Good Works and Almsdeeds

  Measurable & Proven Characterized by various articles and videos that I viewed in this course on social innovation, social change is the result of the intentional work of people trying to make positive change happen by addressing complex problems at the roots. Social change is a process, product, or program that profoundly changes how a given system operates. In order to design and implement a social solution an individual or business must consider the problems through two constraints: One, that the solution must address a legitimate social issue and two, that the solution is determined by root cause analysis more effectively. Measuring impact on social change is for the benefit of the people in whom the program was intended to claim to help verses to entice donors and investors. Verifying that a solution actually works and does not create more problems is one of the most difficult social innovation roadblocks. Social innovation impact must be measurable and proven....

This week's study was impactful as it tied scripture with social innovation. The reading was powerful testimonies of apostles and prophets from verses of scripture across the standard works into these latter-days. From the Church Handbook of Instructions, we learn: “The Savior has commanded the Church and its members to be self-reliant and independent. “To become self-reliant, a person must work. Work is physical, mental, or spiritual effort. It is a basic source of happiness, self-worth, and prosperity. Through work, people accomplish many good things in their lives... “As people become self-reliant, they are better prepared to endure adversities” and are “better able to care for others in need.  Elder Ballard, in his March 2009 message " Becoming Self-Reliant—Spiritually and Physically",  laid out five needs for one to achieve self-reliance  First, every person must know that he or she is a child of God and is loved by Him. People need to realize that regardless of the...

Social business is sustainable, scalable, and replicable which makes it ideal for the output of social innovation which spurs tangible hope for  the most desired society, one that is free from inequality, injustice, negative externalities, or unintended impacts (Taylor, bus374 Spring'21). Taylor went on to say that "this only works if we accept two things … First, humans … possess a desire and capacity for selfless actions. Second, humankind is naturally proactive, not reactive. Luckily, the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ confirms both".   S elf-reliance --  " helps people move from poverty to prosperity  …   self-reliant people possess a set of  A ss ets  t hat come from performing specific  B ehaviors  which in turn results from a set of  C ognitions.  Cognitions are thoughts beliefs and attitudes … r esponsibility touches our deepest sense of right and wrong …  provides the fuel ...

  Impact investing = long-term sustainable solutions + goal of better society.  Impact investing is a way to turn a profit and invest resources  in areas that would have the most measurable benefit to a social or environmental cause. Mayor states  in the article  Impact Investing is Hot Right Now. Here's Why ( 2019, Sept.) three   attributes in companies that it’s considering adding to its Global Impact portfolio:  Materiality (meaning a prospective firm’s core products or services — rather than its operations — must solve a problem that falls under one of three global impact themes: life essentials; human empowerment; and environment).  Additionality (meaning the company provides a product or service that a competitor or government entity isn’t providing, thereby advancing rather than simply maintaining social or environmental goals).  Measurability (which provides a way for investors to ensure the company continues to meet or exceed th...