Hey guys! So as you know, I just came back from the HOW Design Conference in Austin, TX. It was educational, inspirational, and recreational. While there, I noticed a recurring theme among multiple sessions I attended. Design for social change. Despite the fact that I attended the conference to further my skills as an in-house designer, I couldn't help but relate every session to Operation NICE.
I left energized, but also disappointed. I feel like I should be doing more. Like I was meant to do something meaningful with my life. I often joke with my husband that I should just drop everything and join the Peace Corps, but that isn't an option for me right now. And then I go to this conference and realize that I can use the skills that I have towards bettering humanity/society.
But how?
The closing Keynote of the conference was titled Design Ignites Change and featured Mark Randall of Worldstudio. This presentation touched upon how designers are using design to spark social change. Places like Project H, which "is a charitable organization that supports, creates, delivers, and scales life-improving humanitarian product design solutions." And Project M, which "is an intensive summer program designed to inspire young graphic designers, writers, photographers and other creative people that their work can have a positive and significant impact on the world." And Design Ignites Change, which challenges students to use design thinking to explore and create solutions for pressing social problems."
And all I could think was, "I want to be involved with something like that."
Does that mean expanding Operation NICE? Maybe. Growth can be scary though. I am completely passionate about this website and this project. When someone asks me about what Operation NICE is, I can't help but go on and on about what I've learned in the last year. But right now, it's a "hobby." What I mean by that is that it produces no revenue, so I have to squeeze it into my spare time, putting my mortgage-paying day job as a first priority. And that's how I've wanted it this last year. I have even turned down advertising because I don't want anyone to see Operation NICE as a vehicle for me to make money. Obviously that's not what it's about. Plus anything involving dollars makes me nervous because I'm not the most business-savvy individual. I wouldn't know how to handle accountants and paperwork and all that serious stuff that comes along with turning a hobby into a business.
Then again, I'd love to turn this into a project that could raise money for non-profit programs out there. And of course an ultimate goal would be to focus all of my time and energy on this program (meaning buh-bye day job). But I think until I either win the lottery, or Oprah decides to sponsor me, that's a distant goal.
It's like I have all this energy inside of me. All this potential to do great things. And I'm ready to explode into a full-fledged do-gooder, but I don't know how to take that first/next step. Don't worry. Until I figure it out, I'll keep chugging along with my regular posts. And I'm hoping to have a big ole Day of NICENESS (which I'm hoping you'll all participate in) on July 15th, the one year anniversary of Operation NICE. Details to come! In the meantime, if you have any advice for a "little blogger that could," please share!
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
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Hi, I'm Melissa! Welcome to my blog! I believe that kindness can change the world, so it's my mission to spread the concept of being nice, as simple as that may sound. I hope you'll have a look around!
Do you have a NICE story you'd like to share? Maybe one you've stumbled upon or something that has affected you personally? If so, 
Here's a list of NICE folks who have mentioned Operation NICE on their site or supported us by using our badge. Thank you so much!
28 comments:
Melissa--
Great post! While I am definately older than you I too struggle to do the do-gooder stuff. Please don't be hard on yourself---you have a great website and have inspired many (including me!) to look at the world around them and see that we can make a change for the better. Whatever you decide to do with Operation Nice, count me in!!!
Thanks Glenda! :) Your support means the world to me!
I love the concept of Operation Nice and I hope you take it to it's full potential. I also think that there is nothing wrong with making money from O.N. It doesn't mean that you are doing it FOR the money, and you can always donate a portion of the sales to a NICE cause if you want. Don't be scared. Go for it. :)
No advice here, as I share your fears about money and business! But I love your blog, and I think the sentiment behind it is the key to making the world a better place for us all. So kudos to you - go get your dreams :0)
Hey Melissa,
I think you and I are on the same page when it comes to being inspired by the all the "social change" talk, but feel a bit out of our comfort zone when trying to put something into action. Something that's always helped me is to set a goal and write it down. "I want to be involved with a non-profit in 6 months!" Boom. The means will come. I think just keeping a goal in mind and up on a wall will naturally make it happen.
Here's to taking Operation Nice to new heights!
I really believe that God gives us talent and gifts to use to benefit others, and if design is your passion, God gave it to you to share with others - you go girl!
Thanks guys! I'd feel better if there were a step by step guide I could follow. But as they say, if it were easy, everyone would be doing it, and it'd be a lot less rewarding in the end.
Don't sell yourself short, Melissa. You have already done great things for others just by establishing Operation NICE. I'm sure it will continue to grow and I have no doubt that you'll figure out the best way to move forward.
I know what you mean! It's tough to know how and where to even begin when you have so many ideas, and a compulsion to want to help everyone. Another theme I noticed at the HOW Conference was "Be brave." Though the context is slightly different, I think this applies in many different ways for designers. For me, a neurotic plan-aheader, being brave means relaxing a bit, pursuing my passions using my natural talents and inclinations and simply doing what I think is right and good, knowing that things will begin to fall together on their own. At any rate, your blog cheers me up every day and whatever direction you go next, I don't doubt that it will be a great one. :)
Yes! Be brave! I got that from Von's session. I keep thinking about that. If I don't put myself out there, then how will I ever move forward? Gotta take those leaps because otherwise I'll be in the same exact place forty years from now. And that's even scarier than taking a chance!
You've already had great amounts of success with Operation Nice, who's not to say that if you put yourself out there more, your success would multiply. It is a scary thing to follow an idea that you believe in, but sounds completely ridiculous. I speak from experience. I am a total believer that if you follow your heart, that when you leap, the net will appear. As for the logistics, get in touch with other bloggers that are non profit, but collect money, and see how they do it. As far as the business end goes, I am sure there are a lot of accountants out there that want to do something to better the world, but didn't think they had something to offer.
Good luck in whichever direction you go!
You could raise money for non-profits with an auction. Get the people who want to advertise on your site to instead offer up auction items and to advertise the auction. Then you can donate all the profit to your cause!
Oh, and one more thing. I picked up this book called "Guts" by Karen Salmansohn in the Bookstore at HOW. It seems like it really might help you sort things out right now.
I too feel the need to go out there and make a difference. Buying that cupcake for my co-worker last week isn't really what I had in mind but that act inspired her and who knows where it will lead. Do NOT underestimate the importance of this blog! NICE is important and it's something everyone can do AND it's contagious! Thank you!
I guess my only advice is: don't join the Peace Corps unless your idea of fun is spending 2 years in a concrete hut in Swaziland, eating goat meat with your bare hands off a chunk of the goat's spine. Which is actually what my son's best friend is doing right this minute (well, not the goat meat part--that was months ago, but he's a vegetarian, so it sounded all the more awful for him).
He is indeed trying to change the world by heading up a group doing AIDS education over there. But you have to really know what you're getting into and be ready for it in order to do it.
I think Operation Nice is a fantastic and inspired way to do your part to change the world. It's not just a cute little blog that has a few readers. It's a cute little blog with a big big message that has helped me change myself a LOT. And I, in turn, have been doing my part to change my 5 kids, who will go out and change a lot of other people. Just by being nice.
Don't sell yourself short!
Sheesh, I've "trained" you guys well! You're all too nice! :) I'm happy to know that you get a lot out of this blog. I do too! You know, I'm normally pretty fickle when it comes to my grand ideas. I give up easily. But I've been able to stick with this one and will continue to as long as you keep stopping by!
Thank goodness I didn't join the Peace Corps! I'm too high maintenance for that!
ads would be great! Donate a portion of the ad revenue to a charity and I'm totally down for advertising.
seriously - as long as you could screen them or be assured that they fit with your site (think about the six apart adify network or something like that).
Don't be scared to make money off of the site! You are putting hard work and dedication into maintaining it and that is money from your pocket. Be brave and put yourself out there. You have a great message to share that we all have somehow lost sight of in the quest of living.
You don't even have to donate the profits or a portion of it to a non-profit. What if you used that money to do something "nice" for someone that needed a little pick-up when life gets them down. People could submit an application for someone they know that needs something big or small. One person at a time, you could be doing something 'nice.'
I'm stuck in the realm of the unknown myself, heading into uncharted waters, and it's a little scary. But in the end, it's always worth it. ;)
You are being divinely nudged to FLY! Do it! I see a book, I see a TV show.... The possibilities are limited only by your fear. You have the support of so many. Fly honey!
:+)
Ooh, Rena, I like you! I feel nudged! I can fly!
Another great, and relevant, lecture was "Making A Living As A Socially Conscious Designer" by Noah Scalin of http://www.alrdesign.com/
Hopefully designers can be the catalyst toward making the thrill of commerce & consumerism compatible with ecological equality & sustainability.
Bruce - I really wanted to attend that session, and I'm disappointed I missed it. Have any notes, by chance?? Prior to the conference I was beginning to feel as if maybe I was in the wrong field. I felt as if I wasn't doing anything meaningful with my career. But now I realize that design is a powerful tool which I have at my disposal. It's about time I put it to good use.
Mel, no need to feel overwhelmed. You have a great heart and mind. Review and write down 2-4 things from the conference that most inspired you. Use those as motivation. Then things will start to fall into place. And remember, you are not alone. BFF :) Talk soon. -Brad
Melissa, I totally agree with the people who say you shouldn't underestimate the power of your fabulous blog -- and that feeling the nudge to do more doesn't necessarily mean quitting your day job and starting up a nonprofit. I think a book is a brilliant idea. Remember how huge the whole Random Acts of Kindness thing got, because of the book? This could be like the second generation of that.
I'm definitely into your monetizing your site and donating a portion of the proceeds to charity. Frankly, sometimes I think that giving cash to existing worthy nonprofits is the biggest difference you can make in the world.
Melissa-
Great thoughts about HOW Conf. I came home wondering how fast I could get ideas out of my head before they disappeared!
I love what you're doing with Operation Nice and I'd be willing to say that your post-conference considerations are already well on their way with this effort, topped by your great attitude.
Maybe we'll meet at HOW next year!
You know.... I betcha Oprah WOULD sponsor you!
I think you should write to her :)
I have to agree with everyone! This blog has been a huge inspiration to me and I always look forward to the next post. I think you're already on your way to doing wonderful things with it. Encouraging people to be "nice" is an easy enough concept for people to grasp, but it ends up having a HUGE impact with the more people who adopt it. Just have to say, thanks Melissa!
I know it can be difficult to think about change, even when that change is good! But you have one of the best sites out there and sometimes, I think ideas come to us when we least expect it. Why I've tried to do is take my mind off of what I want my blog to become and then the ideas come at the most random times (usually when I don't have a notebook!) but sometimes the "unfocusing" for a few days helps. Keep it up Melissa!!!
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