Explore Civic Engagement Concepts in Your Classroom This School Year
With school starting across the U.S., educators have the chance to think big when it comes to civic engagement. You are at the forefront of shaping the next generations for a more equitable world, and while you may be somewhat limited in scope based on curriculum, there are ways of incorporating
Work With Administrators to Address Curriculum Gaps or Resource Needs
As you teach certain principles such as equity, diversity or inclusion, and you identify areas that are lacking culturally relevant supporting materials, speak to your administrators. It might help to
. This nonprofit provides educators a curated set of books with LGBTQ characters for either middle or high school students, along with a detailed curriculum for the books, written by experienced English educators and adapted to Common Core State Standards.
Use the Impact of Storytelling to Instill Values in a Memorable Way
Educators know that teaching is not just about relaying information but using proven methods for students to comprehend and retain that information. One of the most potent ways educators can do this is through storytelling. Whether it be through personal stories that are age-appropriate and honor the boundaries of the student-teacher relationship or with illustrations of others who are impacted by the issues you’re teaching about, storytelling can resonate deeply and powerfully with young minds. Relate lessons to current events; have students examine political issues or real-time Supreme Court cases to explore their thoughts and feelings around them.
found out that her eighth-grade English teacher was waiting for a kidney transplant, and discovered that approximately 120,000 people in the U.S. are waiting for life-saving transplants and 22 people die each day while waiting for one, she took matters into her own hands. She started by volunteering with existing organizations before
Look for Opportunities in the Classroom to Demonstrate Concepts Taught
Just like storytelling can help students retain concepts, so too, can relating concepts to daily occurrences happening in the classroom. Try assigning a writing prompt that asks students to identify a need they see in the classroom or among their peers and propose a solution. Perhaps there’s an assignment for students to write anonymous notes of support or encouragement to each other. Whether it be recognizing when students share notebook paper, pencils or food with one another or demonstrating what compassionate and empathetic communication looks like in a conflict among students, you can teach lessons in a practical, relatable and hands-on way that can have a deep impact.
, to foster growth, personality and empathy. During the pandemic, when most learning was happening virtually, Wendy allowed students to spot needs and help meet them. “Some kids felt isolated and frustrated during the pandemic, so one of our student volunteers created a virtual exercise class, and we also hosted online conversations for younger students,” Wendy shared.
As you prepare to teach concepts around inclusivity, empathy and civic engagement in your classroom, you can reference Points of Light’s
, a framework designed to help individuals connect to opportunities and understand that doing good comes in many forms. The Civic Circle represents your unique power as an individual or organization to lead, lend support and take action for causes you care about.
Since a big part of being civically engaged is being informed, we’re offering nine interesting, must-see documentaries that will educate, inspire and stay with you as you continue on your own journey to make the world a better place.
*Note: As these documentaries are capturing real situations and circumstances from across the globe, viewers may find some scenes to be graphic or disturbing. Parents and caregivers, we recommend being mindful to screen these films first before showing them to children.
This incredible documentary has won more than 60 international film festival honors. It challenges each of us to consider whether what we’re contributing could actually be part of a big problem that has developed in the world of philanthropy. With over 200 interviews filmed in 20 countries, the film will empower you to donate your dollars, goods and time more consciously.
When this film was released on Netflix, it became one of the most-viewed documentaries the streaming network had seen. In a world where many people are receiving the bulk of their information via social media, which, unlike credible news media or peer-reviewed publications, isn’t vetted by experts. This film gives some great insight into how this phenomenon is shaping public opinion.
Fashion can be a fun and unique way to express oneself, but “fast fashion” has devastated many critical cause areas, including the environment and workers’ rights. This film documents the lives of real people around the world living in poverty and war-torn areas, who make clothes for the world’s fashion. It will have you thinking twice about doing your research on clothing brands you support and how to spend your dollar in a way that supports sustainable fashion.
This film, narrated by Annette Bening, has garnered accolades too numerous to count. It dives into the nearly six decades of the trials and transformations of this agency through stories from its incredible host country nationals, Peace Corps Volunteers and staff, as well as scholars and journalists.
This fascinating documentary will not only help you understand the concept of social entrepreneurship but also follows the journeys of three Millennial changemakers who are prioritizing meaning and purpose above financial considerations. You’ll finish this film feeling inspired by how entrepreneurial-minded people are using their skills to find creative ways to solve some of the world’s toughest issues.
Tune into this intimate account of legendary U.S. Representative John Lewis, following his life, legacy and more than 60 years of extraordinary activism, from the bold teenager on the front lines of the Civil Rights movement to the legislative powerhouse he was throughout his career.
It will leave you feeling empowered in your right to vote in every eligible election and championing the right for all people to vote.
When it comes to the power of one voice to make an impact on an issue or cause area, perhaps few modern people come to mind as vividly as Greta Thunberg. This compelling documentary follows the teenage climate activist from Sweden on her international crusade to get people to listen to scientists about the world’s environmental problems.
Volunteers share their time and talent with organizations working to advance the causes they care about. Volunteering is one of the best ways you can directly support the solutions to any issues that you’re passionate about, but volunteering comes with responsibility too. This documentary illuminates the impact of international volunteering on local communities. If you’re interested in volunteering overseas, you’ll want to watch this first so that you can plan to do so consciously.
Who says that businesses and their employees can’t use their for-profit work as a way to change the world for the better? Real Value is an award-winning economics documentary that interviews top leaders in the world of agriculture, apparel, insurance and biofuel. This inspiring look at what happens when businesses value the planet and its people in the same way as its profit will leave you both informed and inspired to make change in your own workplace and want to support socially-minded businesses too.
With nine documentaries highlighting nine different ways to lead a civically engaged life, we know you’ll find one that speaks to your specific passions and interests. Once you’ve watched,
and the news was sobering. UN Secretary-General António Guterres stated in his forward, “As the world faces cascading and interlinked global crises and conflicts, the aspirations set out in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development are in jeopardy.” Some thought leaders suggested that based on current levels of action, attitudes and shifting priorities, we could not reasonably expect to achieve these goals for another 60 years beyond 2030. This expectation must be challenged.
When the SDGs were originally announced in 2015, the business community rallied as champions, including many of Points of Light’s partners. More than 50% of the companies Points of Light supports and partners with signed on to the
, a public commitment to advancing the SDG agenda that asked companies to “…first do business responsibly and then pursue opportunities to solve societal challenges through business innovation and collaboration.”
Since this time, the expectations for companies have only grown. According to Points of Light’s
released in April 2022, 82% of respondents believe companies play a critical role in addressing societal challenges.
So what needs to be done? Points of Light suggests a return to fundamentals. When the SDGs launched, Guterres stated, “It simply is not possible to attain the SDGs without a wide range of people engaged at all stages, at all levels, at all times” and called for increasing community-based engagement for success to be achieved.
For Points of Light, the fundamentals of corporate community engagement are represented by
. Since it was launched in 2012, The Civic 50 has provided a framework for community-based engagement and good corporate citizenship. This framework is broken down into four dimensions: investment of resources, integration across business functions, institutionalization through policies and systems and impact measurement. Companies that are building their strategies across these dimensions have better fundamentals and are well positioned to achieve their social impact objectives, including those defined by the SDGs.
Investment: How the company strategically invests its resources in community engagement and social impact activities through volunteerism, financial giving, in-kind contributions, civic engagement and advocacy.
Integration: How the company integrates its community engagement and social impact programs throughout its business functions and interests.
Institutionalization: How the company institutionalizes its community engagement and social impact programs through organizational policies, systems and incentives.
Impact: How the company measures the social and business impact outcomes of its community engagement and social impact programs.
. This report not only recognizes the 50 most community-minded companies in the United States as determined by the above dimensions, but it also provides a great indicator for the overall state of corporate community engagement.
The data in this year’s report suggest that the challenges of the last two years have dampened some aspects of the community involvement of the country’s best corporate citizens, The Civic 50, and grown other aspects.
Overall corporate giving is down, but contributions as a percentage of revenue are up. In aggregate, companies represented by The Civic 50 contributed a total of $2 billion in cash and $1.8 billion in-kind to societal causes. These figures are not only less from pre-pandemic levels but less than 2021. On the other hand, contributions as a percentage of revenue increased. As the global economy faces headwinds related to inflation and other disrupters, we will continue to pay attention to the impact this has on the critical investment needed in social causes areas.
External volunteering has not returned to pre-pandemic levels, but internal volunteering is higher than ever. Across companies represented by The Civic 50, 22% of employees participated in external volunteering activities and engaged in 5.8 million hours of volunteering, compared to 40% and 10.5 million hours in 2019. What is encouraging is that we are continuing to see high levels of internal volunteering, with 48% of employees participating in activities like employee resource groups, green teams and more. This is up from 33% in 2019 before the pandemic.
One hundred percent of The Civic 50 companies reported significant efforts in integrating their community engagement into business functions. Community engagement is best served when companies share accountability across business functions. This responsibility must extend beyond expected departments, like Human Resources and Corporate Social Responsibility, and into departments and functions, such as marketing and PR, purchasing and procurement, research and development, sales and more.
Impact measurement is still a challenge. The Civic 50 report showed that even the country’s top corporate citizens are struggling to consistently measure the social and business impact outcomes of its community engagement and social impact programs. This challenge was mirrored in The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2022, where the report cited that despite some progress, serious data gaps persist in SDG monitoring.
The fundamentals may not be easy, but as The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2022 shares the outputs and outcomes of the world’s collective efforts, it is important to cross-reference it with reports like The Civic 50, which track the inputs of corporate efforts toward community engagement. The trajectory of business as a societal leader is without question, and we want a promising future for our planet and its people to be without question too.
3 Themes From the 2022 Points Of Light Conference to Support Your Nonprofit’s Impact
yields a wealth of unique opportunities, and a big one is hearing from experts in the nonprofit sector on current issues, innovative ideas and best practices. The 2022 conference hosted a variety of inspiring speakers from nonprofit organizations from around the world offering insightful and educational messages. Here are a few key takeaways for nonprofit leaders that emerged from this year’s stage:
People will engage with what they’re most passionate about.
, but it isn’t always easy. Knowing how to keep the flame alight among your team, your volunteers and your stakeholders is crucial to avoiding fatigue and burnout. This year’s conference theme was “Revitalize. Reimagine. Recommit.” and we featured speakers and sessions that spoke directly to this mission… like Jennifer Taylor, who shared on the topic of “rage giving.” With increasing polarization on the political and social landscapes, now is the time for nonprofits to develop specific strategies that allow people to act on the very causes they feel most strongly about. How can you leverage what you and your stakeholders are most excited, hopeful, frustrated or angry about to sustain your impact?
Listen to the communities you serve to learn what they need.
Intentional listening and learning in the communities you serve allows you to find solutions to the
true
unmet needs of that community, rather than the issues you might
assume
to be the most pressing. In the Opening Plenary, Points of Light CEO Natalye Paquin shared a story about
, an Orlando native. When she chose to voluntarily live alongside the people she was working with who were unhoused, she found that food insecurity was not their greatest unmet need, but hygiene was. This knowledge led her to create Street Team Movement, a nonprofit providing laundry services, haircuts and hygiene products to people experiencing homelessness, offering solutions to the exact needs the community expressed were most urgent.
PEOPLE FEEL significant positive impact from VOLUNTEERING.
Several conference sessions discussed the immense benefits that come from volunteer work – not just to communities, but also to the volunteers themselves. Points of Light
one in four people said a reason they took action was, “I believe it supports my own personal well-being.”
As you engage volunteers in your efforts, keep in mind that they are likely benefitting from this work as much as the communities they serve. Volunteering can
Volunteers are as healthy as non-volunteers who are five years younger.
Volunteering activities on a resume can yield higher employment opportunities.
You can begin to see that this benefit goes beyond the altruistic feelings of spending worthy time in support of social impact. Often, volunteers walk away with new skill sets, relationships and perspectives they may not have the opportunity to gain anywhere else. Framing volunteer work in this way can help organizations to promote greater equity and remember that they are providing mutually-beneficial resources rather than just rescue.
of affiliates from around the world is that the nonprofit sector is teeming with innovative thinkers and creative problem solvers. Nonprofit leaders, what are some insights you’d add to this list?
We’re already gearing up for the 2023 Points of Light Conference in Chicago on June 14-16, 2023, with a special pre-conference day for nonprofit professionals. Sign up to receive updates, and join us next year for another powerful conference.
4 Resources to Get Young Changemakers Engaged This Summer
Leading a civic life isn’t just about lending time and resources as an established adult. It’s also about involving youth, showing them that they, too, can make an impact, regardless of their age.
While young changemakers can stay involved all year long, summertime is prime time for kids to become more civically engaged. After all, school’s out, schedules tend to be more lax and there is ample time to fill with worthwhile activities. Plus, getting involved with causes you care about can be rewarding when done with those you love.
Fortunately, Points of Light has a wealth of resources for youth and families to get involved in their communities. Here are a few to get you started.
, a framework we created to show people that doing good comes in many forms. But have you taken a deep dive into each element of the Civic Circle in our free digital magazine series,
to publish nine unique issues, including interviews and articles from leaders in the field.
Best of all, at the back of each issue you’ll find a special section devoted to Youth and Family, with additional resources to explore. You’ll also discover a Personal Action Plan section, created in partnership with
, for your family members to figure out exactly how they can best leverage their time and talent for a specific cause area.
Find a Volunteer Opportunity
There are hundreds of thousands of volunteer opportunities throughout the world, just waiting for the right volunteer to step up. Some of these opportunities are in person, while others are virtual or a combination of the two. Points of Light offers the world’s largest digital network, allowing you to search for these opportunities in an intuitive, user-friendly interface.
database listing volunteer opportunities—inside and outside of the home—that meet critical needs. You can search for volunteer projects in your local area, or get inspired by what’s happening in other areas and start your own initiative.
, summer is a great opportunity to do so. With a variety of different kinds of projects, from creating a mobile library to cleaning up a local park to collecting old cell phones, there are ample options for kids of all ages.
Each DIY Project guide comes with an overview and a step-by-step guide, including materials and resources needed, as well as helpful tips along the way. Take special note of those “Pre-Project Discussion” questions. They can help you start a rich dialogue with your children that connects the “what” of the project to the “why.”
Celebrate Your Civic Journey
At Points of Light, we’re firm believers in the power of recognition. If your kids have taken the time to learn, grow and get more involved with causes they care about, that’s certainly worth celebrating! This celebration might look like getting ice cream after wrapping up that volunteer day, debriefing with some “wins” after completing your DIY project or maybe something even bigger.
Points of Light’s founder, President George H.W. Bush created the
to honor ordinary individuals doing extraordinary things. If your family knows of someone in your community who is leading and lending support in the volunteer space, nominate them for a Daily Point of Light Award. (Psst – you can also hold your own “award ceremony” as a family, giving each member special recognition for something unique that they brought to your volunteer activity.)
However your family chooses to get engaged, know that you are setting a wonderful example for a life of service. Many nonprofit founders and recipients of the Daily Point of Light Award reflect on how concepts like volunteering and donating were taught early on and became ingrained in them from a young age. The seeds you’re planting today could lead your kids to a more active, civically engaged life for decades to come.
4 Themes from the 2022 Points of Light Conference That Shine a Light on CSR Trends for Business
Points of Light knows that when the world’s largest companies get it right, the world gets it right, which is a theme at the heart of the 2022 Points of Light Conference. As a part of this year’s conference experience, we welcomed leaders from the corporate citizenship community to our stages and workshop spaces to meet like-minded peers and share insights from the challenging work that faces the business community as leaders in social impact.
Several themes were explored, shining a light on the direction where business needs to lead:
The “to do” list of the business community has become longer. For the business community, it can feel like we are being outpaced by the problems of the world that we seek to solve. In addition to economic and societal responsibilities, global communications firm Edelman shared with Points of Light’s Corporate Service Council that almost six out of 10 people in the U.S. believe it is a responsibility of business to take action on the world stage, engaging in geopolitical issues such as the war in Ukraine. Navigating how to respond to or engage in these issues has introduced new and unique challenges for corporate citizenship professionals.
Our brains are wired for stories. As companies seek to capture the measurable impact of their efforts, they should leverage the power of stories. Disney Institute shared with conference attendees that stories are one of the strongest forms of communication, evoking a sense of connectedness in those who hear them. At Points of Light, we say that “Data + Stories = Proof.” The relentless pursuit of data must be coupled with an equal desire to share more about the people and places at the heart of that data. Additionally, leaders within companies must be equipped to tell these stories, communicating the company’s and their own passions and values through the story.
Volunteer engagement must adapt to the hybrid world. As we enter the third year of the COVID-19 pandemic, we continue to grapple with variant surges, return-to-office starts and stops and disruptions to in-person events. It has become clear that the current hybrid work environment will not be a temporary condition of the pandemic, but a lasting model of collaboration that must extend to deepen employee engagement. In one workshop, Common Impact shared how companies can look to skills-based volunteering as a partial or fully virtual strategy to deliver on employee engagement goals.
There is a CSR and ESG identity crisis. The corporate citizenship community is caught between two acronyms. Several workshops sought to answer the question: What is the difference between CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance)? The role of business in society has been discussed and expanded upon over 50 years. The growing influence of ESG is rooted in CSR, which marked the starting point of businesses taking ownership of their impact on society. Without CSR, there would be no ESG, but the two are far from interchangeable. CSR helps companies give context to their corporate responsibility strategy and culture, while ESG is the action and measurable outcomes of that agenda.
Whether or not you joined us this year at the 2022 Points of Light Conference, we invite you to continue learning with us year-round by accessing our body of
. These studies shed light on global trends that are central to maximizing the impact of corporate social responsibility. We look forward to the 2023 Points of Light Conference in Chicago on June 14-16.
to receive updates and be a part of global change.
The 2022 Points of Light Conference Offers Education, Inspiration and Connection
In a world of conferences, webinars and workshops, Points of Light works hard to ensure that our events are more than relevant. They’re designed to empower and instill a sense of purpose. You’ll leave with a sense of determination and tools to help turn your vision into reality.
The Points of Light Conference is an annual gathering that many in the sector eagerly await. That’s no accident. Each year, we reflect on our history, turn to former attendees and a host committee made up of local leaders to help shape the content and experience
for feedback, examine what worked and what didn’t, and put together a fresh agenda that speaks to the current state of the world. We work to ensure our conference is always a high-value proposition to companies and organizations that are leaders in corporate social responsibility.
Get ready to reimagine, revitalize and recommit as the 2022 Points of Light Conference begins. Here are a few of the benefits you can look forward to.
Content Tailored to Your Needs
While there’s no shortage of divisive topics in our world today, the Points of Light Conference is centered on creating meaningful dialogue and respectful conversation. We value authentic and dignified approaches to listening and learning, and we’re eager to hear from experts in the field about recognizing, addressing and removing bias.
For instance, the Civic Talk entitled “Bold Moves” will address head-on racial equity, hate and barriers to the complex issues that communities face. Our conference speakers will share their methods for championing social change and spreading solutions using popular platforms.
There’s also the Service Summit, which will explore models of national service. From the AmeriCorps shared agenda to creating pathways to employment in the public sector, our speakers—including Michael D. Smith, CEO of AmeriCorps, and Dalila Wilson-Scott of Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation—will dive into the countless shapes and forms that national service takes throughout the world.
Concrete Strategies and Inspirational Stories
We know that hearing stories of both successes and failures from top leaders can help inspire other leaders. There are those “aha” moments that conference attendees experience simply by listening to speakers share their experiences. Don’t miss the “Nailed It” Stage and Luncheon, where a few brave individuals will share their remarkable results… and big mistakes!
We also believe that people are most empowered when they’re given specific strategies they can implement in their spheres of influence. That’s why our speakers are preparing presentations with tangible takeaways for you to actually use in your day-to-day life.
Speakers like Glennon Doyle and Tara Schuster will not only acknowledge the landscape of activist burnout, but present ideas for deep self-care. In the “Oxygen Masks On! Caring for Ourselves and our Communities” they’ll be talking through small, practical actions you can take in your ongoing efforts to care for yourself and your community.
Key Connections Build Your Network
As we resume an in-person conference format, you’ll have many opportunities to network with others in and outside your field. You’ll mingle with others who are passionate about the causes you’re championing and find mutually beneficial connections.
We’re hosting a variety of workshops with topics like “Antiracism 101,” “Leveraging Trust in Communications” and “Economic Mobility and Equitable Policy and Practice.” Here, you’ll have the ability to share ideas, ask questions, talk through hindrances in your work and get valuable insights to help you break through them.
We encourage you to forge connections with other conference attendees, exchange contact information and find ways you can collaborate with complementary efforts and resources.
Welcome to the 2022 Points of Light Conference
We’re thrilled to kick off this year’s Conference and honored that you’ll be joining us. These three days are bursting with inspiring speakers, creative solutions, rich conversations and powerful opportunities for the future of our collective impact.
To the global leaders across the nonprofit, corporate and government sectors… to those new to their careers in the social sector… to the seasoned C-level executives… and to everyone in between: welcome to the 2022 Points of Light Conference. Let’s get started.
The Power of the Youth Voice with 2021 Time Kid of the Year
The Points of Light Conference is a rich experience for civically-minded folks of all ages and with all levels of experience.
We value the voice of youth, which is why we host a special Youth Summit as part of our overall conference experience each year. This summit is an all-conference session that will feature inspirational stories from young civic leaders who demonstrate that age has no limit in addressing the issues facing our world.
KPMG Foundation President Anita Whitehead will open the session with a discussion with Orion Jean, 2021 Time Kid of the Year and Ambassador for Kindness, about his story and what guidance he has for other young people.
This young man is on a mission, sharing the gift of reading with hundreds of thousands of kids. At only 11 years old, Orion has already created waves in his community with his involvement and advocacy. He has used his $500 in prize money from a kindness contest to donate toys to a local children’s hospital. He has also hosted food drives and partnered with a relief group to collect 100,000 meals for Texas families. And now he’s focused on spreading the gift of literacy to local households that may not have access to books.
Following the keynote, four members of the Points of Light Youth Council – Esha Venkat, Chase Hartman, Eleanor Ann Schoenbrun and Adom Appiah – will participate in a moderated panel discussion around the theme that youth are a powerful force for change. They’ll discuss listening and learning, mindful engagement, finding your “why” and “how” and much more.
Esha Venkat is a 16-year-old global changemaker, ambitious servant leader and groundbreaking “girlpreneur” passionate about advancing social progress across the globe. She is the co-founder and COO of NEST4US and a junior at Broad Run High School. In 2020, Esha and her sister, Shreyaa, were recognized with The George H.W. Bush Points of Light Award for their servant leadership.
Chase Hartman of Tampa, Florida is a 16-year-old community changemaker, youth leader and “kidpreneur” dedicated to finding solutions to some of the toughest challenges in our country. Chase co-founded a nonprofit called Eco Brothers and an award-winning book distribution project called “read.repeat.”
Eleanor Ann Schoenbrun is from El Paso, Texas, and is the founder of Pennies FUR Pets and Kans for Kids. She is a member of the Yale College Class of 2025 with prospective majors in economics and global affairs. She joined the Points of Light family at eight years old when she became a National Make A Difference Day Winner for Pennies FUR Pets, benefiting homeless pets in her border city.
Adom Appiah is an author and the founder of Ball4Good – a nonprofit that supports communities through sports, volunteering and grantmaking. The Ball4Good team has fostered partnerships with community-based organizations to address homelessness, childhood cancer, child abuse, autism awareness, cultural representation and public health.
Youth ages 13 to 18 from local organizations will be in attendance, but Youth Summit content isn’t just for young people. The session is appropriate for attendees representing nonprofits, national service, government, social entrepreneurs and businesses that work with youth or who consider youth a target audience.
Be sure to check our agenda for other workshops with sector experts that highlight youth-focused efforts for organizations. And join us for this year’s Youth Summit by registering for the 2022 Points of Light Conference, held July 13-15, 2022.
Points of Light Conference Teams Up with Bestselling Authors for Talk on Wellness
Anyone engaged in civic life — especially those who are employed in the nonprofit sector — face the risk of burnout and compassion fatigue. That’s why it’s so critical to consistently and intentionally take care of oneself while helping others. The 2022 Points of Light Conference will explore wellness through an array of featured speakers and special workshops.
Two of our most notable offerings include bestselling author, activist and podcast host Glennon Doyle and bestselling author and television executive Tara Schuster. The duo will be hosting a special Civic Talk titled “Oxygen Masks On! Caring for Ourselves and our Communities.” This session will explore the ways we can care for our mental health and wellness while continuing to lead courageously. We offer inspiration for those driving transformative change who have served on the front lines of social good for the last two years of this global pandemic.
Glennon Doyle is the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller “Untamed,” a Reese’s Book Club selection, which has sold over 2 million copies. She is also the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller “Love Warrior,” an Oprah’s Book Club selection, and “Carry On, Warrior.” In her “Untamed Journal,” published November 2021, Glennon helps us each discover our own voice of longing and allows us to reclaim our true, untamed selves. An activist and “patron saint of female empowerment” (People), Glennon is the founder and president of Together Rising, an all-women-led nonprofit organization that has revolutionized grassroots philanthropy, having raised over $30 million for women, families and children in crisis. She hosts the “We Can Do Hard Things” podcast, which debuted as #1 on Apple Podcasts.
Tara Schuster was once best known as the executive in charge of the Emmy and Peabody Award-winning show, Key & Peele. Tara turned her struggle with chronic anxiety and depression into a best-selling book and a mission to help others. Her humorous takes on taking charge of one’s mental health, always backed by empowering action steps, have won praise from readers ranging from Wharton professor Adam Grant to Academy Award-winner Anjelica Huston and best-selling author Glennon Doyle. InStyle, People Magazine, Cosmopolitan, Goodreads, BuzzFeed, Goop and many others have chosen her memoir as one of the best books of 2020.
Check our agenda for other workshops with sector experts that address specific issues and strategies around wellness. These conversations will bring inspiring ideas and experiences to the stage and offer deep learning and takeaways from innovative leaders. Join us for these powerful discussions on how to nurture your health and wellness so you can sustain your long-term work that’s making an impact in the sector. If you’re not yet registered, head over to our Points of Light Conference page. We’ll see you July 13-15, 2022!
3 Ways to Remember Loved Ones Through Civic Acts
June 12 is the birthday of our founder, President George H.W. Bush, and June 8 marks former first lady Barbara Bush’s birthday. While the president, a generous, community-focused and highly influential leader, passed away in 2018, each year we commemorate his birthday and shine a light on his vision of civic engagement by offering key ways you can contribute to your own community.
President Bush believed in the power of many working together to create change and help better the world. He advocated for individuals to unite, knowing that many “points of light” contributing their time, talent and resources had the power to make a massive impact and create a ripple effect that spans the globe.
This year, Points of Light is celebrating the second annual George and Barbara Bush Day of Service to commemorate both of their birthdays and honor their lifelong commitment to public service.
Today we’re offering three ways that you can remember loved ones and honor their legacy through your own acts of civic engagement.
“We can find meaning and reward by serving some higher purpose than ourselves, a shining purpose, the illumination of a thousand points of light… we all have something to give.”
— President George H.W. Bush, Founder Of Points Of Light
Volunteer: Host Your Own Day of Service
Whether you choose to organize a food drive on a deceased loved one’s birthday or host a community clean-up on the first day of their favorite season, you can call your fellow community members together to maximize your impact through a day of service.
You might opt to name the event after the name of your loved one or conduct the volunteer opportunity at their favorite place. In these meaningful ways, you can carry on their legacy through encouraging your community to get involved in volunteering.
Donate: Contribute to Their Favorite Cause
Was your loved one an avid bird-watcher? Make a financial donation to a wildlife refuge or conservation society. Were they the top chef in your family? Consider contributing non-perishables to your local food pantry.
Perhaps they were active in volunteering themselves and spent time focusing their time and effort on a particular organization. Reach out to that organization to find out what they need – maybe it’s a children’s hospital looking for volunteers to visit or a shelter for unhoused individuals seeking new or gently used clothing.
Voice: Activate Around a Solution
If your loved one passed away from a specific issue or illness, you might choose to honor their legacy by doing your part to contribute to bringing light to the cause. This could mean using your voice by talking about the issue or petitioning for more support for the cause.
For example, if your loved one passed away from breast cancer, you might post on social media about breast cancer awareness and prevention, as well as encourage donations with a link to a breast cancer research organization. Or you might sign and share a petition for increased breast cancer research funding.
There are so many ways to recognize the people in your life who have had a lasting impact on you and your community. To learn about the many pathways to civic engagement that you can take in their honor today and every day, check out Civic Life Today, our free digital magazine. And for more ways to get involved in your community and shine your light on the world, Points of Light Engage is our database of hundreds of thousands of volunteer opportunities throughout the world, both in-person and virtual.
