Parallel Session Proceedings »
4.7.2 Connect, Collaborate, and Create: Growing Gifted Advocacy In Your Part of the World
It is the view of these presenters that supporters of the gifted around the world are interested in creating state or community advocacy organizations that remain strong and steadfast over the years. Stable, effective, gifted advocacy groups can be a lifeline for parents, educators, administrators, and mental health professionals. These groups offer education, resources, networking, community, and a sense of shared vision to all who become connected with it.
What is often holding individuals back from creating gifted advocacy organizations is that they don't know where to start. For instance, they may need help knowing how to build a team of volunteers and how to attract members, they may need suggestions about other key organizations to partner with, they may be uncertain about how to finance programs or speakers, they may feel overwhelmed about how to go about organizing a conference that brings all of these stake-holders together, and they may be unclear about how, or where, to most effectively advocate for the unique needs of gifted learners and their families.
These presenters offer a combined 30+ years of experience in leading and overseeing our state's gifted advocacy organization. Our organization is strong, thriving, sustainable, and financially solvent. It is our desire to help others who could benefit from our years of experience building up a non-profit organization that offers the premiere professional development training in our state. Between us we have served on the organization's Executive Board in the positions of Executive Director, President, Conference Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, and Membership Chair. We have a wealth of information and experience to share with others who want to learn some of our tips for "doing it right."
We plan to share a PowerPoint with a Top 10 list of practical strategies that have served our organization well, and that we would encourage others to consider. The end result will be an audience that is more aware and more informed about creating and facilitating the gifted advocacy journey that will bring them success in their parts of the world. Even if participants are already working with an advocacy organization, these suggested strategies, and ways to implement them, will be novel and valuable.