Monthly Archives: October 2010
Giving Back
Giving back to the community is important for many reasons, as it shares valuable skills to build a better society. It is not just about the task, it is about participation, succession and mentoring.
The work involved as a volunteer, I believe, should be treated with the same professionalism as your main occupation. A true volunteer is as committed to the task as a paid staff member, the difference comes in the motivation behind the activity. What many people call volunteer service is just casual labour without conviction of purpose.
“What’s in it for me” should not appear in the mindset of a volunteer especially as the leader.
So what motivates and empowers true volunteer-ism?
- Vision – clearly articulated
- Enabling leadership
- A clear strategy
- Clear communication
- The right resources
- Shared values
- Ownership
- Community purpose
It is not about personal recognition for the job that is done, it is about the fact that the job is done… BUT take note… If you as the leader do not take quality time to thank and acknowledge volunteers (personally) you will de-motivate them and discredit your organisation. Never take your volunteers for granted, a person who volunteers as a servant is not a slave.
Am I involved in this, absolutely, at various levels from national committee to local support and service groups. I get great satisfaction from knowing that people have been helped by the work I do as part of community organisation.
My challenge to you is to get involved where ever you can.
Courage
Courage requires leadership from the one who possesses it, for it requires one to act alone. The courageous can often be seen as rebellious, stubborn. To stand courageously on an issue there needs to be a clear understanding of self and the values and principles that self holds true, it requires vision. The courageous have predetermined to accept the consequences of their action. To speak or to remain silent both may require courage but wisdom will determine which course of action is best.
The courageous acts of ordinary people are inspirational. Courage should not be confused with recklessness, courage takes thought and pre-planning, even courage under fire or in an emergency has required the character building of the individual before the event. The process begins with the ability to way up the circumstances, assess risk, and determine action, then to make a decision quickly and to act quickly as appropriate. This thinking takes training and preparation.
Courage is not the absence of fear but the mastery over it.
Courage:- show it, practice it, lead it, live it, give it to others.
Be an encourager of others and your own courage will increase.
TheWaterSide
Dunedin, New Zealand, is a great city surrounded by an incredibly beautiful coastline. These are images from around TheWaterSide.
Click here for more images from Dunedin
When you come to New Zealand make sure you visit Dunedin.
Dunedin, New Zealand
Images, video and music: ©Paul S Allen 2010
The Art Of Good Communication
Here are a few points about communication for you to reflect on. Ask yourself “how well do I measure up on these?” then ask someone else to use the same statements to measure you.
Learn the art of good communication.
- Be open to communication
- Input and output are required
- be concise not verbose
- Ask the question: “are words required?”
- Body language and vocal tone matter
- Let your actions support your words and your words support your actions
- Honesty is required, but delivery requires tact and skill
- Not all knowledge is for sharing
- Know how to keep confidences
- Know your subject
- Know yourself
- Develop a soft heart and a thick skin
- be prepared for disagreement
- Ask questions
- seek to be questioned
- Think before you speak
- Think before you answer
- Value diversity
- be cautious of those who always say “yes”
- What you don’t say is just as important as what you do say
- How you say it is just as important as what you say
- Use the language of those you wish to communicate with
- Value differences of opinion
- Honour the other
- Listen, listen well, listen generously
- distill your thought to deliver the message as clearly as you can
- Conflict is not always bad and agreement is not always good
These are just a few point to help with basic communication. If you are a leader you need to be able to communicate well and this does not mean just issuing commands, it will require practiced skill. Get training to help or find a good mentor to give you honest evaluation of your ability. Do not assume that you communicate well or that others know what you are about.
This is a very large subject and this is just a scratch at the surface of it
Dr Ros Vallings on ME/CFS
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome ME/CFS
This is a 15 minute edited version of a video where Dr Rosamund Vallings Talks about ME/CFS (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) and the latest research into XMRV and the management of ME/CFS at the ANZMES AGM in Auckland,New Zealand, 25 September 2010.
Pleas read my own story of living with a family member with this illness… “Living with M.E.”
For details about ANZMES please visit…
http://www.anzmes.org.nz/
Video: © Paul S Allen 2010
Music: ©Paul S Allen 2008
Paul S Allen - Singer Songwriter 