this is a great idea! I already do some volunteer design work for a women's shelter and let me tell you, it's very worthwhile to know that you've helped in your own small way to do something really big. It's the ultimate in teamwork.
I think all of the ideas above are exceptional and I particularly like the one about providing online collateral for small businesses that signifies to "buy local". This departure from being self sufficient partially affects all of the other issues mentioned. Importing and exporting takes it's toll on the environment, loss of jobs locally attributes to alcholism, domestic and drug abuse and the loss of natural remedies has taken us away from ourselves in such a way that pharmaceutical companies dominate and prosper at the despair of those buying into it all looking for that quick fix.
As for overseeing and contributing to copywriting, I would love to help! I'm very passionate about all of the topics mentioned! |
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Constance Rose
Posts:10
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| 10/16/2007 8:55 PM |
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I love this idea. My goal for the next five years is to travel as much as possible, to find communities where my gifts and talents fit the needs, to roll up my sleeves and do what I can to make a difference.
Some of my clients are non-profit, and I am all for further supporting those:
Tibet Vision Project (tibetvisionproject.org, visioningtibet.com)
Dr. Marc Lieberman is my hero. For 9 years he went to Tibet on his own dime for two months of the year to teach doctors there how to cure cataracts. He now takes donations and is spending closer to 6 months of the year there. A documentary about his work is currently airing on PBS.
Jacob's Heart Children's Cancer Association (jacobshear.org)
Other non-profits I support as much as possible are:
National Resource Defense Council. These guys tirelessly lobby in Washington to protect the environment and endangered species.
Local Humane Societies. Our animals are so precious and bring so much joy.
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David Fritsche, Founder
Posts:239
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| 10/16/2007 9:07 PM |
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| Thanks Constance |
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Sue
Posts:6
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| 10/16/2007 9:17 PM |
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I just signed in and while looking over the site I find this thread. I am a photographer, but only part-time. I am an Environmental Scientist employed in an Air Quality program. My photography, while varied, focuses mainly on the environment (i.e., nature photography). When we protect our environment, we protect ourselves and it is a matter of sustainability, but also a matter of over population. In any case, I would be more than willing to support any effort concentrated on the environmental good, but I would really have to think about supporting Al Gore's stance on Global Warming.
We do have a pollution problem, not only in air quality but in hazardous waste management, solid waste (recycling), drinking water, waste water, natural resources, etc. In order to help solve an issue, one must get to the root cause of the problem or the problem will never be solved. The root cause of the problem is people - there are way too many of us. It is not a popular subject, and one that will not be addressed directly by politicians (Al Gore), but one that must be addressed or we are not going to make a difference. For me, if you do not want to address the root cause, you do not want to solve the problem. I would be more than willing to donate my time, if the cause is worth my time and not just window dressing.
I do support the idea of "buying local" and "hiring local" Local meaning American Citizens.
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harroyo
Posts:9
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| 10/17/2007 1:12 AM |
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Pardon the message. My wife read your post Sue and was concerned. We hate pollution in my country, but we do not hate peoples. Maybe you did not mean that, so pardon my thinking...but isn't this what China does by only allowing one baby? My cause may be the opposite of what my wife thought she heard in your words.
I am proud to hear of causes like "Save the Children" which helps with vaccines in poor countries. Something like tens of thousands die every day due to lack of vitamins and cheap medicines. I would say support this cause and maybe help them promote with creative ideas from the members of jamuse. |
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Sue
Posts:6
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| 10/17/2007 6:38 AM |
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Not the intent at all Harroyo. Actually I am the 5th child in a line of 10. What I am saying is this. The earth has limited space and we are filling it up. The earth has limited resources and some of those resources have been lost or on their eay to extinction. We need to remember that the fastest way to extinction is by overpopulation. Are you familiar with Easter Island?
Anyway, my point I am attempting to make, and probably doing a bad job of it, is we are living longer, technologies are taking over the jobs (self-check out at stores for instance). What future are we leaving our children? I have nothing against children, I have two myself and 6 grandchildren and in my photography, I do the "First Year" books for a lot of babies and that is so much fun, to watch them grow and learn. Yes it was China that limited everyone to one child. I think it had something to do with no more space to stand. It was necessary for the survival of China as a whole and that might have been because they did not have the import/export system in place, but was depending totally on China and they were out of resources. I will need to research that a bit more to be certain of the facts.
With this said, it is the children that is born with no hope, the senseless (at least to me) waste of life. I am speaking about the countries where hunger is rampant. They have a child die because they cannot feed it, then turn around and have another one they can not feed. Starving, I think would be an awful way to die and it goes beyond ignorance, to down right stupid. People on social programs is another. If you cannot support what you have, why have more? I would support something that would help in this cause. No one should be without food, but at the same time, I do not think we should continue to feed them on our dime and they do nothing to address the problem. We send food, they have more babies, we send more food. It is a cycle not a solution, it will never end.
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Director Fox
Posts:48
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| 10/17/2007 7:49 AM |
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I think this dialogue raises an important issue ... A lot of public-service causes are rather controversial!
Maybe a possible solution for this would be to have an area on Jamuse where users could nominate causes that they want to spearhead "pro bono" creative work for, and then other users could sign on to help, if they so desired. Sort of a "post a job, get a job" area, except that everyone would be working for free.
Come to think of it, a job posting area might be a nice addition to the site in general. Maybe have a "contract" and a "pro bono" section, where users and potential clients could post "help wanted" ads, and then let jamusers apply in response.
That keeps it more "web 2.0" as well, versus David and his team selecting a cause. |
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harroyo
Posts:9
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| 10/18/2007 2:05 AM |
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Sue,
I guess as Aex says we may really disagree. But, that doesn't mean we are not both right. Not trying to be polliticaly correct here, but you are concerned over pollution (it seems) and over-population is the cause you state. I am concerned for the loss of life that doesn't have to die, which in the short-term may contribute to your concern by saving lives. Very over-simplified of course. Not that I watch the show ( he says embarrassingly), but I was really touched by last season's American Idol episode where they raised money for Africa. It's too easy to say it's their problem and live sheltered in this country.
I too look for permanent solutions. The parable is teaching to fish, rather than supplying fish. These are the programs I try to support, and do a poor job of doing so.
Alex, I like your idea. It may work well in the Trade section (craig's list) area I heard mention on another post. However, I think this as a unified effort (in addition to your idea) can be more truly effective. May be a little grandious in vision, but that's what inspires us to greatness. Of course, not everyone will agre and thereby might not participate, but what if it were once a year on a difference cause and it were a big push to change public perception on a key issue like Global Warming or Polution, recycling, etc...
I have to think that the creative minds and talents here could work with the organizers of a cause and produce PR, Strategy, Ads and implementation that would rival anything madison avenue had to offer.
Alex, your earlier posts were right on... |
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Director Fox
Posts:48
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| 10/18/2007 8:51 AM |
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Hector,
Thanks for the kudos ... I like your idea of doing "a big push" for a specific cause, and I don't see any reason why that couldn't co-exist with a general "pro bono" job listing feature. I've seen other sites hold "poster contests" and the like ... Maybe that would be an approach for Jamuse? Let's say the theme is Domestic Violence (which has gotten a lot of discussion here) - the process could go something like this:
1) "End Domestic Violence Theme Contest" - Just like a "real" job (except gathering around a much large table), jamusers submit concepts (slogans, visual themes, etc.) on the concept of opposing domestic violence. Everybody interested in participating would vote for their favorite concept. Clearly, the most dynamic, interesting submissions would get the greatest response, which gives people an incentive to do good work.
2) Once a winning concept is selected, there could be a general discussion regarding the actual projects that would be produced. Perhaps a standard campaign would include a poster, a brochure, a billboard, a website, and a video piece. The Jam files would now come into play, as Jamusers start submitting concepts for feedback, and collaborating (imagine a photographer in Sydney contributing to a layout by a designer in Chicago - very exciting possibilities). I would imagine that the person who came up with the original concept would have final decision-making authority on content & creative, but maybe it's more anarchistic than that (particularly if, as you and I have both suggested in different forums, languages other than English are used in the materials).
3) On some pre-arranged deadline, the projects would be submitted for general viewing. Perhaps at this point there would some kind of prize for the most successful piece (as voted on by the jamusers), but I think that all the finished pieces should be used in the final campaign.
4) The final campaign brings up the points I raised above: namely, Need, Cooperation, Distribution. Assuming that there is a need for greater publicity surrounding domestic violence, we need to already have a dialogue opened with existing organizations to use and distribute the materials that jamusers have lovingly created.
Hector, based on your experience with a global firm, what do you think of this outline? And how do you think we could gain maximum exposure for this kind of pro bono work, without having to buy airtime, ad space, etc.? Also, you mention strategy and PR ... Those resources would be invaluable, but they aren't really represented on a creative site like this. How could we draft some of those folks into these efforts?
I'm excited about this idea, but the main issues I would be wary of are (1) having too many cooks in the kitchen, such that nothing gets done because nobody can agree on how to do it, and (2) doing great work, and having no effective (i.e. more than just showing it on a website) way to implement it.
From your perspective, what would be the best way to approach the distribution |
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n/er/g communications
Posts:24
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| 10/19/2007 10:30 PM |
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Oy. I'm sucked in tonight and can't seem to step away from jamuse. In any event here are my thoughts on this.
There have been some great thoughts, point of views, and organizations mentioned in this thread. Unfortunately, where the diversity of jamuse is great in some instances, this one i think could become overwhelmed and complicated by it.
I think the idea of having a "give back" section is wonderful. I also think allowing jamusers to spearhead their own initiatives, while allowing others with the same interest to join, is the best and only way to go. People volunteer and donate to charities for their own personal reasons. And It would be impossible for jamuse to satisfy those reasons by selecting a list of causes to support. Plus, i also think it would put jamuse in a tricky, potentially controversial, position.
The more impartial the brand can stay, the better.
In my opinion, by jamuse simply caring enough to dedicate a section of the site to enable this type of collaboration, is more than enough in my book.
-A |
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David Fritsche, Founder
Posts:239
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| 10/28/2007 8:21 PM |
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Thanks for all the suggestions. We are dedicating some more effort to this topic behind the scenes. We'll be releasing a new section of the site designed to handle several areas. One of them is the ability for a charity to post a need and the ability for the creative talent to post their availability for a need. Very much what we heard a couple of you mention above.
We also want to consider something that can bring others together. I agree on the impartiality comments above. Kind of like a politician is the most popular until he opens his mount and makes a stand. However, I am sure we all can see that ultimately we want all the people and companies we support to take a stand for something...even if I disagree, I respect them. A friend over at P&G works on this in his speaches about this about every week. They treat corporate responsibility as one of the most important things their brands can do. From a marketing sense, it builds loyalty to the brand....may alienate a few. Does Tide really care about recycling...not sure, but because they are aware, use recycled materials, I'll pay attention...does their soap pollute otherwise, probably...so some may be just a feel good. However, the fact that they seem to care is probably a good sign that their customers support...and hopefully makes a difference.
Not ready to make an announcement for a cause yet, but we are working directly with some priciples to see where this might go. I hope you'll take a look at the right time.
David |
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mikeledray
Posts:5
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| 11/04/2007 1:19 PM |
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global warming caused by mankind is a myth
al gore lied
dont drink the koolaid
the earth goes through changes all by its self from global cooling to warming and back
remember the 70's?
global cooling the next ice age was the big thing everyone was worried about
funny how nobody seems to remember until the either are reminded or actuially look up history
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joshranwest
Posts:7
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| 11/05/2007 10:21 PM |
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This is a great idea! I have a few causes to support:
-lupus foundation (friends have it, and its not a widely talked about subject with the media)
-global warming is very real, and something needs to be done NOW not tomorrow, thanks to Al Gore its been noticed
-autism speaks foundation
-save the music foundation
Thanks! |
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