Insider Look: A Summer with Purpose

This summer, we had another group of superstar interns who were eager to bring their talents and learn more about the art of movement-building.  Here are their insights:

1.  Why Purpose this summer?

Winson Law: I applied to Purpose, because I was looking for a place that rests at the intersection of strategic thinking and social change.  It turns out that Purpose is more than this intersection; it’s a hub of movement-building.

Amy Scoville-Weaver: I chose Purpose because I wanted a challenging and creative internship that would also propel me into working for the private sector.  My professional experience thus far has been based in the nonprofit sector and Purpose seemed an ideal fit to develop new skills while also being able to apply environmental campaigning experience. And I LOVE IT!:

Irene Laochaisri: Purpose is my purpose.  I’m lucky to attend a business school that sees entrepreneurship as a vehicle, a force to drive change and solve complex problems.  I was sold on Purpose’s genuine faith in people, and the (well-deserved) pride it takes in having a sense of humor.  The idea of being a temporary resident of New York also sold me.  Happy to say that I’ve graduated from Google Maps and now navigate by way of NESW and downtown/uptown.:

2.  Any rookie mistakes/ funny first week snafus?

Danna Elmasry: I walked into the glass door of the big boardroom within two minutes of entering the office on my first day.  Everyone was really nice about it.

Michael Rice: Don’t miss meetings for Shake Shack in week 2.  This is an aggressive approach.  Learn to use the complicated coffee machine.  Get the cold brew early.  Scout for leftovers daily.

Stephen Hawkins: I wore shorts to my boss’s house for an off-site working Friday and then ended up having to meet a business partner at their offices as the UN!  They looked me up and down with horror.

3.  Any good examples of people power that you learned about in your time at Purpose?

Lyla Wilton: While not within the realm of my project at purpose, or an issue area I was familiar with, I was extremely inspired by the work of , more specifically with the , by people on all sides of the project.  The team that has built the campaign has been able to frame the issue in a way that puts a human face to the conflict that is impossible to ignore, featuring and honoring the experiences of those on the ground in Syria.  I have also been so impressed and inspired by how many people have given to the most recent crowdfunding effort, the 1,838 people from 69 countries that donated $114,467 that have really engaged with the campaign and learned more about this hugely important conflict.  And lastly, I have been so moved by the sacrifice that all of the 2,697 White Helmets make every day, putting themselves at risk to save the lives of others in their communities.  If that is not people power, I don’t know what is. The Syria CampaignWhite Helmets

Danna Elmasry: Watching all of the different projects overlap in staff and space in the office has been inspiring – you feel like you’re watching the very early stages of real, impactful change take place.:

Michael Rice: I thought the idea of creating a virtual protest/rally for one of the projects this summer was interesting.  I remember physically being at protests/rallies with parents as a young kid… that I can now participate in a protest to be heard by politicians in Norway while standing in an office in New York is a pretty big endorsement of people power.

4.  What is one skill/ learning from your summer at Purpose that you hope to bring into the world?

Stephen Hawkins: It’s so important to be able to measure your efficacy!  I hope to bring the concept of the three tiers of metrics–vanity, signaling, confirming–to any future social change work in which I take part.:

Diana Dajer: The commitment curve!  Before coming to Oxford I was not that aware of the importance of bringing people along the journey of participation.  I was a little bit impatient in thinking that people will just participate if they have the proper tools and objectives at hand.  The last weeks at Purpose have been a great eye-opening experience, realizing the importance of allowing people to move from low barrier actions to high barrier ones, and that it is usually when you do not allow these processes to happen when low participation emerges.:

Amy Scoville-Weaver: How to approach a campaign strategy with an idea of “what is the value-add here?”  My past work before Purpose was almost entirely focused on the ACTION – not always the PRODUCT.  I had to give the funder what they wanted – which was usually a big splash that looked good – but which didn’t amount to much more than tiny ripples in terms of actually making change.  Purpose is different.  Challenging myself to look beyond and delve into what a Theory of Change means has been such a marvelous take-away.:

5.  One thing you think the world should know about Purpose?  

Amy Scoville-Weaver: I think the world should know that Purpose is not a traditional company – it is innovative, creative and (as far as I can tell) ACTUALLY dedicated to change.  Purpose can go where others can’t and leap over hurdles that limit others working in this field.  It isn’t just the resources, but rather its hybrid identity as both a private company that can actively engage other private companies while also being dedicated to social change.  The ownerless campaign tactic is something I want to shout to everyone about – accelerate, build, exit.  But, of course, that might defeat the point.

Winson Law: A few days ago, I think things about Purpose really clicked for me.  I realized why Purpose’s theory of change about getting people to get out and do something is so crucial to creating lasting change.  Participation and action is how the world changes.  If we can get a mass of people to move together, then we can really shift the world in tremendous ways.  Participation as the core of a theory of change is something I never thought about, but has now become something I think about as I’m walking through Union Square, scheming about ways to get people to do things to create a better world.

Cate Stanton: That it’s an incredible group of super smart, funny and hardworking people who have big plans to change the world/are already changing it.

Lyla Wilton: Something that surprised me about Purpose was that despite how passionate and hardworking the staff is in the context of their projects, which are often hugely demanding and intensive, so many people at Purpose have side projects that they pursue in their own time, purely because they are interested and passionate about many different things.  This makes the culture here at Purpose very conducive to open brainstorming and collaboration, and facilitates learning about many different issues. :

Stephen Hawkins: Purpose celebrates its people and their achievements!  It has a rich and much valued culture of appreciation and recognition.

6.  Favorite fact you learned about someone on the Purpose team?

Diana Dajer: It has been amazing to work with my project lead! She is a great leader and has so much energy! This year she was named as one of Colombia’s most inspiring women by one of the main magazines of political analysis and opinion in Colombia. After working with her during the summer I couldn’t agree more!

Cate Stanton: Porps have a knack for karaoke

Lyla Wilton: My favorite fact about a Purpose staff member is that during her time working for a talent and casting agency in Los Angeles, she was shown three videos of various boy bands and asked her opinion for which was best to be selected for a show. She chose, and her choice was the then-unknown Jonas Brothers. So basically, we have one of our own to thank for the JoBros.

7.  Favorite piece of Purpose jargon?

Irene Laochaisri: Download has a special place in my heart, mostly because it was my first exposure to our quirky dictionary of English According to Purpose. It was used in one of the first Google Calendar invites I received, and essentially means to pass on critical information about a project. Makes sense, right? Best part about Purpose jargon is that it sticks… even outside of Purpose. I’m excited to ghost those decks and conduct project downloads and confuse the hell out of everyone at school.:

Danna Elmasry: “Let’s align on that.”’

Michael Rice: Mordor… I don’t even like Lord of the Rings that much, but feel like on some level I am more pumped for meetings in the gates of hell – or whatever Mordor is in the movies.