Profile of a Volunteer

Profile of a volunteer

            “Volunteering represents a way of life for so many members of our community and a wonderful way to extend support, skills, and knowledge to others. You may have your own personal experiences as a volunteer; still others may have been impacted by the work of a volunteer who has dedicated time to benefit the lives of others.” (Assignment Prompt)

Ms. RW is a volunteer with our program here at the 18^th Avenue Family Enrichment Center.  She is a high school student who comes in twice a week for two hours to work with our school-age group.  Ms. RW took the initiative to create a program that exposes the children and their families to new foods that are healthy and bringing awareness to the importance of exercising and being active for at least thirty minutes every day.  She connected the school with a company that does yoga for children and now we can add yoga to our extracurricular activities.  She is dedicated to improving the health of children in our program and for that I greatly admire her.  She is a leader in her community and I would support her in any way that I can.

Her volunteer work raises health consciousness which encourages children and families to be healthier, to exercise, and to be active.  Consequently our families have come to love her and cherish the work that she does.  Ms. RW reinforced the need in me to take initiative when I notice aspects of life that can be improved for children and families in my neighborhood and abroad.  She inspired me to be proactive about my beliefs and to stand firm to fight for them.

Using Social Media to Get Connected

Using Social Media to Get Connected

I was introduced to the world of social media at the beginning of my undergraduate career at Vanderbilt University.  One random night in the not so distant past, FRIEND walked me through the process of creating my Facebook profile.  Not long after that, I had a myspace profile.  I used both but was never really engrossed in either as some of my friends were.  The term “Facebook addict” was coined during my years in undergrad :)  I begun to blog after it was introduced to me in a Women and Gender Studies class.

Up until recently though, I had viewed social media as something personal, solely for entertainment.  Although many are using it as a form of marketing now, I still have to put effort in using Facebook as a mode of advertisement or advocacy.

This week I read the “Social Media Advocacy: Five Influential Steps” article and learned there was one form of e-advocacy that I have been using, newsletters.  I am subscribed to so many newsletters because I find it is a great way to stay informed on numerous issues.  I had not thought to blog about my advocacy objective until I began my journey at Walden University.

I believe Facebook, blogging and Twitter are now a very effective ways to raise awareness and advocate.  I am a tangible person and need to touch things so e-advocacy as effective as it might be at reaching many still comes with great effort.  Walden has gotten me into the mode of blogging once a week about certain issues and I believe it is a habit I plan to continue. 

I found the article very helpful as far as ways to use the net to advocate.  Can anyone share ways they have used social media to advocate?  Looking to get out of my comfort zone and join the e-advocacy team :)

Reference

E-Advocate. (2011). Social media advocacy: Five influential steps. Retrieved from http://eadvocate.wordpress.com/social-media-advocacy-six-influential-steps/

Advocacy Messages

Advocacy Messages

            This week I have learned how powerful the media can be where publicizing advocacy messages are concerned.  I have also been able to piece together how certain policies might have come to pass.  From wearing seat belts, to DUIs, to car seats and even SIDS (I learned from our assignment prompt.  Some of the popular slogans that are making a difference today include:

“It Can Wait” (No texting and driving)

“Click it or Ticket” (Fastening seat belts)

“You Booze, You Lose”, “Buzz driving is drunk driving” (Drinking and driving)

“Be More than a Bystander” (Bullying prevention)

“A Healthier You equals a Healthier Tennessee”

While I have no data to support my opinion, I believe the aforementioned slogans are effective because they are everywhere; on the radio, the television, billboards, etc.

One can never really remember where and when you first noticed them but they are very much of part of everyday life now.

The slogans also work because the issues they address are areas of interest to a majority of people.  Individuals have the potential to be physically, emotionally, psychologically hurt if advocacy does not occur.  The slogans have a way of making people stop and reevaluate some of the things they would normally do.

http://adcouncil.org/

My Own Capacity

My Own Capacity

All issues affecting children are issues of interest.  I have very deep concerns where emotional development and educational opportunities are involved so I would begin my advocacy journey with these issues.  I wish to see the achievement gap lessen and human beings learn to regulate themselves.  Kids can learn pretty much anything in a school setting so I believe it is important to teach them how to control, regulate, and express their emotions in a positive and productive manner.

When advocating, I believe one of the biggest things I need to remember is the fact that I never ever have to work alone.  There will always be other professionals if not concerned, might be interested after hearing why it is an important issue.  I have to remember to utilize the resources that are always at hand; my Walden family (professors and colleagues alike), the people for which I advocate, other advocates of similar passion, early childhood teachers, administrators, providers, etc.  The possibilities of support are truly endless; I just have to be creative where resources are concerned.

I have a series of skills that will benefit my advocacy work.  I have extensive knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices; I am passionate about children everywhere; I have learned to and continue to practice self-regulation, as a result my emotions do not get in the way of progress.  I am creative, organized and goal-oriented which makes me plan ahead, think outside the box, and focus on achieving set goals.  I self-reflect very often (talking to myself and writing in journals) and doing so reminds me of the things that are important to me, helps me stay focus on the things that make me happy, and keeps me from doubting my abilities.