Citizenship

“It’s not always the same thing to be a good man and a good citizen”- Aristotle

I can admit that I was once not always a good citizen and often focused solely on myself and not those or the community around me. A good citizen should know and understand how the society around them is functioning and developing; but a great citizen, will understand how the world and all its countries are operating and progressing. A great citizen will do things to challenge a falsehood in society and collaborate with others to better the world with fundamental, transformative change. 

It was not until I had entered college and became active in my scholars program that I met a diverse group of people, bringing my attention to different causes in different areas of the world. I began to learn that completing simple service tasks did not make me a great citizen.

Coming from a very sheltered life I wasn’t truly aware of issues around the world or of the effort needed to make a pronounced difference. As the year progressed, I began to act and engage in committees and groups around Columbus that would enable me to change the world we live in for the better. Not everyone was as lucky as I am to live a privileged life, and I am extremely thankful for that and became more thankful the more often I volunteered. As a citizen of the world, it is up to me to make a difference and engage myself in the communities to which I belong and join in other efforts to make my efforts count. 

The Greek community plays a major role in improving the Columbus community. Our chapters engage on local and even global levels through philanthropy events and service trips. The more we partake in being great citizens on our campus the more likely we are to graduate and emerge into being great citizens of the globe. 

By communicating this message to our chapter members we can motivate them to get involved, rather than just donating money they can take action and get others motivated to practice citizenship. But, most importantly: lead by example. Be a good citizen. Get involved.

Transformative Change

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“They say that time changes things, but you actually 
have to change them yourself.”

-Andy Warhol

Change will not occur if we sit by waiting for someone to act first. Change will not occur if we do not work toward it. Just like with anything else you will not see results unless you work toward them. Action is key. But, we cannot change the world alone. So what do you do?

You start the movement. You use your idea, your dream, and your vision. We must believe that we have the ability to change our community and even the world for the better.

The desire for change in our world today is omnipresent. It is constantly circulating throughout the media, making it even easier to get backing in your movement. One tweet can start the change. But, this change must be pre-meditated in order to succeed to its fullest potential.

This means you need a plan of action. This plan of action should tackle the four fundamental topics that make up transformative change:

1.     Altering behaviors, opinions, and processes

2.     Deep and persuasive change

3.     Intentional change

4.     Occurs over time (this is where Andy Warhol comes in)

After your change has been enacted it will propagate over time. The process is irreversible: a new way of thinking and acting will have been introduced by you, making the world a better place, just how you envisioned it.

An example of a woman responsible for transformative change is Elizabeth Glaser. One of Alpha Epsilon Phi’s national philanthropies is the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric Aids Foundation. Elizabeth Glaser started a movement to raise awareness for pediatric aids on her own and over time her philanthropy has raised millions of dollars to help combat the disease. She is responsible for a major change in the philanthropic community and I am honored to support such a transformative cause that has now made great strides in several different countries throughout the world. Her legacy lives on throughout the world and that, to me, defines transformation.

Social Change

"Social change agents must be willing to learn as they go; to listen to those around them and those most directly affected, and be open to learning where they were wrong."

- Leadership for a Better World

 

 I have heard time and time again from members of my chapter that certain issues are "not my problem" but, if they concern the chapter or your community, they most definitely concern you. This attitude is often associated with laziness. Many often associate social change as a huge political upheaval or ordeal and therefore are driven away from change and would rather complain about what they don't like rather than make an effort to remedy the issue. 
Being part of the Greek community has taught me that change can be brought about in small ways; this is often how the most powerful movements originate. After all, Martin Luther King was just an average person at one time. The phrase “think globally, act locally” exemplifies a majority of the service Ohio State students organize. The local efforts we take part in serve as examples to the community we live in and communities around us. By example we are able to promote positive social change through the use of not only our actions but also our words. Currently, social media is used to promote every thought that comes to mind. These thoughts most often encourage change. Now is the time to act on them. Now is the time to lead by example.