Community Change


            Start making change happen today, right where you are.

            Checklist for Community Change

                  • Define your cause. Brainstorm about what you'd like to change and write down your cause. It might be
                    reducing alcohol at community festivals, or changing social host laws to crack down on underage access to
                    alcohol. Don't be afraid to dream big. But keep in mind, heart work is hard work.

                  • Do your homework. It's important to get the facts about the way things are – so you can help others
                    realize how much things need to change. Develop a list of questions and interview your neighbors,
                    community officials, police officers, teachers and others – or, conduct group interviews. Supplement your
                    research by collecting local articles that relate to your issue. Be sure to keep good records of your
                    interviews and results.

                  • Recruit others. As you conduct your research, keep a list of local decision-makers and potential
                    supporters who might be able to join you. To make sure your group is most effective, choose people who
                    share your vision but have different talents and skills.

                  • Get some outside perspective. Once you've done your research and enlisted the help of other
                    like-minded people, spend some time thinking about and discussing your issue. Get out and talk with
                    people to get a good perspective on what they really think about your issue. How does it affect them? Do
                    they care at all – and what would it take for them to care? Once you get a better perspective on people's
                    attitudes, focus your efforts accordingly.

                  • Create a plan. Define your goal, your audience and what you need to make it happen. Then break the
                    issue into smaller manageable steps. Create a timeline for your plan so you can easily see what you're
                    trying to achieve and how long it will take.

                  • Make some noise. Get some attention in your community about your issue and communicate what you
                    want to change. You could hold press events or townhall meetings, speak up during public-comment time
                    at local government meetings or offer to speak to school groups. You could
                    also write and send opinion pieces or letters to the editor of your local
                    paper. Be sure to organize your thoughts, refine your message and
                    back-up what you're saying with research.

                  • Evaluate your progress. After a period of time, go back and evaluate
                    what you've done so far. Keep a note of any improvements that you've
                    noticed. Think about what's working – and what's not – and adjust your
                    goals and game plan to move forward.

                  • Don't give up. Even if change happens very slowly, be encouraged and stick with
                    your plan. Nothing that was ever worth doing came easy. Community change is hard,
                    but it is lasting and sometimes, life-saving.



            Want more inspiration? Please visit our online catalog for resources designed for
            individuals and groups who have a vision for Community Change.