Learning how to cooperate could just save your life, but it’s sometimes a difficult task for us to master. It takes some personal honesty and some faith in your fellow participants. The definitions sound simple. Most often it is used
Learning how to cooperate could just save your life, but it’s sometimes a difficult task for us to master. It takes some personal honesty and some faith in your fellow participants. The definitions sound simple. Most often it is used to mean working together to complete the same task. People could also ask you to cooperate by asking you to agree to do something. For example, “Would you cooperate in completing this survey?
We trust that drivers will cooperate by driving on the right side of the road in our country. If someone randomly decided to drive on the left, it could cause a head-on collision. It’s so important that’s a written law. We have to trust that people will follow the laws that are meant to protect the greater population. You may be 17 years old, have excellent reflexes and are a great driver, but you still have to go the speed limit because there are some others with slower reflexes, and tires blow out, or people make errors, and you’re more likely to survive if you go the speed limit.
If you’re curious about Hawaiian laws, they’re called the “Hawai‘i Revised Statutes”. You can find them at www.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/
A more user-friendly website on basic Hawaiian laws is statelaws.findlaw.com/hawaii-law/hawaii-criminal-laws/
One of the most wonderful features of the United States government is that laws can be created and changed by the people. There is a long process to follow, and there has to be proof by signed petition that many people want this law or modification of it, but we have that option. So if someone doesn’t like a law, they might want to investigate it, and see about changing it. Be pro-active. Complaining doesn’t do much. This country was founded on the belief that we could trust each other. Cooperation was essential as this country was blooming and laws were being created. It was essential among the ancient Hawaiians, and is essential whenever times get tough.
My cousin lived in South Manhattan when 9/11 occurred in 2001. He said that the cooperation and concern for everyone created a fellowship like he had never experienced in his life. This was true for us on Kaua‘i in the aftermath of Hurricane Iniki in 1992. “We the people” are an incredible source of love, wisdom and power when we all can agree to something.
At school students and parents get a handbook with the school conduct codes to follow. In some states students and their parents are required to sign that they’ve read them. Again, these rules have been made to direct behavior so that the best opportunity for learning may occur. I Googled Kaua‘i High School’s online and they discuss appropriate dress, prohibited items, punctuality, regular attendance, respect for authority, property, self and the rights of others. Students are expected to show up prepared for class, and to contribute to a safe school environment. Visit teacherweb.com/ HI/Kauaihigh/raiders/t.aspx for more details.
There are some behavioral codes that are unwritten that we learn as part of our culture. I read a beautiful letter by Jose Bulatao Jr. dated Oct. 8 to The Garden Island. He wrote of the “Kekaha style” of living: To be respectful, fair, kind, helpful and to take care of each other and the environment. “Share what you have and try not to ‘talk stink.’”
Teachers help students learn to cooperate by giving them projects to do in a group. In a short amount of time the project tasks need to be determined, the skills of the group participants assessed, and the tasks assigned to the students most able to carry out the tasks. Sadly, as a teacher I’ve seen kids in tears because one of the participants didn’t complete his/her assigned task, and the whole group suffered with a lower grade for it. How can a group make sure that everyone does what they are supposed to do? Some teachers provide timelines and check-sheets to be turned in by the group every few days. If your teacher doesn’t provide one, make one. Let the group make a graph with each member’s name on the vertical axis. On the horizontal axis list the tasks and date they need to be accomplished by.
For example, in a project comparing Gross National Happiness to Gross National Product as measurements of national success, Kamika is assigned to explain what GNH is. In two days he has to present an outline of what he proposes to present to the group. They offer suggestions, and it gets checked off on the graph. In another two days he has to have the history part complete. Check. In another two days he would provide a summary of the survey used to determine the happiness index. Check. In another two days he would present how it has impacted the Bhutanese people who use GNH. Check, and finally, he would present his audio/visual supports. The other group members are also getting checked off for their tasks. If one person is stuck, the group knows right away to lend a little support. People are cooperating together, and collaborating.
Educators are finding out that students often learn more by doing their own research and working in a group on a project. Psychologists have noticed that in a cooperating collaborative group a great level of learning can also occur.
People are more comfortable when others cooperate. Our minds like order and not chaos. When we cooperate there is more order and less chaos. People have created schools, co-op housing, stores, businesses, written movies, songs and more by cooperating. I hope it may lead you to an exciting adventure too.
• Hale ‘Opio Kaua‘i convened a support group of adults in our community to ‘step into the corner’ for our teens, to answer questions and give support to youth and their families on a wide variety of issues. Email Annaleah Atkinson at aatkinson@haleopio.org.
