Do Good. Better. Guidebook Chapter 2: Social Impact Roles

When you are done with this section, you’ll be able to...

1. Identify and define prominent social impact roles. 

2. Describe the contributions of each role in global and community impact. 

3. Recognize the social impact roles you currently occupy and the roles you wish to embody in the future.

    

INTRODUCTION

Picture a neighborhood reeling from a devastating storm. Amid fallen trees and scattered debris, something remarkable happens: a local teacher organizes food distribution for her students and their families. A high school student goes door-to-door checking on elderly neighbors. A small business owner donates hygiene and clean-up supplies. A city employee coordinates emergency services. These individuals aren’t employed as social impact professionals, yet in a moment of crisis, each person steps into a social impact role. Contributing to social impact work does not often require a job application; instead, it calls for a specific mindset guided by a set of values, knowledge, and skills. It is a commitment to action, whether sparked by crisis or sustained by long-term vision. This chapter invites you to explore the many ways individuals, like you, contribute to a better world and how you might step into or expand your personal role in the work toward social change.

WHAT ARE SOCIAL IMPACT ROLES?

Social impact roles are the various positions and responsibilities people serve in to create positive societal change. These roles exist all around you, woven into careers, communities, and everyday choices. They extend beyond paid labor, encompassing a wide range of activities, both personal and public, aimed at addressing and solving social issues.

These unique roles can be sorted into three main groups:

1. Personal Roles: Volunteering, advocacy, and informed voting can directly influence local communities and raise awareness. 
2. Field Integration: Applying social impact skills in other, often for-profit, professions increases reach and promotes broader societal benefits. 
3. Professional Roles: Careers in nonprofit work, social enterprise, and policymaking drive systemic change and provide crucial support and expertise within the sector. 

How do you envision yourself participating in social impact in your future roles?

WHY IS IT VALUABLE FOR ME TO UNDERSTAND DIFFERENT SOCIAL IMPACT ROLES?

Many people want to help change someone’s life for the better and have different values that guide their desires and actions.¹

Each role, whether personal or professional, contributes something unique. When you identify and align with specific roles, you can tailor your efforts to your strengths, collaborate more effectively with others, and maximize your contribution to social change.

Understanding social impact roles is crucial for several reasons:

1. Targeted Contribution: Knowing your role and the roles you can fill helps focus your efforts on specific areas where you can have the most impact. 
2. Flexibility: You’ll recognize that you and those around you can fulfill different roles at various times, or even multiple roles simultaneously, adapting to changing circumstances and needs.²
3. Enhanced Impact: Combining diverse skills and perspectives allows you to address complex social issues more comprehensively.³

WHAT ARE EXAMPLES OF SOCIAL IMPACT ROLES?

There are countless roles you can play in the social problem-solving process as a concerned individual, a paid professional, or a person of influence. The following list highlights roles through which individuals can create positive social impact—whether they work directly for a Social Problem-Solving Organization (SPSO) or not.

1. Active Community Members engage in local activities, dialogue, and community-led movements driven by everyday people, to strengthen the fabric of their communities. They prioritize the well-being of their neighbors, foster open conversation around local social issues, and show up consistently in the places they call home. Their impact is rooted in relationships, presence, and a deep commitment to the people around them. 
2. Informed Voters actively educate themselves about social and political issues, candidates, and policies. They make thoughtful decisions when voting and advocating for causes that align with their values. 
3. Involved Employees actively participate in corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts and engage in volunteer activities organized by their employers. They contribute their time, skills, and expertise to support social causes while representing their organization. Through this involvement, they help companies integrate social impact into their daily activities and strengthen connections between the organization and the communities it serves.⁴
4. Donors and Philanthropists are individuals or organizations that provide financial contributions to support social causes and organizations. They play a vital role in funding initiatives and programs that address social issues. 
5. Impact-Investors go beyond traditional giving and adopt an investment mindset. They provide financial support with an expectation of measurable social and financial returns, often supporting social enterprises and impact-driven ventures.⁵
6. Volunteers and Pro Bono Providers offer professional services or expertise without charge to individuals, nonprofits, or social enterprises. They contribute their skills, such as legal, marketing, or consulting services, to address social challenges. They provide hands-on assistance to directly address social needs. 
7. Civic Advocates work to influence social change at a broader scale by raising awareness, shaping public opinion, and pushing for policy reform. They engage in lobbying, public speaking, and organized civic action to move institutions and systems toward greater equity and justice. Where Active Community Citizens focus on local, relational impact, Civic Advocates operate outward-facing and structurally, working to change the conditions that shape. 
8. Ministers care for their neighbor, reach out to those in need, and act as an extension of the love of God to others. 
9. Community Organizers bring people together to identify common concerns and mobilize collective action. They empower community members, build relationships, and coordinate efforts to address social challenges. 
10. Researchers conduct systematic investigations to gather knowledge and insight about social problems. They collect data, analyze trends, and provide evidence-based research to inform decision-making and policy development. 
11. Evaluators assess the effectiveness and impact of social programs or interventions. They measure outcomes, identify areas for improvement, and provide recommendations to enhance program effectiveness and maximize social impact. 
12. Educators play a crucial role in raising awareness, fostering knowledge, and inspiring action related to social issues. They educate individuals through formal or informal settings, helping them become informed and engaged citizens. 
13. Mentors provide guidance, support, and knowledge to individuals who are pursuing social impact initiatives or seeking personal and professional development in the social sector. They offer mentorship, coaching, and expertise to enable others through both formal and informal ways.⁶
14. Consultants offer specialized expertise to help organizations develop and implement social impact strategies. They provide guidance on various topics, such as program design, impact measurement, fundraising, or organizational development. 
15. SPSO Employees work directly within a social problem-solving organization. They contribute their knowledge, skills, and time to developing and implement interventions that address specific social issues. 
16. Board Members and Advisors serve as part of the governing body of a nonprofit organization or social enterprise. They provide guidance, oversight, and strategic direction to ensure the organization fulfills its mission effectively.⁷
17. Social Intrapreneurs are employees within organizations who identify and implement innovative solutions to address social or environmental issues within the organization’s operations or offerings. 
18. Social Entrepreneurs establish their own business venture with a primary focus on generating positive social impact, rather than operating within an already established organization.⁸
19. Public Office Candidates seek elected office to drive social change through legislation, policymaking, and governance. They campaign for public office to advocate for specific issues and represent the interests of their constituents. 
20. Policy Makers create and implement policies that address social challenges at local, national, or international levels. 

Those committed to social impact often inhabit multiple roles at once. An educator, for instance, may also serve as an informed voter, engaged citizen, or community organizer. While this list offers a meaningful snapshot, it is not exhaustive. You may encounter other social impact roles that more closely align with your strengths and interests. This Guidebook will teach you the core principles needed to maximize your positive impact in whichever roles you choose to embrace.

Do you know anyone who embodies one of these roles? If so, what do you know about what they do?

ACTIVITY

Go to https://high5test.com/ and take the strengths test.

After taking the personal strengths test, write down your top 5 results here.

How do these strengths contribute to your current social impact roles?

How can they contribute to any future social impact roles you may step into?

SUMMARY

Social impact roles clarify responsibilities, encourage collaboration, and offer a variety of meaningful avenues for involvement. By understanding and embracing these roles, you can deepen your contributions and foster lasting, meaningful change in your community and beyond.

ENDNOTES

1 - Mair, Johanna, and Ignasi Martí. "Social Entrepreneurship Research: A Source of Explanation, Prediction, and Delight." Journal of World Business 41, no. 1 (2006): 36-44.
2 - Waddell, Steve. Societal Learning and Change: How Governments, Business, and Civil Society Are Creating Solutions to Complex Multi-Stakeholder Problems. Sheffield: Greenleaf Publishing, 2005.
3 - Kania, John, and Mark Kramer. "Collective Impact." Stanford Social Innovation Review 9, no. 6 (2011): 36-41.
4 - Grayson, David, and Adrian Hodges. Corporate Social Opportunity!: Seven Steps to Make Corporate Social Responsibility Work for Your Business. Sheffield: Greenleaf Publishing, 2004.
5 - Bugg-Levine, Antony, and Jed Emerson. Impact Investing: Transforming How We Make Money While Making a Difference. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2011.
6 - Allen, Tammy D., and Lillian T. Eby, eds. The Blackwell Handbook of Mentoring: A Multiple Perspectives Approach. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell, 2010.
7 - Taylor, Barbara E., Richard P. Chait, and Thomas P. Holland. "The New Work of the Nonprofit Board." Harvard Business Review 74, no. 5 (September-October 1996): 36-46.
8 - Dees, J. G. (1998). "The Meaning of Social Entrepreneurship." Kauffman Center.

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