Ask an Advisor Questions

Looking to establish and network to incorporate my youth program
as well as expand horizons. Where do I begin?

My name is Dean Goddard from BC and have been investing in a property for sustainable long term care and am now ready to move to the next phase.

We grow food of outstanding quality with no pesticides, fungicides, or fertilizers. We have purchased a 23 acre ranch in Barriere, just North of Kamloops which has exceptional water and air quality. Last year we grew over 30 crops and realized about 4 tons of food, as a test and preparation of the fields. This year we would like to begin sharing the message to Canadian communities so we can begin developing the core group of individuals to start-up and operate. We have acquired the lands and invested over $200,000 to prepare the property for this intent. Now we need to complete the addition to the main home and start with a core group of individuals.

It is hoped this gives some idea of the multiple benefits of rural community care. It improves local farm land while also helping in a meaningful way to care for the aging population. We are however in need of determining the most effective retired individuals to form the core group. This requires great thought and effort to ensure the core group has similar emotional intelligence thinking, yet also has the complementary skills needed to start up and operate the facility. Loneliness and poverty are becoming epidemics while many others are yearning for a simple, active, and healthy way of life.

We are hoping to attract 100 seniors for this special event , and be able to have 5 seniors committed to our growth and expansion. This group would then be responsible for the 1-5 year plans while slowly expanding the senior and worker base. The first year will consist of 5 senior members and 3 co-workers (1 cook). The second year is planned for 9 seniors and 4 co-workers. Year 3 is to rezone and build additional dwellings surrounding the main facility which will house those needing 24 hour care and include the main dining room, theater room, and library.

We are starting our vegetable production with a June planting so we would like to have the special event on the Ranch for July 1st.

If you have any suggestions they are appreciated.

Can you recommend some development models for community health promotion and prevention for a community group home? Women's and children housing only. The community group home just opened and we are implementing health promotion and prevention programs within in it. We're also organizing community programs that the general community of outside women can attend at the home. Any links resources you have would be appreciated. Tx

I need a framework to guide the decision as to whether or not there is value in continuing a task force. Members of the task force are biased - based on their organization's role in the task force. I need to make the decision making process objective. Thank you.

hi there my name is mussa from south africa from small town called Wakkerstroom falls under Mpumalanga province. i will like to know all the route to fallow because i want to develop a community park there for the sake of the kids they have no place to play there after school plaese help me

I am a high school teacher and I am interested in creating a public service announcement about education and students in school. I have some ideas but I do not know whom to contact to get the ball rolling. I need to get in touch with someone who can help me realize my ideas. It needs to someone who can help me hook up with a production company and help me distribute it to TV stations. I have the ideas and the vision; I do not have the money, the equipment, or the broadcast facilities. I am hoping I can solicit people in the broadcast industry to donate their expertise and resources in the interest of improving public education. I believe a quality PSA shown to students on MTV and their parents on mainstream networks, and shown repeatedly will strengthen the image of public education. Any thoughts on how I might begin this endeavor?

I am a retired public health nurse pursuing a PhD in public health; planning to survey an organizing community service organization and interview key informants. The purpose is to identify possible problems in team collaboration and possible remedial actions of the organization. I am seeking recommendations and prior knowledge of such an undertaking. Thank you.

Do you know of any assessment tools that measure skills of coalition coordinators? I already have a coalition self-assessment tool that addresses the coalition's effectiveness but really need something to address the coordinator. If a tool is not available, a comprehensive list of skills that coalition coordinators should have would be helpful. Thanks!

What should I have together before I present my idea to area churches to solicit them as a Fiscal Agent? Do I have to a sponsor agree to be a Fiscal Agent before I can apply for grants?

Good afternoon, I have taken over working with the Nevada Cancer Coalition after many problems: 1) The first manager did not care to work with the people, and it showed. She did very little to work with the Coalition. 2) The second manager was well liked, but she only was in the position for a few months and then moved on to a new job. 3) The total time that these two were in place was approximately 1.5 years. The Coalition -- which tries to cover southern Nevada, northern Nevada, and rural Nevada -- found that it was breaking apart. No-one seemed to care as to moving the Coalition forward, except for 2-3 people. 4) In the midst of all of this, the recession/depression took place. I am now finding that there are very few employers who have bought into the Coalition, nor do they care to at this point. Getting through this recession/depression is their top priority. In essence, I guess my question is this: in the midst of this horrible economy in which employers have trouble allowing their employees take extra time handling anything besides work, after trying to pull a Coalition together and people feeling that this is a failed enterprise, and with the vast area of Nevada --- what would be the best process in putting this Coalition together? Any insights? Thank you for any help you can provide!

How can we In Uganda East Africa angaged in the same community development benefit from your organisation?

i'M INTERESTED IN CREATING A LEARNING CENTER FOR COMMUNITY EDUCATION FOCUSED ON SOCIAL SKILLS AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN A LIFE SERIES SKILLS WORKSHOP AND TRAINING SERVICE FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS, THEIR CHILDREN AND OTHER AUDIENCES FOR EDUCATIONAL AND COMMUNITY TRANSFORMATION. I'M NOT A CERTIFIED TEACHER BUT HAVE EXTENDED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING, SKILLS AND EDUCATION WITHIN THE NON-PROFIT COMMUNITIES AS FACILITATOR, ADVOCATE, EDUCATOR, COACH AND MENTOR . ANY THOUGHTS ON WHAT KINDS OF OBSTACLES, RESISTANCE OR UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES THAT MIGHT INHIBIT MY FOCUS? THANKS MARLA 913-387-4008

Hello over the past three years I have devoted my time to developing a program which promotes a healthy active lifestyle for older adults. I enlisted a local community group and we applied for government funding under their mandate. That is where the partnership came to a grinding halt. The money was approved and I am being compensated for an information session I give once a month yet all other promises have been neglected. I am setting up an advisory council made up of all the local leaders of community groups for seniors. The community group that applied on my behalf has taken over my idea including the name as its own. What can I do . Thank you for your time

The Gold Country Computer Learning Center, Grass Valley, California, is non-profit org teaching Seniors computer literacy. We are looking for a new Director and would like some guidelines in regard to formulating questions for prospective applicants. Are there any "canned" or generic questions that need to be asked? Since we are all volunteers, salary is not an issue - but time commitment is an important issue. Thank you so much.

We have an issue here in Roswell, New Mexico. The Boys and Girl's Club is in danger of shutting down due to money mismagement; and my Human Services class is trying to come up with ideas to try to help them. I was hopeing that maybe you could give me some suggestions.

I have been asked to volunteer in a different community - program is just starting up- I have been asked to go in and talk about advisory boards and recruit volunteers - ther person is new - I'm having difficulty in trying to deterimine how to proceed

I have recently been tasked with evaluating and writing a comprehensive health education curriculum for PreK-12. We have reached the point where we need to bring in our community experts, and we want to create an advisory council to aid in our efforts. Initially, I would like to send out an letter of invitation along with a timeline, goals of the advisory, etc. The letter will be signed by our Superintendent. Does anyone have a draft of such a letter? Any advise and/or suggestions as I begin this process?

What is the best way to go about finding someone to speak at an organization in regard to community mobilization?

I am the Community Service Coordinator at Baptist Regional Medical Center and are looking at working on childhood obesity and am looking for advise on how to start a program in the school system to get kids active. Lee Richardson Community Service Coordinator Baptist Regional Medical Center Corbin KY 40701 606-523-8533