BECOMING MORE INCLUSIVE AND... TRANSFORMATIONAL

This is my challenge for all Lions, Rotary, Round Table, Toastmasters Clubs and other likeminded organizations.

How many of them exist around the world? Surely we are in the thousands, aren’t we?

Now imagine if each member of these clubs would be asked, as part of her initial pledge to the new organization, to start mentoring and coaching a vulnerable youth.

What would be the impact?

We would create a truly global “leadership supply chain” with millions of beneficiaries who would have, as result, their lives changed for better.

We would have less marginalization and discrimination, more inclusion and participation in the development of local communities and national economies.

In the long term, taking the right perspective, we would have less unemployment and more jobs and at least some hundreds startups being created by youths who were left behind.

It is something quite unimaginable now if you think about it deeply.

We often times complain that not for profits are not able to achieve their proclaimed goals, that they waste an incredible amount of money, too much overheads and too many fancy workshops or conferences.

We often complain that corporate houses are not doing enough, they are not enlightened enough with their narrow minded, self-interested corporate citizenship programs.

We are also not happy that the governments are not doing their job to reach out the most vulnerable segments of the society.

We see these “cracks” well displayed now by the consequences of the lockdown.

We should always demand for better, we should ensure that not for profits, corporate houses and governments try better and harder. That’s for sure.

At the same time why do not we start thinking about what we can do in our own capacities to help the most disadvantaged youths that are out there, those who struggle every single day, those who have the humblest and hardest of the occupations?

If you live in a developing country, you can imagine the porters, youths working in the transportation or construction companies, domestic workers, usually above the law, with no rights and protections.

These are kids who never really had a chance and I call this as simply as it can be called, injustice.

There are others who try hard but because of structural inequalities, are not able to come forward and flourish. Call it lack of opportunities.

If you live in a more developed nation, you know very well there are so many youths who are unemployed and detached, frustrated. Call this the West’s missed opportunity.

If there was a huge need before COVID-19 in bridging the justice and opportunity gaps, there will be an even bigger urgency in dealing with these situations in a post pandemic scenario.

So going back to the beginning, if you are a professional, surely you have a network of connections, a wealth of know-how.

This is a “capital” that would make the difference to the life of a vulnerable youth.

Imagine only if a Rotary or a Lions Club or Round Table or Toastmaster Club would “adopt” one vulnerable but promising young adult, allowing her to attend for free all the gatherings and all the developing opportunities offered by these organizations.

Do you think she is going to learn new things? Do you think that she is going to forge new, supportive relations with people genuinely interested to help?

What if each Toastmasters club would do something similar with the end result that the new young member would turn herself into a master public speaker?

I just noticed that the 2018 and 2019 Toastmasters, Ramona J. Smith and Aaron Beverly respectively, are both black Americans.

I have no idea if they come from privilege and wealth or instead have a humble, hard upbringing as the vast majority of Afro-American kids.

I am aware I should be careful at not generalizing here.

What for sure I know that both Ramona and Aaron can be truly inspirational models and examples for millions of young Afro-Americans who never ever have heard of Toastmasters, young people who never had the luxury of thinking about the importance of public speaking.

Yet if joining Toastmasters can be transformational for a mid-level working professional like the thousands who have joined so far, just imagine the impact it would have on a vulnerable youth: how the life of a youth living with disabilities in many parts of the world would be transformed or how the life of a young woman victim of acid attacks in South Asia or the one of a frustrated but determined youth in the north of the world can change thanks of a community of self-leaners, people united by the desire to get better.

Let me be clear on one thing: I am not asking for “group babysitting”.

I am asking for a smart help that would not even require big financial effort and waiving the meetings’ fees certainly is not one.

I am advocating for a more altruistic approach to self-development and leadership, more inclusive and able to benefit youths now living at the margins.

I am asking for a more open, accessible form of grassroots philanthropy because joining a Lions or a Rotary or a Round Table Club can be seen as too elitarian, surely quite expensive and unaffordable for too many young citizens who are out there and cry out for recognition and a chance to succeed.

Why not companies also get engaged and involved in corporate mentoring cum coaching programs? It can be a real win-win, allowing their employees to do some useful work, connecting them to promising youths from whom surely they can also learn.

In Nepal Toastmasters had tried to involve and invite vulnerable youths. It was a great experience and it should be pursued in bigger scale, more systematically once the situation will allow.

Certain environments can be not only inaccessible from the physical point of view but also be intimidating especially for someone who never ever been through such experiences.

With good will and positive attitudes, all these obstacles can be overcome, creating new learning platforms that can have very high returns.

I hope an “inclusion” commitment would be taken up by those who can make a difference.

Personal development clubs and philanthropic network associations should be first to take up this challenge.

While it can start from the bottom, with few clubs taking the lead, we also need a global commitment, the determination that comes from the top to re-adjust strategies and missions in order to make them not only more inclusive but more transformative.

There is nothing more rewarding than seeing a youth unleashing her potential and energies, knowing you played a small part on it.