Bill Spitzer

P & I Coordinator Parenting Resource Center

Are you turning pink yet?

As we are winding down on the Paint the town Pink (PTTP) events it reminds me of the importance of being a part of a community. Most people I know have that necessity to belong and all of us search out different ways to fulfill that need. Many of the PTTP events allowed people to come together and have fun while raising money for a wonderful cause.

A cause that impacts us all in one way or another.

It has been said more than once, it takes a village/community to raise a child. How true that is and what an incredible influence you can make on another person’s life. We will never know all the struggles a person faces but we do have control over one thing, our actions. Many volunteers and participants during the PTTP events will never fully realize the impact they will have on the lives of others. Some of these impressions will benefit complete strangers whom we may never know but because of our generosity or kindness will have a better day.

As a community member, you will always have that opportunity to influence someone else’s life. How will you face that challenge? For the past several months I have had the opportunity to work with a wonderful group of people that truly want to create a safe and welcoming community. These individuals attend meetings at a time when many are still waking for their day.

Our last meeting involved creating seven core principles that will guide our newly formed coalition, APAC (Austin Positive Action Coalition).

These principles, though simple, have great impacts. Here they are: Be Positive: We support and encourage positive choices, Be Present: We recognize and listen through participation, Be Perceptive: We discover and share the truth, Be Purposeful: We are focused on the truth, Be Perfected: We are committed to continuous improvement, Be Proactive: We positively impact and inspire others, and Be Passionate: We are energized about making a difference. These seven principles will guide our group and the work we do in the community. Will you help us?

These past few weeks we have come together to help many people. Let’s continue to pay it forward all year long in as many ways that we can. Our principles and values shape us as a person and as a community. It is amazing how a positive action or comment can brighten the life of others as well as our own.

Stay involved and if you want to join us we meet at 7 a.m. the last Wednesday of every month in the district conference room at the high school. Together we can make a positive difference.

Bill Spitzer is the Planning and Implementation (P & I) Coordinator working closely with APAC (Austin Positive Action Coalition). APAC and Bill will be working with our schools and community as part of a 5-year grant focusing on Positive Community Norms. Feel free to contact him at the Austin High School 507.460.1800 ext. 0361 or via e-mail bill.spitzer@austin.k12.mn.us. This grant is made possible by the Minnesota Department of Human Services, ADAD and hosted locally by the PRC. To learn more about the Parenting Resource, visit their website at www.familiesandcommunities.org