Let's Get Physical

A few weeks ago, I got a piece of mail from the Green Party of Ontario. I have been on their mailing list for a few years and this was the first time I stopped and acted based on what was being asked of me. It was simple and something that probably happened a lot many decades ago.

There were two pieces of paper in the mailing:

1) A typical two page folding letter with colour photos, this time all about Bill 5, and how the Ontario Greens are fighting back, signed by the Director of Development.

2) A one page petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario with several ‘whereas’ clauses about the petition and space for 11 people to sign including their name, address, phone and email.

A real and specific ask to get those few who are willing to participate to enlist the help of their friends and neighbours in a small way.

I know it seems so simple, but this felt like such a genius move in our digital world. So many people care about important social causes privately. There is a general unwillingness to talk about what we care about if others might disagree.

We in the non-profit space don’t always see this because we surround ourselves with other advocates, petitioners, and those vocal for change. But in general society, a few can’t stop talking about their beliefs online, and the vast majority live in this place where sharing creates discomfort. When asking about this discomfort, some people mention being ‘burned before’ when sharing beliefs online so they don’t anymore, others want to ‘stay out of it because I don’t have enough knowledge’, others just want to live their lives privately. I believe, but I’m scared of defending myself. I can understand this, the world can be scary, and it’s very scary online.

This Ontario Green petition changes the game by creating a low-barrier space for people to start a conversation with others around them. They can share what they learned in the letter, direct people to learn more, and have a genuine connection with someone about real things happening in their area. It’s not online, it’s just genuine conversation - no one lurking in the digital shadows to take them down.

The second thing the petition does is help increase the reach that the Greens have in Ontario by getting those who are already committed to reach others who likely share the same beliefs. Supporters are probably not likely to ask someone who is pro Ford to sign this particular petition, but they could ask those who aren’t themselves part of the Greens, who the Greens couldn’t otherwise reach. The petition also gives the Greens names and addresses of these new people to increase their ongoing interactions with these petition signers.

It also actually helps get numbers to sign the petition to create the change they’re looking for. Huzzah!

Finally, once you are connected in a slightly different way to a cause or an organization, you are likely to get more deeply connected to them. Connection begets connection. The people who take the time to talk to their friends and neighbours, to fill in the form, and finally, to send it back, are probably the best targets for ongoing volunteerism, which political organizations depend on. A self-selection tool.

That’s A LOT of benefit from one simple petition form.

In my research, talking with real people from all walks of life about all things charity, what has become so clear is that people of all ages and backgrounds want real, in person ways to connect. It’s not necessarily the big annual gala, but more, day-to-day, easy actions that just require getting outside of the house and interacting with people in the flesh. Everyone is sick of looking at their screens (even the ones who can’t bear to separate themselves from it - they still want to).

In my little world, parents get the most clear and obvious reminders. Our days often involve children asking for a screen, asking to see something on your screen, asking parents what their doing on their phone, or my favourite - telling parents ‘no phones’.

Canadian polite society generally means you don’t interrupt another adult on their phone - the makings of a lonely society. Luckily for me, I have little kids who make it very apparent if I’m on my phone in their presence. I try not to be. I try to explain why I’m using it if I’m using it - “I just need to send one quick response to a client’ ‘what’s a client?’ ‘I’ll be two minutes’ ‘It was two minutes five minutes ago’. It makes for an easy reminder that we need not be glued to these things.

Organizations that are helping us get away from the screens are going to be rewarded. Those organizations can make us feel like our old selves again - those selves who talk to strangers, who feel comfortable talking about what we believe in, who enjoy discussing, sharing and debating with others in real conversations. And who bring up little kids who aren’t glued to a device, who care about things and communicate with friends and neighbours In Real Life.

Thank you Green Party of Ontario, for reminding me that simplicity is often the way to go, and that real life is where all need to be.