Tag: 12 for 12000 in 2009

: Image by M.Omair (Closing, Recovery / Bad Debts, Year End) via Flickr

There’s always an air of expectancy whenever a year end hovers into view. Mistakes that were made in the year just gone can be learned from and improved upon; things that haven’t been done that you wanted to do can be reworked for the year ahead; and new opportunities await in the months to come.

Yet 2009 promises to be a year that could stand apart from many others, both personally and for the world at large.

After the economic despondency of the last few months of 2008 and the numerous misguided decisions that saw the people of our planet grow further apart over the last eight years, next year offers a landmark opportunity for change.

The United States (and, by that token, the rest of the world) sees a new dawn in history and the potential for inspiration when the new President steps into power in January. No matter which political affinity you might have, I think it’s fair to say that Barack Obama has the opportunity to make right all the wrongs the current administration got so very wrong during their tenure. Let’s hope and pray he can and does.

2009 also offers the chance for common sense and redemption for all that’s wrong with corporate greed and mismanagement. The fall of large financial institutions and the need for restructuring in the auto-industry that was the business story of 2008 shouldn’t be ignored. If ever there was a time for CEO’s to take stock and re-evaluate how they do business and treat their employees and shareholders, next year is their chance.

Yet perhaps more than anything, 2009 offers a chance to change the world around us personally. Wherever we are, whatever we’re doing, if there’s something that can be done to improve both our own fortunes and those around us, we should grab it. There’s a groundswell of personal belief that I see all around me.

Social media continues to open up new areas and teaches us that greatness and bettering ourselves and our fellow man is infinitely preferable to selfish needs.

On a personal level, I aim to take these teachings and make lives better if I can. As you might be aware, one way I’m doing this is with the 12for12k Challenge and already I’m touched by the outpouring of well-wishes and support for the project. It’s still early days but I have high hopes for making a difference over the next 12 months.

The title of this post is actually derived from a statement Chris Brogan made on Twitter late last night. In it, he mentioned that he was thinking hard about what his three words would be for next year. Picking just three words that would be the guiding principles that shape his decisions and actions in 2009. So the title of this post is my response (although my original one was slightly different).

Every day next year can be a journey into greatness, for everyone. I’d love to meet you along the way.

: Image by krystynana via Flickr

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the world around me, around us. When the economy is so bad and much of the future is uncertain, it’s easy to forget that as bad as we have it, there will always be someone worse off. Illness; poverty; hunger; abuse; these and more happen every day to people breathing the same air as us. Which is why I’m setting up the 12 for 12,000 Challenge in 2009.

There have been many examples of how social media can help charitable causes, and I’m hoping that that same power can make a difference in so many lives. The best part – it will take very little effort from you.

You’ll notice that I’ve called this the 12 for 12,000 Challenge in 2009, and with good reason. They’re easy numbers to remember, and with a little bit of luck and goodwill they’ll also be the numbers we meet in this challenge. So, how does it work?

In 2009, I will offer 12 different charities to support, one for each month of the year.

Everyone that signs up for the challenge donates $10 to the chosen charity.

Our aim: to involve 1200 people minimum (if there are more, even better).

If we reach our target number of 1200 people, and we each donate $10, that’s a figure of $12,000 to every single charity each month in 2009. You can imagine the difference this will make to these charities and the people they help.

The beauty of this challenge is that the decision is entirely down to you and how you participate. If you feel that a particular charity doesn’t fit you, simple – don’t donate that month. (If you wish to donate double to a preferred featured charity, that’s entirely up to you again).

I know that looking at the figures, it’s a high amount to aim for – raising $144,000 in the space of 12 months for 12 different charities. But is it really that difficult if we put social media to its most effective use? I think it’s doable.

For instance, if all the people or brands that followed me on Twitter donated $10 each month, that would be over $16,000 every month and almost $200,000 by the end of the year. That’s just one person. Imagine if we could encourage our followers to join us, as well as ask the help of some of the big guys on Twitter that have several thousand followers? Just one or two extra people each could make all the difference.

I’m currently in talks with various charities to arrange promotion as well as direct sponsorship and donation options. You can view some of the charities that might be chosen here. There’s still some groundwork to be done but I wanted to start the ball rolling now and see who’s interested in supporting this challenge.

If you’re interested, or you wish to suggest a charity, please feel free to leave your details in the comments section, or simply email me and put “Charity Project” in the header. I want to make this work, and I feel that if we have a collection of charities that everyone feels affinity to, we’ll raise even more money.

It’s a tough world, and it often gets a bad reputation as an uncaring one. Help me make it better. It won’t take much, but it will mean a lot. Are you with me?

Update. You can now join the 12 for 12,000 Challenge Facebook Group. Look forward to seeing you there. Additionally, if you are on Twitter, we will be using #12for12k to identify specific Challenge messages. Thanks guys!