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Yes, I think that there are many changes that need to take place. However, to simply state "we need change" is an ambiguous statement. What kind of changes need to take place? Why? Who can we trust to initiate them? We cannot realistically expect one individual to bring about all of the changes we so desperately seek. We have to look to people who genuinely want to make a difference - not for political clout or to keep their seat in Congress. And that is often times very difficult to identify when campaign promises are thrown out left and right. Every candidate promises to create change, but rarely are we satisfied with their performance when they are elected. The American people are tired of empty promises. I think that the people required to bring about change are ordinary people like you and I. I feel that I have a commitment to this country to help make things better. From my perspective, what good is it to just complain about the status quo if you aren’t willing to take action to fix it?

So glad to hear Rich mention community foundations, because our Community Catalyst Funds are really drawing in people who want to build a brighter future -- and that is going to involve change, change of the positive kind that so many of us are working toward as we serve the places we call home. Finding the right partners is key, I agree, and providing accountability back and forth to the community itself, so that we build a future that matches what our citizens imagine for themselves.

This language can be high-falutin' -- all this "imagine" stuff -- but the truth is that people want to have hope for something better than we are all facing right now. Obama plugged into that, but he is not the only one to sense this hunger.

Anyone who wants to know more can see our website at foundationbirmingham.org/imagine or the blog that is linked to it. It's powerful to read Imagine statements from people who see the Birmingham that can be, as well as the strengths of the Birmingham that already is.