Tools for the Thirsty Community Change Agent

A number of U.S. colleges and universities have recently witnessed their share of campus unrest as a new generation of student activists have come to populate institutions of higher learning. Apathy is alive and well, but there is nonetheless evidence that student protest and a commitment to campus and social change has once again surfaced, at least among a significant body of students. This unrest has permeated into our larger society, evidenced by the recent Florida School shooting that prompted Texas students to protest their concerns about gun violence. Although protest is a strong word that renders the establishment defensive, the word also refers to a gesture of disapproval, complaint, or an expression of objection to an idea or course of action. Discourse is a platform for community discussion that can bring about an exchange of ideas, understanding, and occasional cooperation. This interactive workshop encourages participants to test various engagement tools and assess their effectiveness. Tools include ice breakers, photolanguage, photovoice, human games, and charrettes. Regardless of the community stakeholders, these tools are proven to help the underrepresented be more effective at voicing their most pressing issues and challenges in order to fully participate in meaningful civic engagement and social change.