As our Change Begins with Me campaign went live on the Case Foundation site, Steve and I were sitting around our dining room table enjoying dinner with 7 teenagers -- our kids and some of their friends. It is the night before Christmas Eve and everyone is busy chatting about what presents they have purchased, what experiences they had at the stores today and what friends they will see over Christmas break. I interrupt with news that the Change Begins with Me campaign is poised to go live on our site at any moment. This news is met with mixed reviews. Some think its great -- they love the way we've said that no commitment is too small. One or two question how real a commitment can be if expressed in 250 characters anyway. Others question how our example of shoveling a neighbor's drive is civic engagement. "That seems like a different category" they point out. After some discussion on the matter, there is recognition that it is smart to balance examples of the "small commitments" with examples of "big commitments," like encouraging citizens to think about increasing the number of health care clinics, creating more biking trails or working to eradicate malaria form the planet. I finally think the point is made that change will come to our neighborhoods, our communities, our nation and our world when each citizen makes a commitment to "get in the game" -- to help be the change by making a personal commitment to something they care about. Most nod in agreement. But then, while I don't actually see it, I sense a bit of a mental eye roll from one or two of them. Okay, you can't please all of the people all of the time, right?
After dinner, one daughter steps up to be the first to enter her commitment. I'm thinking this is a good sign. But then, it turns out that she, and others who were part of the conversation, are sweating this a little bit. She is wondering if our 6 month planned "update" on commitments is really an attempt to check up and "out" people who haven't filled their commitments. She wonders if our attempt to spotlight and report on commitment progress throughout this year on the Case Foundation site will really become the equivalent of the "volunteer police" -- checking on the status of commitments. I assured her that this is not the case. I tell her that our continuing coverage post-January is just an effort to be of service, remind people of their commitments and track collective progress we've made. I think this is funny and reflects a side to this we didn't consider -- diligent, responsible people will take this very seriously and worry that it puts them on the spot a bit. The worried daughter in this case volunteers 3 hours a week (faithfully) at a local therapeutic riding center so it struck me as odd that she would be concerned about this.
As for me, I am a bit red-faced because I don't know what to do with my own commitment. Should I specifically reference my commitment to the foundation and its work or should I come up with something completely new? Yet the idea of writing a public "commitment" has me thinking ... what should I say? What should I do? How do I make it sound just right?
I'm hoping this is a good thing. I'm hoping citizens everywhere take moment and truly reflect on the 250 characters. It won't help if people "over-think" this or make too much of this, but we are asking for real commitments. For some, the commitment may be small or simple but may be the FIRST experience of "jumping in" to make a difference. For activists, the 250 characters may flow easily. And then there will be everyone else. A little sweating. A little eye-rolling. Hopefully, a little smile. But hopefully the bottom line is that we'll all be better off when the 250 characters are completed and we celebrate the close of next year with commitments that have been fulfilled as one small step toward a stronger, healthier nation.
Tags: change begins with me civic engagement commitment millenials volunteering
Work on GiveVaccines.Org untill there are enough vaccines for every impoverished child.I will never give up on them and will continue to to work free as the Director of Marketing for as long as it takes.I will give it all I have every day.
- Andrea M. 15 Jan 09, 19:28Building more knowledgeable societies through all types of individuals. The more parents and other responsible individuals realize how much their input and presence helps to influence and encourage adequate learning progress in their children, the more valuable lessons are taught to more individuals that create a pattern of better behavior in our society. Change begins when we as individuals decide not to accept ignorance at any level and begin to have to change our attitudes about how, why, when, and where we do and say things. In looking at a tool for creating change, I believe that by presenting learners, family members, employed, under-employed, and unemployed individual with a more meaningful experience in literacy, change for more positivity can become a reality.
In presenting learners with a more meaningful experience in literacy, I believe that every learner, especially during the primary school years, deserve to discover the joy of reading and writing in order to experience ultimate success. In making that statement, I also believe that teachers and other responsible adults would truly have to present them with adequate support for developing success in these areas by recognizing the following:
Inspiring and motivating learners to become successful readers and writers will open the door to new realms of imagination and lifelong learning
Proficiency in independent reading and writing are critical to lifelong learning and enjoyment
Every type of learner deserves rich, interactive reading and writing experiences that consist of the highest quality, authentic literature from the very start of their school experience. I look at my position as a professional and as a responsible individual that maintain the effort of improving my skills and knowledge on a continuous basis so that I can understand the learning styles of all types of learners. This would assist me in introducing them to content that is unfamiliar to them that may possibly be included in other forms of content that is already known.
I have been a tutor and mentor for many years, and finally decided to create my own mentoring program that includes a virtual environment that allows me to cater to literacy and computer skill building events for more types of learners, located worldwide. My organization is called LEFTBOOS.org, which stands for Literacy enhancement for the betterment of our society. I strongly belief that in order to improve literacy skills in our youth, we need to cater to all types of individuals, that includes adults, for some parents may struggle with literacy but may be too proud to acknowledge it or are unaware of their lack of knowledge. I also believe that all types of individuals, young and old, are able to do and know something, but all of us, regardless of our academic, professional, or common knowledge, can learn something. So, my question for anyone who read this blog is, what are you doing or what can you do to help build a more knowledgeable society?
I commit to continuing the work of my nonprofit at Attachment Parenting International (attachmentparenting.org) that focuses on educating & supporting parents in nurturing their children. For fifteen years our organization has been a clearinghouse and an oasis for parents around the world. The roots of violence and peace begin at home so the most lasting way to break the cycle of violence is to teach parents the importance of forming strong emotional bonds with their children and then support ing them with family-friendly policies. We live in a culture where children feel disconnected from their families and communities with the highest rates of violence, incarceration, and young children on psychotropic drugs. It is critical that our society focus on prevention-for every dollar spent in prevention we save seven dollars in repairing the damage, generation after generation. We must invest in parent education- it is the most cost effective and lasting solution to many of our social problems.
- Lysa Parker 10 Jan 09, 11:38I propose to save the lives of America's most vulnerable children with a single question: Where did the gun come from?
Fact: Gunshots are the leading cause of death for African American youth ages 12-24.
Fact: most of these shootings are committed with illegally obtained guns.
If we can find out where teens and felons get guns, and hold those sources accountable, we can save lives.
The next time you read about a shooting, ask "Where did the gun come from?"
If I can convince you to do that, we can create change together. Stop gun trafficking. Save lives.
- Nancyrob 5 Jan 09, 19:10I commit to save the lives of America's most vulnerable children with a single, powerful question: Where did the gun come from?
Fact: gun violence is the leading cause of death for African American males ages 12-24.
Fact: most shootings involving urban youth are committed with illegally obtained guns.
Where do these guns come from?
If we can find out where young people and criminals get guns, and hold the sources accountable, we can save lives.
The next time you read about a shooting committed by a teen or felon, ask "Where did the gun come from?" If you'll do that, we can make change together, and save some lives in the bargain. Thank you!
- Nancyrob 5 Jan 09, 19:00shelter the homeless, feed the hungry, defend the oppressed, befreind the lonely, encourage creativity, dream, support research
- bruce terry brown 1 Jan 09, 17:00i commit to cultivating creative local networks - i.e. little leagues that commission composers to write original songs for opening day ceremonies - so that everyone can take part and pride in the creative process of building particular, unique and passionate culture with local artists.
- hoong yee 30 Dec 08, 23:00I commit to overcoming my shyness and stagefright by making my CD of original songs. Then I will spread them around the world. When people hear them they will hopefully be inspired and uplifted. In this way I will share my heart with the world.
I have been dawdling and dragging my heels on this because I've been caught up in self centered fear. This year I commit to getting out of my own way.
If we all just keep showing up and offering our gifts, and however big or small, watch what happens. The world will become better and better!
Love,
Martha
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