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








July 3rd, 2008 at 4:31 pm
Hey. The lead into your blog had me relating wholeheartedly. About the whole, working from the ground up despite all of the people you ‘know’.
Anyway. Keep up the good work and the constructive attitude necessary for the symbolism we are trying to create with the Day of Action. Hope all is well in other aspects of life and that this fourth of July finds you patriotic… in our terms.
July 8th, 2008 at 10:25 am
[...] what our change agents have been blogging about: Yasin talks about a surprising meeting and small [...]