Back in the day when community events were actually in person, it was sometimes easier to feel like you were making a positive difference in your communities! Now, in the time of constant Zoom meetings, social distancing, and overall disconnect, how can you reengage and influence your community in a positive and safe way? Well, we’ve got you covered! Here are 21 ways you can be a positive influence in your community in 2021.
Being a positive influence can be as simple as spreading love and happiness in everyday interactions! Here are 5 ideas for simple everyday actions that lift spirits, inspire kindness, and will make positive ripples in the community.
Smile- Something that is normally easy, smiles are hard to find lately as we all wear masks! So, consider creating a cute and simple card that says, “I’m smiling at you” and passing them out when you encounter someone that looks like they need a smile too!
Shop and Review Local- If you want to see your community flourish, consider the impact of supporting local businesses. When you chose to shop local, you are supporting your community members financially. When you write a great review of a local business, you can influence additional business in the area and spark economic influx. When you buy local instead of global, you are making a choice that cuts down on greenhouse emissions and leaves a cleaner Earth for our global community.
Donate Where and When You Are Able- Donations don’t need to be big to make a big difference. Simple items can make a huge difference to the lives of people around you! Consider donating school supplies to local schools and essentials such as food, hats, mittens, and socks, sanitary products, and dental products to local food pantries.
Mentor- Don’t forget that one of the most powerful things you can donate is your time. With whatever skills you have, find ways to support local development and volunteer as a mentor! Whether you mentor children or adults, you are making a direct impact in your community.
Clean Up- One way to influence your community is to clean up your local spaces. Pick up litter, plant trees, start a recycling program, or create a community garden! No matter how much time you have, everyone is able to contribute to the health of the community by cleaning up when they can.
Looking for something a little unique? Think about trying out some Random Acts of Kindness. You don’t have to go big to make a big difference in someone’s day. There are easy ways to supply random acts of kindness throughout the day that take little of your time but make a huge difference.
Leave quarters at the laundromat
Share favorite recipes at the grocery store
Donate a free meal for those in need
Let someone cut the line when you aren’t in a rush
Create some happy sidewalk art in the neighborhood
Wipe pollen, leaves, or frost off someone else’s windshield
Stop at the lemonade stand (imagine those happy faces!)
Hand out kudo cards
Hand out water on a hot day
One of the most powerful way to influence your community is to be an active listener. When you take the time to listen to what your community needs, you can be a more powerful force for positivity. Here are some of the best ways to listen to your community.
Attend virtual community meetings
Read and watch the local news
Look for local calls for support
Engage with seniors in the community who are isolated
Finally, voting is an integral way you can support your community. When we vote, we are able to support our community initiatives, provide funding for community issues, and speak up for the voices that are lost in our communities. Here is how you can make a positive influence by voting.
Get informed
Get registered
Get voting