An inspiring post by Cam on The Age “Startup Stories” blog:
Here’s something I really believe – the human race needs all hands on deck right now. Take a look around you at the politicians and corporate leaders and ask yourself these questions: “Are these the best people to be running things? Do you feel comfortable with the knowledge that the future of the human race, of all life on this planet, is in their hands?”
We need you to get off the bench. Stop waiting for someone to tap you on the shoulder and tell you that it is your time. It isn’t going to happen. You need to get off the bench and start using your time, your intelligence, your energy, your ideas, to make the world a better place.
I have this motto – if you have the ability to make the world a better place, and you choose not to use that ability, then you aren’t much better than the people who are deliberately messing the place up.
Okay, I know it isn’t the most succinct of mottoes, but hey, it’s my first one. I’ll get better as I go along.
I can’t say I’m going to go quit my job (not even for six months), but it does remind me of why I do the extra-curricular stuff I do, and why I’m always on the lookout to learn new things and try and make a difference.
4 replies on “All hands on deck”
On ya, Daniel. Trouble is with me, I have always been like that but in less than a fortnight, I will be on the pension. Had never intended to retire but the bodily ailments have brought it about. But that’s why I love the blogosphere. I can experiment with the idea that the pen (or keyboard) is mightier than the sword (or AK47) and try, sitting down, to draw people’s attention to injustices on the one hand and beautiful and traditional things on the other. I can also be in touch with people like you. I follow the Public Transport Users Group with interest but do not have the wherewithal to be a committed member. But I’ve had my day and did quite a bit of interesting stuff in various parts of the nation – and the baton is passed on to the next generation. The next generation will sort out what is important to it – and more often than not it is the stuff my generation and my parents’ generation believed in too. I think your generation does things differently and organise yourselves differently – and that is not always clear to the generations preceding you. But this does not mean you don’t get things done which are of great value. So I do appreciate this post – and more power to your arm, Daniel.
Postscript: Do you have an address for the Grey Panthers?
Please come to Melbourne’s Online Digital Media (MODM). We want people like you to come, who do make a difference. http://www.modm.info
While emerging issues, such as climate change, do appear to be rallying a number of newly active community groups, the general rate of volunteerism still seems to be declining.
A number of community groups, ranging from Chambers of Commerce to local non-profit organisations, all appear to be struggling to recruit active members placing an increasing burden on the same few.
While a lack of time is often cited as the reasons behind people choosing not to volunteer in external activites it must be remembered that the more people that do become involved the easier is to distribute a growing workload.
A strong community, reinforced through active participation, will lead to increased accountability and ultimately better decisions.
Alex