Tag: Change Agency

We need a new paradigm

Brandeis has too many clubs. Too many meetings. Too much stress.

Brandeis also needs unity – there aren’t many clubs, organizations, events, or identities that appeal to the broad campus. That’s why the various publications have so much sway, by the way.

But in trying to bring unity, traditional attempts have often tried to create a new club – more meeting, more stress.

Is there a better way?

I’m very interested in created a united progressive community at Brandeis. But are more meetings the answer? We said no, and instead of trying to create an umbrella organization that relies on delegates from existing clubs, we are trying to make a “hub” that has dedicated members working on creating infrastructure.

That’s cool, but that still creates more clubs, more meetings, more stress.

We need stress-free, easy ways to accomplish the following goals:
– build a progressive community on campus
– build links between activist clubs
– build infrastructure.

How can we do that? I have some ideas, what are yours?

Good News, Everyone

$6500. 2 days. 100 people.

A bunch of us at the Change Agency have spent a ton of time working on a huge project we’re excited to announce.

Campus Camp Wellstone is a 1.5 day training and leadership program recognized as the best program for college activists in the country. They focus on very concrete skills, like the nitty-gritty of campaign planning, grassroots organizing, and message development. They also teach students how to successfully recruit and retain volunteers and develop new leadership.

Camp Wellstone costs about $6,500 to put on. We’re bringing it to campus – for free – and only have 100 spots available.

Signups are here.

You can learn more on their official page as well: http://www.wellstone.org/our-programs/campus-camp-wellstone

Behind the Scenes at Innermost Parts

What’s going on at Innermost Parts? Why has posting been so light?

Here’s the deal. Many of us at Innermost Parts are spending our time getting the Change Agency off the ground. Change Agency is a chartered campus club with the same goals as we have: to grow and strengthen the progressive community at Brandeis.

Change Agency is having a retreat this Saturday (from 1-6pm in Grad 110 Room E3). After the retreat we’ll hopefully have everything organized and be ready to provide you our regularly scheduled Innermost Parts programming.

Introducing the Change Agency!

Welcome to the Change Agency, the new progressive activist group on campus! After a lot of hard work from a lot of talented people, the Change Agency is finally ready to go public and bring activism at Brandeis to new heights. And each and every one of us can bring our talents together and play a role in changing Brandeis for the better. Check out the Change Agency vision statement to get excited, then visit us at www.brandeisactivism.org to learn more and sign up to join our mission!

Imagine, if you will, Brandeis about a year from now.

The campus thrives with good-hearted students, all who are, in various ways, working hard to make the world a better place. A year ago, they barely knew each other, now they clasp hands as brothers and sisters when they pass each other on the roads and hallways of Brandeis.

Imagine Fred Lawrence, the new President, only a semester into his tenure, taking students seriously and treating them as equals ,making sure to consult students on every major decision. Under his tenure, social justice is not a buzzword used to generate fuzzy feelings, nor is it an adjective tacked on to every new faculty or administration initiative. Yes! Imagine a Brandeis where the term Social Justice is a clarion call to action!

Imagine a Brandeis that takes that core value seriously, a Brandeis that prepares its citizens to strive for a better future, a Brandeis that has given students the tools, skills, and connections they need to make our world a better place.

Imagine a Brandeis where changemakers of all stripes – social entrepreneurs, budding organizers, the left, the religious, the artists, and everyone else – all of them celebrating each other’s successes, attending each other’s parties, and learning trusting, growing, laughing with each other.

In this future, Brandeis alumni will visit, and pass on the torch to the next generation of changemakers. Social Justice Activists from across the land will flock to Brandeis to train, inspire, and hire these budding students.

Imagine this Brandeis. Seize this vision.

It can happen. With your help, it will happen.

We at the Change Agency believe in our hearts that this future is worth investing in. We are working night and day to make this vision happen because we want to be citizens of a Brandeis that inspires us, not just customers of a Brandeis that teaches us.