| |
 |
|
The Joy of Activism!
MAU offers a new breed of activism, one that is positive, exuberant and accessible.
MAU offers many ways to get involved; from the quick and easy actions (taking less time than it takes to boil an egg), to giving you the tools to host a street party raising awareness of children's issues, to visiting your MP!
|
FIND YOUR INNER GRIZZLY: PLAY movie>
For more viewing options see below (*)
|
|
For everything you need to WHISPER, SING, YELL & DECLARE your voice to the world, visit the links at top right.
Join MAU NOW!
Taking action for the first time seems scary, until you realize you're already taking action! Every time you make a personal choice, you are broadcasting your values, from where you spend your money, what information you listen to, how you use your resources and what you do with your time. EVERYONE can hear you — from international corporations to local politicians, to neighbours to your children.
Don't be SHY! Get informed, learn the FACTS and ensure your choices and actions are faithful to your values. Here's how to get started:
1. JOIN MAU
Join this mother-fed, mother-led movement TODAY! When you Join MAU you'll receive inspiring newsletters including ideas for action in your own community. You will also be joining your voice to an international network of MAUs from first time activists, seasoned activists, new mums, mature mums to raging grandmums in Australia. Above all else, you’ll receive a cheerleading squad and all the support you may need to become a Mother Leader on behalf of the world’s children.
2. GIRLCOTT
(The opposite of a boycott: supporting businesses whose practices are aligned with your values!)
Vote with your every Pound, Penny and Euro: celebrate your ability to create change by investing your money in products, services, non-profits and mutual funds that reflect your values. Never underestimate the power of money (and market forces) to create change!!!
3. HOST A MOTHER'S DAY PARTY
The MAU Mother's Day events range from educational picnics to extravagant parades, all celebrating the desire and ability of mothers* to protect the world's children. After the U.S. civil war, Julia Ward Howe, mother and suffragette, wrote her famed Mother's Day Proclamation, urging women to unite to protect the lives of children. She said one question burned in her heart, "Why do not the mothers of mankind interfere in these matters to prevent the waste of human life of which they alone bear and know the cost?"
Read the full proclamation here: Mother's Day Proclamation
When the founders of MAU read Julia's proclamation, it blew their skirts up and the MAU Mother's Day events were launched. From the first stilt walking parade in Boulder, Colorado, USA in 2002, parades and other costumed silliness abounded across the States into Alaska, Canada and now overseas. They're contagious because they're SO MUCH FUN!!! Hosting a Mother's Day party or another exuberant public event is an irresistible way to inspire collective action, raise awareness of important issues and inspire the future leaders of our world — our children.
Find out more here
4. EDUCATE YOURSELF AND OTHERS ON THE MDG's
World leaders have adopted a plan — the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) — which if adequately funded, will halve extreme poverty worldwide by 2015. Thanks to the likes of Bono and Bob Geldof the world has been made aware of the AIDS crisis in Africa, the need to end extreme poverty & hunger and the desperate need to drop third world debt. However there is more to the MDG's than even that. Here are all eight of the goals:
What, you ask, can you do to support the MDGs?
Well, it's quite simple really: SPREAD THE WORD by telling other people about them and GET THE MDGs FUNDED by reminding our politicians of their commitment. Here's how:
a. Download the MDGs; study them so you can spout them off anywhere, anytime.
b. Host a Girl in the Café movie party with snacks info, pens and paper for letter writing (see c.)
c. Send handwritten letters to your elected officials (click here for a sample).
d. Write a letter to your editor, educating your community about the MDGs and inviting their partnership in contacting our decision makers (click here for "how to").
e. Girlcott fair trade products to personally support Goal #8.
5. ORGANIZE A FIELD TRIP TO YOUR LOCAL MP
Schedule a field trip to one or more of your local council offices and speak to your MP in person. Bringing your commitment to fund the MDGs, some facts and a group of passionate mums and children into the offices of your elected leaders can go a long way towards assuring her/his support for full funding. Can you imagine? Find a complete field trip recipe here (click here for "how to").
"Just hook your mind up to your heart and let 'er rip."
Mel Yost (1927-2005)
dear friend and inspired activist
Viewing options to watch Find Your Inner Grizzly(*)
Quicktime High Res: 3.6MB
Quicktime Low Res: 1.1MB
Apple iPod Video: 7.9MB
Windows Media Super High Res: 7.9MB
Windows Media High Res: 4.7MB
Windows Media Low Res: 2.9MB
BIG THANKS to Jen Caltrider and the folks at Progress Now Action who made Find Your Inner Grizzly possible!
|
