guardian angels: organizations and programs

8/7/2019 Guardian Angels: Organizations and Programs

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THE OFFICIALGUARDIAN ANGELS

TRAINING BOOK:5. ORGANIZATION ANDPROGRAMS MANUAL

International Alliance ofGuardian Angels

Version 1.12004


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Copyright 2003 Guardian Angels Page 1 Guardian Angels: 5. Org. & Programs Manual

5. ORGANIZATION AND PROGRAMS MANUAL

Table of Contents

Volunteer Demographics.......................................................................................2

Guardian Angels Positions ....................................................................................3Programs .........................................................................................................5Advisory Board ...........................................................................................6Patrol .........................................................................................................8Finance.......................................................................................................9Marketing..................................................................................................15Media Relations........................................................................................17Administration...........................................................................................20Community Affairs ....................................................................................23Community Emergency Response ...........................................................26Crisis and Conflict Mediation ....................................................................27

Criminal Affairs .........................................................................................28Inter-Chapter Affairs .................................................................................29Special Events..........................................................................................33Cyber Guardian Angels ............................................................................34Education Programs.................................................................................35Youth Programs........................................................................................37Senior Programs.......................................................................................4024/7 .......................................................................................................41

The Guardian Angels Theory ..............................................................................42Guardian Angels Reintroducing Community Policing..........................................45Devolutionists......................................................................................................46

AppendixA. Sample LeafletB. Sample FlierC. Sample Press ReleaseD. Sample Youth DocumentsE. Safety Tips ManualF. Behavioral Self-DefenseG. Sample Letter to Councilmember


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International Conference 2001, Chicago

Guardian Angels Volunteer Demographics

In the past, almost all Guardian Angels patrolled. Members were usuallybetween the ages of 16 and 24, mostly male, from poor neighborhoods, and oftenminorities. At the time, many people viewed poor minority youth as criminals and gangmembers, and now, as Guardian Angels, people see them as volunteers sacrificing fortheir own communities.

It was very important to show that young kids were not only part of the problem,but they could also be part of the solution. Few other organizations attracted youngadults to their volunteer and community programs like the Guardian Angels.

The Guardian Angels stillaggressively recruit young people from

poor, crime-infested neighborhoods aspart of patrol activities. However, thereare many other people who are alsointerested in the Guardian Angels and inwhat we stand for. Our goal is to trulyreflect the communities we serve. Notonly should we be racially diverse, weshould also have both female and malemembers, members from all incomegroups, and of all different ages andbackgrounds. Since most people

remember us from our early years, it is adifficult challenge convincing people that they do not have to be young males to join.

In addition to a diversity of demographics, our programs have also expanded.Patrolling is still our core program, but we also need volunteers who are interested innon-patrolling programs. Our greatest need is for non-patrolling volunteers.


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Guardian Angels Positions

EXECUTIVE LEVEL

President/Founder

The Founder and current President is Curtis Sliwa. He is in charge of the goals,direction, and operations of the entire organization. He holds the ultimate authority onall things Guardian Angels.

Executive Board of Directors

The Board of Directors is comprised of New York residents and hold limited

influence over the organization. Curtis and Frances Sliwa are members of the board.

Secretary/Treasurer

Frances Sliwa is Secretary and Treasurer as well as the mother of Curtis Sliwa.She is in charge of all finances as well as distribution of official logo supplies.

International Director

This position is currently vacant. The last person to hold this position wasSebastian Metz. This position is in charge of the development and coordination of all

the chapters focusing mostly on chapters outside the United States.

Program Directors

Currently, there are three programs at the executive level: Cyber GuardianAngels, Urban Guardian Angels, and Angels in the Classroom. The difference betweenan executive level program and a chapter level program is that the executive level ismore centralized, uniform, and standardized. The creation, development, and operationof the program require a more structured and organized format. Any chapter can createtheir own Junior Guardian Angels or Self-Defense programs. The Executive levelprograms must be run according to strict guidelines with a fully trained staff.

Regional Director

A Guardian Angels region may involve a number of different countries, states, oreven cities within a state. Japan is considered its own region that includes a dozen orso chapters in several cities. Europe is considered a region that used to have a dozenor so chapters throughout several countries. Los Angeles was also once a region whenit had several chapters in several cities. The Regional Director is in charge of the


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development and coordination of all chapters within her region. She is the ultimateauthority over those chapters.

CHAPTER LEVEL

Chapter Leader

A chapter usually covers an entire city. However, in the case of largemetropolitan areas, there may be several chapters within one city. The Chapter Leaderis in charge of the development and operations of her chapter. The CL should be incharge of all financial matters and be closely involved in monitoring patrol activities.

Assistant Chapter Leader

The duties of the Assistant Chapter Leader are up to each chapter. He canactually run the entire chapter and receive minimal direction from the CL. He may also

just be a stand-in for whenever the CL is out of town. Ideally, the CL should share allaspects of her job with the Assistant. In other words, if the CL were to move, theAssistant should be able to easily step into her shoes and continue running anddeveloping the chapter.

Program Directors

Members should be provided the opportunity to start or operate local programslike self-defense classes, Youth Guardian Angels, or Emergency Response GuardianAngels. Ideally, they should have at least one year experience as a Guardian Angel.

Patrol Sergeants

Some members avoid taking on leadership roles. Being a leader, however, is thesame thing as being a Guardian Angel. For those who do not wish to do anything elsebut patrol (patrol junkies); they should eventually become Patrol Sergeants. They donot lead out every patrol. That task should be circulated evenly among the Safeties.Their duty, however, is to either train or assist in the training of recruits and otherSafeties. They should become experts on the patrol area and tactics.


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Guardian Angels Programs

Advisory Boards Advise, support, and help guide chapter

Patrol Street, neighborhood, nightlife, special events patrols

Finance Finance, accounting, budgeting, grant writing, fund-raising

Marketing Marketing, market research and development, promotion,campaigns, literature, archives, public information

Recruitment Recruitment drives, training, public outreach

Media Relations Media interviewing, media contacts

Administration Administration, facilities management, equipment, records,member development and training, internal development,training, program and strategic review

Community Affairs Community meetings, contacts, outreach

CommunityEmergency Response Community emergency response training covers both

natural and human created disastersCrisis and ConflictMediation Individual conflict resolution to community mediation

Criminal Affairs Police relations, criminology, crime statistics, crime research

Inter-Chapter Affairs Travel planning, Infoshare, International Conference

Special Events Special events organization, planning, and promotions

Cyber Guardian Angels Computer safety workshops, website development

Education Programs Teach the Teachers, Humane Education, Self-Defense

Youth Programs Youth, Urban, and Junior Guardian Angels

Senior Programs Senior outreach, self-defense

24/7 Full-time, live-in Guardian Angels


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Guardian Angels Advisory Board

Many Cities and Counties today are creating citizen advisory boards. Their job isto help provide the City and County governments with advice, feedback, guidance, andsupport. While the City Council and County Commission actually run government,these boards take on a limited advisory role. The board meetings also provide a forumfor public input and involvement. Advisory board members are not employees of theCity or County, so they mostly retain their independent ideas and perspectives.

A chapter may wish to adopt some sort of advisory board for the same reason.This should NOT be a Governing Board. The Chapter Leader is the highest authority inthe city, and he reports directly to his Regional Coordinator who reports directly to CurtisSliwa. This chain of command should not be impeded or broken.

The Advisory Board acts as a liaison with the community as well as a resource inand of itself. It can be comprised of anyone in the community; however, they should bereputable, lawful, and up-standing citizens. Some suggestions are: police officers,social workers, the Citys neighborhood advisory board member, City council member ifpossible, criminologist, Chamber of Commerce member, youth program director,lawyer, paramedic, martial arts instructor, marketing professional, minority groupdirector, church leader, other non-profit leaders, and leaders from the areas majorindustries. It should also be comprised of the general public.

How many times have you tried to recruit someone, and he said that he did nothave the time, he thought he was too old, or he was not interested in patrolling. Askhim if he would like to be a member of the Advisory Board.

Advisory Board Duties

The job of the board is mostly to advise you and not operate the chapter. Theyshould review the objectives and accomplishments of the chapter and provide suggestsas to the strategies and goals of the chapter. The benefit of a Board of Advisors is tolend credibility to the chapter as well as provide the community with some officialinfluence over the activities of the chapter. It also provides the chapter with theresources and contacts the board members bring with them.

Keep in mind, the Board does not tell you what to do. At the same time, youshould not ignore or belittle their ideas and suggestions. You should make an honest

attempt to incorporate their feedback and take note of it at the next meeting. E.g., Ms.Smith, last meeting you suggested that we work with the Red Cross on this event. Wenow have them involved, and they are helping out a lot.

The Advisory Board should meet monthly, bi-monthly, or quarterly depending onChapter activities. The Chapter and Program Leaders must attend and provide a reporton Chapter activities. The Board provides their suggestions or recommendations onthese activities. You should start with what the Chapter has done, then what it is doing,and then end with what it will do. When covering future events, you should solicit as


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much assistance from the Board as possible. The Board should also be invited toattend and view any Chapter activity they may be interested in. They receive VIPinvitations to any major Chapter event. They should also be called upon to help youwith the media.

Each year, you should hold a special event for the Board where all Chapter

members can meet them. You should also provide them with certificates ofappreciation, supporter t-shirts, or other Guardian Angels logo merchandise.


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Tending to a victim, Super Bowl weekend, SanDiego 2003

Guardian Angels Patrol

We slam and jam the crooks. We rock and shock the streets. We are hemorrhoids tothe dope dealing, herka-ma-jerk, mutants. We give free therapeutic concrete backmassages to those Uzi-toting, dope-smoking, huckleberry, freakazoids oozing out thearmpits of the cesspool of our cities.

The Guardian Angels patrol is themost visible and well-known part of theGuardian Angels. In fact, it is so wellknown that most people assume that isall we do. The patrol is also the mostcontroversial and potentially dangerous

program. For this reason, patrolvolunteers spend significant timetraining. Because of the risks anddemands, patrolling also offers greaterself-rewards and a deeperunderstanding of the principles andideals of the Guardian Angels.

Patrol Trainer/Instructor

The Chapter Leader is not necessarily the best suited to be the trainer or

instructor. A CL may find himself busy working with the police and community leadersin the patrol areas. The Patrol Trainer/ Instructor should be the one best suited to train,motivate, and develop other patrol members.


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Guardian Angels Finance

Besides the Patrol Program, the Finance Program bears the greatestresponsibilities and risks for this organization. No chapter can afford improper,incomplete, or inaccurate financial management and reporting. The person in charge ofthis program should be particularly mature, responsible, and financially stable.

Director of Finance

Usually the Chapter Leader is in charge of financial reporting and spending. Ifthe chapter revenue grows significantly, however, a CL may decide to appoint someonethis responsibility especially if his bookkeeping skills are superior. Most Chapters canoperate under $2,000 a year. Those Chapters that operate above this are usually

receiving grants, which require more organized and professional budgeting andaccounting procedures.

Fundraiser

The Fundraiser is in charge of creating, planning, and promoting fundraisingevents including booths at special events, Guardian Angels merchandise sales, carwashes, auctions, or dinners.

Grant Writing

Grant writing is truly a unique position for two major reasons. First, grant writingitself is a specialized skill that usually requires years of experience and training.Second, the grant writer needs to understand all aspects of the entire chapter or fundedprogram. For example, a grant writer for a patrol program needs to know everythingabout the program including the number of patrols, number of patrol members, dates ofpatrol, goals of each patrol, and crime statistics in the patrol area. She then needs torecord how the money was spent and where it went. The grant writer is involved fromthe conception of the program to its completion and review.

A grant application is much like a business plan; however, instead of convincingan investor that your business will make money, you are convincing a donor that yourprogram will make a difference. Also, many donors are business investors, so the more

your application looks like a professional business plan, the more likely the donor willfind it credible. Donors usually ask the following questions:

What is your program about? Why is your program important? Who will be running it? How will you run it? Who will it benefit?


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Why is your program unique? Why cant other organizations or agencies dothis?

What is the problem that you will be solving? How will you measure success? Can you provide me with substantial, measurable, and verifiable results?

How much will it cost? How is your program cost effective? Who can vouch for your credibility or program? Do you have the support of other community groups? Do you have any experience with this kind of program? What makes you qualified to run this kind of program?

The Grant Writer must first identify the goal of the organization and its specificprogram. There should be both measurable objectives and predicted outcomes.

Good example: Our goal is to motivate at-risk high school students to improve their

attendance and interest in school. We believe their inability to deal with their personalproblems is at the root of their poor school performance. Our method is to empowerthem will skills to deal with their problems including conflict resolution, peer mediation,building self-esteem, anger management, relationship building, communication, andself-defense. We will also educate them about the pitfalls of drugs, alcohol, gangs,teenage pregnancy, unsafe sex, and crime.

Bad example: We hope to help youth and make them better citizens.

Pointers

Measure the impact and effect of your program. Create a before and afterparticipant survey. For example, the survey should ask them what their attitudesare concerning school, college, careers, themselves, and their future. You canthen report improvements like: Only 10% of the participants said they wereinterested in attending college at the beginning of the program. By the end of theprogram, 70% expressed interest in attending college. Try to report theirattendance record before and after the program.

Create an activity statement and scope of work or plan of action.

Record all activities including the frequency, intensity, and duration.

Create a budget. Start out with a dream budget with all the staffing andequipment you could possibly need. List the resources you already have.Attempt to find matching grants or resources.


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Financial Management

Appropriate Expenses

Gas for traveling to another chapter

Medical supplies for the chapter Airfare to visit another chapter for official business (only if taking Greyhound willtake more than 8 hours one way)

Copying of fliers Cell phone bill for Guardian Angels cell phone Guardian Angels t-shirts and jackets

Inappropriate Expenses (excludes 24/7 Program)

Cash Food

Gas for picking up and dropping off members BDUs and boots for yourself or any members Personal cell phone bill

Keep all receipts. Provide a receipt for any cash donations above $10 (recordANY cash donation in the monthly reports). Record all expenses paid out of theGuardian Angels account and all cash donations provided to any Guardian Angel.

Donations

A donation is the giving of money, products, or services with no expectation of areturn of any kind of money, products, or services. We do not accept donations inexchange for anything including security, self-defense classes, or after-schoolprograms. If you want to charge for a self-defense class or after-school program youmust charge a fee only to cover your out-of-pocket expenses. We do accept grants inexchange for providing programs and services.

If someone wants you to patrol their special event or apartment complex, youmay tell them that you accept donations (which may include free lodging), but thedonation is not in any way considered a contract for services. Tell them, however, thatyou will personally commit to their event.


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Monthly Reporting

A monthly financial report must be submitted to the Treasurer, Frances Sliwa.The report must include:

1. Balance page. Includes the name of your chapter, the name and position ofthe reporter, starting balance, total monthly expenses, total monthlydonations, and ending balance. You must sign this page.

2. Expenses page. Itemize each expense including the Guardian Angels checknumber, the payee, a brief description of the expense, the dollar amount, andthen the total monthly expenses at the bottom.

3. Donations page. Itemize each donation including the Guardian Angelsreceipt number, the donator, a brief description of the source of the donation,the dollar amount, and then the total monthly donation at the bottom.

4. Copy of the checking account statement.5. Copy of all expense and donation receipts.

Send this report on a monthly basis to:

Frances SliwaGuardian Angels982 E 89th StBrooklyn, NY 11236

WARNING: Any failure to submit these reports in a timely and correct manner mayresult in the closing of your chapter.

Financial Report Sample:

[Page 1]

FINANCIAL REPORT

CHAPTER: Reno, NevadaMONTH: December 1 to 31, 2003

Last Months Balance a) $500.50+ Donations b) $194.25TOTAL c) $694.75- Expenses d) $130.00New Balance e) $564.75

Prepared by _________________ Chapter Leader ________________Freda Bean Counter Hayek Don Surfer Ho


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[Page 2]

DONATIONS

CHAPTER: Reno, Nevada

MONTH: December 1 to 31, 2003

FROM RECEIPT NO. AMOUNT

Citizen on the street N/A $ 20.00Daves Mini-Mart 1375 $ 20.00United Way Quarterly

Contributions N/A $154.25

TOTAL (page 1, line b) $194.25

[Page 3]

EXPENSES

CHAPTER: Reno, NevadaMONTH: December 1 to 31, 2003

PAID TO TYPE OF EXPENSE AMOUNT

Galls, Inc. Latex gloves $ 10.00U.S. Postmaster Mail box 6 month fee $ 24.00Bancroft, Inc. 12 berets $ 96.00

TOTAL (page 1, line d) $130.00

Financial Malfeasance

Managing money is a huge responsibility with huge temptations. Ideally, aChapter Leader should have a steady job with good to excellent credit. It does notmake sense for a CL to be unemployed and broke and manage a $3,000 GuardianAngels account. This does not mean you cannot be a CL if you are unemployed withterrible credit. You can be the CL; however, you cannot have a Chapter bank account.All financial transactions should be managed by the Regional Leader or the nearestChapter with a bank account. All donations should be forwarded to the RL or nearestChapter. They will set aside these donations for your expenses.

Any inappropriate use of Guardian Angels property, assets, and money will leadto discipline and/or termination. Being a Guardian Angel means upholding the law andalso affirming a higher moral code. We depend on the public trust for our safety and


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lives on patrol. If the public discovers that the Guardian Angels cannot even handle itsown money, we risk losing their trust. This directly jeopardizes our safety and lives onthe street.


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Guardian Angels Marketing

Most people think that Marketing is just about advertising or promotions.Marketing is truly a lot more complex, profound, and broad. Marketing goes to the verycore of why an organization or company exists in the first place. Who are we serving?What are we doing? What do we expect to accomplish? Why are we doing this? Howwill our services help anyone? What services should we offer?

Director of Marketing

The Director of Marketing (DM) holds the very heavy responsibility of defining theorganization or chapter. The DM may even determine that patrolling may not be the

best way to serve the community. He is the connection between our goals and missionand meeting those goals and fulfilling that mission. This can also be referred to asStrategic Marketing. The DM determines how to improve our value to others and istherefore deeply involved in defining our meaning and goals.

The second job of the DM is to then share our goals and strategies witheveryone. The DM educates others about who we are, whom we serve, what we do,how we do it, and why we do it. Besides perhaps the CL, there is no other GuardianAngel who more deeply understands the entire organization than the DM. It is only thenthat the DM will begin a recruitment, advertising, or promotional campaign to spreadthat message.

Information Officer

The Information Officer (IO) is in charge of all written material including trainingmanuals, fliers, advertisements, and brochures. She is also in charge of photos and thehistory of the chapter including all articles or shows about the Angels. The IO shouldfully understand the goals and strategies of the Guardian Angels in order to writeaccurate and compelling information. When the DM is unavailable, the IO should beable to answer any questions about the organization.

Communicating Our Goals, Purpose, Vision

A Marketing volunteer should be a master of language. His job is tocommunicate our goals, purpose, and vision. He must not only be clear and concise,but he must also be able to arouse interest and positive energy through creativelanguage. He should be articulate, eloquent, and inspirational. At the same time, heshould avoid being offensive, unclear, or excessive.


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Here are some examples of clear and creative ways to communicate our goals:

Preventing crime and public apathy that threatens to disintegrate the soul of ourcommunities.

Developing safe, healthy, and collaborative neighborhoods.

Educating, empowering, and engaging individuals and their communities. Improving the quality of life.

Here are some bad examples:

Pulverizing crooks and thugs into the ground. Crushing their skulls into dust. Maximizing the reinvention of the holistic paradigm of communal insolvency. Making cities look joyous and feel even better. Instigating the enlightenment of the ignorant masses.


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Curtis Sliwa speaks with news media, Venice, California Chapter Opening

Guardian Angels Media Relations

Most companies place Media Relations inside the Marketing Department. Forthe Guardian Angels, the media is not just a tool for getting our message out to thepublic. The media is part of the community, and we should be developing relations withthem. The public often addresses the media when they have nowhere else to turn.Most of the time, the media cannot help them. This is where they can refer people toother community groups or services, and we may be of assistance.

Director of Media Relations

This position is the media contact and performs all media interviews. His job is to

build relationships with all types of news media including press, Internet, television, andradio. This Director is also in charge of media promotions. He should determine whatmedia is appropriate for what messages as well as determine what messages to deliver.He may also be involved in creating our own media programs including communityaccess television or radio shows. He should work closely with the Director of Marketingto ensure that our message is consistent.


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Media Relations

Someone approaches you for an interview. An I Support steps up and tells herthat the goal of the Guardian Angels is to find criminals and smash their heads in. Oryou answer questions politely, but there seems to be no end to the negative, unfair

accusations. Or halfway through the interview, you realize it is a high school project,and the title of their project is Freaks and Wierdos on the Streets.In order to avoid these scenarios, you will need some basic training in media

interviewing. First, designate a media relations or public information person. Theyshould be fully trained in media relations and interviewing. They should also be the go-to person for any media interaction unless they specifically want to talk with the ChapterLeader or a new recruit. Sometimes the media wants to get a personal account ofbeing a Guardian Angel from new recruits. This is why all members should be trained inmedia interviewing.

Second, find out who is interviewing you and why. You will be able to customizeyour interview for their program. If it is a martial arts documentary, you should obviously

focus on your Use of Force training. If it is a news report on gang violence, you shouldtalk about programs designed to combat gang violence.Third, consider the media interview as one of the most economical and effective

means of spreading the Guardian Angels message. As much as possible, use theinterview to sell your programs, ideas, and mission. Also, when you sell something, youwill naturally be less self-conscious and nervous.

Media Relations Guidelines

Create a media contact list containing the names, addresses, contacts,telephone numbers, faxes, and e-mails for the major television, radio, andnewspaper media.

Stay tuned to the media. Not only should you do this to understand crimeconcerns and issues in your community, this also allows you to understand whatthe media is looking for and their positions on those issues.

For contacts, try to find the news desk, news editor, or assignment editor. Try tofind exact names and titles.

Try to set up a meeting with these contacts to introduce yourself and theGuardian Angels chapter or programs.

When distributing press releases, always try to deliver them in person andarrange an appointment with the contact.

Try to avoid e-mailing press releases. The media prefer to have hard copies towork with.

Ask television and radio stations about public service announcements (PSAs).Even if they are not interested in promoting you now, they may help you create aPSA.

Television and radio stations prefer to record their own PSAs for you. It is notnecessary to have one professionally produced.

Even if they are not interested, they may use you at a later date as a filler story.


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Keep in mind media people are humans under a lot of stress. Always be kind,courteous, and friendly, even if they are short, curt, or rude. If they think you arededicated and easy to work with, they may eventually give you a break.

Think of media folks as integral parts of their communities and potential partners.They need to care, because they need to know what the community cares about.

The news media also happens to be some of the largest charitable donors to thecommunities. They literally donate millions of dollars of airtime for nonprofitcauses and campaigns.

Do not use gimmicks or stunts. These may damage your credibility. Do not harass or badger your contact. Always be punctual to meetings and dress to impress. Always be positive and energetic. Never be critical of the media and blame them for reporting too much violence or

crime. Try to avoid promoting things on television in the months of February, May, July,

and November, which are ratings periods. (Unless of course, you truly believe

your story will help boost their ratings.) For television think visual. Think of exciting settings or visually stimulatingimages.


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Guardian Angels Administration

Many people think that Administration basically covers the drab office work offiling, photocopying, typing, licking envelopes, and answering phones. It does.However, Guardian Angels Administration also involves the important work of makingsure the entire Chapter is running smoothly and effectively fulfilling its mission andgoals. While the Director of Marketing defines how we fulfill our mission, theAdministrator determines how well we are doing it.

Administrative Director

The Administrative Director (AD) is in charge of membership, managing records,internal affairs, facilities, and equipment. She is in charge of disciplinary procedures,conflict resolution, and grievances. The AD is truly the Resource Developer in chargeof developing our human as well as capital resources. If a member feels uncomfortableapproaching the CL, he should feel comfortable approaching the AD. The AD shouldkeep all conversations in absolute confidence unless it involves a serious breach ofconduct, rules, or laws.

The AD also reviews all on-going programs and strategies to make sure they areall in compliance with our rules and regulations. They are also reviewed to ensure thatthere is no waste, and they are effectively serving the Chapter and our mission. Forinstance, lets say the Chapter decides to spend $100 going to a park and trying to raise

money by selling pins. If the Chapter only takes in $10, the AD may advise the ChapterLeader to pursue a more cost effective fundraiser. If the Chapter is spending $50 amonth for 1000 minutes of airtime but only averaging 500 minutes, the AD may suggestusing a cheaper plan.

The AD also provides all types of administrative support to the Chapter Leaderincluding photocopying, typing, e-mailing, purchasing, etc.


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Decompressing after New Years 2000 at Fort Apache, NY

Guardian Angels HQ Guidelines

Source: San Francisco V.002 Nov 11, 1995

1) The HQ should

be excessivelyclean and tidy atall times tidiedevery night andthoroughlycleaned twice aweek.

2) HQ should betreated as atemple, i.e.,respected and

honored.3) HQ should be aworkingmachine, organized as a professional office. Work needing to be done should beclearly identified so that people coming in know what to do.

4) Everyone should be encouraged to get involved in HQ work.5) All Angels should be searched into HQ at all times, with no exceptions, and also

before any patrol. Guests should not be searched, but guests should never beleft alone in HQ ever. There is no need to search members out before they gohome.

6) Anyone at HQ should be there for a purpose and should know that purpose.That purpose may be for administrative work, meeting for patrol or for GAdowntime/social activities. Everyone should try to make a clear distinctionbetween work and downtime periods at the HQ.

7) The working environment should be fun!8) HQ should always have a senior leader present to supervise work.9) Angels should always expect the Mayor or the Chief of Police to walk through the

door at any moment. The condition of the HQ should reflect this attitude.10) Good music is excellent in the HQ providing it is not too loud. HQ should be

prepared to not only tolerate but also welcome many different tastes in music.11) Everyone at HQ should be in colors at all times including downtime periods spent

at HQ.12) Full time volunteers should pay special attention to their personal hygiene.13) HQ should be an inspiring place. Walls should be decorated with positive Angel

material photos, articles, etc.14) All telephone calls into the HQ should be clearly recorded in the telephone

message book.15) HQ is a drug-free, weapon-free, and alcohol-free place.


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Painting by Chaco at Fort Apache, NY 2000

16) No pornography, pin-ups, or any other degrading or insulting images of womenor men are permitted in the HQ. In the event of any dispute, leadership(coordinators) will decide what constitutes pornography, pin-ups, degrading, andinsulting.

17) Racist, sexist, and

homophobic (anti-gay/lesbian)talk is not permitted in the HQ(see Respect Guidelines formore information.

18) There is a fine line betweenlaughing and joking, anddissing and disrespect. HQshould be a place whererespect is given to each othernot a place where membersconstantly dis each other (see

Respect Guidelines for moreinformation).19) No fighting (rough housing) in

HQ.20) Excessive swearing/cursing in HQ is not encouraged, because this creates an

aggressive and negative environment.21) HQ belongs to all members of the group. Make sure everyone feels welcome.


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JC Penney Awards, Reno, Nevada

Guardian Angels Community Affairs

Director of Community Affairs

The Director of Community Affairs is incharge of creating partnerships with communitygroups, other nonprofits, business owners,schools, elected officials, government agencies,and residents. She attends as many communitymeetings as possible. This position is becomingincreasingly important for the Guardian Angelsand the concept of Interactivism. The Guardian

Angels, after all, is the communitys tool, and assuch, the community should have someinfluence over that tool.

By ourselves, we may be able to clean upa neighborhood, but there still may be moreproblems in other parts of the city or a wholenew generation of criminals may take their place.By becoming more attached to the community

and working together, we can more effectivelyaddress community needs and solve them withmore lasting results. Working separately, groups often start duplicating work, create

problems with other groups, and may not even be solving those problems thecommunity is most concerned about. If we want to be of value to people, we need tofind out what they value most.

The Revolution in Government

Communism was a huge revolution in the way government worked. Privateproperty was outlawed, and most facets of everyday life was controlled or regulated bycentralized authority. The central government supposedly knew best, and the masseswere forced to accept it or be imprisoned. Communism is dead. The concept of centralpower and authority is also dying out.

Today, America is embarking on a new concept called citizen involvement. Well,it is not that new, since Abraham Lincoln once called for a government by the people, ofthe people, and for the people. Now more than ever, government is trying to follow thatcreed. They can no longer view themselves as the know-it-alls or elitists who knowwhats best for the masses. With budget cuts and growing anti-government sentiment,they know they must change their attitude. They can no longer afford to be viewed asarrogant, elitist, condescending, and secretive. They must be more user friendly,improve customer service, be more open with information, promote their ideas instead


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of assume everyone will like it, be more accountable, and most importantly allowcitizens to become more involved.

Back in 1979, the Guardian Angels called for more citizen involvement.Although, most citizens loved the idea, most governments felt threatened. Today,government has embraced the idea. Many Cities have set up numerous avenues for

citizen involvement, and we must take advantage of all of them. This is where some ofthe most concerned and influential citizens gather. Many Cities and Counties haveneighborhood/citizens/community advisory boards/councils/committees. Some evenhave grant money for small community projects.

People used to accuse the police of being aloof and unapproachable. Theyshould not be able to say the same of the Guardian Angels. While we developrelationships with numerous people on the streets, they are not an equal representationof their communities. We must try to reach out to our communities as well and allowthem to have a say in what we do and how we do it.

Politics

Many people are repulsed by politics. They think that it is run with specialinterest, money, and egos. Many people can watch City Council meetings on localcable television, and it is the most boring event interrupted by brief bouts of heatedattacks and debates. It is also well known for the public comment period where itseems the most eccentric and unstable citizens within city limits use it for self-promotion.

Unfortunately, this is keeping most citizens uninvolved in the political process.Millions of Americans do not even register to vote, and of those who do, as much as halfdo not vote. People should be involved in politics, just as we are involved in ourcommunities. The political process determines how our society is run. Now more thanever, government is allowing citizens to become more involved in this process. Nowmore than ever, we should be more involved as well.

We should attempt to contact our local representatives and governmentdirectors. Whenever a new chapter is opened, you should write an introductory letter tothe Police Chief, Police Commissioner, Mayor, County Commissioner, and City Councilmembers. They will probably not respond, however, they will circulate your letter totheir staff. When information comes from the top down, their staff will be moreresponsive to it. If the people on top are informed of us through their staff, they aremore likely to respond with cynicism and apathy.

Addressing Higher Authority

You do not have to bow to your City Council member, however, there is a certaindecorum and protocol you must follow. If you are in court, you must address the judgeas your honor. You must be well groomed, respectful, and not speak out of turn.Similarly, you should exhibit a certain amount of respect and courtesy to those in highpositions. By no means does this mean that you view them as more intelligent orimportant. What you are really communicating is respect for those they represent.Showing a Police Chief respect is showing his officers respect. Showing the Mayor


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respect is showing the citizens of his city respect. Showing Curtis Sliwa respect isshowing all Guardian Angels respect.

When writing letters to people of higher authority, make sure you use thefollowing form of address:

US Senator Dear Senator GomezUS Representative Dear Ms. GomezGovernor Dear Governor GomezState Senator/Representative Dear Ms. GomezMayor Dear Mayor GomezCommissioner Dear Commissioner GomezJustice Dear Justice GomezJudge Dear Judge Gomez

All the above titles should be addressed as: The Honorable

Jane F. Gomez

Agency Director Dear Director GomezPolice Chief Dear Police Chief GomezSheriff Dear Sheriff GomezCaptain Dear Captain GomezLieutenant Dear Lieutenant GomezSergeant Dear Sergeant GomezSheriffs Deputy Dear Deputy GomezOfficer Dear Officer Gomez

Anyone with a doctoral (Ph.D.) degree Dear Doctor Gomez


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9-11 WTC Attack in New York City, 2001

Guardian Angels Community EmergencyResponse

The Guardian Angels have always been responding to community emergenciesand disasters. We have provided assistance during flooding, riots, and earthquakes.After 9-11 there is much greater focus on human made disasters also known as majorterrorist attacks. Many people feel helpless and consider public involvement the samething as turning in your neighbors. In reality, citizens can do a lot and will always be thefrontline in any possible terroristattack. While the police and firefighters did an incredible job on 9-11, thousands of civiliansvolunteered their efforts to helpvictims and support the police and

fire fighters.With proper training in first

aid as well as identifying chemicalor biological attacks, citizens cansignificantly reduce injuries anddeaths resulting from terroristattacks. The process of trainingcitizens is also a majorpsychological defense against theworries and fears that terrorismgenerate.

Unfortunately, most peopleare unaware of how to get proper training. The Guardian Angels cannot only help traincitizens, but we can also act as a liaison between the public and many governmentagencies that are now providing free training. The Federal Emergency ManagementAgency (FEMA) provides free Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training.They will also certify those who take their classes. As certified CERT members, theycan more easily trust and utilize you to assist them with any type of disaster. Local lawenforcement agencies are also receiving grants to train the public in communityemergency response.


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Guardian Angels Crisis and Conflict Mediation

Oftentimes violence and community problems are the result of two parties beingunable to effectively negotiate with each other. Neighbors usually are unable to resolvedifferences, and if one neighbor calls the police, he is branded a rat or it is interpretedas escalation or retaliation. Few people want a criminal record. Usually, police officersdo not have the time to sit down with both sides and mediate. Their job is to enforce thelaw. They determine who is breaking the law, and then they issue a citation or make anarrest. Also, some people may not trust the police or have minor criminal offenses.They would just as soon avoid dealing with the police.

Without any mediation, however, petty conflicts can easily lead to feuds andviolent vendettas. This is where the Guardian Angels can be a great preventive service

for the community.

Different types of mediation: Tenant and landlord Customer and merchant Coworkers Neighbors Family Community groups

Guardian Angels mediation is strictly confidential; however, you must make clear

that if any party talks about serious criminal activities, we are obligated to report it to thepolice.

Do we mediate between gangs?

This is a highly controversial and potentially dangerous issue. We can mediatebetween gangs; however, it takes an extremely high level of maturity, professionalism,and tact. We DO NOT mediate criminal activity. For example, we do not mediate howmuch cocaine Gang A should sell to Gang B and what the price should be. However, ifGang A is about to retaliate against Gang B for a minor fight, we can mediate to avoid adeadly confrontation. Keep in mind, this is a very high-risk situation, and the benefits

should be large enough to outweigh all the risks. Mediating between two criminalparties may be construed in court as being an accessory to crime. From the outset, youshould make it absolutely clear that you will report any discussion about criminalactivities. Never mediate at a location of one partys choosing. Always mediate onneutral and public ground. Do not develop impartial or personal relationships with eitherparty.


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London Guardian Angels assist English police Bobbies 1998

Guardian Angels Criminal Affairs

A GuardianAngels patrol targets aneighborhood that isbeing overcome bytagging and graffiti. TheGuardian Angels beginregular patrols and thetagging and graffiti slowsdown. Meanwhile,

unbeknownst to theGuardian Angels, anearby community hasbecome overrun by drug dealers and gangs. In this scenario, the Guardian Angels areworking in the dark both figuratively and literally. A Chapter needs to work closely withthe police department in order to fully understand the scope and concentration of majorcrime problems. A Chapter must be fully aware of recent crime trends and statistics notonly for each neighborhood but also for the entire city as well as the entire country.

Director of Criminal Affairs/Criminologist/Crime Researcher

With the appropriate expertise and resources, a chapter may want to have oneperson entirely focused on researching crime matters. This person must studycriminology and is the designated contact with the police department. She must attendall public police meetings and attend a citizens police academy. The Director shouldalso research other crime fighting tactics and methods from around the world. TheDirector then provides training for all Patrol members and works with the PatrolCommander in developing crime-fighting strategies.


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Guardian Angels Inter-Chapter Affairs

One of the greatest strengths of the Guardian Angels is the existence ofnumerous chapters all over the world. Many local neighborhood watch and crimefighting groups often come and go, losing valuable experience, skills, and tools in theprocess. Although, Guardian Angels Chapters may come and go, there is a continualevolution and progress of knowledge, experience, tools, and skills. By sharing ourexperiences and strategies with other chapters, we are building a richer and morerefined organization. Whether our chapter will succumb to inactivity, at least our

lessons will continue to circulateamong the active Chapters.

This is why it is crucial for

Chapters to interact with each other. Itis also a motivational boost tomembers to experience new cities andmeet other members.

Director of Inter-Chapter Relations

This position is responsible forissuing Infoshare reports on theInternet. She is also the contact forany coordinated activities between

chapters. She creates and managestravel plans. She is also in charge ofrepresentation at the WorldConference. She should be theprimary person to travel and assistother chapters.

Guardian Angels in Poland, 2004

Road Teams/Chapter Opening/Development

Sometimes when funding and resources are available, the Guardian Angelscreate Road Teams that help open and develop new chapters. Otherwise, membersmay become part-time Road Teams and visit other chapters on the weekends or once amonth.


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International Conference 2001, Chicago

International Conference 1999, Tokyo, Japan

World Conference

The WorldConference is held eachyear usually around

Labor Day weekend. Itusually includesseminars, workshops,patrols, training,presentations, lectures,city tours, exhibits,meetings, and awardceremonies. It is anexcellent opportunity formembers to learn aboutnew programs, ideas,

concepts, andperspectives. It is alsohighly motivational when

you see other Guardian Angels from around the world as dedicated as you are. At thesame time, it is also an opportunity for you to sell your chapter and attract visits andsupport. Every single member of the chapter is encouraged to participate from newrecruits to seasoned veterans. There is something for everyone.


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GUARDIAN ANGELSTravel, Visit, and Conference Guidelines and Rules

Representation and Dress

Members will be briefed on the purpose and objective of the travel. Polish and shine shoes, wear clean clothes, wear clean colors, and have a

properly shaped beret. After the trip, members will be debriefed and asked what they observed and

learned. Review any goals and objectives created from the trip.

There will always be a Travel Leader who will be in charge of ensuring that theseguidelines and rules are strictly adhered to. The Travel Leader is responsible for thewelfare of all travelers and will ensure that all travelers arrive and depart on time, eatthree square meals per day, are properly hydrated, get proper rest, and call their loved

ones upon arrival.

Transportation (paid for by the Guardian Angels)

Travel in colors. Behave as if you are on patrol 24/7. Drive safely. Obey all traffic laws, and do not engage in road rage activities.

Hotel (paid for by the Guardian Angels)

Do NOT make unauthorized long distance phone calls. Treat the hotel like a 24/7 headquarters. Do NOT order room service, movies, or video games without paying for it. Do NOT order pornographic movies or bring pornography. Do NOT bring weapons or alcohol into the room. Leave room clean and do not make a mess. No overnight visitors allowed. Roommates will always be of the same sex. No members of the opposite sex shall be in the same room after 10 PM.

Participation

Do NOT nod off or sleep during presentations and classes. Stand up at the backof the room if you feel drowsy or get leg cramps.

When you first meet a Guardian Angel, introduce yourself and shake his or herhand. If you are sitting, stand up.

Try to remember the codenames of everyone you meet. Write down theirnames, where they are from, and a brief description.

If the host chapter requests volunteers for any kind of duty, volunteer.


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Try to help the host chapter whenever and wherever possible, even if it meanstaking out their garbage.

Bring a notebook and pen. Show interest and ask appropriate questions at workshops. Show interest and ask questions about the host chapter, its community, and its

unique city problems or programs. Do NOT gossip. Do NOT complain and whine about the host chapter, its members, meals,

accommodations, or the activities. Treat all host members with equal respect and attention even new recruits. Do not argue about how your chapter does certain things better or how the host

chapter does certain things worse. Thank the host members and chapter for their hospitality and any

accommodations they have provided. Show up when you are scheduled. If you have to wait, do not complain or whine. Stand up and put your beret on when a chapter, regional, national, or

international leader enters the room for the first time. If someone is looking for someone else, if you do not know where he is, help lookfor him.

Do not make promises of calling or visiting anyone again if you are not seriouslyplanning on it. Tell them you will try.

The Travel Leader ensures that for prolonged visits, religious members are ableto attend religious services.

The Travel Leader attempts to arrange for a tour of the city with the host chapter.Downtime is NOT guaranteed.

Patrol

Respect the unique rules, customs, and regulations of your host chapter. Do not start shit on patrol. Always obey the Patrol Leader no matter how

differently he or she does things from your chapter unless of course a life is indanger.

Partying, Fraternization, and Drinking

Do NOT party at or around the hotel or Guardian Angels facilities. Do NOT become inebriated in front of other Guardian Angels. Do NOT party all night long and show up the next morning with a hangover. Do NOT fraternize with other Guardian Angels around other Guardian Angels. Behave like a Guardian Angel even during down time and out of colors.


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Annual philharmonic fundraiser, Reno, Nevada 1999

Guardian Angels Special Events

Special Events and CampaignsCoordinator

This position is in charge oforganizing special events andcampaigns. For example, she willregister for a festival and set up thepromotional booth. A campaign mayinvolve rallying against domesticabuse and a march to the State

Capitol.

Tables/Booths

When setting up tables or booths try to bring the following material:

Fliers, brochures Pens Small rocks, pebbles, or weights to keep the paper from being blown away Sign up sheet. Applications Large jar for donations

Photos of Guardian Angel events and activities Tents or umbrellas to block the sun Chair for taking breaks Water and snacks Attention getting device like chess board, self-defense demonstration

Do not just sit at a booth and wait for people to ask questions. Have oneGuardian Angel standing while the other is sitting. When someone approaches yourbooth, greet her and ask her if she has heard about the Guardian Angels. This is youropportunity to recruit and educate the public.

Also, have Guardian Angels visit other booths at the festival and make contacts.

This also breaks up the monotony of hanging around your own booth.


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Cyber Guardian Angels

Source: Role Models for Real Life, Guardian Angels brochure

Sole recipient of the 1998 Points of Light Presidential Service Award, the CyberGuardian Angels was founded in 1995 as the first cyber-neighborhood watch and is nowthe largest in online safety education. Functioning as a virtual 411 safety destination,it addresses the concerns of parents, the needs of children, on-line abuse and cybercrime, while supporting the right of free speech.

IT professionals and law enforcement officers from around the world worktogether to combat Internet crime, and due to a close working relationship with lawenforcement agencies, the Cyber Guardian Angels have been instrumental in putting

child pornographers and predators behind bars, where they belong.Teachers, librarians and parents work together to teach children and teens how

to take advantage of the Internets vast resources safely, and provide online classes onmany topics concerning Internet issues for the general public.

More information and training can be found at the Cyber Guardian Angels website at:

www.cyberangels.org


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Guardian Angels Education Programs

Raising awareness is truly half the battle. The Guardian Angels provide anumber of education programs that offer innovative and reality-based lessons to providethe public with greater understanding and confidence in dealing with special problemsor issues.

Self-Defense and Domestic Violence Programs

When people think of self-defense, they automatically think of martial arts andphysical skills. Most violent encounters, however, occur between two people who knoweach other. In these cases, it is very difficult for the victim to know when the line has

been crossed and when to resort to physical self-defense.The Guardian Angels Self-Defense program not only focuses on common sense

safety tips and physical self-defense, it also deals with verbal and psychological tactics.It is an extremely innovative approach to teaching self-defense that is more safe,preventive, and practical.

Angels in the Classroom Teaching the Teachers(Source: Role Models for Real Life, Guardian Angels brochure)

Classroom management and its more emotionally charged cousin, violenceprevention is one of the most essential elements of teacher training today. Whether it

is addressing the more benign aspects of daily behavior, such as teasing, to the mostserious problems of gang violence, the Angels have structured an effective curriculumfor all teachers. Incorporating an understanding of the underlying psychological issues,with a practical step-by-step intervention and problem-solving workshop, these coursesare now being used by the New York City Public School System, as well as individualsin teaching roles at such community-based services as the After School programs of theYMCA. Programs reach students from the elementary grades through high school, andoften employ the skills of trained Guardian Angels as well as school personnel.

The need for such training has now been recognized by New York State(Chapter 544 of the 1988 law regarding school violence prevention), which has

mandated all teachers, whether in training at the university level or working in the field complete violence prevention coursework. We are now working with the prestigious St.Johns University to offer workshops that fulfill this requirement and are an approvedprovider of such coursework by the New York State Education Department.


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Humane Education

Created and taught by Doriane Lucia of the Los Angeles Guardian Angels, thisprogram extends the wings of the Guardian Angels to not only protect people but alsochildren around the world, animals, and the environment. While most Guardian Angels

programs have focused on immediate and local community needs, our compassion andcaring should be limitless. Teaching children how to care is also a solution in and ofitself to many local community problems.

Humane education teaches us to become aware and involved in stopping hatred,violence, destruction, and abuse. When we only address immediate and localcommunity needs and problems, we directly benefit from this because we live in thesecommunities. When we care about children on the other side of the globe or animals inthe ocean or rainforests on another continent, our compassion and involvement is trulyselfless. Becoming an empowered individual does not just mean being able to help andimprove your own community. It means possessing universal compassion that extendsbeyond borders and boundaries.


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Guardian Angels Youth Programs

The image of the American youth, especially minorities is negatively portrayed tothe rest of the world. People think of American youth as lazy, selfish, sexuallypromiscuous, pregnant, drug users, and gang members. American Guardian Angelsyouth are the antidote showing the world the best of Americas youth.

Fighting crime by focusing on adult offenders would be like fighting a fire bytrying to contain the smoke. A criminal mind is born from childhood. Criminals are alsobecome younger and younger. Without proper supervision, role models, or attention,youth are easy targets for gangs and also drug use. It doesnt help that the gang anddrug cultures have been glamorized and glorified. Kids think that being a gang-banger

and doing drugs is cool. They only see the short-term illusions of adventure,excitement, attention, and escape. They rarely see the long-term fallout of depression,prison, a felony record, addiction, loneliness, loss of self-control, poverty, misery, andsuffering. Kids dont want to join gangs and do drugs. This is usually a last ditch effortto get noticed, be protected, and feel needed.

Our youth programs give youth exactly what they are looking for and more. Weprovide them with responsible and involved adult role models. We teach them how toprotect themselves from gangs and bullies. We teach them about the realities of gangsand drugs. Other youth members of the program provide them with companionship,and we provide them with a purpose and an identity. They are also challenged andrespected. There are strict rules and guidelines which many people think turn kids off.

Quite the contrary, consistent enforcement of fair rules provides kids with security.Some day, we believe millions of kids will learn urban survival skills, just as

millions have learned wilderness survival skills with the Boys Scouts. No one isteaching kids how to deal with all the new threats of the urban wilderness. What wouldhappen if you threw a kid out into the real wilderness? He would probably be desperatefor some weapon to protect himself, and he would probably join the first gang of otherkids he comes across. Were throwing kids into the urban wilderness without anypreparation, training, or skills. You cant expect that kid to be secure and positive.


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Junior Guardian Angels, Hollywood, CA

Rocky (the small dog inMary Sliwas arms) and

Rocky Junior (the large dogto the right) are mascots thathelp us reach out to children,

add a bit of fun andentertainment, as well as

provide us with a softerimage than their patrol grunt

counterparts

Junior Guardian Angels(Source: Role Models for Real Life, Guardian Angels brochure)

Specifically geared for children between7 and 11, Junior Guardian Angels is an early

prevention program that strives to interrupttodays prevalent violence mentality by teachingimportant values and instilling a sense ofpurpose that youngsters may not receive athome. With so much peer pressure to chooseviolence as a means of resolving disputes, thisprogram exerts a strong, positive influence onthe childrens societal development. It teachesthem how to make correct choices, and helpsthem to recognize they have talents andinterests that are of value.

The program uses a variety of teachingtools, from art projects and puppets, toworkshops with community leaders, police andfire departments, which foster an appreciation

and respect for their neighborhoods. Theyoungsters develop self-esteem through role-

playing, verbal defense skills and community projects that give them a sense ofpurpose. Throughout the program, the children are required to keep a weekly journal,which records their impressions, their ideas and their growth, as they learn it is cool tocare.

.


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Urban Guardian Angels(Source: Role Models for Real Life, Guardian Angels brochure)

This program is targeted to teens aged 12 to 16 too young to patrol, but oldenough to make a difference. The mission of this life skills program is to give teens an

alternative to gangs, drugs and violence through a supportive club environment thatinspires compassion, personal responsibility, a desire to learn and a dedication tovolunteer community service. Participants learn self-reliance, leadership skills and thebenefits of civic service, while developing a sense of belonging to a vibrant, constructivecommunity.

Drug Avoidance Course

Education about drugs, addiction, and negative side effectsFor example: Many drugs artificially stimulate pleasure sensors in yourbrain. However, this means that your brain no longer senses real and

actual pleasure. This means that everything in life will seem dull, boring,and bland. So if you think your life is already dull, boring, and bland,imagine a life that is a thousand times more dull, boring, and bland. Youllbe watching your child take her first steps and be thinking, What a stupid,boring thing to watch. I need some crack now.Drug use also dehydrates and depletes the body of vital nutrients. Thisresults in accelerated aging, wrinkles, and frequent sickness.

Education about how to make decisions and resist impulse and peer pressure

Educate youth about what hormones are, and how they are altering theirperceptions of dimension and proportion.

What they think is huge and a matter of life and death may not be so

huge. What they think is meaningless and insignificant may end up beinghuge. Learn to forgive yourself for acting on impulse, and learn impulse-delaying skills.

Education about psychological self-defense, assertiveness, and self-esteemUse role-playing skits.

Education about dealing with the boredom of life that leads to drug use.Getting involved in art, hobbies, sports, music, and community groups.Doing things that are meaningful and valuable and boost your feeling ofworth and value to others.


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Guardian Angels Senior Programs

Due to a lack of mobility and resources, many older seniors have becomeAmericas hidden victims. Seniors face isolation, abuse, and are often targets of fraud.The Guardian Angels Senior Program is designed to provide seniors with both an activecommunity voice as well as resources. Volunteers regularly visit seniors to make suretheir household is in order, bills are being paid, utilities are still running, and repairs arebeing taken care of. They may also offer occasional rides to the store, pharmacy, andmedical appointments. There are many senior programs in the community and servicesthat seniors are unaware of. The volunteer does not try to provide everything for thesenior but helps the seniors find the programs and services they need. The volunteeralso provides the most important service of companionship.


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24/7 Venice, California Chapter, 1998

Guardian Angels 24/7

A 24/7 is a Guardian Angelwho lives at a Guardian Angelsfacility and provides fulltimevolunteer services. These Angelshave one day off each week, downtime, and breaks, but they mustalways be ready at a momentsnotice to serve the needs of theircommunity.

The 24/7 experience is truly

unique and life changing. Manypart-time volunteers feel that when they volunteer on the weekends, they are justputting on another hat and momentarily changing their attitude and demeanor. For a24/7, you become a Guardian Angel, and it is unavoidable to adopt the Guardian Angelsattitude and demeanor as a way of life.

The 24/7 experience is also challenging not only because you simply patrolmore, but also because you must learn to live with other volunteers. Many 24/7s aregoing through tough times in their lives and come from hard backgrounds whereirresponsible and negative behavior was the norm. Those habits invariably creep backinto their lives especially under extended stress or fatigue. This is not necessarily a badthing if the 24/7 Leader knows how to properly guide and train the 24/7s. By learning to

get along with other 24/7s, they learn how to deal with their own problems and also usethose relationship-building skills once they stop being 24/7s. One of the main reasonspeople cannot hold good jobs is simply because they do not have the relationship skillsto get along with their bosses and coworkers.

24/7 Leader

There is perhaps no position more difficult in this organization than the 24/7Leader. He must be a father, mother, older sibling, teacher, mentor, guide, coach, rolemodel, career counselor, psychologist, leader, director, planner, mediator, supervisor,motivator, and sometimes cook, handyman, auto mechanic, and chauffeur. He needs

to do all this in addition to dealing with his own personal problems and interests.There is also perhaps no position that is more rewarding than the 24/7 Leader.

The 24/7 Leader often takes in individuals who would otherwise self-destruct or lead aconstantly spiraling, downhill life. He provides the individual with hope and self-confidence. There is no greater reward than changing the entire course of someoneslife for the better, transforming him from despair and hatred to hope and compassion.


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The Guardian Angels Theory

The Guardian Angels is not only a non-profit organization; it is a profound socialand political concept. The idea is that ordinary citizens can organize and work togetherto solve social problems. It sounds simple, but it strikes at the very heart of mostpolitical and ideological theories about the role, rights, power, and responsibilities of theindividual. Some people believe we should put the burden of solving social problems onthe government. Others believe that private companies should address all our socialproblems and needs. Some philosophers believe that power should rest in the hands ofa few, and individuals are inherently evil and will only pursue selfish interests.

The Guardian Angels philosophy is that power should rest in the hands ofeveryone, and individuals are inherently good and with proper guidance will sacrifice to

pursue social interests. The burden of solving and addressing social problems andneeds lie squarely on the shoulders of each individual. By providing individuals with thechoice of pursuing social goals and interests, you empower each individual. Theempowering of individuals leads naturally to the empowering of communities, nations,and all humanity.

Politics

Although the concept of the Guardian Angels holds political and ideologicalsignificance, we none-the-less attempt to be as politically neutral as possible.Obviously, we prefer a Constitution that protects the rights of individuals; however, we

may open a chapter in a country run by a dictator or authoritarian regime. Although, ourmembers may not enjoy many civil liberties, we can still operate to protect citizens onthe streets.

Some people think that Guardian Angels tend to be liberal Democrats, becausemost members are from low-income neighborhoods with large minority populations.Others think the Guardian Angels are conservative Republicans, because of ouremphasis on upholding law and order and we teach people not to be dependent on thegovernment for all their problems. Our concept, however, transcends modern politicaldivisions. We can quote John F. Kennedy when he calls on Americans: Ask not whatyour country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country. We can also referto George HW Bushs Thousand Points of Light. You can be a Libertarian Angel and

promote civil rights, a Socialist Angel and promote community ownership ofresponsibilities and needs, and also a Green Angel and promote the protection of theenvironment. The only real limitation is affiliation with any organization includingpolitical parties that endorses bigotry, oppression, hatred, and violence.


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Introducing Volunteering to Young Adults

The Guardian Angels marked three significant conceptual turning points inmodern history. Up to that point, non-profit, volunteer organizations like the Red Crossand Salvation Army were viewed as traditional and old-fashioned. People viewed

volunteers as retirees or rich housewives. Average, simple people simply did notvolunteer. The Guardian Angels blew apart the stereotypes. These volunteers weremostly youth, not children like the Boy Scouts, but young adults. The Guardian Angelsitself was a grassroots invention that appeared from nowhere. The Guardian Angelshelped provide legitimacy and precedence to many small non-profit groups that werelater formed to solve unique community needs. By the late 1980s, the President of theUnited States was promoting volunteering and non-profit organizations as a legitimateand necessary part of solving social problems. No other grass roots, volunteer grouphas gained as much attention as the Guardian Angels.


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Sharing the Responsibility of Social Problem-Solving with Government

Up to that point, most people looked to the government to solve their socialneeds and problems. It was assumed that the government should and could solve mostof our needs and problems. When the government failed to do this in the 1970s,

people felt helpless and betrayed. The Guardian Angels not only addressed a socialproblem, traditionally addressed by government, they picked one that most peoplethought was uniquely tailored for government. They provided legitimacy andprecedence for many organizations that would later tackle issues traditionally reservedfor government. In the 1980s, under Ronald Reagan, numerous services werecommissioned or contracted out to private or non-profit entities. The stigma of sharingpublic services and responsibilities was destroyed.

Sharing the Responsibility of Law Enforcement and Public Safety

Up to that point, policing was viewed as the job of the government. Involvement

by the public or even private sector was frowned upon. Only snitches were allowed tocooperate with the police. Otherwise civilians were viewed as obstacles and groupies.Today, there are more private security officers than public police officers. Public policeofficers are even contracted out to provide security at special events or in tax districts.Today, almost every major police department has a public and community relations oraffairs department with a deputy chief of other officer in charge of public and communityrelations or affairs. Today, the police are expected to reach out to the community andattend community meetings and major events. The attitude of policing itself has beenchanged from an elitist control force to a diverse, community-oriented, public safetyforce.

Role Models for Volunteers and Community Activism

It is arguable how much influence the Guardian Angels had on these events, orwhether these changes were inevitable and its forces created and drove the GuardianAngels along. It cannot, however, be argued that people were not deeply affected bythe news coverage of the Guardian Angels. People all over the nation and eventuallythrough out the world wanted to start their own Guardian Angels chapters in their cities.What other event in history has led so many people to want to start their own non-profitgroups? Few concepts and organizations have spread so quickly and widely as theGuardian Angels. It certainly struck a nerve that was already open and raw. It cannotbe argued that the Guardian Angels did not change the way people thought aboutvolunteering, doing things usually reserved for the government, being more involved intheir communities, and making policing a more collaborative endeavor. The GuardianAngels touched upon some of the deepest philosophical and political conceptsconcerning individual responsibility, moral obligation, accountability, the role ofgovernment, and civilian involvement. The Guardian Angels may not have been a newideology like Communism or Libertarianism, but it is a powerful expression of a newideology of social empowerment and individual responsibility.


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Curtis Sliwa, Unique, Washington DC Police Chief CharlesRamsey, and Lipstick, 2000

Guardian Angels Reintroducing CommunityPolicing

When the Guardian Angels first started, we introduced America to communitypolicing. We didnt invent it, we just reminded America of it. In many urban areas,police officers used to walk the beat. They used to talk to the local shop keepers, berole-models for the neighborhood kids, and interact intimately with their community.Then cars, wide boulevards, and single-use zoning took over America and destroyedthe cohesiveness of communities. Police departments started jumping in cruisers, andthis put them more and more out of touch with the community. In 1979, in the middle ofa crime epidemic, a group of citizens decided to bring back community policing.

After this groupreceived a lot of attentionand recognition, cities

throughout Americastarted to take communitypolicing seriously again.They didnt exactly putmore police back on footpatrols, but they did thenext best thing. Theycreated more ties with thecommunities withcommunity liaison officers,community affairs

departments, communitysub-stations, attendingcommunity events,providing citizen police

academies, creating more volunteer auxiliary units, and bicycle patrols. As a result ofthis, the communities got to know their police officers once again and began trustingthem more to solve their problems. Since the 80's, crime has been beaten back as aresult of this in addition to a number of other important social and economic factors.

The Guardian Angels in this area has been the victim of its own success. Itshowed the world the importance and success of community policing, and the worldresponded by completely reorganizing their police departments to re-integrate the

community into policing.


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Guardian Angels Devolutionists

While the Guardian Angels concept has mostly been applied to the field of crimeand community involvement, the concept can also be applied to many other diversefields and disciplines, and recently we are beginning to see a whole new way people arestarting to take charge and responsibility in all aspects of their lives. The generalprocess is called devolution: the dispersing of responsibility and authority fromcentralized elite to the people. Of course, the Guardian Angels cannot takeresponsibility for all these changes in all these fields of human endeavor. We areprobably just one expression of this conceptual revolution. However, we are one of thefirst, most profound, and most visible expressions.

Economics

Our economic system is based on the Capitalist ideas of Adam Smith thatincludes the concept of the free market place as the most efficient way for products andservices to be exchanged. This concept of bringing people together in market places isthe same as the concept of bringing people in a community together into a market placeof ideas, programs, services, and opportunities. The best way a community canaddress its collective needs is for the members of that community to meet and sharetheir needs as well as possible solutions. Ideally, the free market system attempts toremove barriers to that free exchange of products, and a community must similarlyremove barriers from the free exchange of ideas, programs, and opinions.

Currently, the government acts as the main focal point of community gatherings.

It creates community meetings, councils, committees, and boards. While this iscommendable, there should not only be one market place that is run by one entity. Thatis called a monopoly. There should be a variety of market places free and open to thepublic. People in a community may in fact be meeting, but for the most part, there aremany barriers to these groups such as membership fees, sponsoring in, political biases,separate agendas, illicit discrimination, etc.

Business

The Guardian Angels promote individual involvement and responsibility as a wayof empowering individuals and communities. Many businesses are now jumping on the

bandwagon to empower employees and their companies. While we teach membersabout involvement and responsibility for free, businesses are paying thousands ofdollars to send their employees to workshops to encourage them to speak their minds,get involved, question things, and take initiative. Much like the government, businessesare also getting excited about fostering greater public/customer involvement in thecreation and design of their products and services.


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Law

While most people think that laws are designed to restrict and control us, theyare actually designed to protect us. The more we understand the law, the more we canuse it to protect our interests. People now are becoming increasingly more involved in

the legal process. While many people are abusing the legal system for frivolouslawsuits, an increasing number are using the legal system to improve their businesstransactions and protect themselves from fraud and theft. The result is that morepeople feel confident entering into deals and transactions with each other. Withsensible and just laws, people end up more free to interact with others without fearingabuse and theft. Understanding law is also crucial to being politically aware andinvolved. More and more people