1. my first choice for a senior project would be to host an event called Swap-o-rama-rama which basically entails that entrants bring 1 bag of clothes and up to $10 if a fee is necessary- they are then allowed to lay theirs out on tables and 'shop' through other people's things. The point is to encourage people the value of reuse. As well, there would be booths set up where volunteers would do small demos- ie- easy hemming, trimming- and adornment to allow the participants to leave with one of a kind items- a tag could be stitched in afterwards that states "made by me".
----- it is also a community building exercise in that - no mirrors are allowed-encouraging interactions - along with the small group lessons- the Swap-o-rama-rama event is an existing program, held nationwide, allowing hosts the use of the creative commons license, as long as no items are actually sold within.
2. this is a bit further out in that there is no existing model exactly- But another event idea I had was to hold a sponsored tricycle race for local families with small children as a fundraiser for sending bicycles to the women of the Democratic Republic of Congo. there are several organizations that are taking donations of approximately $180 per bike, and sending them to places where they are very much needed- So in this case each child entrant would be 'sponsored' as much as the family could raise- because they would represent one bicycle to be donated--- because $180 is alot to ask, the event would be a mini- field day type thing with a bake/craft sale - with games and things to draw people-- to the main focus------ The big toddler race
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Hey Christina,
ReplyDeleteHave you ever read No Impact Man's blog? I've been following it for a while now. His name is Colin Beavan and (along with his family) he tried to live without making an impact on the environment for a year...in Manhattan. His blog is pretty funny, and it has some creative ideas. I think you would especially like his blog entries about his daughter isabella. He really tries to incorporate his daughter into his environmental philosophy of life. Hope it interests you!
noimpactman.typepad.com
-Charlie
P.S If the Swap-o-rama idea doesn't work out you might think about hosting a carbon-cleanse program for a week, like this one
noimpactman.typepad.com/blog/2010/01/try-living-no-impact-for-a-week.html
Hi Christina,
ReplyDeleteI host the Swap-O-Rama-Rama in Chicago. They are VERY fun and would be an excellent senior project! I'm not sure where you are based, but I'd be happy to have you out to ours in March so you can see what the event can be like. In addition to the clothing swap, we have live music, fashion shows, film screenings and workshops! It can be as big or as intimate as you'd like.
The Chicago SORR really emphasises crafting, teaching and empowering the participants as makers. I've heard about SORR's in other cities that focus more on the "green" aspect of the event, others put a lot of emphasis on the anti-consumerism message, others community building, and for some they focus almost completely on the clothes.
The great thing about the event is it has a possitive impact on the world in many ways - no mater what your original motivation for organizing it! :-)
If you want to talk to an organizer, I'm happy to offer my help in any way or Wendy, the SORR founder, is an amazing resource and very approachable.
Craft-fully Yours,
Katie Hawkey Swindler
http://swap-IL.com