I would like to thank Lisa Sims for referring to me this article and the Montgomery County Recreation Department for supplying it. It captures well the spirit of what we do here at GGC. Says Lisa: “I liked the article because the older I have gotten, the more change I have witnessed and I know firsthand how difficult change can be. The purpose of GGC is to become a change agent for the community to maximize its potential. We have committed to many small projects and are now evaluating our processes to determine the best use of our resources.”
BECOME A CHANGE AGENT IN YOUR OWN COMMUNITY
Resilience and the ability to change and adapt are at the core of every thriving community. It may sound cliche, but the only constant is change and change is difficult for most people. No matter how difficult change may be, it is necessary for growth. When change is embraced and harnessed properly, it can lead to maximizing the potential of entire communities.
Not everyone can be Agents of Change–and that’s okay–but without them, things stay the same and in some cases, that may be detrimental to a community. Change Agents motivate and inspire people to take action; they are the catalysts that lead people to take action.
Agents of Change aren’t simply born; these are people who start by asking pertinent questions in order to have a full understanding of the way things are before beginning the work of making a change. Once you’ve evaluated the state of things, ask yourself:
- What role can I play to make things better?
- Where do I start?
- What like-minded people can I partner with to help make these changes?
Changing the world is a great endeavor, but the greatest place to start is within your own community, blooming where you are planted.
Every Monday, The Weekly Rundown will bring you news and information on upcoming programs. The Weekly Rundown is here with the latest happenings at Rec.
THREE WAYS TO BE AN EFFECTIVE AGENT OF CHANGE
- CREATE A TRACK RECORD
Being respected is an important aspect of being a change agent, but respect is earned. You have to give people/communities a reason to listen to you. There’s no better way than committing to small projects and following through to completion. People respect hard work and someone who makes good on their promises.
- NORMALIZE CHANGE
Even the best processes have to change as communities grow. It is essential that things are frequently evaluated to ensure that resources are being utilized to the best of their ability. Complacency is the root cause of
- CREATE A SOLID TEAM
No man is an island. While you may be the visionary of the effort, a true leader knows that to be more effective, collaborating with others to make the vision a reality is essential. With more hands on deck, other members of the community will feel like they have contributed to making the envisioned change a reality in their community, which inspires more action.