W hen the average person identifies a problem within his/her community, he wonders why “they” don’t do something about it.

At The Giraffe Project, our motto is “It’s up to us.” We stick our necks out to make the world a better place.

Being a Giraffe doesn’t require superhero abilities. All it takes is enthusiasm and stick-to-itiveness.

TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Decide what you care about. No one can save the whole world. Each of us can rescue a piece of it. Look at your neighborhood or town, and identify one problem that you would like to solve.

Charity ranch: John Croyle, a top defensive end for the University of Alabama during the 1970s, passed up a pro football career to start Big Oak Ranch for delinquent and abused boys. Since 1975, this working ranch has helped more than 1,000 boys. Croyle has also started a similar facility for girls.

Research the situation. Has anyone else tackled this problem? With what results? Do you want to join forces with an existing group... or look for a different approach for the solution?

Identify the stakeholders. These are the people whose support or opposition would make a difference to your project. Don’t write off your opponents. Think of ways to involve them.

Recognize the obstacles. See what is standing in the way of a solution... and keep looking.

Aim: To discover unexpected and/or unconventional ways around the hurdles.

Shoes for shelters: Ranya Kelly, a housewife in Arvada, Colorado, discovered that local stores were tossing out new shoes simply because they had minor imperfections or were no longer in style. When she salvaged them from dumpsters to donate to homeless shelters, she was threatened with arrest. It turned out that all discards belong to the hauling company. She spoke with the hauler, who gave her permission to take whatever she wanted.

Stores and manufacturers now donate goods to Kelly’s organization, The Redistribution Center, which moves thousands of dollars’ worth of items to the needy each day.

Create a vision. Imagine what the situation would look like if you changed it -- if that empty lot became a community garden, for example... or food that is now thrown out by restaurants went instead to hungry families. Focusing on that imaginary picture helps get you started on making it come true.

Eye in the sky: Michael Stewartt, a private pilot, “saw” pilots flying reporters and politicians over wilderness areas endangered by pollution and forest clear-cutting. Today, Lighthawk, the organization he founded, has 150 volunteer pilots with their own planes and provides fast support to environmentalists needing to influence decision-makers.

Devise a plan. An action plan will keep you organized. Create the strategy based on available resources. Many successful grassroots movements started with seemingly small actions.

Example: A letter-writing campaign to vital players -- politicians or corporations.

Assess the risks. Only a few Giraffes face physical danger. But almost all encounter risks that test the spirit -- criticism for backing an unpopular idea or reaching out to people who turn their backs. Make risks less intimidating by educating yourself...

See where others went wrong. Uncover the challenges faced in trying to solve this or similar problems. Find out what worked... what didn’t... and how to avoid past mistakes.

Raise your competence. Develop the skills you’ll need, such as speech-making or desktop publishing. Obtain the right tools -- perhaps new software to develop a Web site to spread your message.

Practice “active compassion.” When dealing with opponents, this strategy can defuse negative emotions and end conflict. Put yourself in the other person’s shoes. Listen without judging. Acknowledge others for their strengths and contributions. An opponent could become an ally.

Example: Ranya Kelly now receives donations where once she was threatened with legal action.

Spread the word. A good cause deserves publicity and exposure.

Ask for help. People are surprisingly generous with advice. Ask every contact if there is anyone else to whom you should speak.

Use the media. The press is always looking for new issues to cover. You don’t have to be a celebrity to get attention.

Building rehab: Louise Stanley was so angered by abandoned buildings in East New York that she formed her own Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) chapter to reclaim and renovate empty city-owned buildings... and help poor people move in. When City Hall had the new residents arrested, Stanley alerted the press.

Subsequent negotiations with the now-on-the-defensive city yielded a pledge to turn abandoned housing units over to community groups for refurbishing, plus $2.7 million to buy renovation materials for 58 buildings.

“Advertise” for funding. Service clubs, foundations, corporations and grants are possible sources, along with traditional dinner events and raffles.

Often funds materialize from unexpected sources -- so be sure to get out the word about what you want to do.