Are Commemorative Days more than just symbolic?

I did a talk on Women's Day in August this year, it was supposed to be uplifting and inspirational, telling my personal and business journey and tying it into what we do at forgood.

I walked away feeling that I didn't inspire many, because I ended up lamenting days like Mandela Day and Women’s Day. I said I felt these days were a farse; an advertising campaign for the likes of government to highlight what they are doing… oh, and then throw in a public holiday. Safe to say, it didn't go down too well, but I hope my message was received.

There are alot of things wrong with our social sector in South Africa (my "thesis" on this will be published one day) but in my opinion the number one factor is "Giving is ALWAYS well intentioned, but 9/10 times it is misaligned".

I don't think Corporates OR individuals greenwash on purpose, I just think with that the pressure that government and corporates are under, NPAT is the number one driver. Which is good, we need profitable big corporates and they play a huge role in fixing the social ills of our country. They pick up the pieces that government can’t.

Now, don't get me wrong, ALOT of Corporates (I see this first hand with our Corporate partners and individuals ARE getting it right, however I do feel not only Corporates but individuals themselves should lead with a little more intention and understanding of what it means to truly make a difference.

I am in the fortunate position of having sight of both sides, the NGOs that need all the help they can possibly get, and the individuals that have the skills and means to do good.

My mantra to anyone that says "Where do I even start? Surely my small donation, or helping the Cause with their marketing strategy, won't stop poverty or even dent it?” And it won't. That’s the truth. But imagine if everyone thought this way? That’s why it’s a collective project, millions of people doing small acts of kindness - now that will make a certain dent. Look at the Gates Foundation, they know they can't eradicate poverty, but imagine if they thought "oh well, we can't eradicate poverty/aids so we aren't even going to try". That would be catastrophic to the social sector, especially the NGOs and beneficiaries that rely 100% on the foundation.

So I have to ask myself why I have a personal bias against days that are celebrated or commemorated. I suppose that I want people to do more, do more than 67 minutes, do more than making 67 sandwiches. But then, the question begs, if 67 people received a sandwich and it was their only meal in a day, surely that is still impact? And it is!

I think where my issue lies is that I want people to think with their proverbial social caps, every.single.day. And that’s not doable or practical. It’s just not.

But giving, is always well intentioned, and it always makes you feel good right? So… I suppose the solution is, that even though people are “only” doing the 67 minutes, perhaps they have the best giving experience, and give again. And again…. The ripple effect!

So, in a nutshell, I need to change my narrative on these days and lead with practical ideas. Not everyone has the luxury of acting like a social citizen every day (I don’t and I am in the industry). So, I need to make a promise to myself… use, these commemorative days such as Mandela Month and Woman’s Day and 16 Days of Activism to women and children, to my advantage. To piggyback off the big marketing campaigns, and try and inspire people to do more, while not making people feel bad for enjoying and celebrating these days.

Here are a couple of tips and strategies that can help you be a better volunteer.

For Individuals:
1. Ask the beneficiary / Cause if this is something they would need/make use of.
2. Ask yourself: is this volunteering offering dignity to the end beneficiary?
3. Consumer education: Research products and companies before making purchases. Look for independent certifications or standards.
4. Ask Questions: Reach out to companies to ask for details about their social impact claims. How is the product made? What materials are used? What are the environmental impacts?
5. Products: Read Labels Carefully: Look for specific information about a product’s environmental impact rather than relying solely on marketing slogans or terms like "natural" or "eco-friendly."
6. Share Information: Discuss potential greenwashing practices with others and share resources to increase awareness.

For Businesses:
1. Be Transparent: Provide clear, honest, and accurate information about the impact of your products and services. Avoid ambiguous or vague language.
2. Follow Certifications: Obtain and adhere to reputable third-party certifications and standards to validate claims. (like forgood :-))
3. Educate Employees: Ensure all employees know the company's initiatives and commitments and are trained to provide accurate information.