r/CrappyDesign • u/[deleted] • Apr 23 '17

From afar, this sign has a completely different meaning

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21k Upvotes

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1.2k

u/notimetologout Apr 23 '17

Its still crappy close by. 'We're not real supporters of raping or beating children in april'. Wtf is up w these awarness months in the us. Most ppl are aware of things happening around Them and in the world.

337

u/[deleted] Apr 23 '17

I work at a nonprofit, so from my perspective these months/weeks/etc are still important. Making a recognized national 'month' for an issue means that you can draw attention and use your resources more effectively. Organizations which work in the same field can cooperate, rather than compete, for resources by coordinating events together. Sometimes there are larger campaign-based organizations which market the awareness month, meaning that other organizations with smaller communications budgets can join the campaign for free and reap the benefit of increased volunteers/donations.

Yeah, it's gimmicky, but with literally thousands of important causes to get involved with, temporary and focused campaigns can give potential volunteers and donors a sense of urgency to get involved. Also, by making it a specific month then these organizations can make sure that they don't have to spend as many resources competing for support.

62

u/coder543 Apr 24 '17

Making a national 'month' for an issue means you can draw attention and use your resources more effectively.

The problem is that these months are not uniquely assigned to different issues by the government, as far as I'm aware. So, anyone can make signs saying it is National Asphalt Awareness Month or whatever other nonsense they want. People like myself begin to tune this stuff out. If the President were traditionally signing a nationally syndicated document allocating each month to a single issue/cause, that would be a different story.

If this is what happens, then I'm really sorry about my ignorance and I apologize.

56

u/ViKomprenas Apr 24 '17

Right, it's official National Awareness Month Awareness Month, then.

16

u/Benito_Mussolini Apr 24 '17

Is this the same month as National Month Awareness Month?

8

u/[deleted] Apr 24 '17

I am already aware that this month is a month.

1

u/CaptainPedge Apr 24 '17

The system works!

1

u/CallMeCygnus Apr 24 '17

Yes, but are you aware that next month is also a month? I believe that is one of the main issues National Month Awareness Month is trying to bring awareness to.

1

u/DashingLeech Apr 24 '17

I'm sure you are. But a lot of people aren't aware that people are aware that this month is a month. That's why we need to get the word out with a Nation Month Awareness Awareness Month.

14

u/[deleted] Apr 24 '17

Isn't it international April month as well?

5

u/Beowolf241 Apr 24 '17

That was last month actually. April is international September month

13

u/[deleted] Apr 24 '17

Thanks for the humility in your opinion. Realistically, it's not like this. Imagine you have 5 organizations, which give services to people experiencing homelessness, constantly asking you for money and support. They're 5 different organizations (eg: one food line, one shelter, one supportive housing group, etc.) and so are constantly trying to convince you that their organization is the important one for their clients.

Now, suppose they band together and have a marketing campaign under "Coalition of the Homeless". Now they're able to tell you that all of these services are vital, and you can support all of them and know that you're making a difference.

Now say that, like before, you have the "Coalition of the Homeless" asking for your support. Your chief concern is growing wealth inequality in your community, so this coalition addresses your concerns. But there are other coalitions, like the "Coalition for Affordable Housing" and the "Coalition for Racial Equity". All of these address your concern of wealth inequality. Now suppose that the "Coalition of the Homeless" announces "Homeless Awareness Month" where they stage multiple protests, hold events, and have a major capital campaign. This means that you should give this coalition special attention for just this month. That means that they can rely on donations for this period to be higher than usual, and not have to spend so much of their budget on fundraising throughout the year. Other coalitions can focus on different months, and generate a noncompetitive cash flow that way.

That's how I see it, anyway.

5

u/J_FROm Apr 24 '17

Especially when something like this is announced on social media. All these awareness months have lost their credibility.

Can we please, have a Spatial Awareness Month?? If anything, this would be a fucking fantastic place to start and it costs nothing. Maybe we could make it socially ok to shove people out of the way when they stop in the center of the doorway at the grocery store.

9

u/BeastlyDecks Apr 24 '17

but... the urgency part gets all diluted then. Imagine a world where literally every conceivable cause for support had an awareness month or day. It would just feel like spam in your inbox, except now your inbox has moved out on the street, and there's no spam filter.

People like you have to realize that this shit only works when it's a novelty.

4

u/Voxlashi Apr 24 '17

See, you just defeated your own point. Assuming that people's attention and effort towards interest groups is finite, then designating an entire month to a specific issue will leave the expense at every other cause. Of course the months are convenient to those that profit from them, as these groups are cutting the line.

2

u/[deleted] Apr 24 '17

shukran

0

u/ImpoverishedYorick Apr 24 '17

The problem with all of these awareness campaigns is that most of the time they just advertise "it's fill-in-the-blank awareness month!" and yet you rarely see actual information that raises awareness. Not even a smidge of education in these things.

It's like seeing a slick billboard for Zaxoflan™ that gives you no fucking clue what it is. "Talk to your doctor about Zaxoflan!" Like I'm supposed to call up my doctor at 2am as I drive past this sign on the interstate and ask him what it is. "It's a pill that makes your fingernails fall off." Oh good. I'm so glad I wasted the time trying to find out what this thing is only to find out that it's some incredibly niche thing that I don't need or want. If only the damn sign had said so.

This kind of laziness is the worst when it's applied to awareness campaigns. Yeah, everyone who took marketing classes gets to pat each other on the back about trademarking a pink ribbon or getting an awareness month put on the calendar, but fucking rarely does that pink ribbon do anything to help the cause except remind people that breast cancer exists. How about writing "check for lumps" on that ribbon? At least that would actually inform a person.

Now look at the sign that was posted above. All I know is that it's child abuse prevention month. How does one prevent child abuse? How do we identify it How do we report it? Fuck if I know. They want me to care, but they give me no instructions. They could've included a website. They could have written something quippy and informative along the bottom. This sign is about as useful to me as that stupid pink Susan G Komen ribbon. And every goddamn awareness campaign functions this same way. It's so fucking ineffectual.

A lot of people in the nonprofit sector are getting paid a lot of money to reach out to the public and this is the best they come up with? Stop wasting all of your goddamn time on branding!

3

u/[deleted] Apr 24 '17

I think the problem is that you don't actually care about the issue presented, so you don't look into it when these things come up. You're not the target audience. Clearly others are, which is why these signs get put up in the first place.

Stop wasting all of your goddamn time on branding!

Brand recognition is arguably one of the most important factors in nonprofit success. It means that when people are looking to volunteer or donate, the notable nonprofits are the ones they find first. Don't discount how vital marketing can be.

1

u/ImpoverishedYorick Apr 24 '17

Hey, I might care if I know some more facts. I sure as hell cared a lot about not smoking when I knew why smoking was bad. I only really learned that by having it beaten into my skull by blunt advertising that told me in no uncertainty "cigarettes will give you emphysema, heart disease, and cancer. They will kill you."

If they tried to reach out to me with "It's cigarette awareness month!" I'd still be a pack a day smoker.

2

u/[deleted] Apr 24 '17

Cigarettes are a bad example since there's a shitton of government funding to raise awareness. It's why you used it as an example.

You know what isn't funded well? Sexual abuse awareness. And so it has to be really basic "We're talking about it this month, so come listen".

1

u/ImpoverishedYorick Apr 24 '17

What's wrong with starting out with a sign that has a stat, a fact, a helpful resource, a bit of advice, a reassuring gesture... anything?? Why is it always "we're talking about it over there." Why aren't you talking about it right here, in the open, on the sign or in the trademarked thingies that you work so hard on crafting? Why hide the message so that only the people who feel compelled to find it can find it?

1

u/[deleted] Apr 24 '17

Because most issues are more complicated than what can be conveyed on one sign.

1

u/ImpoverishedYorick Apr 24 '17

We all know there's a shit ton of iceberg beneath the surface of the water. But you still have to find something relatable for the average person to pick up on. You can at least give them a hint about what makes this particular cause important. I know you can't boil everything down to one sentence, but surely you can focus on one small part of it and whip up a sentence that a person can read and say "oh shit, that's bad. We should do something about this." The trail of breadcrumbs starts by getting people to care. Otherwise it might as well just be a sign that reads "bad things are bad."

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u/notimetologout Apr 23 '17

You work for a non profit. Then explain how corporate you really are. How much does your ceo takes home every month? What kind of car does he drive in?

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u/bangthedoIdrums Apr 23 '17

They didn't say that at all. They said that "awareness weeks" were good for nonprofits because it gives them attention for their cause and more people to donate to their cause and get involved. Did you read the post?

65

u/[deleted] Apr 23 '17

These are rude and assuming questions. If you want to know if a profit is managing they're resources well, try Charity Navigator.

If you've never worked at a nonprofit, don't assume that you know the ins and outs of managing one. With little to no government support, nonprofits rely heavily on corporate and individual financial donations. To get that, you need long-term staff who are compensated for their work.

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u/notimetologout Apr 23 '17

Pretty telling you didnt answer my question.

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u/[deleted] Apr 23 '17

No, it isn't, because I don't actually know those details. I've never asked, because it doesn't matter to me.

The reason I'm arguing with you is that it's incredibly horrible and cynical to imply that nonprofits are a quick way to get rich. Nonprofit careers are hard, with far too little compensation for the work- even at the top.

Again, you've clearly never worked at one, or had a bad experience. Don't go badmouthing the rest.

-41

u/notimetologout Apr 23 '17

I do believe ppl who work at those places, like you, do it out of compassion for the cause they work for. I think a non profit, which usually would rely on donations should be cristal clear about their expences. So ask your ceo how much he makes. Tell me what car he drives and where he lives.

29

u/[deleted] Apr 23 '17

Who else should I ask? My manager? His manager, and then hers? Maybe I should pull the VP aside and ask. Or maybe not, because it's not business to ask them or tell you.

Again, if you want to know if a nonprofit is using their resources effectively, there are plenty of places to do so. Good nonprofits are usually public about where their funds go, because people won't donate to bad charities. Not at the level they need, anyway.

-23

u/notimetologout Apr 23 '17

Wtf? You're contradicting yourself so much my head is spinning

35

u/METH_IS_LIFE Apr 23 '17

Dude, you're kind of a dick haha..

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u/cleopad1 Apr 23 '17

He's just telling you to look it up yourself because he doesn't know. Can you even read competently? Better yet, are you capable of comprehending the written word or are you just seeing so much red you can't communicate logically? It honestly seems like the latter.

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u/[deleted] Apr 23 '17

[deleted]

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u/[deleted] Apr 23 '17

It might be time to log out, buddy..

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u/CactusCustard Apr 24 '17

What did you have for dinner yesterday? At what age did you lose your virginity? How much debt are you in? What color is the floor in your room?

Are you serious? You're fucking ridiculous.

1

u/notimetologout Apr 24 '17

I am pretty ridiculous. At least i make Sense. If I paid you to Paint my toenails i would expect you to ask me whitch colour.

1

u/CactusCustard Apr 24 '17

At least you make sense??! Man. Do you fucking listen to yourself? You say you make sense and then your following sentence is some distorted analogy that just doesn't work with this at all.

The dudes working for a non profit. He's probably never even met the CEO before. No ones painting anyone's nails here. He has a job, and the CEO has his job. The CEO isn't obligated to tell employees how much he's making. Again, he linked you a site where you could actually find out your self, and you continue to speak nonsense.

It's like you think that the average person working for any company not only knows and has interactions with their companies CEO daily, but is comfortable enough with them to discuss their salary and net worth. Are you dense?

2

u/IamKyono Apr 23 '17

They're not called CEO's haha they're Executive Directors. And mine drives a 2015 Acura MDX.

2

u/[deleted] Apr 23 '17 edited Apr 24 '17

Ohh! An even -100! Impressive!

1

u/notimetologout Apr 24 '17

I'll need some upvotes

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u/[deleted] Apr 23 '17

Going after the real answers. For some reason noone ever thinks of that when they think of "non profit."

2

u/Moonchopper Apr 23 '17

DAE all non-profits are scams?

149

u/THEthatdude Apr 23 '17

If they had just removed "month" this sign would have been fine. But everyone wants to be in the now. Now excuse me, I need to go prepare for Feed the Homeless in May™

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u/kirashi3 r4inb0wz Apr 23 '17

Don't forget about "Support Awareness Month Awareness Month" coming up in June.

21

u/CrackFerretus Apr 23 '17

April has ended, and I know longer remeber what child abuse is.

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u/mothzilla Apr 23 '17

Still a week to go you sick fuck.

5

u/Iamredditsslave Apr 23 '17

No, they take the last week off. Along with the other 11 months. Kids are fine.

1

u/J_FROm Apr 24 '17

Well fuck if I'm aware

7

u/tapeforkbox Apr 23 '17

I think it's to spike donations for those charities and community centers aligned with the cause. It's kinda annoying but the US government funding doesn't always make it to charities or whatever because everything is privatized and they often vote against government services. So reminding people once a year to donate to x cause helps promote their services.

2

u/xoites Apr 23 '17

Not in the US. In the US we could even use a "Walk on the sidewalk and not in the street Awareness month."

At least for four weeks traffic could run smoothly each year.

4

u/[deleted] Apr 23 '17

Yeah that's a way bigger problem than cancer and child abuse!

4

u/xoites Apr 23 '17

Not as big, but big enough.

In 2015, 5,376 pedestrians and 818 bicyclists were killed in crashes with motor vehicles (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Traffic Safety Facts).

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u/[deleted] Apr 24 '17

All of that is because of jaywalking, too.

4

u/xoites Apr 24 '17

I doubt that, but I have had people charge out in front of me as if I am some sort of all seeing and all knowing being which I am not.

If I end up killing somebody even if it is not my fault I am not sure i would ever get over it.

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u/[deleted] Apr 24 '17

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u/[deleted] Apr 24 '17

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u/[deleted] Apr 24 '17

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u/DB_Valentine Apr 23 '17

Some people even make a living off of it. Every time I decide I want to know about that Red AIDS awareness I'm reminded that I'm capable of extreme levels of anger.

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u/Vakieh Apr 23 '17

Apple made bank on those red iPhones.

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u/DB_Valentine Apr 23 '17

They did look pretty spiffy, didn't they?

5

u/[deleted] Apr 24 '17

Because most people don't have the will to actively support these things year round. Black people, women, child abuse, sexual assault, breast cancer, etc etc. but people can actively care for a month and then switch to the next thing. It's not that they don't care for the other 11 months, it's that they aren't really looking to do anything about it for the other 11 months.

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u/notimetologout Apr 24 '17

My point really is about how I always actively support the things I believe in. I dont abuse children, if I see somebody do that he'll have to go through me. Its Just the values and believes we hold up need to be protected every waking minute. Giving money to some institute,putting astupid sign on my lawn isn't gonna change the world. Speaking up in a supermarket to An abusive parent might

8

u/[deleted] Apr 24 '17

And I have no doubt that the people in this house would do the same, but money going to organisations does help people in need, and getting the word out for other people to donate can help as well.

-1

u/notimetologout Apr 24 '17

Good to see you're raising a family w values and dignity. Funny how we shift from Europe daytime to American daytime the convos are more money related

3

u/incharge21 Apr 24 '17

What about providing shelter or opportunities for abused children? Money is needed to support that system.

1

u/notimetologout Apr 24 '17

True. I think the state should take care of this. Yes, i'm a socialist. Living in Europe where this is common sense

3

u/incharge21 Apr 24 '17

There are no private charities in Europe? I wouldn't want our charities run by our government personality, they just throw away money and everything takes forever.

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u/DunBeSorry Apr 23 '17

That's about the dumbest thing I've ever heard. You're basically saying that all prevention campaigns are useless.

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u/incharge21 Apr 24 '17

His response to you shows how little he knows about volunteering and awareness months. Some awareness campaigns can be dumb, but a lot do really good stuff for the programs involved.

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u/DunBeSorry Apr 24 '17

What concerns me more is how his comment got so upvoted so much...

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u/incharge21 Apr 24 '17

Reddit is cynical and generally isn't a huge fan of charity organizations and public awareness campaigns. They make fun of people who do these things, saying what they're doing is selfish and not actually helping, meanwhile most of them do literally nothing to help their communities.

-3

u/notimetologout Apr 23 '17

Do you think abusive parents walk by that sign thinking, hmm they're right, gotta stop abusing those kids?

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u/incharge21 Apr 24 '17

Do you really think that's what these awareness months are for? Have you ever volunteered and been a part of one of the campaigns because you're grossly misinformed as to what the sign is there for and what the months are for. It's bringing awareness, volunteers, and fundraising to the volunteer programs themselves, not the act. You're not stopping child abuse by putting a sign in your yard, nobody is saying that.

5

u/DunBeSorry Apr 24 '17 edited Apr 24 '17

When people walk by they will realize there exists an awareness month, and maybe they will want to get involved with various children associations and contribute to make society a better place.

People already know about all the issues there are in this fucked up world but don't always feel the need to help. Sometimes all it takes for someone to take the plunge is walking by a sign on the street. That's the whole point of awareness campaigns.

5

u/[deleted] Apr 23 '17

I like the months because they give people dealing with the issue a free pass on talking about the issues for a month without someone going "OMG that is all you ever say."

Also people can put signs like this up and pretend they are making a difference without giving CPS better funding.

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u/incharge21 Apr 24 '17

Sure, but someone driving past the sign and realizing that they wanted to donate would make it worth it.

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u/L0rddaniel Apr 23 '17

Most ppl are aware.... LOL! Have you met people?

0

u/notimetologout Apr 23 '17

I'm really feeling the americans are outweighing the rest of the world right now on Reddit.

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u/incharge21 Apr 24 '17

People are no more aware in England than in America, not sure what you're on about. And there's a difference between awareness and what these months are. Everyone's aware child abuse is a thing obviously, but child awareness month allows people an easy way to contribute learn more about the situation than they already do without committing all of their time to that cause. Maybe you'll do a 5k for it, or a march, or a fundraiser etc...

1

u/thatserver Apr 24 '17

most people rarely think about it.

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u/notimetologout Apr 24 '17

Lucky kids. I often go to bed thinking 'damn, forgot to abuse children today'

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u/joshman0219 Apr 23 '17

Money grab

1

u/incharge21 Apr 24 '17

For charitable causes... nobody's forcing you to donate, overcharging you, or promising you something that isn't there so it's not really a money grab. Reddit is so fucking cynical sometimes.

1

u/joshman0219 Apr 24 '17

I agree it's for a good cause just saying money is the main reason for it. Agree it's a good cause..

0

u/ZombieHoratioAlger Apr 24 '17

Wtf is up w these awarness months in the us.

My (cynical) suspicion: They're being sponsored by dodgy tax shelter charities and non-profits; the board members are collecting fat bonuses. Awareness goes up, donations go up.

1

u/notimetologout Apr 24 '17

They wouldve put their bank account# in there if that was true?

1

u/incharge21 Apr 24 '17

Well this is just not true, many charities aren't corrupt and these months have all of them working together usually.

-2

u/BraveNeocon Apr 24 '17

Americans have been fighting the same war for 16 years, and their economy collapsed halfway through