Colby Royce's Blog (25)

The EVOKE network allows ordinary students to grow into change agents through collaboration with their peers. The goal of the network is to educate students in order to allow them to be productive and proactive members of society. The members of the network span nationally and internationally and consist of a wide variety of ages- that is what makes the network unique- diversification. In order to be an EVOKE agent one must uphold a high level of ethical conduct. The network often creates a…

I have enjoyed participating in Urgent Evoke this semester. I would highly recommend this challenge to my peers. I believe the EVOKE network should should tackle the issue of geographic boundaries/fighting next. For example, Russia and Crimea. I believe internationally we are increasingly seeing more and more issues that are centered around the issue of geographic boundaries and who is truly "in control" of what area. I think it would be interesting to see the EVOKE network not only continue…

I have organized teachers from across the world to volunteer their times as virtual teachers for children who are suffering from the Pandemic Flu. These teachers will continue with the children's grade level curriculum and teach them via video feed. This action will allow students to stay current in their schooling while recovering. The last thing a child needs is to be sick and have the added stress knowing the are getting behind in their school work with each passing day of being sick. The…

In my opinion, the most important secret from "Nieman Guide to Covering Pandemic Flu" is coming to terms with uncertainty. Uncertainty is present in almost nearly all aspects of life, at one point or another. However, uncertainty can be scary, no matter how familiar one is with the concept. After one is prepared to come to terms with uncertainty they are able to face crisis head on. When a crisis strikes and one is not able to handle the stress associated with the crisis it will be…

As I sit here at age 100, having lived a long and prosperous life thus far, I am full of experiences and knowledge that would be beneficial to the generations that succeed me. Over my lifetime I have watched the world around me transform through a variety of phases. Although the basic structure of the Earth does not change, the impact we, citizens of the world, have on our Earth does change. When I was a young woman I did not think extensively about the world and ecosystem would be in 80…

One of the Community Management Success Stories I found to be interesting is about how the Botswana government is providing its citizens with the skills and abilities to develop and conserve natural resources. What I took away from this story as the most important aspect is that when communities are able to see noticeable profit from their natural resources, their inclination to continue preserving them for sustainable development is increased.

To help encourage sustainability throughout the University of Florida I talked to a wide sample of people about the steps the University is taking to encourage sustainable measures. This sample included my roommates, sorority sisters, classmates, and study groups. In casual conversation I brought up issues that were relevant at the time. For example, at my sorority house you have the option of using a glass or a paper cup for your drink at meals. During lunch last week I encouraged those…

Hurricanes are not uncommon natural disasters when you have been born and raised in Florida. When you are young there is a certain level of fascination and fear associated with the storms. However, as you grow older you start to realize the very real implications that these storms can have on our area. Not only do these storms wreak physical havoc on the areas they pass through, their effects can also be felt long after the wind dies down and the rain stops. Hurricanes can negatively impact…

In 2020, "Afghan Women Deliver Healthy Babies Safely" will have impacted thousands of Afghan women and children. This program will have gained both national awareness within the United States, as well as international awareness across the globe. The program now receives monetary support from change agents across the globe as well as the volunteer service of many. Doctors and nurses will spend stints in Afghanistan to help these women throughout their pregnancies and deliveries. The project…

For this mission I chose to support and raise awareness for the Afghan Institute of Learning's "Help Afghan Women Deliver Healthy Babies Safely" campaign. Not only did I make a monetary contribution to the cause I also reached out to my network via email about the cause and the role they can play in helping. I chose this cause because life starts at birth. Unfortunately, not everyone is afforded the same safe birthing experience as we are used to the norm being in the United States. I would…

The story I investigated dealt with the recent abduction of 100 young girls, ages 12 to 17, from their school in Nigeria. The article, a joint statement on the issue, highlights the fact that schools should remain a safe place that foster a conducive environment for learning. Girls and young women should be allowed to go to school without fearing for their safety in order to fulfill their rightful role as equal citizens of the world. This issue saddens me greatly because these are innocent…

Recently, I downloaded and used a new app on my phone, Venmo. Venmo allows one to connect with people and transfer money from their bank account to another person's. I first used Venmo about 2 weeks ago when paying one of the leaders of a student organization I am involved with for a t-shirt via the app. I have to admit, at first I was very skeptical about entering all of my bank account information and "wiring" money through an app on my iPhone. However, thus far I have been more than…

I think the biggest change we will see in the future in regards to money is the form in which we possess money. Soon, I think long will be the days of carrying around a wallet with paper money and coins. Bitcoins is an innovative form of money I have been hearing about more and more recently in the news. Although, Bitcoins are still very new and there are many kinks to be worked out in the system, I do believe it is the future of money. Bitcoins allows one to "mine" for electronic money on…

For World Water 2020, I would challenge the world (not just those living in developed nations, but also in developing nations) to go the day without using water. I believe if we were to spend an entire day with no use of water at all; no drinking water flowing from our faucets, no flushing toilets, no washing machines to clean our clothes, we would gain a greater appreciation for water. Not only would we develop a greater appreciation for water, but also gain a greater understanding for just…

I find Water for People to be an amazing organization. I would certainly donate to Water for People because it is evident that what they are doing is having a positive impact throughout the world and providing clean water for many. I prefer to support organizations that are well established and that have even further potential to grow through support from individuals such as myself.

I found Water for People to be an awesome initiative to provide clean water to over 10 countries throughout the world. Water for People addresses the wh*** picture, going beyond just providing the actual clean water support, but also establishing a long term plan and system.

In the year 2020 I will be celebrating my favorite holiday, Christmas, a little differently than I do today. In 2020 Christmas lights will be solar powered. The lights will receive charge from the sun all day to sustain them.

I think it would be interesting, as well as very helpful to the environment, for iPhone to be solar powered. I believe this would be fairly simple to accomplish as we all spend a great amount of time outdoors with our iPhones.

The power player I found interesting is Jordan Kassalow. Kassalow is an optometrist who runs an organization that provides that sells ready made reading gla**** to people in developing countries.

In the year 2020, I will be eating dinner with my family as I do today, however, the food will be much different from that I am eating now in the year 2014. The meal will be completely fresh. It will consist of grilled fish, fresh veggies cooked in olive oil (not butter), and wh*** wheat noodles. In the year 2014 everything will be centered around eating as nutritiously as possible.