KNR 273 Networking Client Advocacy Professional Advancement

Networking Define networking In general In TR Benefits of networking

Professional Network Colleagues from school Professional organizations Conferences Electronic TR Directory RT blog MySpace Facebook ISU TR Alum

Client Advocacy What is client advocacy? What is self advocacy? Why is it important to teach clients to be self advocated? 5 point activity: Self advocacy websites Show where to find ID site Write a summary of each site Write how you might use this information

Professional Advancement Why do we have to advocate for our profession? How do we do this?

Professional Organizations ATRA Midyear meeting on the Hill Medicare project Marketing tool kit National Recreational Therapy Week (July) NCTRC Why Hire a CTRS Why Become a CTRS Profiles in Recreation Therapy IPRA Posters DVD

What we can do…. Wear your CTRS pin on your name badge Put your CTRS certificate in a frame and hang it in your office Host a TR week event at your facility Send your boss a letter for TR week Have a TR connected voice mail message Write a news release about your program Create a flyer, brochure or web page about your program/agency Write an article in the agency newsletter Make table tents

What we can do…. Speak at a local Lions or Rotary Club Contact your PTA to present on career day Have your mayor proclaim “National Therapeutic Recreation Week” Organize a disability awareness event Distribute handouts with leisure education activities to co- workers Write letters to the editor TR t-shirts, pins, balloons Others…… Be Creative!!!!