When I applied to be a change agent, I figured that I had everything down.

Places, contacts, sponsorships. I thought I knew it all. However, about three weeks into June I realized that things were a lot more difficult than I have thought. Just because you KNOW someone… wait, just because you HAVE WORKED with someone doesn’t mean that they are going to help you.

I felt as though I was going to have to start at the bottom and work my way up again. However, I had a meeting with a professor who helped me out significantly.

Our meeting began with me sprouting off with my rap about Be the Change and Service Nation. However, he just stared at me.

From there I talked about racial reconciliation, New Orleans and other things to fill up time so that I didn’t seem awkward. After about ten minutes, he interupted me and said “Yasin, you don’t know me.”

My brain’s jaw dropped wide open.

“I know all of this and believe in national service. How can I help you?”

Being that I had planned out this meeting to explain the Service Nation campaign and the coalition I was putting together I was searching for words to say what I wanted from him. I knew he would help out after all, but what else could I get from him?

“Names of folks that would be interested in the Service Nation campaign,” I said.

After I said that, he gave me an extensive list of people that were not even on my radar. Including an old boss of mine that I did not even think about contacting. Not on purpose of course, it just never occurred to me that she could help me.

Overall, I was pretty pumped about the meeting. I actually have to get off now in order to contact these wonderful folks.

peace,

Yasin

Hi folks,

Why service? The fact is that Americans who are engaged in serving their community tend to be better participants in their government and in upholding values of social justice in their community. Most importantly they tend to understand their neighbors and community.
In that sense, service work can help to bridge racial, cultural, political, religious and socio-economic divisions.

Currently I’m organizing a forum on Hurricane Katrina. The forum is scheduled for August 7 and will take place at night (location, speakers t.b.a.). The focus of the forum will deal with how New Orleans has become ground zero for national service work. In addition, the forum will focus on how national service work can radically change our nation.

We have seen the power of community and national service work in the United States. From folks fighting forest fires on the West coast to City Year members tutoring kids in America’s toughest public schools. National service is improving lives everyday.

it’s 11:14pm at night and I’m tired.

have a good night folks,

Yasin Frank Southall