Creating Positive Change By Being Socially Conscious
BY DANIELLE DIETZ
I am passionate about creating change. This might sound cliché, but I thrive when I’m helping people personally and professionally. For 15 years I have worked in business development for non-profit organizations and a major public health system. I have witnessed the power of individuals and organizations coming together to influence positive change towards a mission or cause.
Being in the business of social impact has taught me that conquering societal, environmental, and economic issues should not be left solely to large-scale institutions. There are countless ways that we as individuals can be a force of positive social impact in our everyday lives.
Here’s what I’ve learned, the interesting ways that we can all be more socially aware, and how to shift your thoughts and actions….
Understand your why
What gets you out of bed in the morning? And how do you describe what you do to others?
Are you a mortgage broker, or do you help individuals and families get into their dream homes and achieve financial stability? Are you a clothing designer, or do you help women look and feel their best in thoughtfully designed products that accentuate the wide range of female bodies? Why we do what we do is more important than what we do and understanding your why will inspire others to join you in your mission or cause.
Support causes that are meaningful to you
Donate to a charity or non-profit that you care about. This doesn’t always need to be a monetary donation. There are numerous ways that you can support a mission or organization as a donor, advocate, or volunteer. As someone who is measured by the amount of dollars raised each year, I am acutely aware of the impact that an influential community member, passionate parent, or dedicated volunteer can have to raise awareness and achieve fiscal success.
Research and educate yourself on the causes and companies you support
This has probably been the biggest personal change I’ve made over the past five years and definitely the most eye-opening. And I’m not alone in this new way of thinking. Research shows that over 80% of Gen Z and millennials prefer to purchase products from businesses that are actively engaged in corporate social responsibility. People are shopping smarter, not through finding the best deal or highest valued products, but by supporting companies that are actively trying to make a difference in the world.
It won’t take long to look up the companies and businesses you shop at to see what their mission is and what they are doing in the community to give back. With the growing trend of corporate social impact, many businesses are highlighting the ways in which they are addressing the issues and problems that align with their industry on their websites, in media releases, and through involvement in non-profit and community events.
And it doesn’t stop there; you can use this way of thinking when selecting a career, volunteering your time, investing in the stock market, voting for political candidates, and many, many other daily decisions.
The same goes for nonprofits and charity organizations. Not all non-profits are created equal. A simple way to look up a charity you’re interested in supporting is by visiting charity navigator, and/or looking up the organization on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website. As a rule of thumb, nonprofits with a rating of three stars and above on charity navigator are using best practices and putting the most of your dollar back into their mission.
Some of my favorite brands and businesses that I actively purchase products from include: my local farmer’s markets, Nordstrom, Patagonia, and Everlane, just to name a few.
Recycle, reuse, repeat
I can’t tell you how many plastic water bottles I’ve purchased and “recycled”, first because it’s embarrassing, but also because it’s far too many to count. All while having over a dozen reusable bottles in my cabinet that I’ve purchased or received as promotional gifts. I recently invested in a Berkey water filter and it’s inspired me to stop buying plastic single-use water bottles out of convenience (when I can). I’ve also made it my mission to stop forgetting my reusable grocery and produce bags when I go food shopping, but when I do, making sure that the brown paper bag I take home that day is recycled as a garbage bag or wrapping paper for a gift.
We’re not going to solve major world issues by using less plastic, volunteering our time and exclusively supporting socially responsible corporations, but collectively, these small individual changes in our thoughts and behaviors can have a significant impact on our communities and beyond.
ABOUT DANIELLE
Danielle is the Director of Development and Strategic Partnerships on the Hospital Initiatives team at UCLA Health. Prior to her role at UCLA, Danielle worked at non-profit organizations including the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and the American Heart Association. With over a decade of experience in non-profit and healthcare fundraising, Danielle is proficient in major gift philanthropy, strategic partnership management, Executive Board and volunteer recruitment and engagement, and project management. Danielle believes that building strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders is key to maximizing social impact.
Danielle is thrilled to have recently joined She Built It as the Happiness and Community Manager. In this role, Danielle will help advance the She Built It mission by engaging with members to maximize their experience in the She Built It community. She is most excited for the opportunity to meet incredible like-minded women who empower and uplift each other in the pursuit of personal and professional happiness and success.
Danielle also serves on the Board of Directors for Leadership Hermosa Beach, a local non-profit organization whose mission is to educate, train, and connect leaders for the betterment of the Hermosa Beach community. In her free time Danielle enjoys participating in group fitness classes, spending time at the beach, and wine tasting with friends.