Week Seven: Don’t Be Shy!
The English are renowned as being easily embarrassed. Monty Python had a great sketch that asked its viewers: “Are you embarrassed easily? Do any of these words embarrass you? Shoe? Grunties? Wankel rotary engine?” Englishmen, in particular, are shy. Few exhibit the levels of confidence of an Australian or the bombast of a German. Despite the cult of celebrity and the rise of the chav, the English remain a stoic, reserved people. Often this should be the subject of quiet pride. When it comes to political activism, however, it is a hindrance.
What is the point in being an activist if nobody knows what you are doing? There you are, slogging your guts out while earning a degree or keeping a roof over your head, to promote the cause of conservatism. Rarely do you receive any thanks from your colleagues or peers. All too often you waste hours of your time organising meetings, recruiting members, canvassing or delivering literature – and nobody even has the decency to say “thank you” – and to mean it.
Whose fault is that? Well, in part it is your fault. How come? Because you don’t tell enough people often enough quite what it is that you have done. You fail to blow your own trumpet.
I don’t mean that you should become boastful. The last thing the conservative movement needs is for you to become an insufferable self-publicist (there’s plenty of time for that when you become a Member of Parliament, after all!) but what you could – and should – be doing is making sure that as many people as possible are aware of all of the good work that you are doing. If people aren’t aware of it that is your fault, not theirs.
To encourage activists to share what they are doing with fellow conservatives throughout the country, YBF launched its Grand Committee. This points-based reward scheme, based on the Young America’s Foundation Club 100, sees points awarded for particular pieces of activism such as securing press coverage, overturning a ban on the military on campus, organising a speaker event and so on. Your activism is then communicated to MPs, MEPs, Peers and the hundreds of supporters YBF has, thereby bringing your hard work to the attention of those who matter and who would otherwise not have the slightest idea what you are up to.
It may be, of course, that you would prefer not to have others know what you are up to. You might even want to convince yourself that this is because “crowing” or “boasting” is un-British and you are not a bragger. That is your choice. But if you have any sense, I would ensure that as many people as possible know what incredible work you are doing. Come on now: don’t be shy!
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