In memory of our late great convenor Bob Mckay, each year we will award this trophy to one school in Scotland which has made the best efforts to replace indoctrination with education.
Norma Mckay explains more about the award:
The thinking behind the design for the award was threefold: firstly, to raise the profile of the Humanist Society Scotland, secondly, to make something personal to Bob and thirdly to make young people curious to find out more about it. If it had been a trophy, it may have ended up in a cabinet where it might not have been seen. Instead it has been made of cast steel of a size that commands attention, loud and proud. Bob wrote poetry all his life and loved words and word play, as anyone who knew him would know. He had written this Haiku a few years ago as a way of encouraging someone who was struggling with the effect of their family upbringing. As a Haiku written in English consists of three short lines, it seemed to fit. It turned out to be words from a well known proverb, Leopards are Leopards, meaning people don't change. Bob's words changed it to include hope:
Leopards are Leopards,
but we are not,
so we can.I felt this was fitting to use in the award because the message was one of encouragement to be what we can be outside constrictions of background or ideology for a young person. Of course the words led to the visual image of colour and pattern. Added to that was the universal message of humanism, the colours of the lettering making one think of traffic lights saying, stop, think, then go with your own mind.
We are aware that many schools are making great efforts in this field so if you know of one which deserves consideration for the award please send us details.
To arrive by Monday 10 September 2012. The trophy will be presented at Annual Conference in October 2012.
