service

It’s hard to believe that 10 years have come and gone since the day my generation was thrust into a new world – a world where politics at the local, national, and international level suddenly took on new meaning. A world that forced us to grow up a little quicker. A world that helped us develop a civic awareness that many say could only be the result of a national tragedy on a scale like September 11.

Yesterday we marked the 10-year anniversary of that fateful day, and today is 9/12/2011. It is the start of a new decade for us as Millennials in a post 9/11 era. For those on the older end of the Millennial spectrum like myself, we have now spent the past decade in the workforce,and many of us have settled down and are starting families of our own. We are armed with new technology and an awareness and appreciation for global issues, and we have been building organizations and reinventing ourselves and our institutions with an entrepreneurial flair. The events of 9/11 suddenly gave us a larger purpose – a reality check of sorts that reminded us we weren’t invincible and that we had an obligation to give back to our neighborhoods, our community, and our country. 

Today as we enter the next decade of life after 9/11, we take with us vivid reminders not only of that day, but of the way in which it changed our individual narratives. We wonder what will come in the next 10 years. We lift up examples of new social innovations and technologies that have brought us closer together as neighbors, friends, and family, from Friendster to Facebook. We lift up examples of organizations that have grown and come into their own to help us find a voice and purpose.  

If you look at the nonprofit landscape over the past decade, there has been a surge of young idealistic change-makers who have started their own organizations to address real problems, be it in their local or global community. They have little concern about whether their venture is a .com or .org – and more concern about whether or not their work is having an impact. While the entrepreneurial spirit that is so engrained in my generation is inspiring, there’s also a reality. The reality is that many of these new organizations are competing for limited dollars and our limited attention spans. There are simply not enough resources to support and fully fund all of the great ideas that are being generated – or the capacity  to ensure they are all able to thrive.

Even so, there are also many success stories. The events of September 11 prompted people like Scott Heiferman, founder of Meetup, who said “the only time I thought about my neighbors [pre 9/11] was when I hoped they wouldn't bother me,”  to suddenly launch a national platform that would bring together millions through meetups across the country and eventually around the world. Or David Smith, founder of Mobilize.org, whocreated an organization that would exist today as a way to empower and invest in Millennials to create and implement solutions to social problems. In the years since 9/11, Mobilize has merged with a half dozen smaller nonprofits with similar missions to work collaboratively to leverage the unique skills of Millennials and create solutions to social challenges.

In this next decade, my hope is that we build upon this momentum and spirit of service andfind greater opportunities to invite these emerging social entrepreneurs into our existing institutions – some of which are in desperate need of an infusion of new life and ideas. And, that we create space for greater cross-generational learning, dialogue, and debate so our institutions are strengthened rather than struggling for new ideas and opportunities.

The world my daughter will inherit is one my generation will help shape. I have full confidence that the idealism and energy that has emanated in the years since 9/11 will help create a solid foundation for continued innovation.

What new ways of thinking do you believe will come as a result of the Millennial Generation coming of age in the next 10years?  How will this influence continue to reshape our institutions?

This interview is part of our "Social Citizen Sightings" series, in which we highlight how people are using their creativity, idealism, and digital fluency to support their causes every day. Milena Arciszewski is 26. She enjoys camping, reading, adventure travel, and clean socks… and I should mention is starting a nonprofit called Pando Projects.

Pando Projects is a nonprofit that empowers people—in particular Millennials—to step up as leaders and develop new, local solutions to the problems in their communities. The initiative seeks to support ordinary people in accomplishing extraordinary things by helping them to tackle national and global challenges. By providing tools and support for people with ideas, the group hopes to empower Americans to change the world, one project at a time. The pilot phase launches this month and will support 15 New Yorkers with ideas for grassroots projects.

1)  Why are Millennials any different from other age groups when it comes to volunteering and service?

Arciszewski: I think many Millennials are bored with the traditional service model in the U.S. We don’t want to sign up for a pre-existing volunteer program, initiative, or campaign – we want to start our own projects and find our own innovative solutions to the problems facing our planet. We also want a volunteer platform that incorporates technology and social networking, ensuring that our volunteer initiatives are talked about, celebrated and shared. 

2)  What drove you to start your new initiative, Pando Projects?

Arciszewski: Volunteering became a part of my identity [growing up].  As a relatively shy girl, it was a way for me to connect to the community that I never really felt a part of.

However by the time I was a junior at UVA, I was bored.  I no longer felt like I was making an impact.  I was tired of signing up with pre-existing programs.  I was tired of being told what to do.  I was tired of these small, pre-packaged volunteer commitments, designed to make me feel that I was “changing the world,” when in fact, all I was doing was stapling papers. 

The volunteer programs were static and dull, leaving little room for creativity or problem solving.  Whenever I had a good idea, I was told “we just don’t have the budget for that.”  I felt like I was drowning in my good intentions, and that no volunteer program was truly the platform for me to make an impact on this planet. 

Cynthia Gibson, in a Case Foundation report [titled Citizens at the Center: A New Approach to Civic Engagement] perfectly captures my frustration and impotence: “While there are millions of Americans, especially young people, who are trying to ‘make a difference,’ largely through volunteering, there remains an inchoate yet palpable sense among most people that what they do matters little when it comes to the civic life and health of their communities, states, or the country overall.”

3)  Given your frustration with the service sector as a young individual, what “change” happened that moved you to take action and helped you to affirm your desire to be part of the solution rather than the problem?

Arciszewski: I started my own grassroots volunteer project [as a junior in college], outside of any institutional structure.  I had heard a story about a university in Afghanistan, whose library had burned down and whose students needed textbooks.  Strangely inspired, I organized a book drive that collected and shipped several thousand used books to that school in Afghanistan.  It was one of the most amazing experiences of my entire life. 

In starting my own project, I found the volunteer experience that I had been looking for.  It was exciting, fast-paced, relevant, and new.  And the project transformed me from a shy, pajama-wearing introvert to a happy, confident leader.  The project also landed me a coveted internship.  I was beyond myself – not only had I helped people in Afghanistan, but I had also helped myself grow up in a beautiful way.

4)  What have been some of your most difficult challenges in developing this new model of service solutions?

Arciszewski: Grassroots organizing is hard.  I remember how much I struggled with the book drive.  I didn’t know how to raise money, organize events, manage volunteers, keep people updated… it was a logistical nightmare.  What this country needs is a platform to simplify this process, so that whenever someone has a good idea for tackling an issue in their community they can actually do it.  And that’s why I’m starting Pando Projects.  

For those people with new ideas, we provide the project mentorship and online workspace they need to make their ideas happen.  We don’t help people start organizations; we simply help them carry out projects within one year, for up to $5,000.  Like a book drive. Or an after-school art class. Or a community garden. There are thousands of people with amazing ideas… I simply want to unleash their potential to change the world.

5)  Final thoughts?

Arciszewski: In the same Case Foundation report [referenced previously], Cynthia Gibson wrote, “[We need to] create opportunities for ordinary citizens to come together, deliberate, and take action collectively to address public problems or issues that citizens themselves define as important and in ways that citizens themselves decide are appropriate and/or needed.” 

I hope that Pando will play a role in making this happen.  Millennials, check out www.pandoprojects.org. We are just getting started, but we will give you a service opportunity that will rock your world.

Martin Luther King Jr. said it best, “everybody can be great…because everybody can serve.” This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service, a national holiday designed for individuals to be able to serve their communities.

Dr. King was a servant leader, and to this day continues to inspire countless individuals around the world to give back to their communities. He is remembered for accomplishing extraordinary things on behalf of people in need but more importantly, he leaves a legacy of encouraging others to find their greatness through service.

While January 17, 2011 is the day when thousands of people around the country will participate in service projects, we are most excited about the people that will be inspired to make service a priority year round.  And, to celebrate our friends and neighbors who have made an impact by quietly serving their communities every day, we’re excited to highlight these heroes on a series on CaseFoundation.org entitled “Why I Serve”. This post is a part of that series.

Interview with Evan Waldt of City Year, DC.

Evan Waldt grew up in rural Pennsylvania, he attended High School in Florida as well as attend classes at a Community College in Gainesville, Florida. In college Evan was a Model United Nations Outstanding Delegate, he has also worked in the restaurant business for over 10 years, and is an Eagle Scout. Currently, he is serving his second year with City Year Washington, DC. 

What made you want to become involved?

Why not serve?  I believe in national service and I come from a long line of veterans.   I knew I wanted to serve my country in some way.

Why did you decide to begin a second year of service with City Year?

I decided to do a second year of City Year because one year wasn't enough.  I made lasting friendships which drew me back to City Year. I wanted to ensure that young individuals would have a transformational year during their time with City Year, just like I did. 

Everyone’s lives are busy; what inspires you to make service a priority in your life?

I always tell myself: “If not me, then who?”  It has become a part of who I am. 

Are you participating in a service project on MLK day?  If so, what?

Yes. City Year Washington, DC will be engaging over 700 volunteers in painting and construction projects at: Anacostia High School, Kramer Middle School, Ketchum Elementary School, The House DC, and The Children’s Center. I am co-leading a team of corps members who have been planning and prepping this event for months – it’s going to be great!

Why do you think people should serve year round?

People should serve year round because hunger, illiteracy, and social injustice do not take time off, why should we?

Do you have any anecdotes that inspire you to serve that you’d like to share?

Last year, I taught the third graders I worked with something they did not know-Kickball. This is simple childhood rite of passage that I had the privileged to experience. The children learned sportsmanship, fair play, and discipline, but most importantly-humanity. The ability to let the youngest kick first, knowing that losing is ok, letting everyone get a turn and letting kids of all abilities play. For those 30 minutes twice a week, no inequality mattered; the world had purpose, the game was fair, and I had pride for each and every student.

Why do you serve?

I serve with City Year because if I wasn't serving I would not be in a such positive place. I struggled to get my bearing in the usual timeline of high school through college, and came to a crossroads at City Year. When I began my service, I didn't believe in City Year, but City Year believed in me. Not only have I developed as a person, a professional, and a friend, I have been afforded the opportunity to experience some amazing things.

Today is Blog Action Day, an annual event leveraging the power of blogs around the world to raise awareness and spark discussion on an issue and promote social change. This year, more than 9,000 bloggers are dedicating today's post to discussing climate change, and those posts are expected to reach more than 12 million readers. Although Social Citizens doesn't often tackle environmental issues, we couldn't pass up an opportunity to join a movement on the social web for social change. These are just a few ways Millennials can go, and already are going, green.

Buy Green. Being a green consumer is easier than ever, and it doesn't have to be limited to local produce, recyclable paper and reusable bags and water bottles. Last month, Newsweek released its first Green Rankings, which scores the 500 largest US-based companies on their efforts to cut emissions and adopt responsible environmental polices. Among the top 10 are Hewlett-Packard, Dell, Johnson & Johnson, Intel, IBM, Nike, and Starbucks. This list will make it easier for you to put your money where your mouth is when it comes to the environment. Check out Newsweek for the full list of rankings and some insight into why they took on this project.

Serve Green. As part of of the Serve America Act this year, President Obama created a Clean Energy Service Corps, which will be a part of AmeriCorps, and will train and put full-time volunteers to work on efficiency programs for homes and offices, weatherizing low-income homes and installing renewable energy systems. These new positions likely won't be announced until next year, so in the meantime you can explore existing AmeriCorps positions with an environmental focus, like wildlife restoration, trail building and invasive species removal. Or check out opportunities through the Corps Network, which enrolls more than 29,000 young people in service and conservation programs each year, and those young people, in turn, mobilize 227,000 volunteers who contribute 21.3 million hours of service every year.

Teach Green. Are you a student or teacher? Try one of these ideas to integrate environmental education into classrooms and community service. Edutopia's searchable database has more than 150 ways to engage other students on various climate topics, and you can add your own or rate and comment on projects you've tried.

Join Green. Even if you're not a blogger, there are endless ways for you to join the online effort to raise awareness and encourage action on climate change. Add a personal story on the UN Foundation Climate Board. Watch and vote in the Drive Smarter Video contest. Challenge a friend to an online environmental education game. Participate in the Greenpeace cool IT challenge campaign to turn IT industry leaders into climate advocates and solution providers.

Find other ways to take action at Change.org and see some of the thousands of other climate change posts from Blog Action Day.

Guest blogger Emily Garrett is a junior at Northwestern University and a summer intern with the Case Foundation.

• Add your John Hancock to an online petition. Go to The Petition Site or Petition Online and sign a petition or start your own. Gather the masses to make change! Add the link to your Twitter or Facebook page to raise your numbers awareness even further.
• Get out of the house (or office) and do some hands on volunteering. There are many web sites to help you find a cool project in your area. Check out the White House’s Summer of Service site, VolunteerMatch, or Idealist to find something that fits your interests and benefits your neighborhood.
• Treat yourself to a Flip video camera and start shooting videos. Find things that are politically or social interesting and post your video on YouTube to raise awareness. Or if you’re already a whiz at video storytelling? Help nonprofits out. Join Youtube’s Video Volunteers and put your skills to good use.
• You’ve donated online, but have you joined a mobile giving campaign? Consult the Mobile Giving Foundation or mGive for a list of current campaigns and how to get involved. There are tons of ongoing campaigns including Doctors Without Borders, Invisible Children, Chicago 2016, and Malaria No More. Choose your favorite, and text to give.
• Miss the days of summer reading? Grab a book to expand your social citizen knowledge. Britt Bravo has a great list of “do gooder books” to keep you busy. Social by Social is also a great book on social media and social impact, and my personal favorite, Leaving Microsoft to Change the World by John Wood should get you inspired to make some changes in your community.
• You’re clicking around on YouTube anyway, so check out this video lecture by college professor Michael Wesch: An Anthropological Introduction to YouTube.
• Have a summer birthday? Donate it to your favorite cause. Go to Causes on Facebook, and tell your friends to donate to the cause instead of giving you a birthday gift. What easier way to raise money for your favorite organization then having Facebook solicit the donations for you? And besides do you really need another sweater from your mom?
• If you’re mass emailing resumes this summer, you’re not alone. Worried about finding a job in this economy and paying off your student loans or credit card debt? Join the 80 Million Strong Coalition to discuss the problems and find solutions to get the Millennial Generation fully employed.
• Are you obsessed with Twitter? Put that obsession to good use by pitching in to plan, or at least attend a Twestival local event in September to meet other Tweeters in your area and to raise money and awareness.

Did you watch the debates last night and wonder, "What does any of this mean for someone my age?" Then the politically engaged students at Columbia U might be able to help answer that. Today's post, which wraps up our three-part series, features interviews with the political chair of the Black Student Association and one of the leaders from the College Republicans.

Just a reminder -- the views expressed here don't necessarily reflect the views of the Social Citizens bloggers or the Case Foundation. This presentation simply highlights how students view the intersection of service and politics, and how Millennials overall can play a part.

Ok, CYA moment is over. :) On with the interviews! And thanks for checking out all these terrific examples of students in action.

We introduced you to community and arts causes at Columbia U yesterday. Now we're playing to the left side of your brain by featuring student group Engineers Without Borders (flickr pics here!).

The Columbia U chapter of Engineers Without Borders addresses the problems facing people locally and globally by pulling together students from engineering and arts backgrounds to work on creative, sustainable, engineering solutions. In a great example of looking beyond campus walls, they are currently working on three programs in Ghana, India, and Uganda.

Hear one young engineer's wish for how service legislation can help his cause.

The beauty of being with other press is that we all like to talk. And the more we talk (or Twitter), the more questions come up about the nature of service.

The program's about to start, so I can't dive in now, but here's some food for thought we'll flesh out in the future:

* If you offer financial incentives for volunteering, are you somehow diminishing the volunteerism?

* How much should government get involved in service? Specifically, how much should they put taxpayer funds toward it?

* Are the terms service and volunteerism really interchangeable? Is one the umbrella for the other?

* What's the role of altruism in serving? Do incentives change people's motives?

Ok, we're starting --- tune in to Twitter to follow the action! (hash tag #sn08)