Resolution Revolution

New Year – New You! This is how January is known to publishers and motivational speakers worldwide. Bookshops are lined with self help – new start tomes which Oliver Burkeman points out requires us to perform ‘impossible psychological acrobatics: somehow you’d have to change everything about yourself while simultaneously being the self who is directing the changes’

It’s tempting to give up with such a seemingly impossible task.  Start small – give blood, sign up for a sponsored swim/race/cycle or more at www.resolution-revolution.org.uk. Thank you.

http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2012/12/16/oliver-burkeman-on-failed-new-year-s-resolutions.html

Movember is over – congratulations if you took part – last year over 854,000 Mo Bros and Mo Sistas around the world got on board, raising £79.3 million. That just leaves 6,972,928,433 of us (me included) that didn’t get involved. OK there are lots of children that would have struggled to grow a tash, but given that 80% 0f 80 years olds have prostate cancer – most of us (in the West) will either get it or love someone who does. So how do we inspire people to step out of their comfort zone and get involved and do something for others?
Latest research from Third Sector Research Centre, suggests that the rates of formal volunteering has declined during the recession, from 43% of people volunteering once a year in 2007/08 to 39% of people in 2010/11. The reasons for this fall are not yet clear but as the figures have been increasing between 2001 and 2005, it appears that the recession (and its aftermath) is likely to be a significant driver of this trend.
Undoubtedly many are having to work longer hours and others will be spending time looking for more work…but given that volunteering is a chance to get involved in things that we care about, learn new skills, meet new people and doesn’t cost anything but time and energy I’m not convinced that the recession is the only issue. I’m looking for  answers, on an email please, joanne@humanism.org.uk. Look forward to hearing from you.

Yes for a few weeks this summer I wore that quick dry uniform and had a fantastic time at the olympics as a volunteer. It’s easy to be cynical about the whole big society idea but the alternative, where the state is responsible for everything, appears to have some draw backs too. Jo Fidgen’s report on Sweden explains the paradox in the relationship between citizen and state and Professor Lars Trägårdh’s Theory of Love where individuals pay the state to free themselves from any responsibility to society and the most popular neighbour in a recent survey was ‘someone I won’t notice’.

Staying on the sofa and complaining about what’s missing is always an option, accepting higher tax rates (45% in Sweden / 35% in UK of GDP) to pay for services another way to address today’s challenges. Fortunately getting involved in the things that matter to us, putting our hand up and contributing how and where we can, seems to be rather fashionable right now and was certainly one of the highlights of my year.

The first step is often the hardest and I really recommend choosing something you feel strongly about, there are lots of idea here. This is not about money – it doesn’t cost anything to donate blood and expenses are often paid if you’re volunteering at an organisation. Training is available if you want to coach football or become an advisor at the Citizens Advice Bureau, for example, and getting involved with people outside my ‘bubble’ was a fantastic experience. I’m looking forward to repeating it next year…not sure about another uniform – purple is so 2012.

Sara Passmore and I were delighted to have the chance to attend the ACT conference and meet Citizenship teachers from across the country and discuss the BHA materials, schools visit scheme and Resolution Revolution. We are always keen to attend events around the teaching of citizenship, phse and religion and grateful for any suggestions.

We’re working on the update for 2012/3 using the feedback we received – any further comments and suggestions please get in touch.

All the best

Joanne

We’ve had some great feedback from teachers who have run Resolution Revolution in classrooms. This is vital to make sure that the material works for students and staff and we’d love comments from everyone who took part (and know we can learn more from what didn’t work so well – please don’t be shy!). All you comments will help ensure that next years materials are the best they can be.

As Leon Choueke, Deputy Head of Coleridge Primary School in Haringey, commented: ‘I think that getting children actively involved in improving their own community is a vital and essential aspect of education especially in a society which is rapidly evolving and changing. Children need to learn skills in effective communication and how their actions can positively enhance the lives of their peers family and friends. Resolution Revolution provides these opportunities.’

Simply send in the form, you can download another copy here and we’ll send you a Marks and Spencer voucher for a meal for two.

Don’t forget there are also Remarkable Pencils (made from UK recycled CD cases)  going out to children who complete their resolutions –  send us a copy of the pledge sheet and we’ll be in touch to arrange delivery.

Look forward to hearing from you.

All the best

Joanne

Joanne@humanism.org.uk

Lots of people have already decided to join Resolution Revolution and made a resolution to do their bit for someone else in 2012. So make the most of 2012 and get involved and do something for others this year.

As his Resolution Revolution for 2011 Simon Singh, maths and science journalist and author, donated a couple of pints of blood and comedian Al Murray pledged to help his daughter with her piano practice. It doesn’t matter what you do – all that matters is that you do something! Resolutions on the site so far this year have included mentoring young people, signing up for the Anthony Nolan Trust and staging a children’s pantomime. What are you going to do?

‘A great social action initiative which anyone can take part in. The more people that get involved, even in a very small way, the bigger the impact will be.’ commented philosopher, former doctor and distinguished supporter of Humanism Professor Raymond Tallis

Research shows that resolutions can be hard to keep which is why there are lots of tips and ideas on this site as well as a space to make your pledge public and a reminders system you can sign up for to help you stay on track.

There is also a free to download pack for schools wanting to join the initiative and run the project with classes www.humanism.org.uk/resolution-revolution.

Blue Monday, 23rd January, is fast approaching and according to the experts including Professor Emeritus Lord Layard, from the Centre for Economic Performance, London School of Economics, speaking in support of the initiative ‘There is compelling evidence that people who do more for others also feel better themselves’.

What on earth are you going to do?

All the best – Joanne

A few years ago – bah humbugging about the way Christmas had become one long shopping expedition I came up with an idea – Resolution Revolution – making a New Year resolution to do something for someone else. This idea has taken me to many unexpected and exciting places over the years until sitting in a conference on Leadership and Governance in Africa I was challenged by a young woman from Sudan who suggested that my efforts would be better spent closer to home – ouch!

I approached the British Humanist Association to see if they would be interested in the idea and it fitted so well with the principles of Humanism that Andrew Copson, the chief executive of the BHA, bravely said yes.

Last year we piloted a website where people could get ideas and sign up for reminders to help them keep on track with their resolution and had some fantastic feedback. We also piloted the scheme in schools with a pack that was very well received with a year head in a religious school commenting “An upbeat project designed to get children thinking about helping others, without the religious baggage.”

Many thanks for all the feedback we received. Working with a team of mainly volunteers we have improved the website thanks to Gary Pooley and Andrew West, updated the schools materials thanks to Jane Leggett and Sara Passmore and thanks to David Mann for all the design help.

Please let us know what you think and how you get on with your resolutions.

All the best

Joanne
@resrev2012

Welcome to Resolution Revolution – for us it’s been quite a journey! Having piloted ResRev last year and got some fantastic feedback we’ve used it all to improve the workings of the website (thanks to Gary and Andrew), expanded the ideas section and made some tweaks here and there – we hope you like it and are looking forward to seeing it in action.

Details of the pack for schools has gone out to all primary schools in the UK and PGCE course lecturers – please tell all the teachers you know about the project, and free packs can be downloaded here: www.humanism.org.uk/resolution-revolution. The feedback from the pilot was really positive, the materials have been developed by a very experienced educationalist and there’s even a Marks and Spencers voucher for the first 50 teachers to return their completed feedback forms – which could be handy in January!

If you are a returnee – please let us know how you got on with your resolution this year and if you’re new to the site – let us know what you think, let your friends know what you’re up to and how you get on. You can add resolution photos to the Resolution Revolution Facebook page or send us a tweet and let us know how it’s going @ResRev2012.

I’ll leave you humming the opening line from the Beatles Revolution ‘You say you want a revolution – Well you know – We’d all want to change the world’ . This year you can – make a Resolution and join the Revolution.

All the best
Joanne@humanism.org.uk