Movember!

Aim: 

“To change the face of men’s health” 

Definitions:

A Mo Bro is a gentleman voluntarily participating in events described as ‘Movember’.  A Mo Sista is a woman who loves a Mo and is dedicated to supporting him through his moustache-growing journey.  

Rules:

Each Mo Bro must:

Begin 1^st Movember with a clean shaven face

Grow and groom a moustache for the entire month

Avoid joining of the mo to the sideburns (that’s a beard), or to the chin (that’s a goatee) 

Conduct himself like a true gentleman 

Background: 

Since its humble beginnings in 2004 in Melbourne, Movember has grown to become a global movement, with over 854,000 Mo Bros and Mo Sistas participating in 2011.

The key aim is to raise awareness of men’s health, specifically prostate and testicular cancer.  Mo Bros effectively become walking, talking billboards for the 30 days of November.  Their actions and words prompt private and public conversation around these often ignored issues.  This in turn helps to educate about health risks, change established habits and attitudes, and encourage action, thus increasing the chances of early detection, diagnosis and effective treatment.

A secondary objective is to raise funds, with nearly £80m donated worldwide last year.  The Movember Foundation commits to supporting a broad range of innovative, world-class programmes in line with their strategic goals of awareness and education, survivorship and research.  In the UK the key recipients are Prostate Cancer UK and the Institute of Cancer Research.

Risk log:

The following key risks have been identified, stating risk description, likelihood x severity = risk rating, and proposed mitigation:
* Mo turns out ginger.  1 * 4 = 4 (low).  Purchase of black wax.
* ‘Looking gay’.  4 * 2 = 8 (medium).  Equality training.
* Exposure to unwanted attention, mockery, and ridicule.  5 * 2 = 10 (high).  Live with it Mo Bro! 

Discussion:

The important contribution of Mo Sistas is acknowledged, yet remains secondary.  Is this acceptable, on the basis that men have much to do to emulate advances in the women’s health movement? 

Conversely, is there a way to more directly involve our lady friends, without drawing undesired attention to hirsuitism of the female labium superius oris?

As of 2011 Canadians were the largest contributors to the Movember charities of any nation.  What are the lessons from this?  Do Canadians grow the dodgiest moustaches?

What remedial action should be taken regarding men who voluntarily grow a mo outwith the agreed month 11 timescale?

Recent coverage suggested that a mo makes a man’s face more memorable.  Is this not, however, the one time of the year you do not want to be remembered? 

Conclusion:

On the basis of the available evidence, it is concluded that Movember is a “jolly good idea”.  

Next steps:

Grow a dodgy mo this Movember, in full conjunction with the aforementioned rules.  Furthermore, to provide photographic evidence of such on at least a weekly basis through a dedicated website and the media of popular social networks.  Action:  Oly

Support and encourage Oly in a fitting manner.  At your entire discretion this could include posting supportive comments, pledging monetary support, or even joining in as a Mo Bro or Mo Sista yourself.  Action:  You