NIC Blog
The Key to Community Change?
Tags: IMPACT
Community Change is Impossible without Individual Action...
Too often when we think of change, we think too big. Not too big in the sense of our hopes and dreams, but too big in regards to process. We need to think big when it comes to our hopes and dreams, and then allow that vision to pull us forward. Our challenges arise when we think too big in regards to reaching our vision. We neglect the small wins; the strength of a small, yet mighty coalition; the power of progress; and what we truly can control.
When it is all said and done, we only have control over one thing. Ourselves. At first glance, this may appear negative and disheartening. However, we believe it is quite the opposite. It provides hope, because each and every day, we have choices about how to go about our lives as members of the fraternity and sorority community. Not only do we have choices, but our brothers and sisters have choices. When enough of us make the right choices, there is no limit to what we can accomplish.
In regards to our opening thought about change being impossible without individual action; we must choose to act, and we must choose to enlist others in our efforts. We can no longer wait for others to take the lead. If we want to implement positive change in our communities, it must start with our own action. Action is not hosting an all-Greek picnic or barbeque. While that may bring us together as fraternity men and sorority women, it does not forward the values of our organizations. We need to take action that is rooted in the values that we hold dear, as well as our commitment to our fraternal values and Ritual.
When we take control of our choices, and act in a manner that is congruent with our values and Ritual, we reclaim the power to inspire our brothers and sisters to do the same. Beyond that, we are empowered to expect the same of others. Change is certainly not that easy. This is why there are entire graduate level courses on nothing but change theory. It is quite true that changing our communities will require additional work and effort beyond acting in congruence with our values, and expecting the same of others. However, without such action, lasting community change is impossible.
This is one of the central tenets of a revamped IMPACT institute that is now being offered by the NIC. IMPACT is a campus-based leadership institute that will provide participants with the skills, relationships, and self confidence necessary to jump start positive change within a community. It is intended to be a spark towards creating lasting community elevation through increased leadership skills and action that is rooted in our shared fraternal values.
To learn more about IMPACT and how it may help develop some lasting elevation in your community, go here.
