Participez à l'action!

Avez-vous de bonnes idées qui n'attendent qu'à se concrétiser? Avez-vous de la difficulté à rassembler des gens pour que ces idées prennent forme?

Quoi que vous vouliez changer, il existe des outils qui pourraient transformer vos idées en réalité et vous propulser en action. 

Créez un groupe, élaborez votre plan d'action et obtenez du soutien! Vous pouvez faire bouger les choses!

 

 

 

PROFILE

Get in on the Action!


Jen Grant and Myriam Hammami
Education Program
Sierra Club of Canada - Atlantic Canada Chapter
February 2005

Do you have great ideas that are just waiting to get out? Are you having trouble getting people together to make these ideas happen? Ideas are fine and dandy in one's head but when it comes to putting action to your words and start walking your talk, it's not always that easy. Or is it? Whatever it is you want to change, there are some tools out there that can help make your ideas a reality and get you in the action.

A group of grade 4-5 students learn about
the red fox during the program Places and
Plants, Spaces and Ants.


(photo: Heather Kelday)

There's a quote by Margaret Mead that goes "a small group of people can make change happen, in fact that's the only thing that ever has". So if you want to take action then getting a group together may be the first essential step.

See: Starting a Youth Environmental Group


 Planning for Action

It helps to plan ahead to organize how you can take action.

Here are 6 steps to Taking Action:

  1. Find your passion
  2. Research and discover
  3. Make an action plan
  4. Take action
  5. Evaluate and celebrate
  6. Follow-up


(photo: Heather Kelday)

Find your Passion
 Brainstorming ideas to figure out what the group is passionate about and what they want to do is a great way to build up energy for your event or project. When brainstorming it is important at this stage to let everyone have a chance to voice their ideas and not turn any ideas down no matter how ridiculous they may be.

Research and Discover
 Once you find your passion, look into it and research it. See what is already out there and may exist in your school or community. Get some background information on your topic so you know more about the issue you are tackling - this will help out in the long run.

Make an Action Plan
 After gathering the necessary information, make a plan of your event. What are you going to need? Who do you need to talk to? How are you going to advertise your event? This is where the bulk of the work happens so you can split and share the tasks among your group or you can even reach out to other groups that may be interested in partnering.


Students conducting school ground investigations
of plants found in their 'backyard'.


(photo: Sierra Club of Canada - ACC)

Take Action
 When the plan is executed you can take action, whether it is setting up a recycling program at your school, a youth conference, a zine, a letter-writing campaign or a critical mass. All the prep work is done and you are ready to put your plan to action - work as a team and follow through on your project. Think about who your audience is and if you can get media coverage.

Evaluate and Celebrate
 Any action deserves celebrations no matter if they are small successes or big ones. This may actually be one of the most important parts to keep the energy of your group going. Having fun is a must.
With celebrations comes evaluation. To evaluate your event ask yourselves questions such as:

  • Was the event effective?
  • Did we accomplish our original goals?
  • If we do this again what needs to change?
  • Did we have fun?

Follow-up
 After you have asked yourself these questions, consider how you are going to follow-up on your idea. If you do a youth conference at your school how are you going to continue the connections you have made with other schools. If it's a recycling program consider who will take over after you've graduated or left.

A grade 4 student inquires about
a set of white tailed deer antlers.


(photo: Heather Kelday)

Getting Support

There are many project ideas that can be done without money but most of them will require resources, anything from photocopying to recycling bins. Many groups and organizations get money and resources through some kind of fundraising. This can take the shape of vegan bake-sales to a battle-of-bands. There are also non-profit and government agencies that can provide funding. Normally you will have to apply for this funding through a proposal so make sure to pay attention to the application guidelines and deadlines.

Another source of support is through community groups. Many of these groups are there to help and are especially good at providing locations like community halls and getting the word out for your event.

These are a few ideas to help you bring your ideas to action and "saving the world" may actually be closer than you think. Get out and kick some butt and bring action to your words: think globally and act locally.