We've jumped into 2011 with both feet, and now it's time to make headway in new directions. This year, we're more passionate than ever about living locally, and investing our hearts and hands in our own communities. We want healthy, we want green, we want better than ever. Idealistic? You bet! We've heard Margaret Mead's words dozens of times: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." And just who are these committed citizens? That's easy - they're you and me.

Back in 1986, the infamous nuclear accident at Chernobyl threatened the health of Pacific Northwest residents, including my two young children. In addition to the effusion from Russia, it became clear to me that there was a more imminent possibility of harm emanating from the nearby Hanford nuclear facility in eastern Washington. Needless to say, my fire was lit. Maternal instinct stoked a sense of activism in me that I'd never fully realized until that point. Without further ado, I took it upon myself to call a public meeting that would address the threat of nuclear radiation. Thirty people showed up, and we established The Palouse-Clearwater Hanford Watch. Before long, our small group moved beyond nuclear issues to encompass a broader scope as the Palouse-Clearwater Environmental Institute. As a community tour-de-force, we confronted water quality, transportation and agricultural issues. It was thrilling to see our visions take root.

Over time, the group that grew from my passionate outreach 25 years ago took on a life of its own. It became much bigger than me, and after I left PCEI to pursue other passions, it continued to thrive and benefits our community to this day (www.pcei.org). That's the beauty of action. You don't need to figure it all out or bear the burden by yourself. Just be bold enough to take the first step, and welcome others to join in blazing the trail toward change.

Hopefully, your area is not in the path of nuclear emissions. But there are almost certainly changes you'd like to make close to home. Maybe the local school lunch program needs an overhaul. Does your neighborhood need a gardening co-op? How about spearheading an initiative to boot plastic grocery bags from your town's markets? Whatever the issue, you can tackle it head-on. Stop worrying. Stop griping. Stop waiting for someone else to get motivated. Instead, get all fired up and act.

Get ready to gather

It's true: there is strength in numbers! You don't need expertise or a perfect plan of action. To get started on the road to change, you simply need to start a conversation. Introduce your idea to friends and family. Talk to the city council, the school board, churches, farmers, small businesses, the PTA. Imagine that you have the juiciest gossip in town. The grapevine will blossom, and people with common interests will come out of the woodwork.

Call a meeting

Determine a location where you can hold a meeting to address your idea. I held my first meeting in a deli. Make sure it's big enough to accommodate a big turnout, just in case. Think community centers, libraries, grange halls, churches and schools. Time the meeting to fit most people's schedules - early evening or a Sunday afternoon. (Or go to where people already gather for meetings. Ask in advance if you can be put on their agenda.) Once you establish a place and time, prepare a statement to pique public interest, and let the invitations fly. Don't be shy. Pick up the phone, send e-mails, post fliers around town and notify local media.

Have sign-up sheets ready at your meeting to record names and contact information of those attending. As people arrive, greet them personally. You can hand out bulleted info sheets outlining major points you plan to address. Don't worry about memorizing a speech. Address the group, whether it's two people or 50, like friends. Explain the issue at hand, and jump right into an open dialogue. The more active and invested everyone feels in the matter, the greater your group's chances of success.

Prioritize, delegate and follow up

During the meeting, get a few key things on paper: a collective mission statement, a timeline and a set of directives that are assigned to specific members of the group. Elect someone to take notes. The key is to close the meeting with a sense of purpose that radiates throughout the group. This is no longer your issue to bear alone. Schedule another meeting before people start clamoring for the door. Then, in the next few days, send out a group e-mail that recaps the meeting and reiterates tasks to be completed before the next gathering.

Once set in motion, change has a marvelous way of gaining momentum. All you need to do is take the first step.

Copyright 2011, MaryJane Butters. Distributed by United Feature Syndicate Inc.

By MARYJANE BUTTERS

Special to The Press

We've jumped into 2011 with both feet, and now it's time to make headway in new directions. This year, we're more passionate than ever about living locally, and investing our hearts and hands in our own communities. We want healthy, we want green, we want better than ever. Idealistic? You bet! We've heard Margaret Mead's words dozens of times: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." And just who are these committed citizens? That's easy - they're you and me.

Back in 1986, the infamous nuclear accident at Chernobyl threatened the health of Pacific Northwest residents, including my two young children. In addition to the effusion from Russia, it became clear to me that there was a more imminent possibility of harm emanating from the nearby Hanford nuclear facility in eastern Washington. Needless to say, my fire was lit. Maternal instinct stoked a sense of activism in me that I'd never fully realized until that point. Without further ado, I took it upon myself to call a public meeting that would address the threat of nuclear radiation. Thirty people showed up, and we established The Palouse-Clearwater Hanford Watch. Before long, our small group moved beyond nuclear issues to encompass a broader scope as the Palouse-Clearwater Environmental Institute. As a community tour-de-force, we confronted water quality, transportation and agricultural issues. It was thrilling to see our visions take root.

Over time, the group that grew from my passionate outreach 25 years ago took on a life of its own. It became much bigger than me, and after I left PCEI to pursue other passions, it continued to thrive and benefits our community to this day (www.pcei.org). That's the beauty of action. You don't need to figure it all out or bear the burden by yourself. Just be bold enough to take the first step, and welcome others to join in blazing the trail toward change.

Hopefully, your area is not in the path of nuclear emissions. But there are almost certainly changes you'd like to make close to home. Maybe the local school lunch program needs an overhaul. Does your neighborhood need a gardening co-op? How about spearheading an initiative to boot plastic grocery bags from your town's markets? Whatever the issue, you can tackle it head-on. Stop worrying. Stop griping. Stop waiting for someone else to get motivated. Instead, get all fired up and act.

Get ready to gather

It's true: there is strength in numbers! You don't need expertise or a perfect plan of action. To get started on the road to change, you simply need to start a conversation. Introduce your idea to friends and family. Talk to the city council, the school board, churches, farmers, small businesses, the PTA. Imagine that you have the juiciest gossip in town. The grapevine will blossom, and people with common interests will come out of the woodwork.

Call a meeting

Determine a location where you can hold a meeting to address your idea. I held my first meeting in a deli. Make sure it's big enough to accommodate a big turnout, just in case. Think community centers, libraries, grange halls, churches and schools. Time the meeting to fit most people's schedules - early evening or a Sunday afternoon. (Or go to where people already gather for meetings. Ask in advance if you can be put on their agenda.) Once you establish a place and time, prepare a statement to pique public interest, and let the invitations fly. Don't be shy. Pick up the phone, send e-mails, post fliers around town and notify local media.

Have sign-up sheets ready at your meeting to record names and contact information of those attending. As people arrive, greet them personally. You can hand out bulleted info sheets outlining major points you plan to address. Don't worry about memorizing a speech. Address the group, whether it's two people or 50, like friends. Explain the issue at hand, and jump right into an open dialogue. The more active and invested everyone feels in the matter, the greater your group's chances of success.

Prioritize, delegate

and follow up

During the meeting, get a few key things on paper: a collective mission statement, a timeline and a set of directives that are assigned to specific members of the group. Elect someone to take notes. The key is to close the meeting with a sense of purpose that radiates throughout the group. This is no longer your issue to bear alone. Schedule another meeting before people start clamoring for the door. Then, in the next few days, send out a group e-mail that recaps the meeting and reiterates tasks to be completed before the next gathering.

Once set in motion, change has a marvelous way of gaining momentum. All you need to do is take the first step.

Copyright 2011, MaryJane Butters. Distributed by United Feature Syndicate Inc.