FEBRUARY 2017
Fishing is not just a sport. It's a way of life. GetRuralLeaderMag.com | FEBRUARY 2017 1
Contents 5 2017 Nominations Calendar
Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Kuanita E. Murphy, PhD Rural Leader Magazine, LLC is a digital publication that highlights every day people doing extraordinary things nationally and abroad. www.RuralLeaderMag.com www.GetRuralLeaderMag.com
Guest Contributor Genevieve Grant Alternative Education Speacilit
8 How to Teach United States History From A Black Educator’s Perspective 10 Paying for College:Options Reduce Need for Student Loans
18 How Youth Team Sports are Shaping Kids’ and Teens’ Values on and off the Field Sportsmanship on and off the field: Coaching today’s youth to work as a team 19 Four Mindful Strategies for A Healthy 2017
12 Four Things You Can Do Today To Support Your Heart Health
20 Debt Poses Risks to Financial Security for Americans Reaching Their Golden Years
14 Create A Leadership Skills List Change Your Career Path
22 Walking the hill: Advocating for veterans’ Rights and Services
15 The Latest Advancements in College Education Are Happening Digitally
Contact Us Rural Leader Magazine, LLC 400 West Peachtree Street Suite #4-529 Atlanta, Georgia 30308 info@ruralleadermagazine.com 1-866-293-1162
Join Today! Visit GSAACC.org Reproduction in any manner, in whole or in part, in English, or other languages, is prohibited without written consent. Send editorial ideas to Kuanita Murphy, PhD, Editor-in-Chief editor@ruralleadermagazine.com
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Tell us what you think about our publications, if you have a great idea for a story, or to just share. We may print your comments in Rural Leader Magazine. By sending us your comments, you’re giving permission to call you for an interview. Please be sure to include your name, address, email address, and phone number so we can reach you. Write to us at info@ RuralLeaderMagazine.com—
Editor’s Note Dear Readers, Inside this issue, there are a number of great articles about leadership best practices, building positive self-esteem and productivity! We hope you enjoy this issue. As always, I hope you enjoy this issue and continue to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google +, and LinkedIn. Thanks again for your continual support! Sincerely,
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Kuanita E. Murphy, PhD Publisher/Editor-in-Chief
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Readers' Voice Dear Rural Leader Magazine, I am so looking forward to Rural Leader Magazine Live! Thanks for having a vision to spotlight small town America. It is about time that our voice is heard.—Brenda M. Bainbridge, GA Dear Rural Leader Magazine, Thank you for the article Six Common Tax Filing Mistakes to Avoid (January 2017). It is important to have fresh information.—John W. Dothan, AL Dear Rural Leader Magazine, I just discovered your magazine online. I am so excited about the many opportunities you have created for others. Thanks for creating this wonderful platform>—Paulette G. Macon, GA Dear Rural Leader Magazine, In behalf of young professionals, thank you for the Forty under Forty Honors. The idea is wonderful and impressive. I have not seen anything like it. I know several deserving professionals for the honor. Thanks again.—Carla C. Tallahassee, FL
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Dear Rural Leader Magazine, The 2016 Small Town America's 100 Most Influential People Feature issue was awesome! I look forward to it each year—Michael L. Jonesborough, TN
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Dear Rural Leader Magazine, The Best Small Town Restaurant Feature is missing. Please bring it back. There are many mom and pop businesses to choose from. Thanks in advance.—Linda W. Albany, GA
What you do matters. @RuralLeaderMag
2017 NOMINATIONS CALENDAR Forty under Forty Recognizes young leaders under 40 from AL, FL, and GA March 1st-April 30th (September issue) Fifty under Fifty Recognizes leaders under fifty nationally for outstanding achievement April 30th-May 31st (July issue) Eagle of Elite Club Magazine Recognizes youth ages 5-13 for outstanding scholastic achievement in leadership, art, music, community service, and sports March 1st-April 30th (June Publication) Twenty under Twenty Recognizes youth under 20 for outstanding academic achievement, leadership, and community service March 30th-April 30th (May issue) Scholars of Collegiate Distinction Magazine Honors individuals of all ages who attain higher education from small communities May 1st-June 30th (August Publication) Best Small Town Restaurant Ongoing Celebrating the Women of Small Town America Recognizes women ages 18 and older for exemplary achievement and service to community April 1-May1st (Virtual Online Only) Small Town America’s 100 Most Influential People A national call to recognize exemplary leaders from small communities July 1-Aug. 31st (December issue) For More Information, visit RuralLeaderMag.com.
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By Genevieve Grant
How to Teach United States History From A Black Educator’s Perspective
The writing of United States history books has been dominated by status quo educators and traditionalist leaning historians. It seems that thousands of them have written thousands of books with very little diversity of philosophical perspective and even less regard for a host of uncomplimentary facts. If someone should voice the opinion that United States history books read like a conspiracy of white power mythologists, he or she could turn to a mountain of evidence for support. No country’s history is as reproachless as traditionalists make that of the United States of America seem when they write and teach United States history. But the perspective of the traditionalist educators is now being challenged. One book that looks at United States history from less than a complimentary perspective is Mba Mbulu’s An Introduction to White History: The History of White America. Unlike many historians of American history, Mba Mbulu supplements his university studies with years of independent research, and is able to present a picture of American history that will be met with such subjective knee jerk reactions when read by status quo Americans that I feel impelled to write about it. Mba Mbulu’s An Introduction to White History is a summary of the concepts, principles and motivating factors that led to the establishment and expansion of the United States of America. Since it is usually implied that “American” history is the history of "superior" white people, this precise title makes it clear that such is not the case. There are several histories that make up American history, and the history of white Americans is only one of them. What An Introduction to White History brings to the forefront is the unusually powerful and concentrated role finances and the profit motive have played
in the political and social development of white America. It is white Americans’ unusual preoccupation with finances and profits that distinguishes them and their institutions from those of all other Americans. It behooves all other Americans to not underestimate that unusual preoccupation when determining the essence of their relations with white America, and it behooves teachers and other educators to account for that unusual preoccupation when they teach their students. One can acquire a more complete basis for understanding the underlying principles that guide this writing by reading Chapter One of Ten Lessons: An Introduction to Black History (also written by Mba Mbulu). Traditionalist educators in schools and colleges in the United States should give more consideration to how nonwhite Americans view this country. They might not like the contrary perspectives they are made aware of, but that might create the jolt that motivates them to be less subjective and better teachers. Traditionalist educators should expand their field of vision if their objective is to educate instead of indoctrinate. They should culture the ability to accept the intellectual equality and legitimacy of perspectives other than their own. Mba Mbulu’s An Introduction to White History: The History of White America could be the dose of reality so many of them so sorely need.— About the Author Genevieve Grant has taught alternative education courses and has more than 20 years experience as an Alternative Education Specialist. She can be reached at ggrant@asetgls.com
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Paying for College:
Options Reduce Need For Student Loans While only a fortunate few students can expect a free college education by winning full academic or athletic scholarships, everyone can take advantage of a combination of academic aid, grants, fellowships, work-study and student loans to pay for a four-year degree, says Peter Gayle, a vice president for Prudential Advisors. Unfortunately, many prospective students and their families often don’t know where to look. With student debt increasingly becoming a longterm burden on graduates and families, adds Gayle, it’s never been more important to minimize the outof-pocket expenses to put a student through college - and reduce reliance on student loans. To put the weight of student debt in perspective, 10 RuralLeaderMag.com | FEBRUARY 2017
The Federal Reserve Bank of New York noted that in 1995, 54 percent of graduates had loans averaging $11,491. It’s more recent data in 2015 showed 71 percent of graduates joined the workforce with student debt averaging slightly more than $35,000. What’s more, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York estimates 25 percent of those who owe federal student loans are delinquent or in default. The good news is that anyone willing to put in the time can likely find programs that help foot the bill - helping to reduce the need to take out loans - so a student’s education won’t break the budget or jeopardize a financial future. According to Gayle, families can take a few initial steps before choosing a school: * Learn how the financial aid process works and
get the most out of options that don’t need to be repaid. * Understand each school’s actual net price - after financial aid - and set realistic expectations, choosing from the most affordable institutions. * Explore types of financial aid, including grants, work study programs and scholarships; examine the specific types of aid available per school and find out how much of a family’s demonstrated financial need each school will cover. * Understand the kinds of loans available, including a variety of federal loans and private loans, which may be used to fill any financing gaps after exhausting other options. * Understand how parents’ “available income” is used to calculate how much parents are expected to contribute to their child’s education, especially for federal financial aid purposes. Several guides, including Prudential Financial’s www.prudential.com/payingforcollege, can help families take a carefully considered approach to financing a college education while safeguarding a student’s long-term financial future, including the ability to save for retirement. For families that must use student loans, the federal government is making it easier to understand how to borrow, process applications and repay loans through new online tools. Since 2010, all new federal loans, except Federal Perkins Loans, have been issued through the U.S. Department of Education, which offers information about borrowing and repaying loans. There are multiple options to repay federally funded student loans, which generally require repayments to start six or nine months after a student graduates, leaves school or drops to half-time enrollment. A few popular choices for repayment include types of income-driven plans, which calculate payments based on a borrower’s ability to repay. One catch: It’s critical to re-certify income and family size annually to avoid huge monthly payment increases. When debt becomes too burdensome, some loan programs offer forgiveness through public service, federal government employment, and options like teaching in underserved school districts. Private loans are trickier since there is no standard: Interest rates and repayment terms vary from lender to lender. It’s also worth considering the need for life insurance to cover the full loan balance to aid co-signers or beneficiaries in the event of the borrower’s death, says Gayle. Financial advisors would be well-equipped to help explore this and other options, Gayle notes.
Employers are also beginning to offer employee student debt benefits to put their employees on a course for financial security. At Prudential Financial, for example, new employees hired through the company’s campus recruitment program beginning in January 2017 could earn an incentive of up to $5,000 toward paying off student loans after one year of service. Other companies match student debt payments with contributions to employee retirement savings plans. MStudies show college education can be worth the price. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that students who attend college can earn nearly twice as much over their lifetimes as those with only a high school diploma. But with college tuitions continuing to rise, families must find the most effective way to finance a child’s college education to avoid jeopardizing their ability to save for retirement. “Prudential Advisors” is a brand name of The Prudential Insurance Company of America and its subsidiaries located in Newark, NJ.— GetRuralLeaderMag.com | FEBRUARY 2017 11
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Four Things You Can Do Today To Support Your Heart Health
On the path to good health, it pays to follow your heart - literally. A healthy heart is essential to supporting good overall health, yet many people ignore the warning signs that their heart is not as healthy as it could be. A 2016 survey from the American Academy of Family Physicians, conducted by Harris Poll, found that nearly three in 10 men and women reported they had been diagnosed with high blood pressure. This result mirrors the findings of research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The findings translate to an estimated 75 million people with high blood pressure, and just slightly more than half have the condition under control. “This finding is concerning because we know that high blood pressure and heart attacks or chronic heart failure are so closely related,” said John Meigs, Jr., MD, president of the AAFP. “According to the CDC, seven out of 10 people who have a first heart attack have high blood pressure. Seven out of 10 people who develop chronic heart failure have high blood pressure. So it’s important that people know what their blood pressure is.” To lower your blood pressure and improve your heart health, the American Academy of Family Physicians offers these recommendations. * Be deliberate with your diet. Fruits and vegetables are essential, but pay special attention to their color too. Vegetables and fruits of different colors offer different nutrients, so mix them up. At the same time, avoid heavily processed foods and those high in sodium. You should also make sure you’re drinking plenty of water rather than soda or energy drinks. Aim for at least eight 8-ounce glasses every single day. * Balance your BMI. If you don’t know your BMI,
a quick Internet search can lead you to several easyto-use BMI calculators. And once you do know your BMI, you can start taking steps to reduce it, if necessary. According to the American Heart Association, losing just 5-10 percent of your body weight can dramatically reduce your risk of suffering a heart attack or stroke. And that leads us to ... * Jump start your heart with aerobic exercise. Your heart is a muscle, and like other muscles in your body, exercise strengthens it. So put your heart through a workout with activities like walking, biking or hiking to increase your heart rate. Exercise can also lower your risk of developing plaque in your arteries, allowing your heart to be more efficient in delivering blood and nutrients to other parts of your body. * Stop the stress. Aside from a poor diet, there may be no larger culprit for high blood pressure than stress. Successful stress management has been proven to reduce your risk of heart attack or stroke. So relax, exercise, meditate, breathe deep or just have some fun. Whatever you do to burn off stress, make it an essential part of your day. You and your heart will be better for it. “Get your blood pressure checked,” says Meigs. “If you have high blood pressure, work with your doctor to treat it and lower your risk factors. That same advice applies to knowing what your blood cholesterol levels are.” To learn more about how you can reduce your blood pressure and improve your heart health, have a conversation with your family doctor today. Your doctor will be able to give you an accurate assessment of your current health and offer ideas on where and how you can improve. And to find more hearthealthy tips, visit familydoctor.org.—BPT
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The Latest Advancements in College Education Are Happening Digitally
The face of education in the United States is changing. Many of today’s universities are embracing digital technology to deliver instruction in ways not available to previous generations. We have seen the digital instruction methods evolve from the use of learning aides such as computers, digital projectors and DVD players to online learning, which allows students the flexibility to tackle their coursework at a time and pace that works best for them. Some advanced technologies can seamlessly link two or more classrooms for simultaneous instruction, ultimately expanding student access to courses and professors to participate together in one synchronous learning experience. An innovative classroom format can instill important virtual collaboration skills and encourage interaction with tools like remote wireless content sharing and two-way whiteboard displays, as are found in DeVry University’s extended classrooms. Addressing the evolving needs of today’s student Video-connected classrooms are generally equipped with voice-activated motion cameras, facial-recognition software, high-definition widescreen monitors - complete with picture-in-picture views, desktop cameras and interactive two-way
touch-screen whiteboards. This technology is designed to help students learn and interact with their fellow classmates no matter where they are taking the class. DeVry also recently launched its new video connected classroom technology that seamlessly links 23 DeVry campus locations for simultaneous instruction - depending on the program, course and extended classroom availability. “Our students tell us they appreciate having a variety of courses available, and taught in ways that fit their schedules and preferences,” said Robert Paul, president of DeVry University. “The connected classroom technology allows students to have real-time visual interaction with faculty and fellow classmates. These high-tech classrooms exemplify our investment in academic experiences that are collaborative yet personalized, with student engagement at the core.” Preparing for a digital future DeVry’s extended classrooms are just one example of technological innovations taking place in the classroom setting. Over the next year, the university plans to invest heavily in technology to enhance the student experience by offering these additional on-campus capabilities: GetRuralLeaderMag.com | FEBRUARY 2017 15
en
* Tech playgrounds at select campus locations throughout the country, putting students in touch with innovative technology in imaginative settings. * Hardware and software upgrades, including adding thousands of new computers in campuses nationwide, to revitalize existing desktop stations and
EAGLE
Elite C
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network labs. * Internet bandwidth increases to improve wireless capabilities and provide a faster, more seamless learning experience.—BPT
2017 NATIONAL
Call For Nominations Begins March 1-April 30, 2017
Honorees will be featured in the June 2017 Publication of Eagle Elite Club Magazine.
For INFO, visit the link below.
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How Youth Team Sports are Shaping Kids’ and Teens’ Values on and off the Field Sportsmanship on and off the field: Coaching today’s youth to work as a team 2016 will be remembered for is the road. its exciting and emotional high Sportsmanship: Whether in lights of sports teams working sports, with family and friends, or together to achieve new heights, at the workplace, it’s important to from hometown heroes to some of know how to properly handle winsports history’s greatest athletes. ning and losing. Kids and teens Whether it’s a neighborhood who learn that it’s okay to lose scrimmage or a national chamand how to act when they do, gain pionship, experts agree that the an important skill to help them benefits of belonging to a team throughout their life. Through are significant, and they range sports, they can learn to play fair, well beyond physical exercise. act with humility and handle both These important experiences teach victory and defeat with grace, style lessons that help shape kids and and dignity. teens’ outlooks about themselves, Strong character: By masterworking with others and the world ing athletic skills, players gain around them. self-confidence that carries Boys & Girls Clubs of America, through to the real world. By through its national partnership practicing regularly they learn with Buffalo Wild Wings, has discipline and responsibility. By introduced tens of thousands of playing in a fast-paced game, kids and teens to various sports kids and teens learn to handle through its popular ALL STARS stressful situations and make program. ALL STARS is Boys & quick decisions. By being part of a Girls Clubs of America’s leading team, young people experience a team sports program, offering sense of belonging while building opportunities for Clubs around valuable friendships. What’s more, the country to organize football, when parents and caregivers gathbasketball, cheer, dance and step er to watch games, it can strengthprograms. en communities and provide a Based on observations from sense of unity. participating Clubs around the Healthy lifestyles: Three out country, here are the top life of 10 youth are overweight or lessons instilled by being part of obese, according to the Centers for a team and how participation can Disease Control and Prevention. help kids and teens feel a sense of Finding fun ways to keep kids and belonging and acceptance. teens active will help fight this Teamwork: By working togeth- growing epidemic. Team sports er on a team, kids and teens can provide a great opportunity for learn not only how to lead, but young people to get moving. Bealso how to follow directions. The cause it’s fun, they often don’t even ability to work well with others realize its exercise. By promoting will help them at home, at school an active lifestyle from an early and at game time. Young people age, caregivers can help today’s also experience the satisfaction of youth learn healthy habits that can working together toward a comhave a lifelong impact. mon goal, which is an essential Practice makes perfect: No one skill to learn for successes down throws a perfect spiral or hits a 18 RuralLeaderMag.com | FEBRUARY 2017
three-pointer the first time they try. To improve at sports, you need to practice. Sports teach kids and teens that if they want something, they have to work for it. Practice and proper preparation are key skills throughout life - whether for a big game, big test at school or any of life’s big challenges. Want to help encourage kids and teens in your community to play team sports and learn these important life lessons? It can be as easy as visiting a local restaurant. Through its Team Up for Kids initiative, Buffalo Wild Wings supports ALL STARS, helping to teach sportsmanship, promote positive self-image, build character and encourage healthy, active lifestyles of our nation’s young people. Buffalo Wild Wings’ guests can support this important cause with the purchase of sauce and seasoning bottles sold in-store or online, with $1 from each purchase going directly to Boys & Girls Clubs of America. By 2020, Buffalo Wild Wings will have donated more than $16 million to fund football, basketball, cheer, dance and step programs, as well as facility renovations at local Boys & Girls Clubs through ALL STARS grants. To learn more, visit www.bgca.org.—BPT
Four Mindful Strategies for A Healthy 2017 Losing weight and increasing exercise commonly make the top of New Year’s resolution lists. Yet many people fall short of their wellness goals each year. What can you do differently in 2017 to ensure you’re among those who succeed? “Mental health and taking time for yourself can greatly improve your chances of achieving your health and wellness goals,” says the Mayo Clinic. “It’s important to realize that changing any behavior is often a complex process that requires you to address the mental as well as physical aspects of the change you want to achieve.” Below are helpful strategies from the wellness professionals at Mayo Clinic to assist you in achieving your goals this year: Be on your mental game Weight loss is a common New Year’s resolution goal, but to achieve it, you’ll likely need to do more than simply change your eating habits. Behaviors, thoughts and emotions may be playing a role in keeping you from shedding pounds. For example, not getting enough sleep can thwart better eating and exercise habits. Sleep deprivation can hinder your ability to control your emotions, interfere with positive thought processes and make you too tired to exercise regularly. Being aware of factors that contribute to negative habits not only can help you succeed, it can also help
you sustain the changes. Be aware of self-talk Everyone has an integral dialogue, and it’s the voice we all believe the most. Is yours negative or positive? The voice of your self-talk can greatly affect your confidence level. Pay attention to your self-talk and evaluate if what you’re telling yourself is actually true. When self-talk turns negative, try to challenge it and find a more positive way to look at the situation. For example, turn “I always fail at losing weight because I eat too much” into “I enjoy eating fruits and vegetables and can easily eat three servings a day.” It will take time and practice to learn how to turn negative self-talk into positive, so be patient with yourself. Fight boredom with fun and creativity People fail at wellness goals for many reasons, including boredom. Approaching your goals with a creative and fun attitude can help keep them fresh and exciting - and keep you on track! Try learning something new or vary your routine. For example, try a new recipe or modify your usual food choices. Learn to use a new piece of equipment at the gym, or take an exercise class to learn something you’ve always wanted to do. Continued on Page 23 GetRuralLeaderMag.com | FEBRUARY 2017 19
Debt Poses Risks to Financial Security for Americans Reaching Their Golden Years Americans now retire with far more debt than previous generations. This can pose a significant risk to retirees' income, and may result in them not having enough. It also means that when a spouse dies, there could be little left over as creditors deplete an estate's assets - forcing survivors to make difficult decisions and risking grim circumstances for surviving spouses who may struggle to pay off mortgages. In fact, among baby boomers, 80 percent carry some form of debt in retirement, and 47 percent are still paying on their homes, according to a 2015 Pew Charitable Trusts report. And a Dec. 20 Government Accounting Office report said the government took $171 million out of Social Security paychecks from those over the age of 50 to cover unpaid student debt. Many planning for retirement are struggling to pay off debt, especially since Americans increasingly borrow to address life's challenges, including taking home equity loans to pay for their children's college 20 RuralLeaderMag.com | FEBRUARY 2017
education. "With retirement debt so high, households must take steps to help mitigate the risk of financial insecurity in their golden years - and leaving debt behind for family members to absorb," says Jill Perlin, a vice president, Advanced Marketing, Prudential Individual Life Insurance. "In the past many financial experts have recommended that retired couples don't need life insurance, since lost earnings from work no longer need to be replaced if a spouse dies," said Perlin. "But retirees now face a whole new set of circumstances, especially given current debt levels. In retirement, the debt lives on for the surviving spouse, while income drops." In the last few decades, almost everything has changed for Americans planning for retirement. Many retirees no longer reap the benefits of employer-sponsored pension and health insurance plans. With both spouses working, Social Security tends to
replace less of the household income in retirement. Workers in previous generations often drew two, even though one spouse often stayed home - the worker's direct benefit and a spousal benefit based on the breadwinner's work record. Notably, most Americans paid off their mortgage before retiring. Today, while some retirees still collect income from defined benefit pension plans, most private sector employees are largely responsible for their own retirement savings. Retiree health care benefits are also increasingly rare, requiring households to fund their own health care costs beyond Medicare's limited coverage. While borrowing money can prove to be a helpful financial strategy for families in many stages of life, including incurring debt to fund children's education, Perlin says, Americans' cozy relationship with debt creates financial demands in retirement that threaten financial security, including: * Higher monthly payments that stretch over longer terms.* The need to save money just to pay off debt instead of saving enough to fund retirement through a 401(k) plan or other savings vehicle, with Americans saving an average of just $111,000 to be spread over the course of retirement.
But retirement debt poses perhaps the most frightening risk when one spouse passes away. "Life insurance death benefits can help provide income for the surviving spouse," Perlin said, "providing a family with meaningful choices to navigate the unknowns of life in retirement, and perhaps even enabling the surviving spouse to remain in the home." This, in turn, can also provide surviving children some peace of mind. "The convenient access to credit carries risks as individuals borrow more over their lifetimes through student debt, credit cards, mortgages, home equity loans, lines of credit and reverse mortgages - with much of that going with them into retirement," Perlin said. "Debt has rewritten the rules of retirement planning and has given insurance protection an important new role when it comes to securing a stable financial future." Life insurance is issued by The Prudential Insurance Company of America, Newark, New Jersey, and its affiliates.—BPT
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Walking the Hill: Advocating for Veterans’ Rights and Services Eva Wallace never enlisted in the U.S. military, has never been on active duty and never endured life-altering injuries protecting American freedoms. However, as a military spouse she has found another important way to serve our country - advocating for veterans’ rights. Each February, Wallace and more than 500 other members of The American Legion Family, descend on Capitol Hill, in Washington D.C., to attend a conference to hear from influential speakers and meet with Congressional representatives and their staff. American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) members share and discuss pressing issues and legislation that affects veterans and their families, including increasing support of homeless veterans, upholding and expanding the advancements made by the GI Bill and improving Veterans Affairs hospital care for veterans in need. Members of the Auxiliary also appear alongside The American Legion before a Joint Session of the House and Senate Committees on Veterans Affairs to advocate for key issues and promote accountability for legislative actions. “The military community is constantly evolving and changing, so the veteran community is changing along with it. Returning from the conference, members are armed with new information on important 22 RuralLeaderMag.com | FEBRUARY 2017
issues that we can share with those who are interested in making a difference in the lives of veterans,” says Wallace, whose husband served for 24 years in the U.S. Coast Guard. “We return to our communities ready to shine a light on the true veteran experience.” Last year, ALA advocacy helped preserve many important veterans’ services, including programs for disabled veterans and veterans’ widows. They also played a role in helping make care for veterans more accessible, especially for those who live hundreds of miles from their Veteran Affairs medical facility. Recognizing the important role military families play in supporting servicemen and women, the ALA also focused on enhancing resources that support them. With each conference attendees tackle new challenges and define annual priorities. In 2016, members learned how to encourage local involvement in veterans’ issues, generated awareness of national memorials honoring veterans and raised $110,000 for the Auxiliary Emergency Fund, providing disaster relief for ALA members. In 2017, ALA has programs in place to commemorate the anniversary of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and to help establish a National World War I Memorial.
“The conference encourages important conversations with policymakers and explores new ways to collaborate and promote the mission of the ALA,” says Carol Harlow, director of the ALA Washington, D.C office. “When members depart Washington, D.C. they leave feeling empowered, inspired and ready for new challenges.” The ALA is the world’s largest women’s patriotic service organization and one of the nation’s most prominent supporters of veterans’ rights. The nonpartisan organization, founded in 1919, helps to advance the mission of The American Legion and provides service to veterans, military and their families. Working in tandem with The American Legion, the ALA has a record of creating meaningful change
and has been instrumental in protecting the rights of those who have served. From helping to draft the GI Bill with The American Legion in 1944 to championing the formation of the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims in 1989, The American Legion Family has been pivotal in advancing legislation that improves the quality of life for our veterans and their families. The ALA encourages non-military members to also get involved. To learn more about the legislative bills the ALA supports visit: legion.capwiz.com/legion/issues/bills/.—BPT
Continued from page 19 Dance around the house, take a healthy cooking class, read a book, travel, check an item off your bucket list or create a list if you don’t have one. However you define “fun,” if you enjoy what you’re doing, you’re more likely to want to keep doing it. Prepare to overcome setbacks No matter how committed you are to a goal, setbacks are normal. Don’t let them derail you. Planning for setbacks and how you’ll overcome them can help you stay on track for the long term. When planning how you’ll reach a desired behavior change, try including some what-if scenarios. For example, if your fitness routine includes a yoga class after work and you get delayed, think about what you could do to still meet your exercise goal. You
might be able to substitute another class or use body weight exercises at home. Having a back-up plan in case your original goal doesn’t work out can help you avoid “all-or-nothing” thinking. If you experience a setback, be compassionate with yourself; change is rarely easy. Giving yourself a break will help you dust yourself off and get back on track. By taking a mindful and proactive approach to your health, you’ll be on the way towards achieving your wellness goals through 2017 and beyond. To learn more about healthy living, visit www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle. For more information on customized wellness programs at Mayo Clinic, view our Healthy Living Program.— GetRuralLeaderMag.com | FEBRUARY 2017 23
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