Commitment Basics
The information in this section will help you get familiar with the essentials of commitment-making and learn from past CGI U members. Explore how to maximize the use of campus resources and local communities and start planning your commitment.
Individual commitments begin with a single person who chooses to take action on a global issue that he or she cares deeply about. Individual commitments stem from a fundamental belief that anyone can make a difference and tackle some of the world’s most pressing challenges. Although individual commitments might inspire a larger group effort down the road, they are unique in that they begin with a single person.
Student group commitments begin with a group of young people who decide to take action. Student group commitments may be an entirely original group effort that is created to make a CGI U commitment, or they can come from a pre-existing student group that has created their own unique CGI U commitment within their group’s larger mission. The key is that a CGI U commitment must be new, specific, and measurable. Student group commitments may also involve faculty, administrators, and community members who are supportive of their efforts – in fact, collaboration with other members of the university community is encouraged!
University commitments are those made by the official leadership of the university. However, university commitments often involve students, faculty, and other community members in order to bring their commitments to fruition. University commitments are unique in that they are formal commitments on behalf of the institution, supported by the resources and networks of the institution.
CGI U sets three criteria for commitment-making. To ensure quality and effectiveness, every CGI U commitment must be:
New: Each commitment must be a new project for the individual, group, or university making the commitment. If the commitment is an expansion of an existing effort, consider focusing on a different geographical area, working with new partners, or fundraising for a cause new to the club or individual’s interest.
Specific: Each commitment must address a specific challenge with a defined course of action and objectives. Define your commitment’s goal, outline your planned activities, and identify how long it will realistically take you to complete your project.
Measurable: Each commitment should achieve results that are measurable and that can be reported back to the CGI U team. Identify specific results that you want to report back on. The impact of your commitment can be determined in many ways, whether you’re measuring funds raised, houses built, or children tutored.
