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Question:
Who would like to be involved as a Board Member or Core Team member for a research project that involves a new community health and wellness paradigm system?

The PCORI, Patient Centered Outcomes Research Initiative, grant requires 501(c)3 status to apply. July 24-25 is a free PCORI grant workshop in Washington, DC so I am looking for qualified stakeholders that want to joint venture or Board members that have a passion and high level diverse talents to fine-tune and finish blooming the Wellness Wellness system.

As a Level 2 Humor Academy student through The Association of Applied and Therapeutic Humor, I must declare my research project by January 2015.

I have been a sole proprietor and visionary of the Wellness Weavers local to global community health and wellness system concept with a website to try to help others to understand.

I would like to combine the AATH research project and a PCORI grant to activate and research the Wellness Weavers community health and wellness paradigm.

My father passed away after expressing years of emotional support for my mission and concept and left me money to buy a campus of historic buildings to use for the pilot project.

To stretch the money God has blessed me with a series of volunteers that have been homeless and desired to end their cycle of poverty and substance abuse. It has been a symbiotic relationship program that is ready for the next level...more structure, real business people, and those that can engage all the stakeholders to come out of their silos and work efficiently together.

Most communities and families are affected by those issues in some way.

The Wellness Weavers paradigm is based on the principles of Eco-healthy quality early childhood learning and therapeutic humor to integrate health and wellness into a Community Service-Learning system that is reciprocal with other communities in the network.

The health forms and databases for the skills and resources and projects of volunteers and members were created 5 years ago during my Core Public Health course.

I am an "immigrant" of four years to Waterville and to date have not been able to engage local public health, educational, or religious systems to come see the facilities or to dialogue with me about the concept.

It is definitely time to find the Board and Core Team that see the wisdom and potential of the Wellness Weavers paradigm and investment.
They will have strengths in my weaknesses and we will share our passion for peaceful, creative stewardship of our health, our families, our communities, and resources.

If you are inspired to join me in this project or know someone who would be, please contact me to dialogue the best next action steps.
Answer:

Thanks for contacting CTB, Helen.  Although we offer information about how to organize and work with Boards of Directors (See Learn A Skill, Chapter 4, Section 9) we do not allow recruiting through this Toolbox.   We are an information source only.  We do appreciate both your motivation to establish a nonprofit and your struggle to date.  We can only encourage you to recruit locally.

Question Date: Wed, 07/09/2014
Question:
Dear Sirs,
I need help to write grant proposal. I have a project in mind which I really want to acheive.
Would you please help me or introduce to someone who can help me to do so.

Kind regards,

Asher
Answer:

Thanks for contacting CTB, Adnan.
 
We are an information resource only and do not make referrals to grant writers. Please feel free to review Learn A Skill, Chapter 42, and also Toolkit 14, for information about grant writing.  

Question Date: Wed, 07/09/2014
Question: what is the price for the toolkits
Answer:

Hi Jacqueline.
 
Although the Toolkits are priceless in content and usefulness, we do not charge for their use.  Feel free!

Question Date: Sun, 07/13/2014
Question:
hi i am looking to find 10 reasons why it is important in the mentoring role not to be judgemental and to accept differences.
Answer:

Hi Teresa, and thanks for your question.
We really don't do top 10 lists, so I cannot answer your question directly.  If you read through Chapter 22 in our Learn A Skill section, you probably can derive four or five good reasons.  I think it all boils down to that fact that relationships between adolescents and judgmental adults tend to become stormy and counterproductive, rather than effective and helpful.  

Question Date: Sun, 07/13/2014
Question: HOW TO MAKE AN OBJECTIVES BY APPLYING
Answer:

Hi Rhea,
 
Please review Chapter 8 (Developing a Strategic Plan) in our Learn A Skill section.  We think this addresses your question, but if not, please submit a new question with a bit more detail about what you want to know.
We hope this is helpful.  Thanks for contacting Community Toolbox!

Question Date: Tue, 07/15/2014
Question:
Can I have smart tools or the sample of writing output, purpose, goal level statements and indicators? I am development manager.
Answer:

Let me refer you to Chapter 8 (Developing a Strategic Plan) under our Learn A Skill heading.  That chapter, along with Toolkit 15 will provide guidance on developing the information you need to generate when planning an initiative and establishing a basis for evaluating your initiatives.
 
Thanks for contacting Community Toolbox.  We hope this informatioin is helpful.
.

Question Date: Tue, 07/15/2014
Question:
I need your help desperately. I am the secretary of my neighborhood association and my leadership has abandoned me to carry it by myself. I am the last remaining board member of the largest neighborhood association in my city. The association has imploded as a result of a councilman who has manipulated board members which led to the founder of the association want to dissolve the association. City by laws do not permit politicians to use neighborhood associations for political purposes, the problem is the councilman does not care about the city charter and is only interested in advancing himself. Tomorrow I will be having an exploratory community meeting where I will create a forum like environment that will allow the people of the community to provide input about their needs and the shape of the association. My other problem is nobody wants to volunteer to be a part of the board. This too I will be addressing at the meeting tomorrow. I need your guidance on how to address all the matters shared, my goal tomorrow is to engage the community in meaningful dialogue that recognizes the importance of their participation while sending a clear message that we will remain independent of political influence. I have told the councilman that we will not be having any speakers, he informed me then he will be there absolutely be there like it or not. I look forward to your advice and guidance.
Answer:

Hi Carlos,
My first impression is that you are really up against a wall with what sounds like little support, intense political opposition, and little time to prepare.  I hope you do have some allies among your neighbors.  This may be a situation where you loose this battle, but not necessarily the war.  I will explain that later.
I want to refer you to several chapters in our Learn A Skill section.  First take a look at chapter 35 (Responding to Conterattacks), to acquaint yourself with common attack strategies and possible ways to respond.  
Chapters 6 through 8 address Promoting Interest and Participation in Initiatives.  They may be helpful in tonight's meeting, or later.
If time permits, contact the city official responsible for coordinating with neighborhood associations and ask that person to attend or send a representative.  The city has a stake in supporting neighborhood associations.
I suggest that you try to focus the meeting on understanding the purpose and potential benefits of having a neighborhood association (Passing out a succinct handout may be a good idea if you have time to write or copy one explaining the purpose of a neighborhood association), and that you then facilitate the discussion, inviting all (including the poitician) to have their say.  Encourage all to limit the time they speak, so all may be heard. Depending upon how the politician speaks and behaves, you may either gain or lose support.  But it will give you an opportunity to identify and explain the attack on neighborhood rights and values.
At the end of the meeting, you might want to ask for a show of hands to indicate how many of those attending want to have a neighborhood association and how many do not.  Ask those favoring an association to leave their contact information with you before they depart (e.g. a signup sheet).
This neighborhood association may or may not survive, but if enough neighbors want an association one can be built or rebuilt in the future.
Finally, please do not take what is happening personally.  This will be a win or loss for the neighborhood, but not the end of neighborhood advocacy,
I hope this is helpful and I wish you well in this very difficult situation.  Your courage is impressive.
 

Question Date: Wed, 07/16/2014
Question: How do I start a harm reduction center/syringe exchange program in my city?
Answer:

Hi Katherine, and thanks for your question.
First, I want to refer you to http://www.unodc.org/documents/hiv-aids/NSP-GUIDE-WHO-UNODC.pdf.  That is a complete guide to starting a needle exchange program - almost more than you might want to know, but much practical information.  In addition, ir is a very good idea to talk with your local health department about how best to proceed within your own community, and to identify others interested in needle exchanges or AIDS prevention.  If you have a local AIDS Foundation or similar organization, please collaborate with them.  
I should say that some communities aren't thrilled about needle exchanges and may offer resistance.  In that case, you might want to google "Point Defiance Needle Exchange" in Tacoma, WA for a history of the first needle exchange, started by a private individual and subsequently made acceptable by a forward looking Chief of Police.  (Tacoma is my home town.  Please excuse the gratuitous bragging.)
Within our Learn A Skill section, CTB offers general information about how to assess community needs and get the issue on the public agenda, promote interest and participation in the initiative, develop a strategic plan and organizational structure, and evaluating the initiative.  As you plan, remember to think about how to maintain the initiative over the long term.  Too many people overlook that last step until close to the time when funding runs out.  The chapters on Generating, Managing, and Sustaining Financial Resources are relevant to that very important consideration.
You are taking on a very important initiative and we applaud you for that!  I hope these suggestions are helpful.

Question Date: Thu, 07/17/2014
Question:
How do I get started in Grant Writing? Can you offer any advice or resources for a Georgia resident.
Answer:

Hi Charonda,
Thanks for your question. Take a look at Chapter 42 in our Learn A Skill section for information on the grant-writing process.  
If you are asking about how to market your services, you might also want to review Chapter 45 on Social Marketing to promote awareness (of you and your services).  Some portions of that chapter will be relevant.  Beyond that, a lot of getting started is "pounding the pavement" by identifying and visiting potential customers, conducting information interviews to learn about their needs and to obtain references to other potential customers, offering samples of your work, and following up with repeat contacts.  If there are other local or regional grant writers willing to offer mentoring and leads, they can be great sources of help to get started.
Grant writing is an important and needed skill set.  We hope this brief advice is helpful and wish you success.,

Question Date: Tue, 07/22/2014
Question:
Hi, I am a student at a community college in Southern California and our sociology club will be hosting a conference and out them is Leadership...the leader in you or the power in you. We are searching for a keynote speaker to speak about, basically everything on the previous page: How To Become A Community Leader! Could you maybe point us in the right direction? Thanks for any help or advice you could give.
Answer:

Hi Annie,
Sorry.  We can't offer references to possible keynote speakers; but we wish you success in building this conference.

Question Date: Wed, 07/23/2014
Question:
Hi
I work as a community development practitioner in zambia. Many times in my work times in my work, i come across several situations that carry interesting stories away from the main stream media show us. Are there realistic researchers or people that are interested in coming to capture these stories and document them? kindly provide links
Answer:

Hi Kingsley,
Although we cannot provide the links you request, we do suggest that you might want to look at our Connect With Others pages, especially Community Stories.  That might be a place to post some of the stories you mention, and to connect with others having similar documentation interests.  Also, you might want to take a look at Chapter 45 on Social Marketing in our Learn a Skill section.  Facebook, YouTube and similar social media sites may be good vehicles for drawing interest to these stories.
Thanks for contacting CTB and best wishes for success in your endeavors.

Question Date: Wed, 07/23/2014
Question:
Hello Advisor,

I am a graduate student in California and I am writing a thesis that focuses on planning a cultural competency workshop (4-5 hours) for community health workers. I could use guidance on how and where to start. I have been looking for information on how to plan a cultural competency workshop but the information is either dated or difficult to find. Thank you for your time and assistance!
Answer:

Hi Danielle,
 
Thanks for your question.  Please take a look at chapters 28 and 29, within our Learn A Skill section.  Those chapters are fairly recent.  Also, you might want to ask around your communities to identify specialists in cultural competency training who might be willing to advise/mentor you as your work proceeds.

Question Date: Wed, 07/23/2014
Question:
Hello! I have a "lengthy issue" for which I am seeking your advice...... but first of all, I wish to thank you for the work you do. My name is Jacqueline A. Juhl, RDH, MSDH Candidate (double emphasis: Dental Hygiene Education and Dental Public Health). As a graduate student, I learned of your website and have continued to access it for work in my rural community to help form an oral health coalition. I currently teach at downtown Seattle dental hygiene baccalaureate program (quite the commute!) and teach a three part Community Oral Health Series, among other classes. I have encouraged my students to access your site in their course research and have provided them with links to specifics from your site in my PPTs. Thank you all so much for the great work you do!
My issue/question is this: I see such a gap in equity to access to oral health care in our present health care delivery system. Also, as we continue to establish credible oral-system disease interactions, the void in inter-professional oral health knowledge and education has promulgated a lack of oral care for hospitalized patients in our country, a void not seen in the UK and other countries globally. It is now established that the lack of oral care for hospitalized patients negatively impacts health outcomes, can precipitate additional cardio-vascular events, and costs patients thousands of dollars in additional hospitalization days. Together with a small group of "Alternative Practice" dental hygienists in Washington State and with my experience in hospital dentistry, and based on current research of disease processes, I hope to contribute to improving health care outcomes for all, including hospitalized patients. In my future doctoral work, and through other efforts, I hope convince hospital CEOs, Boards, and the public of the need to staff hospitals and emergency departments with advance practice dental hygiene professionals and dental hygienists as they do any other "therapist" as is currently done elsewhere globally. Oral disease prevention through education and skills training for both other healthcare disciplines and patients is essential. Can you advise me how best to convince hospital CEOs and Boards to recognize the evidence and open their minds and doors to this change in our current care delivery system? My alternative practice colleagues and I had begun some grassroots work with individual hospital CEOs and I have begun to broach the subject with my local rural hospital CEO who was a great help during my thesis research on Non-Traumatic Dental Complaint patient Emergency Department utilization. Your work on focus groups and advocacy has inspired me to even come to you with this issue. I hope you can advise me how best I can be a more effect advocate to gather momentum for this greatly needed workforce change which would significantly improve health outcomes and prevent future suffering. Thank you, once again. I hope to hear from you soon.
Answer:

Hi Jacqueline, and thanks for your question.  You have raised a very important community health care need but probably face some big challenges on the way toward achieving your goals.  I hear two goals:  1) to increase access to dental hygiene and care within hospital settings, and 2) to expand the utilization of your alternative practice colleagues within those settings.   Therefore, you probably face at least two sets of potential challenges: 1) to persuade hospital systems, and 2) to persuade the Dental Society.
I could not tell from your question whether you are asking how to start locally or how to start statewide, and whether to start in King County or in Eastern Washington.  It sounds like you already have a start in your home community, and your hospital administrator is one very good resource for advice as you think about how to proceed in that geograhoc area.
If I were in your shoes, I would go first (or next) to your local health department, because you are raising a public health issue.  Partner with them in formally assessing community need for this access to dental hygiene and care.  Work with them to raise the visibility of this need in their own formal community needs assessment, and also to ask that hospital systems raise the visibility of this issue in the community needs assessment reports required of hospitals.  Ask if they are willing to invite the hospitals, dentists, advanced practice dental practitioners, and hygienists to participate in a health department-sponsored advisory committee to study the issues and develop strategy and implementation plans.  If you can get the key parties talking together about this issue, your chances of eventual success improve.
A useful early focus might be to propose a pilot study offering these services to Medicaid-eligible persons, now that Washingon State Medicaid does provide some dental coverage.  These are the people with the highest and most complicated physical and dental health care needs who have been underserved until now.  If you want to start in King County, I suggest talking not only to King County Health Department but also to Harborview Medical Center early on.  You might also want to talk to the Washington State Health Care Authority and to DSHS.  They have an interest in preventive health initiatives.  Wherever you start, make certain that the Washington Department of Health is aware of your efforts.
If all of that sounds like a big job, it is.  However, it is also a very important undertaking well worth doing.
You are already familiar with CTB and its Learn a Skill chapters, so I won't spend time on them.  I have flagged the relevant sections for your review
Best wishes!  We hope this is helpful.

Question Date: Sat, 07/26/2014
Question: what do i have to do after planning my youth organization
Answer:

Hi Phumudzo, and thanks for yor question.
Planning is one important step among a series of thiings that need to be done in order to bring the organization into operation.  Presuming that you did not plan the organization alone,the next step is to recruit and build leadership and management (Chapters 13 through 15 in our Learn A Skill section, plus the Toolkit on Building Leadership).  If you did the planning alone, you probably will need to recruit leadership and then "loop back" and let those recruits have their say about the plan, making modifications as necessary.  That will take you to Chapter 19, plus Toolkits 3 and 7.  Our chapters on Implementing Promising Community Interventions also are relevant.  Early on, you and the leadership should consider two important issues: how you will evaluate, and how you and your community can sustain, the youth organization.
If you are not familiar with it, take time to review many of the Learn A Skill chapters.  That entire section can serve as an outline for you and your leadership as you proceed to build and implement the youth organization. 
Thanks for conacting CTB.  We hope this response will be helpful as you proceed.
 

Question Date: Mon, 07/28/2014
Question:
We are planning a half-day training for nonprofits in collaboration and would like to offer a substantial section on building trust. Could you recommend a speaker or trainer who is particularly adept in this aspect of collaboration? Prefer based in US - west coast. Thank you.
Answer:

Thanks for your question, but CTB does not keep a roster or recommend particular speakers/facilitators.  We hope the training goes well, as trust is a major ingredient in any effective collaboration.  There may be relevant resources in our Connect With Others section.

Question Date: Mon, 07/28/2014
Question: How do I site your info?
Answer:

Thanks for asking, Sara.  At the bottom right hand corner of our main pages, in green letters, you will find "Use Policy."  Guidance on citation  of CTB will be found in that section.

Question Date: Mon, 07/28/2014
Question:
I am a 2nd year university student in Nairobi_Kenya
and I am interested in starting a youth mentoring program in high schools
what are some of the factors that i should consider before starting up the whole initiative?
Answer:

Hi Moses, and thanks for contacting CTB,
You will find helpful information in our Learn A Skill section.  Take a look at chapters on Community Assessment, Promoting Interest and Participation In Initiatives, and Developing A Strategic Plan and Organizational Structure.  Those chapters, and two relevant Toolkits are listed in the Table of Contents page under Learn A Skill.  Other sections may be useful as the project evolves, and as reference material for your future efforts.
Best wishes for success!

Question Date: Fri, 08/01/2014
Question:
My name is Chris Donnelly and I need help picking a few more classes. At the beginning of summer my parents and I agreed that I would be attending JCCC this year but recently they changed their minds and said I could come back to KU again this year! The only problem is that I can't remember all of the classes I needed to take this semester. Im currently enrolled in IST 202 and ACCT 200. If you could look at what classes I need to enroll in and let me know that would be great.
Answer:

Hi Christopher,
While it is true that CTB is based at your university, we are not able to advise KU students about curriculum.  Please contact your faculty adviser or Registrar Office for the information you seek.  
Have a good academic year!

Question Date: Wed, 08/06/2014
Question:
what factors might have an effect on community leadership?
How would you resource and support community leaders and program?
Answer:

Hi Mitch, and thanks for asking.
Many factors might have an effect on community leadership, ranging from the strengths and needs of the community, the leaders' knowledge of leadership skills, the community's awareness (and opinions about) of the needs being addressed and the strategies chosen to address them, cultural competence of the leaders and facilitators, the administrative structure and financial options chosen, the necessity for figuring out how to sustain the initiative, and methods chosen to evaluate results.
An important place to start resourcing and supporting leaders is to develop a clear description of need and project goals, for use in raising community need and for recruitment and training of leaders.   CTB encourages open communication with both leaders and constituents, and flexibility in response to feedback.  We offer several chapters on Leadership and Management (Chapters 13 through 16 and the related Toolkit #6 in our Learn a Skill Section).  Although not specifically addressed, it is important that some leaders have knowledge of Business Administration and can educate other leaders about those skills.  It is a good idea to build ongoing training into the leadership agenda, keeping leaders up to date not only on organizational status, but also changes in community dynamics and outcomes of the initiative.
Your questions cover a lot of territory.  In addition to information you may find useful here, we encourage you to connect with persons in your community who might serve as mentors to your ledership group.

Question Date: Thu, 08/07/2014
Question:
Hello Community Tool Box,

First thank you for creating this amazing tool and platform, very inspiring!

And thank you for offering the Community Tool Box "Ask and Advisor" service.

I'm putting together a business model and want to explore incorporating Community Tool Box into the organization.

I would like your help evaluating how to apply the Community Tool Box platform to help train people in the fundamentals of becoming contributing digital journalists.

The concept is based on leveraging the 6 billion people that have access to mobile phones. A core component to the business is empowering people with their cell phones to share with the world what they See, record and stream on their phones and wireless devices.

At Democra-See we want to provide free training of people around the world to give them the skills, confidence and venue to share and report on democracy related events and discussions worldwide with their cell phones.

I believe Community Tool Box provides an excellent opportunity to collaborate with others for this purpose using your tools, resources and formula for success.

The business model is being formulated to allow the sharing of photographs, videos, audio, streaming, etc. Community Tools Box would be an ideal choice for providing curriculum and ongoing education in journalism and democracy.

I'm interested to create a method to train and provide incentives for individuals to actively create user generated content related to democracy.

Do you have the ability to confer with me on the potential applications of Community Tool Box for this venture?

Please let me know if we can schedule a phone consultation with your organization.

Thank you,

Dave McGirr
Democra-See Founder
davemcgirr@gmail.com
(856) 581-0999
Answer:

Hi Dave,
Given the apparent complexity and sophistication of your initiative, I am going to refer you to our Work Group for further discussion.  You can contact them by clicking on "Services" at the top of this page and then clicking on "Capacity Building and Participatory Evaluation."
Thanks for contacting CTB.  Your project sounds very ineresting and worth more discussion than we can provide here.
 

Question Date: Fri, 08/08/2014
Question:
I want to do a work plan based on the topic:the information literacy skills university students need for academic writting. I really donot know where to start can you please give me a sort of draft to help me compare and be able to find so
lutions
Answer:

Hi Marcia,
We can provide general information about needs assessment and development of strategic plans, but we do not offer model drafts. Please see our chapters 3 through 5 and 8 through 12 in our Learn A Skill section.  Applying that information to your topic, however, we must leave up to you.

Question Date: Sat, 08/09/2014
Question:
I AM IN THE PHILIPPINES AND HAVE BEEN ASKED TO ACTIVATE A DORMANT TRAINING CENTER LOCATED IN PAMPANGA PROVINCE .

WHAT ARE THE DUTIES AND RESPOSIBILITIES OF THE TRAINING CENTER TO CTB.KU.EDU IF WE RUN YOUR COURSES ..

1. IS THERE A FEE OR IS IT FREE TO ACCESS ALL THE TRAINING COURSE MATERIALS.

2, HOW DO I AND OTHER RESOURCE PERSONS BECOME ACCREDITED TO FACILITATE YOUR COURSES?

3. CAN WE ISSUE CERTIFICATES OF COMPLETION, CO BRANDED OR DIRECTLY FROM CTB.KU.EDU?

I WOULD LIKE TO PURSUE ALL POSSIBLE ALLIANCES!
Answer:

Hi Maria,
Thanks for contacting CTB.  We hope we can be of assistance as you work to revive that training center.  Answers to your questions are best attained by direct contact with the CTB Work Group.  Please click on the "Services" icon at the top of our home page, and then click on "Capaciy Building and Participatory Evaluation."  That will tell you how to contact the Work Group to get answers.
Best wishes for success in your effort!

Question Date: Sun, 08/10/2014
Question:
Do you have any tools or recommended resources to assess access or gaps in care? My community is currently looking for a model or best practice to assist in our assessment. The information gathered in the assessment will be used to develop community initiatives specifically addressing this issue.
Thank You,
Lisa Marshall
Answer:

Hi Lisa.  Thanks for contacting CTB.
While we do not offer specific indicators regarding gaps in health care, we do offer guidance on Community Assessment, and in Promoting Interest and Participation in Initiatives.  Please see our chapters 3 through 8 in the Learn A Skill section.  We hope these can be of some assistance in your very worthy effort.

Question Date: Mon, 08/11/2014
Question:
I write from nairobi Kenya. My concern is with the encroachment of developers into Nairobi (Kariokor) War Cemetery. This is a Second World War, now closed facility.
Kindly advice us on how to go about it wadding off land speculators as we endevour to guard this historic site.
Answer:

Hi Danny, and thanks for contacting CTB.
I have delayed answering your question because I really wanted to think about possible initiatives.
There are several possble strategies:  Please click on our Learn A Skill icon and within the Table of Contents take a look at chapters 4 (Getting Issues on the Public Agenda), chapter 7 (plus Toolbox 8) on promoting interest and participation in the initiative, and chapter 45 (Social Marketing).  I suggest you focus social marketing  upon respect for ancestors, honoring and preserving memories of them.
I have been much impressed recently by the work of a website: www.frameworksinstitute.org, and a free e-tutorial there that suggests most effective ways to communicate with the wider public about the values of human services.  In general, they suggest one start by highlighting the important community values surrounding an issue and moving toward promoting solutions that may enable a wide range of people to arrive at consensus.  
Although they have not built frames for issues such as yours, their general research findings and strategy may help you shape your own message to your community.  Your major challenge will be to involve and empower enough caring citizens and community leaders to demand that both developers and politicians respect this war memorial and cemetery.
I have great respect for what you are attempting to do and hope this response is helpful.  
2014/08/16 One more thought:  You describe the cemetery as being closed.  Perhaps it could be unofficially "opened" by recruiting volunteers to hold cleanup and landscaping picnics on weekend days at the cemetery.  The more actively interested and involved people there are, the better the odds of building a movement to accomplish saving the cemetey.

Question Date: Tue, 08/12/2014
Question:
We a new club (California Scholarship Federation/CSF) on campus that will be providing peer mentor tutoring in our library at San Lorenzo High School. We are looking to get certified or get help in ensuring our high school mentors are efficient and professional in helping the students learn effectively. Any help you can offer would be appreciated!!
Answer:

Hi Katie,
For general information about Youth Mentoring Programs, please click on Learn A Skill and then Table of Contents.  Chapter 22 may be of some assistance as you plan the mentoring program.  We also suggest that you ask school or youth organization leaders help you find trainers in your local community who can advise and assist with the actual training.

Question Date: Fri, 08/15/2014
Question:
I'm disabled by Lymes disease, fibromyaligia, chronic pheriphial neuro apathy, and more. I lost my daughter last year. Her children where staying with my sister. My sister claimed she couldn't afford to feed them and needed help, would i move in. So i did. She moved her daughter in with her boyfriend and three children. She moved my things into her garage. But, she kept my things she wanted. She won't allow me to see my grandchildren. Their father has custody and gets money from the state. But he hasn't raised them for five years. What can I do? I've already lost my daughter and it's bad enough she is stealing from me again. I need help Please.
Answer:

Angelina, we are deeply sympathetic but we have no way to help you.  We urge you to consult immediately with your physician and ask for help in contacting the appropriate local authorities.
With concern, and also with regret.

Question Date: Sat, 08/16/2014
Question:
I recently found out that I received credit for Math 115. At orientation I was told that someone would contact me to change my schedule to the next math class in my major (Finance). I was wondering what to do because I do not want or need to take Calculus again but I would like to keep my course load at 15 hours and it is recommended that I take all of my math classes consecutively until they are all completed.
Answer:

Hi Danielle,
You will need to contact a faculty adviser with this question.  This site does not offer academic guidance to KU students.

Question Date: Sun, 08/17/2014
Question:
I work at a large local health department. We are interested in your curriculum on Cultural Competency. Do you provide training using that curriculum or can we use the curriculum in our organization?
Answer:

Hi Patsy.  Thanks for contacting CTB.
Feel free to use any information in this site, with proper attribution.  (See the attribution guidelines found under"Use Policy" at the bottom of our home page.)
In regard to your question about training, please contact the KU Work Group directly for information about training availability and costs.  You can access the Work Group by clicking on "Services" at the top of our home page and then clicking on "Capacity Building and Participatory Evaluation."

Question Date: Tue, 08/19/2014
Question:
I think the members of my non- profit organization need training in how to ask people to join our organization. The members tend to shy away from inviting people. I think they fear rejection. Any suggestions?
Answer:

Hi Chris,
Recruiting is a common challenge among nonprofit participants.  We have a couple of chapters in our "Learn A Skill" section that are relevant, especially Chapter 11 on Recruiting and Training Volunteers and the related Toolkit 15.
Recruiting is a skill most comfortably done when the recruiters are thoroughly familiar with the goals and purposes of the organization, can explain generally what it does, can give information about outcomes achieved, feel pride in being members, and can define the time commitments involved.  It is important to be clear that someone's refusal to join is not personal rejection.  Rather it is a product of the fit between the organization's purpose and the interests of the invitee.  It is a very good idea to use role playing exercises when training members how to recruit.  The practice and feedback can really help strengthen confidence about recruiting.  One element of role playing can be an exercise in how to respond to refusal (Note I did not use the term "rejection.").

Question Date: Tue, 08/19/2014
Question:
Hello!

I am an AmeriCorps VISTA service member working to "assess effectiveness of current food policy council mission, goals, and processes." I am to develop a tool to make the assessment. I feel that assessing the effectiveness of a council could be similar to assessing the effectiveness of a program, but it is also a little bit different. I am having trouble finding a set of best practices or tools that one can use specifically for evaluating councils or food policy councils. I found in the document Food Policy Councils: Lessons Learned that most food policy councils have not conducted self assessments. I am finding it difficult to gather resources for this. Do you have any recommendations? Thank you!
Answer:

Hi Elizabeth.  Thanks for contating CTB.
I don't know much about food policy councils per se, so I spent some time on the internet before responding to your question.  The article I liked best was:
www.markwinne.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/FPC-manual.pdf, specifically chapter 6.  It doesn't offer best practices, but does suggest a number of very practical ideas.
Within CTB, please click on our Learn A Skill graphic and then on Table of Contents.  Go down to chapters 36 through 39 for our evaluation recommendations.  In addition, look through Related Toolkit 12 for specific guidance on evaluation process (which best begins during the planning stages of the initiative).
You might also take a quick look at a Community Story on the Helena, MT community gardens initiative (Click on connect With Others, and then on Community Stories)  That article is brief, but you might consider contacting them for evaluation advice.
I hope this response is helpful.  You have opportunity to design a good evaluation process of your own if there are not yet any best practices specific to food policy council evaluation.

Question Date: Tue, 08/26/2014
Question:
Hi,

I was wondering if you were able to help me find organizations that allow me to help build self-sustaining communities. By this, I want to help build gardens for food, educate others on how to be involved, advise people that are struggling, and possibly gather data on practices to determine which ones are found to be most favorable in different climates. Any information that can allow me to apply even for an internship would be much appreciated. Thank you.
Answer:

Hi Kathleen,
I regret that CTB is unable to help you locate potential internship opportunities.  We do have one possibly relevant story under our "Connect" graphic.  Click on that and then on "Community Stories" for a description of a project in Montana.  They might be able to give you some leads.
Thanks for asking and best wishes for locating an internship in your area that fits your interests.

Question Date: Wed, 08/27/2014
Question:
i work for a project that focuses on maternal, newborn and child health. the project ends in dec 2014, i would like to seek advice on how i can write a proposal for scaling up the project to other areas that were not included in the initial phase. what resources are there on this website that can help me to achieve this goal
Answer:

HI Wandisanga, and thanks for contacting CTB.
Please click on our "Learn a Skill" graphic and then on "Table of Contents."  Go to Chapter 43 for information on grant writing.  In addition, see chapters 45 and 46, plus the Related Toolkit 16: Sustaining the Work or Initiative
Your dilemma appears to arise in part from "waiting until the last minute" to consider how the project might be scaled up and to do the necessary needs assessment and planning - not an uncommon dilemma.  CTB encourages all to begin planning about how to sustain their initiative while they are planning the initiative itself.  Being able to describe to the initial grant source how the project might be scaled up or spun off adds credibility to the initial grant request and also prepares the grantor for possible later requests.  
Also, I want to refer you to an article by Tom Wolff that addresses this dilemma very well: http://tomwolff.com/collaborative-solutions-newsletter-inaugural-issue.h....  While you are there, you might want to peruse other archives within his site.

Question Date: Wed, 08/27/2014
Question:
Hello,
I'm writing for information regarding most effective approach to getting a public school bus transportation policy changed. Effective August 2014, the Seminole Public School System in Florida instituted a policy which makes students residing within 2 miles of the school ineligible for bus transportation. We are one of the families impacted and I'd like to know what can be done to change the policy.
Thank you in advance for your assistance.

Kindly,

Marisol Martinez
Answer:

Hi Marisol, and thanks for contacting CTB.  I was away from my office for several days so have not beenn able to respond until now.
Attempting to achieve a transportation policy change probably will be difficult unless several families in your immediate neighborhood also join you in requesting either a change in policy or an exception to policy; or unless your child(ren) qualifies for reasonable accommodation because of a handicap.  So I suggest first that you canvas your neighbors to see who might be willing to join in submitting a request, and make certain that all of you have consensus about a reasonable solution.  You might ask everyone to sign a letter of request.  Then ask for a meeting with the school district''s transportation director to make certain the problem and need are understood, and to work together to find a solution that the transportation director can support.
Note that I have checked several "competencies" that may or may not help your planning.  Your issue is pretty straightforward and the above process represents a good approach. I hope this is helpful.

Question Date: Thu, 09/04/2014
Question:
I'm having trouble navigating the web page. I'm trying to find info regarding different models.
*Epidemiological Model
*Public Health Model
*Social Model
*Asset Model

I admit I'm still overwhelmed with all the info, and haven't quite put all the pieces together at this time. Thanks for your help.
Answer:

Hi Peter,
Let me refer you first to Chapter 2 in the Table of Contents under our Learn a Skill graphic.  That lists a number of models and may be helpful to you.
Then you might try a couple of things:  First, try entering each of those terms (e.g. "epidemiological model," etc.) one at a time in the search box at the upper right corner of  the CTB home page.  That will bring up lists of "hits" and you can click on the ones that seem most relevant to your search.  Also, try clicking on our Learn a Skill graphic and then on "Databases of Best Practices."  I hope this will lead to the information you seek.
 

Question Date: Fri, 09/05/2014
Question:
When you might not want to apply for nonprofit and tax-exempt status How do you show proof for funders and others who might require proof of your exempt status.
Answer:

Hi Shelley.
The quick answer is "You can't!"
In order to be exempt, you must have IRS certification that you are a tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the internal revenue code (Assuming that your organization is located or based in the United States).  In order to obtain that certification, you must apply and be approved by the IRS,
While some people might just want to give you donations because they care about what your organization does, most people want to be able to take a tax deduction for their charitable giving, and all foundations require IRS certification.  You are required to give individual donors a letter confirming the amount of their donation, the date(s) of their donation, and your organizaton's 501(c)(3) number.  You are required to keep records of all donations received and to make reports annually to the IRS.  
Pretending to be exempt or asserting that you are when you really aren't can get you in a LOT of trouble with the IRS and with donors.

Question Date: Mon, 09/08/2014
Question:
Good afternoon!

My name is Steven Charles and I work for the New York State Independent Living Council in Albany, NY. We are launching a new program that will be heavily reliant on social marketing and wondered if you could help us answer some questions based on your past experiences with social marketing campaigns.

Our program’s goal is to reach out to the 1,600,000 adults with disabilities in the State of New York. We are aiming to engage roughly 1% of this target population each year over a ten-year period to form a solid membership base of individuals who will be committed to advocacy efforts for the disabled community. Based on the figure stated above, we hope to engage 1,600 new members each year, and after ten years, a cumulative membership of 16,000.

We were just curious to know, based on your past experience with social marketing campaigns and advocacy efforts, if this seems like a reasonable goal, both for the first year and over the ten-year period. What sorts of change might we expect to see in our numbers from year to year?
Answer:

Good afternoon, Steven, and thanks for contacting CTB.
I regret that you have asked for opinions that we are not equipped to provide because we are not familiar with development and operating costs in your goegraphic area.  You might consider contacting a local advertising agency and asking them for a bit of pro bono consultattion regarding your questions.
Within CTB, you might consider entering "social marketing" in the search box at the top of the page.  That will generate a number of "hits" but probably not specifically relevant to your question.
You might also click on our "Help Taking Action" graphic and then on "Database of Best Practices."  You may find organizations listed there that can assist you.
 

Question Date: Tue, 09/09/2014
Question: In an organization, why develop training plan?
Answer:

Hi Itu, and thanks for contacting CTB.
One can look at training as the glue that molds an organization and helps it maintain consistent quality.  Those who work for an organization need to understand clearly its mission, its service delivery strategies, and the desired outcomes of its services.  Ongoing training helps both the organization and its employees to adapt to changes in mission and service delivery strategies.  Training helps build a "learning organization" that values both successes and mistakes/failures as opportunities to improve prformance.  In that sense, training compliments supervision as vehicles for improvement.  Training also assists managers who may not have had formal training in management skills - often true in human service organizations.  Learning to manage effectively helps all levels of the organization to achieve success.
It is also important to provide training to the organization's governing body, so its members also are clear about what and how the organization seeks to accomplish results, about their role in providing policy guidance and resources to the organization, and about the boundaries of their role..
Let me refer you to  our chapters 11 through 15  and the Related Toolkit 15 in the Table of Contents under our "Learn a Skill" graphic.  Those chapters will provide a much more detailed answer to your question and a lot of practical information about how to build training programs.  Chapters 40 and 41 allso may be relevant.
Thanks again for asking.  Best wishes to you and your organization.

Question Date: Thu, 09/11/2014
Question:
Hello,

My name is Kaitlyn Dixon and I am a Community health Education Intern with UAB Health Smart. UAB Health Smart works with minority health disparities and offers free of charge health screenings, nutrition consultations, and meetings with an exercise physiologist. We seek to educate the community and to offer preventative care that can reduce instances of disease as well as reduce health care costs for our clients.
One of our current efforts is to find new health education materials to offer to our clients regarding how to care for themselves before health issues even happen and to help them learn to manage disease once it has set in. We were wondering if you either had any free resources we could disperse or knew of any reliable health organizations that could offer such information for our clients.

Thank you for your time.
Kaitlyn Dixon
UAB Health Smart Community Health Intern
Answer:

Good morning, Kaitllyn.  Thanks for contacting CTB.
We don't have health education resources on file within this database; so we suggest that you explore our "Learn a Skill" section, within the Database of Best Practices.  That section contains descriptions and links to organizations that may be able to assist you.
 

Question Date: Thu, 09/11/2014
Question:
Sir/Madam,I am a teacher and professional counselor who lives in a community with a high illiteracy rate and yet many of the children do not attend school. It is my desire to establish a Community Counseling Center to help the people in my community. But my resources are limited. What should I do? I am a Ghanaian.
Answer:

Good Morning, George.  Thanks for contacting CTB.
I am operating on the assumption that you are reasonably well known to others in your community, and that you are interested in providing counseling within an educational setting.  In that case, I suggest you begin by holding some social gatherings that include talking about parents' desire for children to be educated.  If enough (and you will have to decide how many is enough) have that desire, hold follow-up meetings so everyone can partticipate in deciding how to proceed.  The larger the group, the greater likelihood of success, but make a plan containing a clear series of action steps and a clear statement of what your group ultimately hopes to accomplish.
The logical next step is to talk with education authorities within your community or region.  Ask them to meet with your group and help explain what resources might be available to encourage school attendance.  Ask them to continue meeting, so real collabration can occur. as you proceed.
I don't know the education system in Ghana, but I assume that there may be need for school uniforms, textbooks, or whatever.  Those costs can be barriers to attendance; but, again, have your group brainstorm ways to raise the funds needed for those costs.  
Also, I realize that I do not know whether your community actually has a school facility.  If not, it may be necessary to engage the entire community in planning and either building or remodeling a building that can become a school.
In short, you are taking on a big and important task!  Several chapters within this database may be helpful; and feel free to adapt them to Ghanaian culture.  Please click on our Learn a Skill graphic and then on Table of Contents.  Look through chapters 3. 4. 5 and 7 (plus Toolkit 8).  As your effort develops, other chapters may become relevant; but these focus upon early organizing processes.
 

Question Date: Fri, 09/12/2014
Question:
Hello, I am working on a brief on the topic of nonprofits communicating data to the public. In my outline I have three audiences: 1. peers, to sharing program and demographic data to strengthen the field; 2. Funders and policy makers, to change the operating environment; and 3. clients/community, for dual-directional evaluation and to empower them to take informed action of their own and to help explain nuances in program data. For my brief, I am wanting to write three case studies that describe a nonprofit's experience with each external communication method (one nonprofit for each topic). Do you have any ideas of nonprofits who have tried, or been successful at communicating back to their clients? For example, data walks, or community meetings where service providers provider an opportunity to weigh in on what was collected.

Thanks.
Answer:

Good afternoon, Abigail.  Thanks for contacting CTB.
We don't have specific examples within the CTB database.   We suggest you explore "Database of Best Practices" under our "Help Taking Action" graphic.  That may give you some leads that you can follow up by contracting the relevant organizations directly for further information

Question Date: Fri, 09/12/2014
Question: I need help with writing a grant for my organization. Where do we start.
Answer:

Good afternoon, Shelvy and thanks for contacting CTB.
Click on our "Learn a Skill" graphic and tthen on "Table of Contents."  Take a look at chapters 42 through 45 for information about generating, managing and sustaining financial resources.  I make this suggestion assuming that the program for which you seek grants is thoroughly planned out already.  If not, look throuigh the Table of Contents again and review relevant chapters on program planning.

Question Date: Fri, 09/12/2014
Question:
hello I am studying the advanced diploma of disability and I am really struggling to do a question which is about identifying an issue of concern in the disability sector and then I need to research it develop an action plan and then also implement my action plan. My topic was going to be something like mis match of residents together. What is the criteria for this.
Answer:

Hi Terrie.  Thanks for contacting CTB.
Unfortunately, I do not fully understand what you are asking, so I cannot respond helpfully.  Please consider clarifying your question, particularly the last two sentences, and resubmitting it.
To address part of your question, Please click on our Learn a Skill graphic, and then on Table of Contents.  Chapters 3 through 5 and Chapter 8 may be of some assistance as you are  trying to decide how to proceed.

Question Date: Sun, 09/14/2014
Question:
I need help writing a plan for elderly, disabled and home bound citizens for voting. I have authored 3 articles, handouts published by Democracy NC, talked with residents and administrators, social workers and activity directors and divided 108 facilities into 4 groups. I knew what I want to do long term with civic involvement. I organize residents. I am making 108 notebooks with all candidate info cross indexed by each type of race. These will be taken to all facilities and community centers. I need to propose reason for asking for funding for magnifying sheets - one for each notebook and start on power point. I freeze up when writing a mission statement and so on. Are you able to help me get started?
Answer:

Hi Annie, and thanks for contacting CTB.
As I understand your project, you are developing objective voter education information for elders who may have vision challenges, so they can be knowledgeabble voters - a very nice project!
I looked online at Amazon, and magnifying sheets aren't very expensive (Disclaimer: I own no Amazon stock; and I am sure there are other sources of magnifying sheets; but I hadn't known how much of an expense woiuld be involvled. in buying 108 sheets.)  Therefore you are looking for a small grant.  I suggest that you write up a one-page description of what you need the money for, and why.  A very simple mission statement might be something like:  It is very important that elders be able to see the information clearly before making decisions about voting.  Simple is better.  Include a budget.  If a funding source needs more information, they will tell you what they need.
I suggest that you contact leaders of your local library system, the local League of Women Voters, and any community foundation in your area.  Take time to get acquainted.  Tell them what you seek and why. Be straightforward and confident - you have a good idea.  Ask them if they can provide the needed funds, or if they will connect you with civic-minded organizations, individuals, or companies that might donate.  Don't overlook the opportunity to go back to your own contacts in the area's assisted living and skilled nursing facilities and ask them to purchase the needed magnifiers.
Be aware that you may need to connect with an organization that has an IRS 501(c)(3) determination, so donors can take a tax deduction if they choose.  The League is one such organization, and a community foundation may choose to just purchase the magnifiers themselves and give them to you.
Please do take a look at the CTB information on grant writing.  Click on our Learn a Skill graphic at the top of the page, and then on Table of Contents.  Chapter 42 has useful information if you need to write a more complicated application for funds.
I wish you success and hope this advice is helpful.

Question Date: Mon, 09/15/2014
Question:
Hello, My name is Kami and i just wanted to know what i should be doing to start my own youth project/organization in my surrounding so that i can help the community with that. Thanks !
Answer:

Hi Kami.  Thanks for contacting CTB,
First, you probably need to do some needs-resources assessment and planning, while locating others who are interested in starting a youth project.  I would suggest you start "small" by organizing some activities with local youth  while building interest in a larger effort.  Be sure and talk to some of the youth to find out what activities they really want and are willing to help with; so they share in those small successes.  Small successes build confidence and also attract others to the effort.  If there are other formal youth organizations in your area, let them know what you are interested in doing and ask them to help.
Please click on our Learn a Skill graphic at the top of our page, and then on Table of Contents.  Chapters 3 through 5 and Chapter 7 may be helpful in getting started.  As interest and participation build, later chapters will become relevant.
I wish you success and hope this information helps.

Question Date: Wed, 09/17/2014
Question:
Greetings .kudos to your information on this site. Kindly assist me to develop a questionnaire on the implementation of health policy in nigeria; the issues and prospects.
Answer:

Good evening Fatuyi, and thanks for contacting CTB.
Our site provides two sources that may be of assistance to you.  
First, click on our Learn a Skill graphic, and then on Table of Contents.  Chapter 3 on Assessing Community Needs and resources may be helpful.  Chapter 4 on Getting Issues on the Public Agenda also may be helpful.
Second, click on our Help Taking Action graphic and then on Databases of Best Practices.  Then enter "Health questionnaires" into the search box at upper right.  That will generate a number of articles and examples that may assist you in your questionnaire development.
Best wishes for success in your effort to promote healthcare and policy.
09/22/2014 One more resource within CTB: Click on the Help Taking Action graphic, and then Online Courses.  You will find a module there on conducting community health assessments.
 

Question Date: Sat, 09/20/2014
Question:
I am a facilitator for a job seekers support group. Have similar others used this site and if so how was it used?
Answer:

Hi Diane,  Thanks for contacting CTB.
We have no way of knowing whether other job seeker support group facilitators have used our site, so we can't answer that part of your question.  We believe the most relevant section of CTB's information is found in Chapter 21, Section 2.  That focuses upon creating and maintaining support groups.  Please click on our Learn a Skill graphic and then on Table of Contents.  Go to chapter 21.  Chapter 23 also may be relevant for some support group participants.
Your work is important, and we wish you success.

Question Date: Sun, 09/21/2014
Question:
There is a new website call "Nextdoor," one of our neighbors has started the site. I see this as a wonderful opportunity for community member to become actively involved, aware of what their local elected official are doing, crime in the area and so much more. However, with all of this potential, there is a certain City Council member, discouraging political, religion and sexual content. I can agree with restricting religious and sexual content, but politics? Ours is a very poor city, with very little commerce or growth. I believe some of this has to do with poor city management. Do you have any ideas about how I might gently persuade them to understand that we as a collective group would greatly benefit by being more informed about our cities politics? Our newspaper is extremely bias.
You are obviously far more educated than I am, if you have a persuasive research doc that would explain this, that might help too.

Thanks for being there, and Thanks for the website.

Shelley
Answer:

Good afternoon, Shelley, and thanks for contacting CTB.
While we do not have a research document that specifically addresses your issue, we do have information about advocacy and political process that may help you build a constituency in support of your goal.
Please click on our Learn a Skill graphic at the top of our home page, and then on Table of contents.  Take a look at chapters 30, 33, and 24; plus related Toolkit 10.These will give you information about the process of advocacy, the importance of building a supportive constituency, and of developing a relationship with political leaders.  All of that involves a process that can take time and can be very frustrating.  Build a relationship with several political leaders and explain to all why you see value in the website and how it can help build citizen participation in community affairs..
One thing that is not clear to me is whether the one political leader to whom you refer has any real authority over your neighbor's website.  Clearly she/he can raise objections, but can it be shut down because of objections?  Part of that depends upon the courage of you and your neighbor in keeping the website going despite political objections, and part of it depends upon how many citizens try out the website and continue to return to it.  That leads me to suggest you also take a look at chapter 34: Media Advocacy, for guidance about how you might frame your case to the public, and invite citizens to participate with you in making it even better and more relevant to your community.
Issues such as this can be big challenges in small towns (AND in large cities), but well worth the effort.  Courage!

Question Date: Tue, 09/23/2014
Question:
a builder is taking up a park in our area and planning to build a shopping complex . please suggest some ways to stop this ?
Answer:

Good morning, and thanks for contacting CTB.
I want to refer you to Chapter 5: Choosing Strategies to Promote Community Health and Development.  Please click on our Learn a Skill graphic near the top of the page, and then on Table of Contents.  Chapter 5 presents an overview of community organization and advocacy.  Also, please look over the list of other chapters and pick those that are most relevant to your effort.
You are up against powerful incentives to develop retail facilities, and it will be important that as many neighbors as possible speak up for either: (1) preservation of the existing park or at least its key facilities, or (2) Mitigation of the park's loss by having the developer create a replacement park nearby.  All of that is a negotiation process, so it will be important to talk to local government, planning/zoning authorities, and the developer.  I don't know in which nation you live.  In the USA, developers have responsibilities to mitigate adverse environmental and social impacts.  If that is also true in you nation, you have some leverage to bring to negotiation.
I hope thhis is helpful, and wish you and your neighbors success in this effort.

Question Date: Thu, 09/25/2014
Question:
how do I find what kind of activities there are for teens to keep them busy on weekends or summer vacation.
Answer:

Good morning LouAnn, and thanks for contacting CTB.
The first place to start is by contacting youth-serving and recreation organizations in your area to find out: (1) What activities are already available, and (2) What additional activities need to be developed.  As you look at the latter question, it will be very important to survey neighborhood teens and find out what activities they really want and will help with.  Depending on where you live, the local United Way may be able to help locate activities.  Many United Way organizations maintain "211" telephone and websites that list youth-serving and recreational resources.
Within CTB, please click on our Learn a Skill graphic near the top of the page and then on Table of Contents.  Chapters 3, 4, and 5 will be relevant.  Chapter 22 on Youth Mentoring also may be relevant.  Please look over the entire Table of Contents to determine whether other chapters may be relevant.
Thanks for asking, and best wishes.

Question Date: Fri, 09/26/2014
Question:
I am interested in starting an organization in my town to provide community members, especially families, outreach opportunities, as well as cultural education seminars/workshops for children roughly 4-10yrs old.

I covet any suggestions, feedback, direction that could come my way regarding this endeavor. I am headed to look through your toolkits now and over the weekend will be working on firming up the mission/vision of the organization and hopefully drawing a crystal clear line showing how cultural awareness/understanding goes hand in hand with community service. Something like if people know more about each other, they feel more connected and are more willing to give...

I live in a VERY affluent community, very white, very much lacking diversity and community service and I would like to see these two things grow and thrive here and need as much help as I can get building a case, finding funding, connecting community service and cultural education, etc....

So I am off to read everything I can now on your website and if it works for someone to call me I would be ever so grateful.

Thank you!!
Jocelyn
978-239-5390
Answer:

Hi Jocelyn.  Thanks for contacting CTB.
Unfortunately, CTB offers online resources only, so I can't call you.  It sounds like you are off to a good start in terms of building a case and process one step at a time.  I will check off some sections below that might be of assistance.  Your description of your community suggests that you might start talking to other neighbors soon, to locate some allies willing to join in your effort.  When you develop a written preliminary plan/strategy, be sure to label it "Draft," because other allies will have ideas and suggest changes that will strengthen both the plan and their willingness to be involved as they are heard and incorporated in the ultimate strategy.  You will need involved allies.
I hope this is helpful and best wishes for success in your initiative.

Question Date: Fri, 09/26/2014

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