Are you Socially Acceptable? Think Before You Click

I recently was asked to present a workshop titled, "Are You Socially Acceptable?" for a group of student leaders at a local college campus in Atlanta.  Many of the student leaders were present and the classroom was a full house.  Students brought in chairs from the hallway and lined them along the side of the wall.  Some sat on the floor.  I was excited to see the enthusiasm from the group, especially because they had just eaten lunch.
I started the session with a phrase that we're all too familiar with, "I Pity the Fool," by Mr. T.  The students were told that if they did the following things listed on my PowerPoint presentation slide, then they were not socially acceptable.  I asked for volunteers to read the bullets on the slide:

• Do you tweet about not liking your job?
• Do you have nude photos online?
• Do you use profanity on your Facebook page?
• Do you think you’re invincible online?
• Do you have a “I Don’t Like My Boss Blog!”

My twin brother, Joshua and I barely skipped being Generation Xers, because we were born in 1979.  The cut off was 1977.  However, I've worked with Millennials for about 10 years and know that this generation is a texting, fashion trending, don't care what people think, outspoken, and computer savvy generation.  So savvy with Facebook and Twitter that sometimes they may tweet the wrong things.  Once a tweet and status is sent, the virtual world has it for life.

This was a good group of students.  I was surprised when I posed the question: "How many of you would give your moms your Facebook password?"  There were only four out of the 35 students in the session who would not give their passwords to their mothers. Two students abstained from the question, because they wouldn’t even think about befriending their parents on FB.  The other 29 students said yes.  The Pew Research Center's study in 2010 showed that, "One in three teens sends more than 100 text messages a day, or 3000 texts a month."

The students were divided into two groups and asked them to perform short skits about not being socially acceptable.  One group performed a skit about a student answering an obnoxious ring tone phone call during an interview.  The other group's play highlighted a young woman sending a nasty text about her coworker.  She was fired, because she didn't realize that half of her coworkers were following her on twitter and showed her tweet to the boss.

After the plays were finished and critiqued, constructive feedback was given.  I asked that everyone return back to the classroom.  There were a couple of seniors in the room, so I reiterated the point to "think before you click."  It was also suggested to students to Google themselves, because nearly every one these days are Googleable.

Lastly, the volunteers were asked to read some of my "Sojournerisms."

• Think of the World Wide Web as a Web of Karma. What you put out there will come back to you.
• Think before you act, because if you don’t then you may act inappropriately.
• Don’t be so hard on yourself, because whatever you’re worried about will eventually get better, and you’ll be mad for being upset.
• When you walk into work, let the sunshine follow behind you.

My "Sojournerisms" were heartfelt, and also made the students laugh.  The goal was to plant a seed in their minds to think before they tweet or post.  With today's technology, students can tweet the wrong thing and be fired, not hired, or convey an image detrimental to their reputation and career.

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NFL Inspired. Environment Approved! New Eco-Athlete Line.

I brought my family with me to check out the new Origany Baby and Toddler organic Eco-Athlete Line. Origany has teamed up with Atlanta Falcons Ovie Mughelli to help launch the new clothing line! 

 

Origany, the company that specializes in Clothing Made Organic by Nature™, is the hip up-and-comer in the eco-conscious corner of the children's clothing world. Origany is proud to announce their partnership with Atlantic Falcons' pro Bowler Ovie Mughelli, to bring kids a clothing line that celebrates an active lifestyle and supports the environment. Muhelli, who is the number #2 Eco-Athlete in the world is also endorsing the line.

"We are very excited to be receive endorsement and announce our partnership with Ovie Mughelli of Atlanta Falcons," said Origany CEO Raj Sardesh. "Given his commitment to the environment and to the kids as part of his foundation, it was natural synergy and inspiration for our eco-athlete line that encourages all kids to be active and environmentally conscious."
 

Inspired by the Ovie Mughelli Foundation's commitment to teach kids how to take care of the environment, Origany launched an all new line of kid's sportswear. The Eco-Athlete line of baby and toddler clothing is the perfect fit for the future all stars of America. It features five different sports motifs including the classic pastimes of football and baseball, as well as bicycling, tennis, and the all round eco-athlete. Parents have a number of adorable options for babies including bodysuits, pants, rompers, jackets, and hats, as well as t-shirts, dresses,

and hoodies for toddlers. 

"The Ovie Mughelli Foundation is very excited about partnering with Origany," says Ovie Mughelli. "Origany's successful track record of creating very beautiful, eco-conscious clothing is a great match with the (Ovie Mughelli) Foundation's mission to encouraging Greener ways of living to kids. As tough as I am on the field as a power blocker Fullback, Origany's sportswear line inspired by me reaches the more gentle side of me. I'm confident that parents will find it loveable and perfect for their future all-stars."     Whether parents are looking to buy green or are searching for something in the unique and adorable category, each article of clothing is sure to delight. Origany's ensembles are always made from certified organic cotton so that sensitive young skin starts out safe and strong. By going organic, harmful pesticides are eliminated from closets and the environment. Children enjoy the soft, cuddly quality of the fabric, while parents can't get over how stylish the designs are.
 

In addition to endorsing organic living, Origany aids the Ovie Mughelli Foundation, which focuses on making sure "Our Future is Green". This charity supports the overall development of youth socially, mentally, and physically by implementing programs that educate children about the environment. Origany has decided to donate 5% of the proceeds from each Eco-Athlete sale, as well as 20% of the proceeds from each sale of Ovie's #34 affiliated outfits to the foundation.

Since 2006, Origany has been a purveyor of fashionable, organic clothing. Their eco-conscious lines of baby and toddler clothes are certified by Green America and GOTS, and can be found in boutiques throughout the country. In the past few years they have become one of the must-have brands for celebrity babies, earned the iParenting award, and had their baby alpaca toddler dress featured on the cover and named a top 10 must-have by Babies and Kids Magazine. They've started 2011 off strong by being named one of the top brands for babies and toddlers by BetterTV.

For samples or additional information, please visit www.origany.com.

Source: Media Kit provided by Origany

2011 Honor Awards Judge for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America

 

 

 

 

 

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to judge the 2011 Honor Awards for Program Excellence, the Boys & Girls Clubs of America's highest national program award.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of America inspire young people to reach for their "full potential as productive, responsible, and caring citizens."

Serving as a judge, I have a greater appreciation for their work and a better understanding of the breadth and scope of their programs.