Domino Theory Blog

Thinking - Dreaming

At times domino theory and Topplers seems poised to change the world. At other time it feels like simply a neat idea (and there's nothing wrong with that). I wonder what will happen? I think about this a lot..

I guess it all depends on what other people want - what they dream about.

I hope that someone reading this realizes that domino theory, myself, and Topplers are here to help you accomplish something you never thought possible. Martin Lurther King had a dream. What's yours?

Tipping Dominos for Cameroon

Today, the family and I went to a screening of Volcanic Spirit. It's a inspiring story about runners in Cameroon, Africa. If you're interested here's a link to the official website for the film.

The screening was a fund raiser for COREDEC - Community Research and Development Center of Cameroon (located in Ngaoundere, Cameroon). Our host was Brenden Schwartz, a volunteer for COREDEC. Before the showing the film gave a short presentation about his work, and it was at that time that I realized that COREDEC should be the recipient of the funds we raise while performing the Feb 3 Topple.

From the program they handed out today:

COREDEC is looking forward to bolstering its activities with new items including: computer literacy classes, the creation of a women and infant care center, scholarships for the region's poorest students, and support for rural schools which are fighting malnutrition and educating children at the same time.

When we designed the Feb 3 Topple we decided it would benefit an organization who's mission is to support education and improve literacy. After a little research we decided RoomToRead was a good choice. However, COREDEC has a similar mission and tipping a few dominos in their direction is certain to have an even bigger impact.

It’s ToppleTime!

Fellow Topplers,

Please join us once again on February 3rd as we have some FUN the first Tuesday of each month and tip some dominoes. February's event is another "random act of kindness" experiment designed around the larger concept of Supporting Education, which is one of our favorite causes to get behind.

Here's what we're doing:

• On February 3rd, a group of us will be placing several $5.00 gift cards randomly around the Barnes & Noble bookstore in Boulder Colorado. Each uniquely numbered gift card looks like a domino (see picture below) and has instructions for the recipient to use the card, reload it, and pass it on.
• For every domino set free in the wild we're making a $5 donation to RoomToRead.org – they work throughout the developing world to provide quality educational opportunities by establishing libraries, creating local language children's literature, constructing schools, providing education to girls and establishing computer labs.

It's our first test of using gift cards vs. actual dominoes and hope that it will be a success. At the very least, we'll put a few smiles on some faces, have some FUN, support RoomToRead.org, and just maybe a few of these dominos will find the right people at the right time… Inspiring them to set even bigger things in motion.

If you'd like to participate then we have two easy ways for you to get involved:

1. Get your own group together and tip some dominoes at your local Barnes & Noble on February 3rd. Email info@topplers.org by Jan. 28 and we will send you some numbered cards that you'll need to attach to the gift cards that you buy.

2. Send us a few bucks and we'll go tip dominoes on your behalf. $20 buys you (3) dominoes that you can register and track on Topplers.org. Also, for every domino you purchase Topplers will make a $5 donation to RoomToRead. Here's a link to send us money: http://www.typepad.com/t/app/public/tj?__mode=tip_confirm&id=1494590&user_id=2414336 [NOTE: this goes to the Domino Theory Tip Jar because our Topplers.org merchant account with PayPal is still being setup – thanks for your patience].

Thanks for your help as we continue to build momentum and take Topplers to the next level. Anything that you can do to help us spread the word (emails, blog, twitter, facebook, etc...) is also really appreciated.

Happy tipping,

Team Topplers

Obamino

Big Dominos Tip Smaller Dominos - Smaller Domino Tip Bigger Dominos - Millions of Dominos Tip All Around Us.  What will you set in motion?

Kiva - A Big Inspiration for Topplers

For those that know me, I'm sure you won't be surprised to learn that last week I started telling everyone that Topplers could end up being even bigger than Kiva.  If read this blog and what Kiva is, then you need to stop reading right now and go learn: kiva.org.

Anyway, I think Topplers has some unique aspects that over time might help it become a very large "movement."  But bigger than Kiva?  Who knows...  But I always think big, believe anything is possible, and subscribe to the notion that setting big hairy audatious goals (BHAGS) helps drive growth.

I admire Kiva - everyting about them fits into the Domino Theory model.  One small act, adding up to help people and inspire more action.

Here's a video that Kiva produced to show a $25 contriution moving through the system.  It's interesting, and inspiring.

A Fistful Of Dollars: The Story of a Kiva.org Loan from Kieran Ball on Vimeo.

My Favorite Definition for Leadership

I really enjoy learning about leadership and passing on my knowledge via coaching and mentoring.  For several years I also received leadership coaching, and during that time came to have a favorite definition for leadership: inspire & motivate.

Like many powerful things, it's sounds simple, yet it's infinitely complex.  I know that I will spend my whole life trying to master it and never succeed.  In fact, one of the reasons I am drawn to writing about Domino Theory and starting up Topplers is that it provides a platform to help others think big. 

For those who aspire to be leaders things about this....

When you embrace the notion of Domino Theory and start taking small steps to set big things in motion people notice.  These "small acts" begin to add up, and people around you become more inspired and motivated to dream big and take action.  In a way, you become an even more powerful domino that has a increasingly larger impact each time it tips.  With more energy, there's a higher likelihood that the dominos you knock into will not just tip over, but that they will fall with more energy, impacting more dominos, and so on...

This quote sums it up perfectly.....

"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader."  - John Quincy Adams

A Video Is Worth A Thousand Words

The use of dominos in ads is fairly common.  A few reasons: their fun, colorful, creative, and memorable.  Here's the latest ad I came across. 

I like posting the videos because it keep the Domino Theory visual fresh in the mind.  When that happens, and you slow down long enough to look at things happening around you, it's easy to see that the world is full of chain reactions, all set in motion with simple flick. 

Here's the link to the video for those following the blog via email.

Topplers on Facebook

For those Facebook junkies out there I wanted to invite you to join our Topples group.  Like all things "Topplers" it's a work in progress and we're very open to ideas on how to make best use of Facebook. 

To join the group just type 'Topplers' in the search box at the upper right on Facebook.

The blog will continue to be primary communications tool, but Facebook offers some nice options for group collaboration and setting up events.

As our community grows we'll be looking for volunteers to help with community management.  Basically this entails: posting engaging content, encouraging conversation, answering questions, etc.  If you are interested in this please let us know. 

2009 - The Year of Topplers.org

 I'm very pleased to ring in the new year with a big announcement!  Topplers.org.

Topplers.org is the online home for a new non-profit organization called Topplers.  We have secured initial funding, formed a board, and are in the process of filing out all the official papers.

Our mission is simple: Impact the world by inspiring, educating and motivating people to “Set Big Things In Motion."

Here's how Topplers works:

• Topplers provides a platform for people to acquire uniquely numbered dominos which are connected to various charitable purposes.
• As dominos "tip" into other dominos (passed from person to person), a story is written.  That story demonstrates the power of Domino Theory, and inspires others to join in.
• Topplers generates revenue and collects donations from various sources, then turns around and donates money to charities.

Moving forward, my Domino Theory blog will become the "official blog" of Topplers.  The blog will continue to be an outlet for talking about Domino Theory, but it will also include news about Topplers, and interesting "happenings" in the ever expanding topple of dominos around the world.

Our specific plans for 2009 are still in the works, but it's safe to say:

- We plan set in motion at least one REALLY BIG Topple with the goal of raising a bunch of money for charity.
- We will support the 2009 Domino Award in Computer Science at the University of Colorado.
- The website will be vastly improved.
- The blog will be move active.
- We will make it easy to acquire dominos, including electronic versions and ones that fit nicely into wallets.
- We'll make extensive use of Facebook to support and grow the Topplers Community.

In November of 2007 when I wrote my first blog post about Domino Theory I just wanted to share ideas that had been stirring around in my head for several years.  Before long I found myself handing out dominos and learning that people of all ages are drawn to the simple and powerful concept - that the world can be viewed as set of dominos ready to be tipped over with a simple flick.   As it goes with topples, one thing leads to another, and eventually a small domino knocks over a bigger one.  Then that bigger one tips over many more.

Here's to 2009, and tipping over a new big domino called Topplers.