RAFF IT UP! - Ideas for July, 2000

Remembering the pillars of RAFF…. RAFF is for everyone…

Always one of the challenges in community Building is ensuring all are welcomed. This is the challenge that the RAFF idea has presented to all of us. RAFF is for everyone and so the pillars of RAFF must always be there or there is no RAFF. This means that

1. children are welcome and their care is provided
2. transportation is always available
3. the space is accessible to all
4. all are welcome and welcomed by greeters.

Even with our experience with RAFF over the years we still have to remind ourselves each time to put the resources in place for child care, transportation options, a gathering place that all can access, and to have people who are responsible to greet and welcome people. It is not always easy to do this. Many communities have told us that RAFF is the key to their success and that it is also their biggest challenge. Taking on the responsibility of always having child care supports, transportation options, an accessible place and greeter is not easy but essential for RAFF and therefore for community building to truly happen.

Take on the challenge and add to your list of "things to do" the RAFF pillars - child care, transportation, accessibility and RAFF greeters. These are actions that some of your community would gladly take on because they also give people a piece of the Action - you know, the 'A' in RAFF and these actions also help to build Relationships - you know, the 'R' in RAFF. Although these pillars add to the planning responsibilities, the community will reap the many rewards in the end.

RAFF on friends!

Want to see past RAFF It UP! ideas???....click here.

http://www.cbr-aimhigh.com