Passion. This word has come up in conversation a lot lately.  And “change” continues to be a dominant theme even two years after the 2008 presidential election.

As the economy continues to sputter and tragic events like the floods in Pakistan make headlines, there is a sense that each of us has a role to play, and perhaps even an obligation, in making the world a better place.

But managing the “giving back” aspects of our lives for maximum impact to others and gratification to us (which is important) can be tricky.  Have you ever thought about traveling as a volunteer to a developing country?  Or have you hatched an idea about how you could make a positive impact in the world by adjusting the priorities in your life but for one reason or another just can’t put the plan into action?

I’d bet a shot of inspiration from a Change Agent with whom you can deeply relate to may just fire you up and provide the runway for your passions.  Who are Change Agents? They are people a lot like us who have discovered exciting, accessible and highly personal ways to tackle important issues that affect lives everywhere. The good news is that we don’t have to travel 10,000 miles or have the means to donate $10,000 to change the world. Change Agents are working on the front lines of change in the U.S. and overseas and are sharing their unfolding stories as an invitation for other likeminded “world citizens” to join them –- most often virtually via the Internet -– in their work.

Here are a few passionate Change Agents who inspire me. Likewise, I’m hoping your passion is activated by a Change Agent’s story and you become inspired to jump in and become part of something bigger than yourself. Change doesn’t come easy, but you have the chance to build a relationship with amazing people whom you can help and feel good about the role you are playing to give back in ways that make sense for you no matter where you are in you life.

Rachel Zedeck is a modern-day Johnny Appleseed for eco-friendly farming and building sustainable food sources in Africa through Back Pack Farm. I believe nothing can stop her. She’s been through it all – from dealing with ineffective NGOs and shysters during her 10 years in the war-torn Middle East and Sudan, to being recently ambushed and robbed by machete-wielding bandits – and hasn’t lost her passion for helping small Kenyan farmers grow their way out of the perennial food shortages that are the nagging reality of agrarian life in developing countries.

Rachel would be the first to admit she is not Superwoman, and like anyone she’s had to take time off to reevaluate what she’s doing and where things are heading (she’s taken a few head-clearing breaks back at home in the U.S. that often include walks on the beach with her dog Moise). But passion keeps drawing her back to Africa, and by returning time after time, she continues to empower women and children to change their own futures through better and more effective food production.

Dorothee Royal-Hedinger of OrganicNation.TV is tracking down and broadcasting the best sources of organic and sustainable food across America. As a purveyor of all things deliciously organic – food, clothing and personal care – she’s dedicated to helping people better understand the new green economy and navigate the sustainable food landscape in pursuit of healthier lifestyles. Like Anthony Bourdain on a budget, Dorothee’s Web TV series documents her adventures as she discovers what’s new and fresh in our organic nation.

As a kid growing up in the suburbs, Dorothee didn’t really know or understand where food came from. To her, the supermarket was the source of all sustenance. Later as an adult living in the city, she felt very distant from her family’s heritage as farmers. Dorothee yearned to reconnect to the land and believed that others must feel the same way.

Dorothee’s been up and down the East and West Coasts as well as across the Southwest shooting episodes of Organic Nation TV that feature the best organic people, places and things. She and her partner Mark film, photograph and write about the coolest farms, foods, beverages (including organic beer!) and sustainable practices that we all need to discover.

Sol Garcia grew up without much in way of material wealth yet learned the importance of generosity from her mother. Sol’s mom taught her to be grateful for what they had and every year they’d go to their local church and wrap gifts for people less fortunate than themselves.

Today, riffing on a familiar refrain in times of economic hardship, Sol’s motto might be, “I will work for water.” The opportunity to travel to China, India and Africa – earned by juggling 3 jobs to save enough money for the trip – delivered a world changing shift in perspective for Sol. Specifically, a firsthand encounter with impact of contaminated water and poor sanitation by contracting typhoid and malaria while in Africa was the catharsis that laser focused Sol’s intrinsic passion for giving back into specific action designed to make a major dent in the flourishing water emergency.

The result is “Parties with a Purpose,” social gatherings organized by Sol and her closest friend under the nom de guerre Project X where people get together to have fun and raise money to do good at the same time. To date more than 5,500 people have access to clean water in countries including Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, Peru and India because Sol got the party started. Are you ready to party?

The journeys of these three Change Agents are all different, but their missions are the same: to focus their passion on making the world a better place.

Feeling passionate? Join their online teams and find out what you can do to make your own impact in support of their epic quests to change the way the world works.

This post was written by Alex Hofmann of Changents.com