Ask an Advisor Questions

Question	Core Competency	Date
How do I start a harm reduction center/syringe exchange program in my city?	Creating and Maintaining Coalitions and Partnerships Assessing Community Needs and Resources Developing a Framework or Model of Change Developing Strategic and Action Plans Increasing Participation and Membership Evaluating the Initiative Sustaining the Work or Initiative	Thu, 07/17/2014
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.	Creating and Maintaining Coalitions and Partnerships Increasing Participation and Membership Advocating for Change	Wed, 07/16/2014
Can I have smart tools or the sample of writing output, purpose, goal level statements and indicators? I am development manager.	Developing Strategic and Action Plans Evaluating the Initiative	Tue, 07/15/2014
HOW TO MAKE AN OBJECTIVES BY APPLYING	Developing Strategic and Action Plans	Tue, 07/15/2014
hi i am looking to find 10 reasons why it is important in the mentoring role not to be judgemental and to accept differences.	Developing an Intervention Enhancing Cultural Competence	Sun, 07/13/2014
what is the price for the toolkits		Sun, 07/13/2014
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	Writing a Grant Application for Funding	Wed, 07/09/2014
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.	Building Leadership Improving Organizational Management and Development	Wed, 07/09/2014
Good afternoon, I am writing on behalf of FuseSocial which is a non-profit organization (we say social profit  ) in Wood Buffalo Region that exists to strengthen the capacity of local social profits. We have found your online tool an amazing resource – so much to take advantage of. Thank you for kindly sharing it. There is another challenging area that we have encountered with social profits and would like to ask for your advice. Due to non-profit activity specifics, as you certainly know, Human resource management can be very challenging as: - The level of burnout is high - Environment can be quite frustrating and challenging - Clear benchmarks are difficult to achieve. Keeping this in mind we wanted to ask if you had anything on “Work and life balance”, “Personal leadership and importance of self-care” (that is so often overlooked by non-profit workers), Benchmarking and results measurement in non-profits. Would be happy to receive and informational tips. Thank you,	Evaluating the Initiative	Mon, 07/07/2014
Please assist me with building a Porfolio of Evidence on the following Subject: Conduct learning experience design for Two learning facilitation sessions in which you use different learning facilitation methods each time. Provide me with documentation that will assist to compile my POE.	Evaluating the Initiative	Thu, 07/03/2014
Hi, my name is Lisa and I am a communications/PR major at Cal State Fullerton. I am interning for the CSUF School of Nursing and they want me to find a good internal strategic communication plan for their department. It can be through a school or business and while looking at your website I found you gave a lot of great information and suggestions. I was hoping you could either knew of one, or could help me find one. Thank you in advance for your time, Lisa Maltbie	Developing Strategic and Action Plans Improving Organizational Management and Development	Tue, 07/01/2014
Hello I am a volunteer organiser of a community garden in London, England and I wonder if you can advise me as to quality of survey done by MEMO, the not-for-profit management organisation of the housing estate on which I lam a leaseholder and resident. Recently the management organisation decided to lock the gates to our community garden based on complaints about 'antisocial behaviour' from a handful of local residents. The antisocial behaviour amounted to nothing more than a few visitors to the garden forgetting to take their litter away with them. MEMO justified their decision by saying it surveyed the 150 residents overlooking the garden as to whether they wanted it to be gated and locked. They did not consult the gardening group themselves as they knew we all opposed to the idea. The letter was put through the doors of every resident overlooking the garden but without explanation as to why. it read as follows: Do you want the gates to the community garden to be locked? (tick as appropriate) Yes lock them No, leave them unlocked 6 out of 150 forms were returned and all from people who wanted the garden locked. on this basis they made the decision to lock the garden. This seems to me to be wrong as those he did not return the form would have had no idea why they were even being asked. All the gardeners will be given keys but we are still unhappy with this outcome because it goes against the whole ethos of a community garden and will prevent spontaneous visits by, residents, members of the public and school children. I wondered if there is any best practice model of consultation that you could show me that I could then present to MEMO in the hope that they would re-do the survey. I would be grateful for any advice you could give me in this matter. Kind regards, Valerie	Assessing Community Needs and Resources	Tue, 07/01/2014
My name is Mahawa Komala I am from Liberia (West Africa) I want to establish in my community, but i have no knowledge no how to start the process. Please I need an adviser to educate me on how to being the process. Note: I am just a high school graduate impending college but I have interested in developing my community and education youth on some major issues regarding our communities and health. Thanks		Thu, 06/26/2014
Does Community Tool Box offer planning and assessment for substance abuse program development? What are the steps involved?		Wed, 06/25/2014
I need to create a volunteer orientation program that is interactive and can be accessed online. Are there free software programs or websites that you know of that would allow me to design such a thing?		Wed, 06/25/2014
In forming a youth organization, do we need to be recognized by the state? will we need paper works? How are we going to open a bank account and will that account be subject to taxes?		Sun, 06/22/2014
How can I set up a foundation for a brother that lost is life in a car crash in Nigeria. He was alive after the accident however he was stuck in the car for several hours without any emergency services or police. After he was brought out a few hours later he was then placed on the road side were he bleed to death.		Wed, 06/18/2014
If I were to reference this source, what would it be referenced as in APA? Thanks!		Mon, 06/16/2014
I work for a community benefit district and we are looking to hold a community meeting regarding renewing our taxing district. Can you give me any resources or good places to start in terms of planning a community meeting that successfully engages property owners in the neighborhood?		Thu, 06/12/2014
Can an organization that has an advocacy role on ...ie issues, rights and challenges for seniors......................apply for grants and take money from federal or provincial agencies that have grants for seniors...........................	Advocating for Change	Mon, 06/09/2014
how Can I cite this page?		Mon, 05/19/2014
What are the main steps we need to follow while developing a baseline to measure the progress and success of a community based development project?	Evaluating the Initiative	Wed, 05/07/2014
My 3 yr old Grandson is blind and starting pre-cane training. Our street has no sidewalks so we must go in the road. The city of Boca Raton told us a "blind child in the area" sign cannot be installed because there is no such thing in traffic law. They said we could easily get a deaf person sign if we wanted. Aidan should safely be able to explore his own street and neighborhood. Do you have any suggestions? A local pre-school also ignored requests for admission, stating they were not equipped to take him. We explained that he has a small amount of functional vision in the 0-6 inch range, and we could assist in class if needed. Where do we start, sign being first priority. Thank you.	Advocating for Change	Sat, 05/03/2014
Hello, How do I cite a quote from your website in APA format? Some sections have a contributor, some do not. Thank you, Sally		Tue, 04/22/2014
Dear Advisor, This is Dr. Manal Bamousa , a female forensic doctor from Saudi Arabia. Recently,I got a proposal of making ideal building under name of: family protection centre. I need to work on that Golden project by writing every thing related to this project from A-Z. I would appreciate your help and suggestions. Thank you very much and looking forward to hearing from you. Regards, Dr.Bamousa	Creating and Maintaining Coalitions and Partnerships Analyzing Problems and Goals Developing a Framework or Model of Change Developing Strategic and Action Plans Building Leadership Increasing Participation and Membership Enhancing Cultural Competence Advocating for Change Influencing Policy Development Evaluating the Initiative Implementing a Social Marketing Effort Improving Organizational Management and Development	Sun, 04/20/2014
I have an assignment to pick a health policy and to a policy analysis. My topic is "issues that arise due to an aging population" medical conditions that will arise, living longer and assisted living, the workforce depletion, healthcare costs will rise, etc. the policy that is attached to this issue is the "Prevention and Healthcare Fund". I believe prevention through education and motivating each individual to remain as healthy as possible is most important, because doing this affects and decreases the negative impact of these issues. My instructions are to pick a policy, pick an issue, and write a policy analysis. I am to identify key stakeholders, provide 3 to 5 options to consider, inform pros and cons of each and apply each criterion to all my options. I am confused about the options. What do the options mean is it the education, the rising healthcare costs. Can you please help me. Do I need to change policys? Thank you Kim Helton kimandherdog@bellsouth.net	Developing Strategic and Action Plans Influencing Policy Development	Sun, 04/20/2014
I want to start an organization that will work to maximize potentials and to empower the youth to make the most of all opportunities.How will my action plan be?	Developing a Framework or Model of Change Building Leadership Increasing Participation and Membership Advocating for Change	Mon, 04/14/2014
I work at a Kansas City non-profit that provides medical services internationally. I am looking into redesigning our international scout trips. These trips are designed to look into potential sites to send medical teams to provide healthcare. I hope to put into place a formalized needs assessment using a CBPR approach to implement into each proposed international site. We are looking into grants to help fund the endeavor of implementing the needs assessment overseas. I was wondering if you had any tips on creating a budget for needs assessments. Thank you.	Improving Organizational Management and Development	Wed, 04/09/2014
We the Navajo Nation, have a serious educational problem and that is our student achievement is very low. We would like to improve the student achievement from within. There are method that could be used such as the "Action Research" method, but this would take working on each individual school to address this problem. Any advice would be appreciated.	Creating and Maintaining Coalitions and Partnerships Assessing Community Needs and Resources Analyzing Problems and Goals Developing Strategic and Action Plans Increasing Participation and Membership	Thu, 04/03/2014
We are going to promote health and prevent diseases in the slum areas, in a simple table form, can you send me the operational model we should use and the most effective way to mobilize the community?	Creating and Maintaining Coalitions and Partnerships Assessing Community Needs and Resources Analyzing Problems and Goals Developing a Framework or Model of Change Improving Organizational Management and Development	Thu, 04/03/2014
Hi, my name is Stephanie Dunn. I am receiving a Bachelor of Science in Mental Health and Human Services in September 2014. I served my internship at Hartford Sumner Elementary School school year 2012-2013, in my community. Since then I have been finishing up by degree and volunteering at the same Elementary school, I intend to begin graduate school fall 2015. I am interested in the grant process and what that would require. My community is in the Western foothills of Maine. We are a rural area and one of the highest areas of substance abuse in the United States. I am interested in continuing my work with the school system, working with students and educators. I currently volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters program that is at our school. There are many needs in our community and I would like to be part of the support services. Our Elementary school just lost 4 teachers, and there were 20 more district wide jobs cut. I would like to get some information in what a grant requires ,and if would be possible for me to do. Thank-you	Assessing Community Needs and Resources Developing Strategic and Action Plans Improving Organizational Management and Development	Wed, 04/02/2014
I am part of a grassroots parents movement called Decoding Dyslexia. Currently we are located in 46 states. www.decodingdyslexia.net. We strive to raise dyslexia awareness, empower families to support their children, and shape policy regarding resources children with dyslexia receive in schools. We are planning a "meet your Congressperson" day in Washington DC to raise dyslexia awareness. Do you know of helpful tools to organize this event. And funding opportunities? Great website and work -- by the way! Thank you, Diana Sticker	Analyzing Problems and Goals Advocating for Change Sustaining the Work or Initiative	Tue, 04/01/2014
Dear Sir's I am very happy to find this tool box and I send my appreciation. This, for a very long time I have been struggling to find; thank you so much for exemplary good work. However, I intend to create a social enterprise targeting working to build healthy community and bring about a social change. I am looking at how better I can prepare my community to work together to change conditions that affect their lives. My community (the Iteso) had a pride over their cows and this was their bank; it was a source of school fees and general well being of the community. Between 1986 to 1993, the Iteso lost their pride to cattle rustlers. The Iteso now rely on subsistence farming as a source of their general well being including school fees for their children. Through universal primary/secondary education, Educational standards have gone down as compared to years before 1986. Recent poverty statistics show 54% of the Iteso community are below poverty line. Please advise me. Regards Simon Peter Achaitum	Creating and Maintaining Coalitions and Partnerships Assessing Community Needs and Resources Analyzing Problems and Goals Advocating for Change	Tue, 04/01/2014
It is said that self efficacy increases the participation of physical activity in individuals. My particular community is the workplace and to decrease obesity. What are some strategies I can implement to increase self-efficacy in this population?	Analyzing Problems and Goals Developing an Intervention Advocating for Change	Tue, 04/01/2014
I am looking to gain public support for building a walking path. How do I show I have this support?	Analyzing Problems and Goals Developing Strategic and Action Plans Advocating for Change	Mon, 03/31/2014
Hey! I would like to cite Chapter 18, but can find neither the authors, nor the year of publishment. Could you help me with hat please?		Fri, 03/21/2014
Looking to establish and network to incorporate my youth program as well as expand horizons. Where do I begin?	Creating and Maintaining Coalitions and Partnerships	Thu, 03/13/2014
Looking at setting up a social skills workshop for child and youth workers and educational assistant's not sure what to charge for this type of workshop. Needs some fee guidelines.	Developing Strategic and Action Plans Increasing Participation and Membership Sustaining the Work or Initiative	Thu, 03/13/2014
Is it possible to get an electronic copy or hard copy of the entire book on "step by step guidance in community building skills" as contained in the community toolbox		Thu, 03/13/2014
What grants are available that focus on retention and graduation of first-generation college students?	Writing a Grant Application for Funding	Wed, 03/12/2014
i have to prepare a press kit. i have to include a log sheet . i dont quiet understand what a log sheet is . please explain	Analyzing Problems and Goals Improving Organizational Management and Development	Tue, 03/11/2014
I am looking for is a possible template how do decisions get made in a collaborative setting. So if two people are trying to decide about an issue an both voices have equal "power" but their ideas are not in alignment would you know of a process you can use to work through that. I am envisioning that it could be a set of questions like: What is best for the organization? Is it covered in the budget? Does it match the the organization's mandate? Is it ethical? But not sure - was wondering if you have something on this	Creating and Maintaining Coalitions and Partnerships	Mon, 03/10/2014
why can a cummunity be unable to perceive problems or not consider them priority issues that needed to be addressed?	Creating and Maintaining Coalitions and Partnerships Analyzing Problems and Goals Influencing Policy Development	Sun, 03/09/2014
How to write a letter of invitation to agency and individual honorees?	Creating and Maintaining Coalitions and Partnerships	Sun, 03/09/2014
Hi, I would like to cite Section 8. Identifying and Analyzing Stakeholders and Their Interests, but can't find all of the relevant information for citation. Can you provide citation information, so I can use your information in my assignment?		Fri, 03/07/2014
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.	Creating and Maintaining Coalitions and Partnerships Analyzing Problems and Goals Increasing Participation and Membership Sustaining the Work or Initiative	Fri, 03/07/2014
I have been researching and formulating MCOTS Modular Community Owned Transit Systems for a good while. In community Toolbox it is like having someone with a masters in community organizing. Would it be possible to work with an Advisor that can help me become We? to get the pilot phase of capital investments done and paid off in 4-8 months with each community of 5,000 having $25,000,000 equity and [most/all] workers in the community can save $10,000 a year in commuting and not be landlocked to employment opportunities. these MCOTS cover a 60 mile radius.	Analyzing Problems and Goals Developing Strategic and Action Plans Increasing Participation and Membership Improving Organizational Management and Development	Fri, 03/07/2014
When collecting signatures for a petition, it is unclear to me where I am aloud to collect the signatures. For example, do I need to ask permission to collect in a plaza parking lot? Is it ok for someone to chase me off of convocation center grounds? What about a state park?	Analyzing Problems and Goals Advocating for Change	Fri, 03/07/2014
I am writing a speech on culture and how it contributes to our social identity. I came across this site and found useful information. I, however, would like help in citing this resource. Is there a particular name or organization I should use in citing your cite?	Enhancing Cultural Competence	Thu, 03/06/2014
I am writing a speech on culture and how it contributes to our social identity. I came across this site and found useful information. I, however, would like help in citing this resource. Is there a particular name or organization I should use in citing your cite?		Thu, 03/06/2014