Y14 SESSION 8


Icebreaker:  Try out a new way to destress by checking out this link.

TODAY'S MISSION


Bringing an idea to life requires power. In this session, you will learn more about the nature of power and how it operates, analyze who/what has the power to support your project, and how to connect your project to possible careers.

Still focused on the Design phase of Appreciative Inquiry, your steps today are about determining what role power plays in your being able to act on your project plan.

NAVIGATING POWER


GOALS


Today,you will:

  • Understand the different types of civic power
  • Conduct a power analysis of your issue
  • Create a list of careers related to your project issues


Portofolio Workbook Steps: Each step should take 1 hour.

STEP 1

What is Power?: Watch Eric Liu’s TED Talk on understanding power.

  • If you had an opportunity to interview Eric Liu, the author of this lesson, what are three questions you would ask him?
  • Why types of power do you think you need to achieve your goals in the project area you have chosen?
  • Record your answers in your Workbook.



Click on the video above to complete Portfolio Step 1. Remember, you can add subtitles to the video or change the language in Youtube settings.

STEP 2

Conduct a Power Analysis: 2021 provides a unique opportunity to impact at least four types of civic power mentioned by Eric Liu:

  • Social Norms & Ideas: Social Justice is the equal access to wealth, opportunities, and privileges within a society. Choose one video from these TedTalks to learn more about how social norms and ideas need to be shifted to bring about fair, just and equitable conditions for people.
  • State Action: Did you know that only 58% of eligible voters in the US actually voted in the last Presidential Election? Power through state action happens through policies, laws, budgets and election of representatives to make those decisions. Voter registration is a means of ensuring that the maximum number of people who can vote are ready to go on election day. Motivating and educating voters is also an important part of this process.
  • Numbers: The Census. Why does the census matter? Let’s hear from Cardi B and Percy D. Lujan about why the Census is an enduring source of power.

Use your Workbook to conduct your own Power Analysis.

Here are some resources to help you:
  • Find out the local, state and federal elected officials for your home or school address here.
  • Find out the local community board information for your home or school here.
  • Find out the city ward representatives here.

STEP 3

Sustaining Power:

During the Global Pandemic of 2020, many nations looked for short- and long-term solutions to address the pandemic and its consequences. Short-term solutions included quarantining for several months, social distancing and other public health measures. However, to increase and sustain our long term “power” to fight COVID-19 and any future pandemics, many other societal changes will need to occur. As you will see in this article, the pandemic exposed a real career shortage in home health care nurses. So future efforts to manage widespread pandemic include changes to certain career sectors.

What careers are related to your issue?

Use your Hats and Ladders app or research at least two career sectors related to your project.

Complete the graphic organizer in your Workbook.

Y14 Session 9