For positive social change to occur, our communities rely on all of us engaging in multiple ways, along various pathways. This positive change creates conditions, access, and opportunities for everyone to have enough of what they need to thrive, which in turn creates healthier, more vibrant, equitable, and sustainable communities.
The Pathways for Civic Action and Social Change describe a range of possibilities by which we can be civically engaged in our communities and create social change. We need people working within all of these pathways to create change, however one person does not need to be involved with each path - it's all about finding what you're interested in, or have knowledge and expertise in. You can also be involved in as many paths as you would like.
How will you work for a just, fair, and inclusive society?
Click here to see examples of how you can use the Pathways to create social change around specific social issues, with examples of how to get involved here at Drake and in the local Des Moines Community.
The six pathways are:
Community Engaged Learning and Research
Community Engaged Learning and Research: Connecting coursework and academic research to community-identified concerns to enrich knowledge and inform action on social issues.
Take college classes that allow you to connect your field with community issues and see real-world applications of what you are learning (i.e. service learning)
Conduct research to further investigate how your organization can positively impact the community
Review existing publications and research, and learn more about the community issues, priorities, and initiatives that you are passionate about
Participate in a community-engaged internship or research experience
Partner with local agencies to help survey or interview residents for community-based initiatives or services
Community Organizing and Activism
Community Organizing and Activism: Involving, educating, and mobilizing individual or collective action to influence or persuade others.
Join an activism or community organizing committee such as SURJ (Showing Up for Racial Justice)
Avoid a product, company, or service as a form of protest (boycott)
Lead or spread the word about a boycott of a product, company, or service
Sign or start a petition about a cause you care about
Use social media to promote a cause or pressing community need
Spark a discussion with people about a form of activism or topic you are passionate about
Direct Service
Direct Service: Working to address the immediate needs of individuals or a community, often involving contact with the people or places being served.
Volunteer with a non-profit around a cause that you are interested in. Examples include stocking food at a food pantry, serving meals at a homeless shelter, restoring trails at a local park
Participate in a sustained volunteer opportunity such as tutoring or mentoring youth
Participate in a National Day of Service or another one-time service event
Join the board of a non-profit or community agency
Participate in a service year program like AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, City Year, etc.
Join a student organization such as Drake's Habitat for Humanity chapter, Next Course Food Recovery, Community Action Board, APO
Attend a city council or government commission meeting
Attend a school board meeting
Participate in student government
Join a government commission or advisory group
Join a local school or police advisory group
Run for public office
Contribute to public, written comments on pending legislation (federal, state, and/or local)
Speak directly to legislators at the Capitol
Contact media to present your opinion on public issues
Write an editorial in your local newspaper like the Drake Political Review or Times Delphic
Research or learn about policies within a topic of interest or organization you are a member of
Social Entrepreneurship and Corporate Social Responsibility
Social Entrepreneurship and Corporate Social Responsibility: Using ethical business or private sector approaches to create or expand market-oriented responses to social or environmental problems.
Join a social entrepreneurship focused group, working on projects like helping teenagers interested in entrepreneurship to start small businesses
Get involved with the Lorentzen Hatchery at Drake which is aimed at fostering student startups.
Only purchase fair trade products and encourage others to do the same, with the goal of pressuring other businesses to also adopt fair trade.
Start a student-managed investment fund that invests only in socially responsible businesses.
Design a mobile app that helps urban residents donate to services that support people experiencing homelessness, with a small percentage fee.
Ask to set up a meeting with the Sustainability Coordinator at Drake, Sophia Seigel, to partner in creating sustainable events and practices within your organization
Create sustainable partnerships and collaborations with other people and organizations
Brainstorm new business ideas and road map out your best idea to create change within that sector
Used with permission from Haas Center for Public Service, Stanford University