Be the Change! Change the World. Change Yourself

by Nunn, Michelle; Bush, George H. W.; Brokaw, Tom; Kennerly, David Hume

• ISBN13: 9781933512006
• ISBN10: 1933512008
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-10-27
• Publisher: Hundreds of Heads Books

Summary

Be the Change celebrates the personal transformations of men and women who, by working to change the world, changed themselves. Featuring interviews with over 1,000 volunteers, from everyday people to business and community leaders to celebrities, the book combines hands-on advice on ways to get involved with enlightening real-life stories from those who did. Inspirational yet practical, it’s the perfect companion for readers who want to stop daydreaming about a more fulfilling life and a better world and take action to do so.

Includes forewords by President George H. W. Bush and Tom Brokaw

Author Biography

Michelle Nunn, Co-Founder & CEO of the Hands On Network, is the editor of BE THE CHANGE. Michelle graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Virginia in 1989 with a major in history and a minor in religion. She has studied at Oxford University and in India. Michelle was a Kellogg National Fellow through which she explored the connection of spirituality, social action and leadership in countries ranging from Israel to Namibia. She completed her Master's Degree in Public Administration from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. Michelle has been part of the Hands On Network movement through her fourteen-year leadership of Hands On Atlanta from a grassroots startup in 1989 to one of the nation's largest community-based volunteer organizations. Michelle was appointed and currently sits on the President's Council on Service and Civic Engagement. Hands On Network, a growing network of more than one million volunteers, creates and manages nearly 50,000 projects a year, from building wheelchair ramps in San Francisco to teaching reading in Atlanta, to rebuilding homes and lives in the Gulf coast communities.

Table of Contents

1. Sparks that Ignite the Spirit: Motivation to Serve
2. A Word from the Wise: Tips to Consider Before Diving In
3. Some Other Benefits of Service: Selfish Reasons to be Selfless
4. Climbing Mount Everest: Overcoming Obstacles to Engagement and Fighting Burnout
5. It Takes a Village: Involving Friends, Family and Others
6. Duty, Honor, Country: Citizenship and Political Action
7. A Personal Transformation: The Change Circles Back to You
8. Don’t Wait – Start Today: Small Acts to Change the World
9. The Gift That Keeps Giving: Inspiring Moments In Service

Excerpts

When my son was born “I got it”; I had to leave the world in a better place for him and his friends. I could no longer walk this earth without actively engaging in the process of change. While I had done service in the past, my motivation has changed. I do it even if it’s inconvenient or if I’m tired. It’s the price for having brought another life into this world; an obligation.
— Nikki Monacelli, Chattaroy, Washington

I knew a person who was experiencing homelessness at the time that she was participating as a volunteer in one of our programs! One day she came in and sat down to tell me about her situation – I was overwhelmed that she was giving so much time to us despite what she was going through economically. She has found stable housing now and is doing well. But you always have to wonder if “I don’t have time” is really a valid reason.
— Julie Burke, Bay Area, California

Even though I am one person, I can help hundreds. That motivates me.
— Olivia Hewson, Dover, New Hampshire

When I look at nature I can’t help but feel that I have the responsibility to protect it from danger. I think what a horrific tragedy it would be to lose all of this. I cannot look in my son’s eyes and tell him that I gave up on giving him a world of peace and harmony. I owe it to him. I brought him into this world. I need to be the change I want to see . . . for him.
— Toni Nesbitt, Oakwood, Texas