Standpoint

Max Browning
April 8, 2015
Observation 10

I am entering into my third year on the Executive Board of Ball State University Dance Marathon.  We raise money and awareness for Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis.  The organization is completely student driven.  This year, I am fortunate enough to serve as the president.  Throughout the year, we rely on the support of people much more powerful than us for financial support along with time and location donations for our fundraising events.  These companies are usually hesitant to donate to us.  They see us as college students trying to change the world, but they do not think that a group of college students will be able to accomplish that.  On the flip side, we see the impact we are making and the greater impact we can make if these businesses would treat us with some respect.

According to the Standpoint Theory, those without power in society are able to provide a more objective perspective than those with power.  While the businesses are focused on their bottom line and how much profit they are bringing in each day, we are able to see how the business can impact our mission without losing anything.  One of our fundraising practices is known as canning.  We simply ask that the store either allow us to place a Riley bucket near their register or that they allow us to stand at their entrance for several hours and ask patrons for a monetary donation.  Neither of these practices deter much from the companies mission, yet they often help us in achieving our own; however, the people with power cannot see this.  Because they have the power, their standpoint on the requests do not allow them to think critically about how this could potentially benefit them in unforeseen ways.  For example, I know that I, as a consumer, enjoy going to stores that are hosting fundraisers or accepting donations for a cause.  I rarely donate, but I do enjoy seeing that the business is trying to give back to the community that supports is.