The Great American Cleanup is taking place this weekend and many volunteers in Bulloch County are coming together to “Keep Bulloch Beautiful”. More than 30,000 cleanup events will be taking place across the nation and Bulloch County is one of them.
The Great American Cleanup starts as early as March 1 and continues through May 31. The Keep America Beautiful campaign started in 1999 and soon became active in Georgia. Just last year in 2006, 51,000 Georgians volunteered their time by helping clean, restore, and beautify their communities.
Keep American Beautiful says their main goal is to change people’s attitude and behavior of litter According to their toolbox site there are five main areas that should be explored to become successful and knowledgeable about the problem in a specific community such as Bulloch County.
1. Get the Facts
Research the littering problem (or other community improvement issue) in your community, and gather information from the Litter Index and the Litter/Solid Waste Survey. Interview field professionals and leadership. Assemble all pertinent data in writing.
2. Involve the People
Identify the people who have the most influence over this particular issue. Let them know what you would like to do. Find how it can match their own interests, and capitalize on their interest in developing the program. Let them involve people they know or with whom they work. The volunteer network will spread. Delegation is the key.
3. Plan Systematically
Once the leadership and other key individuals are in agreement, develop a plan of action. Utilizing effective management techniques, the group commits to this plan of action with the aid of Keep America Beautiful programs and resource guides.
4. Focus on Results
Your goal will be to achieve measurable results in litter reduction. All activities and projects should be planned programs designed to target and change negative attitudes and practices.
5. Provide Positive Reinforcement
Give those who worked on the project appropriate recognition. This can take many forms, but a sincere “thank you” is a first step. People must feel positive about their efforts with you if they are to sustain their interest.
This on going event through May, is a great effort in changing and raising awareness about our environment. Hopefully this year, even more people will get involved and even more attitudes and behaviors will be changed about littering.
1 comment:
I participated in the Great American Cleanup with my Honor Fraternity and it was a lot of fun. Of course picking up trash is not exaclty what you want to spend your Saturday morning doing, but knowing that your are making a difference in the community is really what is important. I would suggest that everyone take part in some event like this. I know that I will think twice before I litter again! You would be suprised what you find on the side of a road.
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