Americans
Against Abusive Probate Guardianship is a grassroots organization that
was formed by victims of exploitation and abuse of our loved ones in
order to advocate for and achieve significant fundamental change in our
legal system, and particularly in the probate court where all abusive
guardianships begin.
Our
first 18 months of existence has taught us that the expectation of
every American that justice prevails in our society is simply a fantasy.
We have learned the hard way that freedom is not free, but it is worth
fighting for. Our loved ones and our families have a right to expect
the all important guaranteed protections of the Constitution and state
statutes. Those protections have been violated by the predatory
for-profit guardianship system. It is now your responsibility and our
responsibility to reclaim the rights that all of us have been guaranteed
by the Constitution, both federally and in the state. We have the
obligation to build on what those that have preceded us have attempted
to do with limited success.
We
have formed this grassroots organization for the purpose of influencing
the direction our country and our state is taking via grassroots
legislative advocacy. we have the advantage of operating as a
not-for-profit 501(c)(3) company which allows us the formality of
recognition and the ability to raise funds more easily.
Most groups like this will fail. I hope that is not our fate.
In order to succeed, there are three basic keys necessary:
1) Structure. There
needs to be a leader and there needs to be officers. Each must have a
clear role and function to play but also collaborate closely together
for a grassroots organization to function.
- Manager/Leader: Manages the leadership team and gives directives and stability to the group. When it comes to grassroots advocacy, this person is also akin to Chief Firefighter as they are the first person called upon to put out brushfires within the organization should they ignite. I volunteer to continue in this capacity for the coming year.
- Communications Manager: Manages communications to grassroots activists and conducts PR for the organization and the campaigns. This person is the mouthpiece and should be called upon as the first point of contact. we need a volunteer or nomination
- Grassroots Manager: Organizes and leads the activists and their teams. This person provides support to the activists as they seek to engage in public policy, and is there “go to” person for questions, answers, and guidance. we need a volunteer or nomination
- Researcher: This is the gopher. Never seen but always there, their role is to dig up information and get it to the rest of the leadership team to review and compile into Calls to Action, Press Releases, Blogs, Facebook posts, and everything in between.we need a volunteer or nomination
- Liaison: Builds coalitions and brings people into the fold. The goal of the liaison is to increase the size of the advocacy organization and campaign by attracting new people and new ideas into the advocacy efforts. Should the organization wish, this person can also be called upon to build coalitions with other like minded groups to increase the size and scope of all the groups involved. we need a volunteer or nomination
2) Mission. Any
advocacy group and campaign needs to have a clear mission and a defined
purpose. This may seem obvious, but many groups form simply because
they’re unhappy with something. They want to get involved, but don’t
know why. Making the mission clear to all involved makes it easier to
keep everyone interested and focused. You may think no one ever reads
the “mission statement,” but that’s not true. That mission statement is
important as it provides focus and direction for you to follow.
our mission statement is:
"AAAPG
has the goal of eliminating the abuse and exploitation of vulnerable
citizens by the "for profit guardianship industry". By any legitimate
means possible, AAAPG endeavors to
- educate elected and appointed officials as well as the general public about abuse and exploitation in guardianships,
- to bring about more effective oversight mechanisms in guardianship,
- to ensure that courts follow existing statutes and probate rules and
- where appropriate to promote reform legislation.
3) Big and Small Goals. Many
advocacy groups set broad goals at the outset of a campaign, but don’t
set minor goals to meet along the way. The result is that many fail. By
setting small goals that are attainable along the way, it gives your
organization and the campaign participants small steps to take towards
the finish line. The result? You keep your members interested, morale
remains high, and goals soon become accomplishments.
Short term goals:
Increase membership to every possible victimized family
Identify and Collaborate with like minded organizations
Produce one major media expose in the next 3 months
Secure representation by at least one pro bono lawyer in the next month
Dr. Sam J. Sugar
Aventura FL 33180
855 91 ELDER (855 913 5337)
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