Profile of a Volunteer

A volunteer who I have always admired is former president Jimmy Carter. He and his wife, Rosalynn Carter, have been volunteering with Habitat for Humanity for over 35 years. They have helped raise funds, provide publicity, and actually build houses for those in need. Due to their efforts, the Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project was established. This is an annual week long event that involves building numerous houses around the world (Habitat for Humanity, n.d.).

The Carters realize the impact that both big and small actions can have, and that families need a strong foundation and a safe home to flourish. The Carters have helped to repair and renovate 4,331 homes in 14 countries (Habitat for Humanity, n.d.). Their work has positively impacted so many families, while also inspiring thousands of other volunteers. They work tirelessly to rally volunteers and even other celebrities, helping Habitat for Humanity become internationally recognized. Through their work, thousands of families have been provided with decent and affordable housing, which is truly remarkable.

In my own volunteer efforts and advocacy work in fostering the well-being of children and families, I feel that the vital "take-away" message is that even the littlest things can make a huge difference. Whether it's a kind word or a helping hand, there are times when children and families just need a little encouragement. My efforts may not change the whole world, but they may just be what turns a frown upside down or reassures a parent that they're doing a good job. I think the little things can add up and lead to big, positive changes for children and their families.

Reference

Habitat for Humanity. (n.d.). Carter work project. Retrieved from https://www.habitat.org/volunteer/build-events/carter-work-project

Using Social Media to Get Connected

I have a pretty substantial background in using social media, having used numerous platforms for approximately 20 years now. On a personal level, I've loved using it to keep in touch with friends and family, and to meet new people around the world. On a professional level, it's been a part of many of my jobs, and I've used it to update students, advertise events, etc.

I feel that Facebook and Twitter are probably the most effective advocacy tools to use. They are the top two social media sites for advocacy use. Advocacy organizations can use Twitter to attract members of the media, as many tend to look to this site for breaking news. Organizations should also assign someone to manage their social media platforms to maximize its impact. When using social media for advocacy, users should be professional and succinct, use correct grammar and spelling, tailor their message, and use positive messaging (Rehr, 2017). Demographics also vary by social media platform, with Twitter users being younger and more urban than Facebook users. Advocates should determine who their audience is and what message they are trying to convey, to determine how to best represent it on each platform (Collins, n.d.).

As an advocate, I could use social media to raise visibility for my organization, recruit members and donors, and influence stakeholders (Collins, n.d.). Friends and family could help spread the message to their own followers, helping to raise more awareness and recruit more advocates. I would try to keep messages short and use visual aids to engage users, use hashtags, post regularly, and promote events (Collins, n.d.). However, I would love to hear some suggestions from colleagues on how to best use social media to advance my advocacy efforts.

References

Collins, R. (n.d.). Social media 101: Leveraging social media to increase your visibility. Retrieved from https://www.aauw.org/resource/how-to-use-social-media-for-advocacy/

Rehr, D. (2017). How is social media being used in advocacy? Retrieved from https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/how-is-social-media-being-used-in-advocacy_us_589a7b12e4b0985224db5bac

Advocacy Through Advertising

I chose this advertising message because it speaks to me personally. We're in the process of finalizing my stepdaughter's ADHD diagnosis and I often have to remind my husband that when she forgets something, it isn't because she wasn't listening, but because she's so distracted by everything else around her. As an example, this morning she forgot to put her shoes on for school because she got distracted by the cat meowing. She heard the instruction but failed to follow through due to this distraction. It also affects her schoolwork, which is why we're working so hard to help her. 

I thought this ad, though short, spoke volumes. The woman speaking notes that she works in her child's school cafeteria serving food, but can't afford to serve food in her own home. The comparison was really profound and gave me pause. There are many hardworking Americans who struggle to make ends meet, and sometimes they must choose between expenses. Pay rent or eat? Afford lifesaving medication or eat? 

This is another advertisement that is personal to me, as well as many others in our country. I have fibromyalgia and suffer from chronic pain. At times, the pain is almost unbearable. However, I come from a family of addicts, which leads me to believe that I too might become addicted to something one day. Therefore, I have repeatedly told my doctor not to prescribe opioids for pain management. We're currently trying other non-narcotic medications, TENS therapy, and acupuncture to keep the pain at bay. As this advertisement notes, physical therapy is also an option. I like that it shows readers, rather than just telling them, that there is another option.

My Own Capacity

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