Before signing up for the Your Voice Your World Journey, please read the overview of the steps to see if it sparks your interest. If it does, please take the (required) online journey readiness survey) and read the Info & FAQ page.
Ready to Register ? Start the process here.
Still have more questions ? Contact us.
Overview of the Your Voice Your World journeyThe 8 steps to Earning the Advocate Award
Here is an overview of the steps you will be taking on this journey. Step 1: FIND YOUR CAUSE Investigate issues about which you care. Choose one that touches your heart and soul. Stick to an issue about which you really care enough to speak up for and act on – and to influence others to act on. My issue is: I hope to: Step 2: TUNE IN Do some research. Zoom in on a specific angle and possible solutions.. See out the root causes. Where can you learn more? Consider as many sources of information at possible – the media, people in your community, the Internet. Are your sources trustworthy? Unbiased? Step 3: HARMONIZE Form alliances with those who care about your issue and can assist you in giving voice to solutions. Find out who else is working on your issue. What advocacy efforts have been effective – or not so effective? Walk in the shoes of someone your issue impacts – or someone who can offer another perspective, perhaps even someone who has tried to address your cause without success. Gather with your partners and cooperate on the next steps. Step 4: IDENTIFY THE BIG EARS AND SET UP A MEETING Join with your partners to identify VIPs (very influential people) who will listen to you and have the influence to lift your cause. Arrange to meet these VIPs. If possible, attend a public meeting (or two) where you can observe how your potential VIPs make decisions, handle issues, and promote their agenda. Is your issue on their radar? If not, find out how your VIPSs take on “new business.” Arrange a meeting. Get in touch via phone, email, or a staff member. Step 5: PREPARE YOUR PITCH Define your issue in a brief and compelling way, and propose a workable solution. Say why your issue matters. Have a “hook.” Propose a solution – make it reasonable, doable, and appealing to the VIPs. Clearly show the benefits- what’s in it for you, me and the community. Step 6: MAKE YOUR PITCH Make your pitch to the VIPs. Use your confidence. This is it: Your Voice, Your World! Step 7: CLOSE THE LOOP AND GIVE THANKS Now that you’ve “done” some great advocacy, acknowledge those you’ve met along the way and pass your efforts forward. If VIPs jumped onboard based on your pitch, use your thank yous to detail your expectations of what they’ll do next for your cause. If they’re not onboard, thank them for their time. Are you inspired to go further or have you done all you can? Either way, pass forward your good work – ideas, research, progress – to those who can move it forward even more (partners, school officials, other Girl Scouts, even your VIPs). Use what you've learned to educate and inspire others. How creative can you be in thanking everyone who has supported your efforts? Step 8: REFLECT, CELEBRATE Make sure you take time to reflect on your advocacy journey – all the bumps, valleys, high points, twists, and turns. How did this effort make you wiser? How will you celebrate your new wisdom? Keep a list of your PARTNERS and your VIPs: their names, contact info, and any notes on how each can or did help. PREPARE AN INVITATION TO SEND TO YOUR VIPs: MEETING DATE AND TIME: MEETING LOCATION (ADDRESS/DIRECTIONS): MEETING PURPOSE (BRIEF OVERVIEW OF ISSUE): AGENDA (TOPICS TO BE DISCUSSED AND IN WHAT ORDER (if possible)): ADDITIONAL NOTES/DETAILS FOR YOU AND YOUR PARTNERS (SUGGESTIONS FOR NUTRITIOUS SNACKS/REFRESHMENTS TO BRING): KEEP AN ADVOCACY TO-DO LIST: TASK WHO DOES IT? WHEN? |
Is an online journey a good fit for me ?Online programs are not for everyone. While you have the option to interact with other scouts, you will be working independently. You must be self-motivated and be able to work within deadlines to complete the journey within the 5 month session. Because there is no face to face interaction, it requires more writing than you might do in an in person workshop.
We require all participants to take this short readiness survey to help them determine if the online format will work for them. We didn’t write the survey but found it online and it had all the questions we feel you need to ask yourself before registering. https://careerwise.minnstate.edu/education/onlinequiz.html |
