Change is the only thing in this world that is constant. Everyday many of us strive to improve, to make what is wrong right, and to make a difference in our life and in the lives of those around us. Even if you are not looking for change, change will find you…it is inevitable. Thus, it is important to control change and push it in a positive direction. It is with this mindset that I now present to you a desired change, the steps taken, and what must be done to ensure success.
As you may or may not know, there has been an effort to improve the beach on our campus. The beach by LMS is a little lacking; it is a resource with plenty of potential just waiting to be tapped. Now in order to begin changing the beach, we looked to what is called Kotter’s eight steps of change.
The first four steps of Kotter’s change model involve creating conditions for change including increasing urgency, building a coalition, establishing a vision, and communicating this vision. We have addressed these steps by approaching faculty and staff members for assistance, poster bombing the school, and promoting the (proposed) improved beach on Facebook. We created a written and visual vision for what we would like to see, including Adirondack chairs, picnic tables, permanent charcoal grills, a beach volleyball court, and possibly an inflatable slide and/or jungle gym.
After creating the conditions for change, it is time to begin introducing new practices. This should occur in two steps: enable action and quick wins. We have enabled action by doing some research on school policies and budgeting out materials, putting it all together in a proposal. Sadly, due to the change in weather some quick wins, or small changes leading to and pushing the greater change, were put on hold until after the cold North Country weather.
Now the final steps of change: don’t let up and make it stick. This is where we call upon you, and the rest of the Paul Smith’s community. With the semester coming to an end, momentum is halted and many ideas are lost, forgotten, or devalued over time. In order to institute this positive change – a higher quality beach – which will add a greater sense of community and provide recreational opportunity, the momentum needs to be carried over into the summer and fall semesters of 2016.
So now I call upon you to take on the responsibility of seeing this project through, to keep guiding this positive change. And be inspired to guide the changes you desire. Remember, change is the only thing that is constant, so grab the reins, set your direction, and go for it!