The Snowball Effect Seeks Positive Social Benefit
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Wikipedia defines the Snowball Effect as: Snowball Effect is a figurative term for a process that starts from an initial state of small significance and builds upon itself, becoming larger (graver, more serious), and also perhaps potentially dangerous or disastrous (a vicious circle, a "spiral of decline"), though it might be beneficial instead (a virtuous circle). The common analogy is with the rolling of a small ball of snow down a snow-covered hillside. As it rolls the ball will pick up more snow, gaining more mass and surface area, and picking up even more snow and momentum as it rolls along.
It was that last part, about being beneficial, that inspired Ken Braley to name his new group The Snowball Effect. According to the group's Facebook page, this is their mission:
The Snowball Effect is an open group that plans and completes fun, social, manageable sized projects, collectively helping to build a better Rochester. We have four main criteria for deciding which projects to do first:
-Positive social benefit.
-Time restraints.
-Interest in involvement.
-Starting small and building towards bigger projects.
The group meets at various coffee shops around downtown Rochester. It is open to anyone who would like to participate. Some projects proposed by the group included community gardens, a mural-style community calendar, and Little Free Libraries.
An undecorated Little Free Library. The ones in Rochester resemble small houses
A fully decorated and stocked library in Easthampton, Massachusetts. (photo: Google Images)
The Little Free Libraries are the project that has progressed the furthest at this point. Little Free Library is an international project in which those who are finished reading a book they own may contribute them to the benefit of others rather than the landfill. Small boxes, often elaborately decorated, are placed in or near public places where passers-by can borrow or contribute books. More information and maps showing locations of existing libraries can be found at http://littlefreelibrary.org. The first Library by The Snowball Effect is sechuled to be installed Saturday October 12 2013 in front of 924 South Clinton Ave near South Goodman St. Sixteen more from the group are on their way.
Nate Davenport (left) and Ken Braley (right) sort books for the Little Free Libraries
The goals of our Little Free Library project are:
-To promote literacy and the love of reading by installing a Little Free Library.
-To add to a spreading national trend that promotes sharing and greater sense of community.
-To give Rochester community members an example of a simple, positive project, that can be easily replicated by almost anyone.
-To give an example of taking pride in our city. We all have the ability to make a positive impact on our community, and if enough of us do, it's truly limitless to how great Rochester can be.
One of the libraries that will be set up in Rochester
Other projects this group is working on include community gardens, a mural-style calendar and a multi-use community space similar to the Flying Squirrel only non politically-oriented and more focused on providing space for art and music.
For more information contact the on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/669409793103854/) or by email list (http://eepurl.com/CXYBD). Meetings are at 8pm on Thursday evenings. Locations vary and will be announced on the Facebook and mailing list. We meet at different places to share our favorite places in Rochester and discover new ones.
"Once you learn to read, you will be forever free.” - Frederick Douglass
"The older I get, the greater power I seem to have to help the world; I am like a snowball -- the further I am rolled the more I gain." - Susan B Anthony
