track at the Conference on Volunteering and Service highlighted stories of civic-tech leaders who are using technology to help solve social problems, creating empathy in their communities and encouraging others to use their tech skills for good.
Rohit Malhotra, founder and executive director of Atlanta-based
, spoke about creating local innovation communities to spark change in our cities. His passionate and inspirational presentation highlighted the importance of building trust and empathy through real relationships with people in our communities. The secret sauce, he said, is engaging people in the creation of companies, organizations and communities through civic and community engagement. This leads them to see the good over the bad of creating these institutions – not only because they had something to do with it, but also because they know the whys and hows of what was created and become a true part of improving their community.
to create a better volunteer experience in their organization, Jenn Downs, director of user experience design at Points of Light, built on Rohit’s theme of creating trust in communities. Workshop attendees practiced conducting user interviews, learning about the power of silence in active listening, and the value of using the phrase “tell me more about that” to dig deeper into problems. This group of volunteer organizers were also able to see that by sharing with and asking what others are struggling with, they could collaborate on solutions to common volunteer management problems like budgeting, retention and using new technologies to craft better volunteer experiences.
In a workshop sponsored by
, attendees learned how to use social data to engage volunteer networks and address common problems many organizations face. Presenters discussed applying the lessons and practices of social listening – identifying and mobilizing micro-influencers among a social media following – beyond fundraising and advocacy goals. Participants also learned how to use technology to address volunteer management challenges like recruitment, attrition and retention, as well as matching volunteers to the right roles.
Expanding on Blackbaud’s ideas about social media data, Clay Johnson, senior vice president of digital at Points of Light, and Rebecca Wang, senior manager of corporate affairs at Hewlett Packard Enterprise, highlighted changes to
, Points of Light’s digital hub for volunteerism and community engagement. And, looking toward the future of All for Good, Clay and Rebecca envisioned a platform where social data can be used to encourage sharing opportunities with friends and family, leading to an increase in participation in volunteer activities around the world.
The relationship between All for Good and HPE started with HPE’s
, which asked people what apps and digital tools they would create to improve people’s lives. The Points of Light digital products team pitched an idea to empower volunteers through social sharing and machine learning within All For Good – the team was 1 of 4 winners, each receiving HPE’s support in the form of time and talent to help make their idea a reality.
These were just a few of the insights that the Tech for Good track offered attendees as they learned about and discussed the latest developments in tech-focused volunteerism. The discussions that took place and the lessons learned from these sessions shed a positive light on the future role that technology will play in helping nonprofits and social organizations recruit and retain volunteers – and in broadening the scope of impact individuals are able to make in their communities.
Jenné Meyers, CEO of Chicago Cares, explained, “nonprofits that engage volunteers are better led, better managed, more adaptable and capable of going to scale.”
Across the globe, volunteers are a powerful force for good, changing the world by giving their time, talent and other resources. Guiding these individuals are volunteer managers who help volunteers thrive by channeling their passions and skills.
The
at the Conference on Volunteering and Service offered 20 sessions to equip organizations with breakthrough tools and strategies for recruiting, retaining and managing high-impact volunteer programs. In recognition that the nonprofit landscape continues to evolve, the track focused on the question of how organizations can capitalize on the passion and enthusiasm of volunteers, some who have never before added their voice to a cause. The sessions placed special emphasis on innovation and idea exchange with peers who manage multi-issue programs.
Across the sessions, five trends emerged:
1. Volunteer management can make or break an organization.
shared, “research tells us that organizations that engage volunteers are better led, better managed, more adaptable and capable of going to scale.” Additionally,
shared how nonprofits can leverage skill-based corporate volunteers to develop professional development programs for their employees, increasing retention and human capacity.
Yet, volunteer management is something that takes work and intentionality. During a breakout session, Katie Zwetzig, executive director of
found that the number one challenge nonprofits face is volunteer management. When nonprofits invest staff capacity and resources into effective volunteer management it has a strong return on investment.
2. Everyone has a role in volunteer management.
In order to get a high ROI on volunteer engagement, everyone from board members to program managers to event volunteers must be passionate about cultivating and retaining volunteers. Karmit Bulman, executive director of the
, found that the scope of volunteer involvement within an organization hinges on the excitement of staff at all levels, as well as an organization’s readiness to support and partner with volunteers. In order to fully maximize the value of volunteers, every staff member needs to be involved in the process.
3. The paradigm of volunteering is shifting.
A common theme across multiple sessions was a shift in how nonprofits and individuals perceive the role of volunteers. Rick Lynch, principal consultant at
, framed the changes as a series of gradual shifts. According to Lynch, the volunteer management era “grew up” when many people volunteered as an alternative to professional work, whereas today’s volunteers do so as an alternative to other leisure activities. In order to be effective practitioners, Lynch encouraged volunteer managers to focus on cultivating relationships with individuals and engage them as consultants, building toward serial involvement, not as unpaid employees.
4. Nonprofits can expand their volunteer capacity by focusing on causes and impact.
As baby boomers retire and millennials are increasingly looking to give back, the sector needs to respond to changing volunteer motivations. Emily Holthaus, national director of social responsibility at
, shared that often, organizations are only able to engage volunteers at the surface level, leaving a large gap between the service provided and the volunteers’ true capacity and desire to create impact. Today’s volunteers want to make tangible impact toward specific causes or programs. Beth Steinhorn, president of
, encouraged organizations to put to rest the idea of a volunteer “belonging” to one organization versus another and focus on inspiring volunteers around specific causes and projects.
5. Technology is not a silver bullet, but it is powerful tool.
Many nonprofit leaders believe they don’t have the resources or capacity to fully leverage data and technology to advance their work. Several sessions debunked this idea by offering concrete (and achievable) steps nonprofits can take to use technology. Gary Bagley, executive director of
, shared how they used Google Ad Words grants to increase their SEO and overhauled their volunteer recruitment process, automating communication at key steps, to increase new volunteer signs ups by 14 percent.
These trends are just a sliver of the knowledge shared during the Volunteer Engagement track. Through informal chats, dine-arounds and networking sessions, attendees made personal and professional connections with peers around the globe. Through a shared passion and commitment to volunteerism they will continue to grow the service movement, helping turn volunteers’ passions into progress.
Points of Light board chair Neil Bush asked, “Who here stands with Points of Light in 100 percent supporting national service?” the entire concert hall rose to its feet.
Conference attendees shared their enthusiasm for national service throughout the Service Unites Summit through cheers, applause and social media. During the summit at the Conference on Volunteering and Service, Points of Light and Voices for National Service encouraged attendees to participate in their ongoing
in support of national service. Thunderclap, the world’s first crowdspeaking platform, allows individuals and organizations to lend their voice – and social reach – in support of ideas and causes that matter.
The thunderclap asked Congress to invest in – not eliminate – national service. The White House budget proposal for fiscal year 2018 calls for the elimination of the
over the course of the next year, which would include ending national service programs like AmeriCorps and Senior Corps. Through these programs, the Corporation for National and Community Service engages millions of Americans in results-driven service each year.
During Conference, attendees and national service supporters across the country made their voice heard by joining the social media campaign. Over the course of the campaign, 1,634 accounts signed on in support of the Thunderclap, reaching more than 3.6 million people on social media. The Thunderclap is just one part of a larger effort to
, honing techniques to strengthen their local AmeriCorps & Senior Corps programs. Through sessions including “Creating a Mindful Workforce for the 21st Century: AmeriCorps Member Management,” “Getting the Right People On Board: Developing a Strong AmeriCorps Leadership Team,” and “Creating a Retention and Engagement Program,” attendees connected with practitioners to learn hands-on information on recruitment, retention, member participation and satisfaction.
Attendees also had the opportunity to hear an update on the state of national service legislation and funding.
shared best practices to effectively engage and reach out to elected officials. A key takeaway was that national service supporters must speak up and share their service stories. Jen Ney, managing director of Voices for National Service shared an important reminder, “Elected officially engagement is a muscle, you have to work it out regularly. It needs to be part of your ongoing work.”
Points of Light looks forward to working with national service supporters to continue bringing together our collective voices and resources to raise awareness of the value of these important programs.
During this year’s Conference on Volunteering and Service, and with the generous support of Target, youth in and around the Seattle metropolitan area were invited to complete interactive and engaging workshops to develop a service project that positively impacts their community.
The Youth Summit featured 8 teams of young people that brainstormed ways to address a social issue important to them, develop a strong plan of action and pitch their idea to a panel of judges for a chance to win $250 to $1,000 grants to implement their project. The winners were chosen based on points received in the areas of relevance, creativity, community engagement, planned scope of work, defined outcome and sustainability.
In addition to the competition, the summit provided an opportunity for the students to network with each other and develop their collaboration skills, as well as their experiences and best practices with each other. Terra Gay, Points of Light’s senior vice president of Programs, summarized it best, “As you seek opportunities, seek out others as well.”
Building a Movement: Leaders of Social Change Inspire Action at the Service Unites Summit
Encompassing the themes of movement making, women’s empowerment, and economic and social justice, the Service Unites Summit at the Conference on Volunteering and Service in Seattle featured individuals from across the globe – coming together around the shared belief that being in the service of others can change the world. Ken Workman, a descendant of Chief Seattle, welcomed attendees in Lushootseed, the Duwamish native language; Kayah George, a young Tulalip and Tsleil-Waututh scholar, activist and leader, opened the summit with the powerful message that it is compassion that makes one strong, and there is no limit to the extent of human kindness.
Turning a Moment into a Movement
“In this hall we have people that share the common belief that being in the service of others can have positive impact on the world we live in. The belief that being in the service of others is joyful. The belief that service unites,” said Kevin Johnson, CEO of Starbucks. Focusing on the three pillars of sustainability, opportunity and community, Johnson said Starbucks works to use its influence to make a difference in the world – committed to hiring veterans, military spouses, refugees and Opportunity Youth.
Points of Light chairman Neil Bush delivered an impassioned speech about the power of service to unite us in solving tough problems across the world, and the power of each individual to spark change. “The most effective change does not come from the top down,” Bush said. “It comes from the bottom up.”
“Voluntary service and liberty are two sides of the same coin,” he continued, noting that volunteerism is, in fact, the essence of our liberty and key to our national character in the United States. With the White House’s fiscal year 2018 budget calling for the elimination of the Corporation for National and Community Service, the federal agency that oversees AmeriCorps and Senior Corps, Bush called on the audience to join the movement to save these critical programs. Attendees had the opportunity to participate in a Thunderclap campaign in support of national service programs. Run in partnership between Points of Light and Voices for National Service, the Thunderclap drew support from 1,635 individuals and organizations across 555 cities that added their voices to take a #Stand4Service, calling for Congress to invest in – not eliminate – national service. Released at the end of the summit, the campaign had a social reach of 3.59 million.
Bush noted that national service programs are the foundation upon which thousands of organizations across the country build their volunteer programs. “Let me be clear,” he said. “We 100 percent support the Corporation for National and Community Service.”
Tracy Hoover, CEO of Points of Light, emphasized that while this year has been one of mounting tensions and deep frustration, the best reaction is to take action through service. “Progress has never been gained because of policy, but because of citizens,” Hoover said, encouraging each of us to unite as agents of change, working together for a common goal. Drawing on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s idea that whatever affects one of us directly will affect all of us indirectly, Hoover stated that, “Our destinies are increasingly tied together.”
Acting as perfect examples for this individual commitment to change, Dr. M. Sanjayan, incoming CEO of Conservation International, and Ashton Cofer, a young inventor, sat down to tackle the issue of climate change. “The death of the planet has been foretold,” said Dr. Sanjayan. “The question remains, ‘What are we going to do about it?’” At only 15 years old, Cofer has already stepped up to answer that question – he invented a way to recycle Styrofoam by converting it into carbon that can be used to purify water, solving two global problems at once. We don’t all need to be inventors, he said, but we can start out with small ways to help that will add up. “If we can use science, use teamwork, we can solve any of these problems and really succeed in the future.”
Eric Liu, CEO of Citizens United, drew attention to another type of climate change. “We cannot deny that our civic climate is changing as well,” he said, and not for the better. The solution, he said, is national service. Liu said these programs bind us together with common purpose and aspiration and get people thinking about how they can be a part of something bigger than themselves. “I stand here today as a citizen, asking each of you to stand for national service,” Liu said, ending with a call for all of us to “exercise the full breadth of our citizen power.”
Empowering Women and Girls
Umran Beba, CHRO, human capital management for PepsiCo, turned the conversation toward the empowerment of women and girls. “Girls have the power to the change the world,” she said. “We have the opportunity and responsibility to empower them.”
Spoken-word poet Tonya Ingram and award-winning journalist Tamron Hall lent their voices to underscore the importance of empowering women and girls. Rachel Gerrol, co-founder of Nexus, led a panel featuring Beba, Cheryl Strayed, author of “Wild,” Sarah Hurwitz, former speechwriter for Michelle Obama, and Zoe Terry, 10-year-old CEO of Zoe’s Dolls. The young social entrepreneur captured the heart of the audience and wisely questioned the antiquated insult “you run like a girl.”
“Girls are strong, powerful, and bold. We have a voice, and we are changemakers,” said Zoe, calling on the older generations not to underestimate young girls. “We are small, but we are mighty!”
Strayed said we must work to change the cultural story of gender, and “challenge the stories that hold us back.” Hurwitz reminded the audience that women’s issues are human issues and that we must find the courage within ourselves to stand up.
Changemakers for Economic Mobility and Social Justice
Kerry Sullivan, president of Bank of America Charitable Foundation, noted the importance of advancing economic mobility for individuals, families and communities. The company’s strategy is to put people at the center of change, giving them the tools and resources to build pathways to success.
“Everybody in this place is an angel doing something great,” said Emmanuel Jal, a former child soldier and refugee from Sudan, turned artist, activist, actor and author. In a rousing musical performance, Jal told the audience that every person has a story to share, and everyone is capable of doing something great. Sharing the story of his own journey, Jal said, “I stand here because some lady cared. I stand here because somebody dared.”
Elisa Hahn, a reporter with KING 5, led a panel featuring Carmen Best, deputy chief of the Seattle police department, prison reform activist Suellen Fried and Rev. Harriett G. Walden, founder of Mothers for Police Accountability. Focusing on issues related to the criminal justice system, the panelists emphasized volunteerism, education and investment in young people as the key solutions for overhauling the system and counteracting the social problems its flaws have created. And, working together. “If you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu,” said Deputy Chief Best. “We need to be all together at the table, having these conversations.”
The energy-filled and inspiring summit concluded with an address from pioneering astronaut Dr. Mae Jemison, the first woman of color to go into space. Dr. Jemison was also presented with the Daily Point of Light Award, in recognition of her work with youth, empowering a new generation to explore and connect with the world through STEM education. “I feel like all my work should be in the service of helping this world be a better place,” said Dr. Jemison. Quoting Alice Walker, Jemison noted, “‘it is the nature of the flower to bloom.”
“Our task is to ensure that we create the right conditions to allow all of us to bloom,” she said.
Corporate Volunteer Councils are local networks that businesses join to share best practices and address community needs through workplace volunteering. The Corporate Volunteer Council of the Year Award recognizes councils that have a clear purpose, meaningful educational activities, and measurements for success. All entries are reviewed and a winner is selected by an awards committee comprised of national Corporate Volunteer Council leaders and supporters convened by Points of Light.
The Corporate Volunteerism Council – Twin Cities was presented the award by Points of Light board member Jeff Hoffman during the conference’s Civic 50 Gala. Scott Cummings, Minneapolis market development director for Accenture and 2016 CVC-TC president, accepted the award on the organization’s behalf.
The CVC-TC connects members to local issues, volunteerism best practices, and community and national trends through networking, programming, and promoting significant events such as National Volunteer Week. Since its founding in 1980, it has provided corporate members with opportunities to increase their skills through ongoing engagement – balancing networking events and an annual awards celebration with content-rich programs that dually meet the needs of members with sophisticated CSR programs and those who have recently started their corporate volunteer efforts.
Their membership structure provides for strong community connections by including one nonprofit member for every four corporate members. This offers members a strong local network and direct access to volunteer opportunities. Cross-sector collaboration is woven into how the CVC-TC operates; businesses and nonprofits regularly work together to best meet the needs of the Twin Cities community. One shining example of this is the award-winning Twin Cities Corporate Giving Garden Network, with 20+ CVC-TC members growing fresh produce on their corporate campuses to help stock local food shelves and feed hungry neighbors. More than 40,000 pounds of fresh produce has been grown and donated in the last 8 years.
“We are so fortunate in the Twin Cities to have a culture that values volunteerism as a powerful tool in making our community thrive,” said Jenny Moe, manager of corporate social responsibility for Target. “We are even luckier that we have the Corporate Volunteerism Council – Twin Cities to help support this culture through facilitating nonprofit and corporate collaboration, learning and networking opportunities.”
CVC-TC members also volunteer their own time to help educate and bring along newer members. The annual CVC-TC Pro Bono Consulting Project provides resources to new members who are looking to both benchmark and improve their volunteer programs. The CVC-TC has also launched an innovative Twitter book club (#CVCTCbookclub) to increase online engagement with CVC-TC and support the professional development of its members.
Sarah Richter, senior manager of community relations at Ameriprise Financial, shared: “The Corporate Volunteerism Council – Twin Cities has been so valuable for Ameriprise Financial. From networking, to learning and sharing best practices, I know I can benchmark my peers whenever I have a question. As a community rooted in philanthropy, this group continues to elevate and demonstrate that volunteerism is good for business and community.”
Atados Wins George W. Romney Award for Volunteer Program Supporting Refugees in Brazil
In difficult times, we often look to humanitarian groups to support those in need. Since the onset of the refugee crisis, this has certainly been the case in Brazil – where the number of refugees has doubled each year since 2011.
, the winner of Points of Light’s 2017 George W. Romney Award, adapted its successful volunteer engagement model to respond to the global refugee crisis and provide aid to the people taking refuge in Brazil.
The Romney Award, presented annually at the
to an affiliate from Points of Light’s global network, aligns with core strategies impacting volunteering and service and celebrates the extraordinary work taking place around the world in local communities. In the past, awards have focused on collaboration, innovation, collective impact and mobilizing local changemakers.
This year’s award, inspired by Points of Light’s resilient communities framework and aligned with the UN’s
, recognizes an affiliate’s contribution to healthy, vibrant, thriving communities by leveraging the contributions of neighbors, networks and nonprofits. Points of Light created the resilient communities framework based on the four domains of community resiliency as recognized by the
, highlighting the critical role that volunteerism plays in education, neighborhood/built environment, economic stability and overall health. Our approach to building resiliency is grounded in three core components: partnerships, programs and people. The framework provides opportunities for Points of Light to lean into cross-sector partnerships that align with local community needs to make an impact and drive change.
Scaling programs that work is essential to how we drive community change. Equally as important is ensuring people and nonprofits in the community have the leadership and capacity building opportunities to sustain this change. Atados, recognized for their work inspiring volunteers and building engaged communities across Brazil, identified a need and developed a program that engaged the community in solving the challenge. In 2014, as Brazil hosted the FIFA World Cup, there was an influx of refugees into the country. In response to the challenges that often accompany the transition to a new cultural environment, Atados created opportunities for volunteers to train refugees for employment as language teachers. What started with a small team and many volunteers has evolved into
– a language school that has trained and created opportunities for more than 60 refugees, who teach the language and culture of their native countries to more than 2,000 students in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo. The program is a shining example of the role that networks, neighborhoods and nonprofits play in engaging community members, both as participants and beneficiaries of programs.
“Cities are only as resilient as their residents. A community’s ability to adapt and progress is dependent on the strength of its local networks. Too often the human infrastructure to create viable, locally-driven, sustainable solutions does not exist,” said Gared Jones, senior vice president of global at Points of Light. “Atados’ work demonstrates how our network is mobilizing and equipping volunteers to create local solutions to some of the world’s more pressing challenges. Innovative solutions like Abraço Cultural are what Points of Light’s network is scaling and replicating around the world.”
The George W. Romney Excellence Award was established in 1996 to honor
Gov. Romney
and his personal commitment to volunteer service. Romney was chairman and CEO of American Motors, a three-term governor of Michigan and U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. He was also founding chairman of the National Volunteer Center and a founding member of the board of directors of Points of Light.
Seattle Nonprofits Will Unite Against Childhood Hunger at Conference on Volunteering and Service
During the annual Conference on Volunteering and Service, thousands of nonprofit, government, business and civic leaders gather to discuss the future of volunteerism, and to showcase the true power and impact of putting people at the center of change. And each year, Points of Light organizes a service project that supports the local community and addresses a pressing need. In 2017, the Conference will take place in Seattle – a unique city for Points of Light, with two HandsOn Network affiliates: Seattle Works and United Way of King County.
On June 17, attendees can kick-off their Conference experience by participating in a service project collaboration – “Fuel Up For Kids” – with our local affiliates. United Way’s Fuel Your Future program connects kids to nutritious food year-round, and Seattle Works Day is an annual day of service that supports more than 60 local nonprofits and engages thousands of volunteers. This project is the perfect mashup between our Seattle affiliates and enables Conference attendees to have a direct impact on the local community.
In King County, 1 in 5 kids regularly goes hungry. Many of these children eat free lunch at school; however, many families do not know free lunches are available throughout the summer in many city parks. To raise awareness of these summer programs before school lets out, Conference volunteers will join the United Way and Seattle Works to host a free lunch giveaway and party in a city park.
“It is a perfect example of the way two organizations can come together for the greater good,” said Chloe De Wolf, development and communications manager for Seattle Works.
Founded in 1989, Seattle Works’ main objective is to harness the altruistic and philanthropic tendencies of Seattle’s young adults. Beyond Seattle Works Day, the organization focuses its efforts on generating mutually beneficial relationships between nonprofits and volunteers, promoting a fun and social atmosphere.
Chloe explained that “at our core, we believe that volunteering should be impactful and fun.” To that end, the organization designs volunteer programs with an emphasis on social connection in addition to community service.
Team Works, one of the organization’s signature programs, achieves this outcome. The team-based nonprofit support initiative takes place over a 4-month period, once in the spring and again in the fall, and engages teams of volunteers in four projects organized by Seattle Works and a nonprofit partner. After each project, teams are encouraged to take part in some form of family-friendly social activity – visiting one of Seattle’s many local breweries is a popular option.
Since launching the program in 2010, Seattle Works has engaged 4,054 volunteers through Team Works and has already activated 138 volunteers in 2017.
Like Seattle Works, United Way of King County focuses on making volunteering easy and fun, whether they are organizing an individual project or a company-wide day of service. And with so many local children going without the food they need, many of their events and days of service focus on childhood hunger.
“United Way has been involved in ending childhood hunger since 2009, when we developed a response to the recession,” said Lauren McGowan, senior director of ending homelessness and poverty for United Way of King County. “Today our Fuel Your Future program is a key strategy in our work to make sure families are financially stable.”
The Fuel Your Future program is a major voice for advocacy in the region, both helping schools arrange the necessary staffing and resources to provide children with food, and raising awareness of the hunger initiatives and resources available to local schools and families.
With the help of corporate partners, United Way provides incentives for King County schools to deliver quality nutrition to their students. One example is the Breakfast Challenge, which operates with the support of the Seattle Sounders, a professional soccer team. The program creates friendly competition between school districts, encouraging them to feed more children by reducing barriers – like fighting the stigma that surrounds accepting free meals, or reminding parents to get their children to school on time. Schools can also compete based on the availability and thoroughness of their nutrition education programs. Winners receive a trophy and a special visit from the Sounders.
Since the initiative started in the fall of 2015, 1,000 additional students are eating breakfast every day, 3,000 more students are getting nutrition education, and an additional 1,000 students are eating meals after school. Other events, like the Summer Food Invasion program, where families come to eat, partake in sports activities and literacy programming, and learn more about Fuel Your Future, help increase the program’s reach and impact in the community.
Both organizations are excited about the potential impact that their collaboration will have on hunger and the overall welfare of the greater King County region.
“We are thrilled to be partnering with Seattle Works and Points of Light to launch our 2017 Summer Food Invasion campaign,” Lauren said of the upcoming Conference service project collaboration. “This partnership will help raise awareness about the issue of summer hunger and that free meals are available all summer long.”
Did you know that it was Abraham Lincoln who declared Thanksgiving a federal holiday? It’s true, and a good factoid for trivia night. It also seems especially fitting and worthy of note as we approach this year’s Thanksgiving Day. Because this week’s holiday wasn’t born from nostalgia about the “good ole days” at Plymouth Rock or because Lincoln’s ancestors were pilgrims. Rather, at America’s darkest moment – when economic and ideological divides, and the brutality of war had pitted brothers, neighbors, friends against each other, Lincoln called for thanksgiving. Amidst the bloody battle and the pervasive rhetoric of difference, our visionary 16
th
president knew that the ritual of coming together and giving thanks is powerful. That it could enliven a young democracy, repair a union, quiet the craven yell and reclaim a shared humanity.
These are powerful ideals: shared harvest, fellowship, community, a seat at the table. From civil war to civil rights, the table has been central and symbolic – to healing, equality, justice, progress, and patriotism, too. There’s a reason Dr. King spoke so often about the table of brotherhood. Separated by a hundred years, perhaps both Abe Lincoln and Dr. King believed that table-by-table Americans would reunite across differences and that together they would redefine the common good and reimagine a new, shared American dream.
Last week, a colleague who works every day to build community told me that he dreads gathering with family this Thanksgiving. He fears that at their table – like many tables in America this week – the deep divides and stark disparities the election revealed will be laid bare. I’ve heard similar concerns from many other colleagues and friends. So, this week, we did what we always do, we looked to the points of light community for ideas and answers.
“How will you transform your table?” we asked. “How will you come back together across differences? How will you start a conversation that matters?”
Our partners at Repair the World offer resources for hosting a dinner and facilitating a productive dialogue that allows guests to share, heal, process and talk about where we are individually and as a country. You can download resources and share on social using #ShabbatConversation.
This free Campaign for Change download from artist, designer, illustrator, and educator Andrea Pippins provides a kind and compassionate starting place for crucial conversations. These beautiful grown-up coloring sheets will be the centerpiece of my Thanksgiving table and a central theme of the conversations I hope spark there.
In the wake of an historic election, people from all walks of life are looking for ways to come together, to tackle tough challenges, and to find healing by helping others. That why Points of Light launched Service Unites, an online platform and campaign that asks Americans to serve. This effort will tap into the unlimited hope and potential of individuals to spark change and create solutions to the issues facing our communities and our country. Make your pledge today at serviceunites.org and share your service story using #ServiceUnites.
May this Thanksgiving, and the conversations at our tables, begin to bind us, heal us and repair our nation. May ours be tables of brotherhood where justice, equality and love of country spark conversations, connect us to each other, and enliven our young democracy.
Just a week before the first presidential debate, Points of Light gathered a group together for our own version of an “ideas-that-matter conference” in Kennebunkport, Maine. Members of our Advisory Board, the Board of Directors and a few invited guests – corporate partners, foundation leaders, policy experts, artists and filmmakers – shared their insights and input on the future of our movement and how to enact the greatest amount of change possible, for as many people as possible, as quickly as possible.
As the political season kicks into high gear, the timing couldn’t have been better as we are all thinking about how to fill the vacuum we’ll see when half of the electorate is disappointed with the election results – no matter who wins. How can we try to turn that disappointment and cynicism into optimism and civic engagement?
Our exploration for answers to this question started by digging into the critical work taking place at the
and it’s meant to advise our next president – regardless of who wins the election – on reaching common ground throughout the first year of the next administration by learning from the successes and failures of past White Houses. What struck all of us was the preview of one of the project’s upcoming essays about the ongoing transformation of the ways in which people communicate. Mary Kate Cary, a former White House speechwriter to President George H.W. Bush who is advising the First Year 2017 Project on communications strategy (
her communications research publishing this month), along with experts from Google and LinkedIn talked about these rapid changes and the implications not only for the next president but for our sector – for changemakers who are catalysts for civic change.
Two such changemakers were part of our ideas fest.
is a former foster child turned country music singer/songwriter whose songs, story, and walk halfway across America in 2010 continue to help create awareness of kids who age out of the foster care system and become homeless. We were honored to name Jimmy as our
shared insights she gained while making her award-winning documentary film, “Imba Means Sing,” about the African Children’s Choir. Listening to both Jimmy and Erin brought home to me the treasure of stories Points of Light has as one of its biggest assets – authentic, credible stories about real Americans making a difference in the lives of others.
As we wrapped up our time together, we returned to that initial question: after the election, how can we try to turn disappointment and cynicism into optimism and civic engagement? Between Jimmy and Erin’s inspirational stories and Mary Kate’s insights we recognized we already had the answer. Regardless of which candidate they vote for – and whether they are happy or disappointed with the election outcome – we want everyone who cares about building a better America to roll up their sleeves. We want to lift up their powerful stories of change. And we want to tap into the unlimited potential of social networks to connect us to each other to tackle tough problems, and unite us in a way that transcends party politics.
Let’s start now by sharing those stories now at
