2. Girls for a Change (GFC) is a national
nonprofit organization that empowers young
women to create change in their commun-
ities and their own lives. GFC partners girls
with women volunteers from the community
to form Girl Action Teams. These teams
design and implement a project that
impacts the girls’ neighborhood, city or
school. GFC provides more than 20 hours of
social change training to women volunteers
and encourages these volunteers to be
advocates for girls and women.
Making a
Powerful Difference
Pine-Sol® cleaners have been making a powerful difference
in the home for generations, and now with its Powerful
DifferenceSM campaign, the makers of Pine-Sol are enabling
and celebrating women who are making a powerful
Girls for a Change and Pine-Sol difference outside the home. As part of the campaign,
Pine-Sol awards grants to women who are making
extraordinary change in their communities, and is proud
Every woman has the power to make a difference. to enable the younger generation to take responsibility for
their community by sponsoring GFC in the launch of 10
Girls for a Change and Pine-Sol are partnering to bring you the Make a new Girl Action Teams in cities across the country.
Powerful Difference Action Kit. This kit is a guide for creating social change
in your community. If your busy schedule or uncertainty about how you could
make an impact has ever stopped you from embarking on social change, this Both GFC and Pine-Sol believe women can make a difference
kit will help you remove those barriers and start making a powerful difference in our world. Women fill many roles in communities and
using your voice for change! have the power to affect the most pressing social issues
we face in our country. We know that engaging more
We want to help you and make it as easy as possible… women in social change will have a positive impact in
cities and towns throughout the U.S. We hope you will join
the women and girls already creating change by using this
kit to find your passion and develop your own project, or to
enhance the work you are already doing in your community.
So get started today with our Make a Powerful Difference
Action Kit!
POWERFUL DIFFERENCE ACTION PLANNER 2
3. First, let’s determine what social issues
you are interested in:
Answer these questions
What do you never want to see happen again in your:
Workplace or Educational Institution
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
Neighborhood
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
City
_____________________________________________
What Is Your Passion? _____________________________________________
World
The first step on your path to making a powerful difference is to understand the _____________________________________________
concept of social change. There are many definitions out there. Walden University
describes social change as “a deliberate process of creating and applying ideas, _____________________________________________
strategies and action to promote the worth, dignity and development of individuals, What makes you angry?
communities, organizations, institutions, culture and societies. Positive social
_____________________________________________
change results in the improvement of human and social conditions.”1
_____________________________________________
In this kit, you’ll be designing a social change project that fits your life and your
passions. You will explore the root cause of an issue and then create and commit
What’s something that obviously needs to be changed?
to actions for long-lasting change. _____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
What does your community deserve more of?
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
After answering the questions above, look them
over. Put a star next to the three that stand out
to you — the ones that ignite your heart or mind.
1
http://realpeople.waldenu.edu/learn_aboutsc_definitionsc.cfm
POWERFUL DIFFERENCE ACTION PLANNER 3
4. A Good Reason to Party
Want to talk to more people about your passions
or get to know what your friends are passionate
about? Host a Conversation Party.
Invite your friends over to answer the questions
Start Your Path
in the first step of this kit. Design group
discussions with questions like:
Now that you have identified your top three issues, explore them a bit to find the
one you are most interested in:
* What do people know about what is
happening now on this issue?
q Talk about it: Gather your friends, family, etc., and talk about these issues!
(See the idea for a Conversation Party.) * Why is this issue appearing regularly on
everyone’s lists?
q Learn more: You could end up gaining a new perspective, knowledge of a deeper
history or the current statistics on the issue. Research nonprofit organizations or
social service agencies that are addressing the issue. Interview a staff person or
* What is your personal experience with
this issue?
read about their take on the issue on their Web sites or in brochures. Use this party to further explore your passions
q Gather information: Do you see your issue appearing in the media? If so, what and learn more about what is happening in your
is being said about it? If not, why is the media not covering the issue? community.
q Ask questions: Interview local elected officials or their staff to find out what they Discussions on these issues can get heated!
are doing about the issue and what they know about the issue in your community. Establish a safe space where everyone agrees
After research and discussions, which issue stands out most to you? Write it here to listen to each other and has the freedom to
and add any notes about what you learned or why that one stands out. express his or her views. This will be critical in
creating an environment that is productive.
Issue I Want to Change ______________________________________ This can be the start to social change among
__________________________________________________________ your friends and can help you with networking
How I Educated Myself_______________________________________ for your project!
__________________________________________________________
What I Learned _____________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
Why This Is the Issue I Want to Work On ________________________
__________________________________________________________
POWERFUL DIFFERENCE ACTION PLANNER 4
6. Check out the sample social change web below and then fill out your own!
Effects: Root Causes:
• Violence Social Issue: • Need for Safety
• Drug Use
• Unsafe Communities GANGS • Wanting to Belong to a Group
• Support
• Low Self-Esteem
My Social Web
Effect Root Cause
What happens when Why your issue is present
your issue is present? in the community?
Your Issue:
After making your list of causes, highlight the one that you want to work on.
Now that you have listed your root causes, check out the next page to choose
one to create your personal project around.
POWERFUL DIFFERENCE ACTION PLANNER 6
7. Choose Your Cause Why do we ask you to dig deep and create social change?
Now that you have chosen an issue, done your research and explored the It lasts longer! It’s more impactful! It’s empowering for
root causes of your issue, it’s time to choose your cause! you and the people around you! Check out what Eduardo
Take a look back at page 5 and check out the root causes you wrote down. Galeano, a writer and journalist from Uruguay has to say
Which one stands out or inspires you? This is the cause you will work on about charity:
to create your own community change — so put it in writing!
“I don’t believe in charity.
The Root Cause my project will focus on is: _______________________ I believe in solidarity.
Charity is so vertical. It goes
________________________________________________________ from the top to the bottom.
I chose this Root Cause because: ______________________________ Solidarity is horizontal. It
respects the other person.
________________________________________________________ I have a lot to learn from
other people.”
There are many projects you can do to create change. Before you start planning
your own, take a look at women who are creating change and examples of what
you can do in your community.
Eduardo Galeano
POWERFUL DIFFERENCE ACTION PLANNER 7
8. Olis Simmons youthuprising.org
The issues she’s passionate about: Advancement of youth leadership.
How she made a change: After racial tension at Castlemont High School in Oakland, California, erupted into
violence in 1997, Olis Simmons was among a group of young people who were determined to get to the root of
the problem and respond to the needs of these troubled youth. They identified poor educational resources, too
few employment opportunities, the absence of positive things to do, and lack of community and personal safety
as the root causes of the problems facing youth in this area.
Olis leveraged her relationship-building skills to develop a coalition of public partners, youth and community
members to share and promote her vision for youth-driven programming that could transform the community. In
2005, her vision manifested in the opening of Youth Uprising, a state-of-the-art youth leadership development
center offering comprehensive services in East Oakland — where she now serves as the executive director. Youth
UpRising is dedicated to being a leader in the advancement of youth leadership development and to affecting
positive community change by ensuring that youth and young adults are supported in actualizing their potential.
Ruby Bridges rubybridges.org
Women Making The issues she’s passionate about: School segregation and racism.
How she made a change: In 1960, Ruby was the first African-American child to attend a formerly all-white school
a Difference
in New Orleans. On the first day of school, she went in alone with her mother and four federal marshals. People
in the crowd yelled at her, took their children out of school and tried to block her way. She entered a classroom
by herself and was the only student.
Because of what she went through on the front lines of the battle for school integration, people recognize Ruby by
Individuals across the globe are creating change on name and are eager to hear what she has to say about racism and education today. She now runs an organization,
a daily basis in their communities. Many of them are the Ruby Bridges Foundation, with the mission of helping to eliminate prejudice and racism by educating children.
She speaks to groups around the country, telling kids her story and talking about the lessons of the past and how
just like you. They saw something going on that they we can learn from them today.
knew could be better.
The women featured on this page saw a need Isis Sapp-Grant girlsblossom.org
in their community and did something about it. The issues she’s passionate about: Providing healthy alternatives to gangs and violence.
They are ordinary women, like you, who affected How she made a change: A former gang member of one of the most notorious girl gangs in New York City in her
extraordinary change. Many of them began with just adolescence, Isis pledged to turn her life around if given the chance. She started attending classes again and,
an idea. None of these women started with money, with the help of two teachers and a policeman from the youth gangs unit, finished high school and went on to
ultra-powerful networks or the idea that they would graduate college and earn a Masters degree.
be a role model for other change makers. Remember Inspired to use her life experience and knowledge to make a difference in the lives of young women, Isis began
working with girl gang members and at-risk girls in Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, empowering them to change
this as you are starting your change: small ideas their destinies as she had. Gradually, her work developed into the program that is now Youth Empowerment
can turn into big movements, and ANYONE can Mission (YEM), where positive youth development opportunities are woven into every program and service. YEM,
create change. founded in 1995, is now one of the few community-based organizations recognized for providing research-based,
“alternative to incarceration” programs for youth under the care of the juvenile justice system, as well as those
Here are just some of their stories. We know we’ll at high risk for truancy, delinquency, violence and gang activity. The organization has since provided services to
soon be adding you to the list! more than 800 youth and families in crisis, and Isis has spoken to thousands of young people, families, leaders
and law enforcement workers in an effort to save lives and inspire positive change.
POWERFUL DIFFERENCE ACTION PLANNER 8
9. Types of Projects and Examples
Organizing: Start a group that Educating: Create a program, per-
takes action to solve the problem. formance, art piece, presentation
or publication to raise awareness
Example: When you were explor-
about the issue.
ing your passions, you decided on
ending domestic violence. Current- Example: Childhood obesity
ly there are no domestic violence continues to rise. You explored
support groups in your neighbor- the issue and realized that people
hood, which means victims of vio- need to know more about what
lence do not know how to access healthy foods to buy and how to
Representing: Be the voice of cook meals with those ingredients Advocating: Be a public advocate
help and are not sure how to do
people in your community on de- that are nutritious and appealing by representing groups in the leg-
so safely. Bring together experts
cision-making boards or councils to kids. You organize a public islative or policy-making arenas.
on the issue to see how best to
that are dealing with the problem. cook-off at the park. Residents
provide information and support Creating: Develop a program,
Or bring up the issue in a public are invited to taste items prepared
for anyone in a violent relation- service or resource to make
meeting if it’s being ignored. by local chefs. Recipes for the
ship. Pull together the resources a change.
and start the group. Example: Remember when you dishes are distributed to the resi-
had your Conversation Party? dents, and local produce vendors
Gather those people again and are also on site to sell ingredients
go to the next county supervisors for the dishes.
meeting. You all know that home-
lessness is an issue because
there are not enough services for
residents when they get behind
on rent. You create a petition for
more low-income-housing projects
and development of services for
residents to get assistance to
stay in their homes rather than
ending up on the streets.
(adapted from Adults as Allies by Barry Checkoway)
POWERFUL DIFFERENCE ACTION PLANNER 9
10. Creating Change in 10
Consider these ideas. You can start small and
build your way up!
10 Seconds Tweet or text message your ideas
to your followers – encourage them to take
action or learn about your topic. You can also
use e-mail, social networking sites or tell one
person every day about your passion and how
you want to change it.
10 Minutes Donate to Girls for a Change
Change in 10 (girlsforachange.org) or write a passionate
letter to your local newspaper, elected official,
Ready to let all your brilliant ideas fly? Check out the Change in 10 ideas. We know a corporation, etc., about your passion and
that change needs to fit into your lifestyle, so there are examples in different sizes ideas for change.
and shapes. 10 Hours Pick a community partner and
volunteer -- you might be able to plug into an
Brainstorm project ideas. Let your creativity flow. Write ALL of your project ideas to existing volunteer program or suggest a new
address the Root Cause of your issue here. Anything goes: volunteer role.
My Powerful Difference in 10 10 Days Organize an event to get the word
out about your cause. Host an event to
10 second project(s): _______________________________________ educate your network and share your passion!
Tip: Give participants a way to get active at
10 minute project(s): _______________________________________ the end of the night. E-mail them the link to
this kit, encourage them to get involved in an
10 hour project(s): _______________________________________ organization, etc.
10 Months Design and implement a social
10 day project(s): _______________________________________
change project! Fill out the “Make a Powerful
Difference Plan” page at the end of the action
10 month project(s): _______________________________________
kit to create a timeline for your project and get
Take your pick. Put a star next to the project idea that you’re most passionate about focusing started right away!
on for now. You can come back to the other ones later — and we hope you will.
POWERFUL DIFFERENCE ACTION PLANNER 10
11. Making an Impact
Whatever the scope of your project, the following can help you obtain
your goals. Brainstorm how these items fit into your project ideas and
write your ideas and thoughts below each section.
* Join the GFC Girl Action Network (girlsforachangeactionnetwork.
ning.com) or the Step Up Women’s Network (suwn.org) to connect
* Media. You can use media in many different formats to spread the
word about a cause you are passionate about.
with other women who are creating change, and share your ideas.
my idea: ______________________________________________________
my idea: ______________________________________________________
* Develop a pitch (a pitch is promotion of your social change project
that is given with the aim of engaging others in supporting your
* Fundraise. Money: It can be the need that stops us in our tracks.
We see dollars on our list of things to get and suddenly our dream
project is impossible. Remember those pitches you are making in
work) that is 2–3 sentences long and e-mail your local reporters. If the media, your public speaking events and your networking? In all
you want to spread the word in a big way, develop a press release of those pitches include information about what you need to make
(see samples online or enlist the help of a friend who is media your project happen! This could be money, resources, assistance,
savvy) and send it out. goods, services, etc. You will be surprised how much people want
my idea: ______________________________________________________ to give when they see your passion and hear about your revolution
* E-mail your idea to bloggers who are writing about similar issues ary ideas to create long-lasting change. There are many resources
and let them know what you are doing. Or, create your own blog. online that can help you budget for your project or develop your
my idea: ______________________________________________________ pitch for fundraising. Also, just like in networking, you never know
who is connected to someone who can support your project.
* Post your ideas, events, projects and ways to get involved on social
networking sites.
my idea: ______________________________________________________
my idea: ______________________________________________________ * Public Speaking. You have great ideas: time to share them
with the world! Develop a speech that you can deliver in 10–15
* Network. Get others excited and involved in your cause.
my idea: ______________________________________________________
minutes or less. You can find resources online to create the
structure of your speech.
my idea: ______________________________________________________
* Talk to local bloggers and media. Attend neighborhood/city council
or PTA meetings or church groups. Use online social networks.
* Practice. Stand in front of a mirror and give your presentation.
my idea: ______________________________________________________ Give the speech to five of your closest friends and ask them for
feedback. Videotape yourself giving the speech. Notice which
* Meet someone new and tell them about your passion and the people
you are trying to connect with — they just might be your missing link.
words resonate, and monitor your body language throughout the tape.
my idea: ______________________________________________________
Keep pitching your ideas for taking action to everyone you know and
meet, you will be surprised how many connections you make in the
process. Tip: Use that catchy pitch from your 10 seconds of change * Get out there and start spreading the word!
my idea: ______________________________________________________
to develop your elevator pitch and be prepared to give it anytime!
my idea: ______________________________________________________
POWERFUL DIFFERENCE ACTION PLANNER 11
12. As you are making a powerful difference in the world,
keep track of your accomplishments and personal
growth during this process.
Choose your method of tracking through journaling,
photos, your blog or whatever method is right for you.
Jot down some answers to these questions as you
are working through the process.
How are you different now that you have been engaging
in change?
_______________________________________________________
Fitting Change
_______________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
Into Your Life What do you know has changed because of your actions?
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
Time to get started on your project! How will you stay inspired? The start to a
________________________________________________________
project can be very energizing. As demands on our time grow, executing your
plan can become less of a priority. Here are some ways to stay inspired:
If all girls and women were empowered to create social
* Sign up for listservs or newsletters about your topic to stay educated.
change, then …
* Get inspired by other women’s stories of extraordinary change by visiting
www.PowerfulDifference.com.
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
* Set a realistic timeline. When you are creating your project goals, set
goals that make sense for your life.
________________________________________________________
* Involve others to help you get started; motivate, inspire and share
the workload.
This world needs me because …
_______________________________________________________
* Celebrate your accomplishments: Brag! Enjoy the moment. That positive
feedback will give you energy.
_______________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
* Stay positive. If you missed a deadline, look at your calendar. Where can
you take 10 minutes to get started again?
* Care for yourself. Know that there will be days when you need a break
to recharge.
POWERFUL DIFFERENCE ACTION PLANNER 12
13. Make a Plan
Project name: _____________________________________________ Funding needed (do you have costs for your project)? _______________
_________________________________________________________
What is the Issue you want to change? __________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________ Resources needed (besides supporters and money, what else might you
need)? __________________________________________________
What is the Root Cause of your Issue that you are tackling? __________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________ What’s your timeline for completing your project, or when do you want to
complete your project? ______________________________________
How will your project affect the Root Cause of the Issue? And how will
_________________________________________________________
this create social change? ____________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
Project description: _________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
What are the potential obstacles you face? _______________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
What do you need to research further? __________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
Supporters needed (who or what organizations do you need help from)?
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
POWERFUL DIFFERENCE ACTION PLANNER 13
14. Thank you for creating change in our world.
It takes all of us to make a difference.
powerfuldifference.com
Girls For A Change
girlsforachange.org
info@girlsforachange.org
408-540-6GFC (6432)
NI-12639
