The Global MILCC Box
Modeling Informed Leadership and Connected Community
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Frequently
asked
questions
Who are community leaders? What do they do?
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Community leaders are leaders with a wide network of influence within their communities.
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Community leaders can be anyone. They can be the unemployed mom in Cape Town working as a volunteer for Community Action Networks (CAN). They can be the illiterate grandmother who is producing solar energy for her community. They can be the town Bishop building networks of support with other faith leaders.
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Community leaders are often not well compensated compared to traditional leadership roles.
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Community leaders are sometimes seen as troublemakers by certain groups outside of their community because they “stir things up” and “get things going”.
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Community leaders try to amplify the lived experiences and needs of their communities.
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Community leaders try to fill in the gaps left by larger institutions such as governments and corporations by meeting community needs directly.
What are community leaders doing in times of COVID-19?
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In times of global crisis, inequities are amplified. Oftentimes the most vulnerable in communities (the low income, the unemployed, the homeless, the elderly etc.) are hit the hardest. In public health crises, it is often people without access to basic resources such as water, electricity, food, housing that are disproportionately impacted.
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As governments try to influence public health and social policies on a macro- and nation- wide level, oftentimes the responsibility of making sure the most vulnerable are fed, have a place to sleep, or have access to childcare are left to community leaders. Community leaders are often best positioned to respond directly to the needy in their communities.
What is the MILCC Box Toolkit?
This toolkit is a resource to support community leaders respond to the needs of their communities in the face of this global pandemic and public health crisis. In these times of social distancing, traditional community organising strategies that emphasise large-scale gatherings and one-on-one in-person meetings have been forcibly stopped. Does this mean that community organising stops? No. But the need to rethink and re-envision community organising, currently at odds with community health best practices, is more important than ever.
Who is this toolkit for?
This toolkit is for anyone who is engaged in a community leadership role. These leaders continue to be a source of comfort and support during this distressing time. Thus, they have the ability to address concerns, fears, and worries, and share helpful information to manage mental health care and spread of information.
How do I use the MILCC Box Toolkit?
This is not a prescriptive text. This toolkit is meant to offer options for community leaders in different communities, to adapt and tailor each approach as they see fit. We recognize that each community and their needs are different, and a one-stop approach does not fit all. We hope that by offering a snapshot of initiatives happening in different local communities, community leaders can adapt the best practices of others while building on their local knowledge.
What are future plans for the MILCC Box Toolkit?
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For phase 1 of the community leaders toolkit, we have chosen to focus on three broad issues:
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How to support yourself and your constituents in these times of crisis in your community
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Communicating with constituents in times of social distancing
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Collaboratively creating and practicing public health practices for community mobilisation and well being​
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For phase 2 of the community leaders toolkit, we have chosen to focus on incorporating technology to be more accessible
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Create an app that helps leaders on-the-go access and provide resources that can facilitate community well-being
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Incorporate a button, such as an emergency button for people to click, where helpers in their community receive the message, that they e.g. need to be talked through a panic attack
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Create a Forum for people who have been acknowledged as doctors, psychologists etc., to share strategies as they develop
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Buy digital translation tech that
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For phase 3, we will focus on amplifying reach
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Develop global and regional networks
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