“Pebbles in an Avalanche of Change.” Join Sustainability Innovators Today!

A pandemic, shut downs, supply chain issues, fires, droughts, flooding, OH MY!

BY MIREN OCA

OCAQUATICS

There is so much going on in the world today….the ongoing complications of COVID, the war in Ukraine, the rising cost of consumer goods and inflation, political polarization, the climate crisis. It is easy to feel overwhelmed by the problems in the world and think that there is nothing that one person can do to solve them. But I am here to tell you today that YOU MATTER! We can do great things especially when we gather together and join forces.

I recently read “Reimagining Capitalism in a World on Fire” by Rebecca Henderson. The title seems a little doomy and gloomy, but the book was actually rather refreshing and described what we can do to make a difference in the world of business. Please bear with me as I explain!

I especially loved Rebecca’s last chapter called “Pebbles in an Avalanche of Change.” She talked about other times in history when major changes took place. She said “it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that only heroes and heroines can change the world.” And then she recounted the story of the civil rights movement and Martin Luther King, Jr. “Martin Luther King did not create the Civil Rights movement. It grew from decades of work by thousands of African Americans and their allies, each doing the dangerous and difficult work of standing up for change.”

She also told the story of Nelson Mandela and apartheid. “Nelson Mandela did not single-handedly end apartheid in South Africa. He built on 50 years of struggle in which thousands of people participated and hundreds died.”

The author’s message is that there is vital work that we can all do now to be the change we wish to see in the world. Pick a problem. Then go find some friends and work on it. Rebecca says “since we’re social primates, your actions will help persuade others to change their own behavior. Find others who share your goals and hang out with them.” She also says, “It’s not a coincidence that people are far more likely to lose weight if they join a support group like Weight Watchers, or far more likely to stay sober if they join Alcoholics Anonymous.”

This is exactly what we have done with SUSTAINABILITY INNOVATORS. This is a new collaboration between the US Swim School Association, the Canadian Swim School Alliance and the Australian Swim School Association. We have joined with friends in the swim school industry from around the world to share ideas about how we can all work towards lowering our energy costs, reducing water usage, and limiting our carbon footprint. And we have all realized that being good for the environment is also good for the bottom line in increased profits. In addition your team members are also proud to work for an organization that is being more environmentally conscious. This helps with their retention, and team member retention helps with your customer retention and satisfaction. These measures help your business run more efficiently, effectively and profitably. WIN-WIN-WIN!

If you are interested in learning more about this group and the ways your business can help solve some of the challenges in the world, contact the Association office today!

“Change is slow until it is fast. The avalanche looks like nothing but a few pebbles moving until the whole hillside goes.” Rebecca Henderson

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