Get to the Root

Root of the Problem is a divergent thinking activity that broadens participants' thinking about the elements of a problem and where the experts are locally. It's also a great opportunity to use respectful language and generous listening as they work together in small groups, honoring all contributions and expanding on one anothers' ideas. 

Materials:

• Chart paper and markers for each group
• Internet access to look up resources

Activity:

1. Work in small groups.
2. First, the group decides what problem they want to talk about. A problem describes what is wrong in the community, rather than the desired outcome. Examples: "polluted neighborhood park" or "kids come to school without breakfast" or "limited Internet access." 
3. The participants draw a tree as big as their chart with bare roots and branches.
4. By the roots they write several root causes of the problem (no trash cans in the park, people don't respect the natural area, people stay inside).
5. By the branches, they write several effects of the problem (kids can't focus on work, they are ill often).
6. They draw bee and butterfly outlines around the tree on which they write expert resources to learn from (organizations, websites, people who know about the problem and solutions).
7. The groups share their tree brainstorming with others and ask for further ideas and discussion.

Reflection and Next Steps:

Focus on what next best steps we can take right now. This may include the following:

• meet with nonprofits to ask questions about the issue and what they do
• investigate the problem and learn more
• tell others about the issue or things they can do (be an advocate)
• volunteer
• change habits
• collect resources to help others
• View Learning to Give toolkits related to Issues We Care About

Find Learning to Give lessons related to the identified issues, understanding nonprofits, or advocacy: use search terms related to academic or philanthropy goals, service project ideas, issues, or community resources.