Enlisting and Providing Support - Module #4

Blog Posting - Module #4

Enlisting and Providing Support

I am looking forward to presenting my plan to the parents, day care providers and owners of the day care that I have been working with.  I am very excited about how well everything has been coming together.  I had a slow start at first and it took me a little while to get my head around the goals and how to incorporate them into my focus for my plan of action.  But now that I have a better grasp on my plan am also less concerned about my presentation.  However I am still contemplating the best type of presentation (PowerPoint, handout - etc.) . 

Any input at to what type of delivery method would you believe would be the best to use?  I have several testimonials from different professionals that will help support my plan - just not exactly sure how to use these resources in my presentation. 

To further enhance my advocacy agenda there are a few different resources available to help accomplish my goals.  The community that I reside in has developed a Wellness Coalition with the support of campus and community organizations that work to promote healthy eating and active living in the home, school and child care environments, workplace, healthcare settings, and the community. 

I also believe that the National Association of Child Care and Referral Agencies along with the local Child Care and Referral Agency provide me with the proper steps and procedures necessary to advocate for an effective grant for this day care.

As I advocate for healthy nutrition and physical activity within children's lives I can see that with my inexperience in the area of physical fitness, developing new fun exercises and activities has the potential to leave a gap in my plan.  Also with my limited knowledge creating healthy meals for children this could also result in a potential gap. 

Resources and information that I use that has been helpful and insightful to my plan are co-workers and colleagues.  As I have been working on my Advocacy Action Plan I have confided in co-workers and a few different long time colleagues who have been great sound boards in my past adventures.  I respect their honesty and support in many of my personal and professional adventures. 

My Personal Advocacy Journey - Module #3

Blog Journal - Module #3 - Your Personal Advocacy Journey

 

A quote that you find inspirational regarding the role that advocacy can have in the lives of young children and their families.  Then, post responses to the following: 

 From the beginning of this course I have really been motivated by a quote that I read from our text by Martin Luther King.  "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter". 

What inspires and excites you most about your advocacy plan and being an advocate? 

I am excited to have the opportunity to help children and families learn about something that has become such an important part of my life.  My advocacy goals are to teach children and families about the importance of proper nutrition and physical activity to achieve a healthy lifestyle.  I believe when something becomes so important to yourself - it is that importance that will help drive your advocacy efforts. 

 

What challenges and/or anxieties do you feel related to engaging in the advocacy efforts you have targeted?

I sometimes think that I might be more excited about my goals than other might be.  Although I feel somewhat anxious about my goals I know how important my goals are in changing the lives of the children and families that I am working with.

I am also somewhat nervous about implementing one of my long term goals.  I proposed a goal to get parents involved by having a fundraiser to earn money for new equipment for this day care to incorporate into their new physical activity program.  After observing the current equipment that this day care uses I feel that it is important to help them acquire new equipment.  I also believe that I can get children and their parents excited about a fundraiser.   I am just not sure how to get involved with a fundraiser and how to find a reputable company or business to work with to accomplish my goals.  I have heard about grants that are available in our area for early childhood programs.  This could possibly be an avenue to pursue if my fundraising goals are not successful. 

 

What do you believe will be most effective in helping you overcome any challenging emotions you may be feeling with regard to presenting and implementing your Advocacy Action Plan?

I am a firm believer in talking through my anxieties and challenging emotions with people that are supportive and encouraging of my thoughts and goals.  I call these types of people "my sounding boards".  A person to bounce ideas off of.  Over the years I have earned the trust of many colleagues and I value their opinions.  In the past I have called on them for encouragement and wisdom with important issues regarding my business and in the lives of the children and families that I provide care for.  I trust that these people will not only encourage me but they will keep me on track with presenting and implementing my plan. 

 

How can you encourage other in their advocacy efforts, and how can others encourage you? 

I believe in hard work and dedication.  I believe anything that is worth doing is worth working hard to achieve.  If everything came easy how could we really appreciate our successes. 

Also, I believe that I can be honest in my opinions regarding questions that someone may have regarding their advocacy efforts. 

Honesty is what I would ask in return in regards to encouragement from others.