Once we have an understanding of the issues affecting us, we can use this knowledge to positively transform our communities. Issues can bring both advantages and disadvantages, but there are specific systems in place for communities to address these.
Once an issue has been identified and explored further, there are ways to make the issue known and shared with those who are interested in helping find solutions to the issue. For example, you have a penny in your sock. You are the expert in this situation because it is your experience. Other people know what pennies and socks are, and maybe have had something in their sock before. They can relate to the experience but are not going through it right now.
One way to document a social or community issue is finding the people experiencing the issue and listening to them. Gain understanding of the issue and its cause. Start by writing down what the issue is, research why it is an issue, determine how the issue might have started, consider what will happen if the issue is not resolved and think through what might resolve the issue. What do you think the root of the social inequality or challenge may be?
Once you have documented the issue, make a list of the resources in the community that are available to talk to about it. Ask if you can attend a meeting to discuss it. Are there groups that may want to hear you speak about the issue? Within the community, are there leaders you can contact and ask for time to share the information about the issue? Are there business professionals that may be interested in hearing about this issue? These are just a few of the ways to get your message heard and to make progress towards your goals.
Once you have identified who else may be of help in resolving the issue, how will you work together to achieve a positive outcome? You now have enough information to create a timeline for how and when this will all take place.
The steps you have taken to this point qualify your efforts as a community project and the process steps you are taking is considered project management. Projects and the systems used to review and resolve issues are a form of system change that leads to transformation in communities.