Causes

Think about the causes of success and failure for particular movements. What causes some to become widely appealing and have major impacts on change? What causes others (regardless of the validity of their concerns) to simply wither away in the dustbin of history? Can you think of some that have evolved into stable organizations without much impact on social change? Can you identify others that have become stable enterprises of sorts, constantly selling T-shirts and other emblems without doing much?

Sara Soule who is a the Morgridge Professor of Organizational Behavior at Standford University believes that, “Movements have their greatest effect in the early stages of policy making, when an issue is first being considered by legislators and an agenda is being set. Her work shows that women, ethnic minorities, gays and lesbians, and environmentalists have been able to have a greater impact on what legislators do at the outset of policy making, around the time that bills are being introduced” (Kunz, 2012). This is interesting because one would think throughout the entire process that the point would be best noticed over a period of time but what she is stating is that when people first start to get out their plight for whatever their cause people will notice such as legislators or people who can help pass the bill will be for it in the beginning.

For example, “When an issue first appears on legislators' radar, activists may be able to convince them to introduce bills sympathetic to their cause because lawmakers feel that they have little to lose” (Kunz, 2012). Since the cause is new to that lawmaker and probably to others who are being influenced by those who are a part of the movement it is a relatively safe time to show support for a new cause. It is later down the road when, “As movements evolve, so do their tactics. As time passes, they tend to adopt more radical forms of protest that produce vocal critics and may even prompt a counter-movement against their cause. At that stage, legislators, fearful of alienating voters, may get cold feet because they do not want to jeopardize re-election. The bill may die or be watered down” (Kunz, 2012). So this is one of the reasons why we hear about “things” and then after awhile the loss of support may have fizzled because of the movement moving in a different direction than was expected.

The causes that I am most familiar with have to do with cycling charity events to raise money for research for cancer and MS. I have volunteer for many organizations such as Breathe NH, National Multiple Sclerosis Society and Timberland raises money for Mass General to help with research and treatments for kids who have cancer. I love cycling and I usually help out with registration, rest stop duty or being in charge of massage therapists and we always get a new t-shirt with a special design on it that is promoting the cause. It is exciting to be around people who like to cycle and it is a fun way to spend time for a great cause. Sometimes it is hard to get volunteers for these events for one reason or another and I have decided to just do three cycling events this year just because of other commitments.

I would like an Obama bumper sticker but I do not know where to get one, I think people who slam other parties are just being jerks. I think a sticker with someone’s name and logo are a great way to gain support for a cause or a candidate.

My uncle sent me the link to click and support animals and if you would like to click on the purple link (you can get a daily email) or just click once. You will be able to help donate food for animals in need. Has anybody heard of this website?

http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=3&link=ctg_ars_home_from_ars_thankyou_leftnav_logo

Kunz, M. (2012, February 2). [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://www.gsb.stanford.edu/news/bmag/sbsm0909/kn-effective-social-movements.html