Tuesday, December 24, 2019

Report Proposal - 1923 Words

MEMORANDUM To: Information Manager Office (ATTN: Mr. Black) August 18, 2003 FROM: Operations (ATTN: Theodore Robinson) DATE: August 18, 2003 SUBJECT: REPORT PROPOSAL TO FAMILIARIZE PERSONNEL WITH THE COMPANY S COMPUTER SYSTEM AND LAN This report is in response to the various security and maintenance problem this company has experiencd over years. I propose to study the problem and develop a baseline defense in handling procedures for personnel using computers and the local area network (LAN). My proposal, written for Information Management Office and staff, will cover these areas: 1. An assessment of the problem and the need for this report 2. The proposed plan is covered in phases outlining an†¦show more content†¦5. Users not conducting virus scans on software and data files before loading them on to their assigned computer Most maintenance and security problems are occurred due to lack of guidance. Personnel assigned to the company are unaware of the many variables that effect one of the company s primary forms of communication, both external and internal. Needs The lack of guidance for use of computers and the LAN is contributing to the requirement for excessive maintenance of the company s hardware, software and LAN. By addressing this problem immediately, we can prevent hackers from interdicting the company LAN, set a baseline for the company information security plan, and alleviate unscheduled maintenance on network infrastructure. Scope The proposed plan includes a detailed assessment of the methods, costs and materials, personnel requirements, feasibility, and expected results. II. Body Proposed Plan. 1. Phases of the Plan: a. Informing all employees, on the Proper Use of Computers and LAN: First, the Information Management Officer (IMO) must inform users of the maintenance and security problems. We will demonstrate the staff interest by sending out an email to all employees and posting information on the bulletin board. In an effort to give employees a better understanding of why the checklist is being implemented, we will postShow MoreRelated Business Report Proposal Essay1678 Words   |  7 PagesBusiness Report Proposal I. Introduction: Statement of Problem. In 2003, the company experienced a major increase of problems with the Local Area Network (LAN). The LAN downtime has double from previous years. There’s also an increase of maintenance problem with computers systems this includes hardware and software. Some user’s have acquired the authority to load there own software on their system, this has attributed to some user’s purchasing or borrowing software from unimprovedRead MoreConcept Proposal Report Essay2605 Words   |  11 PagesConcept Proposal Report MARK2313-2010-Y Brand Management Tutor: Lynn Stainsby Student name: Xuefang Geng Student ID number: P09011557 Submission date: 16 March, 2010 Contents Introduction 2 1. Product description 3 2. Brand Equity Analysis 3 2.1 Brand name 3 2.2 Brand image 4 2.3 Brand awareness Brand-added value 5 2.4 Image Transfer 5 3. Marketing Plan 6 3.1 Market Gap and Competitors’ Performance 6 3.2 Market segmentation, positioningRead MoreHow Does It Work?1291 Words   |  6 Pagesbudget for the following year. GET ADVICE NOW The self-employed IVA proposal After collecting details of your finances and assessing your situation, we will refer you to our associated company PayPlan Bespoke Solutions Limited, who specialise in setting up self-employed IVAs. They will offer to meet you in person to go through your debt solution options and discuss your business cash-flow. You don’t have to agree to this proposal but it’s a good chance to ask any questions about your financial situationRead MoreDonna Dubinsky and Apple Computer Case Study Essay1656 Words   |  7 PagesDonna Dubinsky and Apple Computer, Inc. Report of Findings and Recommendations Prepared By: Robin Armstrong Table of Contents Background and Scope 3 Current Scenario 4 Situation Analysis 6 Conclusions and Recommendations 8 Background and Scope This report has been prepared for Professor XXX. This report summarizes the complete review of Donna Dubinsky’s career at Apple Computer as the Director of Distribution and Sales Administration and the proposed distributionRead MoreFormal Research vs Business Proposal Essay778 Words   |  4 PagesResearch vs. Business Proposals Comparing and contrasting any business proposal can be a little confusing when there is little to no knowledge of what either of the proposal really stands for or mean. Every business has the opportunity for change or to seek change. These business environments are potential projects that intermingled with the start of a new product. Depending on the company or organization’s focus, will determine which proposal is best to provideRead MoreDe Havilland Inc. Case Report Essays1463 Words   |  6 PagesDe Havilland Inc. Case Report Date of submission: February 2, 2010 Executive Summary: Marton’s suitability as a Vendor for De Havilland must first prove that its proposal is realistic in price and does not lack any important elements to efficiently supply the flap shrouds and equipment bay doors to De Havilland. Once that is clarified, De Havilland must ensure that Marton’s is a viable entity that can perform its duties on a long term basis, provide the necessary warranties and guaranteesRead MoreThe Prevalence Of Childhood Obesity1678 Words   |  7 Pagesindividual or component constituent. There is a specific deadline date, in which proposed policy statements would need to be submitted electronically to the Joint Policy Committee at APHA s national office. There will be no exceptions to any late proposals. In the proposed policy statement, it should be able to introduce an objective summary of a recognized public health problem in a simple and clear content, while still effectively using references to show justification for the action called forRead MoreCommunication Styles Between Men And Men966 Words   |  4 Pagesaccurate in today’s society, I did some research and observation in the San Francisco Bay Area. And I found that most of Tannen s theories are still accurate today, but some are not. In the section â€Å"Fighting for Friendship† the author Deborah Tannen reports that American boys build up their friendship through aggressive activates. Men see the conflict an important way to make connections with the others. She gives an example of the male students in the University of Michigan and Michigan State UniversityRead MoreThe City Of Glendale City Council Meeting1189 Words   |  5 Pagesfor approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes. Several policy proposals were made and discussed in this particular meeting. This paper is aimed at discussing the various policy proposals made and debated at this meeting with a view to establishing whether they are acceptable or unacceptable to the Glendale electorate. It is, however, essential to provide a brief background of the City of Glendale before embarking on a discussion of policy proposals. The City of Glendale is located in Southern CaliforniaRead MoreApplication For An Expert Grant Writer1342 Words   |  6 PagesBasically, a proposal refers to the application managers used to request funding. The applications are published by the government funding, charitable organizations, agencies, businesses and other individuals. Indeed, a grant proposal writer should pursue the sponsor’s intention. An expert grant writer requires knowledge in various areas. Proposal writing skills are critical in an organization, an excellent grant writer should able to make a good research and connect the grant’s elements. The elements

Monday, December 16, 2019

Ethical Issues in Healthcare Free Essays

string(80) " emotional problems and depressive symptoms after abortion \(Rosenfeld, 1992\)\." ABSTRACT The aim of this essay was to explore the many ethical dimensions of contemporary healthcare in terms of abortion. Abortion rates in the UK have been reported, as has abortion globally as an increased method of population control. The reasons for abortion, are varied, including abortion as a contraceptive, attitudes to human life, and disability and eugenics, all of which have been discussed. We will write a custom essay sample on Ethical Issues in Healthcare or any similar topic only for you Order Now There is a clear need for the ethical implications of abortion to be addressed in relation to the thoughts, feelings and attitudes of healthcare professionals working with women either considering or opting for an abortion. INTRODUCTION A medical abortion has been defined by the National Abortion Federation (Dudley and Mueller, 2008) as a termination â€Å"that is brought about by taking medications that will end a pregnancy† (p.1). The NAF further clarify that, â€Å"The alternative is surgical abortion, which ends a pregnancy by emptying the uterus (or womb) with special instruments† (p. 1). Abortions are permitted under the Abortion Act 1967 (UK Government, 1967) by a registered medical practitioner subject to certain conditions. Research by the World Health Organization (WHO) suggests that abortion rates are steady, at 28 abortions per 1,000 women globally (Sedgh et al., 2008). A quarter of pregnant women in the world have either an unwanted birth or an abortion (Aguirre, 2007). In England and Wales, figures from the Department of Health (DH) show a slight rise of 0.3% in abortions, from 189,100 in 2009 to 189,574 in 2010 (DH, 2011). Almost half (49%) of the women opting for abortions in 2010 were in a partnership, while 26% were single, and 16% married (DH, 2011). The abortion rate in girls under 16-years of age was 4.0 in 2009, reducing to 3.9 in 2010 (DH, 2011). Rates for girls aged 15-19 years old were also lower in 2010 compared to 2009, although rates in women aged 30-37 years of age were higher. With such a large percentage of the population being subject to an abortion, many health professionals are confronted with the moral and ethical issues surrounding abortions. For example, according to Brody (1972), a woman should not consider the option of having an abortion when the foetus has developed biologically and genetically, into what is classed as a human being as opposed to a collection of cells. He maintains that this life, albeit in the early stages, has the same value as any other human life and therefore should be afforded the same rights. Whilst some pro-life groups or anti-abortion movements advocate that it is always inappropriate to have an abortion as it is ultimately not allowing the creation of a new human life (Harris, 1985, Schultz and Van Assendelft, 1999), a more open-minded view would be that a woman has the right to pursue an abortion (Warren, 2009). Indeed, it could be argued that each incidence and each woman should be measured on their own merit as to whether their actions contravened the foetus’ right to life and human rights. Another contrasting view would be to look at an abortion as a woman acting in self-defence in such instances whereby continuing with the pregnancy could or would damage health or even threaten the life of the woman (Warren, 2009; MacGuigan, 1994). Indeed, evidence supports the fact that where there is a â€Å"choice† between the continuation of a woman’s life or that of a foetus’, the woman’s body will instinctively act in self-preservation to the detriment and potential termination of the pregnancy. It is this type of incidence, in particular, that raises the need for the application of ethical theories. ETHICAL ISSUES IN ABORTION The relationship between abortion and contraception highlights its own ethical dilemma, which can shift the burden of responsibility from the pregnant woman to health professionals and those in authority. For example, studies conducted by Marston and Cleland (2003) reveal that abortion is not deliberately used as a method of contraception, but is more so used due to a lack of knowledge or understanding by the pregnant woman. Therefore, it is the obligation of policy-makers and healthcare professionals to ensure that information and contraception are readily available and easy to understand. This is essential in the empowerment of women, allowing them to take control of their lives and enabling them to take all possible measures against an unwanted pregnancy. Education is considered to be the easiest and most open non-invasive measure, which where necessary can be provided confidentially, obtained in private, and in some instances contact with a health centre or medical staff is not necessary. However, there will always be cases where an emergency or medical abortion is necessary, no matter how well informed or prepared a woman may be. Thus, contraception focuses on the importance of starting with and prioritising women’s needs regarding abortion concerns. In order to improve medical services, healthcare professionals need to ask questions about the level of knowledge the woman has about abortion, in addition to considering relevant ethical issues (International Consortium for Medical Abortion, ICMA, 2012). They must ensure that the woman has all the information regarding potential risks and problems, that measures to reduce levels of pain are implemented, and that the women is aware of what to expect prior, during and after the procedure (ICMA, 2012). Additional staffing is also necessary for the provision of more efficient medical services, as well as more empathetic and highly trained staff. Furthermore, those women who are considering an abortion must have their concerns and the circumstances surrounding their own ethical dilemmas addressed (Tremayne, 2000; Karasahin and Keskin, 2011). It has been argued by Rosenfeld (1992) that â€Å"healthy women who want to complete an unintended pregnancy in the first trimester have few significant or negative emotional consequences† (p. 137). Although a few women may have feelings of ambivalence or guilt, many also feel a sense of freedom and experience other positive reactions, including relief. However, the emotional response of a woman and her family to medical or therapeutic abortion is complicated. A number of factors may help address women at risk of emotional problems and depressive symptoms after abortion (Rosenfeld, 1992). You read "Ethical Issues in Healthcare" in category "Essay examples" Women who terminate their pregnancy during the second trimester, have a history of multiple abortions, have pre-existing psychiatric problems or have a lack of support at home are more likely to have emotional problems (Rosenfeld, 1992). By being aware of this, health professionals can implement the appropriate pre- and pos t-abortion care. This is also the case for women who have an abortion for medical or genetic reasons. These women are at increased risk of developing depressive symptoms and therefore health professionals are required to provide the appropriate psychological as well as medical support (Boss, 1994). Blumberg et al. (1975) explains, â€Å"Perhaps the role of decision making and the responsibility associated with selective abortion explains [sic] the more serious depression following [the abortion]† (p. 805). Medical ethics related to abortion are most relevant when they focus on the individuals choosing to have an abortion, as opposed to just health professionals carrying out the abortion or treating the aftermath. To this end, a philosopher, focusing on medical ethics can play a vital role in exposing problems which exist within hospitals.There is an enormous demand for philosophers within the healthcare setting, suggesting a common ethical, moral and social viewpoint that could facilitate advice-giving to health professionals (Polaino Lorente, 2009). International Ethical Codes In the Hippocratic Oath, abortion is connected to medical ethics in both its actual form and contemporary reformulation such as stated in the World Medical Association’s 1948 Declaration of Geneva (Kivity, Borow and Shoenfeld, 2009). According to this oath, all members of the human race have a right to life and this is agreed globally in conventions such as: The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1949) Declaration of the Rights of the Child, which clearly refers to such rights as applying to the unborn (1959) International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (1976). However, the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children’s (SPUC’s) opposition to abortion is dependent on ethical principles which have masked universal acceptance (SPUC, 2012a). While the SPUC consists of members from many different religions, it is not an organisation based on religion. Nevertheless, this highlights the need of a focus on common acceptable (as opposed to religious-based) ethical dimensions in contemporary healthcare, especially in terms of considering the ethical implications of abortion. Abortion in the United Kingdom The main reason for legalising abortion in Britain was the suspected number of illegal abortions being carried out. Pro-abortionists indicated that every year, there were 100,000 illegal abortions before legalisation (SPUC, 2012b). The committee of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists provides evidence that in England and Wales, there were 15,000 illegal abortions annually in 2007 (Event, 2008). Thus, in the UK, the application of ethical theories along with related approaches to practical dilemmas in healthcare focusing on abortion is particularly important and relevant. Actual counts of legal abortions The Abortion Act was agreed in 1967 and a year later it became effective as a statute in England, Wales and Scotland. For the period of 30 years following the implementation of the Act, year on year the total number of abortions performed rose by 700% (SPUC, 2012b). In Britain, five million abortions were performed over this period. Yearly, 170,000 abortions occurred during the 15 years prior to 1997. It was over 187,000 in 1998, with more than 510 abortions a day, which was 87% higher than the pro-abortionists’ estimate of illegal abortions in the 1960s (Sedgh et al., 2012). Reasons for abortion Although more than 90% of abortions are authorised and performed to protect the mother’s physical or mental health, the majority of these abortions are performed for social reasons rather than medical reasons, and this has become widely accepted (Corkindale et al., 2009). Indeed, in Britain abortion is efficiently practised on demand (Ingham et al., 2008). This poses further ethical implications for healthcare professionals since abortion is no longer only considered for medical reasons, but is frequently a social choice and a method of solving an unexpected or unwanted pregnancy (Koyama et al., 2005). Contraception and abortion Although the pro-life movement is reluctant to make a connection between contraception and abortion, with some contraceptives there is both a link to abortion and identification with abortion (Smith, 1993). Indeed, some contraceptives are abortifacients and work by causing early term abortion. Furthermore, the number of abortions cannot be stopped primarily by contraception since pregnancy prevention also results in an anti-child state of mind; such unplanned babies are observed only as the unwanted result of contraceptive failure. The eugenics movement Eugenic ethics is protected as a religious belief, political philosophies, and judicial systems, and it is the reverse of the code that all human beings have equal value (Kasun, 1988). The mentality of the eugenic adjudicators is unusually narrow compared to physical, psychological or social situations (Connelly, 2008). This leads to disabled and unborn groups. Thus, issues of disability and eugenics are remarkably relevant to the application of ethical theories focusing on practical dilemmas in healthcare. Foetal tissue in medical research The major source for research into foetal tissue is from babies that are the result of induced abortion; such research consists of the human genome project. If permission is given, the dead bodies may well be used for research, but a mother aborting her child would not likely provide such support. In research, the use of foetal tissue seems to justify abortion because it can be used to assist in the health and life of other people. At the same time, it could be argued that such research is morally wrong because it neglects the unborn baby’s right to life (Nie, 2002). Abortion and disability Every abortion involves an assumption that the existence of unborn babies is of lesser value than an adult human’s life. It could be argued that abortion due to a disability diagnosed in the unborn child is not only an attack on the most vulnerable but on one who it is necessary to protect. It is also offensive to all disabled community members as it transmits to them the sense that they are inferior to, as well as of less worth than, the able-bodied (Sheldon and Wilkonson, 2010). Pre-natal screening In Britain, most pregnant women are offered regular pre-natal testing. It is a crucial activity, which has resulted in a greater number of women who may not have considered it before going on to have an abortion. Such tests are presented and if the results are positive for a disability, the immediate option given to parents is to make a choice between either continuing with the pregnancy or having an abortion. Britain offers pre-natal screening for disabilities only where a routine ultrasound has highlighted a potential problem, there is family medical history to suggest a child may inherit a condition, or the age of the mother puts her child at an increased risk of having, for example, Down’s syndrome. In cases of artificial insemination, before implantation and hopefully fertilisation, the embryo is screened. Whilst still in the test tube embryos are monitored to determine their sex and genetic conditions, but can be superfluous. This approach prevents embryos from continuing to live (Hundt et al., 2011). Thus, medical and nursing professionals working in healthcare related to abortion must address the issues related to pre-natal screening adequately. Gene technology Genetic science is used to enhance the well-being of humanity, through exploration into gene therapy and to care for people with, for example, a genetic condition such as cystic fibrosis. However, this technology may be misused in order to limit human life. Genetic engineering attempts to engineer babies by manipulating their genes in the laboratory. However, the source from the genetic map position in the human genome program may be misused (Heinrichs, 2002). DISCUSSION The topic of abortion raises moral and ethical issues that need to be addressed by physicians, nurses, and clinic staff involved with conducting abortions. While abortions for medical reasons are legal in Britain, some staff may question the procedure for personal and religious reasons. Those staff who are pro-life (and see abortion as akin to murder) will likely seek work in other settings and thus alleviate their sense of guilt. Obstetricians, who often participate in the act of abortion, will need to have a professional view that sees the action as ethical, although some may hold private views of its morality, perhaps influenced by religious beliefs (Chervenak and McCullough ,1990). For example, health professionals might ask the question, â€Å"When is the foetus a patient?† The answer is when it is viable, regardless of age of gestation. Indeed, it could be argued that only the woman carrying the foetus can give a pre-viable foetus patient status. If the foetus is c lassified as a patient, it can be further argued that ending its life is almost never ethically justified. The statistical data discussed within this essay indicate that few abortions are actually for medical reasons, but rather for personal, social and economic reasons. This has generated a great deal of discussion in terms of the ethics of abortion. Since the procedure is primarily used by the lower economic classes (who perhaps become pregnant because of lack of knowledge about birth control), abortion can be seen as a method to keep the future population of those likely to require government assistance in welfare and medicine somewhat reduced. As yet, there doesn’t appear to be any political or ethical writer ready to take this issue up. Some groups (such as African Americans) see this as an attack on their race. Feminists likely support the procedure if it is the wish of the pregnant woman. Many health workers would continue to support abortion on demand as it eliminates reliance on illegal abortions, which were often dangerous to a woman’s health, as was a huge pro blem in the past. A few points should be made about the ethical issues posed by new technologies (such as embryos in stem cell research, sex selection and gene manipulation). In all of these cases, decisions are being made to limit viable life. Outka (2002) raised questions about the ethics of human stem cell research. Many good embryos are destroyed for the sake of research. This is seen as clearly unethical. Outka concludes that it is acceptable to conduct research on ‘excess’ embryos by appealing to the principal of â€Å"nothing is lost.† Modern science has made it easy to determine the sex of the foetus at a very early stage. If the sex is female (and the parents already have a girl), will they seek an abortion Is the doctor or clinic likely to raise moral and ethical concerns In many cultures, a son is deemed necessary, so with new technologies many female foetuses in India and China have been aborted. This raises the question of whether this cultural bias being seen in the large Indian population in the UK? 3.1. CONCLUSION Ethical Issues in healthcare related to abortion are becoming increasingly relevant, as it provides an opportunity for discussion on various dimensions of contemporary healthcare. It also examines the application of ethical theories along with related approaches focusing on abortion. However, it is suggested that medical institutes and hospitals providing safe abortions should be aware of all ethical issues and the human rights implications involved. Their workers, including doctors and nurses, should be trained on the ethical issues of abortion so that they can provide comprehensive medical care to women who consider or opt for an abortion. It is important to explore new opportunities for the in-depth study of ethical dimensions of modern healthcare, which examines the appropriate application of ethical theories and related approaches to effective dilemmas in healthcare focusing on abortion. There are many suitable applications of ethical theories and approaches to an ethical dilemma available, which mainly focus on the international and the population-control development, reasons for abortion, contraception and abortion, birth control and human life attitudes, disability and eugenics, abortion and disability, and other related ethical issues. Nevertheless, there remains a need to address each of these ethical issues specifically in terms of healthcare and the dilemmas experienced by healthcare professionals. REFERENCES Abortion Act, 1967. (C.87), London: HMSO. Aguirre, D.G. and BillingsL. 2007. Unwanted Pregnancy and Unsafe Abortion. TUFH Women and Health Taskforce. [online] Available from: http://www.the-networktufh.org/sites/default/files/attachments/basic_pages/WHLP%20Unwanted%20Pregnancy%20and%20Unsafe%20Ab.pdf [cited 05 May 2012]. Blumberg, B.D., Golbus, M.S. and Hanson, K.H., 1975. The psychological sequelae of abortion performed for a genetic indication. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 122(799-808), p. 806. Boss, J.A., 1994. First trimester prenatal diagnosis: Earlier is not necessarily better. Journal of Medical Ethics, 20(146-151), p.147. Brody, B., 1972. Thomson on Abortion. Philosophy and Public Affairs, 1(3), pp.335-340. Chervenak, F. A. and McCullough, L. B., 1990. Does obstetric ethics have any role in the obstetrician’s response to the abortion controversy American Journal of Obstetrics Gynaecology, 163(5 Pi), po.1425-1429. Connelly, M., 2008. Fatal Misconception: The Struggle to Control World Population Cambridge: Belk nap Press of Harvard University Press. Corkindale, C.J., Condon, J.T., Russell, A. and Quinlivan, J.A., 2009. Factors that adolescent males take into account in decisions about an unplanned pregnancy. Journal of Adolescence, 32(4), p.995-1008. Department of Health., 2011. Abortion statistics, England and Wales: 2010. [online] Available from: http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsStatistics/DH_126769 [cited 05 May 2012]. Dudley,S. and Mueller, S. What Is Medical AbortionNational Abortion Federation. [online] Available from: http://www.prochoice.org/pubs_research/publications/downloads/about_abortion/medical_abortion.pdf [cited 05 May 2012]. Event, F.R., 2008. Proceedings of the International Consortium for Medical Abortion. Reproductive Health Matters, 16(31 Suppl), p.1-204. Harris, J., 1985. Abortion and Infanticide. Journal of Medical Ethics, 11(4), p.212. Heinrichs, L., 2002. Linking olfaction with nausea and vomiting of pregnancy, recurrent abortion, hyperemesis gravidarum, and migraine headache. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 186(5 Suppl Understanding), p.S215-S219. Hundt, G.L., Bryanston, C., Lowe, P., Cross, S., Sandall, J. and Spencer, K. 2011. Inside â€Å"Inside View†: reflections on stimulating debate and engagement through a multimedia live theatre production on the dilemmas and issues of pre-natal screening policy and practice. Health expectations an international journal of public participation in health care and health policy, 14(1), p.1-9. Ingham, R. Lee, E., Clements, S.J. and Stone, N., 2008. Reasons for second trimester abortion in England and Wales. Reproductive Health Matters, 16(31 Suppl), p.18-29. Karasahin, K.E. and Keskin, U., 2011. Pain and abortion. Contraception, 84(3), p.337. Kasun, J., 1998. The War Against Population. San Francisco, USA: Ignatius Press. Kivity, S., Borow, M. and Shoenfeld, Y., 2009. Hippocrates’ Oath is challenged. The Israel Medical Association journal IMAJ, 11(10), pp.581-584. Koyama, A. and Williams, R., 2005. Abortion in Medical Institute Curricula. McGill Journal of Medicine, 8(2), pp.157-60. MacGuigan, M., 1994. Abortion, Conscience Democracy. Toronto, Canada: Dundurn, Hounslow Press. Marston, C. and Cleland, J., 2003. Relationships between contraception and abortion: a review of the evidence. International Family Planning Perspectives, 29(1), pp.6-13. Nie, J.B., 2002. Chinese moral perspectives on abortion and foetal life: a historical account. New Zealand Bioethics Journal, 3(3), p.15-31. Outka, G. 2002. The ethics of human stem cell research. Kennedy Institute of Ethics Journal, 12(2), pp.175-213. Polaino Lorente, A., 2009. Psychopathology and abortion. Cuadernos de bioetica revista oficial de la Asociacion Espanola de Bioetica y Etica Medica, 20(70), pp.357-380. Rosenfeld, J.A., 1992. Emotional responses to therapeutic abortion. American Family Physician, 45(1), p.137-140. Schultz, J.D., Van Assendelft, A., 1999. Encyclopedia of women in American politics. The American political landscape. (1st ed). Greenwood Publishing Group, p. 195. Sedgh, G., Singh, S., Shah, I.H., Ahman, E., Henshaw, S.K. and Bankole, A. 2012. Induced abortion: incidence and trends worldwide from 1995 to 2008. Lancet, 6736(11), pp.1-8. Sheldon, S. and Wilkonson, S., 2010. Abortion and Disability. The disability studies reader. [online] Available from: http://www.prochoiceforum.org.uk/aad5.asp. [cited 05 May 2012]. Smith, J., 1993. The Connection between Contraception and Abortion. University of Dallas. [online] Available from: http://www.goodmorals.org/smith4.htm [cited 05 May 2012]. SPUC, 2012. Abortion briefing. Society for the Protection of Unborn Children . [online] Available from: http://www.spuc.org.uk/education/abortion/briefing [cited 05 May 2012]. The ICMA Information Package on Medical Abortion., 2012. Information for health care providers. INTERNATIONAL CONSORTIUM FOR MEDICAL ABORTION. [online] Available from: http://www.medicalabortionconsortium.org/about.html [cited 05 May 2012]. Tremayne, S., 2000. Abortion in the Developing World. Journal of Medical Ethics, 26(6), pp.483-484. Warren, M.A. 2009. On the moral and legal status of abortion. In Soifer (ed.). Ethical Issues: Perspectives for Canadians. (3rd ed). Toronto, Canada: Broadview Press. How to cite Ethical Issues in Healthcare, Essay examples Ethical Issues in Healthcare Free Essays Ethical Issues in Healthcare Healthcare ethics involves making well researched and considerate decisions about medical treatments, while taking into consideration a patient’s beliefs and wishes regarding all aspects of their health. The healthcare industry, above any other, has a high regard for the issues surrounding the welfare of their clientele: their patients. This paper will focus on HIPPA, confidentiality, the efficiency and cost of information systems and doctor-patient relationship. We will write a custom essay sample on Ethical Issues in Healthcare or any similar topic only for you Order Now The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, or HIPAA, is a law designed â€Å"to improve portability and continuity of health insurance coverage in the group and individual markets, to combat waste, fraud, and abuse in health insurance and health care delivery, to promote the use of medical savings accounts, to improve access to long-term care services and coverage, to simplify the administration of health insurance, and for other purposes. When confidential patient information is disclosed without consent it is a violation of the HIPAA Title II Security Rule. This rule was enacted in response to private information being leaked to the news and emails containing privileged information were read by unauthorized people. Identity theft is a real concern so patient privacy should be taken seriously. This is a rule can easily be broken without the offender feeling any malice towards the victim for example gossip and curiosity. Gossip in a medical office can have devastating effects on a health care facility’s reputation. Employees engaging in idle chatter to pass the time can inadvertently be overheard by patients or family members. Primarily, computer storage and exchange of information is the area where HIPAA intersects with technology. Anytime a computer stores patient information, the computer must have HIPAA precautions. For instance, the computer should only be accessible by certain persons who have a special access code and/or password to utilize the computer. Also, when a computer is not in use, it should be locked and the screen must be inaccessible from unauthorized persons. Furthermore, monitors and screens should be turned away from the public to prevent anyone from seeing private medical information. http://www. ehow. com/about_5220807_hipaa-law-affects-technology. html#ixzz2PPhpfXnD According to the textbook â€Å"healthcare companies must appoint a privacy officer to develop privacy policies and procedure as well as train employees on how to handle sensitive patient data. These actions must address the potential for unauthorized access to data by outside hackers as well as the more likely threat of internal misuse of data. Some medical personnel and privacy advocates fear that between the increasing demands for disclosure of patient information and the inevitable complete digitization of medical records, patient confidentiality will be lost† (George Reynolds 2012). Confidentiality is one of the most important ethical issues in health care. Maintaining confidentiality is becoming more difficult. While information technology can improve the quality of care by enabling the instant retrieval and access of information through various means, including mobile devices, and the more rapid exchange of medical information by a greater number of people who can contribute to the care and treatment of a patient, it also can increase the risk of unauthorized use, access and disclosure of confidential patient information. Within healthcare organizations, personal information contained in medical records now is reviewed not only by physicians and nurses but also by professionals in many clinical and administrative support areas. The meaning of patient confidentiality is that personal and medical information that are provided to the providers of healthcare cannot be disclosed to others not unless the patient has provided authorization for the release. In fact permission is not supposed to be granted to health care professionals to disclose the patient’s medical information. This is because there could be professional or personal problems by disclosing the medical information of the patients for patients depends on the physicians in keeping private their medical information. Normally it becomes difficult for medical records to be completely sealed up. The greatest factor that affects confidentiality is when clinicians turn to share medical information as case studies. In any case such data happens to be published in professional journals, then the patient’s identity is never divulged and the entire data that identifies the patient become either eliminated or changed. However, if at all the confidentiality is breached; the patient may have the right of suing (Claire McGowan, 2012). The cost of upgrading the organization and bringing it into the 21st century will be rather expensive however it is important to understand that this is a necessary expense and the new computer system will pay for itself in a relatively short time. HIT can raise quality and can also generate the statistics to prove you have done so. Perceived higher quality allows organizations to increase market share and to negotiate higher prices from payers whose members demand access to those organizations, even if they have to pay slightly higher premiums to get it. In a competitive fee-for-service environment, greater market share increases revenues and may also permit some economies of scale  (Morton Shekell, Keeler EB, 2006). The use of health information technology (HIT) has been promoted as having tremendous promise in improving the efficiency, cost-effectiveness, quality, and safety of medical care delivery in our nation’s healthcare system. The realization of these benefits is especially important in the context of reports that show five years of consecutive annual double-digit increases in healthcare costs and increases in the numbers of adverse health events. At the same time, reports have suggested that 50 percent of all healthcare dollars are wasted on inefficient processes. Legislators and organizational leaders at the federal and state levels have emphasized the need for healthcare to follow the example of many non-healthcare industries, in which implementation of computer information technology has been critical in increasing the accessibility of mission-critical information, automating labor-intensive and inefficient processes, and minimizing human error (Morton Shekell, Keeler EB, 2006). Special computer servers should be utilized to store private patient information. There should also be special firewall programs and other safety software installed on the computers like virus protection. These protections must be available on any computer that is used to store and/or exchange patient medical information. These precautions also impact the use of fax machines and computer printers as well. Anytime patient information is exchanged via facsimile, there must be redaction of confidential information or a limitation on who will access the incoming faxes. The same issue must also be addressed with use of computer printers. In other words, the printer must be accessible only by authorized personnel. Physician-patient relationships are very important. Ethical dilemmas also extend to safety of the patient and other healthcare workers, because medical records are meant to convey all information to other healthcare providers. A patient’s request that healthcare-related information be kept off the record, places the physician in a difficult situation. While physicians are obligated to protect a patient’s private information and to maintain confidentiality, they are also obligated to keep accurate records of relevant information, to avoid harm to patients, to make treatment recommendations that are likely to benefit the patient, to be responsible stewards of healthcare resources. Key considerations include the precedent the act will establish and both the short-term and long-term consequences of the act to the patient and others. While electing to prioritize confidentiality may appear justified or inappropriate in the immediate situation, reflection on the implications is important. The physician should work with the patient to assess the options available, such as honoring the request, documenting fully, documenting only what is necessary, and using alternative language. How present is the idiom ‘off the record’ in healthcare? In closing, right to confidentiality of a person on the part of the providers of healthcare is held by government as well as the law. Such position is reaffirmed as well in the language of the codes of professional conduct. Both the ethical and the legal principles of confidentiality tend to be rooted in a set of values concerning the relationship between the patient and the caregiver. It is important for a patient to trust a caregiver in order to facilitate a warm and accepting relationship to develop. References Shekelle P, Morton SC, Keeler EB. â€Å"Costs and Benefits of Health Information Technology. Evidence Reports/Technology Assessments† No. 132. April 2006. Retrieved from http://www. ncbi. nlm. ih. gov/books/NBK37992/ â€Å"How present is the idiom ‘off the record’ in healthcare? † Medical Ethics Advisor September 1, 2011: Vol. 27, No. 9 pp. 97-108 Retrieved from UMUC Library McGowan, Claire. â€Å"Patients’ Confidentiality† Critical Care Nurse Vol. 32, No. 5 October 2012 pp. 61-65 Retrieved from UMUC Library Reynolds, George W. (2012). Ethics in information technol ogy (4th ed. ). Independence, KY: Cengage Learning, Inc. Nogara, J. S. â€Å"How HIPAA Law Affects Technology† Retrieved April 3, 2013 http://www. ehow. com/about_5220807_hipaa-law-affects-technology. html How to cite Ethical Issues in Healthcare, Papers

Sunday, December 8, 2019

Dictionary of Finance and Investment †Free Samples to Students

Question: Discuss about the Dictionary of Finance and Investment. Answer: Introduction: Abu Dhabi national hotel is one of the most recognizable and renowned hotel in Emirate and has evolved into hospitability business. Company despite the disappointing performance of hotels reported huge amount of profits (Adnh.com 2017). While leveraging synergies between various business divisions of the organization of ADNH, the company confident to build the performable and profitability and thereby increasing the performance. National Corporation for tourism and hotel has witnessed an increase in its performance. Increase in profitability of the organization is attributable to segment of catering and retail services (ncth.com 2017). Ability of company to earn adequate return is judged by ratio analysis. The figures provided by ratio analysis are comparable across industries and across companies. It depicts the financial strength, competitive position and profitability of company, thereby assist investors in making investment decisions. Efficiency of organization in utilizing their assets for generating revenue is evident by figures suggested by ratio analysis. Ratio analysis helps in depicting the level of income that is attributable to shareholders in proportion of investment made by them. Financial leverage of firm and if there exist any discrepancy between return on equity and return on assets is provided by this quantitative tool. Competitive advantage of company in terms of quality, products and branding is depicted by ratio analysis. This tool serve as for metrics for judging the competitive position that assist investors in making investment decisions. Analysis of performance of ADNH (Abu Dhabi National Hotel Company) with its competitor NCT H (National Corporation for Tourism and Hotel)is done using the calculated ratios. For the purpose of analysis, six ratios have been considered. It involves Return on capital employed, operating profit margin, asset turnover, gearing ratio, interest coverage ratio and P/E ratio. Below graph make the comparison between the main company that is ADNH and its competitor NCT H. This organization is dedicated to promoting the travel industry of Abu Dhabi at international and national level. There are for directions followed by hotels and it involves management and acquisition of hotels, catering, traveling and hospitality service. Return on capital employed (ROCE) depicts the efficiency of company in generating profits from its employed capital. A higher ratio is considered as favorable because it indicates that more profits are generated by employment of each dollar in the business. From the above graph, it is evident that ROCE ratio for NCT H is more than ADNH for both the years. The ratio is much higher than ADNH and it is indicative of the fact that NCT H is more efficient in generating profits from its capital employed. When comparing the profits of two companies, it is evident from their annual report that profit before interest and tax of ADNH is higher than NCT H. However, current liabilities for ADNH is comparatively higher than it competitor and it is more in proportion to their profits generated. Operating expense comprising of general and administrative expense of ADNH is much higher compared to its competitor in both the financial year. Although, the total sales generated by NCT H is less as c ompared to ADNH. Operating profit margin ratio (OPMR) indicates the efficiency of company in generating money from its ongoing operations. A higher ratio is considered favorable than lower ratio. In year 2014, operating margin ratio for ADNH is lower compared to NCT H. For year, 2015 the ratio is high compared to ADNH. It indicates that NCT H are better able to pay their interest on debt and bear fixed expenses. Hence, ADNH is less efficient in generating income from its operating activities. There is a fall in operating profit margin ratio of NCT H in FY 2016 and the fall is attributable to high cost of staff rental housing and high cost of electricity and water services. The rise in operating profit margin of ADNH is attributable to three new properties namely Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi hotel, Ritz Carlton hotel and Sofitel JBR are the key growth segments of ADNH. The catering division of group performed well and recorded high growth in net profit. Transport sector also resulted in improved productivi ty along with retail division. A higher turnover ratio indicates that assets of companies are utilized efficiently for generating profits (Grant 2016). Investors are informed about the assets efficiency in producing product and meeting sales. From the above graph, the asset turnover for both the organizations have increased in year 2015 as compared to 2014. Asset turnover ratio for NCT H is much higher compared to ADNH. It is indicative of the fact that ADNH does not efficiently utilize its assets for income generation as compared to NCT H. Financial risk to which the business of organization is subjected to is depicted by gearing ratio. A higher ratio indicates high proportion of debt to equity and lower proportion of debt to equity is represented by lower ratio (Bodie 2013). The gearing ratio of ADNH is lower as compared to NCT H in both the financial year. However, the gearing ratio of ADNH has reduced in year 2015 and on other hand; the rearing ratio of NCT H has increased. Comparing the two companies, it depicts that financial management of ADNH is conservative compared to NCT H. financial strategy of ADNH is conservative and they do not rely on aggressive policy for financing their operations. The purpose of long-term borrowing by NCT H is because of diversification of hotel in all aspect. Such borrowing is also intended to control expenses and providing supplies for development of various other sectors. Gearing ratio of NCT H is weak compared to ADNH and this is because Corporation has obtained loan for deve lopment of Al Dhafra Resort project and Jebel Dhanna. Loan amount will be used for adding twenty-four five star category chalets a three star category hotel room and this is done in addition to integrated staff accommodation. ADNH has strong gearing ratio because of loan facility granted to group under syndicated term loan facility. Financial performance of company has strengthened because of successful negotiation for enhancing the tenor and terms of refinancing facility. The current ratio of ADNH stood at 1.148 and it is more than NHCH as against 1.054 in financial year 2014. However, this ratio increased in year 2015, but it was lower than NCT H. Current ratio of NCT H is quite high at 1.911 as against 1.261. This is indicative of the fact that NCT H is more efficient in utilizing current assets for meeting its short-term obligations. The reason is attributable to that fact that they are not able to clear their inventories into sales. For both financial years, gross profit margin ratio of ADNH is lower than NCT H as clearly depicted in the graph. This indicates that profit margin of competitor is higher than main company. However, total sales of ADNH is much higher than NCT H, but they are not able generate profits out of it as compared to higher sales margin of its competitor. This particular ratio depicts the ability of companies to make timely service its debt. Interest coverage ratio is of particular interest to investors, as it shows whether the company will be able to meet its debt obligations regarding interest payment (Downes and Goodman 2014). Ratio for both the companies is above industry standards. Ratio for ADNH increased in the financial year 2015 and the increase was more than NCT H. Interest coverage ratio of NCT H is higher than that of ADNH. NCT H is much more efficient and capable in meeting its interest obligations. However, the probability of defaulting on interest payment by ADNH has decreased in year 2015, it remained low than its competitor. This ratio is used by investors for evaluating the fair value of stock of companies and to make prediction about future earnings per share. Higher earnings of the companies depicts higher dividend payment and lower ratio indicates the poor performance of companies (Dechow et al. 2014). Valuation of stock of company is better valued if the price earnings ratio is high and lower ratio makes lower valuation of stock. Since not all things are held constant, it is not possible to compare the ratio of the companies. However, comparison can be made on general basis; the price earnings ratio of ADNH is lower compared to NCT H. However, the ratio has fallen in the financial year 2015. This indicates that the performance of company ADH has reduced and this is indicated by lower price of share. On the other hand, price earnings ratio of NCT H has increased by significant amount in financial year 2015. It is indicated by a high jump in price of shares. NCT H has been performing well in the 20 15 financial year. In Financial year 2016, ADNH had declared dividend payment of AED 100 million and that is equivalent to 10% of nominal value of issues share capital. A cash dividend of AED 0.07 per share and AED 0.05 per share was declared to shareholders in year 2016 and 2015. On other hand, NCT H declared a dividend payment of AED 0.25 per share in year 2015 as compared to AED 0.05 in year in 2014. Total amount of dividend paid to shareholder in 2014 by NCT H stood at AED 115865271. The operating segment of ADNH is managed separately according to services and product provided. A strategic operating unit is presented by each segment and there are four operating segment. Segment is divided into transportation services, retail, hotel and holding and their performance is measured based on reported loss or profit. Profit generated for hotel operating segment has fallen and that of transport and holdings have increased in year 2015. Operating segment of NHC H is comprised of hotel catering service, retail service and holding. For the purpose of making decision about performance management and allocation of resources, operating results of business units are managed separately. There is only one geographical segment of company. The line item of operating segment that is hotel has grown in recent year as the operating margin from this segment has increased. The operating policy of NCT H and ADNH is done by making investment is associates and joint venture and they intend to control their operating expenses by generating more sales. However, ADH lags behind NCT H in making sales. The reason is attributable to the exact that Competitor Company that is NCT H is more efficient in utilizing its assets for generating revenue and moreover, the operating expense is much lower than ADNH. Conclusion: From the above analysis of short-term capability of organization using the ratio analysis, it is evident that the performance of NCT H is better than its competitor ADNH. The ratios have been calculated for two financial years focusing on six ratios presented above. When looking at all ratios, the main company performance is far beyond its competitor. The efficiency of the competitor company is higher than main company. They are better in utilizing their employed capital, assets for generating revenue and thereby profits. Moreover, the operating expense of NCT H is much lower as compared to ADNH in proportion to their sales. This has resulted in higher profit generation of Competitor Company. A company is able to command higher price in market if its share are considered value, which is depicted by its rising share price. Financial year 2015 witnessed a huge jump in share price of NCT H. Reference: Adnh.com. (2017).Abu Dhabi National Hotels - Hotels, Catering, Transport, Tours.. [online] Available at: https://www.adnh.com/ [Accessed 2 May 2017]. Bodie, Z., 2013.Investments. McGraw-Hill. Dechow, P.M., Sloan, R.G. and Zha, J., 2014. Stock prices and earnings: A history of research.Annu. Rev. Financ. Econ.,6(1), pp.343-363. Downes, J. and Goodman, J., 2014.Dictionary of finance and investment terms. Barron's educational series. Global, T. (2017).Abu Dhabi Travel- Best Abu Dhabi Hotel Resorts- National Corporation for Tourism Hotels. [online] Ncth.com. Available at: https://www.ncth.com/ [Accessed 2 May 2017]. Grant, R.M., 2016.Contemporary strategy analysis: Text and cases edition. John Wiley Sons. Harper, D., 2016. Accounting Financial Statements Analysis. Hoskin, R.E., Fizzell, M.R. and Cherry, D.C., 2014.Financial Accounting: a user perspective. Wiley Global Education. Wahlen, J., Baginski, S. and Bradshaw, M., 2014.Financial reporting, financial statement analysis and valuation. Nelson Education.

Sunday, December 1, 2019

Suggestions for Future Strategies in Analysis of Parental Involvement in School Administration

Background The roles of teachers and parents are shifting due to the changing socio-economic conditions that force parents to spend more time at work, making the roles of teachers look more like those of parents. At the same time, parents have to perform the duties of educators at home and take an active part in educational activities in terms of academic curriculum in case a student is not able to perceive the material effectively.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Suggestions for Future Strategies in Analysis of Parental Involvement in School Administration specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More As such, the role of parents in school administration is very important as is allows all stakeholders to benefit, especially students who are proven to perform better in the framework of academic curriculum when their parents are actively involved in school administration. Aims and objectives The aims of this dissertat ion proposal include identifying potential benefits of parental involvement in school administration for students’ performance and the roles of other stakeholders in this case with regard to the emerging need for such measures and likelihood of parents to partake in management activities. The objectives of this proposal include the following: Identify the current roles of stakeholders; Trace the tendencies in academic administration; Suggest possible ways for combining the roles of parents with educating activities; Analyse the experience of student management in schools by parents; Evaluate theoretical frameworks available on the issue; Apply theoretical models to the current situation. It is necessary to identify the roles of parents in student management and possible benefits in students’ academic performance. Literature Review Historic role of education. The necessity of developing intellectual skills have been analysed by many researchers that also emphasised ed ucation as means for reaching outstanding results. Chambers and Chambers (1854) explain that â€Å"The instincts and mental peculiarities of the brute creation, notwithstanding their immeasurable inferiority to the mind of man have hitherto presented very high difficulties in the way of their rational explanation† (p. 1). As claimed by Friedman (1955), special treatment of education in society has long been discussed: Education is today largely paid for, and almost entirely administered by governmental bodies or non-profit institutions. This has developed gradually and is now taken so much for granted that little explicit attention is any longer directed to the reasons for the special treatment of education even in countries that are predominantly free enterprise in organization and philosophy (par. 2).Advertising Looking for research paper on education? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More As such, education should be perce ived not merely as the formal activity that enables a student to obtain a diploma but as a process that enables people to attain their goals in life, obtain higher positions in terms of professional development, and play active role in the social changes. International experience. International experience in terms of academic curriculum and administration should be taken into account while special attention should be given to the ways students from other countries are treated with regard to the parent involvement in school administration. For instance, â€Å"†¦ as Islam expanded to other regions and came into contact with other indigenous traditions and languages, it became necessary to create a cadre of Muslim experts who would develop sophisticated writings and textbooks†¦ Thus began the tradition of Madrassa† (Anzar, 2003, p. 3). Across the world, Christian churches have been building schools for both the young and the old over the last 1000 years by following t he model used in Ancient Greece. Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) or Board of Governors (BOGs) run schools in different countries all over the world becoming active participants of the management process being able to influence the curricula and other aspects that they consider as harmful or ineffective for children, at the same time, introducing innovative measures into school administration. â€Å"Involving parents in their own children’s education at home is not enough†¦ to ensure the quality of schools as institutions serving the community, parents must be involved at all levels in the school† (Allison Canadian Education Association, 2004). A possible improvement would come in the form of parents taking on teaching and mentorship roles among the students (Lucas, 2006). Current situation. School teachers and administrators have difficulties accommodating the increasing demands placed on them by parents and the ever-improving education curricula that countrie s all over the world are adapting. As such, Jones (2010) suggests that â€Å"lack of parental support can also lead to teachers taking on the role of parents† (2010, p. 2). Administrators and teachers therefore face the increasing challenge of staying true to the ideals of schooling or adapting quasi-parental roles in the school setting. This approach has deepened with the creation of boarding schools, especially in middle-income and low-income countries in which students cannot afford to go back home on a daily basis.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Suggestions for Future Strategies in Analysis of Parental Involvement in School Administration specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Scholastic (2009) indicates that benefits of adapting the hybrid educational model are obvious: â€Å"Students whose parents are part of their school-life earn better grades and higher test scores, attend school more regula rly, exhibit better social skills, and adapt better to school.† Moreover, parents can track the activities and progress of their children, enabling the educators to identify and solve problems related to the academic progress of students immediately with active parents. â€Å"Parental involvement allows parents to monitor school and classroom activities, and to coordinate their efforts with teachers. Teachers of students with highly involved parents tend to give greater attention to those students†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Education, 2005). Possible solutions. The home setup can complement the school system since children naturally expect to learn from their parents. At the same time, parents may not have special skills for providing their children with educational instructions. The proliferation of the Home-Schooling movement across the world bears witness to the effectiveness of parents as educators and children as students in the home setting, â€Å"These are wonderful opportunities to get to know your children and have them get to know you† (Joye, 2005). In this respect, parents can play a crucial role in school management in terms of helping students and guiding them as well as providing support and evaluating the best practices to be adopted by educational institutions. Epstein’s six types of parent involvement. Examples of hybrid systems that have benefited students abound across the globe can be easily found in most contemporary educational institutions whereas the Epstein’s Six Types of Parent Involvement model is considered to be the most favoured one. In this approach, parental participation in education involves six areas comprising home and school activities (ERIC Clearinghouse on Educational Management, 2001). First on the list of offered activities is parenting, that entails helping families to setup homes that encourage children in their academic endeavours.Advertising Looking for research paper on education? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Second is communicating that involves utilization of home-to-school and school-to-home systems of communication about student programs and student progress, â€Å"Some teachers involved parents in academic activities such as reading and tutoring, while other teachers turned to parents to relieve them of duties that otherwise would get in the way of teaching† (Education Oasis, 2001). The next on the list is volunteering and participation using parental support to recruit and organize. The fourth is home lessons, where families receive ideas on how to help students with curriculum-related material. Fifth is decision making and participation where parents participate in school decisions and administrative processes (ERIC Clearinghouse on Educational Management, 2001). Parental involvement factsheet of Michigan. According to the Parental Involvement Factsheet of the state of Michigan, USA, the involvement of parents in school administration are manifold (Michigan Department of Ed ucation, 2002). One of the most important benefits listed in the Parental Involvement Factsheet is that intense parental involvement produces improved student performance progressively and when parents are involved, students have higher grades and graduation rates, better school attendance, increased motivation, better self-esteem, lower rates of suspension, decreased use of drugs and alcohol, and fewer instances of violent behaviour (Michigan Department of Education, 2002). As such, it is essential for parents to partake in educational activities for school management. A study by British researchers shows that parents are eager to be involved in their children’s education: â€Å"In total, nearly three quarters (72%) of parents agreed that they would like more involvement, but only a third (35%) ‘definitely’ agreed† (Williams, Williams Ullman, 2002). This shows that most parents would participate in educating their child if only they receive guidance on h ow to do it. Methodology As a part of the dissertation proposal, a list of methods should be provided to outline the main area of research, data collection opportunities, data analysis opportunities and limitations, sampling methods if surveys or other experiments are to be used.  As such, it is necessary to emphasise that this should be qualitative rather than quantitative research-based mostly on secondary sources, whereas opinion polls can become a great part of the research leading it to another direction. As this is a proposal, it is likely that the focus of the research will change as soon as the process of collecting the materials starts. In this respect, there are few proposed fields for research as it goes: The research focuses on the role of parents in school administration in terms of parental involvement into the educational process in terms of support, tracking progress, contributing to improving progress and increasing motivation, and other issues. In this case, it is preferable to analyse grades information from educational institutions before and after adapting active parental involvement models. The research, in this case, would be quantitative, aimed at identifying the positive changes reflected in students’ grades. Besides, it is possible to analyse emotional constraints if children dislike their parents being involved in their academic activities. Conducting a survey among educators give an insight of the educational perspective on the issue of parental involvement. At the same time, it is necessary to obtain written consents from all stakeholders regarding the information permitted for publication and data that should be provided for counting and forming the visual presentation of effects without disclosing personal information. The research focuses on the roles of parents in school administration in terms of parents and students involved only. As such, it might be a merely qualitative research including questionnaires with open- ended questions where parents may tell about their perception of the school administration activities and if they consider it effective or ineffective with regard to students’ performance. At the same time, it is necessary to know the opinion of students and their ability to study under severe parental control. It is essential to identify how students perceive parental involvement and administration in educational institutions where the model is already adapted and in those that still do not have active parental involvement. Moreover, it is possible to analyse the general tendencies if students want their parents to spend more time and effort on their education and what effects they expect parental involvement to have on their academic progress. Problems/Opportunities Problems in the current research proposed may be related to obtaining a written consent from parents, educators, and students to access the grade records and analyse those. Moreover, it is necessary to decide o n the direction to be selected for the research concerning more attention given to the perception of active parental involvement model or on the shifts that take place in roles of parents and educators. At the same time, it is possible to analyse students and their insight of the situation; asking students if they like active involvement of their parents in academic activities and comparing perceptions of all stakeholders including the ministry of education as the main body that suggests and recommends certain systems to be adapted. Timescale/Gantt Chart Reference List Allison, P. A., Canadian Education Association, 2004. Parents’ participation in school improvement processes. Toronto: Canadian Education Association. Anzar, U., 2003. A brief history of madrassas with comments on curricula and current pedagogical practices. Narrative. Cairo: Al-Azhar University Press. Chambers, W. Chambers, R., 1854. Chambers’s papers for the people. Edinburgh: Lippincott. Education Oasis, 2001. Working with parents: advice from teachers. Web. ERIC Clearinghouse on Educational Management, 2001. About parent involvement. Web. Friedman, M., 1955. The role of government in education. Economics and the Public Interest. Piscataway, NJ: Rutgers University Press. Jones, B., 2010. Challenges that teachers face in the classroom. Web. Joye, C. W., 2005. Homeschooling more than one child. Lincoln, NE: iUniverse. Liesen, L. T., 1999. Mother nature: a history of mothers, infants, and natural selection. New York, NY: Pantheon Books. Lucas, B., 2006. Involving parents in schools. London: Continuum International Publishing Group. Michigan Department of Education, 2002. Final Parent Involvment Work Sheet.  Web. Scholastic, 2009. Parent involvement. Web. U.S. Department of Education, 2005. Parent involvement in schools. Web. Williams, B., Williams, J., Ullman, A., 2002. parental involvement in education. Norwich: Queen’s Printer Department for Education and Skills. This research paper on Suggestions for Future Strategies in Analysis of Parental Involvement in School Administration was written and submitted by user Luciano O. to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Tuesday, November 26, 2019

The Sino-Indian War of 1962

The Sino-Indian War of 1962 In 1962, the worlds two most populous countries went to war. The Sino-Indian War claimed about 2,000 lives  and played out in the harsh terrain of the Karakoram Mountains, some 4,270 meters (14,000 feet) above sea level. Background to the War The primary cause of the 1962 war between India and China was the disputed border between the two countries, in the high mountains of Aksai Chin. India asserted that the region, which is slightly larger than Portugal, belonged to the Indian-controlled portion of Kashmir. China countered that it was part of Xinjiang.   The roots of the disagreement go back to the mid 19th century  when the British Raj in India and the Qing Chinese agreed to let the traditional border, wherever that might be, stand as the boundary between their realms. As of 1846, only those sections near the Karakoram Pass and Pangong Lake were clearly delineated; the rest of the border was not formally demarcated.   In 1865, the British Survey of India placed the boundary at the Johnson Line, which included about 1/3 of Aksai Chin within Kashmir. Britain did not consult with the Chinese about this demarcation  because Beijing was no longer in control of Xinjiang at the time. However, the Chinese recaptured Xinjiang in 1878. They gradually pressed forward, and set up boundary markers at Karakoram Pass in 1892, marking off Aksai Chin as part of Xinjiang. The British once again proposed a new border in 1899, known as the Macartney-Macdonald Line, which divided the territory along the Karakoram Mountains and gave India a larger piece of the pie. British India would control all of the Indus River watersheds  while China took the Tarim River watershed. When Britain sent the proposal and map to Beijing, the Chinese did not respond. Both sides accepted this line as settled, for the time being. Britain and China both used the different lines interchangeably, and neither country was particularly concerned since the area was mostly uninhabited and served only as a seasonal trading route. China had more pressing concerns with the fall of the Last Emperor and the end of the Qing Dynasty in 1911, which set off the Chinese Civil War. Britain would soon have World War I to contend with, as well. By 1947, when India gained its independence and maps of the subcontinent were redrawn in the Partition, the issue of Aksai Chin remained unresolved. Meanwhile, Chinas civil war would continue for two more years, until Mao Zedong and the Communists prevailed in 1949. The creation of Pakistan in 1947, the Chinese invasion and annexation of Tibet in 1950, and Chinas construction of a road to connect Xinjiang and Tibet through land claimed by India all complicated the issue. Relations reached a nadir in 1959, when Tibets spiritual and political leader, the Dalai Lama, fled into exile in the face of another Chinese invasion. Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru reluctantly granted the Dalai Lama sanctuary in India, angering Mao immensely.   Sino-Indian War From 1959 forward, border skirmishes broke out along the disputed line. In 1961, Nehru instituted the Forward Policy, in which India tried to establish border outposts and patrols north of Chinese positions, in order to cut them off from their supply line. The Chinese responded in kind, each side seeking to flank the other without direct confrontation. The summer and fall of 1962 saw increasing numbers of border incidents in Aksai Chin. One June skirmish killed more than twenty Chinese troops. In July, India authorized its troops to fire not only in self-defense  but to drive the Chinese back. By October, even as Zhou Enlai was personally assuring Nehru in New Delhi that China did not want war, the Peoples Liberation Army of China (PLA) was massing along the border. The first heavy fighting took place on October 10, 1962, in a skirmish that killed 25 Indian troops and 33 Chinese soldiers. On October 20, the PLA launched a two-pronged attack, seeking to drive the Indians out of Aksai Chin. Within two days, China had seized the entire territory. The main force of the Chinese PLA was 10 miles (16 kilometers) south of the line of control by October 24. During a three-week ceasefire, Zhou Enlai ordered the Chinese to hold their position, as he sent a peace proposal to Nehru. The Chinese proposal was that both sides disengage and withdraw twenty kilometers from their current positions. Nehru responded that the Chinese troops needed to withdraw to their original position instead, and he called for a wider buffer zone. On November 14, 1962, the war resumed with an Indian attack against the Chinese position at Walong. After hundreds of more deaths and an American threat to intervene on behalf of the Indians, the two sides declared a formal ceasefire on November 19. The Chinese announced that they would withdraw from their present positions to the north of the illegal McMahon Line. However, the isolated troops in the mountains did not hear about the ceasefire for several days  and engaged in additional firefights. The war lasted just one month  but killed 1,383 Indian troops and 722 Chinese troops. An additional 1,047 Indians and 1,697 Chinese were wounded, and nearly 4,000 Indian soldiers were captured. Many of the casualties were caused by the harsh conditions at 14,000 feet, rather than by enemy fire. Hundreds of the wounded on both sides died of exposure before their comrades could get medical attention for them. In the end, China retained actual control of the Aksai Chin region. Prime Minister Nehru was roundly criticized at home for his pacifism in the face of Chinese aggression, and for the lack of preparation prior to the Chinese attack.

Friday, November 22, 2019

Dubois Surname Meaning and Origin

Dubois Surname Meaning and Origin The ancient French surname duBois derived from the Old French bois meaning wood and was a French topographical name given to a man who lived or worked in the woods, or who worked as a woodcutter. Similar in origin to the WOOD surname in England and America. DUBOIS is the 8th most popular surname in France. Surname Origin:  French Alternate Surname Spellings:  BOIS, DUBOS, DUBOST, DUBOISE, DEBOSE, DUBAIS, DUBAISE, DESBOIS, BOST, DUBOICE, DUBOYS, DUBOSC, DUBUSK Where Do People With the DUBOIS Surname Live? WorldNames PublicProfiler identifies the largest population of individuals with the DuBois surname in France followed, as you might expect, by Belgium and Switzerland, and then Canada. Within France, the surname is most prevalent in the northern regions of Nord-Pas-de-Calais and Picardie, followed by the Wallonie region of Belgium. The name in France is also fairly common throughout the central part of the country, from Paris stretching north, east and west. Data from Forebears agrees, ranking DuBois as the 4th most common surname in France and 17th in Belgium. It is also prevalent in French territories and collectives such as New Caledonia and French Polynesia, as well as countries which formerly belonged to France, such as The Ivory Coast. The Dubose surname variant is most commonly found in the United States. Famous People With the Surname DUBOIS Allison DuBois - American psychic/mediumW.E.B. duBois - African-American writer, historian and socialistAntoine DuBois - French surgeonCharles Frà ©dà ©ric Dubois - Belgian naturalistLouis DuBois -  Huguenot colonist in New NetherlandShirley Graham Du Bois - American writer, composer and civil rights activist Genealogy Resources for the Surname DUBOIS Common French Surnames Their MeaningsUncover the meaning of your French last name with this free guide to French surnames meanings and origins. DuBose-DuBois DNA ProjectOver 100 group members belong to this Y-DNA surname project, working together to combine DNA testing with traditional genealogy research to sort out DuBose and DuBois ancestral lines. Includes individuals with DuBoise, DuBoice, DuBoys, DuBosc, DuBusk and similar surname variants.   Dubois Family Crest - Its Not What You ThinkContrary to what you may hear, there is no such thing as a Dubois family crest or coat of arms for the Dubois surname.  Coats of arms are granted to individuals, not families, and may rightfully be used only by the uninterrupted male-line descendants of the person to whom the coat of arms was originally granted.   DuBois Family Genealogy ForumSearch this popular genealogy forum for the Dubois surname to find others who might be researching your ancestors, or post your own Dubois query. FamilySearchAccess over 1.7 million free historical records and lineage-linked family trees posted for the Collins surname and its variations on this free genealogy website hosted by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. DUBOIS Surname Family Mailing ListsRootsWeb hosts several free mailing lists for researchers of the Dubois surname.  You can also browse or search the list archives to explore previous postings for the Dubois surname. The DuBois Genealogy and Family Tree PageBrowse family trees and links to genealogical and historical records for individuals with the last name Dubois from the website of Genealogy Today. References Cottle, Basil. Penguin Dictionary of Surnames. Baltimore: Penguin Books, 1967.Menk, Lars. A Dictionary of German Jewish Surnames. Bergenfield, NJ: Avotaynu, 2005.Beider, Alexander. A Dictionary of Jewish Surnames from Galicia.  Bergenfield, NJ:  Avotaynu, 2004.Hanks, Patrick and Flavia Hodges. A Dictionary of Surnames. New York: Oxford University Press, 1989.Hanks, Patrick. Dictionary of American Family Names. New York: Oxford University Press, 2003.Hoffman, William F. Polish Surnames: Origins and Meanings.  Chicago:  Polish Genealogical Society, 1993.Rymut, Kazimierz. Nazwiska Polakow.  Wroclaw: Zaklad Narodowy im. Ossolinskich - Wydawnictwo, 1991.Smith, Elsdon C. American Surnames. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1997.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Hello Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Hello - Essay Example This fact is proven by the high rates of negative outcomes for patients as well as the percentage of the population that could not afford to purchase insurance plans. Several public opinion polls have indicated that the general public is overwhelmingly in support of a nationalized health-care system, meaning that healthcare should come under the domain of the government, away from private corporations. But, in spite of this unanimous support for a universal healthcare system (that includes universal insurance), the issue never crops up during presidential debates. The limitations of the two-party democratic system are also being exposed as a result. Both the Democratic Party and the Republican Party are funded by private corporations during election campaigns, the health-insurance lobby being one of the major contributors to campaign funds. Given such a setup, it is only natural that the public opinion is suppressed or ignored in favor of the vested private interests. Some intellectuals argue that the United States lags behind other industrialized nations in its health-care system, due to its Capitalist economy, which puts corporate profits ahead of public interest. The Scandinavian countries of Sweden, Norway and Denmark are recognized to have the best universal healthcare systems in place. Although the GDP and per capita incomes of these nations are relatively small, the â€Å"socialist† basis of their political systems has ensured this favorable condition. Also, in these countries the mainstream media is not heavily concentrated in the hands of a few giant corporations, which is the case in America. This makes it easy for the real public opinion to be openly discussed and debated. More importantly, it is in the democratic tradition of these nations to include public sentiments and opinions in the debates leading up to elections. But unfortunately, such open expression of public sentiment is not possible in the American mainstream

Tuesday, November 19, 2019

How China and Japan reacted to the war on terror Essay

How China and Japan reacted to the war on terror - Essay Example The attack in US surprised the entire planet while simultaneously triggering some paradigm shifts throughout the globe, but the latest shift has not resulted in a situation that can be equated to that of the cold war period when the US paradigm was the model that was used by other nations (Seidler, 2013, p. 72). Tokyo’s population has been wondering whether a prolonged war on terrorism might obligate the prime minister to utilize his political capital to take part in the coalition to fight terrorism, thus leaving limited resources to address the nation’s economic issues. Recently, scholars at a seminar considered newer roles for four nations: the US, Japan, Russia and China, with all of them contributing through military and politically towards the war on terror (Borgu, 2004, p. 52). It is likely that the degree of meaningful cooperation between the nations in this strategic alliance will escalate out of necessity. The importance of China will increase and as a member o f the WTO and the UN Security Council as well as a GDP of 7 percent annually and experience in dealing with terrorism, China will most definitely be a strong partner. Additionally, the close relationships that China has with Pakistan will assist in keeping the Islamic nation in the coalition that is led by the US. The economy of China will benefit from the accession to WTO as resources will be allocated in a more efficient manner moving into the labor-intensive industries of China.

Saturday, November 16, 2019

Charles Dickens Essay Example for Free

Charles Dickens Essay In The Signalman, however, speed is conveyed through motion used in the story, mostly by the travelling train. Once again, the opening of the story uses dialogue, and all is written in first person creating immediacy and close tension. And though movement is both slow and quick, both speeds are used to create an air of mystery and surprise in the way they link with areas which many would not prefer to pass through. When the narrator describes his descent to come into contact with the Signalman, his zigzag decent is pictured as becoming oozier and wetter as he went down and is reluctant to come down for this stranger, resembling a decent to the unknown or to Hell. The precision of the narrators detailed descriptions was an element of surprise for this detail was not normal, and reflects the characteristics of the Signalman in his daily job as perfectionist and precisionist. He is described with many words linking to a dark motif, such as being a dark sallow man, having a dark beard, heavy eyebrows and was in place solitary and dismal. Description used by Dickens seamlessly flows from the man to the setting as if the man was part of the landscape, merged like a ghost is to its surroundings. He is also described as being lonesome, which may depict an image of insanity when his thoughts and sightings of paranormal existence are merged. The cutting itself is then described as if the narrator had left the natural world, creating an air of mystery in the situation where the tunnel has a barbarous, depressing, and forbidding air and these metaphors put emphasis on the mystery in the setting. Use of speech is varied in this short story, as opposed to The Red Room only using direct speech, whereas The Signalman uses both direct and reported speech to help flow with the descriptive elements of the story. Time is therefore important in how it is conveyed in speech, and in various sections of dialogue, Dickens uses reported speech and direct speech to help us understand which point in time we are following: the past or present. In the most part, the direct speech is used to describe the present situation, and reported speech often used to provide exposition for the reader. In the first instance, the Signalman seems to be a quiet man, where he replied (but without sound), Yes , and his speech being one of his own as to have formed his own crude ideas of its pronunciation is a suggestion that he was from a poor upbringing or one with no education. Description using reported speech also suggests that happiness and leisure in spare time is not a frequent occurrence in the Signalmans life, where he had only under certain conditions or in certain hours of the day would he be able to do anything other than attending to the bell. It is also as if the Signalman is reliant on the electric bell, where is sometimes redoubled with anxiety if he is away from the bell and thus would be less happy than as expected. Repetition of speech is also effective in the story, with the first instance being the introduction of the short story with the words Halloa! Below there! used by three entities the narrator, the spectre and the train driver towards the end of the story. It is with this repetition that Dickens uses it to drawn in a supernatural surrounding and a sense of mystery, suspense and surprise when the Signalman asks the narrator to return, but dont call out and asking whether the narrator was not compelled by any feeling or conveyed to you in any supernatural way, changing the atmosphere to one of hope and a farewell which will result in them meeting again, into a sense of doom and one farewell which may be their last. In The Red Room, repetition is used in the first room with the elderly, seemingly disfigured people to show age. Many elderly people are portrayed as being hard of hearing a connotation of their age but can also, in this short story, imply a sense of danger about the Room. The solitary description of habitat is also key, where the small box his very little associated with non-work related media and objects. The extract describing the box is also different in literary effect to The Red Room in that it describes the focal point of mystery as the Signalman, where as the Red Room is the focal point of mystery in the short story. Frequent use of commas also break up the speech, allowing reader to pause and think while the passage flows on slowly, whereas more often in The Red Room it is used to make a switch to fast-paced movement. Detail to attention is also important in describing the reason for the solitude of the Signalman, where he relies on the bell to begin his duties and twice broke off with a fallen colour to attend to the Line outside, even though no train was passing and the bell did not ring. In the text itself, the word not is emphasised in small capital letters: NOT. This emphasis provides an image whilst the reader continues to follow the passage, and if read aloud the emphasis on the word would be clearly stressed to show importance and significance. Being solitary is also a sense of timidity and lonesomeness, which seems to be descriptors of the ghost: left arm is across the face, and the right arm is waved violently waved. The use of present tense in that clause is as if he had recently come across another sighting of the spectre, or as if the presence is never-ending and thus mysterious in the situation of the unknown. Other times are described as being signs to the Signalman of other deaths which later arrived, such as the girl on the train. Look out! Look out! and Below there! give a sense of fast-paced movement because of the short clause use, and does not say who is to be looking for danger. In The Red Room, the quietness of the elderly people, the repetition of their speech, and how they seems to reside in the first room is solitary, but brings with it also a sense of mystery, as does here in The Signalman. Resisting the slow touch of a frozen finger tracing out my spine is another example of metaphorical device used by Dickens to illustrate the presence of a supernatural being or an omen of some sort. But a sense of contradiction is evident in the narrators part, where he describes himself as being unsure of ghosts and supernatural beings. He states that the Signalman seemed to make the place strike colder, implying that the man is not one indeed or has something within him, which he also earlier describes as something that daunted him. In The Red Room, however, the spectre is known to be seen as around him in the space of the room, even though he describes the spirit as being fear. Contradiction could also be seen as being evident in The Red Room, where the senior people are left inside the first room by the narrator to explore the castle further, despite them telling him not to go, yet the return to give a helping hand towards the end of the story. Both stories seems to have a sense that truth is always hidden, whether it be in lies, for example when the old people in The Red Room ask and you have seen it to the narrator; in The Signalman, the truth is hidden in the silence of the ghost and the worry from the Signalman which surfaces as a result, affecting his judgement and post. The last paragraphs of the two short stories differ in many ways, however. Though the two stories are similar in the way mystery and surprise is conveyed, the stories end in either one or the other. The Red Room concludes with a greater sense of surprise, whereas The Signalman does so with a greater sense of mystery. Surprise is conveyed in the final part of the story when it is the man with the shade who speaks last. His words utter there is Fear in that room of hers, with the female body referring to the wife of the deceased man who tried to jester her, and that this fear lives on in that room, which is an ending of surprise, not well known to many ghost stories of the time. The Signalman, however, ends in a sense of great mystery as repetition is explained and further examined by the narrator, where the gesticulation he had imitated can lead us to imply that the Signalman was indeed troubled and the precise actions were so alike in those three image shown to us through the writing by Charles Dickens as being of significance, and does not reference other coincidences. This focus poses mystery upon the whole story, but more so in this focal point, and a sense of helplessness to a solitary man seems no use and a dreadful time as described by the driver of the train. It could also be seen that the description of emerging from the tunnel is likewise to similar descriptions of near-death experiences being of a tunnel with a light at the end, or descriptions of Purgatory where the mind can be cleansed of illness, just as the Signalman was cleared of his daunting thoughts. In The Signalman, the sense of mystery is greater emphasised in the entirety of the story with the bleaker setting, whereas The Red Room owes more descriptive elements to the sense of surprise, mostly due to use of frequent punctuation and pause in the sentences. Both short stories are equal in effect for conveying, but The Red Room is more efficient in sustaining a sense of mystery and surprise in that the use of vocabulary and repetition and motifs are far more effective, as well as more literary techniques being used more frequently in this text and the Dickens text. In The Signalman, the descriptions of place and events convey separate areas of mystery and surprise, but not sustain as clearly as H. G. Wells, and the use of speech breaks up the sense of mystery as it can sometimes be misleading in the events. Matthew Chew 10P Name: Matthew Chew Form: 10P Set: 2 Date: 21st December 2009 Title: With detailed reference to The Signalman by Charles Dickens and The Red Room by H. G. Wells, compare the ways in which the two writers sustain/convey an air of mystery and surprise in the two short stories. Texts: The Red Room by H. G. Wells; The Signalman by Charles Dickens. Show preview only The above preview is unformatted text This student written piece of work is one of many that can be found in our GCSE Miscellaneous section.

Thursday, November 14, 2019

The Architecture Studio :: Personal Narrative Writing

The Architecture Studio All my life I had dreamed of this day. I had spent countless hours playing â€Å"architecture firm† and designing various buildings on my â€Å"Home Design 2000† program. Today was the commencement of the fall 2003 semester at State University’s College of Architecture, Planning, and Design (or CAPD for short). I stood in studio #323, affectionately known to architecture majors as the â€Å"Loft Studio.† I felt lucky to get the studio with the coolest layout and the most space, for it was well known that other classes were sure to envy this room. With the best view because of the huge picture window that spanned almost two stories, (the lower level along with the height from the loft) we were able to see the towering evergreen trees just outside the building, and had a great view of the sky (much to our dismay, we often saw the sunrise and sunset and the sunrise again all in the same day). As I lounged in my chair, feeling completely awkward but trying to look like I fit in, my eyes scanned the room full of eager faces that I would soon consider my classmates, and hopefully, friends. Right now though, each of them intimidated me. I couldn’t help but think they had all spend their entire lives preparing for the year, when all I had were dreams and ambition. Katrina Lewis was our professor, and each of us had heard rumors of how picky she was (â€Å"anal retentive† were the exact words, I believe). There were horror stories of her always giving the class busywork, and expecting total perfection, despite our lack of knowledge or experience. I pictured in my head a short spinster who wore horn-rimmed glasses and nothing but black pantsuits, but my eyes widened with surprise as she walked in the room. A tall, thin frame accompanied by short, stylish blonde hair took the place of my gray-haired visions. She couldn’t have been more than 30 years old, and she wore cute plastic-rimmed sunglasses (which, by the way, she wore every day of class†¦and never took them off). She called us over to the area where she taught, and we all grabbed chairs, being careful not to pop anybody’s bubble. She proceeded to lecture the entire three hours of class, while each of use struggled to keep our eyes open. I knew by the end of class that the rumors were true, and this would not be an easy first semester.

Monday, November 11, 2019

Leadership Structure in the Local Church

Structure for Church Ministry By Geraldine Rowe A Paper Presented to Professor Dr. Epps In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements For Research for Scholarly Writing College of Biblical Studies Houston, Texas October 14, 2010 ? Leadership Structure for Church Ministry The local church has not exhibited consistent patterns of lay leadership. Most denominations articulate the Reformation principle of a universal priesthood, while vacillating with changing times and pressures.At both the local and denominational levels organizations have expanded the role of lay persons which may or may not require them to be educated clergy. Organization structure of the local church whether modern or traditional empowers themselves to announce the word, administer the sacraments and to call and discipline ministers and laity. Believers in Christ connect simultaneously as a congregation to manage the work that Jesus requested. The general values that can be acclimatized to fit the features of â€Å"th e local church† were established by the early church to do ministry.These values can be directed to the constitution or bylaws of a localized place of worship in modern times. Concentration should be given to the reason and objective of the local church preventing them from dropping into the complacency of just â€Å"doing church. † In architecture, one of the most significant notions is that the church balances between covenant theology and proliferated leadership roles. To explore this notion a closer look is given to church models and their leadership philosophies, beginning with the authority or â€Å"head† of the church.The first and most significant part of the church’s structure is the Head Shepherd who is Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:22-23, 4:15-16). Underneath the Head Shepherd, there is an assembly of under shepherds (overseers, elders or pastors). Historically, from the perspective of Anglicans, Puritans, and Presbyterians all early Baptist preache rs were lay, meaning they did not receive Episcopal or Presbyterian ordination. One example was Thomas Collier, who joined one of the seven London churches and served as an itinerant evangelist.He, through the use of the press gained great influence of Particular Baptists. Lay preachers were the chief means for the advancement of Baptist in the American frontier. Today, however the Pastor no longer functions merely as preachers, chief administrators or ordinances, counselors, and general leaders. They have become executives or administrators who perform numerous functions. They interface disillusionment when they discover that it requires something very different. They become the â€Å"hired hands† instead of God-called ministers.The common options for handling this issue seems to be emphasize the equipping role of the pastor and other professionals while seeking to acknowledge an array of functions and leadership in the churches today. The leadership of the church depends la rgely upon its doctrine and how closely the pastor is to follow its bylaws. One view is that of the church as a covenant community which has deep roots in biblical as well as free-church traditions. Max Stackhouse wrote on â€Å"free church Calvinism† which had a strong influence on the Puritans who left the Church of England.He describes it like this: â€Å"A covenantal people live under the law of God, and find themselves empowered to live together by the love of God. God is the source and sustainer of the covenant ecclesia. Though the initiator of the covenant of God, the church also in a sense a voluntary community. The covenant is voluntary in the sense that it is not a community given by birth in a family, class or nation. People must choose to be an active member. This is so even if, in another sense, it is not voluntary at all. God initiates the covenant, humans only receive it, as signified by baptism. This doctrine if properly adopted eliminates the temptation of s elf-interest, isolation and the disregard for the claims of others. Statistic show however that among Southern Baptist Churches the denomination has been restricted by geography and economist to the South, and by racism. Additionally, many southern Baptist have embraced the pluralistic value of urban life and advance education. Covenantalism, in its original intent could guide a system which recognizes different influences and authorities, and to give a voice to diverse groups and individuals.A church is both an organism and an organization. According to New Testament writers the church is defined as the â€Å"body of Christ† (1 Corinthians 12) also â€Å"the bride of Christ† (Revelation 19). These scriptures personify the church as a living organism. This organism lives under the leadership of the spirit of Christ as it works in the life of believers which prompts them to begin a congregation. An effective leader strives to keep the congregation attached to its source of energy thereby keeping people focused on the One who corporately gives them strength and direction.This organism can be dynamic or it can become weak and sickly. As an organism its life and energy must be cared for much liken to one who would care for a living being. The Church is also an organization as defined by Webster. It is â€Å"any unified, consolidated group of elements; systematized whole; a) a body of persons organized for some specific purpose†. As an organization the Church has form, structure, a mission to perform, clientele, constituents, programs, a way of doing business, financial systems, a corporate culture, and many other attributes of any other organization whether secular or sacred.The effective leader needs to understand the nature of its organization and attempt to lead the church carrying out its mission. Leaders of the Bible like Moses, Joshua, David, Nehemiah, Jesus, Paul and others had goals and envisioned the end results as they pushed themsel ves and led others. Any effective leader can enlist people around them to commit to common purpose. They motivate others to dream the dreams, see the visions, and work toward the goals that have been set. This servant leader strives to build trust between leader and effective balance so that leadership compliments one another.This frees him up to preach the gospel. When a leader is overly task oriented he will do whatever it takes to accomplish the task at hand. People are not very important. The danger here is that the leader directs more attention to the organization than the organism. The most consistent lay leadership role in ministry in Baptist Churches has been that of Deacon. The work of the Deacon is to serve tables, providing the Lord Supper. They are to partner with the Pastor as bond servants and overseers according to Phil 1:1.Likewise his attributes should reconcile with the description of overseer given in 1Tim 3:1-13. The position of Deacon and other church officers a nd ministries are accountable when heading up a successful church organization. Patterson makes this point clear in his writings about leading from the second chair. A second chair leader may be defined as â€Å"anyone in a subordinate whole whose influence with others adds value throughout the organization. It could refer to the second or the fourth or fifth person of the organization chart.According to this writer the second chair leader should learn from the paradoxes from the reflection on the life of Joseph in the book of Genesis. If the overseers are out of order and dysfunctional, the entire congregation suffers from confusion and strife that eventually weakens the church preventing it to function according to its original purpose. The biblical purpose of the church is the Great Commission as stated in Matthew 28:19-20. Its mission, or the way in which its purpose is carried out, is stated in Acts 2:42-47 as evangelism, discipleship, worship, ministry, prayer, and fellowship .The leader of the second chair understands the mission of the church and has developed a vision of what the purpose of the church is and is committed to that mission and vision. In conclusion, many changes have taken place in the local church since its Reformation principals. Some of these changes have raised the awareness of social injustices and much progress has been made in the areas of diversity. Many of the post modern adjustments that were made in order to accommodate a diverse society however have proven to weaken its effectiveness in a dying world.Over a period of time the church has become stagnate and content with the way things are being done been under the umbrella of â€Å"the church†. Distractions such as church membership, financial budgets, and annual programs have taken the forefront of too many local congregations. They exist to survive or survive to exist and totally lose sight of its mandate to teach the Word of God, win people to a saving knowledge of C hrist, grow people in Christ- likeness, and minister to one another.The Leaders and Overseers should re-evaluate their agenda. They should nurture the passion for work to which they have been called and keep their eyes on the mission and purpose of the church or whatever group/organization they are leading. This will eradicate confusion, hostility, misunderstandings, controversy and selfish agendas. They should be determined to lead the church to develop strong, positive Kingdom agendas that clearly contributes to the advancement of the cause of Christ in the world.