This spring, I was a member of the Spread the Word Inclusion Committee. This committee was formed by the Special Olympics College Registered Student Organization. Spread the Word Inclusion is a campaign founded on the belief that the world would be a better place if all people were valued, respected, embraced, and included in our schools, workplaces, and communities. Spread the Word provides the opportunity to not only tear down the discrimination and stigma of the past, but also to build an inclusive future. The campaign calls on everyone to make a personal pledge to take action for inclusion in their communities.
As a part of this committee, we spread the word on CMU’s campus through tabling. During the week of March 25, 2019, members of Special Olympics College took action through tabling at the Library, the Student Activity Center, Fresh Cafeteria, and the Towers Residence Hall Lobby. Our volunteers educated students about what the Spread the Word campaign stands for, and provided information about many different opportunities to get involved on campus, including signing up for Unified sports, SOMI Fit, fundraising, Polar Plunge, and other volunteer opportunities. We reached a large number of students, and even our University’s President, Bob Davies, stopped by to take a pledge for inclusion.
This committee was filled with a group of quality individuals, advocating for positive change on our campus and in our world, and I am so thankful that I was able to take action with such an inclusive group of future leaders.