Generation NOW

When I first signed up Leadership in DC Nonprofits with the Community Engagement Institute I imagined that it would be an in depth look at the non-profit sector, analyzing it’s development over time, the different administrative approaches that compliment different organizations and the way to be the most effective leader in the nonprofit world utilizing tools to see your vision come to fruition. What I didn’t bargain for was two weeks of serious reflection, into myself, my leading style and my passions. While I must admit that this reflection has not been easy, and at times I have been so overwhelmed by the social injustices that we have discussed that I just want to curl up in a ball and cry, looking back on last week and waiting in anticipation for the next I have found a sort of peace in all of it.

Robert Egger spoke so eloquently this afternoon when he said that there are three types of people; those who chose not to look towards the future, those who peak over the horizon to see the future and avoid it, and those who look to the horizon and then jump out to meet it. I made a mental promise to myself this afternoon on the metro home that I would be the girl to jump out and meet it. Our generation has so much potential to change the norm and follow new ideas. We are united in more ways than we think via facebook, twitter, email and Skype. But even more than that, I think we are all motivated by the fact that we were born into a generation of problems. From global warming, to war, international famine and poverty and discrimination it is easy to get bogged down in the many issues of the world. I say, look to them as opportunity. Look at the future as a chance to collaborate on projects, exercise your skills and talents that were grown in the classroom and take risks.

All of the leaders that we have seen thus far have encouraged us to get up and move. Shake things up. Start a revolution (as long as you are moving forward in the cause), and lead with integrity. Enough sitting by the wayside and waiting for other people to pick up the ball and start moving with it. It takes one good idea to change the system, throw them all and one will stick eventually. Of course, there are practical implications and strategies that people must devise to move forward in combating the issues at hand, but it’s not to say that they are out of reach. In fact, the polar opposite is true; I firmly believe that what we dream we can do. Even more than social media, our generation is connected through universities as Edger said this afternoon, as well as coffee houses, and through our interests. There are networks and groups of people sitting there just waiting to be mobilized, waiting to make a difference who are lacking direction and leaders to inspire change. So what are we waiting for? Let’s do it.