blueprints

200 | toolkit: an idea, a pencil, and paper
sion: would it allow itself to be subsumed into a larger campus entity? This
would have been the easiest, least expensive course and the one most certain
to preserve the Center in some form. But if it lost its independence, would it
lose touch with its values and mission? In the end, the Center raised millions
of dollars so it could remain a home devoted specifically to poetry.
Luis Rodriguez’s beginning was different. Instead of rising to an
opportunity, he created one out of his own desire and need. Everything
began with a press he started in order to publish his own work. Soon he
realized that if he needed a publisher, so did other poets who, like him,
belonged to communities and groups often overlooked by mainstream
publishers. He began publishing them too. To do so expressed the value
that their words were worth hearing, even if—maybe especially if—they
came from the margins. From that value, everything else came. Moment by
moment, like Tom, Robert, and Alison, he was there: present, passionate,
and willing.
Perhaps that sentence describes you: you too are passionate and willing,
whether you are stepping into an opportunity that presents itself or creating
your own opportunity. If so, this is a good time to begin to keep a written
record. If you’re working alone, identify and write down your passions,
motives, and values. What effect are you looking to create? Why? If you
haven’t already done so, begin to look around for others who share some of
your passions and values and who might be able to help you think about
them. During your discussions, make sure to take notes.
Make your passions and values concrete
This is not just an abstract exercise. These conversations are interesting
to have over coffee or a glass of wine, but your ultimate purpose is to make
something happen. To do this, you need to identify possible avenues for
expressing your passions and values. Once you identify those that are most
important to you, discuss how best to re-create those passions and enact
those values in a concrete setting.
Perhaps you want to try to duplicate your own original experience or
to import a program from elsewhere into your community. This approach
has advantages. For one thing, you can ask those who have already done
what you want to do for advice and ideas; you can also find out what mistakes
you should try to avoid.
There are potential pitfalls in this approach. Different communities
have different makeups and needs, and you will want to make sure you’re