Social impact may sound like a big undertaking, but it’s really just your own individual empowerment that leads to positive communal change. At its core, it’s a way of driving change in your community by making meaningful contributions in your own backyard. In an era when global and political events can feel overwhelming, civic engagement is a pathway to empowerment.
“Doing good” is fundamentally about change – change that is initiated, driven and sustained by the power of people. It’s about ordinary people recognizing that they possess the power to make extraordinary differences. Whether it’s through volunteering, community organizing or participating in local decision making, civic engagement is the fuel that drives societal progress. It’s a reminder that when people come together, unified by a common goal, they can bring about monumental change.
Incorporating social impact into your daily life can start with simple, actionable steps that can be categorized into internal steps that focus on personal reflection and preparation, and external steps, which are about taking action in the workplace. Here are two of each to help you seamlessly integrate civic engagement into your work life.
1. Identify Workplace-Related Causes that Resonate with You
As you engage with industry news, professional networks or workplace discussions, pay attention to the social and environmental issues that resonate with you. Are there specific challenges within your industry or community that capture your interest? Reflect on them, and jot down a few that stand out. This awareness will guide your actions and help you find relevant opportunities for engagement.
2. Educate Yourself on Industry-Specific Social Responsibility
Listen and learn. Set aside a specific amount of time – once a day, or once a week – to read articles, watch documentaries or listen to podcasts that focus on corporate social responsibility (CSR), especially within your industry. Understanding the broader context of how businesses can positively impact society will not only increase your knowledge but might also inspire innovative ideas for civic engagement in your own workplace.
See how Bank of America employee and Daily Point of Light honoree Theodore Hansen finds meaning in volunteering. Read his story.
3. Start a Lunchtime Discussion Group on Social Responsibility
Organize a casual, lunchtime chat group with your colleagues, and use your voice to discuss social responsibility topics related to your industry. This small step can be as simple as sending out an invite for a brown-bag lunch meeting or a coffee break once a week or once a month. Use this time to share insights, articles and ideas on how your workplace can contribute to societal issues. This act can help foster awareness and can spark collective interest in future CSR activities. If a physical lunch group isn’t feasible, consider starting a virtual channel – like a chat group or forum on your internal platforms – dedicated to this topic.
4. Encourage a Volunteer Hour in Your Department
Suggest to your manager or team the idea of dedicating an hour each month to volunteering or learning about social causes. This could involve individually choosing an activity that supports a cause or watching a webinar on social responsibility during work hours. It’s a small commitment with the potential to build a culture of civic engagement within your team. Need to find an in-person or virtual volunteer opportunity? Check out Points of Light Engage, which features hundreds of thousands of volunteer opportunities across the globe just waiting for the right volunteers to step up.
Integrating civic engagement into your professional life doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By adopting these steps, we can make a significant impact both personally and within our workplace.