Profile of a Volunteer

 

One if my greatest accomplishments was creating a “rap session “ called Sister 2 Sister. I asked for permission from my daughter’s high school, parents  and boss if I could be granted the time to facilitate an after school meeting for girls who simply wanted  to  talk. I would leave work early on Mondays to meet with Sister 2 Sister  and stay at work on Tuesday to make up the time.

My intention was getting the “challenging girls” involved, but what I got in return were girls of all kind of backgrounds volunteering to talk in their own time. By the time the program was a year old I reached out to the mothers and other professionals to invest in my girls with their time.

The impact of running this group was very STRONG and POSITIVE. 

·         I was able to walk a girl through pregnancy

·         Another through self –hate because of body image

·         Peer-pressure from family to excel through high school

·         Another dealing with the temper

·         And not giving in to sex

Everyone had their own baggage they brought to the table and everyone developed a relationship and looked out for each other during the school day.. My own take –away message working with this group for two years was listening to their circumstances with an awaken that they really did have problems. BUT the glory of the story was the sisters learned how to support each other and I earned their trust , they  also gave back by  volunteering  in  the community . We visited the retirement center to bring smiles on the elderly……. When you advocate for someone or a group  it comes back in a 100% fold in the form that is meant for purpose!

 

 

Using Social Media to Get Connected

My past experience with social media started off interesting. I had a Facebook page and connected with friends from high school, former colleagues, relatives that I had not seen in years and felt in the loop with current friends and co-workers. As time went on, I found  the benefits of the site were posting a one-time announcement or invitation, one click and the word was out.

Great right! Well the down side was I could not control the crazy things that people would post (arguments and unhealthy competition). I found myself wanting to quickly get out of the loop and I did, I haven’t been back on Facebook for four years now.

As for social media, in terms of advocating,  blogging would be the way to go . When I first started my blogging in the graduate program, I thought this would be a fine way of sharing information with parents … you know having resources, articles and stories to share. Yet through a parent meeting, I found out they do not want this…. to sign on to one more thing is not worth their while, wow!

Back to the drawing board……..

So now I’m back at Facebook…. Although I have not used it in four years I could create an educational site, I could not use my child care centers name but  if parents are on  the Facebook  media site they can link in without any problems.  Oh, just typing “link in” made me think of the site linkedin site  …. It’s not really advocating (more of networking) but I assume I could be an advocate on the site,

Meagan, as my colleague…. Can you provide some thoughts….. Help!

Advocacy Messages

Challenging ourselves…… my blog focuses on two areas of concern Community and Safety!  The campaigns that I’m sharing are effective enough to cause us to  REFLECT AND ACT

1. Diversity & Inclusion

·         People of color = Latinos , African American  still sense that discrimination is a major problem.

·         Communities = LGBT feel they are still not accepted into the community.

The power message in this campaign is effective because it states something that is of great possibility

“The reason might be that we're actually discriminating unintentionally--some call this implicit bias.”

If our past influences form our behaviors (for however long that has been going on) then it may take that much long to work on acceptance of what we don’t understand or fear.

This campaign of ……. “The Diversity & Inclusion campaign encourages everyone to reconsider the biases that we don't even know we have.”  http://www.adcouncil.org/Our-Campaigns/Family-Community/Diversity-Inclusion

If we are up for the challenge … then it is consider effective!


2. Sexual Assault Prevention

Other assaults include; Bullying, dating and domestic assault prevention.

The campaign makes it very clear “it’s on us,  This campaign aims to raise awareness and inspire action against sexual assault in communities and on campuses nationwide. We are reframing sexual assault in a way that inspires everyone to see it as their responsibility, big or small, to prevent it.” http://www.adcouncil.org/Our-Campaigns/Safety/Sexual-Assault-Prevention#sthash.gtKWXhnH.dpuf

Take this paragraph and plug in any verb of assault … does it read the same?… yes! This message is effective enough for change because we all know of someone who has experienced this awful act (or is an overcomer of it)………..If we don’t stand for something we will fail in our greatest /finest  hour  for change.

 

 

My Own Capacity

 

The special skills I have learned about myself that will contribute to my advocacy efforts are;

SKILLS AND ABILITES______________________________________________________________________

Organized         Responsible       Dedicated    Focused     Harmony

Achiever         Analytical       Empathy      Discipline     Consistency    Includer    and   Learner

 

Incorporating these skills into my work will look like; organizing my thoughts to take responsivity for the issues that I want to be a voice for. With dedication for a long and very tiresome road, I will stay focused on the matter at hand, maintaining harmony no matter what my opponents try to do to get in my way.

My goal will be to achieve the maximum reward for families, children and staff in early education, analyzing problems that may be ahead.  Yet with empathy and wise counsel I understand that we all come with different perceptions in a single matter, but I most stay discipline and  consistent so that my work is meaningful and reliable. Last I want to be approachable to the supporters that I need along the way. Including welcoming those who may not be like minded but bring balance to help me learn all that I am and can accomplish!

Last, I hope I grow in confidence and knowledge that will convey my passion on subject matters

My Role as an Advocate

I knew at a very early age that I wanted to work with children. The teachers I had growing up ( most of them) were great influencers in my life.  My sister who was mentally challenged also was a factor. My sister was one year older than me, (very quiet) in the evenings we would play school and I was the teacher.  When I had a better understand of her delays I just thought about her school environment and trusted that she was treated fairly.  Now, it comes back full circle today that advocating is a part of society because society always changes from one level to another. In the full scope of it all whatever we are advocating for it always starts small, little do we know sometimes it is preparation for macro advocating. Therefore, I think to become a community leader first you follow!

·         Take in the process

·         Take in the field work

·         Take in the disappointments

·         Take in the debates

·         Take in the advice

·         Finally take into consideration what you have learned and the area, people and places your passion is leading you advocate about.

After mastering the community leader I think the resources that it takes to become a state leader is  networking in the community, serving the community, patience of getting people to buy in and strength to get those likeminded to take a stand.   These things can be accomplished through hosting meeting, trainings and conferences. Also having a business mind is needed.

I think the greatest strategies to mobilize others are meeting them in their space of concern. Having resolutions to conflicts, but first mapping out the issues, this gives opportunities to those who want to be heard. The best advice that I could give someone who would be interested in taking a leadership role in advocating for young children and families would be shadow a great leader! Give yourself time to understand the MANY scenarios that will come up meanwhile working in a small group to get the experience needed. Last, don’t run from but run to problems, they are easier when confronted and not as scary as thought to be.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Personal Advocacy Reflection

When I started out as a supervisor in education I didn’t know what I was doing.  All I knew was I love supporting teachers, LOVE working with children and wanted to support families in a caring way.

 

 

I relied on my former manager’s connected relationship with me as a model  for connecting with my teachers. My prayer was helping my teachers to remember that they are the reason we are quality care and   that they are professionals with a job that impacts a child’s grow and family’s experience for life.

I needed help with learning how to a supervisor and was very grateful that a director took me under her wing. She spoke into my life and wanted me to become clear in my role as a leader so that the body could follow effectively.  One of the greatest gifts she shared with me was how to pull out others strengths and show them on paper what their strengths look like in their classrooms.  This gift make a room run smoothly because everyone understand their purpose  and that their gift will enhance the room touching  different areas in so many ways.

The person that is my advocate on my behalf  wants to remain anonymous , I’m not surprise because she  takes  no  glory for herself….. WOW……. but she pours into so many people! She is a “good gift “ sent to me by GOD, and I’m thankful.

 

Tools for Public Policy

I have a long way to go , to get an understanding of the spectrums in public policies. so much too speak on in early education and some much to listen too as well as read up on such as the basics of
knowing where everyone stands on child care topics;

Governor
Mayor
Understanding the Children's Cabinet (Ohio's)
State early learning Advisory Council
County support
Local support
Non-governmental agencies
Sectors
 So much to learn, I hope I get a better understanding to help make changes for our families.