North to Vancouver ’010

With the Opening Ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Olympics from Vancouver only hours away, and the Alpine Skiing qualifier already in full swing. I wanted to reflect upon the Olympic logo, which if you haven’t already, are going to be seeing a French-Canadian ton of, before the fortnight of games are over.

The logo is supposed to represent a monolithic Inuit character known as an Inukshuk. The Inuits were a tribe of people native to the Vancouver area. The name of the character is Illanaaq and it means friendship in Inuit. The illustration is chalk full of symbolism, which I guess, all Olympic logos are supposed to be. The green smiling head is for the coastal forests, the blue arms for the coast, the sky blue torso for the mountains, the red left leg is for the maple leaf, which, who doesn’t associate Canada with the maple leaf, and finally the yellow leg is for the sun. The CEO of the Vancouver Games said that the figure “reflects the sheer joy for winter sport and draws its strength from the true spirit of teamwork.” The ironic thing is that nothing about this identity equates with the speed, grace and athleticism of the Winter Games. My real question is what does the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man have to do with Alpine skiing, the Luge and speed skating. If you can’t tell, I’m not overly psyched on the 2010 Olympic logo. It seems as though the Inukshuk symbolizes so many things, but it missed out on the one that matters…sport.

I guess it could be worse, though. It could be as bad as the 2012 Summer Olympics logo from London, which looks like it could grace the cover of the newest Sex Pistols record. Stay tuned and enjoy the Games…

Attention Non-Profits

Preventing Good Causes From Falling On Deaf Ears

I had lunch today with two women, both of who are experts in the field of combating the causes and effects of sexual violence. Along with their colleagues, they develop and disseminate best practice protocol for preventing SV and intervening in situations when it occurs. We’ve come to know each other working together on behalf of the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, the country’s authoritative resource assisting individuals and groups actively engaged on the front lines.

Until the 1960s and 70s victims of sexual violence, the majority being women, mostly suffered in silence. Then things gradually began changing—for the better. Thrust into the public spotlight by the feminist movement, sexual violence became the top priority of grass roots organizations springing up around the country. Rape crisis centers opened. Support groups formed. Ad campaigns fanned the flames by focusing public attention on this previously unspoken subject. Year after year, with increasing effectiveness, efforts like these dramatically improved the quality of life for countless individuals and families, and our society as a whole.

That’s why today the three of us are discussing a new NSVRC initiative to re-”frame” the topic of sexual violence. The concern of my two companions for the victims of sexual violence compels them to keep this subject firmly fixed in the nation’s consciousness. It’s an interesting proposition. How can the public’s deeply held worldviews and widely held assumptions be changed and refreshed so attention is refocused on an important subject like this one? To find out more, visit frameworksinstitute.org or even better, take the 20-minute tutorial.

Chocolate Workers

Ever since the Hershey Chocolate Factory opened in 1905, residents from Hershey, PA and nearby communities have been employed to provide the hands-on expertise required for making chocolate. Factory employees commonly addressed the company’s founder as Mr. Hershey and generally respected him for his entrepreneurial success and undying determination in the face of early failures.

With a legendary work ethic all his own, the value of reliable labor and the value of a man’s job was not lost on Mr. Hershey. In the midst of the Great Depression, he asked a foreman how work was proceeding on his new hotel. When the foreman reported, “The new steam shovel does the work of 40 men.” Mr. Hershey responded, “Get rid of it and hire 40 men.”

Employment in Hershey, PA remained steady during the Great Depression, a proud point and one of the many historical facts to be discovered at The Hershey Story, The Museum on Chocolate Avenue. The first landmark building to appear on Chocolate Avenue in over 70 years, the world-class museum serves to preserve and pass on the inspirational American success story of chocolate-maker turned philanthropist, Milton S. Hershey. Already a popular attraction, the new museum is rapidly becoming the equal of traditional tourist favorites Hershey’s Chocolate World and Hersheypark.

The museum is also a major accomplishment in the revitalization of the city’s downtown. Touted to become a hub of activity and community center, the museum won widespread support among local contributors during a capital campaign conducted to fund its construction. To engender support and advertise the grand opening, Triple Strength created the image shown here of a contemporary factory employee at work with others who preceded her by nearly a century.

How fitting to pay homage to the generations of Hershey Chocolate Factory workers in this town where the bond between the town’s benefactor and employees of the company he started have traditionally remained very strong. Now more than ever, the embattled American worker could really use a tip of the hat to acknowledge their hard work and devotion. Regretfully, this image created for outdoor postings never ran due to budget constraints, but hopefully it will in the near future.