This article was written from the floor of the Global Summit for Social Responsibility (ASAE and the Center for Association Leadership).
It’s invigorating to be among other associations focused on the ideas and actions of social responsibility. One of the tasks put to the group is to ask and answer the question, “What do associations uniquely bring to society and do best, and how can we effectively leverage these capabilities to advance a new magnitude of socially responsible leadership?” I couldn’t help but be proud that AAUW is ahead of most associations in that we have practiced — and continue to practice — social responsibility on a large scale.
Story after story emerged from organizations already involved in “doing good” — whether being “green” or, as in AAUW’s case, working on behalf of women and girls. I heard stories that brought tears to my eyes of associations helping communities through contributions of time, money, and resources, either by organizational efforts or through the volunteer aid of members.
Jeffrey Sachs, author of the critically acclaimed Common Wealth: Economics for a Crowded Planet, spoke from the heart about the daunting challenges facing us today: poverty, lack of education, climate change, and environmental destruction, to name a few. Unlike the usual doom-and-gloom of such presentations, Sachs’ talk focused on solutions. One involved the collective power associations could bring to the table if all organizations and their members practiced social responsibility in every conceivable manner. Wow.
That we still have work to do in our own backyard was brought home yet again, even in such an august environment as this summit. There I was, doing the group discussion thing typical of such events when the topic of global warming was brought up. Knowing who I represented, a man turned to me and said something to the effect of, “If you would only get all your women to stop having hot flashes, we wouldn’t have global warming.” The reaction? Shocked silence around the table instead of the laughter he probably expected. But it wasn’t until later that my mind kicked in with all those lovely responses I wish I had given on the spot.
The summit sessions are entitled “Discovery,” “Dream and Design,” and “Destiny: Moving to Action.” There is lots of work still ahead, but I can’t wait to see how the association community will bring its full power to bear on the concept of social responsibility. I know what one single organization has managed to do powerfully for more than 125 years. Just imagine what this type of collective planning can accomplish! Any ideas?
Thanks Will for highlighting the postive global impact practicing social responsibility would bring to the world. As you say, taking action strategically is necessary now — action vs. just talking being the key.
Sounds like a great summit, and I couldn’t be more encouraged by the progress being made in social responsibility. But I also want to further encourage us to take social responsibility to the next level–to become socially-strategic. (For more on this concept please see http://www.thoughtrocket.com.) The solution is not just about incorporating socially responsible practices into what we already do, it’s also about reinventing capitalism completely. I want to challenge leaders to go to a new level of leadership thinking, to create high-growth profit strategies by solving the environmental and social problems that threaten our future—to make money by saving the future. In the next decades we will have to re-invent every product we use to be ecologically friendly, energy efficient and recyclable. Just the opportunity to change all the light bulbs in the world has a mind-boggling upside.The opportunities to lift billions of people from poverty, educate billions to live in the 21st century and unlock the keys to sustainable living and sustainable relationships means we need an unlimited supply of social entrepreneurs thinking socially-strategically. What a great time to be alive!
I can’t help but think that associations and others in the non-profit world will focus on the short-term, looking at the economy of today rather than what is needed in planning for tomorrow. I read that those organizations who incorporate social responsibility/sustainable development in their business plans actually do better on the bottom line (can’t remember where I read that, does anyone?). How can we keep the importance of this in front of decision makers? AAUW is lucky in that it is in its mission — how can we get others to think this way??