Take Action Project

It is not just leaders who make history. It is all of us It is not just leaders who make history. It is all of us. By our decisions each day we help to shape the world, for better or for worse. David Krieger

What does taking action mean to you? Write a definition down on a sheet of paper. Share your definition with a partner and either choose one of the definitions or write a new one together. When you are done, pair up and repeat the process. Continue doing this until there are only two or three groups.

The cynic says, ‘One man can’t do anything The cynic says, ‘One man can’t do anything.’ I say, ‘Only one man can do anything.’ John w. gardner

Taking action means: Stepping up to the role without hesitation. Take initiative, get involved and participate in a topic that you are passionate about. Seeing an issue in the world and working to change it by helping the community and standing up for what you believe in.

Case Study- The Chinese Head Tax The Chinese head tax was a fixed fee charged to each Chinese person entering Canada. The head tax was first levied after the Canadian parliament passed the Chinese immigration act of 1885 and was meant to discourage Chinese people from entering Canada after the completion of the Canadian Pacific Railway. The tax was abolished by the Chinese immigration act of 1923, which stopped Chinese immigration altogether, except a few select professions.

Activity In groups of 3 people, discuss the case study Apply your knowledge of ways that people can take action along with your imagination to make a plan: How will you solve this problem? Make sure to be detailed and specific. Be prepared to share with the class.

Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not. Dr Seuss

Examples: Taking Action in Your Community Organize a food drive Get involved in the government Coach a team/tutor a student Volunteer at your school, senior centre, hospital or animal shelter Petition Start a letter writing/awareness campaign Any other ideas?

Kinds of Citizens Personally Responsible Citizen Participatory Citizen Social Justice Oriented Citizen Description Acts responsibly in the community Works and pays taxes Picks up litter, recycles, and gives blood Helps those in need, lends a hand during times of crisis Obeys laws Active member of community organizations and/or improvement efforts Organizes community efforts to care for those in need, promote economic development, or to clean up environment Knows how government agencies work Knows strategies for accomplishing collective tasks   Critically assesses social, political, and economic structures Explores strategies for change that address root causes problems Knows about social movements and how to effect systemic change Seeks out and addresses areas of injustice

Personally Responsible Citizen Participatory Citizen Social Justice Oriented Citizen Sample Action Contributes food to a food drive Helps organize a food drive Explores why people are hungry and acts to solve root causes. Core Assumptions To solve social problems and improve society, citizens must have good character; they must be honest, responsible, and law-abiding members of the community. To solve social problems and improve society, citizens must actively participate and take leadership positions within established systems and community structures. To solve social problems and improve society, citizens must question and change established systems and structures when they reproduce patterns of injustice over time. Source: Westheimer, J. Et Kahne, J. (2204) What Kind of Citizen? The Politics of Educating for Democracy. American Educational Research Journal. Summer. 41(2), 237-269

Take Action Projects: Examples Sustainable Environment Reducing Your Carbon Footprint Water Conservation: Wetlands or River Bank Study and Cleanup Community Garden Just Economy Poverty Workers’ Rights Rights of the Child Community and Society Anti-Consumerism Connecting with Seniors Be a Mentor or Role Model

Benefits of volunteerism Youth who volunteer are more likely to do well in school, graduate and vote Voter turnout for 18- to 24-year-olds increased by over 18 percentage points between the 2011 and 2015 federal elections  Youth Volunteerism

Part 1: Outline

Choosing an issue: You need to choose a topic first. The topic that you choose should be a broad idea that you want to explore further This should be a topic that interests you Example: recycling

The issue that you choose This will be a specific issue that is taking place in your community that you would like to address Example: our local school does not recycle.

Setting an example is not the main means of influencing others; it is the only means. Albert Einstein

Writing SMART Goals The goal that you make should be a SMART goal. That means that they need to be: Specific Measurable Achievable Results-focused Time bound Example: by April 15th OP will have a recycling bin in every classroom and all of the material placed in them will be sent to an appropriate recycling facility.

Change your thoughts and you change the world. Norman Vincent peale

Making your plan Your plan should include: Who is going to work on this plan? What will you be doing? When will you be doing it? Where will you be taking action? Why is this issue important? How you will accomplish your goal?

Community Action Plan Remember that this is just an outline. This plan might have to be adapted during the course of this semester. Your outline will be due by the end of today’s class. Be prepared to share your outline with the class.

Sharing your plans Each presentation should take 1 - 2 minutes While others are sharing, listen quietly and attentively. Be ready to share comments, questions and suggestions with the class When you are presenting your plan, make sure to include all of the information, including any concerns that you might have. Be ready to answer questions from the class ,

There are risks and costs to action There are risks and costs to action. But they are far less than the long-range risks of comfortable inaction. John F Kennedy

A small body of determined spirits fired by an unquenchable faith in their mission can alter the course of history. Gandhi

Part 2: Execute your plan

Putting your plan into action: Network with local experts and community resources for advice and direction. Help raise community awareness through promotional campaigns and/or community meetings. Approach local politicians and community leaders for assistance in their cause and petition them for change. Organize actions and activities that involve other students in the school and community members.

You will receive class time to work on your Action Project. You should spend 6-10 hours outside of school time executing your project (volunteering, etc). The final Action Project report will be worth 25% of your final grade.

Activism is my rent for living on this planet. Alice walker

Part 3: Reflecting on your experience

Your learning log, which will serve as your final report, should include: A title page A summary of your action plan 1 page (typed, double spaced) for each hour reflecting on your action and answering the following questions: What did you do? How did you do it? Who did it help? Was it effective? What would you change if you were to do this again? 3 pictures to represent your action One paragraph for each picture describing its significance An assessment of your action- did you meet your goals? A plan for the future- what is the next step?

Change will only occur when each of us takes up the daily struggle ourselves to be more forgiving, compassionate, loving and above all joyful in the knowledge that, by some miracle of grace, we can change as those around us change too. Mairead maguire

Part 4: Presenting your project

You will be sharing your final report with the class at the end of the semester. Your presentation should be 5-10 minutes long, and include some kind of visual component. You may choose to film your presentation and may want to include some footage of your Action Project.

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. Margaret Mead