Think about, Act on it, Stand for it
How do you create positive change? What have you done to advocate for something in the past?
Time:
65 minutes
Materials:
- Paper and pencils
- Chart paper
- Markers
Activity:
In this activity, you will be introduced to the process that is social change and how it brings about the betterment of all. Participants will be able to select a community problem, design a process for change, and recruit others to the cause through small group activities and role-playing.
- The facilitator will form small groups of 4-5 people and ask them to find a quiet place in the room. Next, pass a hat or box around containing the scenarios of community problems that need to be addressed. Each small group takes one. Note, this activity may be completed remotely by incorporate breakout rooms via platforms such as ZOOM.
- After each small group has their scenario, they are asked to:
Think About It
Each small group should consider their scenario and begin to write down or draw some ideas on how their group and/or how individuals might address the community need. Brainstorm for 5-10 minutes.
Act On It
After the small group has brainstormed ideas, they then decide how best to address the need. They plan a short presentation with the goal that when they present, they will be recruiting members of the other groups to help their group address their community need.
Stand For It
After each small group makes their presentation to the full group, each individual participant must decide which of the community needs they feel passionate about supporting. Each person goes to that group and stands with them. Each participant should listen to his or her heart when making this choice: What spoke to him/her?
Live It
With the new groups formed, the facilitator gives each member of the group a Live It Handout (Attachment 1). The participants are to plan how they as a group and/or individual might begin the process of change for that community need. They should keep this handout and check on their progress throughout the year.
- Ask the group to consider the actions taken on behalf of change:
- A person needs to think about it.
- A person needs to act on it.
- A person needs to stand for it.
- A person needs to live it.
- People sometimes spend a lot of time thinking about an issue, such as the homeless, and while they care, they just think about it. Sometimes people take the issue of the homeless and act on it by volunteering at the rescue mission or shelter helping adults deliver food or fill meal trays. Sometimes people stand for it by talking to their family and friends about the problems of the homeless and getting their support to help.
Each of the acts is important, but if the goal is to have change occur, then a person needs to do all four -- think, act, stand, live.
Reflection:
- Describe what you liked about the activity and why.
- In what ways is it important to do all of the above steps?
- What were some of the reasons you chose the need you wanted to address?
- How do the four steps apply to other decisions you make in your everyday life? How does it help you grow as a person?
- How do these four steps apply to caring and sharing for others?
- What would happen if citizens did not take a stand on issues in which they believe?
- In what ways does a democracy promote civic action of this sort and in what ways does it hinder it?
- What problems or challenges have some of you already addressed for the betterment of others and the community? How did it work? How did it feel? Would you influence others to do the same? Why or why not? How?
In conclusion, explain to the group that “Think about It, Act on It, Stand for It and Live It” is the process for change. What every person does is important. Each action taken is part of a bigger process to create an increasingly more positive society. In the process, each individual will experience personal human growth and development, even when things don’t go exactly as planned.
