Normal Green: Have a Cause?

I've recently returned from Houston where I spent three days attending the Mom 2.0 Summit, a gathering of marketers and (mostly) mom bloggers. Having been to many blogging conferences over the years, I have to say, this was one of the best for several reasons. One, it felt intimate. With around 300 or so attendees total, it was easier to connect and network with people. Two, the sessions were conversations rather than presentations. PowerPoint decks were scarce, and instead, there was ample time for Q and A, and sharing. Lastly, many of the sponsors were companies known for their green practices like Laundry Tree and Malcolm's Miracle, or for supporting worthy causes like YouData which highlighted its partnership with the Pink Ribbons Project. Any which way you sliced it, this conference was different.

I was particularly inspired when blogger Catherine Connors stood up and told the group that as bloggers, we should be using our platforms for good. We have an audience that trusts us, so why not? Catherine, a true force of nature, runs BlogHers Act Canada in addition to running her successful blogging empire and raising her two young children. She has never shied away from highlighting the causes she feels passionate about. Catherine told us that she felt it was our duty as bloggers to use our blogs to raise our readers' awareness about the causes we believed in. And I wholeheartedly agree.

But what if you don't blog? That's okay. Think about your own personal platform. How deep is your circle of friends? If you planned a party and asked attendees to donate to a worthy cause, would they still come? Are you on the PTA or PTO at your child's school? Could you organize a food or clothing drive or a school clean-up day? Have you been sitting back at church not wanting to get involved? How about starting a social justice committee or a green council? Do you volunteer at the library? Could you recommend books that highlight women's voices from around the world or kids’ books about global warming? Can you email one legislator? Could you ask one friend to sign a petition? Can you Twitter a link to a news article? Can you buy your birthday or holiday gifts at a shop that also supports a worthy cause?

It doesn't have to be a huge effort but we all have a platform and we all can do something. What is your platform, and what will you do with it?