Welcome to Markets2You !

Hello to All !

Being my first Blog I guess I should introduce myself.

My name is Bridget. I have started this blog in order to embark on a mission of educating the world about the concept of Social Marketing and how we can use it to change the awful habits of society. There are a few housekeeping items as well. Number one my typing often affects both my spelling and my typing..so please read it twice. I always use spell checker but sometimes I am just chomping at the bit to move to the next thing that I rush off. So please bare with it!! I write like I speak so what you read is what you get. And its the real deal.

Below I have included a Bio. summary on me so that you can begin to draw your own conclusions about my blog and who I truly am :

I am married and have two amazing children: one has Asperger’s Syndrome. For the past few years I have taught swim instruction (predominantly teaching adaptive aquatics). I attended Business College studying Pre-law/paralegal legal assist with a minor in communications. My intention was to continue on to Law School. Life had other plans, becoming a parent changed everything for me. It brought my life full circle. I have taught, lived with, love and befriended many individuals with disabilities. And to me this type of life is second nature and how I envision the perfect world to be. I am a mother who knows the financial, physical and emotional impact society can have on individuals with disabilities and their families. I also know the unique perspective and unmatched beauty these types of experiences can foster. That is immeasurable. As my children grew I realized the importance of parent support and education. It is my belief that by educating parents/caregivers and the community as a whole we can affect change for our children and the world we live in. In this way we can improve, change the way our children participate in the education system and the many diverse communities of our nation.

My passion has always been working with people. As a young person I volunteered for various community organizations becoming the youngest individual offered a full time position at UCP in our county. There I learned different modes of communication and behavior modification. I continued my journey as the March of Dimes Youth Leadership representative for the state of New York speaking to the U.S. Senate in a professional forum on the many challenges affecting today's youth. I previously worked at a statewide organization. My position enabled me to assist the many families in NY. I looked forward to witnessing their personal growth and fostering my own through this important work! Looking to enhance my ability to affect change I graduated from The Partners in Policy making Program in 2008. Additionally I sat on the Partners in Policy making Advisory

Committee in Rochester NY in 2009.The program was one of the most profound experiences of my life and ultimately solidified my decision to further pursue the very important mission of educating the general population about the importance and need for a change in society and the way we view individuals with disabilities. And its affect on

families.

Most recently I organized, and facilitated several day conferences. Having chartered the Special Education Parent Teachers Association (SEPTA) in our local community only three years prior. I am currently working to further my personal and professional mission to better the lives of both individuals with differing needs and their families. In doing so I have accepted the position of Special Education Chairperson for my Region. This position will increase my ability to work with and connect more parents and professionals on than ever before. It is my dream and life's mission to "connect the dots" across our nation.

Together we can explore the concept of Social Marketing and its affect on Today’s community!!

OK well now that you know me I can get on my soap box and add my two cents. Although I am a serious advocate for individuals with developmental disabilities I am an advocate for all of us.Through this blog I hope to achieve my goal of informing 100 people at a time, of what social marketing is and how we should use it!

Here are a few key terms that you may find useful in myspeak

( I will add more when necessity dictates ) :

Advocacy- is simply the active support of an idea or cause.

Social Capital - is a term that describes social connectedness

Social Marketing - the marketing of social concepts

SEPTA - Special Education Parent Teacher Association

DDSO -Developmental Disabilities Service Office

Monday Feb. 8, 2010

I travel in circles of very well informed individuals advocating for the benefit of individuals receiving school related services(ex. speech,Ot,Pt ect..) or DDSO services(example respite, dayhab, ect.. ).And they are dedicated..whew!! With all the work we do we are only half way there. I believe that this is partially due to lack of time and money. And MOSTLY due to the lack of public awareness. Now why does this pertain to you, or anybody?

Why, Why, Why that is the question isn't is. The critical importance of increasing social capital in our communities is huge.

Social Capital:

How does it pertain to you??
Enables citizens to resolve collective problems
widens our awareness of our commonalities
decreases intolerance increases acceptance
enhances the biological psychological process

Then if there is so much benefit why aren't more people advertising topics of greater importance?? We are getting there. Think about President Obama's volunteer initiative..that's social marketing ! Since the election we have seen many flavorful ads with volunteerism wrapped in many different boxes and bows. Even Disney has gotten in on it with a free day for those who volunteer their time. The marketing of volunteerism show s people being happy fulfilled and rewarded.

Which is genius and the wave of the future.

So, my question to you is which concepts would you want to see marketed??

Until Next Time...