Posts from — September 2010

No, this blog is not a shout-out to the premiere of the 21st Century version of the television show, “Hawaii 5-O” (never a fav of mine, although, I’ve danced to the theme song.)  Nor, is this brief treatise, a commentary on the criminal justice system.  Instead, as the title suggests, this prose is….about…books.

Yesterday, was International Literacy Day, an initiative of the United Nations that asks that literacy remain a high priority for each country.  Worldwide, the statistics on illiteracy are stark: 1 – 5 adults are not literate, and, 2/3 of those are women.

I agree with this quote from a literacy initiative in California, “literacy is essential to freedom, and change is essential to literacy.”

I do firmly believe that an educated, well-read public is essential to the functioning of a democracy.  I share that belief with, among others, Thomas Jefferson. 

So, here’s what I’m proposing: Advocacy ACTION #15: We are going to be well-read. How? By starting a BOOK CLUB!

Ponder the possibilities:

1. As mentioned, we’ll help in strengthening the democracy!
2. We will join with and support and sustain our local libraries!
3. We can “bond over books” and any occasion for folks to get together and be in community is always a great idea!

We will continue to discuss this further.  In fact, what better way to pursue this initiative, than at next week’s HCPD Meeting on Wednesday, 15 September at….THE ALLEGHENY-CARNEGIE LIBRARY! Perfect!

Let me know what you think…and let’s get reading…..

I do have a first book suggestion in mind and even though today is the birthday of the great Russian  novelist, Leo Tolstoy, I am not suggesting “War and Peace.”  However, I am thinking of a classic of American Literature which celebrated it’s 50th Anniversary this year!  Any guesses????

sj;

I am a major fan of movies….love ‘em!

To, probably a surprise to no one, one of my favorites as always been, “Hoosiers,” the film about the Hickory High boys basketball team and their quest for a state championship in the early 1950′s.   One particular moment in the film entered my mind today.   Early on as the team is challenging how far Coach Norman Dale will be pushed, the coach benches a player for not following the team mandate to pass the ball (a good rule in lots of things, by the way).  One of the remaining five players on the floor fouls out and instead of putting in the disobedient, cocky kid, the Coach says, “My team is on the floor;” and proceeds to play the remainder of the game with four players.  Love it!

As the majority of minds in Steelers nation turns to fretting over who is our starting quarterback and who is starting and who isn’t, the fact is “you dance with who brung ya,” or, to put it another way, the players on the team, dressed in uniform and ready to play, are you play with.

Advocacy Lesson #14: Don’t worry about what you don’t have…get to work with what you do have!”

Honestly, give me a group of folks with heart and courage and a strong understanding of the “WHY” behind the advocacy we are doing and I’ll go with that group all the way to the halls of Harrisburg, to the corridors of DC, and onward “until the arc of the universe finally bends toward justice!” 

sj;

As already mentioned in this blog, I’m old…..indeed, time seems to go by a lot faster than when I was younger…sigh….Today, marks the beginning of the Labor Day weekend, a marker for the end of summer. 

Enough!  Let’s focus on the reason for this holiday held the first Monday of September — a salute to workers! 

Being the proud daughter of a steelworker, I salute all those who build, who blast, who make, who bake, who wait, who cook, who repair, who teach, who light, who move, who make us who we are.

We need to get back to making things and to manufacturing — though severely wounded, I refuse to believe it is passed on. 

Advocacy Lesson #13: Don’t quit on work.  What is it you are really passionate about? Let’s talk about it and find ways to employ your talents in the work force.

sj;

Read this shocker….yowzers!

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10245/1084467-68.stm

Tonight kicks-off the college football season with the NFL opening day fast approaching.  If you listen to any sports talk radio (I do….go figure) or any of the coach’s press conference you’ll hear a lot of numbers — what’s are ranking?  Who will be the quarterback who runs with the 1′s?  Are the 2′s and 3′s performing well? 

Obviously, the number system works in ranking teams and players in regard to their strengths and talents.

In the advocacy world, we do the same type of ranking system.  Just as Coach Tomlin will refer to the 1′s (the starters) and the 2′s and 3′s, we do so as well. 

When putting together an advocacy gameplan, we will have the persons and groups we designate as 1′s: those who are with us already and our strong supporters.  Next, the 2′s: those who are close and with some work and conversation can be moved into becoming a strong 1.  Lastly, the 3′s: those who appear far from being in concert with us on the particular issue.  The call needing made is do we invest time and energy to try and move them into 2 or 1 status.

Advocacy Lesson #12: Make and update lists of who is part of your advocacy team.   Work with these folks and move 2′s to 1′ and if do-able 3′s to 2′s.  Be honest in your rankings and keep the list updated.  The goal is to grow the base and involve a variety of folks in your efforts.

In the dance of advocacy, it can be as simple as a one…a two…and a three.

sj;