Are you the parent of a child with a learning disability or autism that feels like special education personnel are retaliating against, you for your advocacy? Has your child been suspended by the school, because you have complained about your child's treatment? This article will be discussing Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, retaliation, and how you can use the information in this article to prove retaliation.
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act is a federal anti discrimination law and applies to any entity, that receives federal funding; which all public schools do. The child cannot be discriminated against based on their disability. This law also prohibits retaliation based on a person being involved in a protected activity (advocacy is considered a protected activity). The Office of Civil Rights is the federal agency that enforces Section 504. Any retaliation complaints could be filed with them, or could be taken straight to court.
The Office of Civil Rights has developed a 5 part test to determine whether a school district has engaged in prohibited retaliation. You can use these questions to help you prove your retaliation case. These 5 questions are:
1. Has the parent/student engaged in a protected activity? Protected activities could be filing a state complaint, filing a due process complaint, filing a lawsuit in court. Any type of advocacy could be considered a protected activity.
2. Was the district aware of the protected activity? This would not be hard to prove, especially if the retaliation is based on filing a complaint, or a due process hearing.
3. Was the parent/student subjected to an adverse action? This could be any type of action that would harm the child or parent. Examples of adverse reaction may include: suspension or expulsion of the child, suspension from participating in extracurricular activities, or preventing parents from entering school grounds-in other words banning them from school property. This seems to me to be a brand new tactic that is occurring across the USA; parents being banned from entering the school, due to their advocacy. This is a violation of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, in my opinion.
Another adverse action I hear about quite often is school districts calling child protective services against parents! A friend of mine had this happen to her because she refused to pick her child up at school, when the school thought she should! Child protective services cleared my friend and even stood up to the school district, for my friend. Unless the school has real evidence of abuse; this action can be seen as retaliation!
4. Will a neutral third party decide that there is a causal relationship or connection between the protected activity and the adverse action? Is there sufficient evidence to raise an inference that the protected activity was likely the reason for the adverse action? How close in time was the adverse action to the advocacy?
5. Can the school district offer a legitimate, nondiscriminatory reason for the adverse action, which a neutral third party will not consider to be pre textual? In other words if the school district can prove that the action was done for other than retaliation then they will win the retaliation claim. For example: If your child's IEP states that he or she can be suspended for behavior, and they are suspended after your advocacy, it would be a tough job to prove that the advocacy is what caused the suspension. But if your child has a behavior plan, which does not include suspensions it would be easy to prove that a school suspension is linked to your advocacy.
Use the information in this article to help you decide if you can prove retaliation, to OCR or in court. Remember the retaliation must have occurred after a protected activity-advocacy-must be close in time to the protected activity-and must be connected to the protected activity. Good luck!
JoAnn Collins is the mother of two adults with disabilities, and has helped families navigate the special eduation system, as an advocate, for over 15 years. She is a presenter and author of the book "Disability Deception; Lies Disability Educators Tell and How Parents Can Beat Them at Their Own Game." The book has a lot of resources and information to help parents fight for an appropriate education for their child. For a free E newsletter entitled "The Special Education Spotlight" send an E mail to: JoAnn@disabilitydeception.com. For more information on the book, testimonials about the book, and a link to more articles go to: http://www.disabilitydeception.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=JoAnn_Collins
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Five things to Benefit Your Child in Special Education
Are you the parent of a child receiving special education services due to autism or a learning disability? Are you looking for a few things that you can do, this new year, to benefit your child's education? This article is for you! I will be discussing 5 things that you as a parent can do to help your child's education in this new year!
Item 1: Check all of your child's past standardized testing, to see if they are on grade level. As an advocate I have helped children that have been several grade levels below their peers, and the parents did not realize this. Catching a child that is having academic difficulty early, and finding out what type of related and special education services they need, will help them keep up with their grade appropriate peers.
Item 2: If you have never looked at your child's educational record contact your district office (call and make sure that this is where the records are kept), and tell them that you would like to see your child's school records. IDEA 2004 and FERPA give parents the right to look at their child's school record, though schools do have up to 45 days for this. FERPA defines a school record as anything that is personally identifiable to a certain child. For example; E mails, letters, testing protocols, discipline records, (could also apply to audio and video recording, but may differ from state to state) etc.
Why is this important? This is important because some very strange items can be kept in a child's school record, and these items can in the future be used against a child. For example: A medical record that you had not seen, a discipline record etc. FERPA does not necessarily allow for copying the records, but state law may give parents the right to do this, so check with your States Department of Education.
Item 3: If you have not had a chance to observe your child at school in their current placement, tell your child's teacher that you will be coming in to observe your child. Observe your child and the teacher's relationship? Is your child in a corner by themselves, or are they sitting with other students? Is there a child that is acting in a disruptive manner, preventing the other children from learning? Also talk to your child's teacher, about any difficulties your child is having, and any suggestions on how to improve the situation.
Item 4: Get involved with the federal core educational standards movement! Each state has in the past, had their own core educational standards. Some states have had high standards, and some states like my own, have had low standards. For some time, there has been a movement to develop federal core educational standards that apply to all states. Federal Core standards have been developed and can be seen at: http://www.corestandards.org. At the moment these standards are voluntary, but states that adopt the standards can try and get additional funding for their states educational system.
Why are federal core standards important? They are important because they are considered very high standards, and these standards are meant to apply to all children, including children with disabilities. Fight for these standards for your child, to make sure that they are learning grade appropriate tasks, to prepare them for their adult life.
Item 5: Become familiar with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and file a State complaint for violations of this law! The complaint is filed with your States Department of Education and can help enforce the law, though may not always be successful! It has been my contention for many years, that if parents of children receiving special education services, filed more complaints the situation for children would be better than it is now!
By taking the time to work on these 5 things you are showing a commitment to advocate for your child and improve their education. Good luck!
JoAnn Collins is the mother of two adults with disabilities, and has helped families navigate the special eduation system, as an advocate, for over 15 years. She is a presenter and author of the book "Disability Deception; Lies Disability Educators Tell and How Parents Can Beat Them at Their Own Game." The book has a lot of resources and information to help parents fight for an appropriate education for their child. For a free E newsletter entitled "The Special Education Spotlight" send an E mail to: JoAnn@disabilitydeception.com. For more information on the book, testimonials about the book, and a link to more articles go to: http://www.disabilitydeception.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=JoAnn_Collins
Parent Empowerment for Parents With Children in Special Education!
Do you have a child with Autism that is receiving special education services? Would you like to learn how to be a better advocate for your child? This article will address 9 steps that you can take to empower yourself, to advocate for an appropriate education for your child!
Step 1: Begin by asking a lot of questions when you speak to your child's teacher. Sample of questions for your child's teacher could be: "What curriculum are you using to teach my child to read? What do these standardized test scores mean? What type of positive behavioral supports do you use in the classroom" If your child's teacher tells you something that you do not understand, ask her to explain it, and perhaps send you the explanation in writing.
Step 2: Ask lots of questions when attending an IEP (Individual Educational Plan) meeting for your child. Sample of questions at an IEP meeting could be: "What does that word mean? What services will my child be receiving, and how many minutes will they be receiving the service? What standardized testing will you be conducting on my child, to see if she is making educational progress?" Always ask for explanations, when special education personnel start talking in terms that you do not understand, or talk about services you do not understand.
Step 3: At IEP meetings give your input on how you think your child is doing in school, and on what related and special education services, you think your child needs! Parents know their child better than most school people do, so it may be easy for them to figure out what services the child needs, to benefit from their education. If you have trouble speaking up at meetings, put together a one page parent input statement, to bring to the meeting with you.
Step 4: To help yourself feel more comfortable speaking up at a meeting; "role play" with other parents, what may happen at the meeting. This is a good way to get yourself prepared, to make good arguments for services that your child needs.
Step 5: If you still have difficulty speaking up at meetings, bring another parent who has experience in the special education process.
Step 6: If your child's behavior interferes with their education or the education of others, insist on conducting a Functional Behavioral Assessment, and have a Positive Behavioral Plan developed. You may need to fight for a qualified person to do these, but it will help your child as well as other children.
Step 7: When you attend an IEP meeting, be sure and read the IEP before you leave. I realize meetings can be stressful, but it is critical that you take the time to read the IEP, and make sure that it is accurate.
Step 8: Ask for any changes to the IEP, if the document does not reflect discussions held, or agreements made. If things are not written clearly it can be difficult to enforce what is written in the IEP.
Step 9: You must realize that by standing up to school personnel you may anger some people! But what is more important, making someone upset or fighting for appropriate services for your child? In my opinion the child wins every time, because they need special education services in order to have a fulfilled adult life.
By following these 9 steps you will be empowered to advocate for your child, and they will appreciate it!
JoAnn Collins is the mother of two adults with disabilities, and has helped families navigate the special eduation system, as an advocate, for over 15 years. She is a presenter and author of the book "Disability Deception; Lies Disability Educators Tell and How Parents Can Beat Them at Their Own Game." The book has a lot of resources and information to help parents fight for an appropriate education for their child. For a free E newsletter entitled "The Special Education Spotlight" send an E mail to: JoAnn@disabilitydeception.com. For more information on the book, testimonials about the book, and a link to more articles go to: http://www.disabilitydeception.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=JoAnn_Collins
Step 1: Begin by asking a lot of questions when you speak to your child's teacher. Sample of questions for your child's teacher could be: "What curriculum are you using to teach my child to read? What do these standardized test scores mean? What type of positive behavioral supports do you use in the classroom" If your child's teacher tells you something that you do not understand, ask her to explain it, and perhaps send you the explanation in writing.
Step 2: Ask lots of questions when attending an IEP (Individual Educational Plan) meeting for your child. Sample of questions at an IEP meeting could be: "What does that word mean? What services will my child be receiving, and how many minutes will they be receiving the service? What standardized testing will you be conducting on my child, to see if she is making educational progress?" Always ask for explanations, when special education personnel start talking in terms that you do not understand, or talk about services you do not understand.
Step 3: At IEP meetings give your input on how you think your child is doing in school, and on what related and special education services, you think your child needs! Parents know their child better than most school people do, so it may be easy for them to figure out what services the child needs, to benefit from their education. If you have trouble speaking up at meetings, put together a one page parent input statement, to bring to the meeting with you.
Step 4: To help yourself feel more comfortable speaking up at a meeting; "role play" with other parents, what may happen at the meeting. This is a good way to get yourself prepared, to make good arguments for services that your child needs.
Step 5: If you still have difficulty speaking up at meetings, bring another parent who has experience in the special education process.
Step 6: If your child's behavior interferes with their education or the education of others, insist on conducting a Functional Behavioral Assessment, and have a Positive Behavioral Plan developed. You may need to fight for a qualified person to do these, but it will help your child as well as other children.
Step 7: When you attend an IEP meeting, be sure and read the IEP before you leave. I realize meetings can be stressful, but it is critical that you take the time to read the IEP, and make sure that it is accurate.
Step 8: Ask for any changes to the IEP, if the document does not reflect discussions held, or agreements made. If things are not written clearly it can be difficult to enforce what is written in the IEP.
Step 9: You must realize that by standing up to school personnel you may anger some people! But what is more important, making someone upset or fighting for appropriate services for your child? In my opinion the child wins every time, because they need special education services in order to have a fulfilled adult life.
By following these 9 steps you will be empowered to advocate for your child, and they will appreciate it!
JoAnn Collins is the mother of two adults with disabilities, and has helped families navigate the special eduation system, as an advocate, for over 15 years. She is a presenter and author of the book "Disability Deception; Lies Disability Educators Tell and How Parents Can Beat Them at Their Own Game." The book has a lot of resources and information to help parents fight for an appropriate education for their child. For a free E newsletter entitled "The Special Education Spotlight" send an E mail to: JoAnn@disabilitydeception.com. For more information on the book, testimonials about the book, and a link to more articles go to: http://www.disabilitydeception.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=JoAnn_Collins
child's different learning styles and issues
Once you have discovered your child's learning styles and multiple intelligences, there is a good chance you will discover they are at odds with the way lessons are traditionally taught in the school system. How can you go about making sure your child gets the best opportunities to learn? Here are some strategies:
Get To Know Your Child's teacher - This should be your first and most important step going forward. Teachers want their students to succeed but in most cases the deck is stacked against them. Standardized testing, rigid curriculum, cost cuts, large class sizes, and lack of support are all challenges that teachers face every day.
Getting to know your child's teacher gives you and your child an advantage. It lets the teacher know you are involved and concerned about your child. You can pass on valuable information - such as your child's different learning styles and issues they may be having that the teacher is not aware of.
Scheduling a face to face meeting with your child's new teacher each year should be a priority. Call and find a time that is good for them. Dropping in or trying to discuss your child at the end of a school day is usually frustrating and not successful as the teacher needs a clear head and schedule to absorb and address your concerns.
Come Prepared - Make the most of any meetings you have with teachers by being prepared. Create a list of the issues you want to address and have an idea of what outcomes you would like to see. It shows you are proactive and, if you offer solutions instead of just a whole bunch of problems, you are more likely to get what you want.
If your child is having difficulty in school because of their preferred learning style or multiple intelligence, look for solutions that are easy to implement in the classroom. See if there is any flexibility in how projects are done.
If your child is an auditory learner, see if they can do a presentation as opposed to a written report. If they are Kinesthetic see if they can get up and stretch from time to time. Incorporating stretching exercises, even for a few minutes at a time throughout the day, makes all students learn better. If your student is visual, practice good note taking skills at home and have kids write down any instructions they receive verbally. This will help them process the task at hand.
Offer Assistance - If there are any ways you can get involved, teachers are generally very grateful for the help. Does your child's class have parent helpers? Sign up!
See if there is any material the teacher needs that you (or a parent association, or community member) could help provide. There are lots of free resources out there that teachers don't have the time to track down. Many teachers operate on a tight budget, and any "extra" things such as art supplies or teaching aids that do cater to other learning styles are usually bought out of the teacher's own pocket. It gets expensive to be a good teacher.
If there is a skill you have that you can share that might benefit the students, see if you can come in and teach a lesson. If your child is Kinesthetic you could teach a quick lessons on exercises you can do while sitting in their seats (look up instructions for exercises to do while flying for ideas). This wold be great for students who have to be active while they are learning.
Find Out What You Can Do At Home - Ask your teacher for suggestions on ways you can help your child learn better at home. See if they can recommend any extra resources for you. It might take your child a little longer to finish their homework if you have to present it in a way that fits their learning style but it is worth it!
Sheena is an educator and author who is passionate about creativity. Her website "Growing Creative Kids" is full of ideas, resources and creative inspiration for parents, educators and care givers. http://growingcreativekids.com
Sheena has two e-books available on her website at: http://growingcreativekids.com/shop
"Growing Creative Kids" a great resource providing you with the ideas, inspiration and and tools to cultivate a creative mind within your family.
"The Art of Money Getting - Adapted for the Modern Teen Money Getter" takes P.T Barnum's classic lessons and makes it relevant to today's teens.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sheena_Witter
Get To Know Your Child's teacher - This should be your first and most important step going forward. Teachers want their students to succeed but in most cases the deck is stacked against them. Standardized testing, rigid curriculum, cost cuts, large class sizes, and lack of support are all challenges that teachers face every day.
Getting to know your child's teacher gives you and your child an advantage. It lets the teacher know you are involved and concerned about your child. You can pass on valuable information - such as your child's different learning styles and issues they may be having that the teacher is not aware of.
Scheduling a face to face meeting with your child's new teacher each year should be a priority. Call and find a time that is good for them. Dropping in or trying to discuss your child at the end of a school day is usually frustrating and not successful as the teacher needs a clear head and schedule to absorb and address your concerns.
Come Prepared - Make the most of any meetings you have with teachers by being prepared. Create a list of the issues you want to address and have an idea of what outcomes you would like to see. It shows you are proactive and, if you offer solutions instead of just a whole bunch of problems, you are more likely to get what you want.
If your child is having difficulty in school because of their preferred learning style or multiple intelligence, look for solutions that are easy to implement in the classroom. See if there is any flexibility in how projects are done.
If your child is an auditory learner, see if they can do a presentation as opposed to a written report. If they are Kinesthetic see if they can get up and stretch from time to time. Incorporating stretching exercises, even for a few minutes at a time throughout the day, makes all students learn better. If your student is visual, practice good note taking skills at home and have kids write down any instructions they receive verbally. This will help them process the task at hand.
Offer Assistance - If there are any ways you can get involved, teachers are generally very grateful for the help. Does your child's class have parent helpers? Sign up!
See if there is any material the teacher needs that you (or a parent association, or community member) could help provide. There are lots of free resources out there that teachers don't have the time to track down. Many teachers operate on a tight budget, and any "extra" things such as art supplies or teaching aids that do cater to other learning styles are usually bought out of the teacher's own pocket. It gets expensive to be a good teacher.
If there is a skill you have that you can share that might benefit the students, see if you can come in and teach a lesson. If your child is Kinesthetic you could teach a quick lessons on exercises you can do while sitting in their seats (look up instructions for exercises to do while flying for ideas). This wold be great for students who have to be active while they are learning.
Find Out What You Can Do At Home - Ask your teacher for suggestions on ways you can help your child learn better at home. See if they can recommend any extra resources for you. It might take your child a little longer to finish their homework if you have to present it in a way that fits their learning style but it is worth it!
Sheena is an educator and author who is passionate about creativity. Her website "Growing Creative Kids" is full of ideas, resources and creative inspiration for parents, educators and care givers. http://growingcreativekids.com
Sheena has two e-books available on her website at: http://growingcreativekids.com/shop
"Growing Creative Kids" a great resource providing you with the ideas, inspiration and and tools to cultivate a creative mind within your family.
"The Art of Money Getting - Adapted for the Modern Teen Money Getter" takes P.T Barnum's classic lessons and makes it relevant to today's teens.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sheena_Witter
Special Education Programs in the United States and the Third World Countries
The Department of Education in the Philippines is strengthening its policies for special education program in allowing special children who does not have the resources or access to a well deserved education because of financial disabilities of their parents. This is one good reason why people and the government should continue to support this program because the special children have the right to education equally as the normal children. Even though this group of people may not have the same skills that a normal child has, still they have a chance to experience school life which will nurture their skills and will make them capable of doing something good for themselves as well as for the people around them.
A lot of people with family members of a special child will keep them inside the house because of the fear that their child will be rejected in the society causing them more pain for them to see their family member being feared and being called names out in the streets by insensitive human beings. I can see a lot of difference when it comes to special children living in the first-world-countries. They usually have a good program for children with this kind of disability; they would even have social department visit their houses just to check on these kids, to ensure that they have been given the proper care by the parents. We know how it is in the US as well as other countries that has good budget for this departments that most of the third world countries point out as a reason why they sometimes will not be able to carry out this in their pursuit in helping these special set of people. The government of the 3rd -world-country blames it in their economic situation, but isn't the first-world-counties experiencing crisis as well? We could then conclude that it depends on the want of the government to really focus on this, unless if they find this less seriously as a social matter.
Teachers who specialize in special education program nowadays have a lot of job opportunities abroad because this will give them greener Pasteur. In Asian countries, this Major as a course was not widely known before the 20th century. Now, even the smaller countries in Asia Pacific gives a lot of emphasis in educating their special ones because we are now much open to the idea of giving life to a real life that was once often regarded as useless creatures or pain-in-the-butts for their parents. After all, they did not ask to be born as they are. We all know that there are factors where we blame the mothers for the food they eat, and the things they do when they were pregnant. We also blame the genes for this misfortune. We should keep in mind that these groups of people are alive and they should have the well deserved so-called-LIFE!
Educating them is the best way to make them feel that they belong and a teacher who specializes in this field could help a lot in molding a special child into a great special child when she/he grows up.
Lam Bong is an Author living in Sydney, Australia. He is interested in reading and creating websites. His latest website is about Sydney tutor and finding the best Sydney maths tutor on the web today.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lam_Bong
A lot of people with family members of a special child will keep them inside the house because of the fear that their child will be rejected in the society causing them more pain for them to see their family member being feared and being called names out in the streets by insensitive human beings. I can see a lot of difference when it comes to special children living in the first-world-countries. They usually have a good program for children with this kind of disability; they would even have social department visit their houses just to check on these kids, to ensure that they have been given the proper care by the parents. We know how it is in the US as well as other countries that has good budget for this departments that most of the third world countries point out as a reason why they sometimes will not be able to carry out this in their pursuit in helping these special set of people. The government of the 3rd -world-country blames it in their economic situation, but isn't the first-world-counties experiencing crisis as well? We could then conclude that it depends on the want of the government to really focus on this, unless if they find this less seriously as a social matter.
Teachers who specialize in special education program nowadays have a lot of job opportunities abroad because this will give them greener Pasteur. In Asian countries, this Major as a course was not widely known before the 20th century. Now, even the smaller countries in Asia Pacific gives a lot of emphasis in educating their special ones because we are now much open to the idea of giving life to a real life that was once often regarded as useless creatures or pain-in-the-butts for their parents. After all, they did not ask to be born as they are. We all know that there are factors where we blame the mothers for the food they eat, and the things they do when they were pregnant. We also blame the genes for this misfortune. We should keep in mind that these groups of people are alive and they should have the well deserved so-called-LIFE!
Educating them is the best way to make them feel that they belong and a teacher who specializes in this field could help a lot in molding a special child into a great special child when she/he grows up.
Lam Bong is an Author living in Sydney, Australia. He is interested in reading and creating websites. His latest website is about Sydney tutor and finding the best Sydney maths tutor on the web today.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lam_Bong
Wednesday, May 05, 2010
How to Choose a Great Gift For Dad on Father's Day
With the Fathers Day barely a month away many of us are still hunting for gifts for Dad. For many of us choosing a present for Dad is a challenging and daunting task. After all, a Dad is a person who has provided us everything ever since we are born and still continue to support us in whatever way possible. The concept of giving Gifts to father or father like persons in our life like grandfather, step father, father in law, uncle or whoever is like a father to us on Father's Day is a wonderful way to express our gratitude for all the love and support they have given us.
We can never compensate for what our Fathers have done for us but the least we could do is express our gratitude. But what do we give a person who has given us everything in life? However, if we consider his personality, interests and hobbies coming up with a unique gift idea for Dad should not be difficult. Gifts like flowers may not be ideal when it comes to gifts for Dad but he may like manly gifts. If Dad likes fishing or golf, a fish rod or a golf kit would be appreciated by him. Similarly if Dad is someone who likes to be well groomed always gifts like sunglasses, cologne, cufflinks, ties, watch, wallet etc should work well. If Dad likes Gadgets then he should like latest gadgets. Gadgets like Apple iPods, Apple iPhone 3GS, Sony PSP, Garmin Hand held GPS, Blackberry Smart Phone, Digital Camera and Digital Camcorder etc are hot favorites with men. Men are also known to like Video games.
Everyone likes to be appreciated. So it is not wrong to say that a Dad would appreciate it too. Giving Dad a memento or trophy with the words 'Worlds Best Dad' or 'Number 1 Dad' would be a great idea. Similarly a Certificate with such words would not be a bad idea too. Some unique ideas can be writing a poem for him or buying him Lunar Real Estate or naming a star after him. When considering buying presents for father on father's day, birthday or any special day in his life, health options like health insurance policy or health club membership should work well too. In fact anything we know that Dad would like would be an ideal present for him. On second thoughts, I think for a father any gift given by a child would be special no matter how cheap or costly it is. It is the feelings with which we give the gifts make it special one.
On this Father's day which falls on the 3rd week of June (June 20th, 2010) let us take the opportunity to show how much we appreciate him not only by buying Gifts for Dad but also by spending some time with him talking to him and by giving him a warm hug too.
Anamika is an Expert on topics like Feng Shui, Relationships, Astrology, Hindu Mantras etc. Visit her Blog on Relationships and Dating for relationship advice on various issues.
http://relationships-love-marriage-articles.blogspot.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anamika_S
Can I Just Pretend I Really, Really Care About You and Send You an E-Card For Christmas?
This weekend, the missus and I wrapped up our shopping for family for the holidays. I have to say: "We were more thoughtful this year than any time previously..." (at least I thought so)
We really thought through the whole process and I am pumped by the stack of "stuff" sitting in our kitchen that needs to be wrapped.
It's about the relationship, right?
There are people you care about - people around whom you really want to build a history. It kind of parallels your deal making process.
Makes sense, right? You want to do business with people that you can stand being around. People you like.
That's about building a relationship. Not seasonal email torpedoing. But a consistent communication thread.
My inbox got me thinking....
How special would you feel if you were sent the following e-card from someone that you spent money with this year? I love the "We hope this communication is welcomed..." Makes me feel like you really remember who I am. And are you really giving me the option to unsubscribe from next year's seasonal greetings? You tell me. Maybe I am being picky. Now how about this one... Are you feeling the love?
I now have to click on a link to go a site to see all the Christmas warmth you can't wait to share with me... As if that isn't enough to do, there is the obligatory signature language informing me that I could be sued for mishandling the email you are sending me. WOW.... way too much baggage for me to do anything with. I just have to archive it...
These both ended up in my inbox (along with a tiresome few others...) and I just didn't have the energy to keep clicking through to link after link so I could get in the Christmas spirit. It kind of made it all feel like a "chore"...
Like maybe our relationship wasn't so important after all...Know what I mean? It gets you thinking. What's the logic behind this?
Who emerged from their marketing "bat-cave" with the fantabulous idea that impersonal seasonalized hyperlink creation was something that made customers feel like "you care"?
Was there a memo in the late '90s that I missed?
Two words: CALL ME...
I know I'm a little cranky when it comes to this stuff, but doesn't it seem a little dis-ingenuous? Even if you give the sender the "benefit of the doubt", you can't overlook the general lack of creativity. The fact remains that in the haste to have another "client touch", the marketer forgot to put himself in the recipient position.
Here's reality: No one really reads this stuff. (Not even your grandma who has unlimited Facebook time)
Maybe the first one you get (right after Thanksgiving), but right around the second week in December you are left with no other choice but massive select-and-archive. You even feel a little bad about it, but you justify if by telling yourself that if you have time, you'll dig them out later at home to look through.
And you never do... It's just not a high priority.
Without a relationship, you just avoid all the rest of the noise coming at you.
And certainly this mirrors a hunch I have had for some time now as I talk with C-level executives and ask about their behavior to inbound messaging. I decided to test my theory. About a week ago, I put a poll up on LinkedIn asking the following question:
"If relationships really do matter in sales, why don't we build better ones throughout our selling process?"
Here are the overall results:
* 40% stated that they didn't have enough access to the right people to build a great relationship...
* 10% noted that they tried to build good relationships but didn't know how to keep it up...
* 20% thought that it wasn't really a good use of their time... AND
* 30% admitted they weren't really sure how to build great relationships...
When you study this further, you see that ALL of the CEO's who responded to this question answered the same - that they had not developed this skill of long term relationship building.
Are you surprised? You might have thought that senior level executives had "schmoozing" all figured out. Maybe not. Maybe there's more to that cocktail parties and fast one-liners.
The numbers get more interesting when you look at the size of the companies responding. All of the big guys (who would have the biggest sales and marketing budgets) all noted that they didn't have access to the right people to build great relationships.
Essentially, the guys with the most advantages toward building the best relationships were the least likely to know how to get the right people. Interesting indeed.
When you look at the age for relationship building, it becomes even more significant. The young guys and old guys fall into the same category - limited access to the right executives. While the mid-life high-performers know the right people, but aren't really sure what to do to keep their attention.
Kind of what you would expect from life, right? You work hard to get somewhere; and then once you're there you push so far and fast ahead that you lose valuable ties to people who could be a valuable resource to you.
Young or old, big or small - we all need to work a little harder to keep our relationships strong. They are our lifeblood, our lifeline to accomplishing our life's mission.
So think about how you treat your relationships.
Are you asking friends to triple-click through your e-card nonsense, or are you bold enough to just say "Thank You" and mean it.
These days, Dan is partner in a private equity technology accelerator and a former technology CEO. He is an early-early-early adopter of game-changing technology. He blogs regularly on his motivational selling blog The DEW View! He is a husband to a cute gal named Sara and father to two energetic boys. He's just an ordinary dude who happens to have an outrageous vision. And he wants to change the world.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Daniel_Waldschmidt
Top 3 Unique and Unusual Vampire Costumes For Kids This Halloween
Vampire costumes for kids are probably one of the most popular costume choices for little ones each and every Halloween. So is there really a way to make sure your little blood thirsty vampire stands out from the crowd this Halloween? Of course there is.
You have no doubt noticed that vampires have become very popular these days. Thanks in part to television shows like The Vampire Diaries and True Blood and of course the hugely popular series of Twilight books, the popularity of vampire costumes is at an all time high.
So how do you find a costume that is different from the standard department store kids vampire costume? The answer is to find a costume that offers a bit more originality and has at least one interesting element that other costumes don't have.
For example, one of the most unique vampire costumes for kids that I have seen is a light-up costume that is really quite awesome. This kids costume comes with a black vest that has tiny red fiber-optic lights attached to it that look like dripping blood.
Not only would your child love to have light up blood dripping from their costume, but it is a wonderful safety feature too. Considering vampires are mostly dressed in black, this is a great way to make sure cars and other trick-or-treaters can easily see your child.
Another one of my favorite child's vampire costume is one that comes with a stake through the heart. A brown vinyl stake is attached to the shirt of the costume and it looks as though your little vampire has already been put out of his misery. A little bit of humor adds a unique appeal to this special costume and any little Dracula would be proud to wear it to the Halloween bash.
And don't forget that little girls can be blood sucking vampires too. The popular trend for girls this year seems to be a Gothic type of vampire (or Vampira) costume for female vampire fans. These costumes are quite elaborate and to be honest, are actually quite beautiful! Any little girl would feel like a real dark princess of the night in one of these fabulous costumes.
All of these vampire costumes for kids have one thing in common. They are really cool, very affordable and will help your child fulfill their fantasy of becoming one of the un-dead if only for one night.
So don't settle for an ordinary and boring costume this year - get one of these unique and unusual vampire costumes for kids! Check out these bestselling vampire costumes and you'll see how easy (and cheap) it is for your child to look amazing this Halloween.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kaycee_Mays
Monday, August 10, 2009
Independent Versus Assisted Retirement Living - Which is Right For You?
As people age, many choose to move to Florida retirement communities to take advantage of the year-round warmth and sunshine. Depending on their needs, retirees may choose to move into either an independent living facility or an assistant living community. Many senior communities offer both options -- independent living for those who can take care of themselves, and assisted living for seniors who may need a little help with everyday tasks.
Independent Living
Many retirement communities in Florida base themselves around the concept of independent living. These facilities are just what they sound like -- independent living centers where people are generally able to take care of themselves. Residents are physically active and able to walk around the community. They are able to bathe and dress themselves, can manage their medications properly, and are free from severely debilitating physical ailments and memory loss.
Florida independent living centers are about staying healthy, active, and enjoying all that life has to offer. Most retirement communities offer numerous activities like walking groups, water aerobics, tai chi, and other fitness classes. In addition to fitness options, many luxury senior living communities also have bingo, movies, bridge, arts and crafts, socials, musical entertainment, and regular outings. Seniors who can live an independent lifestyle, but want to be near friends as well as a qualified, professional medical staff available at any time of day, should consider living in an independent retirement living center.
Assisted Living
Many retirees who can live independently and those who need the help of a medical staff on a daily basis choose to relocate to warmer areas like California or Florida. Assisted living communities are for people who may need help with activities of daily living, such as walking, bathing, and dressing. They may also need help with medication management and require daily nursing assistance as well. Oftentimes, residents of assisted living facilities suffer from memory loss or impairment, and need someone to help them to and from their room around the clock.
However, those in assisted living retirement communities can still stay active. With the help of a dedicated medical staff, residents can participate in physical activities like walks, water aerobics, and beach ball volleyball. As in independent living centers, those in assisted living can also take part in recreational and social activities like bridge games, musical entertainment, and bingo.
Choosing The Right Type Of Living
It can sometimes be hard to know if you or your loved one should be in an independent living community or assisted living community. The main thing to consider is if the person can manage their activities in daily life without any assistance. If they can generally take care of themselves, are physically able, can remember to take their medicines, and are free from memory loss or major physical ailments, an independent living community will usually suffice.
Otherwise, the person probably needs an assisted living center. Those debating between the two types of senior living should discuss the options with their health care provider, and tour different retirement communities in the area. With time, you'll find the right fit for your needs and lifestyle.
Christine O'Kelly is an author for Aston Gardens, a premier developer of award-winning Florida retirement communities. Aston Gardens offers luxury senior living for the active retiree.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christine_OKelly
Caregiving - Assess Your Stress and Take Steps to Manage It
My mother had dementia and I was her caregiver for nine years. This experience gave me a clear picture of caregiver stress. Though I took proactive steps to manage my stress, by the time my mother died I was exhausted. It took me a year to regain my strength and optimism.
What is caregiver stress? According to "Frequently Asked Questions: Caregiver Stress," an article on the Womens Health Website (a government agency), it is the emotional and physical strain of caregiving. "Caregiver stress appears to affect women more than men," notes the article.
You may be so busy with caregiving that you pay little attention to your own health. Vicki L. Schmall and Ruth E. Stiehl, authors of the booklet, "Coping with Caregiving: How to Manage Stress when Caring for Older Relatives," think all caregivers make sacrifices. "No matter your relationship or age, as a caregiver you are making concessions and a personal sacrifice to provide care for another person," they write.
Caregiver stress increases over time. You may recognize your stress, but not the extent of it. Fortunately, tools have been developed to help you determine your stress level. One tool, "Caregiver Self-Assessment Questionnaire: How are You?" was developed by the American Medical Association (AMA). The "yes" or "no" questionnaire pertains to one week of caregiving. It has 18 points, such as "Felt completely overwhelmed" and "Been edgy or irritable."
At the end of the questionnaire you tally your score. If you answered "yes" to specific questions, "chances are that you are experiencing a high degree of stress," according to the AMA.
Schmall and Stiehl include a "yes" or "no" questionnaire in their booklet. Their questionnaire focuses on some of the warning signs of stress. There are 11 questions on the form, including "Are you becoming more isolated?" According to the authors, answering "yes" to even some of the questions "can indicate that stress has become debilitating."
Family members may also serve as a stress assessment resource. One day my husband told me I was short-tempered. His comment surprised me because I have a steady, even personality. But nine years of caregiving had taken a toll on me. Toward the end of my mother's life, when I awakened each morning, I wondered if this would be the day she died.
According to the article, "Selected Caregiving Statistics," published on the Family Caregiver Website, caregiving can last a few months or decades. "Studies have found that caregivers may have increased blood pressure and insulin levels, may have impaired immune systems and may be at increased risk for cardiovascular disease," the article explains.
Don't wait for your stress to go away. See your doctor if your stress level is going up and ask him or her to assess your stress. Your doctor will also be able to provide you with information on community resources. Joining a caregiving support group can also help to relieve stress.
The American Association of Retired Persons compares stress management to regular car maintenance. In its article, "Managing the Stress of Caregiving," the orgnization says stress management is "critical to staying in shape over time." So get to stress before it gets to you!
Copyright 2009 by Harriet Hodgson
Harriet Hodgson has been an independent journalist for 30 years. She is a member of the American Society of Journalists and Authors, the Association of Health Care Journalists, and the Association for Death Education and Counseling. Her 24th book, "Smiling Through Your Tears: Anticipating Grief," written with Lois Krahn, MD, is available from Amazon.
Centering Corporation in Omaha, Nebraska has published her 26th book, "Writing to Recover: The Journey from Loss and Grief to a New Life." The company has also published a companion resource, the "Writing to Recover Journal," which contains 100 writing prompts. Please visit Harriet's Website and learn more about this busy author and grandmother.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Harriet_Hodgson
Family Caregiver - Part 1 Caring For Elderly Disabled With Parkinson's
We are married 32 years, so there were good times before he became ill. I have no degrees or titles than enable me to offer these tips for Parkinson's care except that of being the family caregiver to my husband. For the last 12 years we have lived with this disease. In the beginning he was only mildly affected but over time his disease has progressed to him being a wheelchair patient. For the first 6 years I was his sole care giver, living with and getting to know his limitations that changed from day to day.
He was 71 years old, I, 22 years younger, was 49. (He is now 82, I am 60. ) My career came to an abrupt halt as I stayed home to be the family caregiver for my husband. In desperation I searched frantically for assistance to cover his medications and help to adapt the house to his needs. Everywhere I tried, either there was no program to help us or we were only dollars from being eligible. Finally one day I made the right contact at the PA Department of Public Welfare Area Agency on Aging for our county.
I had tried there the previous year and was told there was no program to help. I called there again and again every few months. On my last call I coincidentally timed it at the beginning of a new program and was able to get my husband enrolled. The program was not for Parkinson's disease patients only, but for any senior that might otherwise be placed into a nursing home. The goal of this program is to keep the senior patient in their home, out of a facility, as long as possible. We have been enrolled 6 years. This program has been a life saver, life changer.
I am still the family caregiver but this resource
* has provided for us a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) to help me care for him and enable me to regain a few hours a day of my own.
* helped us make adaptations to our home so he can use the bathroom and stairs.
* has given him prescription coverage.
I strongly urge you to seek help from this agency if you are or have a senior that needs assistance. There are other agencies that may be able to help in different ways. Keep knocking on doors, making phone calls.
Our age difference has benefited this relationship and how we are able to deal with the demands of his condition. If I were older, I would not be physically able to care for him at home. The weird part of this, if it was me that was sick, because I am not a senior (yet), I would not be eligible for these programs. Some of you may be in this position, and I don't know what advice to offer to you.
Hopefully you will find the help you need. By the way, being family caregiver in my house also includes two senior Black Labrador retrievers aged 11+, who are on medication. Could the family help? We have no children. My husband has four children by his previous marriage, of whom only one keeps touch with him. She cared for her mother-in-law until she passed away a few years ago. She knows what is involved in caring for her father, but does not have the time due to her other commitments.
I do try to keep her in the loop when his condition changes and she does offer moral support. We all seem to have at one time or another the responsibility of being a family caregiver. Dealing with his varying conditions has given me reason to create some interesting items that help me to care for him.
Please visit my web site http://caregiversaide.com/ to see my Patent Pending Skid Seat, my Bed Sled reusable bed pad and related items you may find useful in caring for your loved one. Thank you.
Caring for my husband these 12 years has given me a genuine understanding and sympathy for other caregivers and their individual situations. I am always looking for a better, easier way to help him through the day. If he's happy then we're both happy.
Karen Shiffert is the inventor and manufacturer of the Patent Pending Skid Seat (R) developed in the course of caring for her physicaly disabled husband. Her company, Caregiversaide,LLC offers products she has either developed or discovered to help her care for her husband.
Visit http://caregiversaide.com/ to view her products and accompanying video demonstrations.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Karen_Shiffert
Senior Living Guide
A senior living guide can help you to ensure the safety and security of you or your loved one. By taking the extra time required to research senior and assisted living facilities and their reputations, you can keep yourself - or your family member - out of the papers and off the news.
One important aspect of a dependable senior living guide includes a list of questions and considerations to investigate as you weigh alternatives. These should include simple but often overlooked questions of facility directors or perhaps your own independent research. Some of these questions may include the following:
• How many incidents of resident injuries or accidents have occurred?
• How many incidents of resident injuries or accidents have occurred recently, in the past 5 years?
• What procedures are in place to ensure medications are correctly dispensed?
• How often is the local police department dispatched to the facility?
• What is the current ratio of staff to residents?
• How many complaints, overall, have been filed by residents or family members?
You will want to add on your own set of questions and/or concerns to this existing list. These are a few of the obvious questions you'll want to address when creating your own senior living guide.
When you do your due diligence, your research and evaluation of assisted living care facilities should be as broad and all-encompassing as possible. This is a very important decision that you or your loved ones will have to make - therefore, each and every concern you might have should not be overlooked.
Assisted Living Dallas - Click here and let Senior Living Specialists provide FREE and complimentary services to help you locate the best assisted living residence in the Dallas, Texas area. We also provide referral services across the country!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sean_Patrick_II
Senior Living - 3 Ways to Improve Your Health and Mind
As people age, they often worry about declining health, brain functions, and mood. Senior citizens may also worry about moving into a retirement community or assisted living center. While it's an unfortunate fact that aging can mean the onset of disease and disability, there are things seniors can do to improve their physical and mental condition.
Exercising, volunteering, and staying active in different ways can vastly improve a person's health and frame of mind. Senior living doesn't have to be boring or inactive. Whether you live on your own or in a retirement community, choosing fun, fulfilling activities that fill up your time is great for maintaining or bettering your overall health.
Exercise
Exercising is an important habit to maintain throughout life to keep your body in shape and prevent the onset of heart problems, obesity, and other health problems. As people age, it's very important to maintain a regular exercise routine. Most retirement communities offer a wide range of fitness classes with different levels of exertion. You should look for fitness classes or exercise methods that involve not only cardiovascular health, but also different muscle groups. Your workout doesn't have to be extremely strenuous. If you've never exercised before, you may just start with a simple walk.
Senior living centers often have walking groups, as well as games that work the upper body. Even playing bingo offers residents range-of-motion exercises when they raise their arms in the air upon winning! Retirement communities in Florida or other warm climates also usually have swimming pools, so residents can take part in water aerobics that are easy on the joints and limbs. It doesn't matter which type of exercise you choose, as long as you do something.
Volunteer
Volunteering allows seniors to be around other younger people and give back to their community. By interacting with younger people, senior citizens can feel more youthful themselves and pass on worldly advice to children or young adults. People may choose to volunteer in a school, library, church, or charitable organization.
Senior living centers often organize volunteer opportunities for residents. Since volunteering allows people to feel useful and like they're making a difference, this can do wonders for a person's emotional and mental health.
Stay Active
Maintaining a busy schedule means less time for boredom and depression. By staying active, you better yourself emotionally and physically. Traveling to new places, attending shows, and cultivating new hobbies all stimulate the mind. Many senior living facilities have extensive recreational and social calendars with a wide array of events. Whether you enjoy arts and crafts, Bible study, or musical entertainment, you're sure to have plenty of things to do in an active retirement community.
With age, it's important to keep physical, mental, and emotional health in the best shape possible. By exercising, volunteering, and staying occupied with varied activities, senior citizens can improve their overall health and state of mind.
Christine O'Kelly is an author for Aston Gardens, a premier developer of award-winning Florida retirement communities. Aston Gardens offers luxury senior living for the active retiree.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christine_OKelly
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Tracing Your Family Lineage With the Use of a Genealogy Chart
The family is the basic structure of human society. It is from this basic building block that all other groups and structures present in the society are built and dependent upon. As such, the primary environment of community and oneness that the family provides is one of the most important social bonds that can ever be formed among human beings - a bond that is strong and lasting and reinforced by blood and kinship; a bond that is strengthened further over time through family lineage.
It is because of this that tracing our family lineage becomes an important and worthwhile endeavor. Being able to identify the people both in the past and present who have made this kinship possible, and to pay tribute to their contribution to the growth of the family gives individuals a sense of camaraderie with their kin as well as a sense of security in the fact that they know exactly who the people they can count on are.
Taking up genealogy, which is what we call the study of family kinship and lineage, though rewarding is not always an easy task. It requires detailed research and an eye for organizing details that may tend to overwhelm beginners by their sheer volume and tedious requirements.
Even if you have arrived at the point wherein you've gathered sufficient data through interviews with parents, grandparents, aunts, cousins and uncles, as well as followed paper trails that have helped you acquire documentation to back up these stories, organizing the details can become one of the trickiest areas to maneuver.
Fortunately, however, there are such things as charts that enable genealogy researchers to organize their data efficiently and easily, allowing them to retrieve this data and read it relatively easily as well. It is thus one of the most important tools that genealogy enthusiasts can ever possess in their quest to build a complete and concise documentation of their family tree.
For the technologically-savvy, there is plenty of available software with electronic charts included in the package. There are also websites on the internet that provide this tool for free and are easily downloadable from the web. These online charts are infinitely helpful in arranging the data that has been acquired so that confusion can be easily avoided.
For those, however, who are technologically-challenged, or who simply want to do it old-school, you can keep it simple by creating your own genealogy chart on paper. It has very little requirements and anyone can do it. In any case, it is important to keep a back up of your records to make sure that the data you've worked so hard to find and organize remains accessible and wouldn't get lost or compromised.
Engaging in genealogy research may challenge your research skills, your patience and your ability to organize, but the fruits borne at the end of this exercise are definitely worth the effort.
Bill Turnbull has been studying genealogy for 15 years and in that time has discovered the secrets to building family trees effortlessly online. For more great information on Genealogy visit Build Family Tree Online
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bill_Turnbull
It is because of this that tracing our family lineage becomes an important and worthwhile endeavor. Being able to identify the people both in the past and present who have made this kinship possible, and to pay tribute to their contribution to the growth of the family gives individuals a sense of camaraderie with their kin as well as a sense of security in the fact that they know exactly who the people they can count on are.
Taking up genealogy, which is what we call the study of family kinship and lineage, though rewarding is not always an easy task. It requires detailed research and an eye for organizing details that may tend to overwhelm beginners by their sheer volume and tedious requirements.
Even if you have arrived at the point wherein you've gathered sufficient data through interviews with parents, grandparents, aunts, cousins and uncles, as well as followed paper trails that have helped you acquire documentation to back up these stories, organizing the details can become one of the trickiest areas to maneuver.
Fortunately, however, there are such things as charts that enable genealogy researchers to organize their data efficiently and easily, allowing them to retrieve this data and read it relatively easily as well. It is thus one of the most important tools that genealogy enthusiasts can ever possess in their quest to build a complete and concise documentation of their family tree.
For the technologically-savvy, there is plenty of available software with electronic charts included in the package. There are also websites on the internet that provide this tool for free and are easily downloadable from the web. These online charts are infinitely helpful in arranging the data that has been acquired so that confusion can be easily avoided.
For those, however, who are technologically-challenged, or who simply want to do it old-school, you can keep it simple by creating your own genealogy chart on paper. It has very little requirements and anyone can do it. In any case, it is important to keep a back up of your records to make sure that the data you've worked so hard to find and organize remains accessible and wouldn't get lost or compromised.
Engaging in genealogy research may challenge your research skills, your patience and your ability to organize, but the fruits borne at the end of this exercise are definitely worth the effort.
Bill Turnbull has been studying genealogy for 15 years and in that time has discovered the secrets to building family trees effortlessly online. For more great information on Genealogy visit Build Family Tree Online
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bill_Turnbull
Tips in Growing Green Today or at Least Saves Some Money If You're Not Green!
Here are many small simple tips you can follow:
• Plug your television into a power bar and turn that off when you aren't watching.
• Wash your clothes in cold water. Since a high amount of the electricity is used in washing your clothes because of heating the water, using cold rather than hot water will save you tons of money
• Install a low-flow showerhead.
• Set the photocopier to print double-sided only. It takes ten times as much energy to make a piece of paper than it takes to copy onto it
• Boiling water for tea in a pot on your gas stove uses one-third the energy of a plug-in kettle
• Choose a laptop than a desktop - it uses about six times less electricity than a desktop
• Turn the screen saver off. Screen savers don't save electricity. Rather, set your computer to go into sleep mode when you're not using it.
• Get rid of that old Fridge and get a new Energy Star model
• Make sure you clean and replace your furnace filter often. A dirty filter forces your furnace to work harder to heat your home.
• When summer comes, keep the blinds closed and run a couple of fans instead of air conditioning
• On sunny days during the winter make sure you open your south-facing drapes and let the sun in
• See the commercial on TV? - Unplug your chargers i.e. cell phones, PDAs, digital cameras, cordless tools and other gadgets when you're not charging.
• Turn your thermostat down at night, even a 4-degree Celsius could cut your gas bill by 10 per cent
• Get some foam sleeve insulation to insulate your hot water pipes and wrap it around the first nine feet off your water heater.
• Go from Gas-powered lawnmower to an old-fashioned push-and-pull model.
• Hang your laundry on a clothesline instead of throwing them in the dryer
• Drive at the speed limit. Going from 120 kilometers an hour to 100 cuts your fuel consumption.
• Buy a reusable coffee mug.
• Plug gaps around pipes, ducts, fans and vents that go through walls, ceilings and floors from heated to unheated spaces.
• Don't throw out that toner cartridge. Instead, reuse it.
• Use Energy-efficient automatic dishwashers that use half the energy and less water to the old fashioned way
• Fix Dripping taps
• Use a microwave instead of a conventional oven. You can save to 50 per cent of your cooking energy.
• Don't idle. You will save you gas and populate less
• Switch off your computer before you leave work.
In conclusion, simple lifestyle changes can make a big difference. It does not take much of your time to do all of these things. Think about how it changes things especially your pocket book, especially if you are not Green minded.
Steve Harrison
http://alternativeenergysourcenews.blogspot.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_Harry_Harrison
• Plug your television into a power bar and turn that off when you aren't watching.
• Wash your clothes in cold water. Since a high amount of the electricity is used in washing your clothes because of heating the water, using cold rather than hot water will save you tons of money
• Install a low-flow showerhead.
• Set the photocopier to print double-sided only. It takes ten times as much energy to make a piece of paper than it takes to copy onto it
• Boiling water for tea in a pot on your gas stove uses one-third the energy of a plug-in kettle
• Choose a laptop than a desktop - it uses about six times less electricity than a desktop
• Turn the screen saver off. Screen savers don't save electricity. Rather, set your computer to go into sleep mode when you're not using it.
• Get rid of that old Fridge and get a new Energy Star model
• Make sure you clean and replace your furnace filter often. A dirty filter forces your furnace to work harder to heat your home.
• When summer comes, keep the blinds closed and run a couple of fans instead of air conditioning
• On sunny days during the winter make sure you open your south-facing drapes and let the sun in
• See the commercial on TV? - Unplug your chargers i.e. cell phones, PDAs, digital cameras, cordless tools and other gadgets when you're not charging.
• Turn your thermostat down at night, even a 4-degree Celsius could cut your gas bill by 10 per cent
• Get some foam sleeve insulation to insulate your hot water pipes and wrap it around the first nine feet off your water heater.
• Go from Gas-powered lawnmower to an old-fashioned push-and-pull model.
• Hang your laundry on a clothesline instead of throwing them in the dryer
• Drive at the speed limit. Going from 120 kilometers an hour to 100 cuts your fuel consumption.
• Buy a reusable coffee mug.
• Plug gaps around pipes, ducts, fans and vents that go through walls, ceilings and floors from heated to unheated spaces.
• Don't throw out that toner cartridge. Instead, reuse it.
• Use Energy-efficient automatic dishwashers that use half the energy and less water to the old fashioned way
• Fix Dripping taps
• Use a microwave instead of a conventional oven. You can save to 50 per cent of your cooking energy.
• Don't idle. You will save you gas and populate less
• Switch off your computer before you leave work.
In conclusion, simple lifestyle changes can make a big difference. It does not take much of your time to do all of these things. Think about how it changes things especially your pocket book, especially if you are not Green minded.
Steve Harrison
http://alternativeenergysourcenews.blogspot.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_Harry_Harrison
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
What You Want to Know About Aquarium Lighting
Aquarium lighting is not just used for decoration so that you can see your fishes clearly during the night. They are also needed and are an important part of a reef aquarium. The proper lighting in an aquarium allows corals and invertebrates to survive. Light for these creatures is needed as their source of photosynthesis so they can generate more energy and food. Without it they will wither and die. So the lighting should be treated as an essential part of an aquarium.
Lightings for an aquarium can be divided in four main types. They are the fluorescent lighting, compact fluorescent lighting, incandescent lighting and metal halide lighting. The basic parts in an aquarium lighting system are the hoods, timers, reflectors, shields and ballasts.
For a living room set up, fluorescent lighting is the ideal lighting to use. Fluorescent bulbs are also very safe and energy-efficient and are ideal for tropical fish. Fluorescent lights come in different wattages, colors and lengths and are rated according to milliamp.
Compact fluorescent lighting is similar to fluorescent lighting but is much more powerful, energy-efficient and a great source for high-intensity lighting. It is the ideal aquarium lighting for deeper tanks.
On the other hand, for both small and big aquariums Incandescent lighting is ideal because of its versatile and inexpensive qualities. For small aquariums such type of lighting is very advantageous because it can fit different types of bulbs into it but in a deeper aquarium, this type of lighting becomes a disadvantage because the brightness of light is inadequate and bulb life is short.
But if you are looking for a more compact and aesthetic appeal and don't like fluorescent lights then a metal halide lighting may be the right fit for you. This type of lighting is very popular for reef or planted aquarium as it can really give an intensive light source. Its bulbs come in different colors and temperatures can produce a considerable amount of heat that is very useful in raising the temperatures of the aquarium water.
In choosing the right basic parts in an aquarium lighting system, hoods that easily open up with ease would be the practical choice while glass hoods are ideal for aquariums that have a sophisticated mix-and-match lighting system. Metal Halide lamps which produce harmful UV radiation and high emissions of heat should have built-in fans and UV absorbent filters.
Timers are devices that automatically turn an aquarium lighting system on and off at the same time every day. Timers can also control lighting hoods that are fitted with electronic ballasts.
Reflectors are used to direct light where it is needed. You can choose between the two basic types. They are the divergent and convergent. These two types either scatter or focus right amount light rays into the aquarium.
A shield is piece of glass that keeps water away from the bulbs and also helps prevent glass from falling into the aquarium if a bulb should break. It also keeps heat away from the water and reduces the damage caused by UV emissions.
Then ballasts are used to regulate the voltage from the regular source. They prevent burn-out bulbs and fires.
So, you see, there are a lot of choices, a lot of parts to choose from and to consider, so that you can get the right aquarium lighting. But always remember that they are not only used to make your aquarium look good and that each type of lighting functions differently and is compatible to different aquarium sizes. So choose well.
Great Summer Activities For Your Hen Weekend
With summer just round the corner and the weather being kinder to us in the UK, if you're planning a hen weekend for the next few months why not think about taking advantage of the lovely climate? There are some fantastic hen weekend activities which are super fun to enjoy during the summer that will no doubt excite and entertain you and the girls! Here's a look at some great summer hen weekend activities for you to think about.
Horse Riding.
What better way to see the beautiful British countryside than on horseback? This is an excellent hen weekend activities when the weather is nice. You don't have to be an expert rider either as most centres offering horse riding will offer an experience that covers all levels from beginners up. It's worth checking this before you book anything just to make sure that your group can be accommodated. Saddle up and then giddy up as you venture out into the beautiful country for a relaxing afternoon on your hen weekend.
Picnic in the Park
Perhaps you have a big night out ahead and fancy something a little relaxing during the day of your hen weekend. Nothing quite says British summer than taking a picnic with your best friends and sitting in a lovely park. There are so many beautiful spots up and down the country that no matter where you've decided to have your hen weekend, you're bound to find somewhere picturesque to enjoy a hamper filled with snacks for you and the girls. Don't forget the champagne and a Frisbee!
Canoeing
If the weather's warm and the sun is bright then hitting the water on your hen weekend is a fabulous way to wave goodbye to your last weekend of freedom. There's nothing more refreshing than hitting the cool water on a hot summer's day and canoeing is fantastic fun for all levels of experience. You won't have to do anything you're not comfortable with as you and the girls make your way down river on an unforgettable canoeing experience.
Explore a City
The UK boasts some wonderful cities that make excellent locations for hen weekends. In the winter months it's great to cosy up in a pub or an indoor activity but if the sunshine is out then we say a hen party should be as well! A great way to spend your day in a city is to find out as much about the place before you go and then hit the streets to explore. Don your best summer dress and comfy sandals and wander simply take in the sights and sounds of your hen weekend destination.
Pampering
Okay, we know a pampering activity on your hen weekend isn't strictly something you need good weather for as it's done indoors. However, the summer months are so much better for being pampered and beautified and then showing off your newly glowing skin to the world as you sit sipping a refreshing drink outside a pub or restaurant. So whether you're getting your nails, hair or make up done, you can be sure to have a better time flaunting it outside in the sunshine!
For more information about summer hen weekend activities visit: http://www.henheaven.co.uk/
Hen Heaven has been sending girls on memorable hen parties since 2003 and their wealth of experience in organising hen weekends keeps people coming back for more! With a passionate, friendly team, your hen weekend is in good hand from start to finish. For a quote or any questions, get in touch!
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
How to Make Money Writing at Home
Many people are interested in how to make money writing, especially seeing as you don't need any prior experience and it's an easy way to get started making some extra money from home. In fact many people go on to give up their day jobs and earn a full time income working from home as a freelance writer.
You might be mistaken by thinking that you need to have a degree in English to work as a writer. That's not so. In fact as long as you have basically good English with reasonable spelling and grammar then you can make a lot of money writing online.
The only tools you will need are your brain and a computer with Internet access. You don't need any money to get started either. Many writers once they gain some experience and an established client base can command as much as $50 or more per hour so it can be a very lucrative business.
Writing is one particular job that will never be affected by the recession. Content is always needed - articles, reports, ebooks, blog posts and sales copy are just a few of the writing opportunities available. Webmasters all over the net are constantly outsourcing their writing needs to ordinary people like you and me.
If you want to know how to make money writing at home there are many books and online programs available that can teach you how to get started. With the right information you could be earning hundreds of dollars a week very quickly.
Online Data Entry - The Easiest Way to Get Started With Online Data Entry
Do you dream of achieving financial freedom by working from home? There are many great options available to you if this is your goal. The internet is full of a world of opportunities, however there are a lot of scams too, so it is important to do some research before joining a work at home program.
Data entry is one option that is very popular at the moment. It's very easy to get started, and with the right information virtually anyone can do it. Data entry doesn't involve working for an employer in the traditional sense, so basically you can choose your own work hours and do as much (or as little) work as you want. If you prefer to work for an employer then online data entry work probably isn't the right option for you.
The easiest way to get started doing data entry is to join a data entry program. Many of these programs are very good and offer excellent training to help you get started. In fact you don't even need prior experience because anyone can do it.
Now I'm not going to say that you'll earn hundreds of dollars a day from the beginning because you won't. Despite what many of these programs advertise, it does take time and effort to learn the ropes and be really good at what you do. However the income potential is almost unlimited, so even if you start small you can work your way up to big earnings (much bigger than you could ever expect from an offline job).
27,000+ people are making money using data entry programs. See how you could change your life just like them.
Home Based Data Entry - Beat the Recession and Work at Home Doing Data Entry
It's pretty disheartening turning on the news these days when all you hear about is the economic crisis and how the recession is affecting people financially. Many have lost their jobs, foreclosures are rising, and some are even finding it difficult to put food on the table.
So is there anything one can do, or do we just have to weather the storm and wait for the recession to blow over?
Luckily it's not all doom and gloom. Many people who work online aren't affected by the recession at all, and if you are interested in working online there are many lucrative opportunities available.
Now just because I say that I don't want anyone to go out and join the first work at home program they see - far from it. There are a lot of scams online, and if you don't do your research carefully you could end up losing a lot of money rather than making some.
One legitimate work at home opportunity is home based data entry. The beauty of online data entry is that you don't need to have any prior experience, and even better because it's not a traditional J-O-B you're actually working for yourself, so you can choose your own hours. You could work around your day job if you already have one and make some extra money or you could do data entry full time.
So how can you get started doing home based data entry work? Do some research, find a good program that offers the training and resources you need, and just get started as soon as you can. The sooner you start, the sooner you will learn the ropes, and the more experience you get, the more money you can earn.
27,000+ people are making money using data entry programs. See how you could change your life just like them.
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