Have you ever sat across the table from a good friend, and asked,
“What keeps you up at night?”
“What are you reading these days?”
“What movie would you recommend?”
“What are you doing to better yourself?”
“What gives you hope?”
In this newsletter, I am going to share my answers to these five questions … and how the answers to each influence who I am!
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I grew up in a conservative faith community. We never missed church. We seldom if ever missed a service.
In each church we attended there was one or more men, who held all of the power, authority, and control. It was not uncommon to witness these leaders pat the young men on the back and cheer them on, while also correcting their theology, or scorning them for wearing jeans to church. They would remind the sisters to cover their heads, and to be silent, to serve in the kitchen, care for the children and widows. These same leaders would take on pious voices and point us to Jesus who ‘humbled himself and took on the form of a servant.’
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That was the tradition I grew up in as a child. Don’t get me wrong. I loved Sundays, I grew up loving the church. It never dawned on me at the time the power differential that was in play and the contrast between the authority that played out in the church and the home, compared to the example we were being taught to follow. Too many of my peers have since left the church, abandoned their faith, and spend hours in therapy recovering from the harm that was caused. |
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Today, much of society shakes their head at traditions similar to that. However, I now see and hear that same story played out in so many traditions, programs and activities. A few people who are given leadership roles, hold the power and influence, and write the narrative for everyone else to follow. |
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Today these are labelled “toxic environments.” A "toxic environment" is a term used to describe a place of work, usually, an office environment or infrastructure, marked by significant personal conflicts, resulting from harassment, bullying, exclusion and other factors. It can happen within workplaces, faith communities, schools, playgrounds and families. There are written and unwritten rules to follow, consequences if you don’t, and power differentials at play. |
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We often don’t recognize it when we are in it, but the common characteristics include speaking up yet not being heard, being silenced, bullied, shunned, favouritism, nepotism, and narcissistic leadership. Leaders that are only self-interested, lacking both empathy, and self-awareness. |
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Each generation believes they have the answer to these questions. The pendulum swings from far right to far left. For years we would just suffer in silence only to find that bullies beget bullies. Another generation voted with our money or with our feet. Today the cancel culture nudges one to leave quickly and to take their offences to social media. |
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Just this week I heard two similar stories from Board Members, asking for help on how to recover from narcissistic leaders who were asked to resign but only after dozens of people had been sexually, emotionally, and spiritually abused over several years. Case studies like these keep me up at night. The question haunts me … How to help our clients recognize abusive behaviours and respond swiftly and prevent abuse and harm from happening in the first place. |
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The Six Types of Working Genius by Patrick Lencioni. When I read Pat’s latest book – I let out a big sigh. Ahh, I get it! In classic Lencioni fashion, Pat brings his model to life in a page-turning fable that is as relatable as it is compelling. He tells the story of Bull Brooks, an entrepreneur, husband, and father who sets out to solve his own frustration at work and stumbles into a new way of thinking that revolutionizes the way he sees his work, his team, and even his marriage. Bull's story is indicative of every man and woman who is striving to avoid burnout and find fulfillment, dignity and success in their work.
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Beyond the personal discovery and instant relief that Working Genius provides, the model also gives teams a remarkably simple and practical framework for tapping into one another's natural gifts, which increases productivity and reduces unnecessary judgment and frustration. |
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Whether you're a team leader or entrepreneur, a front-line employee or executive or a school teacher or stay-at-home parent, this book will help you find more joy, fulfillment and success in your work and your life. |
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Without a doubt …. Women Talking!
In 2010, the women of an isolated religious community grapple with reconciling a brutal reality with their faith. The movie is powerful. The majority of the movie takes place on the second floor of a barn, where the women gather to discuss how they will respond to the brutal abuse they are experiencing among the men and boys in the community. The question they are trying to answer is what do they do … Do nothing, stay and fight, or leave. The movie is based on the 2018 novel of the same name by Miriam Toews, and inspired by real-life events that occurred in a remote and isolated Mennonite community in Bolivia. For some the movie moves to slow, as it is just shy of two hours, and comes off as a powerful debate. The debate is one that too often plays out in the minds of many victim-survivors of sexual abuse and domestic violence.
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There are power differentials in all areas of our lives. Power in the right hands can transform culture, influence good, facilitate growth, and inspire others to greatness. Power in the wrong hands can belittle, silence, isolate, demean, and cause harm, injury and abuse.
But how do we assess whether we are using our power to influence good or cause harm?
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I don’t have to do this alone! Whether we are victims of abuse, narcissistic leadership, domestic violence, bullying, or spiritual abuse, there are excellent resources, training, friends, community agencies and faith that are available to plant seeds of hope in our lives. Lent is a time of waiting and anticipation. Waiting and hope bring healing. We don’t have to wait in silence. We don’t have to wait alone! I don’t do it alone, and I encourage you not to do it alone … if you have lost your hope, we encourage you to lean into this season and reach out for help.
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This Serious About Safety event is a five-day LIVE launch drawing from best practices from our...
Plan to Protect® A Safeguarding Guide for Children, Youth and Adults.
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Our free, 5-day Live Masterclass will teach you the five simple steps to identify risks, implement a strategy to prevent abuse, and protect children, youth and vulnerable adults. We will also gain a greater perspective on what we should genuinely focus on for accountability and long-term safeguarding!
For the fourth time, we are capturing the highlights of the Plan to Protect® certification training, our best practices and standards and unveiling them in this 5-day launch.
The theme for this session is "Laser Focus on Safeguarding."
Melodie and the team will provide an overview of the history of safeguarding in North America, and the importance of having a laser focus on safeguarding in 2023.
Join us LIVE at 12:00 EST each day on Facebook or YouTube.
The sessions will be recorded and available to review in the group during the launch.
Invite your Networks, Teams, and Board Members ...
this is a perfect opportunity to get everyone on the same page!
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March 9, 2023
12:00pm - 1:00pm Eastern Time
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During our Deeper Dive series of seminars in 2023, we will showcase our updated Plan to Protect® manual, best practices, and standard of care that every organization serving the vulnerable sector should embrace.
In this webinar, we will unpack what you need to know to meet insurance requirements for training and equip your staff and volunteers to safeguard your people.
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Mark your Calendars for the May 16th Forum:
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Learn the basics of victim advocacy. How to demonstrate care and compassionate response to allegations and disclosure of abuse?
How to manage a whistleblower policy?
Tuesday, May 16, 2023
10:00 am - 4:00 pm EST
This is a zoom event.
$100* per person. (Discounts apply)
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March 7, 2022
12:30pm-1:00pm Eastern Time
Learn the basics and standard of Plan to Protect. This is a complimentary webinar. Register to participate LIVE with Q&A time, or to receive access to an instant replay.
for details and registration.
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March 14, 2023
2:00pm - 3:00pm Eastern Time Elder Abuse Awareness
A one-hour seminar designed to raise the awareness of Elder Abuse. During this community event, we will learn what Elder Abuse is, how to recognize and respond to it. Everyone is welcome! Let's plan to protect!
for details and registration.
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March 23, 2023
8:00pm - 9:30pm Eastern Time
Great for individuals and groups who need to be refreshed in Plan to Protect® policies and procedures.
for details and registration
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March 25, 2023
1:00pm - 3:30pm Eastern Time
Join us for this two hour orientation training covering awareness of abuse, prevention, reporting and response and so much more!
for details and registration.
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What's New on Our School? |
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The Five W’s of Screening Volunteers and Staff
What does it look like to have strong screening in place for volunteer and staff candidates? What steps are recommended to achieve a strong standard of care with screening? What steps and how should screening be renewed? Let’s Plan to Protect!
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March Special! Get your Manual in March |
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Did you know that many of the issues raised in this newsletter are addressed in our newest version of Plan to Protect® A Safeguarding Guide for Children, Youth and Adults.
This 400+ safeguarding guide is the most updated version of the best-selling manual for organizations working with the vulnerable sector. The manual includes revised policy and procedure statements, best practices, and case studies, and downloadable templates and forms collected over 25 years. Whether you work with children, youth, vulnerable adults, the elderly, individuals with disabilities or new immigrants, this resource provides Board members, senior leaders, and program directors the tools they need to safeguard their people.
Lowest price available in 2023.
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