HOW AN ORDINARY PERSON CAN CREATE EXTRAORDINARY CHANGE ADAM BRAUN +PENCIL= WORLD CHANGE THE PROMISE OF A PENCIL

OUTLINE OF PRESENTATION PRECONDITIONS: IDENTIFYING THE SOCIAL EQUILIBRIUM MANIFESTATION: TAKING STEPS TO ACTUALIZE DREAM MOVING FORWARD: CURRENT SITUATION LESSONS LEARNED

PRECONDITIONS: IDENTIFYING THE SOCIAL EQUILIBRIUM Purpose: Wanted to be challenged into “what it’s like to be truly uncomfortable” Undertook Semester at Sea (SAS) to experience and learn more about other cultures. At end of sophomore year in college, Adam was invited by his friend to watch the Movie “Baraka” meaning blessings in many languages. Caused him to start thinking more of other parts of the world that he had not seen.

PRECONDITIONS: IDENTIFYING THE SOCIAL EQUILIBRIUM Experience poverty and children without education. + The joy that children showed when he handed pencils over to them. Backpacked through Europe, Singapore, Thailand, and Cambodia. + Sought to experience Guatemala: cultural and emotional experience Advice from friend on the moment to do a big thing: “Now was the time to take a risk” DREAM: Named the project- Pencils of Promise: (an organization aimed at taking a holistic approach to education through building schools, training teachers, and providing scholarships.)

MANIFESTATION: TAKING STEPS TO ACTUALIZE DREAM Big Dream: “Pencils of Promise” Planning on strategy for dream to be a reality: Big dream begins with “small unreasonable acts”: Opened a bank account with the 1 st deposit of $25.00 (October, 2008) Determining the location of the first school Complete Analysis of different operating environments. Deciding ways to raise funds. Strategies to pull all stakeholders together Bought website domain Applied for 501(C) (3) status

MANIFESTATION: TAKING STEPS TO ACTUALIZE DREAM Big Dream: “Pencils of Promise” Fund Raising Strategy: Sold ticket for Birthday party on Halloween Day (Charged $20 per person: raised $8,000) Started with small circle of friends, which resulted in snow balling effect to others outside the circle. Location: Selected LAOS- one of the poorest countries in South east Asia. Adam loved the country from previous visit Contacted other non-profits in education already located in LAOS Visited LAOS: to determine the specific location

MANIFESTATION: TAKING STEPS TO ACTUALIZE DREAM Big Dream: “Pencils of Promise” Interactions with three little girls prompted the choice of the Village PHA THEUNG Assess cost of building one school Engaged local stakeholders: policies on building school- 10% or more of the project will be funded by local community Worked in Partnership with the Ministry of Education:

MOVING FORWARD: Dream Manifestation started from the moment the first school was built in Laos. Expanded to Latin America- Guatemala Africa: Ghana

CURRENT SITUATION Expanded into three continent Raised funds through Friends, and expanded to corporations. Funds raised from over 500,000 donors all across the world. According to Pencils of Promise website: 251 schools built; 29,907 students served; 16M education hours delivered

CURRENT SITUATION Current financial standing and fund raised through Source:

LESSONS LEARNED 1. It is important to experience the worlds outside your comfort: Adam would not have seen, and experienced the levels, and rates of poverty if he had not committed to the Semester At Sea (SAS) program, or backpacked through other parts of the world. It is essential to know that dream manifestation requires taking small steps, and bold decisions. Be prepared to fight obstacles, no matter how big or small they are. This means that sometimes you may have to work alone or leave friends behind when possible. Tenacity is important, therefore be persistent, and know what you are about.

LESSONS LEARNED The need for Collaboration: In every society that Adam visited, he worked closely with local communities, and authorities. Also before going to any country, he consulted with other already established non- profits in the host country to identify needy communities. Fundraising Strategy: Adam incorporated a lot of technology in his fundraising effort. He took part in different competitions that recognized non-profit through the use of Facebook, twitter, and other social media to raise funds. A small gift of $25.00 is welcomed- easy to give on the organization’s website. Passion: Adam’s dreams resonated with many who heard of the works he was doing through Facebook. This situation created many individuals who also developed passion for his dream, and carried on projects to raise money for the Pencils of Promise project. For instance a 16 year old girl who initiated a project to ride from California to New York to raise $10, to build a classroom. She slept in parks, and rest stops because she had passion, and resonated with the cause of the organization.

LESSONS LEARNED Remain focused on mission: As up coming social entrepreneurs, there may be instances that the organization might be tempted to sway from the organizations values- maybe to receive financial support or attract a big donor to the organization. In every turbulent situation, the organization must abide, and remain steadfast in its goals. Adam was an innovative man who used the current technology available to solve a social problem through means that others around believed in and loved. As a social entrepreneur, it is essential to recognize the benefits of different networks created and utilize them accordingly. From the onset of the organization, Adam engaged the services of volunteers, and continues to use their services in diverse ways, especially raising funds. Very interactive website with measures of transparency and accountability:

References Braun, A. (2014) The pencil of a pencil: how an ordinary person can create extraordinary change. Scribner Publishing: New York.