What? You haven't downloaded and read our ChangeThis Manifesto yet? (10 Lessons Learned in Igniting Word of Mouth Movements) Well get ta crackin', Jimmy.
But if you've already read it, here are some bonus lessons we've learned (and I'm sure we'll have more in the future as things progress).
Bonus #1: Movements have their own vocabulary.
Just like clubs, sports or hobbies have their own language, so do movements. To outsiders, sometimes that language is almost indecipherable. But to those in the movement, it's second nature. It's language that's developed as a group. And it's also a badge of ownership. Of being in the know. Of belonging.
Bonus #2: Movements don't start within the system.
They fly under the radar. They don't subject themselves to the politics of the day. They don't care about policies and procedures. They don't get bogged down in hierarchies or organizational charts. They don't get derailed with TPS reports, mission statements or staff meetings. They are single-minded, focused and don't put up with the BS that the system sometimes (okay, mostly) brings to the table.
Bonus #3: Movements exist to right an injustice.
This is a biggie. The injustice could be as big as trafficking children for sex slavery or women not being able to vote. But it could also be not having a safe place to share your love of your hobby without being attacked. Injustices come in all shapes and sizes, and while we are programmed to automatically think about the big ones (as we well should), the next time you want to start a movement, one of the first things you need to do is identify the injustice. What are you moving against? And then figure out what are you moving towards.
There you have it. So I guess that brings us to 13 Lessons. I'm sure there will be more to come. And, as always, we welcome your thoughts.