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I've been thinking what I can do to help our nation move forward. Much like our new administration, I'm interested in world peace, a fair economic shake for everyone, a sound economic base and an end to hunger.
An enormous wish list, right? But I am wondering how, as one citizen, a working class one at that, what can I do, as an individual, to help us achieve these rather daunting goals?
I figure I have to start locally--but how? Has anyone also given this question some thought and figured out a way to get involved and active?
I'd be very interested in your pro-active positive suggestions and thoughts.
Those negative naysayers, not on the same page as me, please--this thread is not for you.
Thanks everyone.
Little Dolphin
Last edited by LittleDolphin; 01-21-2009 at 12:09 PM..
Reason: typo
Solve a problem. It sounds really basic, but it's the truth.
Identify a problem in your local community, and then develop a plan of action for solving/correcting the problem. The plan might be as simple as donating some time to help an already established organization, or it might mean that you're starting something from the ground up.
Take part in local government. That doesn't mean that you have to run for office, but go to local board meetings and stay informed about what's going on in your community. Don't be affraid to give your opinion if given the oppurtunity.
Volunteer to be a big brother/big sister. I've always maintained that the youth are the foundation of our future and more than ever, this is a critical time to get involved.
Additionally, if someone does a good deed for you or a family member, pass it on!
It can never be done by one person to end everything, but chips can be worn away to help out. Get enough chips and you can create a master piece, or find a way to use less to help more.
I always think new ideas are the best way to combat things, micro lending as a fantastic idea when applied by economists in third world countries. It's helped a great deal of people, more so then one person working just handing out food for their lifetimes.
One of the things I try to do is NOT fill up our landfills or waste other resources. I recycle EVERYTHING that our city will take as well as encourage others to do so too. I have to watch that I don't become the "recycling nazi" because I can be a bit overbearing. But I do try to reach out on the basis of "each one teach one".
I'm in education, so I'm biased and tend to think that education is the silver bullet (in truth, there probably is no silver bullet, but I hope that education is it). So I try to be the best educator I can be - work with the local high schools to try and find ways to improve the learning protocols for students, work with the local community (museums and such) to find ways to get more excitement into learning, etc. etc. I also take every opportunity available to further the cause of educating people: I volunteer in a forum run by Argonne National Labs which answer science questions of students (and non-students) all over the world, I never allow a misconception in science -even in an average conversation to go unchecked (I can get downright pedantic sometimes), I write occasionally for the local paper, etc. etc.
In short (it's a slogan/sound bite but it works): I think globally but act locally.
The first thing I did was bite off more than I could chew. Then went off the wall because I couldn't accomplish it. Or at least I can't right now.
My second obstacle was NO. As in, no you can't do that if your not a major NGO etc. and so on. Obviously, way out of my league anyway.
So, I found a very small corner that no one is paying attention to. One that I can obsess over and dream big. One that lets me donate when and what I can......without myself as a centerpiece. I think I'm doing ok with it.
If I was doing something great, I would have excellent advice. I'm under the radar. I like it like this. The only advice I have is to aim small. Look in the corners, especially where people like to talk real big but have a gap. Fill the gap.
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