Take Action Activity 2:
Vision and Defining

Activity Objective: Girls define the goal of their Take Action project and what action steps they will take.

Experience Overview:

  • 2 min. Introduction (Talking Points)
  • 40-45 min. A Course of Action
  • 10 min. Reflection/Discussion

Supplies Needed:

  • Pens or pencils (enough for each girl)
  • Large pad and marker (or chalkboard)

Prepare Ahead:

  • Bring the "ideas and solutions" list that girls created in Take Action Activity 1.
  • Bring copies of the "Steps to Taking Action!" handout from Take
    Action Activity 1.
  • Copies of the "Assessment Chart". (See the "Assessment Chart.")
  • Read over the entire activity before meeting with girls.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

» Introduction (Talking Points) (2 minutes)

  • Say something like this: "Today we will decide what idea you would like to take action on. We will clarify what we want the end result of our Take Action project to be and what difference we want to make."

» A Course of Action (40-45 minutes)

  • Distribute pens or pencils.
  • Hang the ideas and solutions list that girls made in Take Action Activity 1.
  • Girls decide (vote) on the top two or three ideas they would like to address.
  • Distribute the "Assessment Chart" and have girls write down and brainstorm further about the ideas they chose to focus on.
  • Distribute the "Steps to Taking Action!" handout and point out #3, assessing your resources. As a group, girls decide on the scale and scope of their Take Action project—assessing resources (finances, time, people who can help, materials, etc.). While girls should come up with their own suggestions, you can guide them in a particular direction and help them choose an issue that is relevant and that can be completed. Ask questions like "How much time can you commit?" and "What is the best impact we can have with that amount of time?"
  • As a group, create a "mission statement" for your project. For example, your mission statement might begin, "The goal of our Take Action project is…." Write the mission statement on the large pad. (Remember to encourage girls to use what they are learning in their meetings and activities as part of their project, such as STEM or financial literacy themes, but be sure to let girls make the decision on the project they want to do.)

» Reflection/Discussion (10 minutes)

Ask girls:

  • "How does it feel to take action on something you care about?"
  • "How will it feel knowing that the efforts you make could continue beyond the time spent on it?"
  • "To make our project successful, who do you think we will want or need to ask for help?"

Possible journal prompts:

  • "If I could change one thing in my life, it would be…."
  • "One action I could take to make my life better would be…."