The Big Read
2013 Big Read
Start Something that Matters
By: Blake Mycoskie
Start Something that Matters is about more than the story of how Blake Mycoskie began the TOMS organization. It is about the development of the One for One program, finding ways to give back to society through charitable actions, leaving the world in a better state that you originally found it, and living a simple life.
After a visit to Argentina as a contestant on The Amazing Race, Mycoskie later returned to spend more time in the country. It was through that trip that he developed the idea to create and connect the sell of a product to a way to give back to the children in need.
As a result, the One for One business model was created when the TOMS company promised to deliver a pair of shoes to a child in need for each pair of shoes it sold. This concept has now carried over into other products, and for each Start Something that Matters book that is sold, a book is given to a child in need.
Mycoskie’s story is where the Start Something that Matters movement begins; however, it is not where it ends. Throughout the book, numerous social entrepreneurs are profiled including Scott Harrison of charity: water, Tony Hsieh of Zappos, Lauren Bush of FEED Projects, and many others. He writes of entrepreneurship, overcoming fear, creativity, courage, and a desire to have a positive impact on the world.
Mycoskie is quoted on his website as saying, “My goal is to inspire others to go out and make a positive impact, to start something that matters to them. In my book, I felt a deep sense of responsibility to share everything that we've learned at TOMS over the past five years, so that others can learn from both our mistakes and our successes, and go out and chart their own course.” For more information, please visit startsomethingthatmatters.com,read the Wall Street Journal book review here, and watch the video below.
BIG READ Program’s Mission, Purpose and Goals
Mission:
The mission of the BIG READ program is to unite incoming CCU freshmen in an enjoyable shared learning experience prior to beginning their academic course work.
Purpose:
The program’s purpose is to create a singular introductory learning forum among our students, across various disciplines, and to facilitate creative and critical thinking from the moment they step foot on campus.
Goals:
The goals of this program are to engage students in a singular academic task, encourage the critical thought process, explore themes and ideas relevant to student life, and challenge students to develop and explore multiple perspectives.
The charge of the BIG READ committee is to evaluate and select materials each academic year that fulfill the goals of the summer reading program. Members of the committee participate on a volunteer basis and include faculty, staff and students. The committee reviews all materials solicited across campus and makes it’s selections based on a set list of criteria.