Amika's Blog

Reflection on Mission, Values, and Engagement 1) I believe that the values that the Sisters of Notre Dame gave us were there to guide us while attending NDNU. The values are there to teach us about dignity, respect, diversity, and community service. Coming into NDNU and seeing these values, I believe that they tie into my own values and beliefs as well. Every school I have gone to, it has been a catholic school. Growing up catholic, I have always believed in the gift of diversity and community service and giving back. That's how I've always been taught. I believe that those values that the sisters gave us should be values that we all stick with for the rest of our lives. 2) The opportunities that were given to me at NDNU that displays "to honor the dignity and sacredness of each person" was probably this class. While attending our state and local government class, I've learned to honor the dignity and sacredness of each person probably through the guest speake...

Since I only volunteer occasionally at San Bruno Mountain Watch, I do know that my CP is funded through grants by the government. That is how they get their fundings to do planting and restoration.  Majority of the time my CP relies on donations and services from other people. With the funding from the government, you have to be approved by them in order in keep and maintain the money from them, and to keep the organization going. If my CP was not funded by the government, then I do not think that it would be here. Maybe so if the volunteers and donations covered the cost of the organization. Government funding organizations are very important and if you take that away, then these organizations wouldn't be here maybe. Overall, my CP does rely on the government for funds to keep it running smoothly. 

“A budget is a statement of values.” What values underlie the way your CP gets and spends its money or resources? Which Hallmarks, if any, are expressed in the way your CP manages its budgeting and service delivery?   Since my CP is San Bruno Mountain Watch, I believe that they get their money by donations , volunteers, supporters, and probably money from their own pockets. I believe that they do budget their money pretty well and uses the money for plants and tools and other stuff that is needed for planting and restoration. Since it is a nonprofit organization and we volunteer to do work, we do not get paid. So any kind of money only goes to the resources that is needed. One of the Hallmarks that I think applies to this topic is, " We commit ourselves to community service" San Bruno Mountain Watch is known for their community service that I thought that this Hallmark was the best because it shows that SBMW serves the community and wants to make it better. ...

Describe the community in which your CP operates… is it a city, a town, a rural area? What kind of mayor does the community have? Does your CP have any interaction with local government officials? My community partner is San Bruno Mountain Watch which operates in the city of San Bruno. San Bruno is a small city located on the peninsula of San Francisco which is close to San Mateo. The mayor of San Bruno is Jim Ruane and he is on his second term as mayor in the city. He has served as a council member since 1995. San Bruno Mountain Watch does work closely with the cities government officials such as the mayor but also the citizens that lives in the town as well. The CP needs to keep connections with San Bruno's government officials for the protection of the San Bruno Mountains.    

Since California is mainly a democratic state, they use their power to preserve state and local values in the face of conflicting Federal policies in many ways. Recently while researching I've noticed an article that stated that San Francisco is suing President Trump over executive order targeting sanctuary cities. San Francisco is suing the Trump administration because they are violating the states rights in the U.S Constitution. The reason why the city is suing is because the Trump administration started issuing orders to put counties and cities on notice that they will loss federal funding if they do not start cooperating with immigration officials/agents. California as a state alone is very liberal and very protective over immigrants that are in this state illegally and if they do not comply, they would lose federal funding. Federal funding usually covers health care, programs for the poor, etc. California knows that this is avery wrong thing and it violates the rights that the...

The link below is my CP Timesheet :) https://docs.google.com/document/d/1KWHiA9OW6ApLO7DCQsPOY8wstWlhwv8QFjFBwCJLq7o/edit?usp=sharing