Thursday, August 11, 2011

Planned Activities - My Plan vs. Reality and "What Could Have Been"

Each Quarter, there is a place on our VRF (Volunteer Report Form) to list our plans for the upcoming months.


Note the 1st Quarter report where I enthusiastically detail the plans by month.


The 2nd Quarter report goes through those listed and notes - YES or NO, with a preponderance of NO...and a note saying that there is no use planning (or maybe I decided not to say it quite that way...I think I did delete that before submitting).


The 3rd Quarter gives only generalities of what might (or might not) happen.


I guess that means that I am acclimating to the culture???  


I can only wonder what my next, 4th Quarter plan will look like!!!


Planned Activities

What primary assignment area or activities do you intend to undertake in the next few months? You will see your previous period's Planned Activities copied here as a reminder. Please replace these with comments on previously planned activities and your future planned activities.

1st Quarter Report - Wow was I enthusiastic!!!
February:
Complete website - ONGOING
Submit 4 grant proposals (Pilippinas Shell; Malampaya; Abilis, Chinese Chamber of Commerce of PPC) - NO
Submit partnering application to PhilDev to access international donors - NO
Visit Aborlan and incorporate them into Community Based SPED Program- NO
Implement the Behavior Plan with teachers - NO
Implement the Picture Communication System in the Classroom - JUNE
Complete Individual and Classroom Visual Schedules = NO
With the Psychologist, develop and write curricula based on Developmental Therapy - NO (SHE LEFT)
Invite the Mayor to our 2/10 award ceremony with Asian Cosmetics Corporation and send him briefing on NGO-YES
Walk in the 2/13 Love Affair with Nature walk in PPC - YES
Skype 1st conference call 2/12 with NPCVA as founding member of Serving Advisory Committee - YES
Print out the 50 page Teacher Resource Notebook completed in January - YES
Send out the 1st Newsletter no later than the first week in Feb. -YES
Compose Operations Manual for submission to the DSWD - DECEMBER
Compose Policies and Procedures of daily operation - NO
Visit other NGOs and schools - especially SPED (e.g., Aloha, Bahatala, Salve Regina and El Vira) - NO
Find house to rent and move out by end of March at latest; purchase bicycle - YES!

March:
Continue training teachers at weekly staff meetings - NO
Improve contact with Mayor - NO
Complete Operations Manual/submit to DSWD - NO, NOW DECEMBER
Prepare template for future grant writing with standardized names and logos of programs - NO
Hold first Parent Training on Autism - PARTIAL
Break ground on new Vocational/Livelihood organic garden - NO
Meet with Mayor, who has promised funds for the Resource Center - NO
Re-energize Parent Association and enlist their help in Livelihood projects - NO
Begin Tourism Arts Livelihood Project with Parent Association assistance - NO
Host Psychologist talk with our teachers regarding violent behavior and autism - NO
Host Sam West for 3 days of presentation on Play/Art Therapy to ABSnet and 2 days curriculum development with Taw-Kabui - YES!!
National Week Mental Retardation - speaker - NO
Request master teacher volunteer from Australia - hopefully with violent behavior experience - NO
Finish my US income tax return! - YES!!

April:
UN Autism Awareness 4/2 - NO
If we receive projector donation, begin Discrete Video Modeling Program - NO
Teacher retreat to El Nido - NO
Missionary visit with potential donor - NO
Attend PDM with Mon in Manila and take following week to work with website developer in Olongapo and visit 2-3 NGOs who offered to help us and also meet UN contact in Manila - PDM AND WEBSITE YES; OTHERS NO

May
1st week visits around Olongapo - NO
Pursue UN contact Manila - NO
Celebrate 60th birthday - TOMORROW!
With PSU and WPU, compose formal Social Work practicum curriculum - NO
Add next 7 students to Developmental Behavior Plan - parent intake sessions - NO

June/July
School in session
Guest speaker WPU Aborlan - NO
Guest speaker Remnant University, PPC - NO
Special Olympics of PPC - organize with other NGOs/schools serving SPED students - NO
National Disability Week - 3rd week - tie to Special Olympics - NO
Finalize 2nd Newsletter for publication in July - TO BE WRITTEN


2nd Qtr Report   May, 2011 Update:  Now to the disillusioned state of mind 
See Lessons Learned prior segment above
Most of the things that I thought I would be doing are not going anywhere . I have found it extremely disappointing and frustrating to plan things. So, now I am taking things as they come and doing the best I can. I am not in the loop at all and don't expect to be; however, I question if there is even a loop. When an opportunity presents itself, I will act, but the wonderful plans listed above on the first report were all things that I could have done...but they just won't happen. I am concentrating on the moment from now on.


3rd QuarterAugust, 2011:  
My disappointment and frustration still are evident, but I'm back to moving forward rather than adopting the 'bahala na' attitude of 2nd quarter.                                                                                                                                                  My sentiments above still stand - very disappointed about many things that 'could have been.' Not things I wanted, but things that people told/tell me they want and need. Yet, they don't seem to know how to follow things through, or plan for them - even when I lay everything out for them. Just not in the culture - and there is a detriment to not planning. I wish Americans and Pilipinos could do a mind-meld and blend their values and cultures so that neither is so extreme. Coming here was a breath of fresh air for me - emotions and relationships at the forefront. But, focusing on those alone detracts from getting things done that would improve the future. So, the future doesn't happen - or, happens with little thought.

My newest plan for TK is to link them with as many forward-thinking people and organizations as possible so that they are really encouraged to look at things and move forward with a plan. However, no one is looking at the funding, which still is amazing to me - the bahala na attitude needs to be dealt with - but not by me.

I plan to talk with Mitra to see what he thinks and if he can help with business planning sessions - in concert with the Chamber.

To keep talking with folks at the Chamber who have told me they will help TK - although TK is never ready to be helped - they never continue with a project so that someone can commit to them. I need help with communicating this to them somehow. They have started 3 or 4 livelihood projects and when I start to help promote them - they tell me "we aren't doing that any more." Doesn't make me (or anyone else) want to help them if they can't stick with something.  Two people have asked them for the jewelry product to put in their stores - but they haven't produced a finished product!  Boggling to me.

To work with committed parents on Palawan to form both a Parents Group and the Special Olympics.

To work with the Social Workers to improve their business English and thesis submissions.

To work with the Church Youth to submit a proposal for the Youth Camp and then have it built with a PDO from the Peace Corps

To submit a proposal for large scale funding of the Palawan SPED Resource Center

To work with the Mango Growers Association so that they are a sustainable entity (website, newsletter, logo, etc).

To work with the Chamber on whatever projects they wish.




Or, to quote a favorite movie line (Galaxy Quest - Trekkies really should watch it),
"Never give up - Never surrender!"







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