A lighthearted behind-the-scenes look at how the Institute for Emerging Issues tackles North Carolina's biggest challenges.
North Carolinians spend about $35 billion a year on food. If each person spent just 10 percent on food locally — roughly $1.05 per day — then the state’s economy would receive a $3.5 billion boost. These days, most grocery stores carry local foods, and even the world’s biggest grocer, Walmart, has made a commitment to carry more local foods. Or you can visit your community’s farmers’ market and make a direct connection to local growers.
Say Thank You! Take time to say thank you those who helped shape the person you are today. Write a letter. Make a call. Send a card. Sometimes a simple thank you makes all the difference, and can make hard work worthwhile.
Did you know that 65% of North Carolinians are overweight or obese? If we continue on the current track, that problem will worsen – our state has the fifth highest rate of childhood obesity in the country. Find a healthy recipe today and share it with a friend. If you make something delicious, let us know and share it with us!
Volunteer!
Often our weekends are spent with friends and family, but that doesn’t mean you can’t work in some time to give back to your community. Only about 23% of North Carolinians take the time to volunteer throughout the year, and our state ranks a lowly 44th out of 50 in terms of its volunteer rates.
Instead of meeting your friends for dinner, why not make plans to volunteer together? You can catch up while you give back! Volunteering has been linked to a reduced risk of illness and lower rates of depression, and it helps supports vital organizations that rely on unpaid help to operate. Organizations like Activate Good can help you find an organization in your community that fits your interests. http://activategood.org/
The Emerging Issues Forum is exactly one month away. That’s right ONE. MONTH. AWAY. This milestone came as a shock to me this morning for several reasons:
1) I’m still trying to get my summer back - where did it go?
2) I feel like we just announced registration opening yesterday (reality: it was 2 months ago).
and 3) oh $*!#! My full nights of sleep and my tendency to leave work before 7 p.m. are NO MORE!
Preparation for an event of this magnitude and caliber (let’s be honest, it’s amazing!) is tumultuous, at best.
So, how do I curb the crazy, you might ask? With the 3 Cs.
Coffee. Lots of it. And, did you notice I’m fulfilling one of my to-dos for IEI’s 30 days of action challenge? I’m drinking coffee from Counter Culture, founded and headquartered in Durham.
Chocolate. No explanation needed.
Comfy shoes…. well, one comfy shoe.
From our office to yours, happy new year, and let the good work begin!
According to the US Census, 16.9% of North Carolinians are living in poverty. While you can’t solve that problem in a day, you can still do your part. Start your new year with a fresh start, and help members of your community do the same. Clean out your closet, and donate your unwanted clothes to a local shelter, church, or charity. You aren’t just giving clothing, you’re giving someone in your community the help they need to make 2012 a better year.
Don’t forget to share your photos, videos and stories with us!
Why should you come to this year’s Emerging Issues Forum on Generation Z? Hear it straight from youth themselves: IEI’s Youth Advisory Council.
You don’t have to be a teacher to teach something, and education doesn’t have to happen in a classroom. Continuous learning helps to keep your mind sharp, improves your communication skills, and can even open up new career opportunities. Next time someone comments on how well you do something, don’t just say thank you, show them how to do it. Teach your friends, family or coworkers something – how to drive a stick shift, make that delicious dessert you’re famous for, or jazz up that powerpoint presentation. You’ll hone your skills, they’ll learn something new, and they just might teach you something in return.
Don’t forget, you can win a ticket to the 27th Annual Emerging Issues Forum just by getting others to sign up for the 30 Days of Action challenge.
Well, I at least plan to.
As part of IEI’s 30 Days of Action, I signed up for a 5k in early March! I have to dust off my running shoes and hit the treadmill stat! (It’s way too cold to run outside today.)
The race is put on by the NCSU Vet School to beneit IRONDOG NC, which raises money for veterinary patients. Here’s the link if you’re interested in joining me:
I’m happy to pay the outrageous bills at my vet so my dog Watson (isn’t he adorable!) is healthy, and I want other pet owners to have the same comfort.
What did you do to get moving today? Sign up for your first marathon? Just another 5k?
So many New Year’s resolutions revolve around fitness, but despite all the best of intentions, they tend to be forgotten around February. To ensure your success, sign up for a race – a 5k, a triathlon, even a half marathon – that supports a great cause. Spending the money to register will help motivate you to train and keep up with your health goals, plus you’ll fell great about supporting a local cause. Search the fitness site Active.com for races in your area.
