Monthly Newsletter
July 2020

IN THIS ISSUE
  • Introduction: What would your worst-case scenario be?
  • New on the Blog: Athlete A: A Netflix Documentary
  • June Special: BOGO 50% on the Crisis Response and Management Course
  • Special Interest: Missing Child
  • Complimentary Webinar: Plan to Protect® through Training
  • Plan to Protect® hosted its first Serious About Safety Masterclass!
  • Big News for Plan to Protect!
Did you know?   You are not a member! But if you were, you could...  register free of charge for monthly Special Interest   Webinars, as well as get access to past editions in the Member Section of the website at any time. All this and more when you become a member.

Our Member Section also offers exclusive access to training, support, policy updates, resources, and more.

This month, we've added to our member portal: TWO great webinars for outlining screening and recruitment requirements, as well as knowing when to re-enter following COVID-19!

What would your worst-case scenario be?
In a recent survey, we asked what your worst-case scenarios would be. The top ten responses we received were:

  1. A child missing;
  2. That abuse will happen under my watch;
  3. That I might miss a red flag while screening a potential volunteer;
  4. A volunteer being falsely accused of abuse;
  5. That a victim report and not be believed;
  6. That leadership would try to turn a blind eye on abuse;
  7. That a victim and their family would be pressured to recant, and their lives threatened;
  8. That victims who do come forward are not believed and therefore are further abused by those defending the offenders;
  9. That I will miss the signs of what is happening in a child's home; and,
  10. Not having the proper records required/on hand in the event something happens.

What about you, what would your worst-case scenario be?

Have you lived it?

During the month of July, we are encouraging you to face your biggest fears head-on.

We will be offering a webinar on Missing Child. In Canada, an estimated 45,288 children are reported missing each year. In the United States, an estimated 460,000 children are reported missing each year. One missing child is one too many. Learn the steps to take if a child goes missing.

Also in July, Jessica Debann é provides a poignant blog on Athlete A , a Netflix documentary focusing on the gymnasts who survived USA gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar's abuse and the reporters who unveiled it. The story of the USA Gymnastics (USAG) sex abuse scandal utterly shocked the world in recent years. We encourage you to read the blog and watch the documentary. Together, we can learn from the mistakes that USA Gymnastics made when they faced their worst nightmare.

-Melodie Bissell, President and CEO at Plan to Protect ®
The Latest from Our Blog
Athlete A: A Netflix Documentary

The Netflix documentary Athlete A, directed by Bonni Cohen and Jon Shenk, details the story of the USA Gymnastics (USAG) sex abuse scandal that utterly shocked the world in recent years. Through the lens of interviews with survivors and a thorough account of the Indianapolis Star journalists who first dug into this story, the film poignantly delves into the experiences of the many gymnasts who came forth and shared the truth about being victimized by the national team's sports doctor Larry Nassar.

The documentary congruently sheds light on the lived experience of Maggie Nichols, the young woman and USAG athlete behind the moniker "Athlete A." This title was the name by which the then-anonymous Nichols was called in the early days of the investigation against Nassar, after she made a complaint in 2015 about his sexually intrusive behaviors. Her complaint would foster the first public disclosure of Nassar's decade-long abuse.
New This Month
July Special
BOGO 50% for Crisis Response and Management Course

When we face our fears, we can put the policies and procedures into place to better prepare if they come to pass.

To help manage your fears, during the month of July, we are offering our Crisis Response and Management Course -- Register one person from your organization and get the second person half-price! This is equivalent to over $150.00 in savings!

We congratulate Kerry Provost, from Awana Canada International, our first graduate of the Crisis Response and Management Course. Listen HERE to Kerry to share the impact that Plan to Protect® has had on their ministry.

To register two individuals in Leadership at your organization, use the registration link below.
Training Highlights
Plan to Protect® Hosted its first MasterClass!

From June 15 to June 23, Plan to Protect® hosted its first ever MasterClass for over 250 registrants. We, along with guest speakers and Advisory Board Members, spoke about abuse in organizations, and how to reach the HIGHEST standard of abuse prevention for organizations servicing the vulnerable sector.

Due to the incredible feedback from our registrants, Plan to Protect® is committed to hosting another in the near future. In anticipation of this, we will be hosting a weekly LIVE 1 hour session where Melodie will tackle some of the most frequently asked questions by Plan to Protect® Members, and provide recommendations for implementing best practices at your organization.

To join the conversation, register below.
Missing Child
Special Interest Webinar
(July 9, 2020 - 12:00 - 1:00pm EST)

It’s the stuff of nightmares, looking down at the Amber Alert on your phone and recognizing the child’s name. What steps is your organization taking to prevent children from going missing? What would you do in the event that you lose a child? Let’s raise the bar on protection!

This webinar is meant for teachers, youth workers, child workers, supervisors, and administrators. Melodie Bissell, President and CEO of Plan to Protect ® will outline protocols and steps you can take to make sure you are never in the situation of telling a parent, you lost their child. Let’s raise the bar on protection!

$30.00 plus tax
Plan to Protect ® through Training
Complimentary Webinar
(July 22, 2020 - 12:00 - 1:00pm EST)

Are your volunteers and staff passionate about abuse prevention and protecting vulnerable sectors? Do you need help inspiring them or getting them to show up for training? Do you have questions about what they need to be trained? Training your volunteers and staff correctly not only gives your organization peace of mind but also can help you qualify for insurance abuse coverage. Let’s plan to protect through training!

This webinar is designed for leaders and administrators who work with vulnerable sectors. Melodie Bissell, President of Plan to Protect® will explain the elements of effective training and how to make sure your volunteers and staff hold to the highest standard of abuse prevention. Let’s raise the bar on protection!

FREE
Upcoming Plan to Protect ® Training and Certification

Start learning safely from your home today!

To learn more or to register, click the name of the training.

Click  here  for the full 2020 training calendar.
 July 9, 2020 @ 12:00pm-1:00pm ET

July 21, 2020 @ 12:30pm-1:00pm ET

 July 22, 2020 @ 12:00pm-1:00pm ET

July 23, 2020 @ 7:30pm-9:00pm ET

July 25, 2020 @ 1:00pm-3:30pm ET

Online, self-paced. Start now!
Big News for Plan to Protect!
"The Canadian Chamber of Commerce recently announced Plan to Protect as a recipient of a $10,000 grant from the Canadian Business Resilience Network Small Business Relief Fund.

Melodie Bissell is the Founder and President of Plan to Protect, a social enterprise located in Stouffville that provides abuse prevention and protection to organizations servicing the vulnerable sector globally. The company services 12,500 volunteer-driven organizations in North America including care homes, sports clubs, churches, community clubs, municipalities and transportation companies."