How Effective Communication And An Appropriate Leadership...

Introduction ‘Everest’ is a virtual simulation developed by Harvard Business School which enables individuals to realistically experience and learn about the difficulties of overcoming challenging obstacles within a team dynamic. This simulation is a significant aspect of the course MGMT1001 – Managing Organisations and People, where students were randomly selected into groups of five or six in order to undertake two attempts of the Everest Simulation. As groups were constantly confronted with a variety of challenges that required individuals to work collectively as a cohesive unit, both ‘climbs’ enabled students to realistically experience the dynamics of an organized team, and the challenges which it may face. This report serves as an individual reflection on the Everest Simulation experience, while also critically analyzing the concept of communication and leadership. This reflection highlights how effective communication and an appropriate leadership style ca n not only significantly influence the outcome of the task, but also alter team dynamics and methods of overcoming challenges. The relatively similar results of the two climbs remain consistent with and support the concepts explored. In hindsight, the strategies implemented and performed in the two simulations were very similar. Both simulations were approached with a conservative mindset, which featured minimal risks and a shared leadership role. While the second attempt yielded higher results, the improvementShow MoreRelatedTransformational Leaders : Organizational Values, Aspirations, And Ethical Measurement1428 Words   |  6 Pagesthe leadership and the followership. The developments further drive the followership to accomplish the necessary right and appropriate good that falls within the vision and mission of the organization. Believing in the core organizational values, the transformational leader expects high performance from the followers. The followers enter the process of being a transformational leader by adding increasing influence, inspiration, and intellectual stimulation from the leader. This leadership styleRead MoreEffective Leadership Styles Within The Workplace1584 Words   |  7 Pages Effective leadership styles Abstract An effective leader influences their employees in a desired manner to achieve goals and objectives. Different leadership styles can affect an organization’s effectiveness and performance. The objective of this paper is to analyze the review of literature on various leadership styles over the past years and how effective and ineffective different leadership styles are in the workplace. Introduction A leader is defined as a person with responsibility to influenceRead MoreIlm Leadership859 Words   |  4 PagesTitle: Assessing your own leadership capability and performance (M5.29) 5 6 Assessment criteria (the learner can) 1.1 Review the prevailing leadership styles in the organisation Assess the impact of the prevailing leadership styles on the organisation’s values and performance Level: Credit value: Learning outcomes (the learner will) 1 Understand leadership styles within an organisation 1.2 2 Be able to review effectiveness of own leadership capability and performance in meetingRead MoreLeadership Style Of A Leader Essay934 Words   |  4 Pagescapacity for leadership. Whether is is learned or innate, communication skills are a key factor in how a leader is perceived and followed. An individual’s leadership style is comprised of several factors within the workplace environment and the individuals that comprise it.Some theories debate whether leadership remains the same no matter the circumstance, where others maintain that individuals might use others to gain leadership for noble means. Regardless of the charisma or communication an individualRead MoreManagers Perception Of Unit Versus Staff Perception1588 Words   |  7 Pagesmanagers are challenged in achieving efficient and effective patient care, giving support and representing the nursing staff, complying with hospital policies, as well as maintaining a budget in accordance to hospitals financial viability. These are all roles that must be met in order to keep a unit running smoothly and which require experience, skill, judgment, and practical knowledge. As a new nurse manager, it is hard to prioritize and be effective in each of these roles. There was a research studyRead MoreEffective Communication For A Managerial Level1587 Words   |  7 PagesIt is critical to develop communication on a managerial level and to know your target audience; in addition, to determine the appropriate style and format of communicating with the audience. According to the business dictionary, the meaning of effective communication is A two way information sharing process which involves one party sending a message that is easily understood by the receiving party. Effective communication by business managers facilitates information sharing between company employeesRead MoreLeadership Influences Others to Achieve a Goal Essays807 Words   |  4 PagesLeadership is a progression by which a person influences others to achieve a goal and directs the group in a way that makes it more structured and coherent. Leadership can be apart of different aspects of someone’s life, whether it is presidency, parenting, or work. There have been several people throughout history who have been considered leaders, such as Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. Each leader has their own style of leading their fellow people. An effective leader comes with inspirationRead MoreLeadership Styles And How They Influence Social Work1364 Words   |  6 PagesLeadership Styles and How They Influence Social Work Curtis E. Mitchell Colombia College Hums 345: Working with Communities Organizations Abstract Acquiring positions of authority comes with the added responsibility of making sure you are correctly and competently communicating the ideals set forth by your agency. Social workers and helpers who are in leadership positions have to understand the many facets involved in leading and guiding people. Leadership styles are often affected by culturalRead MoreLeadership Teamwork In The Public Serv1685 Words   |  7 PagesDiploma in Public Services Unit 2: Leadership Teamwork in the Public Services Assessment and grading criteria To achieve a pass grade the evidence must show that the learner is able to: To achieve a merit grade the evidence must show that, in addition to the pass criteria, the learner is able to: To achieve a distinction grade the evidence must show that, in addition to the pass and merit criteria, the learner is able to: P1 describe the different leadership styles used in the public services M1Read MoreThe Leadership Styles Of The Chief Of Sunrise Regional Council Essay1676 Words   |  7 Pages1. Introduction This report was commission by Shayne Williams, CEO of Sunrise Regional Council. Its purpose is to analyse and advise on improving communication practices between the council and the communities as well as between manager and employees in the council. According to the case study, Shayne Williams recognised the former CEOs reasoning and decision-making was sound, but his failure to communicate his vision has resulted in lack of support from all stakeholders. Shayne is concerned now

The Effect Of Poor Parenting On Male And Female Dating...

Modern society depends immensely on parenting, as younger generations of people learn lessons and methods about their own development from their parents. They learn things concerning all different aspects of themselves, from physical to emotional to intellectual development, parenting is scientifically proven to have a major effect on civilization. Although the exact implication parenting has on children is debated, many have tried to prove the link between negative parenting and deficient social outcomes like domestic violence and substance abuse. After reviewing the journal, â€Å"The Effect of Poor Parenting On Male and Female Dating Violence Perpetration and Victimization†, it becomes obvious that poor parenting works in accordance with the theory of Social Learning and the antisocial orientation perspective. Due to poor parenting and antisocial behavior, children can learn violence through observation and interaction, which in turn makes them more likely to be a perpetrat or or victimizer in dating violence later in life (Tyler, Brownridge, Melander, 2011).Albert Bandura proposed the Social Learning Theory in 1977. At the time, what this theory stated was quite radical, but it would turn out to be one of the most influential theories of learning (Cherry, Kendra). The Social Learning Theory states that a child can learn through observation, excluded from direct reinforcement. Furthermore, the child’s observational learning does not necessary lead to a change in behavior

Commemorative Speech free essay sample

I listened intently as the reporter told me of the recent events; Operation Gothic Serpent had begun while I slept, in order to neutralize a powder keg of competing tribal chieftains, who were already in a fierce civil war. The reporter was only giving bits and pieces of information and I soon became disinterested. Let us fast forward to December 2001; for my 17th birthday, several friends and I went to the movies to see the midnight release of Black Hawk Down. We had no idea what we were getting ourselves into, but knew enough about the story to hope for some footage of the fabled 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta, commonly known as Delta Force. This top secret, hyper-elite, black ops unit was the object of great interest among my circle of friends. Black Hawk Down tells the sad story of a botched military operation in Mogadishu, Somalia. An executive decision was made to cull the hostility in the region by abducting several advisors of the local dictator. Once I applied this cream on my hands I realized that I will not be able to live without it. The unique texture of the cream is unlike any you have ever felt; it is not sticky or greasy, and has a nice pleasant smell. This velvety cream instantly hydrates the delicate skin of your hands making it smoother, firmer and softer. The day after when I came back home I noticed that my mom is using the same cream. I did tell nothing but since that time, and every night before going to bed I used this cream taking it secretly from my mom`s purse. Many happy days I shared with this cream. We were like best friends always together. Especially, I remember cold and windy days of fall, when the skin on my hands get dry or spring time when skin coat needs more vitamins and extra care. My secret cream played a role of the first aid. It was only one the thing that could make my skin soft and smooth like a velvet. My first grade, High school, University, until 2 months ago we were inseparable. When I was leaving my country I was not planning to stay in the US this long. My mom provided me with the cream enough just for a year. The last 2 bottles I used carefully, I started to use it rarely trying to prolong its life. My was cream was gone 2 month ago on February 24. I was keeping the bottle till the last week, sometimes opening it to remember the smelling of it. It is not just a smell of flowers it is smell of my granny and my moms hands who are 6 thousands miles away.

Paper towns free essay sample

This alarming number shows that drinking as well as binge drinking on campuses is overly common. There has been an increase in the quantity as well as the frequency of alcohol intake. â€Å"Statistics Canada data on sales of alcoholic beverages (in litres of absolute alcohol) show that per adult consumption of alcohol has increased by over 11% in Canada in the past decade† (Stockwell et al, 2007). By analyzing trends in alcoholic consumption we can see a clear pattern as well as many associated risks. In todays modern society alcohol addiction and alcohol abuse has become one of the most complex, life-threatening issues. Most depressed individuals usually indulge themselves in bars or pubs with their alcohols to escape from their stressful life. It has become increasingly alarming how alcohol does not only attract the adults, but also teenagers these days. Research has shown that approximately 14 million Americans (7.4%) of the population meet the diagnostic criteria for alcohol abuse or alcoholism (Facts about Alcohol). We will write a custom essay sample on Paper towns or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page [tags: Alcohol Addiction]978 words (2. 8 pages)$24. 95 [preview] Alcohol Abuse and Native Americans . National Library of Medicine (2011), in regard to alcohol abuse amongst different cultures, it was established that 3. 4 percent alcohol dependency rate existed among African Americans while the Native Americans had a dependency rate of 5.6 percent.   Furthermore, the results also revealed that unlike other cultural groups in the United States of America, the Native American alcohol dependents begun excessive consumption of alcohol at an earlier age and drunk more heavily.

Managing Complex Organizations Complexity Thinking and the Science and Art of Management by Kurt Richardson

Managing Complex Organizations Complexity Thinking and the Science and Art of Management by Kurt Richardson Mastering the art of managing the key processes of a complex organization is not an easy task. Because of the necessity to embrace a range of concepts and monitor numerous processes, one may fail to keep the track of the changes that occur within the company and, therefore, deliver a careful and a well put together plan based on the company’s future prospects.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on â€Å"Managing Complex Organizations: Complexity Thinking and the Science and Art of Management† by Kurt Richardson specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More In his article â€Å"Managing Complex Organizations: Complexity Thinking and the Science and Art of Management,† Kurt Richardson addresses the issue of coordinating the supervision of various processes within complex organizations and the challenges that the specified task presupposes. Richardson argues that, though it is impossible to incorporate every last deta il of the company’s operations into the analysis of the organization’s key advantages and the threats that it may be facing, there is, in fact, no need to do so; following several key rules on decision making and learning to make suppositions concerning the implications of certain steps in financial management of a company is enough to succeed in navigating the complex mechanism of a major enterprise. In order to understand the specifics of complex organizations operation, it is crucial to differentiate between complex and complicated. Though the key processes of an enterprise may be outstandingly easy to understand, they may still happen to be very hard to monitor simultaneously, which predisposes their complexity. As long as managing a company involves dealing with several processes that involve a different set of elements and are guided by different principles, the organization operation must be viewed as complex, even though these processes may be extremely simple. In order to navigate the complexity of the organizational processes, one must introduce the basic principles of logics into the organizational management, Richardson explains (Richardson 14). At this point, the key concepts of the Boolean logics should be brought up: identified by the author of the article as the â€Å"universal language† (Richardson 14), this language serves as the mediator between the language of computing and the ordinary interpersonal communication.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The necessity to incorporate computer logics into the company organism is becoming increasingly big at present, with the rapid integration of information technologies into the operation of companies. The concept of incompressibility is often used along with the idea of companies’ complexity; however, the very idea of absolute incompressibility should be taken with a grain of salt, Richardson explains. In order to handle the supervision of the organizational processes within a major corporation, one must focus on the elements that are viewed as the most important ones, leaving the minor issues, which are hard to embrace due to their number, out of the picture plane: â€Å"We might say that, in the absence of a complete representation, the overall behavior of a system is at least the sum of the behaviors of all our (simplified) models of that system† (Richardson 16). What makes the situation even more complicated is that the pluralism emerging as a result of incompressibility creates not the premises for an objective analysis, but the environment that demands making a complicated choice between several theoretical frameworks. In addition, the fact that the specifics of a team dynamics are supposed to be rendered through the lens of an individual makes the process of a company analysis nearly impossible to carry out. Defined b y Richardson as â€Å"incommensurable pluralism† (16), the phenomenon in question does not mean, though, that complex organizations cannot be evaluated in any possible manner. Instead, the limitations of the organization analysis and, therefore, a certain shallowness of the results attained in the end, should be kept in mind. Seeing that the complexity of the organizational processes structure is the key problem when it comes to analyzing the efficacy of a major company’s performance, it is reasonable to suggest that a complex approach towards the analysis may be of some help. To put it differently, Richardson suggests that complexity thinking can be the answer to the problem (Richardson 18).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on â€Å"Managing Complex Organizations: Complexity Thinking and the Science and Art of Management† by Kurt Richardson specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Defined by the author as the incorporation of several key schools of thinking, particularly, the neo-reductionist one, the metaphorical one and the critical pluralist one (Richardson 18–21), the phenomenon in question is not a silver bullet, yet it can be viewed as a legitimate strategy for approaching the analysis of the complex organizational structure of a corporation. Managing the processes of a complex organization is possible, despite the fact that one will never be able to embrace every single step in the course of the company’s operations. In order to handle the issues related to the evaluation of a consistently changing environment, one must follow key logical principles and be flexible enough to adopt the approach that the solution of a unique conflict demands. More importantly, one must get the company’s priorities straight before starting the analysis; otherwise, a range of essential factors will be omitted. As soon as the essential details are in the limelight, the assets o f a corporation of any size can be evaluated properly. Richardson, Kurt A. â€Å"Managing Complex Organizations: Complexity Thinking and the Science and Art of Management.† E:CO 10.2 (2008), 13–26. Print.

These Shining Livesâ€A Play by Melanie Marnich

These Shining Lives- A Play by Melanie Marnich These Shining Lives revolves around  the real-life circumstances of women in the 1920s who worked in a watch factory painting watch faces  with glowing radium-rich paint. While the characters and company in These Shining Lives are fictitious, the story of the Radium Girls and the toxic and deadly levels of radium poisoning of over 4,000 factory workers is true. The real-life Radium Girls took their company to court and achieved a long-lasting victory over corporations with poor workplace conditions and worker’s compensation that is still in effect today. The Plot The women in These Shining Lives are delighted to find high-paying work in the early part of the century. They earn 8 ¢ for each watch face they paint and if they are fast enough and neat enough, they can earn over $8 a day. That kind of money could change the entire circumstances of a woman and her family in the 1920s. Catherine, also called Katie, is leaving home for her first day of work. She has twins and a loving and supportive husband. They are barely making ends meet and she sees the opportunity to work and bring home money as a huge boon to her family. At the factory, she meets her tablemates, Frances, Charlotte, and Pearl and learns how to paint the watches: Take the brush and twirl it between your lips to make a sharp point, dip it in the paint, and paint the numbers. â€Å"It’s a lip, dip, and paint routine,† Frances instructs her. When Catherine comments on how the paint glows and tastes, she is told that radium is medicinal and cures all kinds of maladies. She quickly becomes adept at the work and loves her new identity as a working woman. Six years later, however, she and every girl working on the watches have health problems. Many are fired for needing too many sick days. Some die. Catherine is afflicted with severe pains in her legs, arms, and jaw. Eventually, Catherine finds a doctor willing to tell her the truth. She and all the others have toxic levels of radium poisoning. Their condition is fatal. Instead of fading into the background, Catherine and her friends decide to risk their names, images, and reputations and take the watch company to court. Production Details Setting: Chicago and Ottowa, Illinois Time: 1920s and 1930s Cast Size: This play is written to accommodate 6 actors, but there are as many as 18 roles if the doubling recommended in the script is ignored. Male Characters: 2 (who also double as 7 other minor characters) Female Characters: 4 (who also double as 5 other minor characters) Characters that could be played by either males or females: 4 Roles Catherine Donohue is a proud working woman. She is vibrant and competitive. Although she insists that her job is a temporary one, she enjoys working outside of the home and she is unapologetic about it. Frances has a keen eye for scandal. She loves the time and attention she gets from her work companions. The actress playing Frances also plays Reporter 2 and an Official. Charlotte is a tough taskmaster and a determined woman. She works hard at her job, doesn’t make friends easily and she doesn’t let go of the friends she has made or let them give up. The actress playing Charlotte also plays Reporter 1. Pearl is a shameless gossip who sees her work as an opportunity to know everything about everyone. Not a single symptom of scandal or sickness escapes her notice. The actress playing Pearl also plays the Daughter and Judge 2. Tom Donohue is Catherine’s husband. He is head-over-heels for his wife and family even though he is somewhat troubled by having a working wife. The actor playing Tom also plays Dr. Rowantree and Dr. Dalitsch. Mr. Reed is the boss at the factory. It is clear that he has information about the effects of radium poisoning but he abides by company policy and does not inform his workers. He wants to make the factory profitable. Although he is invested in his workers and their lives and even considers them friends, he knowingly allows them to continue to be poisoned and sicken and die. The actor playing Mr. Reed also plays the Radio Announcer, the Company Doctor, the Son, Judge, and Leonard Grossman. Content Issues: Negligible Production rights for These Shining Lives are held by Dramatists Play Service, Inc.

Future Trends of AviaitionEarospace Education Essay

Future Trends of AviaitionEarospace Education - Essay Example Now, however, there are factors that mitigate against this once-abundant pool of available talent, creating a need for more trained pilots to take to the skies. First, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the federal governing body for all commercial air flight, has a strict retirement rule. All pilots must leave the cockpit at the age of 60. While this has not yet created any dramatic shortages, writer Denver Beaulieu-Hains (2000) said that situation will change very soon. "Over the next 10 years, [the retirement] requirement may put a crunch on airline work forces, as baby boomers reach their golden years. And, with military cutbacks resulting in fewer trained pilots, the strain is hitting the industry from both ends of the runway." Beaulieu-Hains (2000) further stated that the baby-boomer pilots now approaching the retirement age represent fully one-third of the commercial aviation industry's pilot and mechanic work force. When they are forced to retire, the growing shortage will exacerbate considerably. To no one's surprise, the Professional Pilots Federation is trying to get the 60-and-out rule overturned. In April 2000, it petitioned the FAA for exemptions for 69 members of its organization, at the same time requesting strenuous testing - both physical and neuropsychological - to see if older pilots are indeed more likely to suffer from incapacitation than younger pilots (Beaulieu-Hains, 2000). (The age 60 retirement rule was set by the FAA in the 1950s, based on the belief that the ability to process and act on information slows as one gets older.) Stringent Qualifications Required Becoming a commercial pilot is not easy, even for someone who is fit physically and emotionally. All candidates for any cockpit flight position must meet strict FAA medical requirements and receive what the governing body calls an FAA Class 1 Medical Certificate. This assures the prospective employer that the person applying for a pilot's job is free from any physical or emotional conditions or disorders that would prevent him or her from performing the complex duties required of today's modern aircraft (Faa.org, 2001). And, the airlines themselves are no less strict. Anyone involved in an aircraft's flight, of course, has the lives of as many as 300 people in his or her hands. Particularly at the major airlines, standards not only meet FAA requirements, but usually exceed them. Southwest Airlines is a case in point. Before a candidate is even interviewed for a flight position, the airline requires the following: Resume, Airman Certificate (required by the FAA, as well), U.S. Type Rating on a B-737, the First Class Medical Certificate, ad at least three letters of recommendation. Those letters cannot be simply from friends or relatives; they must be from individuals who can attest to the pilot's flying skills, and who have observed them in flight over a sustained period of time (Southwest, 2000). As for flight experience, Southwest requires 2,500 total hours for jet aircraft or 1,500 hours for turbine aircraft. Beyond that, the airline also requires 1,000 hours as "pilot in command" on a turbine plane. The airline specifically excludes simulator, helicopter, and other non-turbine or jet aircraft and prefers candidates who have a four-year college degree (Southwest, 2000). Other airlines are not so stringent, especially smaller one,

Management Fad Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Management Fad - Essay Example Often marketing researchers have associated fads with 'craze'. It is from this definition that TQM adopts fad strategies to maximise the overall profits of their firms. According to Camerer and Knez, the fact that management fashions like Total Quality Management (TQM), organisational culture and Business Process Reengineering is due to adopting managerial tools on a temporary basis, therefore "if the job of TQM is coordinating change then, once the job is done the terminology becomes useless and should make way for a new 'fad'" (Jackson, 2001, p. 21) Therefore in order to class a management idea as a true 'fad', one must study the market and identify the target consumers. Management tools have also become increasingly influential in research practice. For example, the field of brand and marketing consultancy employs techniques deriving from ethnography, as evidenced by press coverage in the UK Sunday Times Business Section (25 August 2002, section 3, p. 8). The author has found that the world's leading advertising agencies increasingly employ interpretive techniques drawn from identifying 'fad' behaviour in their pursuit of penetrating consumer insights. (Hackley, 2003, p. 2) In circumstances where there are umpteen ... According to various researches more or less defined frequently science terms give complexity to science theories with meanings more relevant to firms. Organisation change 'fad' method leads to emergence and empowerment as a tool for management. The record over the past several decades where on one hand presents fad's reasonability, on the other hand states its weaknesses as well. In this context 'fad' is misused on the grounds of legitimacy for management ideas that do not become legitimised by resting on a foundation of high-quality research are quickly replaced by the next fad coming down the pike. (Lissack, 2002, p. 207) It is therefore not necessary that the classification is always reasonable. However it often depends upon consumer external and internal research. If for some reason an organisation has remained unable to identify consumer needs, there is a possibility that 'fad' technique fails. Whether an organisation is aimed to restructure its product or brand management or an organisation is targeted to re-brand strategies, it has to make its 'fad' effective. Therefore in order to make a 'fad' planning effective, the company needs to adopt scenario driven planning and analysis. Scenario Planning In order to put a stoppage to the declining productivity, corporate restructuring is required in the form of scenario-driven planning which acts as a new productivity source for strategy design and implementation. The best thing about scenario planning is that instead of adopting a single alternate to the problem, it lists all the possible alternative techniques and solutions. Scenario Planning or a projected sequence of events begins by identifying variables relevant to a firm's

Working as a registered nurse Essay Example for Free

Working as a registered nurse Essay I have been working as a registered nurse in Tacoma, WA since 2011 and I have chosen to assess the community health of Pierce County. Tacoma is the county seat of Pierce County and the largest city in the county and third largest city in the state (US Census Bureau, 2014). Pierce County is located south of Seattle and is comprised of 1,679 sq. miles, many of which front the Puget Sound. Northern areas of the county are comprised of islands and peninsulas only accessible by bridges or boats. It also contains one of the nation’s national parks and the state’s tallest peak, Mount Rainier. The Park’s boundaries largely define the eastern border of the County and the White and Nisqually Rivers make up the North and South boundaries respectively. (Snob Hollow Designs, 2014) Population Economic Status Assessment Nearly 820,000 people call Pierce County home. It boasts a high population density with 481 people per sq. mile. Urban areas comprise 93 percent of the county. (City-Data, 2014) The median household income in 2013 was estimated to be close to $60,000 and 12 percent of residents are living below the poverty level. (US Census Bureau, 2014) Blacks and African Americans make up the majority of low-income people despite the fact that they comprise only 7 percent of the County population. The majority of residents (76.5 percent) are white, 10 percent are non-black Hispanics and 6 percent are Asians. The median resident age is 35 years and 12 percent of residents are 65 years or older. (University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute, 2014). More than a third of Pierce County children are eligible for free lunch benefits and 8.9 percent of residents are unemployed. As many as 16 percent of residents are uninsured despite a per capita personal health expenditure of $8,160 annually. Ten percent of those uninsured are children. What’s more, close to 6 percent of residents make less that $10,000/year. It’s estimated that 15 percent of residents are not able to see a health care provider when they need to because they can’t afford it. When they can afford to, primary  care providers (PCP) are in short supply and overworked. There are an estimated 1500 patients for every PCP in Pierce County. (University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute, 2014)Medicare is the primary payer of health care expenditures for 10 percent of County residents. (City-Data, 2014) Pierce County has some of the highest rates of obesity in the nation with a 31 percent obesity rate. This is despite the fact that nearly 80 percent of residents reported exercising in the previous month. (University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute, 2014)The County has numerous parks, hiking trails, walking paths and enjoys a temperate climate with little snow accumulation and mild summer temperatures. Poor nutrition is likely a key contributor with 16 percent of residents classified as food insecure. The County has the lowest access to healthy foods with 8 percent of people living in urban areas where the nearest grocery store is more than a mile from their home. Access to convenience stores is slightly better. (University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute, 2014). Neighborhood and Community Safety Any Pierce County resident can testify to smelling the â€Å"Aroma of Tacoma† on a regular basis. At various parts of the day, a pungent smell not unlike that of rotten eggs fills the air. The source of the stench is attributed to industries located at the Port of Tacoma, the forest industry, car exhaust, or the tidal changes on the Puget Sound. The extent of air pollution in the area is large. More than three quarters of county residents drive alone to work every day. Just 3 percent take public transportation. The County ranks 16th in counties reporting high carbon monoxide one hour concentration. It is among the dirtiest 10 percent of US counties for its release of water and carcinogens. Chief among these deadly chemicals is methanol and hydrochloric acid. (City-Data, 2014) (Good Guide, 2011) There are four Superfund Sites in the County that continue to cause contamination of drinking water. One of these sites is Commencement Bay, the hub of the Port of Tacoma, one of the world’s busiest ports. The biggest polluter in the area is the Simpson Tacoma Kraft Company, a forest product  company that prides itself on using â€Å"every part of the tree except its shadow.† (Simpson, 2014) Another well-known polluter and also a major area employer is the US Military. Superfund Sites exist at both McChord AFB and the US Army Fort Lewis Range. (Good Guide, 2011) Cultural Assessment For a personal perspective of life inside Pierce County I consulted with a colleague who works as a lactation consultant. She is a 50-year-old college-educated white female who also works as an instructor in a local vocational college. She reports that her cohort’s attitude toward aging is not altogether positive. She is beginning to feel the gradual decline in her body functions and says that she and others like her find it frustrating that their bodies don’t work as well as they did in their youth. That attitude of reluctance tends to affect how readily her peers seek assistance, especially if it means accepting the realities of aging. Some of the physical health problems common in her cohort involve vision, sleep apnea, joint pain, and decreased stamina. She states that individuals in her cohort tend to be individualistic and prefer their yards, both physically and metaphorically, to be fenced. This perspective crosses over to how children are parented with a high value placed on raising adults that are independent and self-sufficient. Her children have either graduated from college or are currently attending university. She considers financial independence a mark of adulthood. A ritual associated with adulthood is moving out of the family home and their own. One of the challenges she sees in her cohort is that of obtaining access to mental health care. A colleague recently lost her son to suicide after numerous attempts to help him gain access to care failed and he committed suicide. She feels that only those who are going to hurt others or hurt themselves are recipients of care in a broken system. Because so many are aching for help in the community and a greater awareness of the need, the result has been a reduced stigma associated with mental illness. Acknowledging that mental illness is far from being treated on plane with biological illness, she reports that the awareness of an individual’s lack  of control over what is a real disease is growing. Disaster Assessment and Planning The incredible amount of physical beauty present in Pierce County is also a source of danger to its residents. The area has been declared as a disaster area 19 times in recorded history. Most of these events were the result of severe storms that caused flooding, landslides, and mudslides. The area is situated on or near several tectonic plates giving it an earthquake risk that is 355 percent greater than the national average. In 2001, a magnitude 6.8 earthquake was centered just 10.8 miles from the city center and caused tens of thousands in damage. An earthquake centered even farther away could affect the county via a subsequent Tsunami. Coastline areas comprise many of the County’s industries, parks, and homes and could be destroyed by a tsunami’s tidal surge. Mt. Rainier frames many of Tacoma’s picturesque views but it is a volcano that could come back to life at any moment. Its last eruption is estimated to have occurred more than 150 years ago but a recent e ruption could cause massive downstream flooding in nearly the entire County. (City-Data, 2014) Disasters caused by flooding precipitated by a tsunami, volcanic eruption, or one of the areas many rainstorms could displace many residents from their homes and block access to urgent and chronic healthcare services. Sewage systems could be affected by the flooding as well as decrease access to clean water. A massive earthquake could destroy many of Tacoma’s older buildings, many of which were built in the early 1900s and well before any seismic construction rules went into effect. Falling objects from an earthquake and resulting fires could result in massive injuries in the short-term and damage to public infrastructure in the long-term. (Pierce County Department of Emergency Management, 2010) Many of the possible disasters that could strike the area do not have the luxury of advance warning. Severe storms may give as little as a day or two notice, tsunamis and flooding just a few hours. Many residents are unlikely to understand the severity of a disaster until they are in i ts midst. Because the residents lack the ability to prepare, The Pierce County Department of Emergency Management has five departments to deal with every day emergencies and  large-scale disasters. The services include emergency management, enhanced 9-1-1 services, fire prevention, radio communications and an urban search and rescue task force. The Department is working to enroll all residents in an emergency alert system via text. Area hospital employees also have an alert system that sends a text message to employees to report to duty in the event of an emergency. The enhanced 9-1-1 system automatically finds the street address for landline calls. The radio communications team works to ensure that radio remains active in the event cell towers fall during an earthquake or are damaged during severe flooding. Urban Search and Rescue can provide vital services in the event of an earthquake, mudslide, avalanche or abandoned mine collapse. (Pierce County Department of Emergency Management, 2010) Windshield Survey Housing The majority of housing options available in Tacoma are single-family detached homes. A housing boom in the 1990s resulted in many newer homes and apartment buildings in both high and poor-income areas. Housing density appears to be highest in high-income neighborhoods. Many homes in both areas have grassed front and back yards. Although the area was heavily wooded when settled in the 1890s, much of the native evergreen trees are gone. Tree replacement appears limited to higher-income areas and is limited to non-native deciduous trees. Housing in lower-income neighborhoods appears to be in fair to moderate repair. Very few homes in these areas have bars over windows or doors. (Patamia, 2015) Open Space In Tacoma, there appears to be a moderate amount of open space, especially considering it is an urban area. I saw a large strip of valuable waterfront in the Ruston area dedicated to a walking path and docks used for office space and dining. The jewel in the crown of the Tacoma Metropolitan Park System is Wright Park, a 27-acre parcel spanning more than 10 city blocks in the heart of the city that features an arboretum, lawn bowling, playgrounds, and a pond. In addition, Mt Rainier National Park has more than 235,000 acres of protected forestland and numerous State parks dot the County. All of these spaces are open for public use and park passes are enveloped as part of the residents’ vehicle tax. Boundaries The boundaries of the area are largely natural features like rivers and mountains. Neighborhoods begin and end without notification but poorer areas tend to have more chain link fences, fewer shopping areas, and homes that lack fresh paint and ornamental landscaping. Ironically, the most expensive homes in the county have roads that are either gravel or so unkempt that potholes dominate. Commons People in the county tended to congregate around grocery stores and the strip malls that surround them. I visited an upscale grocery store in the middle of the day and found parking difficult despite an ample lot. Areas surrounding the Port of Tacoma business district tend to always have a large amount of traffic, especially large trucks carrying containers to and from the ships docked in Commencement Bay. Transportation Pierce County, despite the low numbers of residents who use public transportation has numerous options for getting out of your car. Buses travel to every part of the county, even across the Tacoma Narrows Bridge to the Olympic Peninsula town of Gig Harbor. Residents can travel to Seattle using rail or bus. Residents enjoy the capability of attaching their bikes to city buses but since the area is very hilly and frequently rainy, few take advantage of the service. For all of its access capabilities in Tacoma, getting around in surrounding communities is difficult. Interstate 5 intersects the county, enabling easy access for Port of Tacoma traffic to Canada and the western states. Several state highways run through the community and many are currently undergoing expansive improvement projects. Long-term plans include expanding Seattle’s light rail into Tacoma but recent initiatives to expand inter-county bus services was voted down by residents. Service Centers One of the most impressive things about Pierce County is how new and beautiful its schools are. Around these areas, it’s easy to spot social service centers such as YMCAs or Community Healthcare Clinics. Even in the poorest areas of the County, I saw many dentist offices, parks with  playground facilities, and sidewalks. I drove by a newer looking middle school several times during my survey and always saw it occupied by students despite heavy rain. Stores Commercial areas in the county appear to be centered on large chain grocery stores. There are few non-chain, independent dining options and those that are tend to offer high-calorie, high-fat options like hamburgers and milkshakes. I did not see any signs advertising farmers markets but there were more than a few community gardens where residents could grow their own fruits and vegetables. I was also impressed by how few grocery stores there were outside of major shopping areas and how far even the wealthiest had to travel to buy food. In more than one area, there were several grocery stores in close proximity to each other. People Out and About I saw several people walking around the County during my survey but all of them appeared to be walking for exercise and leisure, not for transportation. Almost all of these walkers were white and non-obese. A majority of those I saw were wearing Seahawk jerseys and/or colors. It was so persuasive that I felt out of place with an orange sweatshirt. Dogs accompanied many of the walkers and every dog was leashed. Signs of Community Vibrancy The Pierce County Community is very diverse but in nearly every area I traveled, I saw signs of vibrancy evidenced by hanging flower baskets, children playing outside, areas of preserved natural beauty, easy access to healthcare, and a lack of abandoned homes, stray animals, or countless homeless people. Race/Ethnicity Given that nearly three-quarters of Pierce County residents are white, its not surprising to see mostly white people in the County. Surprisingly, there are two major Indian Reservations, the Nisqually and Puyallup, inside Pierce County yet less than 2 percent of residents are Native American. Most of the County looks and feels American with few ethnic grocery stores or signs in a language other than English. Areas where whites live tend to be predominantly white but areas with larger populations of Blacks, Asians, and  Hispanics are well integrated. In one strip mall, there was a Mexican taqueria next door to an Asian grocery store. Religion While only 30 percent of Pierce County residents report being affiliated with a religious congregation, nearly half of them are non-denominational Christian churches. A third of residents report an affiliation with a Roman Catholic Church. I saw many more churches in the less affluent areas of the County than I did in wealthy ones. I also saw one Buddhist temple and Muslim Mosque. Health There are 10 hospitals serving Pierce County the largest of which is Tacoma General Hospital that has more than 400 beds and a level II trauma center. A few blocks away with the area’s second level II trauma center and a level III NICU is St Joseph Medical Center with 367 beds. Signs of homelessness are slightly invisible in Pierce County and tend to be clustered around area shelters or service providers such as the Union Gospel Mission and the YWCA. It’s estimated that 2,000 people including children are homeless on any given night in Tacoma. One of the area hospitals, Western State Hospital, provides services exclusively to the mentally ill but the lack of services to the homeless and mentally ill is striking. There are an estimated 368 mentally ill people for every mental health provider in Pierce County. Top performing counties have 521 providers per patient. The State ranks 49th in number of available psychiatric beds and several agencies have recently closed their doors or decreased services due to the economic turn down. (League of Women Voters Pierce County, 2013) (Good Guide, 2011) Forty percent of female tenth-grade children are classified as depressed. The Tacoma Pierce County Health Department lists mental health as its #1 priority in the coming years. Politics I toured the area in January when the nearest election was months or years away. Cars I viewed had a mix of bumper stickers that indicated the metropolitan area voted for Obama in the previous presidential election, supports the legalization of marijuana, and is a fan of the Seattle Seahawks. Media No matter the area, evidence of satellite dishes was seen on nearly every home. I did not see any newspaper boxes around area stores. It seems that the primary form of communication medium is through television and the Internet. Television stations accessed by residents are primarily in English but there are two stations that are exclusively in Spanish. Physical Environment As mentioned previously, Pierce County is a very beautiful place with views of mountains, water, dense forest, and even a volcano visible from nearly every corner of the County. During my survey, I even viewed a pair of bald eagles playing over the Puget Sound. The areas around the Port of Tacoma and the two Indian reservations tend to be the least attractive areas of the city where billboards for nearby tribal-run casinos predominate the landscape. Scavenger Hunt Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) WIC is a nutrition program that helps ensure that pregnant women, nursing moms and children under five have access to healthy foods. They also provide health education and breastfeeding support including peer counselors. Women who use WIC get money to purchase fresh fruit and vegetables, milk, cheese, whole grain breads and tortillas. They also ensure that children are vaccinated and stay on recommended growth curves. A family of four is eligible for WIC benefits if they have an annual income equal or less than $43,000. Accessing the services requires visiting a WIC location, which are located on major bus routes near hospitals, health clinics, or in tribal offices. There are more than 15 WIC locations in the county and offer services in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean, Russian, Tagalog, and Cambodian. (Tacoma Pierce County Health Department, 2015) YMCA The YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties offer a variety of services including seven healthy living centers, a summer camp and more than 70 child care sites. Their mission is to offer programs that â€Å"build a healthy spirit, mind and body for all.† (YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties, 2014) Monthly fees that are based on household income support membership and financial aid is  available. There are steep discounts for members of the military and their families. The variety of services available at the healthy living center is broad. Members of the Tacoma facility take piano lessons, learn how to box, and enjoy an indoor pool. Family Renewal Shelter There are 16 different resources for those dealing with domestic violence in Pierce County. Among them is the Family Renewal Shelter. They provide emergency services by way of confidential shelters, self-defense classes, spiritual support, and pet therapy. They also offer help with access to vehicles, educational scholarships, and relocation. Support for the organization comes from private donations from individuals, foundations, businesses, and churches. Access to services is via the organization’s 24-hour crisis line. Information about domestic violence is available on the organization’s website including a button that allows a user to leave the site quickly and eliminate a computer trail. (Family Renewal Shelter, 2014) National Alliance on Mental Illness – Pierce County The purpose of NAMI is to support people and those who love them with the challenges of mental illness. Members are people whose lives have been touched by mental illness and can share resources, lessons learned, and empathy with one another. They also advocate for change on local and legislative issues. Support group meeting occur three times a week and are located in a local Episcopal Church. They are free to attend. NAMI Walks occur several times a year and help to reduce the stigma of mental health and expand services, especially in education of mental health issues with police, fire and other first responders. (NAMI Pierce County, 2015) Planned Parenthood A group of community volunteers opened the first Planned Parenthood clinic in Tacoma in 1972 to address concerns about high rates of teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. The organization believes that everyone has the right to choose whether and when to get pregnant and works to prevent unwanted pregnancies. They rely heavily of individual donor support to provide basic low-cost health care, adoption planning, vasectomy services, and fitting for menstrual cups. They also provide abortion services and are  frequented by protestors. (PPGNW, 2015) Tacoma Rescue Mission There are more than 36 homeless shelters in Tacoma offering everything from emergency shelter, transitional housing, and assisted housing for people dealing with domestic violence, drug addiction, and sexual trafficking. They are a Christian organization funded by the United Way of Pierce County and the cities of Lakewood and Tacoma in addition to funding from Pierce County itself. They report that they provide shelter to more than 400 people nightly and provide food for 26,000 people who have no other access to food. They work to help people overcome drug and alcohol addiction with rehabilitation serves, educational assistance and case management. (Tacoma Rescue Mission, 2015) Interpretation of Collected Data Epidemiology examines how health status or health events are distributed across a community and what determines it. The preceding examples give a broad stroke painting of health in Pierce County. Overall, the birth rate (15 per 1000) exceeds the death rate (7.3 per 1000) in Pierce County and the infant mortality rate (6.5 per 100,000) is in line with the national average (6.15 per 1000). (City-Data, 2014) Pierce County offers many assets that empower the health of its residents. Among these are a large population of college-educated people with 90 percent of adults 25 years and older completing at least high school or obtaining a GED. Although 8 percent of residents are foreign born, more than 80 percent of these report speaking English fluently. The people of Pierce County have access to nature and local foods, including the nation’s largest crop of rhubarb. Strong faith communities with social outreach programs help neighbors in need. The community brims with people who are largely open-minded and access complementary care such as massage, acupuncture, and chiropractic adjustments is common. (Tacoma Pierce County Health Department, 2014) Community Diagnosis In my analysis of the data collected, it appears that Pierce County’s top three problems are access to mental health services, high rates of obesity, and access to quality health care. Access to mental health services A community that is mentally healthy is productive, enjoys fulfilling relationships with others in the community and is resilient through life’s challenges. Without it, even the healthiest body can fall into disrepair quickly. It’s no wonder then that mental illness is one of the most common causes of disability. The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that as many as one in every 17 people has a seriously debilitating mental illness. The good news is that mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders can be prevented. We know more about how the brain functions than ever before and current research indicates that greatest opportunity to prevent illness is to get people into treatment early and often. (Healthy People 2020, 2015) With Washington State’s dismal rankings in the availability of psychiatric beds and the high patient load of mental health care providers in the County, there is much work to be done. Healthy People 2020 goals state that 87 percent of primary care facilities should provide mental health treatment onsite or by paid referral. This goal represents a 10 percent improvement over the baseline rate of 79 percent in 2006. (Healthy People 2020, 2015) High rates of obesity Pierce County’s high rate of obesity is well above the national average and may be attributed to large number of food deserts, especially in urban areas. People who have healthy weights and access to fresh foods have lower rates of chronic disease and a higher quality of life. Addressing obesity is complex, however, and requires a multi-faceted approach. As with mental health, the most powerful interventions are aimed at prevention. According to Healthy People 2020, more than 10.4 percent of children ages two to five were considered obese in 2008. The 2020 goal is to reduce that number to 9.4 percent. (Healthy People 2020, 2015)One of the most cost effective ways to achieve that goal is to increase the number of children who are breastfed. A history of breastfeeding, especially exclusive breast milk feeding for the first six months, is associated with an estimated 40 percent reduction in childhood obesity. (AHRQ, 2009) Unfortunately, just  14.1 percent of infants born in 2006 achieved this. Healthy People 2020’s target is 25.5 percent. (Healthy People 2020, 2015) Access to quality healthcare Optimal health is not a state achieved without support, education and intervention. Ensuring that Pierce County residents get the help they need when they need it is a big part of preventing chronic disease, improving quality of life, and preventing unnecessary death. Some of the reasons people do not see a health care provider are they can’t find one, they can’t afford it, or they don’t have insurance coverage. The most recent data suggests that as many as 16 percent of County residents do not have health insurance. (Good Guide, 2011) According to Healthy People 2020, the national average is slightly higher at 16.8 percent. The objective is an ambitious one with 100 percent of individuals covered by private insurance or Medicaid/Medicare by 2020. (Healthy People 2020, 2015) According to Washington State’s Department of Public Health, there are approximately 543 providers in Pierce County including doctors, ARNPs, CNMs, and PAs. A little more than half of them report that they are accepting new Medicaid and Medicare patients. (Washington State Department of Public Health, 2011) Interestingly, Healthy People 2020 has yet to define specific goals for increasing the number of practicing providers in all areas. (Healthy People 2020, 2015) Primary Prevention Topic When John Snow, the â€Å"father of epidemiology,† was investigating cholera outbreaks in mid-nineteenth century London, the chief cause of unnecessary death was communicable disease. Today, chronic disease that damages the heart, pancreas, and lungs are more likely to kill than bacteria. A large contributor to hypertension, diabetes, and heart failure is obesity. In a society obsessed with weight loss and thinness, obesity rates in adults and even children are growing. Just as John Snow found the source of the disease that was claiming lives in his community, we must also find the source but it is unlikely to be in a solitary water pump in the middle of the city. Preventing obesity appears to be a life-long task best started at birth. The data demonstrate that increasing breastfeeding rates is a powerful tool in decreasing childhood obesity. Breastfeeding rates for older, educated and more affluent women are already at Healthy People 2020 targets but women who are young, have low levels of education and who are poor are more likely to never breastfeed and are extremely unlikely to continue to do so for six months. (Grummer-Strawn, Scanlon, Darling, Conrey, 2004) An organization in the community that helps low-income women establish and maintain breastfeeding is the Women, Infants, and Children Program. A team of peer counselors who have themselves struggled with issues common to low-income breastfeeding women including pumping in the workplace help new moms navigate a difficult terrain and provide their children with the best start in life. Area hospital-based birth centers are working toward or have already achieved certification as a Baby Friendly Hospital. This designation indicates that the facility employs evidence-based practice that lead to dramatic increases in breastfeeding rates. (DiGirolamo, Grummer-Strawn, Fein, 2008) Given that the problem of obesity is large in Pierce County, the rewards for reducing it great, and the interventions that are most likely to help are known and inexpensive, I am focusing my primary prevention topic on promoting breastfeeding as a means to reduce obesity in Pierce County. Bibliography AHRQ. (2009). Breastfeeding, Maternal Infant Health Outcomes. Retrieved January 22, 2015, from Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality: http://archive.ahrq.gov/clinic/tp/brfouttp.htm City-Data. (2014). PIerce County, WA. Retrieved January 16, 2014, from City-Data.com: http://www.city-data.com/county/Pierce_County-WA.html DiGirolamo, A., Grummer-Strawn, L., Fein, S. (2008). Effect of Maternity-Care Practices on Breastfeeding. Pediatrics , S43-S49. Family Renewal Shelter. (2014). About the family renewal shelter. Retrieved January 21, 2015, from Family Renewal Shelter: www.domesticviolencehelp.org/aboutfrs.html Good Guide. (2011). Good Guide. Retrieved January 17, 2014, from Score Card The Pollution Information Site: http://scorecard.goodguide.com/community/index.tcl?zip_code=98404set_community_zipcode_cookie_p=tx=11y=11 Grummer-Strawn, L., Scanlon, K., Darling, N., Conrey, E. (2004). Racial and Socioeconomic Disparities in Breastfeeding . Atlanta: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Healthy People 2020. (2015). Access to Health Services. Retrieved January 22, 2015, from Healthy People.gov: http://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topics-objectives/topic/Access-to-Health-Services Healthy People 2020. (2015). Maternal, Infant, and Child Health. Retrieved January 22, 2015, from Healthy People.gov: http://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topics-objectives/topic/maternal-infant-and-child-health/objectives Healthy People 2020. (2015). Mental Health and Mental Disorders. Retrieved January 2015, 2015, from HealthyPeople.gov: http://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topics-objectives/topic/mental-health-and-mental-disorders Healthy People 2020. (2015). Nutrition and Weight Status. Retrieved January 22, 2015, from Healthy People 2020: http://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topics-objectives/topic/nutrition-and-weight-status/objectives League of Women Voters Pierce County. (2013, December 11). Introduction to services for the seriously mentally ill in Pierce County . Retrieved January 18, 2015, from National Alliance for the Mentally Ill Pierce County: http://www.lwvwa.org/tacoma/pdfs/Mental%20Health%20Report%20from%20November%202013%20Unit%20Meetings%20%205%20pgs.pdf NAMI Pierce County. (2015). Welcome to the NAMI of Pierce County Web Site. Retrieved January 21, 2015, from NAMI Pierce County: http://www.namipierce.org/ Patamia, K. (2015, January 16). Windshield Survey of Pierce County. (K. Patamia, Interviewer) Pierce County Department of Emergency Management. (2010). Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment. Retrieved January 17, 2015, from Pierce County Emergency Management: http://www.co.pierce.wa.us/DocumentCenter/View/7032 PPGNW. (2015). Who We Are. Retrieved January 21, 2015, from Planned Parenthood of the Great Northwest: http://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-great-northwest/who-we-are Simpson. (2014). Environment. Retrieved January 17, 2015, from Simpson Company: http://www.simpson.com/Environment.aspx Snob Hollow Designs. (2014). County Maps of Washington. Retrieved January 17, 2014, from County Maps of Washington: http://www.countymapsofwashington.com/pierce.shtml Tacoma Pierce County Health Department. (2015). Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children. Retrieved January 21, 2015, from Health and Wellness: http://www.tpchd.org/health-wellness-1/wic-nutrition-program/ Tacoma Pierce County Health Department. (2014, August). Pierce County Community Health Improvement Plan. Retrieved January 15, 2015, from Pierce County Community Health Improvement Plan: http://www.tpchd.org/files/library/474287fe72cf69af.pdf Tacoma Rescue Mission. (2015). Rescue Mission. Retrieved January 21, 2015, from About Us: http://www.rescue-mission.org/aboutus University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute. (2014). County Health Rankings and Roadmaps. Retrieved January 17, 2014, from Washington Pierce County: http://www.countyhealthrankings.org/app/washington/2014/rankings/pierce/county/outcomes/overall/snapshot US Census Bureau. (2014, December 4). State and County Quick Facts. Retrieved January 16, 2013, from United States Census Bureau: http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/53/53053.html Washington State Department of Public Health. (2011, July). Primary Care Provider Survey: Pierce County. Retrieved January 22, 2015, from Office of Community Health Systems: http://www.doh.wa.gov/Portals/1/Documents/Pubs/689048.pdf YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties. (2014). About Us. Retrieved January 21, 2015, from YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties: http://www.ymcapkc.org/about-us/

Investing In The Future :: essays research papers fc

Investing in the Future Welfare and school reform are two of the most widely discussed issues in politics today. Many people are calling for reduction or elimination welfare programs as well as programs that provide breakfast and lunch at schools. They argue that people should be able to provide for themselves and their children with minimal government assistance, and spending other people's tax dollars to assist the less fortunate only makes the problem worse. The main problem with this line of thinking is that it forgets about the children involved. Children have no control over what family they are born into. Many are born into situations, such as single parent families, where the families have no way of giving their children a good chance of developing into healthy, well adjusted adults. Something must be done to break this cycle, because besides helping children to develop to their full potential, government assistance "saves society the costs incurred when intellectually and socially impaired children grow up to be intellectually and socially impaired adults"(Collins 59). The need for some sort of assistance for many children became obvious to me on a volunteer project I did in high school. The summer after my junior year I took a trip to San Antonio with about twenty other students. We were divided between two different projects, and I went to work in a summer day-care program in an underprivileged area. The day-care was for children aged infant to eighteen, and on an average day about 175 children would come through. They only had two full time workers, and relied on volunteer groups that came through about once or twice a month to help them. They used to have more workers, but lacked the funding necessary to keep anyone on permanently. Many of the children were dropped off before the center opened at 8:00 in the morning, and the meals they received at the center were the only meals they got all day. Almost all the children showed a great need for attention and affection. It was this experience that made me realize that many children grow up without a real chance at a decent life. Helping children early is crucial. Much research has been done recently on early childhood development, and there is much evidence that there are windows of learning for the development of vision, feelings, language and other things. A window of learning means that there is a certain period of time in child development when the brain "demands certain types of input in order to create or stabilize certain long-lasting structures"(Nash 53). This type of

Allied Office Products Essay

It seems that customers such as A are more profitable for Allied at the moment, using Service-Based-Costing. According to the service-based costing, Customer A achieved a 23.81% profit margin, while customer B achieved a profit margin of -.38%. Using the old system, where overhead was not charged to the customer; both customers achieved a 16.67% margin. However, it is important to note that if Allied could price their products better, Customer B may be more profitable in the long run, due to their wide use of Allied’s offerings and products. Yes, because it more effectively allocates overhead to each customer and shows the true profitability of each customer. Additionally, this kind of system could provide Allied the leverage and possibility of charging more for their products and being more profitable in the long-run. Service-based-pricing, in Allied’s case may not be too expensive to implement as evidenced by the relative ease that it took myself to allocate costs to each customer. Building SBP pricing into Allied’s invoicing system could prove to be profitable in the long-run and can establish the true profitability of their operations.   The TFC business seems to be an important part of the industry chain. However, Allied’s problem is that its customers seem to take advantage of them, and they seem to be at the back-end of the client’s concerns. Evidence to this is the amount of old inventory that sits in Allied’s warehouses that companies do not utilize. If Allied’s business offering was a more comprehensive document management system or they became at the forefront of the client’s concerns, they could potentially push through some pricing increases and gain some pricing power that way. Additionally, extra services like Desktop delivery end up costing their clients more than their apparent usefulness, especially given company B’s usage of only 26 of these per anum. Additionally, a more effective inventory control system, ie an  SAP solution to their accounting and distribution services, could make Allied more cost effective and eliminate the need for certain data-entry tasks. An online tool or RFID chip usage could greatly boost their business potential.

Lemon Law Essay

Your car is most important asset, that is expected to lasts years on the road, giving you a great feeling of independent, to go everyway and anyway you want without being held back by anything, but it’s not expected that your car will break down the day after it is bought. Yet, there is a faulty car out there that just does not work as it should. It is seems perfect at first, you make it out of the showroom and onto the highway, then you find yourself on the side of the road, smoke coming from under the hood and you are wondering to yourself, â€Å"What happened? The car is new, this shouldn’t happen†, well that is the lemon for you. The only car in history that acts the same way as a paper boat in a lake; it sails for a while then begins to sink. Fortunately, there is a law that has been set into moment to protects you, the valued consumer from these defective vehicles. Under this law you are entitled to a number reimbursement just because of this one car. This law has been around for a while but, have you ever heard of the Lemon Law? If you ask anyone on the street- â€Å"Exactly what is the Lemon Law? † they might say the lemon law protects them if they purchase a faulty car—which is right, in the simplest form. Many people would find is rather difficult to say or not if this law does exist or if this law has been exploited by many others. Well Lemon Law does indeed exist and it’s used pretty commonly to protect the consumer who have found and bought a defective motorized vehicle, electronics, boats and other products that are defective by nature. Vehicle Lemon Law varies from state to state, but in essence it covers you if you should find yourself tied to a defective car, SUV, truck or other motor vehicles. The definition of a â€Å"lemon† vehicle is any vehicle that continuously fails to meets those standards of its intended function. But, to our surprise this law does not just cover cars. Hearing aids, other assistive devices, MP3 players and other electronics, and pets are covered by lemon laws, as long as the item goes against it true purpose. There is a federal warranty law (the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act) that protects all U. S. citizens. Some state lemon laws may not cover used cars and trucks or leased vehicles, only new cars. State laws, such as the California lemon laws, cover anything mechanical on the vehicle, and the federal law covers the same thing. If you bought a lemon vehicle, you could be entitled to your money back or a replacement vehicle. You may even win a cash settlement depending on your situation and if the faulty vehicle caused you any harm. Besides the homes we rent or buy, our cars are some of the most significant investments that we will ever make in life. It’s not always easy to get the resources needed to buy a new (or new to us) vehicle. For this reason, buying a car just to have it break down on you can be frustrating and very disappointing. If your vehicle isn’t living up to what is listed in the warranty, chances are that you purchased a lemon. If you suspect that you may have purchased a lemon, the first thing to do is check out what the lemon law is in your state. Lemon laws vary from state to state. Your law should lay out just what the criteria are for a car or other product to be classified as a lemon. After researching your state’s law, if you find that your car can be considered a lemon, the next thing to do is notify the seller or dealership. In most cases, the law requires that the car be fixed up to warranty standards after it has been deemed the responsibility of the manufacturer. Many sellers will shirk responsibility. In this case, it may be necessary to take the lemon law issue to a court of law. If that happens, it’s a good idea to hire a lemon law attorney to help you win your case. Keep in mind that your vehicle or other product must still be covered by the warranty. Once the warranty has expired, winning the complaint about your lemon is next to impossible. Even if your claim is valid, the manufacturer may do everything in their power to disprove your claim. Clear and consistent documentation of related vehicle issues is a must! In some states, you’re at more of a disadvantage with lemon law arbitration than with other states. Certain states back you up pretty well with their lemon law. California is a good example of that. Other states, such as Georgia, may not be the best states for filing a lemon law lawsuit. Buying a car, or any product for that matter, should be an exciting time, not one of disappointment and frustration! If you feel like you may have purchased a lemon, check the laws in your state. From there, you may want to look into hiring a lemon law lawyer. Regardless of what state you reside in, many people have purchased lemons in the past, and many people have been very angry about it, which is why the lemon law was created. Each state’s specifics are different though. In some states you’ll find that this law only covers cars, and in others you will find that it covers cars and motorcycles, while in other states you’ll find that it covers all types of vehicles, including recreational vehicles (RVs, or motor homes), all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), used autos, boats, appliances, computers, wheelchairs, hearing aids, live animals/pets, and now even regular houses! Whichever state you reside in, you’ll find that some kind of lemon law coverage is available for you to take advantage of. If you do buy a vehicle that you consider a lemon, you do not have to suffer in silence. You have legal recourse, and there are people who are willing to help you get the justice that you deserve. Lemon Law- the cause maybe sour, but the rewards are sweet.

Heart of darkness 6

Heart of darkness 6 Comparative Essay between Heart of Darkness and Apocalypse Now The ties between Joseph Conrad's book, Heart of Darkness and Francis Coppola's movie, Apocalypse Now are unmistakable. Apocalypse Now's accuracy in following the story line of the Heart of Darkness is amazing although the settings of each story are from completely different location and time periods. From the jungle of the Congo in Africa to the Nung river in Vietnam, Joseph Conrad's ideals are not lost. In both the book and the movie, the ideas of good and evil, whiteness, darkness, and racism are apparent. Also, characterization in both the novel and the movie are very similar.Both The Heart of Darkness and Apocalypse Now examine the good and evil in humans. In The Heart of Darkness, Marlow speaks of Fresleven who was killed in a fight with some natives. The argument between Fresleven and the natives was over some chickens, and Fresleven felt he had been ripped off in the deal.James Hardie Jr. and wife, Rev. Willard (L OC)Marlow describes Fresleven as "the gentlest, quietest creature that ever walked on two legs."(p. 13 Conrad) However, later in the same paragraph Marlow says,"he probably felt the need at last of asserting his self-respect in some way. Therefore he whacked the old nigger mercilessly."(p. 13 Conrad) Soldiers in combat are forced to bring the evil within themselves out every time they go into battle. The scene in Apocalypse Now where Captain Willard first meets Lt. Colonel Kilgore exhibits the power combat has in bringing out the dark side in humans. The attitude the soldiers have towards their enemy in the scene shows how evil humans can be. Kilgore demonstrates his dark side when he tosses the "death cards" on to the bodies of the dead Vietcong without showing any remorse over the death of fellow humans. The Vietcong...

Steps for Strong Time Management for College Students

Steps for Strong Time Management for College Students Within the first few days of starting college, many students quickly learn that managing their time is one of the most challenging and difficult aspects of being in school. With so much to do and keep track of, strong time management skills can make all the difference. Get and Use a Calendar It can be a paper calendar. It can be your cell phone. It can be a PDA. It can be a bullet journal. No matter what kind it is, though, make sure you have one. Write Down Everything Write down everything in one place. (Having multiple calendars just gives you more to do amidst an already tight schedule.) Schedule when you plan to sleep, when you are going to do your laundry, and when youre going to call your parents. The crazier your schedule gets, the more important this becomes. Schedule Time to Relax Dont forget to schedule in time to relax and breathe. Just because your calendar goes from 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. doesnt mean you can. Keep Trying New Systems If your cell phone calendar isnt big enough, buy a paper one. If your paper one keeps getting torn, try a PDA. If you have too many things written down each day, try color-coding to help simplify. Very few college students make it through their programs without some kind of calendaring system; keep trying until you find one that works for you. Allow for Flexibility Things inevitably come up that you werent expecting. You may not have known that your roommates birthday is this week, and you certainly dont want to miss the celebrations! Leave room in your calendar so that you can move things around a little when needed. Plan Ahead Do you have a large research paper due the last week of the semester? Work backward in your calendar and figure out how much time you need to write it, how much time youll need to research it, and how much time youll need to pick your topic. If you think youll need six weeks for the entire project, work backward from the due date and schedule the time into your calendar before its too late. Plan for the Unexpected Sure, you just might be able to pull off two papers and a presentation during midterms week. But what happens if you catch the flu the night youre supposed to be pulling the all-nighter? Expect the unexpected so you dont have to spend more unplanned time trying to fix your mistakes. Schedule Rewards In Your midterms week is a nightmare, but it will all be over Friday by 2:30. Schedule a fun afternoon and a nice dinner out with some friends; your brain will need it, and you can relax knowing that youre not supposed to be doing anything else.

Social smoking Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Social smoking - Essay Example Despite that, 21% of adults, 22% of high school students and 8% of middle school students smoke. One in five of all deaths every year in the United States have been credited to smoking, killing more than AIDS, suicide, alcohol, car accidents, homicide, and illegal drugs combined (American Cancer Society, 2004). Smoking socially has become a problem for the social smokers as it has been found that these social smokers are at the same health risks as are the regular smokers. The tobacco companies use the aspect of social smoking to increase their sales which is discussed subsequently. Smoking socially makes it difficult for a smoker to quit even on occasions. These social smokers tend to smoke only when they are in some kind of gathering or party. The social smokers never tend to agree to the fact that they are addicted to nicotine. Most of the social smokers are seen to have started smoking socially in their high school. A social smoker Vickie from New York was stated as saying "If Ià ¢â‚¬â„¢m out drinking, or hanging out with people who are smoking, then I usually get the urge to smoke" (Hainer 2008). People who smoke socially face difficulties in quitting because of various reasons. It has been found that these people do not usually have withdrawal symptoms like regular smokers but they don’t to have a temptation because of which they smoke. After remaining in a company in which individuals smoke a social smoker gets the urge of smoking automatically (Pope 2008). The social smokers do not tend to smoke because of their withdrawal symptoms but rather smoke to induce the psychoactive effect of nicotine. This means that these social smokers are addicted in a similar fashion that the regular smokers are. One of the social smokers stated when asked about quitting â€Å"It’s been difficult† (Hainer 2008). Another reason because of which the social smokers find it difficult to quit is the reason that the friends urge them to smoke every now and th en. Whenever a person is present at an occasion he is tempted by his friends to smoke and this makes it difficult for him to smoke. Moreover the social circle of the smokers also matters because of which the smoker is tempted to smoke. For social smokers to quit it is necessary that they realize the danger that they are facing because of their habits but in real life scenarios it is seen that these social smokers are in a state of denial. The social smokers never agree to the fact that they are addicted to smoking in one way or the other and categorize themselves in the class of non smokers. These are primary reasons because of which the social smokers are in a difficulty to quite the habit of smoking (Schane et al 2009). The tobacco industry has used the platform of social smoking to increase their sales from the very early years. The industry is believed to have been conducting research in the field of smoking earlier than the health professionals which has helped them to increase their sales. Social smoking has been used by the companies as it is the best way through which they can attract a consumer towards the cigarettes (Landman et al 2008). The tobacco companies use social smoking by creating an image for the ciggarrete brands. This brand image refers to a specific crowd or cliques who are involved in social

The language of health informatics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The language of health informatics - Essay Example of uniform terminology, coding and standardization of the data; and†¨4) various information standards and organizations that may be applicable, and possibly required, for this project. †¨Ã¢â‚¬ ¨ Several types of databases can be used in informatics. According to Crawford (2010), there are five types of databases that can be used in informatics: flat file databases, hierarchical databases, network databases, object orientated databases, and relational databases (p. 1). Database characteristics should be such, that, when employed throughout the hospitals and various centers, make sense for that center. For example, it doesn’t make much sense if one organization is using a flat file database when what it really needs is a program that addresses hierarchical management techniques. If the idea or end goal is to have uniformity, then the same databases should ideally be chosen in order to manage everything. This will ensure that all of the organizations within the scope of the project are working in coordination with one another. There are several types of medical data. According to Types of Medical Data (2010), there is â€Å"narrative textual data (HPI, social/family Hx, general review of systems, failure to thrive); numerical measurements (lab results, vital signs, and measurements); recorded signals (e.g., ECG, graphical tracing); and pictures (e.g., radiologic images, sketches)† (p. 1). How all of this information is entered into the computer depends, again, upon the program(s) that will be used. As such, it might be a good idea for the committee to vote on which type of program(s) they would like to see implemented when given a choice amongst programs, given the information they will be given about the field of informatics. Obviously, whatever information that is inputted into the system must be standardized. In that sense, whatever program that is chosen by the committee should be chosen carefully and with national and international standards in mind

Poor Interpersonal Skills Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Poor Interpersonal Skills - Essay Example The action plan to deal with the situation is to have a personal meeting with Bethany to address the issue. I must come prepared with evidence of the problem including employee complaints, a periodical evaluation of her performance, and any other source documents to establish a pattern of her inability to communicate effectively. In the meeting I should reiterate to Bethany that the company believes in her abilities as a professional in the accounting field, but that it is imperative for her to improve certain aspects of her behavior at work particularly those associated with her interpersonal abilities. As a manager Bethany now has more responsibilities and the firm expects more out of her. In the meeting I will tell Bethany that her job is not at risk and that an action is going to be created to remedy the situation. After the initial meeting I will arrange another meeting in two weeks to provide an action plan for Bethany to improve her communication skills. I will seek the assist ance of the human resource department in this matter.

Research into Independent University Learning

Research into Independent University Learning Hazel Christie, Paul Barron and Norma D Annunzio-Green published an article Direct entrants in transition: becoming independent learners in Studies in Higher Education, 2013. It examines students who have come from College having undertaken one or two years of equivalent education, then transitioned directly into a second or third year of a degree in University. Information was taken from direct entry students in their first year of study at University identifying what factors helped them succeed in studies. It identified that students who adjust quickly to new education environments understand what independent learning entails. The challenge for direct entrant students is adjusting to the different learning environment at the university level, where students are required to function considerably more independently than they are used to at college.   A critical factor of success is the ability to be flexible in adapting to new learning environments and adopting the attributes of an independent learner.   Other characteristics of success are students concepts of assessment and time management. Not only understanding the contents and required format prove challenging for students, but also managing their time effectively to allow for sufficient preparation and timely submission of assessment items is vital for academic success. This study was undertaken by Edinburgh Napier University located in Scotland over the 2006-2007 years. The study was made up of sixteen women and four men of which, six entered the second year and fourteen entered third-year studies. Eleven took business studies with the rest undertaking other related courses. Twelve were mature aged, working part time and or raising families. Eight students pathway went through school, college then to university. Interviews were taped and then transcribed at the end of the first year, discussing previous learning environments and their perceptions and preparedness for studies. Information collected was on initial expectations of the new learning environment at the university, the extent to which their expectations were met, and issues around teaching and learning. The study found two key success factors in transitioning to university and becoming successful learners, coping and succeeding in module assessments, and good time management skills. Results identified three groups. Group one found transition reasonably smooth, the second found it hard to adjust, the third found it overwhelming and struggled to cope. The overall transition experience was challenging coming from structured and directed learning to independent learning. Group one were flexible and adapted quickly to the new learning style. They were confident and able to prioritise their time to separate study, work and family life. They believed this was imperative to their success. Students recognised the need to prepare for lectures and tutorials in advance, and the need for feedback on performance to critique themselves for self-improvement. The second group had high expectations but found difficulties in making the transition. They struggled with independent research, the conventions of essay writing, referencing and putting the material together. Students struggled to achieve a balance between their studies and other commitments. By putting things off they engaged in crisis management or adopted a do enough approach. Again, this group identified the need for independent learning and time management skills. They reflected on the need to improve on this if they wanted to be successful at university. The final group was struggling to understand independent learning and found it difficult to take ownership of their learning. They experienced crises which made some consider leaving. None were nervous about starting university, more so they struggled to adjust to university study. They had limited understanding of what independent learning demanded and struggled with time management, interlinking work, social and academic time. Expectations were, they would study the same way as in college, relying on lecturers to guide them and advise on reading material needed. Likewise, lecturers were not aware that they had direct entry students who were unaware what university required. Twenty students were interviewed about their experience of entering university directly from college into a second or third year of a university qualification. There was an assumption from the university that there would be a smooth transition, moving from one education framework to the next. Some students transitioned rapidly however others had difficulties with this transition. These students believed that support would continue, like what was provided at the college. Overall, students need to develop independent learning and time management skills to be successful in the transition to university. Universities need to identify and provide support to those students transitioning from college to university. Characteristics Time management Prior to commencing this course, I felt I was ready to study. I knew I would have trouble with chemistry and biology, but I believed I was ready. After the first week, I soon learnt I was wrong. I then drew up a study timetable and highlighted in different colours each course with lectures, tutorials and study. I utilised the semester planner and diary plotting my course timetable and assessment dates. On Sundays, I now print out the weeks PowerPoint presentations and go through these with study materials to support my learning prior to attending classes. With my prior work experience, I rapidly adapt to change. My family has started encroaching into my study schedule. I have since adjusted some of my study time to after the children are in bed.   I have found some lectures hard to follow, I now watch the recordings from Sippy Downs. I attend the recently introduced weekly consultation support for chemistry and biology to aid my learning. From discussions with co-students, I now utilise YouTube videos to assist my chemistry and biology learning. I have a weakness in writing, so I am using an online grammar spell checker Reverso. With these strategies in place, I have been successful in keeping a study family life balance. Preparedness for Classes The following information has supported my preparedness for classes. On my study wall, I have a timetable outlining lectures and tutorials. A weekly planner has been created setting out each course, highlighted in a different colour showing the day and times scheduled for lectures, tutorials and study. My weekly planner has been amended due to the need of additional time required for the study. This will be monitored and adjusted as changes are needed. A semester planner detailing due dates for each assessment and how they are to be submitted is also on the wall. I update my diary each week with each weeks classes and any additional information as it comes to hand. I attended the two-day skills workshop the week prior to studying studies and I have enrolled in upcoming skills workshops that are available throughout the semester. I have read the TPP101 Course Outline and I review it as we progress through the semester. I access Blackboard which has my e-lectures, quizzes, lecture recordings and PowerPoint presentations, assessment criteria and due dates. These materials are supporting my preparation for classes. The Task 2 Toolkit supports my preparation for not only each week leading up to the assessment submission date but also requirements for the upcoming assessment. The workbook is providing me with opportunities to practice and check on my understanding of key points. Going through these study materials has allowed me to prepare for the class as well as identify questions which can then be asked face to face at the lecture or tutorial.

Bop Music in the 1950s Essay -- Music

The Bop Beat The bebop revolution coincided with the birth of the Beat Generation. In a slightly unbalanced relationship, Beat writers often molded their poetics and style after the playing of such jazz music. "Jazz writers," such as Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg, upheld their poetic ideals to the techniques of jazz musicians, such as rhythm, improvisation, and call and response. The structure of creative writing underwent a change, as the importance of form equaled that of theme. Swing, the predecessor of bop, was big, sweet, and hot. The performers were big bands, fronted by a charismatic bandleader, yet the success of a piece depended mostly on the unity of the ensemble as a whole, rather than on the showcasing of prodigious individuals. The requisite instrument was the saxophone, which was often smooth and mellifluous. Songs were old favorites, or simple jazz standards, that had been arranged to suit a large ensemble. Swing bands played in large venues, such as ballrooms, and to large audiences, who seized the opportunity to not just tap their toes, but to "jump, jive, and wail." The swing era became the most popular form of jazz, as it catered to audiences as a form of social and interactive entertainment. So, bop can be seen as a reaction to the eventual sterilization and ubiquity of swing music. The first bop records were made by in 1944 by Coleman Hawkins experimenting with his swing band. Several individuals were instrumental in the propagation of this new form, such as Charlie "Bird" Parker (alto sax), Dizzy Gillespie (trumpet), Thelonious Monk (piano), Bud Powell (piano), Miles Davis (trumpet), and Charles Mingus (bass). The standard ensemble became a quintet, consisting of piano, bass, drums, reed instrument... ...ndiana University Press, 1991. Ginsberg, Allen. Howl and other poems. San Francisco: City Lights Books, 1997. _____________. Composed on the Tongue. Bolinas, Cal: Grey Fox Press, 1980. Jones, Morley. Jazz. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1980. Kerouac, Jack. Book of Blues. New York: Penguin Books, 1995. ___________. On the Road. New York: Penguin Books, 1975. ___________. "The Essentials of Spontaneous Prose." Casebook on the Beat. Thomas Parkinson, ed. New York: Thomas Y. Cromwell Company, 1961. 65-67. Podhoretz, Norman. "The Know-Nothing Bohemians." Casebook on the Beat. Thomas Parkinson, ed. New York: Thomas Y. Cromwell Company, 1961. 204. Tallman, Warren. "Kerouac's Sound." Casebook on the Beat. Thomas Parkinson, ed. New York: Thomas Y. Cromwell Company, 1961. 220-221. Waters, Kristen. "Pandering to Publishers." Sequel. Vol. 10 (1998): 61.

Procrastination Abstract Essay

Studies show that most students are academic procrastinators, they tend to wait for the last moment before submitting or finishing their school related tasks.   Analysts divided these students into two groups, the positive procrastinators and the negative procrastinators.   Positive procrastinators are those students who wait for the last moment to submit a work because they feel that the pressure of waiting for the last minute to do their work gives brings them enjoyment and makes them more productive, while negative procrastinators wait for the last minute because they are lazy or they lack the motivation. Contemporary analysts believe that most students belong to the latter.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The position of modern day behavioral analysts is erroneous.   Positive procrastination among students is the norm not the exception. Contrary to the common notion that negative procrastination is prevalent among the student population, the truth of the matter is that students are more prone to positive procrastination.   Procrastination among students is more attributed to their belief that they perform better under pressure rather than their laziness or lack of focus.

Critical sommentary on London and Jerusalem by William Blake Essay

The poetry of William Blake is well known for its metaphysical language and profound symbolism. In his two poems, entitled â€Å"London† and â€Å"Jerusalem† his use of these techniques, alongside many others, is crucial in his portrayal of the corruptive tendencies of man and his perspective on religion and England during the Industrial Revolution. Throughout these poems Blake reveals his strong dislike for the Industrial Revolution and its effect on London, expressed particularly in his poem â€Å"London†. His poem â€Å"Jerusalem† focuses very much so on the natural beauty of England and religion in England. Blake, much like many Romantic poets, bases his writings on emotion rather than intellect. This is evident throughout these poems as Blake appeals to the senses and stirs readers to question their resolve with regards to England and its natural beauty. The poem â€Å"London† by William Blake begins with a cynical portrayal of the authority figures during the Romantic era, these being the church and the King. This is evident in Blake’s use of the word â€Å"chart’d† which implies that the â€Å"streets† and â€Å"Thames† are owned by the state, exposing the oppressive nature of capitalism in England during this era, this also proposes that nature is controlled by the wealthy. A Marxist reading of this shows the relationship between the Church or King and the land over which they rule, portraying the capital power as the bourgeoisie and their land and people on it as the proletariat. Blake continues to communicate to the reader the effect of this oppression in the line, â€Å"Marks of weakness, marks of woe. † This depicts the sadness and helplessness of the people of London. The poem is dark and gothic which is evident in Blake’s use of the words, â€Å"manacles†, â€Å"blights† and â€Å"plagues†. The use of this language aids in his depiction of a corrupt society. The beat of the poem is repetitive; this also emphasizes the constant pressures placed upon society. Throughout the next two stanzas there is a strong sense of discontent and subjugation shown in the line, â€Å"The mind-forg’d manacles I hear. † This accentuates the churches and or the king’s control over the minds of man, once again exploiting the corruptive nature that is brought about by authority and power. The values of the Christian church are challenged as Blake exposes the many flaws of the church and its corruptive tendencies. As a contemporary reader it is evident still to this day that England, the mother country, is still ever-changing and very much so industrialized, as in Blake’s era. The church is a symbol for salvation, hope and refuge though Blake presents the church as corrupt, oppressive and controlling; this challenges the values of many contemporary readers and those of Blake’s era. Evident in the line, â€Å"Every black’ning Church appalls;†. This line also portrays the church as not completely corrupt, rather, slowly â€Å"black’ning† or becoming corrupt. In the last stanza Blake proposes that marriage is an end to freedom as shown in, â€Å"And the blights with plagues the Marriage hearse†. Marriage, commonly takes place in a church, again this is associated with the controlling and oppressive nature of the church during the Romantic period. The use of archaic language in this poem adds to its gothic nature and aids in creating a short and sharp beat throughout the poem, the use of the â€Å"ABCB† rhyming pattern is simplistic and repetitive creating an atmosphere of continuity. In Blake’s poem entitled â€Å"Jerusalem† the persona questions the theory that Jesus was once in England as a child this is supported by the first stanza, â€Å"And did those feet in ancient time Walk upon England’s mountains green? And was the holy Lamb Of God On England’s pleasant pastures seen? † Blake utilizes a somber tone throughout the poem as he is discussing his own country in a seemingly patriotic manner. The poem is full of metaphor which aids in Blake’s representation of the church as an ever changing authority. In the line, â€Å"Among these dark satanic mills† Blake could be referring to the Industrial revolution or the universities and churches during the Romantic period which would repress the minds of society and corrupt. Throughout the poem Blake makes constant reference to England’s beauty, this contrasts to the â€Å"dark satanic mills†, the â€Å"bow of burning gold† and the â€Å"chariot of fire† which is all manmade, Blake is juxtaposing the natural beauty of England with its industrial capabilities. In the third and fourth stanza Blake uses numerous metaphors to emphasize his fight against the clergy this is evident in the lines, â€Å"Bring me my spear! O clouds, unfold! † and â€Å"I shall not cease in mental fight, Till we have built Jerusalem In England’s green and pleasant land. † The persona plans to kill or rebel, in the name of God in order to build his Jerusalem in England. This is much like Blake’s â€Å"London† as both poems exploit the church and authority as corrupt, though in the poem â€Å"Jerusalem† Blake discusses his struggle to fight against this conformity and oppression. London and Jerusalem both describe Blake’s home, England. In London, situated not too far from Blake’s home, a place of corruption, death and depression is exposed whilst in Jerusalem Blake portrays England as a beautiful country, one which however lacks guidance and through Christ, Blake seeks this guidance and will not rest until Jerusalem has been built â€Å"In England’s green and pleasant land. Throughout both poems Blake shows his strong dislike of the Industrial revolution and its effect on England, focusing on London. Blake akin to change throughout his life, portrays, through his two poems the changes occurring in his life and that of many other people and how these changes affect the inhabitants of the world and the world its self.