Environment
Supporting the Community
Community involvement, service, and volunteering can form strong social bonds, provide a sense of purpose, and result in the permanent betterment of the community. By selecting a cause aligned with personal values, then identifying skills and knowledge you can offer, opportunities to assist the community become clearer. Setting an example for family and neighbors can often influence others to do the same, and in time, benefit everyone.
Using 7th Generation Thinking for Community Actions
Through words, work, and actions, the combination of considering the 7th generation coming in the future, and remembering the seventh generation who came before, can be a strong guiding force for making solid values-based community decisions aligned with a long term positive vision.
Related:
https://theseventhgeneration.org/blog-the-seventh-generation-principle/
https://www.futuregenerations.gi/sustainable-development/future-generations
Considering the Larger Human Picture
Reflecting upon the human condition over the long term - the previous 10,000 years and the coming 10,000 years - can support self-insight and how to invest one’s personal time to benefit others.
Related:
https://fbagutti.medium.com/future-design-are-we-ready-to-become-time-rebels-c98c981d94a5
Starting a Private Foundation or Donor-Advised Fund to Support the Community
Starting a private foundation as a charitable trust or a nonprofit corporation, or starting a donor-advised fund, can provide grants to other nonprofits and consistently fund a select community cause, potentially providing cumulative benefits to the recipients over many years.
Related:
https://www.investopedia.com/articles/pf/12/private-foundation-start-up.asp
Running for Local Political Office
Giving back to the community can be formal, such as running for public office. Contributions could include service on a town council or school board, the state legislature, even Congress. Care for the community and constant learning are typically the prerequisites for most offices. Once elected the level of impact made can be far greater than a typical individual.
Related:
https://www.npr.org/2019/10/15/770332855/how-to-run-for-office
https://candidatebootcamp.com/how-to-run-for-political-office/
Volunteering for a Committee, Board, or Institution
Cities, towns, and institutions often have numerous vacancies available for qualified volunteers to commit and serve to better the community. These can range from support at the local council on aging, oversight boards at the library, to the zoning board for property related issues, and historic or recycling committees. The combination of interest, relevant experience, and time commitment are all that is typically needed to help better the community.
Related:
Helping Run a Community Tradition
Activities such as the spring road race, annual parade, Easter egg hunt, etc., all typically require involvement of volunteers to continue cultivation of the tradition for future generations. These traditions form a collective cultural experience and help create common heritage.
Related:
https://ich.unesco.org/en/social-practices-rituals-and-00055
Start a Scholarship Fund
Activities such as the spring road race, annual parade, Easter egg hunt, etc., all typically require involvement of volunteers to continue cultivation of the tradition for future generations. These traditions form a collective cultural experience and help create common heritage.
Related:
https://calvinrosser.com/scholarships/how-to-start-a-scholarship-fund/
https://www.unigo.com/aboutus/how-to-start-a-scholarship-fund