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想要知道更多臺灣嚮光協會的使命或者創始緣起嗎？以下列出常見的問題，陸續增加中。擁有和「小朋友」玩耍、相處的時間，讓我們這些「大朋友」有機會看見同一個卻又如此不同的世界─我們從未想過的、無法回答的問題。提問是學習的開始，在下方留言或Email給我們吧！

Want to learn more about Bright Side Projects beyond our mission statement or origin of creation? We’ve provided a very few basic details questions below and more that will be answered in a few short days.

Having the opportunities for kids to hang out with us “Big Kids” has also opened our eyes to seeing the world as they often do – brand new and so many questions unanswered. The more we ask the more we learn. Comment below or send in an email!

為什麼成立臺灣嚮光協會？
如果你讀過我創辦志工招募網站Handful of Sapphires的緣起，就會明白，臺灣嚮光協會是唯一合理的下一步。我在其他的組織從事志工服務，看見許多促進人與人互動及深入交流的可能。在接觸的族群中，我看見與他們建立長期關係的需求。所以，我以從事志願服務的社群為基礎，開始把一些有趣的人組織起來。

Why did you start Bright Side Projects?
If you’ve read on why I started the volunteer portal site Handful of Sapphires, Bright Side was the only logical next step from that. By being a volunteer at other organizations, I saw opportunities that could be enhanced for greater and more in-depth interaction between people. I saw a need for long term relationship with groups we’ve met. So based on my connections from volunteering I began to organize fun for people to get involved.

臺灣嚮光協會和其他組織有什麼不同？

我們「創造改變」，讓未來更美好，這是最獨特的地方。以下有一些說明：
What is different about Bright Side from other associations?
We may all focus on making a change for the better in the future, it’s how we do so that sets us apart. Here’s a few things.

1) 有別於一位老師帶領一群學生，我們希望志工能與社區成員有更密切的互動，因此志工和孩子的比率約為1:1或是1:3。
Instead of having one teacher take on a group of students, we promote volunteer involvement and high interaction directly with the community so that there’s a between 1:1 or 1:3 ratio per kid/big kid.

2) 限制課程人數，以做到品質控管。有別於人數眾多的課程，也為了讓志工和小朋友都擁有美好的一天，我們將課程人數上限設定在15位小朋友及15個大朋友。雖 然60~100個孩子的大班教學更能節省經費，也更有效率，但卻會大大地影響整體品質及互動的親密，所以我們堅持控管每次課程的人數。
Quality control on workshop sizes. Rather than host huge workshops, we’ve come to the realization that a maximum of 15 kids and 15 big kids is the perfect number of capacity per magical day. For the number of hours in coordinating an event it would be more budget friendly and time efficient to even just have 60-100 kids. However, this greatly affects the intimacy of interaction and overall quality so we stay steadfast on our numbers.

3) 沒經驗，沒關係。我們─任何人─都可以創造改變，臺灣嚮光協會的存在，正是為了提醒每個人這一點。你能夠學到的比書上的更多，我們不只要提醒這點，也要讓你透過實際行動去實踐和成長。
No experience, no problem. We, and anyone, can create. Bright Side is here to remind you of that. Beyond a reminder from self-help books to make you feel empowered, we make it happen and empower you through real action.

4) 我們強調並呼籲平等及多樣性原則，這點在臺灣並不普遍。
A stress and adherence to our Equal Opportunity and Diversity Policy, which is uncommon in Taiwan.

5) 「美味餐桌」上，我們一起享用的是新鮮烹調的健康素食午餐。對孩子們而言，從製作沙拉到馬鈴薯泥，都是前所未有的美好享受。
Freshly cooked healthy vegetarian lunches as part of our Kitchen Table that are shared together. It’s been a real treat for kids to have something they’ve never had before, from salad to mashed potatoes.

6) 我們不提供垃圾食物。所有點心都是我們自己做的，我們知道裏頭的成分及原料。巧克力噴泉？薑餅？杯子蛋糕？都沒問題！
Junk food is not permitted. If there are snacks, we create these and we know the ingredients. Chocolate fondue? Gingerbread cookies? Cupcakes? Not a problem!

7) 我們強調語言友善，試著讓更多元、多樣的人參與志願服務，讓志工們互助合作。我們網站的英文介面讓國際朋友能夠加入志工行列，也經常更新最新資訊。
Language friendly. We try to get a good balance of people of diversity and will pair up volunteers in accordance to help each other out. One of the few websites that provides English-friendly volunteer opportunities in Taiwan. Frequently updated as well.

我之前做的是多元城市全球行銷，從街頭的穿著到奢侈品都有。所以我努力讓課程有相同水準的組織和品質。即使沒有資源、預算或是報酬，仍要盡力去做，因為知道自己在做對的事情。
My occupational background is in doing multi-city global events from streetwear to luxury goods. I try my best to take the same level of organization and quality into these workshops. Even if you do not have the resources, budget, or get paid to do it, you still do the best you can because it’s the right thing to do.

Is there a certain ethos or principle I should be aware of when leading or attending a workshop? 在協會的課程活動中，我是否需注意什麼？

請閱讀我們的宣示！我們秉持著公平多元的原則，因此能讓來自不同信仰和背景的人們共同參與。對於所有大朋友和小朋友，我們能確信的是─我們都有能力完成任何事。這也意味著性別平等，以及打破傳統的性別刻板印象。我們期望在整個過程中，有更多的溝通、包容與對他人的愛。我們希望每個人都能夠勇於提問，並能得到合理有邏輯的答案。
Please read our Manifesto! We also have an equal opportunity and diversity policy intact so we get people from different beliefs and backgrounds. There are a few consistencies that we maintain for all big kids and little kids – we are all capable of achieving anything. This means gender equality, potentially breaking traditional norms. More communication, more tolerance, more love. I want everyone to be able to ask questions and also obtain a logical, rational answer.

Why Taiwan? 為什麼選在臺灣？

最簡單的答案就是，因為我住在臺灣。我提倡「守護在地」，因為這是對環境更友善的方式。同時也因為我們必須打開雙眼，去觀察在我們生活周遭的環境。我們不需捨近求遠去助人，就從身邊做起。這些問題並不只存在於別的地方，而是在這裡，正在發生─而我們可以做些什麼。如果我們都能為自己和周圍環境創造正向改變，那我們就能夠改變世界。
Simply because I live in Taiwan. I promote local proactivism because it’s a bit more environmentally friendly. Also because we need to open up our eyes to what is in our immediate surroundings. We don’t need to travel to far off places to find people that need help, things that can be done are all around us. They aren’t problems that exist somewhere else, it’s right here, right now – and we can do something about it. If we could all make that positive change in ourselves and around us, we will change the world.

Why volunteer? What does it mean for me to get involved? 為什麼要當志工？我的參與有什麼意義？

每個人都有機會為世界、為自己或為他人帶來改變。透過實際行動，能夠更了解自己所在的社區。為什麼要等別人來跟你說世界上發生了什麼事，尤其是你所在的地方？我希望人們可以透過主動聆聽和發現問題，去了解他們所在的社區，不是「從臉書知道」或是「別人說的」，而是能夠自己獲得的第一手資訊─然後能夠去藉由參與、擬定策略和組織來做出改變，體認到個人的影響力不容小覷。這就是成長的力量！
All of us are capable of making a change. By getting active, you really get to know know your local community. Why would you wait for someone else to tell you what’s going on the world, especially your neighborhood? I want people to be active in getting to really know their local community by listening and seeing problems not as “tweeted” or “reported on” but firsthand – then being able to get involved, strategize and organize to make a difference, and realize the potential power of impact of one individual can have. This is empowerment.

How many employees are in this organization? 協會內有多少員工？
一個。因此我們急需籌募資金來聘請兼職和專職員工，以便我們能夠擴大組織並且做更多的事。幸運的是，我過去的工作是構思專案活動與執行，也有力建立品牌及重塑公司品牌的經驗。如果你有專案管理經驗，並願意加入，請告訴我！
One. Urgently need to obtain funding to hire part-time and full-time staff so we can expand and do more! Looking back, I have been lucky that in my past work having been in charge of projects and campaigns from conception to execution. I have also worked in building brands or re-branding companies. If you have experience in project management and wish to get involved, let me know!

Who created your logo? Who took all these photos? 協會標誌是誰設計的？這些照片是誰拍的呢？

台灣嚮光協會的品牌標示設計是Carl Nyman (Sixten)，一個塗鴉藝術家。我很幸運在幾年前，因為一個巡迴亞洲的專案計畫認識他（隨後還一起到墨爾本、紐約和洛杉磯）。所有的照片都是我們的長期志工和創辦成員所拍攝，感謝白炯涵、蘇嘉琦和鄭又綺。多才多藝的James Teng老師也為我們的活動拍攝了許多珍貴的照片，但他通常都在活動中陪伴與帶領孩子。

還有問題嗎？不要猶豫，問吧！
The creator of the logo(s) for Bright Side Projects is Carl Nyman (Sixten), a graffiti artist I was fortunate enough to have met several years ago when we flew him out on a project around Asia (and subsequently to Melbourne, New York, Los Angeles). All the photography are courtesy of some long term volunteers and part of our founding members, so thanks to Jonathan Burke, 蘇嘉琦, and 鄭又綺. Teacher and renaissance man James Teng also has shot many gems but he’s usually designated as being very hands-on with the kids during workshops.

More questions? Fire away!

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