Email fro Christian

Hey Christian,
I started to send a response email, but I think I forgot to send it.
I already sent letters to all the services saying we had the money. How are you for early July to catch up and set dates?

Karen
Sent: Tuesday, 8 June 2010 2:35 PM
To: Karen O - INSYNC
Subject: Artsporations
Hi karen,
Great to hear we can organise the Artsporations project. Do you want to make a time to meet to sort tasks & possible dates. I can send out some info to agencies to confirm interest unless it needs to have the spiritus stamp. I have a couple of weeks in August & Sept to do the workshops. Let me know what you recommend as our plan of attack!
Catch you soon,
Christian.

Marking of my blog is done

Yah the marking of my blog is completed. But I feel that it is important to ensure that I keep this process going. I need a few days break from it but I am back.
We got the money for the project so next week, will start to organise times to make this happen. All the other services have been notified by snail mail so they are aware that we will be making times soon.
Need to contact Bron for CHAC and set time for my talk to the school.
The pictue is one that I came across in my travels wth flickr and love this B movie, just need to put it in at some point- here we are at some point.

I got Funding to run Art workshops

Last year I had a uni student on placement at my service and as part of her placement she developed a funding submission which we submitted to our local Council. The projects aim is to develop the links between community services, their clients through Art workshops with Christian from Aerograffix.
We were unfortunately unsuccessful on that occasion, but we were asked to resubmit for the second round due to the strength and scope of the project.

And today I received the letter advising that we got the $8000.00. I called Christian as soon as I found out and he is setting dates to begin the workshops in a couple of months. It  is a  great opportunity to link up the art work project with the school and have them involved with the multiple workshops over the coming months.

The project will:

Involve up to 72 participants, six per session over 12 sessions.
The target group will include people with disabilities or who are currently disengaged from mainstream community activities.
Each participant will have the opportunity to complete an individual artwork on canvas or contribute to a group mural.
Participants can also attend an exhibition to celebrate achievements and display works of art for community members to view.

The services and the clients of the services who will be involved are Redlands District Committee on Ageing, Canteen,Babi Youth Services, Cerebral Palsy League Qld, Redlands Bayside Disability Service, Boystown, TRACC South Foster Care and Horizon.
 
Happy ending to a very long funding process and community development project for Uni

Reflecton on Blogging and Project

Well here we are in the final week and I have just been going over Lynda's notes from Class and a few things stand out for me at the end of this process.

In Week 1- Lynda talked about Love and Fear.
For me I have to say I definitely started in Fear. I was worried about doing the blog. It was very different from any other form of assessment that I have done in my masters course. I always feel a little bit anxious  attempting new things. In particular with the computer technology.

For me the community that Lynda was hoping to achieve given the limited time that we were going to spend together in class, seemed ambitious. I was fortunate that I started the course knowing a few people very well. WE have been supporting each other through our course for a year already at this stage.
Much of the original support I got was from them. But in true Community Development Lynda had activities that ensured that we got to know others within the group.

I had strong on going support from my close community within the group, but found through the discussion board, and following the nine blogs I chose I developed a great community network.
This lead to the love of blogging- I think I have become slightly annoying to all my work colleagues and friends as I yadder yadder on about this technology. I took another  huge leap last week and jumped on to twitter as part of my blog.

Having said this and how much I love the blogging  I have convinced a few networks I am involved with that we need to go down this path. It is also proving to be a useful tool for clients as a reflective diary (you can lock of the blog so no one else can view it).

Now that I have made the commitment they are patiently waiting for my uni commitments to stop and I will then set them up and manage them for 2 network groups I am involved in for work.
So I am ending love of the technology and of the learning process.

In reviewing my project  I see my self  having done the dance between Retreat- Advance, Top down -Bottom up and Real- Ideal.
Getting the balance right in between these and the right timing  can be difficult. Mostly this balance for me has been the reliance on others. The main people involved in the project, the students had as busy work commitments as I did .

The project timing was difficult for all of us, and  we were overly ambitious in our time frame to get the art work shop done prior to the 23rd May- exceptionally Ideal. Our discussion to re launch and get others involved at a later date after the mid year assessment period for the student is far more Real.
Which meant times I had to take the lead when I was hoping to have a bottom up approach happening in  order for things to be decided.

I mention a lot about Collective Action in my blog- much of the research I did showed that when young people become involved n community issues are more likely  to remain involved in civic and political matters on an on going basis. So it has become a focus of the community project.

Lynda mentioned for us to go and 'Be brave and go out there' and 'Fail gloriously'. I think I did this. I did fail in down loading a video I wanted, I struggled in getting n to Utube, and finding podcasts. But the hard work and failure helped with developing the connection to others in the course for help to get things done.

Part of what I am most excited about is my new version of a Butterflies wings flapping- which for me was Twitter. Joining this and making it apart of my project has opened up a whole new world. I am now sharing this experience with others and the information that I am getting from my twitter and those that I am following.
It has been a long semester  but I have learnt a lot and my skills with the computers has progressed in leaps and bounds.

It has been Great.

Video add I have developed for next phase of the project

Arts Project from Karen O'Donohue on Vimeo.

I have finally managed after weeks of trying and faling to get the technology to work for me. This website allows me to lock down the video to access with code access only. This is the video I wll be using at my talk at the school to get people nvolved in the next phase of my project.

Business and the Community

Hi All,
As we think about moving out into the world and working n the community some of the community members we really need to target and get involved within  their community to make a difference s business.
I came across this utube from a twitter link, it is very insightful. It is business men at a conference answering  "If you could redesign the world, what would you do" . Technology as a tool and introduced efficiently and quickly is one of the identifyed points interesting. Have a look.
http://sn.im/wy6h4

Reminer all human lives should be valued

Hi All ,
came across a great Twitter site where the focus is on promoting Human rights. In thinking about technology- I think I need to have a bit of a focus for my Twitter account to. Not sure what that is yet. I am trolling through many and getting an idea of all the possibilities and the potential that is out there first.
Check out the twitter site
https://twitter.com/QueenRania

Video's- failure to download image from the Youth Day Out

Hi all,
Well even bribery of dinner can help to help fix a stuff up. Somehow I have managed to download off the video memory card and whilst it is in my computer and also on the card I can not get it open. Thanks again Theresa for giving up your time to try and figure out I have done with the footage- now to be know as currently lost in cyber space.

I will take to works I.T. department and see what they can do next week. But as we are fast running out of time thought I would try with DVD footage that I already have of the last Youth Day Out and of the last project I ran with Christian of developing graffiti art with a group of young people. But I couldn't get this to work either- this is very frustrating. I just wanted to give people a visual of where the second part of the project is heading and what it will look like.

Whilst it is not the young people from this project it is where we are heading, and I felt that I needed to give this project blog some clarity. But alas this part of my project plan didn't go according to the project plan that I had originally.

Today at the library I was chatting with an ex member of our class re my blogging and project. She raised with me one concern that she had had and that is what happens if you start a project, get everyone involved and then as your semester ends- you leave. We discussed the concerns of the issues of beginning projects and leaving communities in the lurch when for us our time is up. This can do more damage than having done nothing at all leaving behind a very sour feeling in the community. I am aware of this as an issue but I have to say t was not something that I had considered in beginning this project, mostly because I was lucky enough to have a project that will continue past the end of the semester, and even beyond me in my position- it is a long term commitment between the service, the organisational and the school to continue to develop projects together into the future. And the second part of the project will definitely drag out past the end of semester when it rolls into action, but I am ok with this as it is a long term committed project I am aiming for.
Karen

Twitter lessons I have learnt in 24 hours since I joined

OMG-

 I have learnt that there is so much to learn
Fortunately I have had some tips from Theresa and I have stumbbled across some great twitters.
1.Found a great twtter to follow that sends me the top 10 for the week, very important to know to keep up to date http://mashable.com/
2. Have been advanced to meme - and I found the key board cat that you showed me Theresa _ I had to put it in as it is a lesson I Learnt.
Thank you

Keyboard Cat - Watch more Funny Videos

Eureka - I have managed to get a podcast

Another Eureka,
Not sure how I did it but I did. I managed to down load a podcast. The frustration of the last few days to find one I could download given the restrictions of work computers.
It is a podrights podcast by the Australian Human Rights Commission. The Disability and Race Discrimination Minister Graham Innes speaks to Departing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, Tom Calma who is reminiscing on his term.
Very interesting listening-

http://www.hreoc.gov.au/podcasts/2010/podcast_2010_1.mp3

Words from the Dalai Lama

Hi All,

Passing on a pearl of wisdom, that is something that when entering into communities we need to remember -
We need to develop a sense of equanimity towards all living beings, expressed through the ability to relate to all others equally. Dalai Lama
AHHH got it from his twitter- me and my new found toys love it

The Karen people displaced from Burma

Against All Hope from Art and Justice League on Vimeo.

I also sent this video link to Sylvia http://ugandansandfriendsunite.blogspot.com/ but I love it so much. To hear about the hardships these refugees have faced- the persecution of a peoples for 60 years - yet they still have faith, and have named their place the place without evil despite all the atrocities that have occurred there. It is a very moving video

Young People in Australia leadng environmental action

Find more videos like this on All Around You

So when I look at this subject and the medium used to assess it - a few things have happened- one I just got off the phone with a fellow class bloggette (Theresa) discussing how the blog helped with the community project.
So I am gong to spend tomorrow reflecting on this and then address it.
Whilst it was about getting the project happening, it has opened up a new focus for me and given that I work with youth I should have been over this a long time ago-using technology. I have loved it and can see the benefits on so many levels for my work, the community sector, and to develop community projects into action.
In thinking about this I came across this video of young people involved in environmental action and how they are leading this action. This is the focus of my project is to have the young people to own and lead the action.

Becoming a Community Champion

Why become a Community Champion with BTCV from Doug BTCV on Vimeo.
This is a great project run in the UK that targets and gets community action happen - I found it very interesting and full of useful ideas to continue forward with my own project in the future. Hope that everyone finds it as useful as me.

I especially liked the way it identifies the person as a champion n their area, I thought was a great way of positively recruiting for community action.

My first Twitter

Well I have signed up to Twitter and after a few technical hitches- so I am unable to show the first page I pulled up I have had to settle with the second. But here is the link -
http://glaadblog.org/2010/05/27/house-votes-to-repeal-dont-ask-dont-tell/

I am following someone on Technology and the charity and 2 on twitter it self. Have not added it to my mobile - as it is a work one that would drive me nuts and I get enough calls let alone consistent up dates on what people are doing.

Have added Twitter link to blog page

Community Action Process Video

Community Action Process from Abid Jan on Vimeo.
And wait for it I have also found on video (that I have embedded that makes 2)-
the Community Action Process has a video. It has all the basics that Lynda has mentioned in class re getting the community involved. It is a useful tool I find for planning not just individually but also as a group, especially within the community, it is quick it is colourful and makes the points simply.

Is Twitter the new Butterfly wings flapping? And why is it so hard to download stuff- oh thats right work computer limitations

The use of Twitter for me had been one of a -OMG who cares if you are drinking coffee, but after I read this transcript I have begun to be converted.The potential twitter has and how quickly and powerfully it can affect outcomes is something that needs to be greatly admired.

I have to sat that I long ago converted to the text messaging crazy. It possible costs more cause often there is texting back and forth conversation that would have been quicker, but it is also a great way to catch people up without having a conversation- especially when in a hurry or too busy to talk. And definitely the last year and half , my means of any form of conversation on weekends when I am tugged in the library all day Sat and Sun doing uni work.
So is my next step twitter, going to have a look at that as an option.
Check out the transcript from  the Drum ABC radio program link below-
http://search.abc.net.au/search/click.cgi?url=http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/stories/s2406365.htm&rank=30&collection=abcall

The price that I pay for having a work lap top is the lack of free down in picking and choosing what to download, though I had sorted my download issue of a DVD I developed on my last graffiti art project, and that I could easily download the podcasting software. But access was denied - so will see, well beg and plead with IT next week if there is any possible ways around this issue. It is certainly a level of frustration that makes the contemplation of the advantages of having work equipment available and use.

But it can come at a price- not one that I necessarily disagree with. But is does add extra time to my job, like now when I am discovering all these ways to use the new technology and want to try it out through uni in my assignment, and then expand how this can then be transported in to my work with young people. Channels can take time- and I am impatient at times.

Young People involved in community action at Princeton Uni

Princeton University Community Action Teaser from Student Volunteers Council on Vimeo.
My first video embedded into a post
The video shows the extent to which young people can and do become involved with their community. It is this commitment that my project is seeking to develop here.

Videos downloads, I have learnt how to do this

Yah to me I have learnt how to do this, if any one is interested this website has the cannot get it wrong learning way to 'embed' the video into your blogs. Once I got the hang of it I have managed to get others as well- even utube- that I have attempted a few times and had resigned my self to not being able to achieve without heading off to my fellow class mate for help. But persistence and this sute as practice I have now mastered it.


Check it out http://vimeo.com/
I love it and must say it has sent me on the next mission of podcasting search.

Technology Junkie- well that is what they accuse me of

So in the old days we used the type writer and the greatest invention at that time was liquid paper to type over mistakes rather than starting again.
Even though I am not sure that they even make them (typewriters) - I not sure about trashing all the previous ways of doing things either.

History has a lot to teach us and even though this week saw the new IPad on sale in Aussie, it is also good to remember what has got us here and how important all those skills we learnt along the way.
Why am I heading down this train of thought you ask- well in community development we need to remember that we will be working with a variety of people and some of them like the way they do things. Yesterday I was having a conversation with colleagues re an issue that had arisen re donations and payments for services in the community sectors. Whilst at times we (community organisations) may be antiquated sometimes we are the new generation and the kid with all the toys. The preference has become for electronic banking and collection of donations- safer in reduced risks of missing cash, increased risk of individual and computer error.

But who are the people who give to the organisations? Yes there are those who have money and often will donate one off large sums, but the on going bread and butter is small and  consistent donations. Many are elderly and don't have the banking systems set up- they like the cash transaction.
So as I have become the techno junkie I have been accused of recently by a few - I feel it is also important to consider those we work with and have patience and encouragement, but equally remember that what they know got us where we are and sometimes work done on a type writer may be better than that done on a laptop.

From the newly converted techno junkie

Links to Technology tip sheet from conference I attended last week

Hi all, the learnings around the technology for me are working over time this week
Oh my god, I figured it out on my own, how to get the link for the tip sheet that I put on the discussion board to have it added to my blog- yah me. Check it out. It has some great information in it on how to use technology in the community sector.
http://blackboard.elearning.uq.edu.au/@@/6D15952F80D66B6A42C92AC1E6A1E14F/courses/1/SWSP7123S_6020STx/db/_883234_1/embedded/using%20technology%20in%20community%20field.pdf

Also on this is the holy grail I am hoping for the community organisations who have to have fairly tight restrictions re computer usage- so many of us are unable to access some of the websites like utube through work computers. However there is a website for non profit utube. I sent an email to my IT department yesterday- and they are like me are excited if this has adequate restrictions on it but will allow us to access appropriate videos, and upload footage.
This will allow many doors to open for us as workers especially with things like I mentioned with using Utube to advertise AGM's, community action meetings, information evenings.

I know I am putting a lot into this hope of the security of the non profit web page, but is an issue that all the community services need to face- either completely open access- in this risk obsessed world- that is too great to take chances with in this day and age.

Where to from Here

MMMMM
In contemplating where I go to from here - in that the connection has been made and the developing of the relationship is strong, but the business of myself and the students has had a dramatic impact in moving this project froward quickly.
Not sure if that was all about the excitement and wanting to meet that deadline that we tried to push it through with in the short time.
Or possible about wanting to meet my agenda with it being apart of my uni project and having the art works completed in time for the end of semester and my project.

Reflecting on this feeling of unfinished business had left me a bit deflated in my energy. But I think after my chat with the student on Sunday- and having understanding and empathy for all the structural and study pressure she is under right now, I have emerge re focused.

In addressing community development consideration needs to be given to an important issue that action may take time- and this is reflective of allowing the community to steer the project to the means and ends that they want rather than us having a predetermined agenda and running with that, even doing all the work and giving the community something they don't want or need- or more importantly an action that they own and support.

In John Riley article WORKING TOWARDS A BETTER WORLD, Computer Weekly; Dec 19, 2006 p16 he discusses the awards for volunteer's in  the IT industry who give back to their community, he identifies 10 points for people wanting to get involved in their community:

1. Do not over promise
2. Keep it simple at first
3. Ensure all parties have agreed the project definition
4. Check that the charity's management is committed to the project
5. For complex projects the management role should be located within the charity
6. Ensure the project is sustainable without you
7. Cover potential risks and liabilities
8. Define from the start when the project will end, and when any reviews will occur
9. Spread the good news
10. Do it again 

These are 10 great points for people to be aware of when they are wanting to begin community action that will enhance their community which is supported by a community organisation.

This has given me food for thought with how my project is progressing and I think that I am on track as long as I remind myself that it isn't just about meeting my time frames.

New date for Art workshop to be set

Email sent to scholl contact  (Bron) and Artist (Christian) 28.05.10

Hi Bron,
Great to see you on Sunday. I think if we work on what we discussed. If you can let me know the dates of those 2 weeks where all are free from exams and assessment.

I will give you a couple of dates within that as times I can come and talk about where we want to head with the art project, and take it from there. Then I can coordinate most of it to make it easier on you given your work load. Once I know I can set some dates with Christian to run the workshops with the students.

Thanks Bron, look forward to hearing from you
Karen

Conference just on Technology for non profit sector

Hi all,
In just doing some research around I stumbled across this web page on a conference that is solely about technology in the non profit sector, definitely where we are headed- so guess that using this medium as a means to do our community project and as measuring tool for our self is definitely the right direction to head in.
Anyway check out this link it is very interesting and also thought provoking about how much I don't know and need to get to know. http://www.nten.org/ntc
Karen

School new letter - we made the papers

WE Gen @ In-SYNC 2010 Web: www.spiritus.org.au

In-SYNC Youth Service was privileged to be asked to be apart of the ‘We Gen’ project with Cannon Hill Anglican College. Our part in the project was to have the students(who had given up their break during the school holidays to participate) at our service or two days.

Below is the two day program with the ‘We Gen’ young people:
Day 1- Morning
1. Meet Staff/ Informed about service and what we do.
2. Meet staff from foster care service
3. Learn how to use spray on tattoo machine

Afternoon Videos

1. What’s the story- the truth about Youth (by the Youth Advocacy

Centre

2. Another Way- a look at 3 prisoners over 3 years who do the

Alternative to Violence workshops.

Debrief the videos. Assign homework from discuss- look up websites headspace and beyond blue- to provide information to the group tomorrow

Day 2
Morning Discuss issues facing young people today- and what options are available for them within and outside the school. Confidentiality/ privacy what does this mean for the young person and the services that they seek assistance from.
Afternoon Look at what the young people found out about websites Future focus- what are the ways that they would like to work together in future? How/ who/ when can we develop these ideas to becoming realties (see below)?
Youth Day Out – on Saturday 10th April- come and attend and assist In-SYNC staff with spray on tattoo’s during the event.

T\he ‘We Gen’ two day program is just the beginning of the relationship between the school and In-SYNC. Research shows that young people who become involved in civic and/ or political issues are more likely to be involved in these issues later in their life (Hart, Donnelly, Youniss, and Atkins, 2007 pg199).
In the two days that the students were at the service, the students came up with the following ideas for future activities. First we explored whatmotivated them to be involved:
Chill - share experiences - gain trust - raising funds - giving of self – fun –
Activities - helping out - talk and meet young people: pen pals, become friends

We then looked at ways of how this can occur: The students came up with the following ideas:
• Art project to sell at upcoming Art auction/ wetlands festival through schools
arts committee/
• Baby sitting for young mums through the schools girls’ advisory committee
• round robin lunches open to all community members held at church halls (Bulimba Anglican and Uniting Churches).

The students and In-SYNC are currently working together to get an art workshop run prior to their Art Auction on the 23rd May.

They also named some other ways that could be developed in the future:
• Voluntary work within Spiritus services which included administration and cleaning
• Development of pen pals between students and service users/
• Planning joint activities which could contain a fund raising component by the
school for services.

Spiritus services are generally inundated with demands upon their limited resources to provide support to vulnerable people within the community. And people who access our services usually have limited support networks (formal and informal) on which they can rely on to address issues such as poverty, homelessness, educational, health and mental health.

The on going relationship is seeking to develop the relationship between us and school students who are looking for ways to engage and support those vulnerable within their community.

Karen O’Donohue, Manager Spiritus In-SYNC A 2010

Web: www.spiritus.org.au

Week 12 Posting Part 2 Technology enters Community sector at Training conference

Hi All,
So in our technological adventure of this semester in trying all new mediums (well for me) and trying to navigate around them and I plodded, I tried- and I have done OK.

Then I go to a conference last week and they have heaps of things on this issue, -First Generation e-learning and beyond, How good are we? Online innovations for analysing and sustaining organisational capability and Collaboration in the Twitter age.

So I guess whilst we think that we are in the community sector and these tools may have little to do with us, not so according to the sector- it is a big focus and the movement has well and truly begun.

Services were talking about how they are using these tools to communicate- a community organisation AGM's was advertised on U-Tube with a funny clip - got over 100 people to attend the AGM.

The new age of looking for work has entered the computer age for the Community and health sector, Qld just launched last week adding to the Australia wide network. You have to check it out even the title is something I love- Careers that Matter- http://careersthatmatter.com.au/

I am also adding what I got from the workshop I went to on the Twitter Age- much of it is for free or really cheap, on how to use technology- example the radio station ZZZ will run class for $25 per person (for organisations) on how to do podcasts. And podcasting was identified by one community service as their new way for being green friendly. It disseminates information to many, and is being used instead of brochures and leaflets- no trees are harmed. So here is a copy of the fact sheet I got- using technology in community field.

I hope it keeps you as inspired as it has me to keep going forward with learning and using technology in the future.

Found the first post above, below is 2nd posting in the same, but I thought I had lost the above one
Thursday, 27 May 2010 11:30:27 AM  Why is that you find all the helpful things at the end of the project?
Hi All,
I attended a conference last week and guess what was one of the main focus in the training and learning in the community sector? - 'Technology'

Not that I appear to have mastered it, for some reason last weeks posting didn't appear fully and I wrote this post and published it and it has completely disappeared on me.

Good thing I am stubborn.

Anyways- the conference had several workshops focusing on technology, making it evident that the community sector is well and truly running towards the use of technology use.

The workshop titles were First generation e-learning and beyond, How good are we? Online innovations for analysing and sustaining organisational capability, Young people, social media and health and community services,Collaboration in the twitter age.

Some of the experiences by community services as examples were - one that used U-Tube to advertise their AGM with a funny clip- they got over 100 people at their AGM. Another is using podcasting as a tool to disseminate information, it goes to many and it is green friendly- as they are reducing pamphlet printing.

Last week also was the launch of the Qld branch of Careers that Matter. This is a great site and not only does it advertise jobs, but also training for the community and health sector- it looks great you should check it out, and I love the name- http://careersthatmatter.com.au/

I have also attached a copy of the fact sheet from one workshop that gives tips and ideas of using the technology that is out their- much of it free or cheap- eg the radio station ZZZ provides training to community services for $25 per head on using podcasts- using technology in community field.

Hope you enjoy looking at all the information and that it keeps you inspired to keep on this path of learning new ways of using technology in the community sector.
Karen

Thursday, 27 May 2010 11:30:27 AM EST Reply

Hi Karen
Thanks for this information. I have been struggling to understand how using these forms of technology to communication can add value to community development work. I like the example that was given regarding the high response to the AGM announcement. At the organisation that I am a member of we always struggle to get people to AGM's, maybe we could try something like that. It may get new people with new ideas involved.
Thanks also for your comments on my blog. I haven't read the readings you recommended yet, but I will try to before next week.
See you on Wednesday.
Cindy

Taking on Lynda's Philosophy

What can we Learn From........?????????
I was running a group this week with young people and in the midst of the group Lynda's lecture of 'What I can Learn From...." came back to me. The workshop operates on the Philosophy that we are all Teachers and Learners- this is set up with the young people from the beginning.

And having run this workshops many times I know this to be a truism for me. But I forget how much sometimes we do learn from each other and how even the smallest and simplest thing, situation can provide the strongest and most powerful example of learning, and how this can be easily missed if we think it is only a 'billard ball, bush fire, butterfly or broccoli'.

For me in this workshop and with the focus of my project is the need to look at the work of meteorologist Edward Lorenz "butterfly effect".
The Butterfly Effect: The Impact of Citizenship Education (Jennifer Ponder, Genell Lewis-Ferrell. The Social Studies. Washington: May/Jun 2009. Vol. 100, Iss. 3; pg. 129-134)
This article challenges us to use educate children and young people in political issues that have impacts on people in society. It is encouraging that using this method does have significant impacts in raising awareness and increases the probability of involvement within the community.

Week 12 Discussion Board part1 Computer Glitches strick me down in Uni discussion Board

Thursday, 27 May 2010 8:53:46 AM EST Help from Desley

Hi Desley,
Went into my post from last week. I struggled and put my post on three times cause it keep not putting in the bottom part of my post.

I gave up in frustration.

But now there has been replies and yours was the only one I can see responding to Vanessa re not being able to see posts. I am very concerned that you have been having this issue all semester.

How do you open in through firefox, so I can see what has been said.
Thanks, Karen

Thursday, 27 May 2010 11:23:54 AM
Karen and Desley
I too have been having problems all semester with posting responses from my home computer. I can only to it from uni or work. It's been a bit of a pain wanting to contribute to discussions but having to wait until I could use a computer that I could respond from. I'm going to try firefox too.
Cindy

Thursday, 27 May 2010 5:20:21 PM EST
Hey there,
Some times i do have a problem accessing the uni website and that is not just the discussion board but the library, uq mail and blackboard; as for my sinet sonnet i wont even go there. It usually happens when have quite a number of windows open and i have to shut the whole system down and restart and then it works. I hope you are able to access the board.
All the best Sylvia

Hi Karen, Cindy, Sylvia and everyone

My technology knowledge so far is one of trial and error, so I can't say for sure that Firefox is the answer to the problem but I've found since using it that I have been able to see all posts in full. The main problem seemed to be on my home computer. Like Cindy I have been able to see all the posts in full on Uni computers most of the time, but as Sylvia mentioned every now and then they haven't worked for me either.

Karen, I've attached the website which takes you straight to the Firefox web page and in the right hand corner there is a large green tab under "Get Firefox". If you click on this it will take you through the step by step process of downloading it onto your computer. You won't have to get rid of Internet Explorer, you can have both. I hope this works for you.
http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/switch.html  
Let me know how you go... Desley

Research helps keep up my motivation

May 18th
Hi All,
I am personally feel that I had stalled in the plans of getting this project of the ground -  so in reflecting on where I am at, what it is I am doing, and trying to figure out where what and how from here, I went back to my project plan.

I began to re look at the research of why young people get involved with their community. Getting young people involved with their community leads to them being involved in civic and political issues later in their life(Hart, Donnelly, Youniss, and Atkins, 2007) .

I then found further inspiration in researching young people and collective action and came across two articles that look at the importance of 'HOPE'.
These articles by Courville and Piper and Peter Drahos identify that it is the companion of hope that gives momentum to social movement. The articles discuss the connection of  hope,empowerment, ideas for change, and action.
Reading these articles has helped me become reinvigorated, just what I needed at this point.

Courville, S. and Piper, N.The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science 2004. 592 (1) 39-61

Draho, P. The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science 2004.592 (1) 18-38

Youniss, J. and Yates, M. 1997. Community service and social responsibility in youth. Chicago. University of Chicago Press.

Never know where the connection will lead

17th May

Hi All,
Got a great a great reminder re the importance of connecting with young people today and where that can lead. A young person I meet many years ago while running a program with her school has kept in contact off and on over the years- sometimes for support from me in my role, sometimes just to check in and catch up.

Recently we reconnected again, now she is a young woman who has faced great adversity at times - but is remarkable in her out look.

And as a huge surprise to me she has identified that she would like to go into counselling as a career. She told me that it is partly because of me and how I have engaged with her over the years, that I listen to her, provide her with support and that I tell her the truth.
So I guess that is another way of getting young people engaged in civic and social action- it those young people who have experienced the support from people and services in their times of need. Great way to start the week.

Karen

My Posting for Class Discussion Board week 11

Posting week 11
Community Action against Paedophiles- how far have we come in our thinking from the Nazi’s Arian Nation?
When is Social Collective Action not in the best interest of the community or individuals?
I have been on a personal struggle for a few days now, since returning home and finding shoved into my letter box a newsletter calling for collective action against paedophiles and asking for people to join their fight.

The newsletter starts with the call for the assets of paedophiles to be confiscated and the proceeds used for two things:
 The provision of support for their victims.
 And for research to identify the DNA of paedophiles.

It goes on to say that the wives and children of men who abusing kids are silent because the men control the money. If the law confiscated paedophiles assets then the wives and children would be more likely to speak up because they would know they could have access to the money and a place to live.

It justifies its call for DNA research by claiming that ‘paedophiles are comparing themselves to the Gay community’ as like Gay people they (paedophiles) are ‘born that way it is part of their DNA’. The newsletter further claims that paedophiles believe that their actions will eventually become accepted by society as a legitimate relationship similar to same sex relationships.

In spending what limited time I had in finding the research relating to these alarming statements- recent research on men who sexually assault children states that:

‘Empirical research has produced no single psychological profile of sexual abusers (Frosh, 1995; Calder and Skinner, 2000, p. 97). In terms of unresolved trauma, fewer than 50 per cent of male perpetrators appear to have been themselves sexual abused as children and significantly more male sex abusers may have been physically abused’ (Corby, 2000 Fairfield 2008 p 1082).

This articles clearly shows that there are some linkages to personal experience- sexual abuse and even physical abuse that the perpetrator experienced in childhood, I can not see a connection to the with the newsletter being ‘born that way DNA’ statements.

This newsletter has disturbed me on so many levels, and has feed into my deep concerns of how far have we come when we address horrific issues such as child abuse as a society. What and how do we treat the abusers in our society. I have just begun reading Lynne Healy’s book on International Social Work (2001) and it is disturbing fact that in Germany in the late 1920’s the government condoned as practice the sterilisation of ‘undesirable people’ (including alcoholics, and the handicapped) with mandatory reporting clause that extended to many professions including social work. They were not alone in their view at this time, Italy set up the Higher Fascist School for Social Assistance in Industry and Spain closed its school of social work and opened up its own schools of social work under the Franco regime (Healy p31).

The abuse of a child is not acceptable, and whilst I don’t know the statistics I can refer to my own work experience where with interventions, supports and therapy it is possible for individuals to change. This I am aware this is not possible for everyone, but there are those not only want to but work very hard to implement changes into their lives. It by no means reduces the harm that they have caused but it does prevent them from inflicting further harm.

Calder, M. and Skinner, J. (2000) ‘The comprehensive assessment of adult males who sexually abuse children’, in M. Calder, with Goulding, S., Hanks, H., Regan, L., Rose, K.,Skinner, J. and Wynne, J. (eds), The Complete Guide to Sexual Abuse Assessments, Lyme Regis, Dorset, Russell House Publishing, pp. 97–153.

Farnfield, S. (2008). British Journal of Social Work A Theoretical Model for the Comprehensive Assessment of Parenting 38, 1076–1099

Healy, L. (2001). International Social Work Professional Action In An Interdependent World. Oxford University Press New York

Responses on BD re my Globalization and Technology post (15.05.10) by fellow bloggettes

Hey fellow online posters!
I find the subject of technology and development a tricky one. My Masters is in Communication for Social Change, and one of my courses was all about Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) in Development. It seems to me that whilst the technology is cool:
(seriously, check it:  http://www.tacticaltech.org/10tactics  ), thousands of projects have literally bombed out because their starting place was with the technology and not the community.

It's important to respond to community needs and concerns and capacities. Ie. internet kiosks are not the solution to extreme poverty when the community is illiterate, and has no physical infrastructure such as electricity, and isn't involved in the cash economy (yes, this was a project!). But at the same time, ICTs enable global campaigns, ie 350.org -- which is pretty stellar, and it's could promote more everyday activism as people connect with likeminded people across the globe (or even within their own big cities).
Thanks for starting the thread Karen...was a nice distraction from my Rural Community Development assignment.
-Cat


Hey Karen,

It is interesting that you are talking about using technology and collective action. I am doing my dissertation and i am also considering the use of technology in building and maintaining community. I have found that usually we consider the people we can see and touch as our immediate community but there are people out there who have built networks online using social networks, internet dating sites and the like. Some of these relationships have grown into marriages, strong friendships, business and proffessional relationships and have had a really positive impact on people's lives. I do consider as well that there have been some negatives to the use of technology to build relationships however i think that it is an important tool and if it is used well the result can be phenomenal. Thanks for this and all the best.
Sylvia

Hi Karen,
Thanks for your post! I am really keen on seeing that film about the depletion of fish stocks - a deeply scary issue that our generation is facing. I just wanted to reflect and expand on your comment about the use of technology for engaging people in collective action.

Through this course, we have been exposed to the use of blogs, wikis, social networking websites (such as facebook), and even this very discussion board as a way to connect with people around the world with shared interests and concerns. While many of us have been challenged by the task of engaging with these new mediums, I believe that being exposed to these tools is a great investment for our future paths and careers in bringing people together and strengthening communities. Utilising technology for community development purposes is an approach that is also being adopted by government departments. For example, the Victorian Department of Planning and Community Development has recently established a program aimed at using online technology to promote new opportunities to people in disadvantaged communities. The $1.8 million Digital Inclusion Fund will help community members make better use of information and communication technology, while simultaneously supporting community sector organisations in improving the delivery of their services.

It is expected that the implementation of this program will improve access to community services and activities, open new pathways to training and employment, and improve social participation through volunteering and involvement in community groups and networks. For more information on this, see: http://www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/Web14/dvc/dvcmain.nsf/allDocs/RWP85AA84B683C63C32CA25761F00433D26?OpenDocument

I believe that the creation of this Digital Inclusion Fund is a clear example of a trend towards embracing technology as a tool for strengthening communities. This means that people who intend to work in the community sector (such as us undergrads!) will benefit greatly from having some familiarity with technology, particularly if we can also help other people of all ages to engage with these devices. It is for these reasons that I feel glad to have been encouraged in this course to embrace technology as a medium for connecting with others and presenting our ideas to the world.
Shashi