The article I read was entitled, "Advocacy and Governmental Affairs," and it basically discussed all the methods and means utilized to assist the Texas Library Association in supporting the interest of school libraries, librarians, and educational initiatives. It detailed exactly how to join the organization, and what the organization could do for each individual who supported its' causes. There was also a list that went even further in describing the stream-lined process of joining, receiving a newsletter, logging into Facebook and Twitter as a follower. After the article advised individuals to get in contact with policy makers, it offered a disclaimer that stated that it was a nonprofit, and could not endorse any particular candidate. The article was succinct, but it offered powerful advice to help librarians help themselves.
Politics exists in every organization—religious, business, educational. What “politics” have you experienced in an organization where you worked? Unless you have only worked in an organization of one or two people, you have experienced organizational politics at some level and in some way. How did you react to AND how did you deal with one particular event that you remember?
Reflection:
My mother and father came home from their jobs complaining about this or that, but I genuinely did not understand the concept of what was ACTUALLY happening. Politics on the job front! I love the way you introduced this reflection, when you stated, that there are really two structures that exist in an organization. The official structure and the real structure. As a woman, I think of this in terms of my mother consistently telling me that my father thinks he runs the household. Yes, he was the main breadwinner and provider according to everyone outside of our household, but the real director was my mother. We consistently asked her if we could go to the school dance, break curfew, or invite friends over. We knew if she said yes, our father would follow suit. How does this apply to this week's prompt?
My first year teaching, I remember a veteran teacher calling me a climber. He stated that the principal really liked me, and I was her right hand. At the time, this meant absolutely nothing. I was involved in the politics, but I wasn't even aware. I had classes that were set at a later time than the rest of the staff, I was cheerleader coach, department head, team leader, and I was selected to present lessons to staff members during the staff development waiver days. Anything I asked my principal for: field trips, permission to leave early, more funding for the cheerleaders, I got it. In my mind, it meant that I was doing a great job. My students had excellent scores, they were well-behaved, the department flowed smoothly, I intervened with the writing of referrals by handling discipline problems myself. In my eyes, it was just my merit. In others eyes, it was politics.
I never responded to the verbal attacks on my friendship with the principal because she was a genuinely ethical and an amazing human being. She did not fear greatness, she did not envy others' natural abilities. She was comfortable with herself, so she harnessed those traits. So, when someone was not up to par, her discipline of them was respectable and necessary. I would have handled things the exact same way.
Now, several year later, I now realize what those individuals were referring to, the politics. If I were a librarian now, I do see how I could utilize that relationship to my advantage. Politics just make me feel a little creepy on the inside. If the issue I advocate for is not near and dear to my heart, I know that I could not be a promoter of the cause. The article I read stated, "TLA offers many training opportunities. Our annual conference, our summer meeting (Annual Assembly), and biennial Legislative Day training all have workshops that can train you on the latest issues and on methods for communicating with elected officials (Texas Librarian Association, n.d)" I would have definitely needed to utilize this service to understand the power of advocacy several years ago, but now I understand. I would know how to apply my, "people skills," to those who have the power to change things, but only for the causes that I personally endorse.
Reflection #2: Advocacy
Summary:
This article was broken down into a simple, yet aggressive call to action. Although short on words, the power behind what the Texas Library Association is doing on this web page made me proud. According to the article, there is a drive for more funding to be allocated in the retention and the creating of new library positions in this dire time of budget cuts. The article discusses the fact that literacy will be effected, the workforce will be effected, and college readiness will be effected if libraries are minimized, or removed from public institutions. The article ends with detailed dates for supporters, and a virtual campaign that is being promoted if individuals are not able to be there personally.
Citation:
Texas Library Association (n.d.) Library Issues and Taking Action. Retrieved February 10, 2012. http://www.txla.org/take-action
Prompt Selected:
Why are educators uncomfortable about building influence through our advocacy?
Reflection:
There are so many loop holes when pressing influential people to see your side of the coin. One of those loop holes I witnessed in the media a few years back. A male teacher was unhappy with an issue that was occurring in the Dallas Independent School District, and the gentleman emailed a board member. According to policy, this is legal, as long as the teacher was not sending information related to his/her specific issue. The communication has to be for the good of the entire organization. The following day, the teacher was placed on administrative leave. According to the teacher's union, he was only doing what was considered permissible by the school district. The media got involved, and reported how the teacher was placed on administrative leave for exercising his rights. Somehow or another, the teacher was taken off administrative leave, and was given his job back within hours. The board member apologized publicly for his rash actions. Unfortunately, the damage was already done. What educator would feel comfortable with this type of retaliation?
What happens when a librarian speaks out for his or her rights? What happens when a librarian takes on the role of a leader, and assists teachers, students, administration, and community? What if I,as a librarian, decided to utilize my advocacy powers, and reach out to a board member that plans to eliminate librarian positions in a purposed budget cut? What if I am exploited and retaliated against, like this gentleman was, for exercising the powers that are my rightfully mine? Will the Texas Librarians Association provide representation to stand and defend me? Will I be left alone to figure out the situation by myself?
These are only a few of the reason educators feel uncomfortable building influence through advocacy. As a result when the Texas Association of Librarians states, "This session, we want to emphasize grassroots activities and have advocates make strategic visits at home districts prior and through the session. So, while an actual Legislative Day will not be held in 2013, TLA will offer many opportunities for advocacy and visiting with legislators during strategic times throughout the session." (Texas Association of Librarians, n.d.) Unfortunately, many of the most aggressive people, who genuinely support this cause may have second thoughts.
Summary:
The article I read was entitled, "Advocacy and Governmental Affairs," and it basically discussed all the methods and means utilized to assist the Texas Library Association in supporting the interest of school libraries, librarians, and educational initiatives. It detailed exactly how to join the organization, and what the organization could do for each individual who supported its' causes. There was also a list that went even further in describing the stream-lined process of joining, receiving a newsletter, logging into Facebook and Twitter as a follower. After the article advised individuals to get in contact with policy makers, it offered a disclaimer that stated that it was a nonprofit, and could not endorse any particular candidate. The article was succinct, but it offered powerful advice to help librarians help themselves.
Citation:
Texas Library Association (n.d.) Advocacy. Retrieved February 10, 2012. http://www.txla.org/advocate.
Prompt Selected:
Politics exists in every organization—religious, business, educational. What “politics” have you experienced in an organization where you worked? Unless you have only worked in an organization of one or two people, you have experienced organizational politics at some level and in some way. How did you react to AND how did you deal with one particular event that you remember?
Reflection:
My mother and father came home from their jobs complaining about this or that, but I genuinely did not understand the concept of what was ACTUALLY happening. Politics on the job front! I love the way you introduced this reflection, when you stated, that there are really two structures that exist in an organization. The official structure and the real structure. As a woman, I think of this in terms of my mother consistently telling me that my father thinks he runs the household. Yes, he was the main breadwinner and provider according to everyone outside of our household, but the real director was my mother. We consistently asked her if we could go to the school dance, break curfew, or invite friends over. We knew if she said yes, our father would follow suit. How does this apply to this week's prompt?
My first year teaching, I remember a veteran teacher calling me a climber. He stated that the principal really liked me, and I was her right hand. At the time, this meant absolutely nothing. I was involved in the politics, but I wasn't even aware. I had classes that were set at a later time than the rest of the staff, I was cheerleader coach, department head, team leader, and I was selected to present lessons to staff members during the staff development waiver days. Anything I asked my principal for: field trips, permission to leave early, more funding for the cheerleaders, I got it. In my mind, it meant that I was doing a great job. My students had excellent scores, they were well-behaved, the department flowed smoothly, I intervened with the writing of referrals by handling discipline problems myself. In my eyes, it was just my merit. In others eyes, it was politics.
I never responded to the verbal attacks on my friendship with the principal because she was a genuinely ethical and an amazing human being. She did not fear greatness, she did not envy others' natural abilities. She was comfortable with herself, so she harnessed those traits. So, when someone was not up to par, her discipline of them was respectable and necessary. I would have handled things the exact same way.
Now, several year later, I now realize what those individuals were referring to, the politics. If I were a librarian now, I do see how I could utilize that relationship to my advantage. Politics just make me feel a little creepy on the inside. If the issue I advocate for is not near and dear to my heart, I know that I could not be a promoter of the cause. The article I read stated, "TLA offers many training opportunities. Our annual conference, our summer meeting (Annual Assembly), and biennial Legislative Day training all have workshops that can train you on the latest issues and on methods for communicating with elected officials (Texas Librarian Association, n.d)" I would have definitely needed to utilize this service to understand the power of advocacy several years ago, but now I understand. I would know how to apply my, "people skills," to those who have the power to change things, but only for the causes that I personally endorse.
Reflection #2: Advocacy
Summary:
This article was broken down into a simple, yet aggressive call to action. Although short on words, the power behind what the Texas Library Association is doing on this web page made me proud. According to the article, there is a drive for more funding to be allocated in the retention and the creating of new library positions in this dire time of budget cuts. The article discusses the fact that literacy will be effected, the workforce will be effected, and college readiness will be effected if libraries are minimized, or removed from public institutions. The article ends with detailed dates for supporters, and a virtual campaign that is being promoted if individuals are not able to be there personally.
Citation:
Texas Library Association (n.d.) Library Issues and Taking Action. Retrieved February 10, 2012. http://www.txla.org/take-action
Prompt Selected:
Why are educators uncomfortable about building influence through our advocacy?
Reflection:
There are so many loop holes when pressing influential people to see your side of the coin. One of those loop holes I witnessed in the media a few years back. A male teacher was unhappy with an issue that was occurring in the Dallas Independent School District, and the gentleman emailed a board member. According to policy, this is legal, as long as the teacher was not sending information related to his/her specific issue. The communication has to be for the good of the entire organization. The following day, the teacher was placed on administrative leave. According to the teacher's union, he was only doing what was considered permissible by the school district. The media got involved, and reported how the teacher was placed on administrative leave for exercising his rights. Somehow or another, the teacher was taken off administrative leave, and was given his job back within hours. The board member apologized publicly for his rash actions. Unfortunately, the damage was already done. What educator would feel comfortable with this type of retaliation?What happens when a librarian speaks out for his or her rights? What happens when a librarian takes on the role of a leader, and assists teachers, students, administration, and community? What if I,as a librarian, decided to utilize my advocacy powers, and reach out to a board member that plans to eliminate librarian positions in a purposed budget cut? What if I am exploited and retaliated against, like this gentleman was, for exercising the powers that are my rightfully mine? Will the Texas Librarians Association provide representation to stand and defend me? Will I be left alone to figure out the situation by myself?
These are only a few of the reason educators feel uncomfortable building influence through advocacy. As a result when the Texas Association of Librarians states, "This session, we want to emphasize grassroots activities and have advocates make strategic visits at home districts prior and through the session. So, while an actual Legislative Day will not be held in 2013, TLA will offer many opportunities for advocacy and visiting with legislators during strategic times throughout the session." (Texas Association of Librarians, n.d.) Unfortunately, many of the most aggressive people, who genuinely support this cause may have second thoughts.