How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.
~Anne Frank
This year's Student Planning Committee wanted to make sure that the effects of the 2006 C.O.O.L. Idealist National Conference would be felt long after the weekend was over. So we challenged you to publicly record your commitments to create social change. What follows is one of the most inspiring lists we could have imagined.
Your words. Your actions. Your commitments.
(We want to know how your commitments are coming along. Feel free to email us at CampusConference@idealist.org at any time with updates regarding your Conference Commitments.)
For more Conference Commitments, also check out this video.
Angu Armstrong: Coming from a small school, we have no social awareness groups. So I am going to start a coffeehouse for social speak: invite students to join together and pull topics from a hat. Then they can discuss their opinions and views and what they know about it, just so our campus starts becoming aware of social issues.
Jordan Atkinson: Establishing a Charter Public School in D.C. called Hip Hop High that aims to provide students with a non-biased education. My main philosophy is that education is not an obligation but rather a freedom.
Mike Batell: Giving it everything I have to ensuring that The One Campaign at the University of Georgia gets a minimum of 1000 letters signed and sent to Congressman Barrow and Senators Chambliss and Isakson in support of the President's Budget Request for FY2007 for a $2 billion increase in official development assisstance to well-governed poor countreis that invest aid in health, education, and clean water programs.
Meredith Bates: To promote a cross campus network campaign of awareness of the conflict in Northern Uganda and when I move there in June, I'll work with the people of Northern Uganda to plan a post-conflict reconstruction strategy.
Nicole Bayne: I commit to researching sustainable development methods and how they can be applied in developing S. American countries so that I can be the most effective at working alongside S. American Communities where I hope to serve as a nurse practitioner.
Elizabeth Bennett: Recycling more!
Anne Marie Bettencourt: Collaborate with Sarah to bring "Invisible Children" to our campus and raise funds for their campaign
Matilda Bilstein: Participating and implementaing programs that help alleviate social inequities.
Emily Blaser: I will take the time to hand-write a letter to Mitch McConnell; I will describe the need for a 1% increase in the U.S. budget for additional poverty assistance around the world. I will tell friends about the ONE campaign and encourage them to sign the declaration.
Alicia Bleecker: I'm going to start a social justice/responsibility club or ministry at my church in Torrance, CA
Nathan Blumenshine: Environmental Awareness and lower energy consumption. Socially responsible consumer.
Meg Bodi: Begin or make sure a chapter of Amnesty International is begun on my university campus; join or start a chapter of NOW; become more involved in local politics and pressure the government to maintain protection of women's reproductive rights
Jacklyn Brown: I would like to start a tradition of Hunger Awareness Week at Tusculum College. With the Oxfam Hunger Banquet, a homeless day, a bread.org table, and a few other activities.
Thomas Byrne: I pledge to join the living wage campaign on campus. I will take classes in economics and sociology to explore solutions. I will work diligently, I will succeed in enacting a living wage on campus.
Ashley Combs: Active Minds - I want to start something like this in a local high school or on our campus.
Elizabeth Cooper: I commit to implementing the Cafe Symposium program meant to propagate discussion of philosophy in high schools here in my own area of Houston, Texas. I will help students find their voice and become sufficiently confident to express their own ideas before their peers. I will furthermore encourage them to open their minds to the thoughts of others.
Xan DeLoach: To write an editorial to my campus newspaper about ONE; to have a ONE table in my college student union
Cherie C. Dew: Organizing a hunger/homelesness awareness week on my campus to also include the hunger banquet that week. Creating a N.O.W. organization on my campus with the goal to address unfair health coverage for less privileged women in Illinois.
Constance Edouard: I plan to make exploiting, abusing, and/or killing the homeless illegal. Starting with my state of NJ and hopefully others will follow suite. Hate crimes should include the homeless. "Look out NJ here I come."
Rose F.: I commit to use my conference mug for one year. I commit to buy clothes not made in a sweat shop.
Marice Fernando: I commit to further research my beliefs on where I stand on issues of importance and have open, understanding dialogue with those who hold an opposing view.
Dayna Fondell: To create an Art Room on campus to work w/ the tutoring projects on campus- and also to help other clubs with artistic ways to raise awareness and fund for their causes
Jeff Foulkes: Bring Uganda's problems to my university through "Invisible children" and discussions starting small and hopefully working up university wide, getting involvement in programs we can start to help. Choosing a site in Africa, Middle East, Europe where I can volunteer or teach ESL. Find opportunities for traveling/working.
Archie Frink: I commit to being socially responsible and embracing in every way counsciously possible for me. Being an environmentalist, member of Big Brothers Big Sisters, future AmeriCorps hopeful and conscious consumer (and vegan!) I plan to support local and independent business workers and outreach by helping other non-profit organizations when possible. Also, I commit to live by and support the three R's: reducing, reusing, and recycling!
Langlee Garrett: After graduation I want to continue to be an advocate for all people in the world. I hope to promote humanity in terms of spreading the word about poverty, injustice, and overall equality among people of the U.S. and the world.
Maria Gonzalez: To propose idea to bringing a new ONE organization to campus and my Christian committee. If rejected than I promise to continue to advocate hunger/poverty awareness on my own individually.
Lucia Goyen: Implementing a program to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina that is sustainable and gets needs that are being ignored, met.
Yolander Graham: Contact my senator and follow-up or bring to his/her attention about Bringing America Home Act. Making sure that ending homelessness in NJ is being in the process of making it happen. I also want to bring more organizations to my campus that other students introduce to me. So I truly commit to contacting my senator and taking actions for my beliefs as well as other students and lastly broading my campus with new organizations.
Michael Gregor: Start a student housing co-op in Kalamazoo, MI.
Nicole Henderson: I commit to becoming more of an activist, on my campus and off. I will take my community service to the next level by advocating and promoting community projects instead of just helping with a quick fix. I will work with orange band and the ONE campaign to promote talk about global issues.
Donald Hughes: I will return to my university and begin the process of engaging students in a movement to bring about awareness to the many injustices we face in our world today. More than bringing awareness, it is my hope that we wlil start the process of working toward solutions.
Jodi James: Create and present a workshop on First Amendment rights, safe protesting and how to make the most of First Amendment Activities.
Jason Johnson: To organize and execute a successful "Banned Books Week" Campaign this fall
Shaun Ketterman: Animal rights, veganism, and environmentalism.
Ebony Knowlin: I'm going to make better connections between myself as a mentor and the nonprofit organizations that are making programs for me to volunteer in. I am also going to work towards diminishing stereotypes about issues as much as I can. I'm not going to keep my knowledge to myself. I want to share what I know to make sure those around me aren't making ignorant decisions.
Christina Lagos: I want to increase commitment to living as informed and active citizens of the world on my campus and future communities. I plan on doing this in three ways: 1) starting dialogue and communication by way of orange bands, 2) provide information, documentaries, events, forums to educate students on global and local issues, 3) action: choose prominent issues and become activists, and active citizens of the world
Jake LaManna: Developing a logistics system at Vanderbilt University for addressing issues of sustainability, such as: recycling, energy usage, LEED certification, environmental and socially aware educational opportunities; refocusing administrative and support initiatives with regards to economies of scope rather than scale.
Alana Lampert: To tell everyone in outreach at my college about my experience and what I have learned and to explore the idea of creating a mentor program with children and students at my college.
Erin Leggett: Make a Sadie Hawkins Dance and Sock Hop at Vanderbilt
Daniel Lewkowicz: Taking less time to shower and use hiphip and culture to organize the student community
Timothy Leyson: I plan to raise awareness of AIDS in Africa. Not only raise AIDS awareness but also raise awareness about the social injustice problems that are happening. What we do in this country to help Africa will go on for a lifetime.
Daniel Liu: To propel a movement to end sexism and sexual assault through peer education and by redefining the meaning of masculinity. The establishment of a nonprofit "men with integrity"
June Liu: Help organize a successful Oxfam Hunger Banquet at Rice, and research and become educated in African development issues, as well as the dynamics of international development in general.
Jenny Magill: I will plan and lead a fundraiser and awareness project at Vanderbilt for the Heifer Project International as part of our campus Earth Day celebration. I will also not give up and continue our efforts to get a campus sustainability/recycling coordinator.
Kristle Moen: To become an activist for the equality of people with disabilities. I want to educate the politicians about increasing funding to support people with disabilities so the true effect of deinstitutionalization is played out to the full commitment of the Act.
Shirley Moore: I am planning to quit my job as a research director and move to Chicago to work with a group called the Good News Partners that helps homeless people and recovering alcoholics and drug addicts finish school or G.E.D. and get jobs and homes. I wish to also teach math and/or science in their local high school if I can get a job. I had already planned to do this but the COOL conference has firmed my decision.
Jade Mouron: Telling others at my campus and in my community about ONE.
Jane Nichols: Continue spreading the work about eco-design and cultivating green activism.
Mary Alice O'Connor: To lead a life of service! As a public service major, I want to take all of the skils and experiences I have gained to serve others, to make change and to spread LOVE in the world.
Hannah Olson: Pray for the campaign. Have a letter writing event.
Katie Oreskovich: Doing a hunger banquet during Social Justice Awareness Week in April; Raising awareness by talking to students; Continuing talks with the dining services manager about Fair Trade Coffee
Cecilia Orphan: I want to go to Uganda, I want to show Invisible Children at a house party, I want to go to the training for the DREAM act in Portland, Oregon.
Deepa Panchang: I commit to make the Rice campus more aware on the areas of fair trade, the environment, African poverty alleviation, and political happenings. Specifically, I will help get our cafeterias to sell fair trade coffee, hold a hunger banquet, a recycling campaign on campus, and make plans to increase awareness of African issues.
Lauren Parham: I want to commit to start taking small steps that will help to alleviate some of the issues that have been presented this weekend. From having something at my school campus related with ONE for starters.
Shelly Petry: I commit to taking what I learned at this conference and using it to bring genocide awareness to Southern New Hampshire University
Pamela Piliero: As a career advisor for Public Service Careers: Oxfam Hunger Banquet, Workshop on Lobbying Congress for Social Change, Democracy Matters Presentation, Present on Hate Crimes Against Homeless (to Knoxville Rotary Clubs as well); Show Murderball to bookclub (alternative to book).
Sarah Lynne Reul: While participating in the Ashoka workshop on Sunda, I had somewhat of a revelation. I work for an awesome organization (Better World Books -- shameless plug! =P ) but I've been thinking about volutneering and kind of searching for a cause that my experience could really benefit. All of a sudden, while watching the Mohammed Unis story in the workshop, I realized that my own mother is working on a Sabbatical project for the NYC Board of Ed, networking to find job opportunities and living situations for mentall and emotionally disabled high school/graduating age students. I realize that I can help her with database management, mission/website development, project proposal and application forms, marketing, etc.
Ashley Roberts: To start an environmental Club on my campus.
Andrea Roskam: To start a program on my campus that will influence positive change in the community. To start making more environmentally friendly choices.
Renee Sedlacek: To help build the foundation for bringing sustained dialogues to our campus.
Apoorva Shah: I will innovate, I will create, I will help, I will work, I will do WHATEVER it takes to change the world.
Greg Shivers: Lead a week of hunger/homelessness at Tusalum College
Sara Snider: I hope to become more invovled in my Amnesty International Chapter on campus and developing our Make Trade Fair Campaign. I commit to bring more information about the difference between Free trade and Fair trade to Notre Dame.
Brian Snyder: Pringing out reasons why NOT to buy Nestle products and leaving them in grocery stores next to all the Nestle products!
Dani Snyder: I commit to FINALLY put the finishing touches on officially starting my own non-profit, Multiple Means, which will serve low-income parents of twins, triplets, and higher-order multiples. As a lower-income mother of twins myself, I have a strong desire to bring awareness to the fact that low-income P.O.M.s cannot afford the basic care, supplies, and services that other wealthier parents- the usual face of twin parenting in the media- have access to. I want to provide a chance to obtain those services AND meet other parents of multiples in similar situations.
Andrea Solazzo: To doing more to help end the Israeli Oppression of Palestine. I plan on doing this through education of my peers and travelling to Palestine to be able to view the occupation first hand.
Stacy Tolos: Working to end educational inequality by campaigning for the Our Education campaign to amend the constitution so that it includes a high quality education for all people.
Laura Vaughn: I will call my senator about the immigration bill, I will collect books for Africa and I will try to liv in the moment thanks to Evan.
Michael Vaughn: I want to host at least one event related to Ugandan or Sudanese awareness on Campus.
Tami Wallis: Writing a letter to Congress regarding the inhumane treatment of farmed animals.
Rachel Weaver: Organize a Hunger Banquet in my community in rural West Virginia, and hopefully help with one at my college.
Michelle Wigianto: Change and educate someone! Rock the world!
Sarah Wilbur: I commit to taking the energy and inspirationb I have drawn from this conference back with me and sharing it with my community in a way that inspires more students to speak up and take action for social change! I want to encourage more young girls to find their voice and know that htey can make a difference in the lives of other women.
Sherrod Williams: I commit to creating a Hunger Banquet at my university and begin a social change element within our programs in student leadership. I also want to work on creating more outreach programs that aid the urban areas in Birmingham that live in poverty.
Sarah Wolf: I commit to take the information and enthusiasm of this conference back to Pfeiffer University. I will use the information to effect lasting change on my campus in many ways. I plan to have the heat lowered to use less energy and save $, to hold a book drive, adn to increase awareness on my campus and in the community.
Patrick Wu: Change the world & Create world peace & End extreme poverty
Mike Yotts: To talk to the School fo Business at Southern New Hampshire University about Social Entrepreneurshi. My school does not currently have any classes addressing this topic and we should. My goal would be to plant the seed for perhaps a Social Entrepreneurship class which might hopefully blossom into a full-blown major.
Eli Zigas: I will present information about the Campus Climate Challenge to the student environmental group on campus. I will also work on getting a turbine (or a few) at Grinnell College
Katy Zilverberg: To build my skills as a leader in the service community to my full potential, overcoming obstacles with the help and support of my peers in order to inspire and enable other students and individuals to find their voice within a life of service.
Danielle: To plan a successful community service events for Jumpstart.
Kate: Promoting values of Oxfam on Campus.
Katie: Get my school's Alt. Break program to be student-run. Make the social work program accessible to all students -- car or not. Have hunger and homelessness awareness week become fall semester staple. Apply to Teach for America. Get Coca-Cola off campus. Propose/start a labor action project or ressurt RCORE.
Margerate : To see if soccer teacm back home would fundraise and support Karpoloa Kid's League.
Mike: Spreading awareness of the situations in Uganda to my community.
Ray: I commit to commit
Tina and Lisa: We commit to having a hunger week.
Name Withheld: I am going to start my own non-profit!
Name Withheld: Overall: to spead my spirit of activism and share the ideas I have learned in this conference and my other experiences to all the new people I interact with as I start my new job in May. Specifically: to recruit co-workers to participate and learn from the community service and partnership. To try and push for my company to commit to sustainable development by implementing an Environmental Management System. To make my own life more sustainable.
Name Withheld: I commit to learning more about bringing civic engagement to the elemntary school classroom. Students need to learn at a younger age to become active in their own communities.
Name Withheld: First of all, each of the businesses that I am partially employed will become socially responsible. I work for a local restaurant that uses cheap products from a variety of socially irresponsible sources. Instead of allowing Walmart and Sams to invade my hometown of Newport, KY, I will network with other local, family owned restaurants to locally improve the energy and people's lives.
Name Withheld: Listen to other points of view honestly and with understanding, and also share my point of view confidently but humbly; learn about cultures and languages of places before I visit; promote dialogue about class among people of different classes; have gatherings with dialogue about important issues; try to make the human connection with everyoen I meet and treat everyone with dignity.
Name Withheld: Starting a recycling program on campus
Name Withheld: Write to my representatives about Fair Trade and other issues. I realized how much that action can really do. Spreading what I've learned here to multiple campus organizations. I'll be leaving school, but hopefully others can carry on these campaigns. --> I haven't found my niche yet, but I'm committed to finding it and spending my career making the world better.
Name Withheld: I would like to commit to put my awareness to action
Name Withheld: To help the kids league bring a girls Uganden soccer team to come to the US to play in a tournament.
Name Withheld: I commit to raising awareness of such efforts as the ONE campaign around my campus, family, and network of friends. I would like to either begin a club with these ideals or somehow unite the existing clubs on my campus.
Name Withheld: I commit to writing a letter to my local (capital of WI) representatives.
Name Withheld: Start a campaign to get our administration to use gray water for irrigation.
Name Withheld: I will strive to form a singular student movement that combines advocacy AND ACTION to alleviate poverty.
Name Withheld: I want to start the Mind Activist Chapter at my own college
Name Withheld: Utilize the tools we have presented as a foundation to further or better yet initiate the dialgue to make our campus green.
Name Withheld: I commit to bringing the passion and all the things I've learned at this conference back to my university. I hope to run a Hunger Banquet, an Urban Plunge, and a book drive for Better World Books.
Name Withheld: I commit to learn more about how to start a non-profit organization.
Name Withheld: Learn more: Colin Powell, OxFam - Make Trade Fair, HIV-Vaccine volunteer
Name Withheld: Educate about the injustices of poverty.
Name Withheld: Organizing a hunger banquet at my university and making it something my peers will remember.
