| Camphill
Connection Project |
EXCERPTS
FROM MINUTES OF PARENT MEETING, NOV. 18, 19,
20, 1998
PARENT WORKSHOP, PLANNING AND PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT
The
meeting was opened by the facilitator with a
statement of concerns regarding the need for
long term care of our children.
A
presentation of two community models of five
Camphill Villages and Melmark was given by Gene
and Lila Klausman, which consisted of promo
tapes followed by actual videotapes taken on
their field study on June 23, 24, 25, 1998 when
they were accompanied by two other parents.
A
parent worksheet was distributed which asked
participants to respond to three exercises:
(1)
Writing a response to complete the statement:
"If I could create the perfect community for
my child, this is what I would like. It
would be a place where . . ."
(2) Prioritizing values from a list
of 17 items, selecting three which would be
considered most important.
(3) Following the viewing of videos, responding
to the question: "What do you think goes
into the making of successful villages, from
what you have seen of Camphill and Melmark?"
Some
of the responses which were written and then
discussed among smaller groups were as follows:
Item (1) regarding an ideal community:
Ongoing
residential care after parents' death or ability
to provide care; material, spiritual and
cultural resources for leading a full life family
life, friendship, work and fun; highly trained
and committed personnel; loving, safe and free
environment; stimulating and variety of
activities, meaningful, productive, enjoyable
and enriching work programs; extended community
supports; shared housing in a safe, supervised
and happy environment; an opportunity for social
interactions with both handicapped and non disabled
population; family nearby or in same community;
easy access to community—work, church, movies,
grocery; amenities like a pool, exercise
room; caretakers who have been carefully screened
and have ongoing education in the care of MR/DD
folks; educational, medical, social and employment
opportunities; opportunity for individual
to feel he/she belongs, "where he would feel important"
and "is making a contribution," "a place
to go and things to do just like any other person."
Item (2) regarding most important values (number
of votes):
Security
and safety (20)
Quality of life (13)
Love and friendship (9)
Human dignity (7)
Ongoing growth and development (7)
Spiritual and cultural enrichment (4)
Independence (4)
Participants
felt that the remaining values listed were important,
but were implied: in the list of values considered
above. These were: family life, recreation,
belongingness, usefulness, stability, interdependence,
beautiful environment.
Item (3) regarding impressions of what makes
a successful village (Camphill and Melmark)
after viewing the videos:
Responses
generally reflected the dedicated, committed,
skilled level of co-workers or staff who are motivated
by a guiding philosophy of rich family living,
spiritual, social and cultural values, as
well as fulfilling, meaningful and enjoyable work
that enhances human dignity and enriches human
potential.
Also
noted were stability and permanence of these
communities ("people who will be there to take
on the needs of a family") supported by ongoing
growth and flexibility-- educationally, conceptually
and geographically -- with a solid financial
base.
Other
specifics mentioned were:
-
vision, farm life-closeness to nature
-
harmonious, peaceful and esthetically beautiful
environment
-
caring, interested and energetic teachers
and care givers variety of work tasks
-
opportunity for residents to make a contribution
by their involvement in community enterprises
-
production of quality products for world markets
Participants
were asked to contribute their topics for future
workshops that were of concern to them.
Some suggestions were to invite guest speakers
such as Cornelius Pietzner of Camphill, as well
as directors of local programs and services (transportation,
Family Links, BAC, Parks Dep't., Special Olympics,
group homes directors, support coordinators, funding
experts, legal counsel, grant writers, etc.)
Fundraising was also mentioned as a way of implementing
future projects. A specific fundraising
activity was suggested by one parent, the development
of a Christmas tree farm. Parents were urged
by the facilitator to explore the programs that
their children are attending and to find ways
to enhance them and develop new ones. This
was considered a worthwhile topic for future workshops.
Specific committees for these projects as well
as public relations/press releases were suggested.
Facilitator suggested that future agenda might
also be involved in goal setting as a way of clearly
seeing objectives and further defining committee
work. Parents were urged by the facilitator to
keep in touch with the facilitator and other parents
about their ideas and concerns. A parent
directory for this purpose was proposed.
The
next workshop meeting was tentatively set for
the third week of January or soon thereafter,
to be called by the facilitator.
Respectfully
submitted,
-------------------------------
Lila Klausman, facilitator
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