ITIM: A Shining Example of Successfully Blending Athletic Charity Events with Social Activism
Since 1995, the International Tibet Independence Movement (ITIM) has coordinated over one dozen charity walks and rides to raise awareness of the plight of Tibetans in Tibet – whose culture, religion, and basic human rights are at stake – as well as to encourage assistance for Tibetans-in-exile so they have the housing, job skills, and resources to thrive in their home away from home. If you’re looking for a shining example of an organization that has successfully blended athletic charity events with social activism, this is it.
ITIM’s walks and rides are not for sissies; the events have covered over 3,500 miles around the country. In 1996, they walked from Washington, DC to New York City. In 1998, they walked from Portland, Oregon to Vancouver, British Columbia. The year 2000 found them walking from San Diego to Los Angeles, and last summer, they marched from Madison, Wisconsin all the way to Chicago.
Coordinating such large-scale charity events takes an inordinate amount of time and planning. It also requires cooperation and collaboration from multiple agencies and individuals who are willing to take an improbable idea and turn it into reality. ITIM has been able to do this because of its true passion for the cause and the dedication of its members.
I’ll be writing in future blogs about the details of their events, but here are three overarching lessons I’ve learned from them:
To be an effective social activist, you must cultivate tolerance. If you’re involved in athletic charity events, you get to meet all sorts of wonderful people, but you also undoubtedly encounter those who do not support or understand your cause. I once was quick to judge those who were intolerant of my beliefs or activities, but ITIM helped me realize that this way of thinking made me no better than those I was judging. It also prevented me from maximizing my effectiveness for the cause.
Athletic charity events are great ways to foster real change. ITIM has demonstrated this through walking and riding for the Tibetan people, often for several days at a time, which has garnered international attention and praise by people who can directly influence the cause.
Grassroots organizations really can make a difference on a global level. Like all grassroots groups, ITIM started out small and local. But in only thirteen years, it’s become internationally known and respected as an organization tirelessly committed to securing freedom and basic human rights for all Tibetans.
Watch for more news about ITIM in future blogs, including details about their next event – an ambitious march from Indiana all the way to New York during the chilly spring of 2009.
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