Tag: volunteers

From Undervalued to Empowered. Farmers and the Community Uniting for Recognition and Support

 

In a recent discussion, Sarah, a dedicated dairy farmer, shared her frustration about the lack of recognition and financial stability in the farming industry. Her sentiments resonate deeply with many other professions and groups who feel similarly undervalued.

I asked at marketing and communications expert to suggest ways we can shift the narrative from feeling undervalued to taking actionable steps towards empowerment and recognition.

Recognising the Common Struggles

Sarah’s frustration is not unique. Many groups share the experience of being underappreciated despite their crucial contributions. Among them are:

  • Teachers and Educators: Shaping future generations under constant budget constraints and low pay.
  • Healthcare Workers: Enduring long hours and high stress, especially highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Artists and Musicians: Struggling for financial stability and recognition in a society that often undervalues creative professions.
  • Environmental Conservationists: Fighting for long-term sustainability against short-term economic interests.
  • Small Business Owners: Competing against large corporations while facing significant financial pressures.
  • Social Workers: Supporting vulnerable populations under challenging conditions with limited resources.
  • Public Service Workers: Firefighters, police officers, and emergency responders risking their lives with insufficient pay and appreciation.
  • Farmers in Other Sectors: Experiencing similar struggles as dairy farmers in achieving financial stability and recognition.
  • Community Volunteers: Dedicating their time to various causes without adequate recognition.
  • Caregivers: Providing essential care to the elderly or disabled, often underappreciated and underpaid.

Moving Beyond Feeling Undervalued

Importance of Solidarity: Recognising that we are part of a larger cohort can empower us to support and advocate for each other. Solidarity among undervalued groups can amplify our voices and create a stronger impact.

Building Awareness: We need to raise public awareness about the vital contributions of these groups.

  • Social Media and Blogs: Share stories and experiences widely.
  • Media Collaboration: Work with media to highlight these professions positively.
  • Community Events: Host events to educate the public on the importance of these roles.

Advocacy and Action

Collective Advocacy: Forming alliances between different undervalued groups can amplify our voices and lead to significant changes.

  • Coalitions and Networks: Create or join existing coalitions.
  • Joint Campaigns: Engage in collaborative advocacy efforts.

Policy and Support: Advocate for policy changes that provide better financial support, working conditions, and recognition.

  • Engage Representatives: Write to local representatives and participate in public forums.
  • Supportive Policies: Back policies and initiatives that benefit undervalued groups.

Personal and Community Empowerment

Empowering Individuals: Encourage self-advocacy and professional development.

  • Training and Resources: Offer resources for skill enhancement.
  • Mental Health and Well-being: Promote programs supporting mental health.

Community Building: Foster a sense of community among undervalued groups.

  • Support Networks: Create mentorship programs and support networks.
  • Regular Meet-ups: Organise discussions and meet-ups to share experiences and solutions.

While the feeling of being undervalued is real and justified, there are actionable steps that can lead to greater recognition and support. By uniting, advocating, and empowering ourselves and each other, we can shift the focus from feeling undervalued to becoming recognised and appreciated for the crucial roles we play in society.

Together, we can foster a society that values and supports all its members.

#Empowerment #Solidarity #Recognition #Support #UndervaluedGroups #CommunityBuilding #Advocacy #PolicyChange #ProfessionalDevelopment #MentalHealth #PublicAwareness #CollectiveAction #Farmers #Teachers #HealthcareWorkers #Artists #Environmentalists #SmallBusinesses #SocialWorkers #PublicService #Volunteers #Caregivers

Agricultural Shows – a lesson in high level community organisation and volunteer succession planning

Employers are:

82% more likely to choose a candidate with volunteering experience and

85% more likely to overlook resume flaws when volunteer work is present. 

As the Action4Agriculture team recognise two of our own volunteers ( Emily May and Danielle Fordham) by nominating them for the NSW Government Hidden Treasures Honor Role I am finding myself admiring some other organisations manned by volunteers that I have been working with

This post is a celebration of the work of Ryan McParland who comes from a long line of family volunteers with a shared passion for local agricultural shows.

Ryan played a founding role in his local show society’s ‘youth in ag’ group and is working to replicate and scale the Rural Ambassador model for the South Coast and Tablelands, all while working as a mechanical engineer at BlueScope Steel where he is a highly valued member of the team as this quote from his manager reinforces

Ryan is a gifted engineer who continually seeks improvement, not only in himself but in the people and the systems around him. As a genuine leader, he engenders a spirit of cooperation and engages those he works with, seldom taking the credit that is his due.

Ryan is well known to be a youth leader outside of our company, regularly involving us with him in charitable fund raising, promoting the shows and team building activities that lean heavily on his agricultural life experiences.

Ryan is a role model, who is genuine and is an asset to anyone fortunate to work with him.

Harry Murphy  Manager  Energy Services Asset Development, Digital, Services and Manufacturing Excellence

Ryan  was a 2021  RAS of NSW Rural Achiever and his experience inspired him to kickstart a similar initiative at local shows in his region. Ryan recently invited me to judge the Albion Park Rural Ambassador program that he has been instrumental in founding, with the long term view of seeing it replicated at all NSW shows. These young people come from all walks of life, with a dedication to give back to the communities they are proud of.

I first met the Rural Ambassador finalists, Maddi Calloway, Shaylene Mawbey, Jayda Tisma and Ethan Forsyth a week before the show for their interviews. I  was gob smacked. All came well prepared and answered the questions from their hearts with a raw authenticity we don’t see enough of in the 21st century.

Ryan then managed to entice WINNews ( and me to support them) to showcase the ambassadors

Then I got to spend a whole day at the show watching them and their extraordinary volunteer work ethic in action.

I certainly discovered just important volunteers are. Wow so much happens in 12 hours at an agricultural show.

These wonderful pictures from the Wollongong Camera Club share some of the joy and excitement

Its a a family affair with Ryan’s brother Glenn coordinates the animal nursey – bring his farmyard to the show

There are opportunities to milk a cow, real ones and faux ones

There are competitions

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There is sideshow alley and face painting

and show food – chip on a stick. With potatoes in short supply I wasn’t overly surprised to see these sell for $10 each

and those stunt people that thrill the crowds and seem to have no fear. Did I hear correctly this truck cost $400K?

and it all seems to run like clockwork.

There are some important research facts around the value of volunteering for young people.

They bring fresh ideas,  they adjust easily, they are naturally inquisitive, and are more likely to discover creative solutions.

Volunteering can have a positive impact on volunteers as well as the people and organisations they help.

  • From building skills like collaboration and problem solving
  • they get invaluable life experiences.

Volunteers must put their own needs aside to address the needs of others.

Exposure to meaningful volunteer opportunities as children and young people helps foster lasting empathy and a sense of belonging, qualities necessary in cultivating safe, unified communities.

After shadowing the Albion Park Show rural ambassadors for a week I am in awe of what it takes to draw a record crowd to an event and keep them entertained from 8am until 10pm. A reminder of how important it is that young people like Ethan Forsyth, Madi Calloway, Shay Mawbey and Jayda Tisma put their hands up to carry on the proud tradition of community volunteering that it takes to make it all happen

Congratulations to Madi Calloway who is the 2023 Albion Park Show Rural Ambassador – a truly tough decision. Mega shoutout to Ryan McParland doing an extraordinary job of bringing local youth together. 🙏 BlueScope and #WINTV for investing in NextGen #countryshows #community #youthinag #volunteering #action4agriculture

 

See the wonderful photos from the Wollongong Camera Club here 

 

 

#makingadifference #creatingabetterworldtogether