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How Does Your Purpose and What The World Need Matter? - Dr. James C. Rodriguez, MSW
Community Engagement
Helping The Nexuses of Passion and Purpose
Dr. James C. Rodriguez, MSW
29 January 2023
HOW DOES YOUR PURPOSE AND WHAT THE WORLD NEED MATTER?
JAMES C. RODRIGUEZ
"How does one know if they have been called to do something special?"
I have a big smile on my face as I write this blog. Over the decades, starting as a very young, under 25-year-old single father, I never knew that one day, I would be part of something global. While serving on active duty in the military, I thought I would do twenty years and then figure it out, especially since I enlisted at 17. Honestly, what 17-year-old or young parent knows their destiny? I am still figuring it out almost thirty years later. However, I understand that neither can truly enjoy life's greatest fulfillment, figuring it out alone. In 2023, with tremendous support from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, a talented group of more than team members but the lifelong adopted family who started as professionals grew into friendships and now are a collection of adopted fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, and yes, that one unique cousin, I am honored to share a new direction for Fathers and Families Coalition.
High Expectations Combined with Your Best Efforts Equals Success
Over the decades, I have met leaders who seek the three Ps in an unhealthy manner to thwart the best of outcomes. They seek power, position, and property. Perhaps, it is their leadership, personality, or philosophical essence of their tendencies and engagement. But what if we created a pathway of what the world needs through passion, togetherness, and interconnected relationships, avoiding a view of hierarchical or verticle leadership?
Call to Community Engagement Building Trust and Togetherness
I have been so inspired by the numerous examples that go against a vertical or mastering the three Ps. Unfortunately, individuals and organizations that establish expectations without effort end with entitlement. Fathers and Families Coalition embraces the spirit of mutuality and humbleness with a sense of pioneering. We are now pioneering a new website and the purpose, passion, and professional platforms with the call of each person's purpose as cooperative collaborators.
I am honored to be part of the Annie E. Casey Foundation Community Partners portal that inspired me to have our website revised by my good friend, Mr. David Gutierrez, Owner of ExpandBiz and Artest Design Group. We will use an authentication platform powered by Okta and Auth0 to allow FFCA to build community engagement at the highest form of bridging technology into intentional apps to share resources, network, learn and grow together.
We will have unique portals for parents to ask experts for nonclinical parenting or relationship-building tips. The community platform will have dedicated space for policy and research that guides us to the best and cutting-edge practices. Our practitioner page will have a focus section dedicated to diverse professionals. The agency will house an area for all our conference attendees to secure resources from international speakers. No longer will individuals have to wait to post events; if you are authenticated as a member, you will have instant access to engagement. You will have the ability to share your event, meaningful posts, and resources. Now in humor, if it is about your local yard sale, hhhhmmmm, it probably will be removed as well as political stances, etc.
Call to Action
We have a great vision not impacted by the myopia of self first as we strive for excellence in the spirit of collaboration. You can join us now and sign up as we are preparing to unveil the fullness of our new portals at our 24th Annual Families and Fathers National/International Conference. Imagine you will soon be able to join members and connect with a robust interaction vs. a one-way website. So, get ready for a new place of online community and parent engagement.
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I remain at your service... Me quedo a su servicio,
Dr. James C. Rodríguez, MSW
President & Chief Executive Officer
Fathers and Families Coalition of America.
