Good parade platforms: how to choose one and make a difference
- What is a contest platform?
- How do I choose a good contest platform?
- Can you give me some ideas, examples or themes of the contest platform?
A contest platform is a cause where a contestant chooses to volunteer her time to raise awareness, raise money, or implement a program she has created that will help address the issue.
There are so many needs in the world today that finding a cause you’re passionate about in your community is just a matter of looking around or talking to a few business leaders. In our society, the media and the public are attracted to people who have titles or have celebrity status. As the headline holder, you can use this to your advantage to get your message across in a bigger way if you’re prepared.
“Never question the value of volunteers. Noah’s Ark was built by volunteers; the Titanic was built by professionals” – Unknown.
Every once in a while I meet a person who has the attitude of ‘I’m just a person’. I can’t make a difference. Also, I don’t have the time, money or education to make things happen.’ Okay, maybe not; however, you know people who do. And those people know different people who know other people. They are just waiting for you to ask them for help. You don’t need to micromanage or run the entire project yourself. Simply make the mission and needs known to the people.
There is strength in unity and the more people you can include in your plans, the better.
Think of a candlelight service you have been to. Start with a candle in a dark space. Then, one by one, the flame is passed until the entire area is a resplendent light. Most of the time people are not even aware of a particular need in their community. All it takes is one person speaking at a function, or a single newspaper article, to ignite the fire needed to start change.
When choosing a good platform for a contest, follow Stephen Covey’s advice: “Begin with the end in mind.”
What is the specific result you want to achieve? Is it to raise $50,000 for a new piece of safety equipment for your local fire station? Or is it to start your own foundation? The key to choosing a platform that inspires you is the depth of personal experience you have with it. There must be a deep reason why you want to spend countless hours servicing a particular project. Perhaps you have lost a loved one or a family pet. That event motivated him to want to reach out to others who are experiencing the same pain. Maybe you want to prevent a problem from happening. Perhaps you have experienced something so wonderful or painful that you want others to know about it so they can join you in your joy or avoid the pain.
Either way, start by looking within and listening to your heart, not your head.
We act when we are emotionally charged, not because something is logical and makes sense.
This is just an initial list of ideas, examples, and topics from the last two years of Miss America contestants that might pique your interest in searching your pageant platform.
- dime march
- International travel to become global citizens
- Drowning Prevention/Water Safety
- Boys and Girls Club of America
- Girl Scouts of America
- 4-H
- Helping Hand for America’s Seniors (visiting nursing home residents)
- Education and awareness about eating disorders
- global awareness
- National Alopecia Areata Foundation
- preventive health care
- Intimidation
- scoliosis awareness
- volunteering
- Susan G. Komen Foundation
- Prevention of domestic violence
- tutorships
- girls inc
- AIDS awareness
- Homelessness Prevention and Awareness
- Arts Support
- Connecting the Generations
- positive body image
- Fighting child hunger
- Raising awareness about human trafficking
- Recognizing the good in your neighbors and neighborhood
- Organization Donation
- asthma awareness
- Prevention of underage drinking
- Cancer prevention through general wellness
- Literacy/Read Across America
- equality
- cancer research
- Youth Leadership Development
- character development
- child exploitation
- Consequences of peer pressure
- Children’s Miracle Network
- Dangers of Distracted Driving/Texting While Driving
- dress for success
- Dropout Prevention
- autism speaks
- Citizenship
- run for public office
- Dance: Movement towards better health
- Building a positive self-image
- Heart health and prevention of cardiovascular diseases
- animal care
- Internet/Social Media Safety
- Green recycling/environmental projects
- Second Harvest Food Bank
- obesity