How I built up TBI Raiders to where it has gotten today Building a non-profit How I built up TBI Raiders to where it has gotten today

What do you want to do & why? If you have an issue which is important to you, first off you need to realize you need to become vocal about it. You may be someone who doesn’t like to be objective or someone who doesn’t stand out, but to do this, you can’t be someone who sits in the background.

Do your homework Research what you are wanting to do Is anything being done locally that’s similar Anything being done in the state that’s similar Anything being done nationally that’s similar How much interest is there in doing what you want Go to meetings for organizations that have similar or same goals as what you have Look at legislation that has passed or has made it to the floor Look online for websites on the topic Build a tree of contacts of people who could help you

Connect with others Email people with organizations and talk to them about what you are wanting to do Talk to those going through what you are or who want the same thing as you do and build on that Check the websites for local news stations to see if they have done any reports on the matter

Write research papers “Okay while this may not sound like fun to do, it is very beneficial to do. You can file these papers to where you can use them in the future with something you do for the organization. Me? I love doing the papers and then sending them to the state legislators in the House, Senate, or both” ~ Director Payne

Organizations I became involved in & communicated with Abled Disabled Association – Rose State College Republicans – Rose State OK-AHEAD NYLN IDEA-B Advisory Panel United We Ride BIA-OK BIA-USA Tennessee TBI Program Kansas BIA Texas BIA University Organizations Young Democrats

Specifically what I did… Wrote papers for a class on TBI Gave presentations on TBI Tailored my homework assignments to my disability Connected online w/ survivors Watched for legislation at the capital and in congress Got in touch with those at the state and federal level for Oklahoma Wrote papers on TBI and sent it to legislators

What I did cont… Made goals for myself to achieve Created TBI Raiders Sent out surveys to survivors and legislators Wrote a paper on disabilities for Rep. Morgan Was recognized through a House Resolution Bill Spoke before the Health and Human Resources committee Became a part of state and national disability organizations

“Most important bit of advice I can give is when you have hit what seems to be a brick wall, don’t give up. Just take a deep breath and regroup everything together. Just remember to… Never say never even when you think you’ve taken your last step” ~ Alicia Payne