I wrote earlier about local political involvement, but that was probably premature. Because politics is always downstream of culture, and people who are trying to reform society by political means are actually too late. The horses are already out of the barn, culturally speaking, and recognizing that will help you immensely.

But all is not lost. There’s plenty of room for working on society by non-political means. And my earlier assertion that local is where the action is remains intact. That’s where you can get stuff done.

Here’s where you have to make an assessment. Ask yourself some questions. What’s important to you? What do you like? What have people told you you’re good at? And what opportunities are available in your area? And your answers to those questions will determine what organization you might want to work with. And, of course, when an organization has a belief system it’s imperative that you share those beliefs.

Local organizations have suffered in the last couple of decades. Groups like Rotary or Toastmasters or athletic teams are still around but many are hanging on by a thread. Churches (or synagogues or mosques) have had substantial declines in both membership and involvement. And those are the opportunities where you can make a difference.

How do you start? Find out when your organization meets, and visit a meeting. If you’re unsure where you’d like too start, visit 5-10 of these intro meetings to get a feel for them. After you’ve found a place that seems like a fit, ask yourself if they have shortcomings that you can help with. Are there organizational issues? Poor web presence? Someone to help with outreach to young people?

Whatever it is, you probably have a skill that some organization in your area could use. Join one where you can make a difference, and after a month of attending and listening and getting a feel for your chosen group, speak to the leadership and volunteer to help.

You can make a difference. In small or large ways, you can do things that make a difference in your world, starting with your local area. You really can change the world.