Enlisting and Providing Support Module 4

I am beginning to wonder if my advocacy plan makes any sense at this point. I always feel like I understand what is expected of me, but somehow, I always turn up too short. This is really affecting my confidence.

Do any of you guys have any suggestions? Do you see any holes I may not be aware of? I plan on meeting with a parent from the PTA, another parent from PAC, two teachers, and the parent coordinator. Do you think that is enough people? I don't want it to be too many. I also want it to be as informal as possible, but it doesn't feel informal. It feels like a very big deal. I do not know these people that well, and it just seems....stiff. PLEASE give me any suggestions you may have!

I am seeking any local (Chicago) resources that cater to parent volunteers. Of course I have PTA, and PAC, but I am looking for something more on the grassroots levels. Every schools handles it differently. I can not seem to find anything that connects the school volunteers here in Chicago, and more specifically in my community. I guess that is why I am here!

I am also seeking any ideas or connections to volunteer programs in Chicago schools. It does not have to be limited to public schools. I just really want to know how they are going about it. I need to understand how they handle volunteers, how they coordinate with the school staff.

I found this:

http://www.projectappleseed.org/abc.html

which is a site dedicated to having more parents involved with schools. I absolutely love it.

I also have been using these three sites the most:

http://www.longwood.edu/staff/churchap/Sample Action Plans.htm

http://www.genv.net/en-us/dream_it/selection_panel/presenting_plan_selection_panel

http://www.bonner.org/resources/modules/modules_pdf/BonCurActionPlanning.pdf

I have found a lot of helpful hints and examples of advocacy plans. I recommend them to you guys. I hope we can all do this. This is one of those times I wish this wasn't an on line class....so I could cheer you all on in person :)

WHERE THE ACTION IS: BLOG JOURNAL (Module 3)

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot,
Nothing is going to get better. It's not.”
― Dr. Seuss, The Lorax

My advocacy plan has changed since I posted on this plan, so let me fill you in. I was really struggling with it, even in my last post you can see it. It just felt too big and was scary. I kept thinking about how to strip it down, what would be the advocacy that would lead to this advocacy. I thought about how in world did I even have all this information in head. And it hit me. I learned all about Chicago Public Schools and daycares from being in them! Once my children started going to daycare I sat in the classrooms, eventuallly volunteering and even working there. I was in school for teaching and changed my major to Early Childhood Education. I even learned about Kendall from those teachers. That is when I understood where my advovacy had to be, it had to be with parent volunteers.

The thing that excites me most is getting parents involved with their children. I often encourage my friends to go to their children's classrooms. When they call and complain about their schools, I always ask if they have been in the classroom. I just really believe it makes a big difference. I see how proud my own kids are when they see me in their school. I also see form the other end how beneficial it is for the the teachers.

One of my worries is not being able to get parents to the school. I also worry about personality clashes among teachers and parents. I am also worried about not getting others on board with my advocacy. I get nervous and shy about talking to others, and I do think this can hold me back. To get over this I just have to do it. It is nerve wreaking, but I have given myself a timeline, and I am sticking to it. I make all types of list and I look at them to be inspired and to keep myself on track. I also have talked to those I am comfortable with, and it really helps me get my head together.

To encourage others I will be a listening ear, and offer suggestions on how to carry things out. I can also offer them any resources I may have. I would love to have the same in return. Sometimes I just need a soundboard, a written plan, a set of goals and a schedule. This has helped me a great deal so far.