Foundation First

By Rodney Bullard
CEO The Same House PBC | Former Senior Executive at Chick-fil-A / Global CSR, ESG and Marketing Leader | Best-Selling Author | Former AUSA | Former Air Force JAG l Corporate and Non-profit Board Director

How do we unite people to create the foundation for change in our communities? We start by extending the invitation for people to discuss what matters to them most. This process allows individuals to mobilize resources and develop strategies to reach the objectives. Planning purposeful action is central to empowering people to invest the energy to put in the work. This grassroots process is based on a self-organized movement that encourages community members to take responsibility and influence or create an outcome.

The key is finding experts from within to identify the fundamental objectives instead of relying on experts to dictate what should be done. The power base is built from those affected by what needs to be fixed, and outside expertise can come to fill in the gaps in implementation. The most powerful voices come from those typically ignored and marginalized — certain minority groups, less educated, poor, and the disabled. Often, these individuals recognize the need for a bridge first because they are living with the problem.

When a bridge is down, we don’t abandon it and start building a new one. The bridge was made for a reason. It still is necessary for people who need or want to traverse from one side to another. It provides an essential resource for those it serves.

Everyone Is Vital

Organizing a diverse group of residents and getting maximum buy-in to the initiative cannot be overstated. We are strongest when we stand together. We are weakest when we cannot unite. When we look at our community’s overall health and make decisions based on everyone’s greater well-being, we can all impact the 3-feet around us.