Guatamala Trip -- Thank You!

Guatemala Update

So I have been a total slacker in posting items on change, but life has been so crazy. Tomorrow I leave to go to Guatemala. Eight months of planning for me is going to be actualized this week. I'm excited for the experience and trying to enjoy the journey. We have raised several hundred thousand dollars of cash and supplies. I don't know the grand total but we just learned this week that we received a $30,000 grant from the LDS Humanitarian office. We will be able to buy furniture for the school. The real amazing this is that this group accomplished this as a part time effort. Well, I bought a new camera to take down with me. I will have results to report in about 2 weeks.

Political Changes in Peru

So as many of you know, I have spent about the past two month in Peru, mainly in Lima. Living in a developing country is very interesting, and I wonder sometimes if it is not similar to how it must have been living in the States around the turn of 20th Century. I will have to say that the images, that came to mind when I read "The Jungle" by Upton Sinclair, have been somewhat a reality here in Peru.

Just last week, the Peruvian government called a state of emergency in Lima as protesters came to the Capitol to express their disgust with some of the activity the government is leading in the Amazon. Here is a link that gives more insight to what is going on: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8108388.stm

The cool thing about this story is that the Peruvian people are standing up for their rights and their beliefs. They are not allowing the government to complete injustices, and they are creating change. My applause goes out the indigenous people of the Peruvian Amazon. I hope we all can learn from their example and have the same type of courage as they have shown.

Thoughts on Leading Change

Last night I attended the DC's chapter of Brigham Young University's Management Society dinner gala. During last the event, the group presented President Henry B. Eyring with the Distinguished Public Service Award. After receiving the award, President Eyring addressed the group. His speech was very thought provoking as he talked about leadership, specifically about what makes others have the desire to follow someone.

He gave expamples from years of observations about different type of "effective" leaders. These were not always CEOs or Presidents of organizations, but "regular" people leading groups to accomplish the tasks at hand. Some of these examples included times of great change. From my professional experience, I have observered that effective change is only actualized when there is strong visible leadership from all levels of the organization. But how does this leadership become cultivated. President Eyring suggested that motivating people to follow a leader is when mutual trust and integrity are cultivated within the group. People follow others when they trust that individual's character and integrity.

As we look to change our sphere of the world, are we effective leaders? Are we trustworthy? Do we instill our trust in others? Do we have integrity in everything we do? This is the self examination that I need to do as I look tohelp promote change and improvements in my sphere of influence. I challenge you to do the same.

Community Clean-up

Yesterday, I spent 4 hours scouring a half mile segment of the Potomac Riverbed along the Four-mile Run trail. The weather was beautiful, sunny and the perfect temperature. I participated in this activity in conjunction with my church congregation's community service outreach activities. We had 58 people come to help clean-up the riverbed which was a phenomenal turnout. We also had all ages helping in the effort from around 2 years old to 60s.

What was super cool about the event was that not only did church members come and participate but also members of the community who were not members of our congregation. It was so fun to meet neighbors and work together to make the trail a more pleasant place. I was particularily impressedby two young boys (who lived in the next county) came to join our efforts. As they were waiting for their mother to pick them up, I chatted with them about their experience during the morning hours. They talked about all the random things they found, about falling into the water (which I actually wouldn't be surprised if they did that on purpose), and how many bags of trash and recycleables they filled. They came to help in order to get extra credit for school but what was interesting was that they both agreed that they had fun. I was shocked when one boy said, "It was so fun cleaning up the river and a lot better option than sitting at home watching tv or playing video games." (I'm not making this up...promise.)

Another cool thing that happened often as we picked up trash was that as bikers and joggers passed us they would often call down a "thank you" for our efforts. Others would also inquire about what our group was and how we organized this activity.

We collected around 100 bags of trash and recyclables and we could have kept going. There is still much more to do along the river, but every effort helps us get a bit closer.

Website up and going...

So we finally launched our website for the Guatemala project. If you want more details, check out the site: http://singularhumanitarian.org/. We're also sponsoring a 5k fundraiser in Rosslyn so if your in the DC area let me know and I will give you the details.

Comcast triggers change of thought

So an interesting thing happened this week. My Comcast cable box stopped working on Tuesday. At first I thought maybe it was unplugged, but unfortunately the problem was not that simple. So in effort to resolve the problem, I got online with Comcast eChat to find a solution. I had two options: wait a minimum of a week to get a technician to come to my home to replace my current box, or I could go down to Comcast to switch it out myself. Weighing the options and knowing that I really want to watch American Idol, the solutions was easy -- field trip to Comcast. Scenario in point: It's Friday evening around 6:30. The local Comcast office is located in a rather dingy strip mall on the south side of Alexandria. I walk into the office to find a line six people deep, two people sitting behind the Comcast desks with only one of them helping people. Ugh! This is going to be a wait I thought to myself. While in line, the wait seemed slower than molasses dripping down the side of a maple tree. The Comcast employees appeared less than concerned to speedily help the people in the growing line which was to the door at this point. Customers around me were growing more and more impatient and began voicing their annoyance. As I listened to the noise around me, I found that I was becoming annoyed as well and became more and more concerned about the time. At this point, another Comcast employee came to the front and began assisting customers. As I watched the Comcast representatives help the people in front of me, I started to think how bummed they must be to have to work until 9 pm on a Friday night. I would be extremely bummed as I was itching to leave work at 3:30 just earlier that day. So instead of being rude and impatient as some of my neighbors were being I chose to smile and be nice when it was my turn to go to the window. I had a pleasant exchange with customer service representative and she was extremely helpful in resolving my problem. I was on my way shortly after 7 pm with a working cable box. So I am sure you're asking yourself: what does this have to do with changing the world? Well, this example of how simple it is to do exactly that -- change the world. We all have a choice to smile, be nice and give someone the benefit of the doubt or we chose to be impatient, rude and short-tempered. People respond to how we act. Just simply giving someone a break and being nice can be a catalyst to a changing world. A world where people are kinder, happier and fun to be around.

Guatemala Project Update

So we are four and a half months out from heading down to Guatemala and I am getting very excited. Last week we had a fundraising event and raised $1200 for supplies. This was amazing especially since we pulled it together in two weeks. I wish I could take credit but it wasn't my idea or work, but the group putting it together did an amazing job.

So the activity was a mocktail party (we're non-drinkers) with mixed drinks and hor d'ouevres. It was a black tie event at an elegant home with a $5 cover charge. Live music, lots of people and mingling. During the event, we showed a video about the Guatemala trip and asked for donations. Great fun was had by all and we earned enough money to buy supplies for the school we will help build.

Easy Way to make a change

So Spring is in the air, at least in Washington DC it is. For many people that means "spring cleaning." I know in the next couple of weeks I will be doing a lot of cleaning and packing around my place, and I think it is safe to assume that many others will do the same as they pack up their winter clothes and equipment and pull out their spring/summer items. In this process I always find that I have a pile of items that I no longer want and/or need. The big question is what do you do with them? Well, one obvious option would be to donate them to charity.

Of course you could take this donation one step further and host a donation drive through your work, school and/or church. With very little extra effort you could help colleagues, friends and families as well as many people you don't even know.

Hosting a donation drive is very simple and most organizations, such as Goodwill, are willing to help you in this effort. The steps are simple:

1. Select the dates for your drive
2. Set a goal for how much you would like to collect
3. Contact your local charity to arrange pick up/drop off of donated items
4. Create and distribute flyers/communications about the drive (Goodwill actually already have the flyers made for you, all you have to do is input your specific information.)
5. At the beginning of the week, put out collection bins
6. At the close of the week, collect donation bins
7. Drop of donated items

It really is that simple. Another idea is to do it in conjunction with another event. That is what I am doing with my work. We have a large office-wide meeting in April and will collect donations at the meeting. Well, I am off. I'll let you know how much we collect. In the mean time, happy cleaning. :-)

What is AmeriCorps?

So I have heard of AmeriCorps but never really knew exactly what the organization was all about. So I did what I love to do...Googled it. This is what I found:

What Is AmeriCorps?
AmeriCorps is an opportunity to make a big difference in your life and in the lives of those around you. It’s a chance to apply your skills and ideals toward helping others and meeting critical needs in the community.
Each year, AmeriCorps offers 75,000 opportunities for adults of all ages and backgrounds to serve through a network of partnerships with local and national nonprofit groups. Whether your service makes a community safer, gives a child a second chance, or helps protect the environment, you’ll be getting things done through AmeriCorps!
AmeriCorps members address critical needs in communities all across America. As an AmeriCorps member, you can:

• Tutor and mentor disadvantaged youth
• Fight illiteracy
• Improve health services
• Build affordable housing
• Teach computer skills
• Clean parks and streams
• Manage or operate after-school programs
• Help communities respond to disasters
• Build organizational capacity

To find out it AmeriCorps is a good fit for you check out this page:
http://www.americorps.org/for_individuals/choose/index.asp

Change Starts with You

The past few weeks have been an interesting time. A time when the entire world is wanting change: change from the past to a hope of what a new year might bring; change from a wavering global economy; change in power and political ideology; the list for change is endless.

Being an American this is an especially interesting week as one Presidential Admininstration transitioned to another. Everyone is hopeful for change and for the new Administration to solve the problems we face with diminishing resources, war and conflict, a wavering economy, the list goes on and on. While I'm hopeful progress can be made, the belief that one man and his cabinet can change the world by themselves is quite illogical.

Making the world a better place takes individual efforts by everyone. We all have the responsibility to reach out to those in our circle of influence to make a difference. Making this difference and promoting positive change can be simple. Here are just a few ideas to consider:

• Give a kind smile to a neighbor or passerby


• Help a neighbor carry in their grocieries


• Volunteer a couple hours a month at your child's school


• Grant someone a compliment


• Donate your spare change to a favorite charity


• Give a kind, listening ear to someone who is down
  

Some of these ideas literally only take a few seconds of your day, but make a lasting impact on the lives of others. World governments may or may not be able to solve our global problems, but we can most certainly make each day a little better by lending a helping hand.

This site is dedicated to those efforts. I will be posting ideas and information on how you can get involved and make a move for change. Send me stories you'd like to share or information you have about how individuals can get involved. I welcome any suggestions.

Service in Guatemala

One of the exciting things I will be participating in this year is a trip to Guatemala to help individuals and families who live in the Polochic Region. A group of approximately 200 people will travel to this region to spend a week helping to stregthen the communities. The trip is scheduled for August 8-18, 2009.

We are partnering with Choice Humanitarian to lead a group of people to Guatemala to build a health clinic and school in a region that has much need. To learn more abut Choice see their website at http://choicehumanitarian.org/. You can also view some video clips about their organization at the botom of this blogsite.

Over the next few months, we will be making preparations which include fundraising, developing workshops, and making travel preparations. To find out more about the project, visit the facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=52363113880 or just give me a ring and I'd be happy to tell you more.

If you know anyone who would like to participate in this type of service opportunity please pass the information along.

Peter Singer Suggests 3 easy ways to make a difference

Want to do something to make the world a better place? Here are three easy ways to do it:

1. DO SOMETHING FOR THE WORLD'S POOREST PEOPLE
Donate some of your spare income to help those in great need. I support Oxfam, an organization that works directly with local grass roots organizations in developing countries, and supervises the way its money is used to prevent corruption and waste. Here are links to the Oxfam organization in your country: Australia, Belgium, Canada (Québec), France, Germany, Great Britain, Hong Kong, Ireland, Netherlands, New Zealand, Spain, USA and for unlisted: http://www.oxfam.org.

2. DO SOMETHING FOR ANIMALS
No single human practice causes as much suffering to nonhuman animals as factory farming. Right now, billions of animals are locked in small cages so that they can't even stretch their limbs, or turn around, or are crowded into large sheds, tens of thousands of them in each shed, unable ever to go outside or enjoy fresh air and sunshine. Boycott this inhumane system of production. Don't buy factory farmed meat, eggs or dairy products. Better still, go vegetarian or vegan. Here’s a great website for the information you need.

3. DO SOMETHING FOR OUR PLANET'S ENVIRONMENT
Reduce your greenhouse gas emissions. Use public transport, walk or ride a bike whenever you can. If you must drive, get a fuel-efficient one, perhaps a hybrid. And remember, factory farming is a wasteful form of production that requires a lot of fossil fuel, so eating fewer - or no - animal products will cut the amount of emissions for which you are responsible.

These three points are all about living in a way that is ethically responsible. Try it - you'll find it gives more meaning to your life and it's a great antidote to boredom. There is always so much to be done. And talk to others about what you are doing. Don't preach or be self-righteous, or fanatical about it, that just puts people off, but at the same time, don't be shy about setting an example, and use opportunities that arise to let others know what you are doing.

Top 10 Ways Teens Can Make a Difference

This is a great website for youth to utilize as they look for opportunities to become involved in the community and make a difference. The site is filled with ideas and toolkits to help teens learn how to get involved.

http://www.youthnoise.com/page.php?page_id=952

52 Simple Ways to Make a Difference

Making a difference can be easier than one might think. Former Senator Paul Simon points out 52 Simple Ways to Make a Difference in this how-to book. This can be a great resource as you look for ways to help make a change and promote good in the world. Paperback copies are available on Amazon.com for $10.99.

http://www.amazon.com/Fifty-Two-Simple-Ways-Make-Difference/dp/0806646780

Here are some service project ideas

Here is a list of service project ideas from Global Youth Service Day: http://tools.ysa.org/downloads/gysd/media/SERVICE%20PROJECT%20IDEAS.pdf. You can also find additional resources at http://ysa.org/Home/tabid/37/Default.aspx.

Helping Teens plan Community Service Projects

Here is a great article that outlines 7 steps in helping teens plan a community service project:
http://www.ehow.com/how_4442800_help-teens-plan-organize-community.html

Easy Ways to Volunteer your Time

Here is an interesting article with 8 easy ways to vlounteer your time: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/148410/easy_ways_to_volunteer_your_time.html