LEARNING Modules
[Section] - Individual and Collective Values

Societal Values

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SOCIETAL VALUES

  • Addresses systemic inequalities and advocates for healthier communities (Vitality), while fostering empathy and collective responsibility (Interconnectedness).

  • Focuses on how individual and group actions affect society (Interconnectedness), and encourages civic responsibility (Vitality).

  • Fosters critical thinking and respectful dialogue (Inquiry), while promoting engagement in diverse viewpoints (Interconnectedness).

TABLE OF CONTENTs - SOCIETAL VALUES

  • REFLECT

    • Self-Reflection Questions

  • EXPLORE

    • Core Principles and Concepts

  • EXAMINE - Social Justice

    • Supporting Principles and Concepts

  • EXAMINE - Community Impact

    • Supporting Principles and Concepts

  • EXAMINE - Public Discourse

    • Supporting Principles and Concepts

  • EMPOWER

    • Discussing and Considering New Perspectives and Ideas

  • ENGAGE

    • Engaging New Ideas and Applying Them in Daily Life

REFLECT

Self-reflection is a powerful tool to increase self-awareness, prepare mentally and emotionally to engage new ideas, and connect this lesson to principles in your own life!

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As you begin to think about your own societal values, ask yourself the following questions.

  • How do I define fairness, justice, or ethics in situations that affect more than just me?

  • How do I respond when I see or experience something that feels unfair or unjust in my community?

  • How can I use my position as a student-athlete to contribute to a more fair and respectful society?

EXPLORE

Exploration sparks curiosity and builds emotional and practical connections to new ideas!

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As a student-athlete, you are not only part of your school or your team, but part of a larger community. This includes your campus, your hometown, your region, and even the world beyond. The way you interact with people, handle situations, and use your voice carries weight and can have an impact on others in ways you may not realize.

Societal values are about how we show respect, fairness, and responsibility beyond our own interests. These values shape how we interact with others in public spaces, how we respond to unfairness, and how we contribute to the communities we are part of. While it can feel easier to stay focused only on your own goals, being aware of the bigger picture helps you grow into someone others trust and respect.

One of the key elements is understanding social justice. Life is not always fair for all. Some people face extra challenges based on race, gender, income, background, or personal experiences. Recognizing that others may have different struggles does not mean you have to fix everything yourself. It means you are willing to listen, show empathy, and avoid making assumptions about what others are going through.

Your role in the community also includes the way you represent yourself and your team. Whether you are participating in a campus event, volunteering, or simply wearing your team gear, people see you as part of something larger. The way you conduct yourself reflects not just on you, but on your program, your school, and those who support you. Small actions like helping someone, showing gratitude, or offering a kind word contributes to a stronger community.

How you engage in public discourse is also important. Public discourse means how we talk about important topics, both in person and online. You will not always agree with everyone, but you can still choose to listen carefully, speak with respect, and ask thoughtful questions. When you practice respectful dialogue, you help build bridges instead of tearing them down.

Being part of a community means noticing when something is not right and having the courage to speak up in ways that are constructive. This might mean standing up for a teammate, reporting inappropriate behavior, or simply checking in on someone who seems isolated. Even small steps can create a safer and more supportive environment for everyone.

You may not always see the full results of your actions, but the habits you build now will shape how you contribute to every community you join in the future. Whether you are part of a neighborhood, workplace, or new team, the respect you show for others helps create trust, collaboration, and shared success.

Now is the time to start developing these skills. You do not need to have all the answers, but you can choose to be someone who listens, treats people fairly, and looks for ways to include others. These are habits that not only strengthen your team culture but help prepare you to be a leader wherever you go.

EXAMINE - Social Justice

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Social justice is about fairness, dignity, and opportunities for all. It means recognizing unequal systems and working toward equity in everyday life.

  • Social justice asks us to see how some groups face more barriers than others. These barriers can come from history, cultural systems, or personal bias.

  • Being informed helps you see the complete picture. Learning about others' experiences builds empathy and reduces harmful judgment.

  • Equality is not the same as equity. Equality gives everyone the same thing, equity gives people what they need to succeed!

  • Speaking up matters, even in small ways. When you name unfairness respectfully, you help create space for others to speak too.

  • You do not have to lead a protest to support justice. Being kind, listening, and including others also shifts cultural values.

  • Teams and schools grow stronger when everyone feels respected and safe. Social justice helps build that kind of environment.

  • Bias and stereotypes often go unrecognized and unchallenged. Questioning them takes courage, but it helps create change.

  • Justice means fairness, but it also means action. Choosing to act thoughtfully and respectfully is part of living your values.

  • You can support justice in how you spend your money, vote, speak, and treat people. All of these choices shape the world around you.

  • Everyone can do something. Whether you help one person or a hundred, you are helping build a better community for all.

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EXAMINE - Community Impact

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You are part of more than just a school or a team, you are part of a community. Your actions create ripples that affect others, both nearby and far away.

  • Community impact begins with awareness. You need to understand the workings of your environment before you can help shape it.

  • Simple acts, like picking up trash or helping a neighbor, build trust and pride in your community. People will remember the way you made them feel.

  • When you support local events or service projects, you show commitment to where you live and learn. Participation builds connection.

  • Teams that serve together grow stronger. Shared experiences outside of the game creates common experiences, bring people closer, and build mutual respect.

  • Community impact is not always immediately visible. A small act today may create an opportunity for someone else later on.

  • Student-athletes are often more visible than traditional students. How you behave in the community influences how your school and team are viewed by everyone.

  • You do not need special skills to make a difference. Just showing up, listening, and offering help can be powerful actions.

  • Strengthening your community builds leadership skills. It teaches responsibility, patience, and collaboration with a wide variety of people.

  • Your local impact connects to broader change on a larger scale. When many people take small actions, bigger goals become possible.

  • Being community-minded means living your values. It means matching your effort in-game with care in all other aspects of your life.

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EXAMINE - Public Discourse

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Public discourse is how we discuss important topics together. Strong discourse includes listening, learning, and speaking with care.

  • Your words matter. What you say, whether online, in class, or in public, can help or harm others, even if you did not mean to.

  • Good discourse starts with listening. Understanding other viewpoints builds bridges instead of walls.

  • Respecting people does not mean you agree with everything they say. It means you treat them with dignity as you express your point of view.

  • Emotional topics require calm minds and voices. Speaking with control helps others feel safe and allows for better conversation.

  • Asking thoughtful questions shows maturity and wisdom. It helps you understand the issue instead of reacting out of habit.

  • Avoiding difficult topics does not help you grow. Working through disagreement helps sharpen your communication and collaboration skills.

  • Strong leaders know when to pause before speaking. Silence can be a tool for contemplation and reflection, not just absence of opinion.

  • Public conversation is a skill you can build over time. Practice makes it easier to express your point of view with clarity and confidence.

  • Disagreement is normal. What matters is how you work with it and whether you can stay grounded in the task at hand.

  • Speaking up for what is right helps others to do the same. You can be a role model in how you talk, listen, and engage with people from all parts of life.

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ENGAGE

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Now that you have reviewed all of the lesson content, it’s time to see how new perspectives work in your daily life!

Either in a journal or notebook of your own choosing, or on a document provided to you, write short but thoughtful responses to the following questions. Your responses will not be collected or graded. Be open and honest with yourself as you consider each of the questions.

Then find 1 Program Director, Coach, Assistant Coach, Team Manager, or Team Captain. Find a time to speak with them briefly, but with minimal distractions. Ask them about their perspectives and ideas based on the following questions. Write down responses to the best of your ability!

You’ll be asked to participate in a short discussion about what you have learned, either individually or in a group, with a REBOOT Coach. The REBOOT Coach will discuss the following questions with you, and discuss the impact of these concepts in your daily life.

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ASK YOURSELF :

  • [Social Justice]

    • What social issues or causes matter most to you and why do you feel connected to them? How do your values influence your awareness or involvement

  • [Community Impact]

    • Think of a time you felt like you made a positive difference in someone else’s life or in your community. What motivated you to act?

  • [Public Discourse]

    • How do you handle conversations with people who strongly disagree with your beliefs or values? What do you believe is most important during those moments of conflict?

ASK OTHERS :

  • [Social Justice]

    • How do you see your role as a leader connecting with issues of fairness, equity, or justice on campus, in competition, or in the community?

  • [Community Impact]

    • In what ways do you think our team or program contributes to the community, and how do you encourage student-athletes to get involved?

  • [Public Discourse]

    • How do you guide team members to speak up respectfully when difficult or controversial topics arise, either in person or online?

SOCIETAL VALUES

Michael Van Etten - REBOOT - Didactic Tactics LLC - All Rights Reserved