“Directing” the Michigan Task Force: My Race for #MTAdvocacy

In her guest post, Dr. Dena Register describes one of the three roles of music therapy advocacy as the “Directors.”  She writes, “Directors are the ones who are able to see the big picture of possibilities that exist beyond the current situation.”  I would consider my role in #MTAdvocacy as that of a director.

I clearly remember sitting at the 2012 AMTA national conference and seeing a slew of my colleagues receiving the “Changemaker Award for Music Therapy Advocacy,” as they had successfully spearheaded licensure legislation within their states.  I remember turning to Bernadette – my music therapy partner-in-crime and task force co-chair – and saying we needed to get the licensure efforts started in Michigan.  Over three years later, we have the wheels in motion, but we are still far from licensure legislation in Michigan.

One of the biggest and most important lessons that I have learned through the task force process is that advocacy is a marathon, not a sprint.

The first step in the task force process was to gather our team.  We connected with a number of Michigan music therapists representing work within a variety of populations.  We examined current Michigan legislation which may relate to our work as music therapists.  Then we set out to gain a more complete picture of music therapy in Michigan by drafting and distributing a survey to the nearly 200 Michigan music therapists.  We then assembled this information into a Fact Sheet on Michigan music therapy.

At this point, our progress encountered a big delay, as it became time for the 2014 elections.  There was a lot of turnover in our state legislature and both the house and the senate assumed a Republican majority.  This caused us to have to change our focus a bit and re-evaluate our best options for pursuing “advocacy champions” within the legislature.

In the spring of 2015, the Michigan task force held an advocacy training for Michigan music therapists and our first Hill Day on April 22, during Michigan Music Therapy Week.  We had 9 music therapists in attendance and we met with 12 separate legislators and/or their staff.  Unfortunately, I was not able to meet with my Representative, Tom Barrett, as he was tied up in committee hearings concerning the auto no-fault legislation.

Another lesson I’ve learned through this process is that there are a lot of factors which are outside of our control.  At the time of our Hill Day, auto no-fault was a matter of priority.  Now, our government is – understandably – focused on fixing the Flint water crisis.  When those bigger issues arise, we really just have to sit back and wait for the right time to continue our journey.  Through it all, we keep lacing up our shoes with our sights set on the finish line: state recognition of music therapy in Michigan.

Image courtesy of Iwan Beijes at freeimages.com
Image courtesy of Iwan Beijes at freeimages.com

[Guest Post] Social Media Advocacy Month 2016

The following is a guest post written by Dr. Dena Register, CBMT Regulatory Affairs Advisor, writing on behalf of Music Therapy Social Media Advocacy Month.

Each New Year brings the opportunity to reflect on all that we have accomplished and to determine what is needed in the coming year to move forward. As the Regulatory Affairs (CBMT) and Government Relations (AMTA) teams reflect on the first 10 years of the State Recognition Operational Plan, we are grateful for the number of individuals that have actively engaged in the advocacy process. We have had the incredible fortune to watch groups of diverse individuals pull together, capitalize on their strengths, and create access to services for clients and families that benefit greatly from music therapy.

One of the observations we reflect on regularly is what makes an advocacy team successful. The teams that stand out are those that have 3 different kinds of participants: Connectors, Reflectors and Directors. While this is certainly not an exhaustive list, this seems to be a “triple threat” of action-oriented personalities that are able to work in tandem and move a group forward.

Building Bridges

Image courtesy of ddpavumba at freedigitalphoto.net
Image courtesy of ddpavumba at freedigitalphoto.net

“Connectors” are people who are gifted at building bridges by bringing others together and recognizing complimentary skill sets in those that they know.  Connectors enjoy creating opportunities for people from diverse background and experiences to meet and interact. The role of the Connector in advocacy is to maximize the human resources available to them and to increase the network for their cause by helping interested parties get to know one another and discuss common interests. It is often the Connectors who are able to establish relationships with legislators or other decision makers that develops them into incredible advocates.

Holding Up the Mirror

Image courtesy of Aleksa D at freedigitalphoto.net
Image courtesy of Aleksa D at freedigitalphoto.net

“Reflectors” are gifted at taking in information, experiences, and perceptions and—as the name implies—reflecting back the most salient points to those around them. Reflectors often have a knack for diffusing situations by indicating an understanding and empathy for someone else’s position. Reflectors also make great advocates because of their fierce loyalty to their cause. Their ability to see issues from multiple perspectives and then to communicate that to multiple audiences brings all sides of an issue to the foreground for discussion. Reflectors unite various individuals and guide the group to a vision that recognizes the complexity of all issues.

Consulting the Compass

Image courtesy of nirots at freedigitalphoto.net
Image courtesy of nirots at freedigitalphoto.net

“Directors” are the ones who are able to see the big picture of possibilities that exist beyond the current situation. They are able to assimilate the work of the “Reflectors” and the “Connectors” and navigate a course of next steps based on that information. Directors also gather additional relevant information as they move forward and constantly attend to what course corrections are necessary to get to their end goal. Those who are most successful in this role demonstrate flexibility in their thinking and actions, which allows them to accommodate to various situations that are presented and that often change without prior notice. Directors take a broad view of an issue, projecting out beyond it’s current status or challenge and using an ideal vision or end goal to guide the day-to-day steps necessary to get there.

 

So how about you? Are you a Connector, Reflector or Director? Or maybe there is another description you would use?