How Do I Get Involved As An Educator?

First persuade your peers that participating in Another Way  will reduce the problems your profession currently faces. If you need help, print the material found by clicking on teacher and student. Contact the foundation to determine networking possibilities in your area and to request that a speaker come to your school.

Have students poll the neighborhood and determine the preferred priority of local needs. Familiarize students with local non-profits and let each student make a first, second and third potential volunteer choice and have them explain the reasons behind those choices.

Next meet with teachers, and then students, to determine how many adults and students your school could potentially contribute to a local Volunteer Corps on a rotating basis. Discuss various projects with the student body and come up with one or two new ideas.

Keep the foundation updated so that we can use your efforts to attract others in your community. Adult donations of time (mentors) and goods and services will come if we can show eager and willing students and teachers willing to commit time, enthusiasm and energy in an effort to make their community a better place to live.

It is sometimes difficult to win commitments in a community because everyone that is approached wants to know who is already committed. Some entity has to be the first and schools are perfect trail-blazers. Few persons are cold-hearted enough to resist the energy and optimism of youth. Couple that with a time commitment from over-worked, under-paid teachers, armed with determination and the promise of a better future for their charges and your are unbeatable.All commitments are contingent on getting commitments from others. If it looks like it will take some time to form a Volunteer Corps in your area, we urge you and your students to particpate in a White Hats project. The foundation will supply lapel pins,certificates and guidance if requested.

If Another Way  is not yet established in your community, you may be the one to get the ball rolling. If, at this stage in your life, you can't afford the time commitment demanded to initiate a new idea, there are less time consuming things you can do immediately that will have a large impact. Your participation will let youngsters like these high school students know that the world is full of good people who care. Your action today will say to young people like these that adults are not apathetic. You wil affirm what these young people already believe; that many people all over the world are willing and anxious to change things.