Community engagement

Relationships in communities Over the past three weeks I have had the opportunity to build strong relationship with the communities which my CLA’s are located. This week on top of my daily duties at mosquito control I participated in the yearly open house in which the department opens its doors to public allowing them to all aspects of (IPM) integrated past management. This includes the use of trapping, monitoring, and using alternatives to pesticides when possible. Over all the event was a great success with all the attendees learning about how Volusia County Mosquito operates. My other two CLA’s have also given me the opportunity to build relationships by interacting with business and residents. In all instances of relationships I have learned listening is key to understanding the needs of the community.

Week 4

I just got back from a 3 day road trip that covered the Northern Region of New Mexico! One of the mentors, another undergraduate intern, and I traveled up to many primary care clinics that are a part of a network the department has created.

The Research Involving Outpatient Setting Network (RIOS Net) encourages providers who are in various parts of the state to participate in community research being done by Family and Community Medicine Center.  

We provided clinical staff with latest information about the research published by our staff, helpful information, and some goodies such as coffee mugs. Driving through and getting lost in some of the towns also allowed us to scope out new clinics we can outreach to.

A problem we ran into while delivering the materials is that providers who work in clinics in rural areas, don’t appear to stay there very long. This is a pattern that became obvious since the department launched the network. An interesting new project would be to do an exploratory study in regards to this issue. 

In addition, as a result of having spent the majority of the time on the road, I got a lot of bonding time with my coworkers which was pretty awesome! 

Week 3

             The project I am currently working on keeps me busy doing literature searches, reading, and data analysis; however, the project I will be working on later this summer will allow me to interact more with the general public by administering a survey. 

           So far I have been developing a strong relationship with my mentor as well the other staff. I have also become fairly close with the other intern, especially since we share a small office space. Turns out we have a lot in common!

            Outside of the office I have attended several meetings with individuals from all over New Mexico State to discuss the Affordable Care Act, Medicaid, and outreach. It’s very invigorating to meet other individuals who are so focused on an issue area that is relative to what I have been working on. 

Week 3

I just finished my first full week of summer camp!!!! We have had camp since June 10th but I was away in Iceland from the 12-21st so now that I am back my SOS continues. 
Relationships in the community are extremely important for most non-profits. It allows them to obtain funding, volunteers and lets them to help more people. NEC is no different. Our summer camp helps to build relationships by spreading the word about Naples Equestrian Challenge. We gained a potential volunteer this week because of camp. One of our camper's grandmother has heard all about her granddaughters week at camp and during our horse show today she came in to ask about volunteering. 
I am also building personal relationships with the riders and their families of our communities. By being a volunteer coordinator I am able to meet and work with many of our families. This includes talking to them during lessons and even calling them on the phone to explain that riding is cancelled due to the thunder and lightening. I was at the movies the other day and saw one of our riders there with his mother and sister. I was able to go over and talk to them about their summer and riding. I enjoy building these relationships and finding out more about our riders. 

Week 5: Personal Reflections

Hello all, hope you are having great summer and SoS! Although I've been volunteering more than 5 weeks, this is the 5th week since I've started to write my blog. In some ways its better this way because I had more time to reflect on my work at the places I volunteer. So, just yesterday I had to translate a document (Azeri to English); its about a short play that the Azeri kids would be performing in Ukraine! So proud of them! Also good news is that Education USA has started their Competitive College Club (CCC) for the high school students who are interested in studying in the USA. Students would have a chance to learn about American culture&traditions, prepare for TOEFL and SAT, learn how to write college essays. Yesterday my supervisor and I had interviewed about 25 kids, and we chose 12 of them to be part of this club! I hope all of them achieve their dreams and go to the colleges/universities they want in the US. Tonight I am going to lead the Conversation Club and I have suggested that we all go see a movie in English after; I hope enough people want to come. Also next week (the 6th of July) the Play Bus is going to their annual Summer Tour; I will be going with them. We will travel to the regions of Azerbaijan and have programs with the local kids over there. It should a great and busy week! So as you can see I am having a great time at my volunteer sites and its nothing but pleasure to work with these people! I am happy that Bonner creates a chance for us to do so. It taught me a lot to work and help with people in need, and I feel like I am doing a small chance in their lives - that's the ultimate prize.

SOS Week 5

Week 5 - Personal Reflections:

This week, I helped in a few different areas in the hospital to show additional ways I may be of service. In the cardiology/radiology department, I worked in the reception office where several women process, organize, and communicate patients' data. I helped scan wetreads, x-rays, and other documents into the patients' digital files. I also worked in the Auxiliary office one day this week, as I occasionally do. The main tasks are “discharging” patients and transporting lab specimens. 

Based on the compliments I've been receiving from staff, fellow volunteers, and patients, I believe I am accomplishing my goal of being uplifting, professional, helpful, and resourceful. As the director of volunteers services phrased it, "There's the gold standard, and then there's Audrey's standard." What a compliment! I can achieve such a standard because I enjoy coming into the hospital each day. It's not always the most exciting (thankfully, because that means the patients are doing fairly well), but it is rewarding to know that I am making life a little bit easier for these busy doctors, nurses, and for the patients, too. Several patients have complained about the lack of communication from the doctors. However, the doctors don't really have the time to update the family members every half hour. So I help try to respect people's time by making calls to the nurses to see how the patients are doing and to get a time estimate. People appreciate the communication that way they can make plans around the circumstance, even if those plans may simply be going to the café for a coffee or lunch. 

Being able to give a positive personal reflection is what should be the goal of every person in any circumstance of life. I strive to be my best at every moment and, when I make mistakes, I remember the feeling that comes along with it, and simply learn from it. It is through this process that I am able to grow, succeed and reach happiness. :)

Relationships

While I mentioned in my challenges blog that each CLA is different I realized that they are similar in the sense that each requires the bridges relationships within the community that they operate. So far I have witnessed that relationship building can take place in several forms wither it is in person or via another means of communications. Each CLA requires interacting with the public with a cool calm attitude understanding that most of the time the people contacting the CLA are in some type of need or requiring further information. Another form of relationship building I have experienced is with bridging a relationship with each CLA myself. This has been accomplished so far active listening and knowing the needs of each CLA and where my skill fits into them. Next week I will continue the blog and provide a more in-depth look at what I do on a daily basis at my sites.