10 Ways to Get Men More Involved in PTAs

Self-Awareness: Why Outreach is Not Enough

Adapted from article by Heather Berthoud and Robert D. Greene

"With greater awareness volunteers are better prepared to interact with each other more effectively and to join together to further their work in the community."

As you may recall, the Diversity Diamond Model looks at a multifaceted, simultaneous approach with external relations, organizational culture, interaction, self-awareness, and continuous learning. As Berthoud and Greene note "no one wants to believe that they have biases but even people who are well-intentioned and support diversity in principle have them." Sometimes the lack of progress in diversity in our association comes from leaders and their limiting perceptions. Self-awareness as the facet of the Diversity Diamond Model "refers to increasing understanding and acknowledgment of one's own personal beliefs, attitudes, assumptions and behaviors. Everyone is part of the diversity picture, and through self-reflection, the individual learns to see that diversity is about 'me' as much as it is about 'them'."

After assessing the association and prior to creating a plan of action, leaders will help propel the association further by initiating some form of awareness-building activity that includes reflection as to their own perceptions and interactions with other groups that are different from them. Interactions tend to be the easiest way to become aware of your biases against a certain group. Incorrect assumptions about another's preferences and values are often the basis for many biases. Remember, the focus is not to blame current leaders for the lack of diversity in the association. However, personal consideration is needed to see how unintentional biases affect collaboration and progression in the association.

Awareness can be challenging. Most individuals aren't comfortable addressing some of the less appealing traits of their personalities. Nonetheless, as leaders, it ultimately helps our mission to stay committed to a more diverse association. Why? Because All children matter!

Written by: LaTasha Green-Cobb, Diversity Outreach Chair 

From Florida Department of Children and Families

Health officials at the Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County are advising parents, schools and daycare centers to take precautionary action to prevent the spread of Shigellosis. Since January 1, 2014, the Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County has investigated over 100 confirmed cases of shigellosis surpassing the last three year average of 100 cases. The majority of the reported cases are in children aged 1 through 9. Even though this concentration has been found in South Florida, all Florida child care providers are encouraged to use preventive measures to reduce the spread of disease.

Shigellosis is very contagious and can be spread from person to person. It is an infectious disease caused by a group of bacteria called Shigella. Shigellosis symptoms may develop within 1 to 3 days after having been infected with the Shigella bacteria, and include diarrhea that is watery and sometimes bloody. Other symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and fever. Symptoms usually resolve within 5 to 7 days. Shigellosis has a cyclic pattern with large community outbreaks, frequently associated with child care settings. In the last decade, Miami-Dade County has experienced increased activity in 2003 and 2005. We are now approaching another period of increased activity in Miami-Dade County.

The Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County recommends the following preventive measures to reduce the likelihood of contracting and spreading Shigellosis: 

• Proper hand washing is the most effective way to prevent shigellosis and many other diseases
• Wash hands after:
• bathroom visits
• diaper changes
• play time
• handling of pets or soil
• before and after food preparation and eating
• Hand washing among children should be frequent and supervised by an adult, especially in child care centers and homes with children who have not been fully toilet-trained.
• Everyone who changes a child's diaper should immediately wash the hands of both the changer and the child carefully with soap and warm water
• Proper hand washing consists of lathering hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. Be sure to rinse the palms, backs of hands, between fingers, under fingernails, and around wrists.
• Go to www.cdc.gov/handwashing to learn more about hand hygiene

• Clean and disinfect bathrooms, diaper changing areas, and soiled toys on a routine basis
• People who have diarrhea should not prepare food or drinks for others
• People with diarrhea should stay home from daycare, school or work until one full calendar day after symptoms stop

 Parents of children, or anyone with symptoms of Shigellosis should contact their healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.

 For more information on Shigellosis, visit:

http://www.cdc.gov/nczved/divisions/dfbmd/diseases/shigellosis/

2014-2016 

Florida PTA

Slate of Officers

Congratulations to the following nominees:

President Elect:  Cindy Gerhardt, Escambia 

VP Leadership:   Linda Kearschner, Pinellas 

VP Regions & Councils:  Tammy Weaver, Orange 

VP Membership Development:  LaTasha Green-Cobb, Duval

VP Educational Development:  Graham Rabinowitsch, Broward

Secretary:  Joe Piecora, Hernando

Treasurer:  Jen Martinez, Palm Beach

Mindy Haas, your current President Elect, will automatically become president at the close of the 2014 Leadership/ Convention.  The elections for the officers for Florida PTA will take place on Saturday, July 12th, 2014, at Innisbrook Resort, Tarpon Springs, Florida.  More information about each candidate will be sent in May.