I'm a big fan of Ted talks. The variety, the view points, the range of subjects, the expertise - all fascinating and thought provoking. I stumbled across this one over the summer, The myth of average by Todd Rose.
If you have 18 minutes to spare, do give it a view - because it was fascinating both in relation to how the US Air Force approached fighter plane design in 1952 or how the structure of the education system is often failing the brightest and most talented students in the US education system. But, at the heart of it, the point was that thinking differently can nurture and harness potential - and that is by not designing for the average. As I listened, it struck me that average is everywhere and decisions are made about it and because of it everyday, including in the not for profit sector. So, the next time you use the term - the average supporter is...., have a think about what that means and also what it doesn't mean for the information you have and the judgement you make. I am not saying on the basis of one very bright man talking about averages that it hasn't got value - but it was a great reminder that we can generalise because of it - and that could be to the detriment of what we do and what we decide to do next for the programmes we lead, the investment choices we make and for the experience of those that support and engage with our cause. Thanks as ever for stopping by.
Now, I know the title of this post could sound a bit like a (poor) legacy campaign message - but actually it's not. It is essentially the key message of an organisation that I stumbled across this morning called stuff your rucksack. And I have to say I was really taken with it.
Basically it is a small charity offering a meaningful role for people who love to travel and who care about the countries, communities and people they meet.
As someone who works for ActionAid who often has the privilege to visit communities in the countries where we work overseas - I have frequently known that feeling of wanting to make a tangible difference there and then - and often, as the work of ActionAid demonstrates, it can be the simplest thing that can make the most difference.
What really stands out for me though is the fact that stuff your rucksack is giving people an opportunity to support projects and work as part of their own life plans, not an add-on or an interruption. It is offering something that can be integrated as part of the planning and thus someone's actual travel journey. With the benefits for everyone involved being profound and lasting far beyond the duration of the trip.
Obviously this is the raison d'etre for this organisation - but I think it is what every charity should be striving for.As the site states, 'One day I want people to say: ‘Have I got my visa? Have I got my passport? Have I checked the Stuff Your Rucksack site?'
Now, that is a supporter journey I do like the sound of.
