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https://www.teresathornhill.com/2024/01/15/racism-in-social-work/ | 2024-04-22T22:35:09 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2024-18/segments/1712296818374.84/warc/CC-MAIN-20240422211055-20240423001055-00087.warc.gz | 0.978496 | 350 | CC-MAIN-2024-18 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2024-18__0__106357546 | en | Racism in Social Work
I’ve just listened to an interesting podcast (The Social Work Community Podcast) entitled Racism in Social Work. Ash, a male south Asian Muslim senior practitioner in child protection social work and Nana, a Black male child protection team manager and lecturer talk about their experiences with Sharmeen Ziauddin. They explain that Black and Asian social workers experience racism both from some of the client families they work with and from within the profession; and that, while awareness about race within the profession has slightly improved since the Black Lives Matter movement triggered by the death of George Floyd, there is still a long way to go. Ash talks about his experience as a newly qualified social worker from London taking a job in a rural local authority where 95 per cent of the work force were white. He found that his cohort of newly qualified social workers, all of whom were in their ASYE year (Assisted and Supported Year in Employment) were all Black or Asian; but that when individuals from the cohort were exposed to incidents of racism, their managers and colleagues had no idea how to respond.
I wasn’t surprised to learn that there is a ‘glass ceiling’ for Black and Asian social workers wanting to progress within the profession. Senior management tend to be white; and do not reflect the families whom social workers are primarily working with.
Another issue of concern is the fact that mostly social workers are expected to conduct home visits to families alone, even when there is a risk of their being attacked. Nana has started a petition aimed at forcing a debate in parliament about the need for a system of protection for social workers carrying out high risk home visits.
This is a podcast worth listening to. | sociology |
https://tipmont.com/fighting-for-you/rural-innovation/ | 2024-03-04T02:35:25 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2024-10/segments/1707947476409.38/warc/CC-MAIN-20240304002142-20240304032142-00713.warc.gz | 0.958112 | 209 | CC-MAIN-2024-10 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2024-10__0__96308961 | en | Empowering our communities
Tipmont is an essential services provider serving 27,000 people in Lafayette and Crawfordsville, IN, and surrounding communities. By focusing on people over profits, we’re ushering in a new era of rural innovation.
What We Believe
True innovation requires compassion and the belief that what does succeed should be shared by all, not just a select few. That spirit transformed rural America in the 1930s when local leaders and community members formed electric cooperatives and turned the lights on in places large private companies would not. Thanks to their courage and compassion, rural Americans with electricity went from 10% to 90% within a few short years. This model has worked well for a long time because it measures success in lives changed and communities transformed – not in profit.
what we're doing
During these challenging times, internet service helps you maintain ties to family, friends, work, and school. Tipmont has deployed free public WiFi in Tippecanoe, Montgomery, and Fountain counties. | sociology |
https://oozou.com/code_of_conduct | 2024-02-28T07:32:24 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2024-10/segments/1707947474697.2/warc/CC-MAIN-20240228044414-20240228074414-00142.warc.gz | 0.927873 | 497 | CC-MAIN-2024-10 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2024-10__0__150729637 | en | Updated 12th December 2019
Below is our Code of Conduct, which outlines our approach to maintaining equality in our projects and community (including our workplace).
In the interest of fostering an open and welcoming environment, we as members, contributors, and leaders pledge to making participation in our community a harassment-free experience for everyone, regardless of age, body size, visible or invisible disability, ethnicity, sex characteristics, gender identity and expression, level of experience, education, socio-economic status, nationality, personal appearance, race, religion, or sexual identity and orientation.
Examples of behavior that contributes to creating a positive environment include:
Using welcoming and inclusive language
Demonstrating empathy and kindness toward other people
Being respectful of differing opinions, viewpoints, and experiences
Giving and gracefully accepting constructive feedback
Accepting responsibility and apologizing to those affected by our mistakes, and learning from the experience
Focusing on what is best not just for us as individuals, but for the overall community
Examples of unacceptable behavior include:
The use of sexualized language or imagery and unwelcome sexual attention or advances
Trolling, insulting or derogatory comments, and personal or political attacks
Public or private harassment
Publishing others' private information, such as a physical or electronic address, without explicit permission
Other conduct which could reasonably be considered inappropriate in a professional setting
Community leaders are responsible for clarifying and enforcing our standards of acceptable behavior and will take appropriate and fair corrective action in response to any behavior that they deem inappropriate, threatening, offensive, or harmful.
Community leaders have the right and responsibility to remove, edit, or reject comments, commits, code, wiki edits, issues, and other contributions that are not aligned to this Code of Conduct, and will communicate reasons for moderation decisions when appropriate.
This Code of Conduct applies within all community spaces, and also applies when an individual is officially representing the community in public spaces. Examples of representing our community include using an official e-mail address, posting via an official social media account, or acting as an appointed representative at an online or offline event.
Instances of abusive, harassing, or otherwise unacceptable behavior may be reported to the community leaders responsible for enforcement at [email protected]. All complaints will be reviewed and investigated promptly and fairly.
Project maintainers who do not follow or enforce the Code of Conduct in good faith may face temporary or permanent repercussions as determined by other members of the project's leadership. | sociology |
https://dentalimplantsinpittsburgh.com/the-controversy-of-the-lottery/ | 2024-04-19T12:51:55 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2024-18/segments/1712296817398.21/warc/CC-MAIN-20240419110125-20240419140125-00494.warc.gz | 0.971589 | 582 | CC-MAIN-2024-18 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2024-18__0__25039875 | en | The lottery is a popular form of gambling where people can win prizes by matching numbers in a drawing. It is considered legal in most states and has been around for a long time. People can play the lottery online or in person at a retail outlet. In the UK, people must be over 18 to participate in a lottery.
Lotteries are a controversial topic in many countries. Some believe that they promote gambling, while others think that the profits from lottery games can help fund state programs. Some people also argue that it is unfair to give some people more chances of winning than others. This is a complicated issue that is not easy to resolve.
State governments use the lottery to raise money for a variety of purposes, including public works, education, and health services. Most state lotteries are run by an independent agency or public corporation, rather than by a private firm in return for a share of profits. Initially, most lotteries start out with a modest number of relatively simple games, and they gradually expand to include more games. Despite the growing controversy about lotteries, they remain popular with a broad segment of the population.
Advocates of state-run lotteries rely on two main arguments to justify them: 1. They claim that they are a good source of “painless revenue,” because people voluntarily spend their money on the chance of winning. They contrast this with the reluctance of the general population to pay taxes, which can be painful for low-income residents. 2. They argue that lotteries can be used to improve a specific public service, such as education, by reducing the need for local tax increases. This argument is especially appealing to voters worried about declining government revenues.
Neither of these arguments is entirely persuasive, however. The fact is that state governments are not above using the same tactics as tobacco or video-game makers to keep players coming back for more. They can be quite effective at it, too. Moreover, even when lotteries raise large sums of money for public services, it does not appear that this increases their popularity much.
A further concern is that lottery spending varies with economic conditions. When times are tough, people spend more on tickets; when they are good, sales decline. In addition, the marketing of state lotteries is targeted to communities disproportionately populated by poor and minority residents. This regressive effect is a key part of the argument that lotteries are not as harmless as their advocates contend.
The short story The Lottery by Shirley Jackson is a tale about tradition and the blind following of outdated practices. It highlights how a lack of understanding and knowledge can cause destruction. It also shows the violence that can be done to those who do not fit in with social norms. The lottery is a symbol of this mistreatment and the power that is used to control the lives of other people. | sociology |
https://theshortpaper.com/hobbies-and-mental-wellbeing/ | 2024-03-04T14:56:17 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2024-10/segments/1707947476452.25/warc/CC-MAIN-20240304133241-20240304163241-00632.warc.gz | 0.925118 | 226 | CC-MAIN-2024-10 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2024-10__0__104367976 | en | Hobby engagement and mental wellbeing among people aged 65 years and older in 16 countries
As the world’s aging population grows, it presents challenges to mental and social well-being. Many countries encourage people to engage in hobbies to improve their mental health, but it’s unclear if this approach works consistently worldwide. Researchers studied 16 nations and harmonized measures of hobby engagement and mental well-being across five longitudinal studies involving 93,263 participants. They found that having a hobby was associated with reduced depressive symptoms and higher self-reported health, happiness, and life satisfaction. These positive effects were similar across countries, with some variations based on macrolevel factors like life expectancy and national happiness levels. The study highlights the importance of promoting hobbies for healthy aging globally.
Mak, H.W., Noguchi, T., Bone, J.K. et al. Hobby engagement and mental wellbeing among people aged 65 years and older in 16 countries. Nat Med 29, 2233–2240 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-023-02506-1 | sociology |
http://lifecoaching.dieterpauwels.com/2010/03/default.aspx | 2013-05-23T11:55:20 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368703298047/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516112138-00042-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | 0.970918 | 776 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2013-20__0__162256081 | en | If you're like me, and most other people, there are things in your life that you wish were different and would like to change for the better. Although you may have had the best intentions to manifest a desired change in the past, for some reason you have not been able to successfully achieve the results you want.
Perhaps you have wanted to kick a bad habit. Or you feel you deserve a raise or promotion at work, yet something is preventing you from asking for it. Alternatively, you find yourself in a relationship that is no longer fulfilling. Maybe you have wanted to lose weight, and have tried all the miracle diets, or joined a local health club, but never shed those extra pounds. What prevents us from making the changes we desire?
Whatever the change is that you want to make, as a personal life coach I would like to challenge you to reflect for a moment on the following and important question:
"How much do you really want to change?"
Often, we try to make changes in our lives to live up to the expectations of others, or because others want us to. There is nothing wrong with the intention of trying to change for someone else, but my experience tells me that true long-lasting results must come from within.
Life Coaching Principle #1: YOU have to really WANT to change!
Dare to ask yourself this obvious question! What are the benefits of me not changing?
Sometimes people try to create change in their lives, but are not consciously aware of the positive benefits or side effects that they are getting from their current situation.
For example: Some people who label themselves as depressed, stay depressed, because of the extra emotional attention they are receiving from family and friends. The desire for attention, or the need for significance, becomes a strong enough motivator for them to stay depressed.
Think about the positive benefits of the situation you would like to change. What are some of the emotional / physical positive side effects of your current situation? How important are these benefits to you? How could you maintain the same positive side effect by making the change you desire?
People often resist the change they think they want, because of an inner conflict between the values they hold. Let me illustrate with another example: Let's assume that you want to get a promotion at work but never asked for it. Now imagine for a moment that you actually did receive the promotion you wanted. What would getting a promotion mean to you? More money? And how important would that be compared to some other values that you hold? If a promotion means a better paycheck, but it also means more time away from your family, this may create inner conflict which will likely cause you to resist moving forward. What you resist will persist!
Self-limiting beliefs and thoughts
Another reason why people resist change because they hold on to limiting beliefs that prevent them from moving forward and getting the results they really want. Think for a moment about the change you want to make …
How confident are you that reaching your goal or outcome is possible for you? Do you believe that you have what it takes to make that change? In other words, do you believe that you are truly capable of reaching your desired outcome?
Now, again imagine that you already successfully achieved your outcome. How would this new situation affect you and the people around you? And, would that be okay?
By exploring some of the questions above, you may discover some limiting beliefs you hold about yourself or the situation you want to change. It is only when you become consciously aware of the internal barriers - positive side effects, conflicting values, or limiting beliefs - that you will be able to make a full personal commitment to the process of change.
"We can learn to be the catalysts for our own change." (Sarah Ban Breathnach) | sociology |
https://cue.usc.edu/directory/samantha-kosai/ | 2018-12-12T21:05:16 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2018-51/segments/1544376824119.26/warc/CC-MAIN-20181212203335-20181212224835-00277.warc.gz | 0.975512 | 241 | CC-MAIN-2018-51 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2018-51__0__217049651 | en | Samantha Kosai is a second year Sociology major from Irvine, California. She is involved with the Unruh Institute of Politics, currently serving as Publicity Director for the inaugural Unruh Ambassador Executive Board, and teaches local politics to high school students through their Civic Engagement program. She loves embracing her biracial heritage by being involved in El Centro Chicano and Asian Pacific American Student Services. Sam is passionate about the arts, serving as Vice President of Oriana, the classical women’s choir on campus, and representing Harmonious Monks, a USC Jazz/Hip-Hop band, as their publicist. She is humbled to be working as a Resident Assistant in the coming year and serving as an Undergraduate Fellow for the Center for Excellence in Teaching. These interests have greatly influenced her independent research, as she focuses on the interdisciplinary relationship of politics, education, race, and the arts. Sam aspires to earn a doctorate degree and pursue a career either in Education Policy or as a professor (or maybe both). Here at CUE, Sam hopes to continue exploring the many facets of education and working towards solutions of equity and access for all students. | sociology |
https://nbtrauma.ca/national-teen-driver-safety-week-2017/ | 2019-06-26T18:05:18 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2019-26/segments/1560628000414.26/warc/CC-MAIN-20190626174622-20190626200622-00141.warc.gz | 0.930864 | 337 | CC-MAIN-2019-26 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2019-26__0__110962089 | en | This year, National Teen Driver Safety Week (NTDSW) is October 15-21, 2017. NTDSW is an annual awareness campaign that advocates for safe and conscientious driving among teens. As it stands, teens make up approximately 20% of all road-related injuries, but only account for 12% of licenced drivers. The NB Trauma Program is participating in NTDSW to help our teens get home safe.
This year, the focus of NTDSW is drugged driving. With legislation changes looming in regards to marijuana use, it’s important to encourage teens to abstain from drug use, particularly when behind the wheel. NTDSW’s campaign this year will also focus on distracted driving and aggressive driving (such as speeding or tailgating). Canadian youths between the ages of 16-19 are at a disproportionately high risk of death than other age groups when it comes to being behind the wheel. We all want our teens to be safe while driving, so take the opportunity this week to remind your teen to drive avoid risky driving behavior.
This year, you can get involved with NTDSW on the web and on twitter. Use the hashtag #GetHomeSafe on twitter, Facebook and Instagram, and make sure to follow @NBTrauma on twitter to see all of our NTDSW tweets!
For more information from Parachute on NTDSW, click here.
If you require further information about safe driving for teens, feel free to contact the NB Trauma Program any time at 506 648 8040 or [email protected].
This post is also available in: French | sociology |
https://www.st-aug.edu/mental-health/ | 2023-10-04T06:22:28 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233511361.38/warc/CC-MAIN-20231004052258-20231004082258-00716.warc.gz | 0.942521 | 1,118 | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2023-40__0__24488598 | en | Stress and anxiety are normal feelings – and especially during times like these. The changes inherent in pandemic life –transitioning back to campus, lingering pandemic worries, and navigating social interactions once again – can be distressing. It might be difficult to cope with these feelings in a healthy way. If you’re struggling, get help. If you are witnessing another person’s struggles, help them. Scroll down for mental health strategies and resources to keep you and others safe and well.
I am not feeling like myself, but how do I know if I need help?
- It is healthy to notice personal distress and to reach out for help.
- Any problem that is causing concern is an appropriate reason to talk to someone about it.
- Remember that you are not alone. Others do care and can help.
- Be careful not to isolate or maintain unhealthy habits to cope.
- Reach out to others for support and help in problem solving
Who can I call or speak with when I feel distressed?
- A trusted friend
- Someone in your family
- A respected, trusted campus community member
- A spiritual counselor or minister or rabbi
- A medical provider
- A mental health provider
What if my issue is urgent and I need help now?
- Call 911.
- Call the Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 800.273.8255
- Go directly to the emergency department of the nearest hospital
- Call Campus police 919.516.4411.
- Undergraduate students and graduate students can call CAPS (Counseling and Psychological Services) 24/7 at 919.516.4255
- If you are an employee, reach out to EAP (Employee Assistance Program)
Help Someone Else
What are some signs that a person needs immediate help?
- Immediate safety concerns, including suicidal attempt, gesture, threat, or stated intention; behavior posing a threat to self.
- A homicidal attempt, gesture, threat, or stated intention; behavior posing a threat to others.
- Loss of contact with reality.
- Inability to care for oneself.
Who can help me get help for someone else?
You can ALWAYS call and ask about the situation.
- CAPS 24/7 at 919.516.4255
- Suicide Prevention Lifeline 800.273.8255
What are some basic guidelines for helping someone else face a mental health challenge?
Consider time and place. Find an appropriate time and place to speak with the distressed person – ideally in private and at a time and place that allows you both to focus on the conversation without distraction.
Say what you see. Be objective and describe what you observe that is concerning to you. Avoid making assumptions about why the person is distressed. Indicate that you are concerned about their wellbeing and that you want to help.
Ask about what seems to be happening and then listen. Listen carefully, sensitively, without judgment. Give them your undivided attention. Accept the person “as is,” without agreeing or disagreeing with their behavior or point of view.
Empathize. Sincerely communicate your understanding of the issue as they describe it, in both content and feeling.
Offer Hope. Remind the person that the situation can improve, and that things will not always seem so bad. Avoid criticizing, moralizing, correcting, or trying to fix or make decisions for the person. Give reassurance and information. People can and do recover from mental illness.
Encourage the person to continue to talk about their issues. Remind them that it is normal to talk with someone they can trust when in need of help. Talking is a natural way to relieve stressful emotions. Ask about and encourage self-care techniques they have used in the past.
Offer Options. The person may find it helpful to talk with other supportive people. Consider offering to help them reach out while you’re together or even to attend the conversation with them. There are many options for support including a trusted campus community member, a family member, a medical provider, a spiritual leader, or a mental health provider.
Be Available and Follow-Up. Remain open to further discussions. Let them know that you are available if they need you. Check back with the person, because you care about how they are feeling.
Remember Your Role and Your Own Limits. Your role is to provide support and to suggest other options when support is not enough. Do not become more involved than your time and skill permits. If the issues are beyond your ability to help, call a mental health provider and ask how you can best help.
If someone is reluctant to reach out for help (and it’s not an emergency), remember that seeking therapy is a personal choice.
- No one can make a person’s choice for them.
- Don’t force the issue, simply restate your concerns and the available options.
- Suggest that confronting a problem is a positive sign of health and maturity.
- Acknowledge, validate, and discuss the person’s concerns about reaching out for help.
- Remind them that mental health providers years of expertise in helping people like them.
- Remind them that many services are free and confidential.
- Be friendly, remain open and available to help in the future. Suggest they take some time to think it over. | sociology |
https://www.connellsvilleredevelopment.org/local-foods-local-places | 2023-12-01T14:01:00 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-50/segments/1700679100287.49/warc/CC-MAIN-20231201120231-20231201150231-00414.warc.gz | 0.935244 | 193 | CC-MAIN-2023-50 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2023-50__0__71099558 | en | Local Foods, Local Places, established as a national initiative in 2014, helps people create walk able, healthy, economically vibrant neighborhoods through local food enterprise. The White House Rural Council and six federal agencies (U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Transportation, Delta Regional Authority, and Appalachian Regional Commission) selected 27 communities to participate in Local Foods, Local Places in 2016. A team of experts will help community members set goals and plan projects. Projects include farmers markets, local food cooperatives, community gardens, and other food-related enterprises that can boost local economies and drive downtown and neighborhood revitalization. By promoting better health and stronger economies, Local Foods, Local Places supports the White House Rural Council efforts to alleviate poverty and boost wellness among children. Local Foods, Local Places helps communities to implement their plans by accessing federal programs and attracting private investment. | sociology |
https://bauer.uh.edu/inclusiveleadership/index.php | 2024-02-21T13:05:38 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2024-10/segments/1707947473472.21/warc/CC-MAIN-20240221102433-20240221132433-00681.warc.gz | 0.929372 | 719 | CC-MAIN-2024-10 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2024-10__0__171438162 | en | Inclusive Leadership Institute
Transforming the Workforce, Together.
Inclusive leaders acknowledge and embrace differences and utilize them effectively to achieve superior business results. Effective leaders implement the mechanisms necessary for inclusive leadership to be an engine of business, including an inclusive culture, equitable and inclusive human resource practices, and support for employees' physical and mental health. Inclusive leaders' commitment to inclusion is part of being socially responsible.
The Inclusive Leadership Institute aspires to become a focal point in Houston to develop inclusive leaders, family-friendly and inclusive cultures that support business strategy and superior business performance.
The mandate of the Inclusive Leadership Institute is to provide the best research, leadership development, and industry practices in the areas of excellence described in the chart below and link all these areas to the organization's strategy, culture, and bottom line.
Areas of Excellence
- Inclusive Culture
- Gender Equality
- Women in Leadership
- Racial Justice
- Intergenerational Work Relations
- Integration of LGBTQIA Workers
- Family-Friendly HR Practices
- Work-Family Integration
- Flexible Work Scheduling
- Childcare Benefits
- Lactation Rooms
- Sleep Supportive Conditions
- Physical & Mental Health
- Stress & Burnout
- Fair Pay (Economic Health)
- Corporate Social Responsibility
- Leader Character
- Ethical Leadership
The Inclusive Leadership Institute (ILI) is a College-Level Center in the C. T. Bauer College of Business. The mission of the ILI is to connect inclusive leaders across academia, corporations, and non-profit organizations to accelerate inclusive leadership in companies and communities.
We aspire to create a partnership for inclusive leadership research that will accomplish three things:
Act as a focal point for faculty-led research and best inclusive practices in industry.
Establish relationships with organizations and identify pressing inclusive leadership problems.
Maintain an ongoing relationship between industry and academia to further knowledge creation and inclusive leadership development.
In addition, the ILI will provide companies and organizations the ability to network with other inclusive leaders across various industries to learn best practices through networking events, panel discussions, and conferences. We will promote quarterly meetings to talk about what is happening in inclusive leadership, invite keynote speakers and share current research. Depending on their membership level, companies will have access to training, open enrollment or custom programs, research, and access to students or industry learning communities. Learning communities will promote quarterly meetings to talk about what is happening in inclusive leadership, inviting keynote speakers. Specifically, members will receive the following benefits:
- Full access to published inclusive leadership research
- Free customized Inclusive Executive Development Assessment each year
- Free customized inclusive leadership Research Assessment each year
- Free customized Inclusive Consulting Assessment each year
- Executive Development Programs at a membership price
- Research opportunities and support
- Consulting Services (e.g., inclusive leadership audits, ally training) at membership price
- Succession and Development Planning for Inclusive leaders at a membership price
- Industry Learning Communities
- Recruiting table at the Bauer Career Fair
- Access to student and alumni pool for internships, projects, and recruiting
- Inclusive leadership networking events across and within industries
- Company logo placed in materials and events
- Recognition in all marketing materials and all events
- Naming opportunities
Our role with the Inclusive Leadership Institute is to embrace the questions that both organizations and employees are asking as the face of the workforce changes, and to develop practical solutions that are substantiated by faculty collaborative research. | sociology |
http://minicassiavoice.com/archive/featured/minidoka-county-schools-begin-%E2%80%98buy-idaho%E2%80%99-food-program/ | 2016-05-05T23:43:22 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2016-18/segments/1461861700245.92/warc/CC-MAIN-20160428164140-00042-ip-10-239-7-51.ec2.internal.warc.gz | 0.978251 | 432 | CC-MAIN-2016-18 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2016-18__0__38245687 | en | By C. COLT CRANE
PAUL • Minidoka County schools have started a new food and health program in an effort to promote healthier food choices while supporting Idaho’s economy.
Phyllis Bean, food director for the Minidoka County School District, has been hard at work setting up the program since last spring.
“We’re in a pilot program,” Bean said. “There are eight districts within the state that are in this program and we are putting Idaho products on our menu to try and promote Idaho and keep things locally.“
The program kicked off on Thursday, Sept. 5, at West Minico Middle School in Paul. Everything on the day’s menu was an Idaho product. Thursday’s menu was comprised of finger steaks, corn on the cob, fingerling potatoes, nectarines and milk.
Local potatoes came from Arrowhead Potatoes in Rupert and Bean said all items will come from Idaho. Bean also said the district is trying to stay as local as it can when buying food.
Bean clarified that the new food program requires no new funding and that everything is bought through an operating expense, as well as federal reimbursement through the Free and Reduced Lunch program.
All menu items are required to meet federal nutrient standards.
“I’m excited for the kids to see that we’re putting out good quality food and maybe they’ll eat,” Bean said. “When the new food guidelines came out from the federal government, nobody was happy with it because we were feeding them more fruits and veggies. Kids here do not get filled up on fruits and veggies. They work hard and they need more.“
According to Bean, the kickoff program went extremely well. The district office received complimentary emails concerning the new program, as well as positive feedback from the students.
“I’ve had emails saying that they thought it was good,” Bean said. “The kids were saying that it was the best meal they’d ever had.“ | sociology |
http://syracuseny.salvationarmy.org/SyracuseNY/Children-Families | 2018-01-16T18:58:28 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2018-05/segments/1516084886639.11/warc/CC-MAIN-20180116184540-20180116204540-00317.warc.gz | 0.956572 | 216 | CC-MAIN-2018-05 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2018-05__0__88039770 | en | The Preventive Services Program is a partnership between The Salvation Army and the Onondaga County Department of Social Services. The program provides high quality home based case management services to families with children experiencing challenges that may lead to safety risks. The Protective Factors from the evidence-based Strengthening Families Model are used to guide case planning, case coordination and counseling services.
Family Place is a collaboration between The Salvation Army, Onondaga County Department of Social Services, Huntington Family Center and Catholic Charities. Visitation Services provide safe opportunities for parents to visit their children who are in foster care. Two sites are equipped to provide moderate and strict supervision of family visits. Transportation is provided for children to and from visits. Initial and ongoing assessments are performed to determine the need for educational and clinical resources. Assessments also determine the length and frequency of visits. Visitation coaches intervene with families as needed to address safety concerns and provide ongoing feedback. Counseling is provided for families who are identified as having serious risks that prevent more frequent contact, and for those who need family centered clinical intervention. | sociology |
https://workforfashion.com/travel/how-travelers-around-the-world-use-homestays/ | 2024-04-17T09:00:39 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2024-18/segments/1712296817146.37/warc/CC-MAIN-20240417075330-20240417105330-00806.warc.gz | 0.903045 | 669 | CC-MAIN-2024-18 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2024-18__0__79736349 | en | Homestays have become a popular accommodation option for travelers seeking a more immersive and authentic experience while exploring new destinations. This blog aims to delve into the diverse ways in which travelers from around the world utilize homestays during their journeys. By opening their homes to visitors, hosts offer unique insights into local culture, traditions, and a chance to forge meaningful connections. From sharing meals to partaking in local festivities, homestays provide an opportunity for travelers to go beyond the typical tourist experience.
So, let’s embark on a virtual tour and discover how homestays have revolutionized the way we travel.
Cultural Immersion and Local Interaction
Homestays offer an unparalleled opportunity for travelers to immerse themselves in the local culture. By staying with host families, visitors can experience daily routines, traditions, and customs firsthand. Interacting with locals on a personal level enables travelers to gain insights into the host country’s way of life that would otherwise be inaccessible. Whether it’s learning to cook traditional dishes, attending cultural ceremonies, or joining in on family celebrations, these interactions foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of the destination.
Language and Learning
For language enthusiasts or those eager to improve their language skills, homestays are an ideal choice. Living with native speakers provides an immersive environment for language learning, allowing travelers to practice conversation skills and grasp the nuances of the local language. Hosts often encourage guests to engage in conversations, correct language mistakes, and introduce them to colloquial expressions. This language immersion contributes to a more meaningful travel experience and paves the way for cross-cultural communication.
Insider Knowledge and Hidden Gems
When staying with local hosts, travelers gain access to a wealth of insider knowledge. Hosts act as valuable guides, offering recommendations on lesser-known attractions, off-the-beaten-path destinations, and local gems that might not be listed in guidebooks. From secret hiking trails to tucked-away cafes and markets, guests can explore the destination like a local, away from crowded tourist hotspots. Hosts often share personal stories and anecdotes, providing historical and cultural context that enriches the traveler’s experience.
Personal Connections and Lasting Friendships
Homestays create an environment conducive to forming personal connections and lifelong friendships. By living under the same roof, travelers and hosts often develop deep bonds based on shared experiences and mutual understanding. Guests become part of the host family, forging connections that go beyond superficial interactions. These friendships can endure long after the journey has ended, fostering a sense of belonging and encouraging future visits.
Homestays have revolutionized the way travelers engage with the world, offering a gateway to authentic experiences and cultural immersion. From cultural exchanges and language learning to insider knowledge and personal connections, homestays provide a unique perspective that traditional accommodations simply cannot match. By embracing homestays, travelers have the opportunity to create lasting memories and develop a deeper understanding of the places they visit. Whether it’s sharing meals, participating in local customs, or forming lifelong friendships, the impact of homestays transcends boundaries and transforms the way we explore the world. So, next time you plan your journey, consider immersing yourself in a homestay experience and embark on a truly transformative adventure. | sociology |
http://wordsanddeeds.ca/ | 2017-02-28T16:41:45 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2017-09/segments/1487501174167.41/warc/CC-MAIN-20170219104614-00547-ip-10-171-10-108.ec2.internal.warc.gz | 0.941883 | 211 | CC-MAIN-2017-09 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2017-09__0__194075025 | en | The Words & Deeds Leadership Award Dinner is a joint undertaking by the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) and Jewish Federations across Canada. The inaugural Words & Deeds Dinner was hailed in the national media as the business event of the year.
More than 800 community leaders from the business, academic, cultural and volunteer sectors join federal, provincial and municipal politicians to salute the dedication of our honourees to community-building at a gala dinner. The Award is recognition by the Jewish community of the accomplishments of leaders whose contributions have enhanced the lives of all Canadians.
The national Words & Deeds Leadership Award recognizes leaders whose contribution to humanitarian causes and to tolerance, inclusion and civil discourse in Canadian society is truly outstanding. Recipients of the award are those who demonstrate – by their words and deeds – that the efforts of one can lead to the benefit of many.
For more information about the Words & Deeds Leadership Award Dinner contact Catherine Morrow at [email protected] or 416-840-2983. | sociology |
https://antdatagain.com/transcript-library/sociology/dubois-race-conflict-crash-course-sociology-transcript | 2024-02-27T03:29:13 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2024-10/segments/1707947474670.19/warc/CC-MAIN-20240227021813-20240227051813-00185.warc.gz | 0.963978 | 2,888 | CC-MAIN-2024-10 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2024-10__0__117810761 | en | Dubois & Race Conflict: Crash Course Sociology Transcript
Nicole Sweeney 00:00:00
Two bachelor’s degrees. PhD from Harvard University. Two-year fellowship to study in Berlin. Professor of sociology and history at two different universities. Author of countless books. Activist and co-founder of a key civil rights organization. Editor and co-founder of a magazine. And a poet to boot. Pretty good resume, yeah? What if I make it a bit more impressive? That PhD from Harvard? First Harvard PhD granted to an African American. The civil rights organization? The NAACP. That magazine? The Crisis, the longest running Black publication in the United States in print since 1910.
This resume belongs to William Edward Burghardt Du Bois, whom you might know better as W. E. B. Du Bois. He was one of the earliest American sociologists, as well as one of the first proponents of race-conflict theory. And his studies of the lives of African Americans during the Jim Crow era of American history—and the oppression they faced—are the cornerstones of how sociologists study race.
W. E. B. Du Bois was born in a small town in Massachusetts in 1868. 1868—that’s five years after the Emancipation Proclamation. Three years after the end of the American Civil War and the same year that the 14th amendment was passed. At this time, race was considered a biological construct. Slavery, and the later Jim Crow laws—laws in the South that enforced racial segregation—were framed as natural consequences of the supposed, natural inferiority of Blacks to Whites. We, of course, now know that this was not just wrong but deeply harmful. And more than that—the idea that race itself is a purely biological, immutable quality is also understood today as being simply untrue.
Instead, race thought of as a socially constructed category of people who share biological traits that society has deemed important. Yes, human beings vary a lot in how we look—our skin color, our facial features, our body shapes, our hair texture. But those visual markers only become a “race” when members of society decide that specific markers constitute a specific racial group. This is why the concept of race often changes, across cultures and times. For example, when Du Bois was alive, Irish and Italian Americans weren’t considered ‘White,’ either. But today, try telling some Boston Southie guy or an Italian grandma from Pittsburgh that they’re not White. See what they say. Did something change about Irish and Italian Americans biologically? Of course not. It’s how society saw them that changed. And it’s that last bit—what race a person is seen as, and how they’re treated as a result—that ends up being a huge determinant of a person’s social outcomes.
Du Bois began to consider his race as a part of his identity, when he moved to the South to go to college, and then spent several years in Europe. He saw how differently Black people were treated in different places, and was disillusioned about how Americans treated him based on his skin color. He can describe this disillusionment much better than I can: “One ever feels twoness,” he wrote, “an American, a Negro; two souls, two thoughts, two unreconciled strivings; two warring id.” This quote reveals a really critical underlying thread in much of Du Bois’ work—the idea of double-consciousness. Du Bois argued that there are two competing identities as a Black American—seeing one’s self as an American and seeing one’s self as a Black person while living in White-centric America. Living as a member of a non-dominant race, he said, creates a fracture in your sense of identity within that society. These feelings are what fueled Du Bois’ work, which focused on the disparities and conflicts between people of different races—what we now call race-conflict theory.
Today, questions of race and identity are studied by sociologists who work on racial identity theory, which looks at how individuals come to identify as a certain race. Du Bois didn’t only research racial identity though—he also looked at the everyday lives of Black and White Americans and wrote extensively about how and why their lives differed so drastically in post-slavery America.
Let’s go to the Thought Bubble to look at one of Du Bois’ early studies of these disparities.
In 1896, the University of Pennsylvania hired Du Bois to do a survey on Black communities in Philadelphia. His work eventually became ‘The Philadelphia Negro,’ the first published study of the living conditions of African Americans. Du Bois went knocking on doors, asking people questions about themselves and their families. And there were an awful lot of doors. All told, Du Bois collected data on 9,675 African Americans. He focused on one specific ward of Philly—the 7th ward, a historically Black neighborhood that attracted families of all classes, from doctors and teachers to the poor and destitute. He sat in thousands of parlors, asking questions about age, gender, education, literacy, occupations, earnings, crime, and documented the ways in which African Americans differed from Philly’s White residents.
For example, the Black population turned out to be much younger than the White population and had a higher proportion of women. It also had lower literacy rates, higher rates of poverty and crime, and a higher concentration of workers in the service industry than in manufacturing or trade. Mortality rates were higher, as was the frequency of illness. But here’s what made Du Bois’ report especially unique: He concluded that much of the dysfunction within Black communities came from their inferior access to things like education and more lucrative jobs. The reason that the Black population had higher rates of death and illness, he said, was because of occupational hazards, and poverty, and less access to health care. It’s hard to express just how radical Du Bois’ conclusions were at the time. The problems in Black communities were not due to racial inferiority, Du Bois argued, but to racial prejudice. And that was completely different from how many Americans thought at the time.
Thanks, Thought Bubble.
So, race doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It doesn’t just imbue you with certain essential qualities. Instead, race matters because of the power that society gives it. For another example, let’s stick with Philly and use the labor unions there in the 1890s. Because of prejudice against Black workers and beliefs about their abilities and morals, trade labor unions didn’t allow Black workers to join. And because they couldn’t join unions, many Black workers couldn’t get manufacturing or trade work, which paid much better than service work. And because they couldn’t get these jobs, Black communities had more men out of work, higher rates of poverty and more criminal behavior, which then allowed the White workers and unions to justify their decision to not allow Black workers into their union.
The prevailing beliefs about race and racism ultimately reinforced themselves. This is what’s now known as racial formation theory, a theory formalized by modern sociologists Michael Omi and Howard Winant. Racial formation refers to the process through which social, political, and economic forces influence how a society defines racial categories and how those racial categories in turn end up shaping those forces. Omi and Winant argue that the concept of race came about as a tool to justify and maintain the economic and political power held by those of European descent.
Another modern look at these issues can be seen in the work of sociologist William Julius Wilson. He explores why Black and White Americans tend to have such different outcomes in terms of income, education and more. And he argues that class, not race, is the determining factor for many Black Americans. But the reasons that these class gaps exist to begin with come from the structural disadvantages that date back to Du Bois’ time. Du Bois continued to research the ways in which prejudice, segregation, and lack of access to education and jobs were holding back African Americans. A strong advocate of education and of challenging Jim Crow laws, he clashed with another leading Black intellectual all of the time, Booker T. Washington, who advocated compromise with the predominantly White political system.
Over time, Du Bois grew frustrated with the limits of scholarship in affecting change, so he turned to direct activism and political writing. In 1909, he co-founded the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People or the NAACP and was the editor and intellectual driving force behind its magazine, The Crisis. The NAACP fought against lynching, segregation of schools, voting disenfranchisement, and much more. It used journalism as one of its most powerful tools, publishing the records of thousands of lynchings over a 30-year period. And it used lawsuits, targeting voter disenfranchisement and school segregation in decade-long court battles. And, after Du Bois’ time, it went on to become part of many of the landmark moments in the fight for civil rights, including the Brown vs. Board of Education case, the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the March on Washington.
Modern sociologists continue Du Bois’ work on racial politics, asking the question, how is race intertwined with political power and the institutional structures within a society? Sociologist Eduardo Bonilla Silva, for example, argues that we now have what he calls racism without racists. What he means is explicitly racist views have become less socially acceptable, so fewer people are willing to say that they don’t think Black and White Americans should have equal rights. But, as Bonilla Silva points out, that doesn’t mean racism is a thing of the past. Instead, he says, structural racism, the kind that’s entrenched in political and legal structures, still holds back the progress of racial minorities. Take, for example, the fact that the median wealth of White Americans is 13 times higher than the median wealth of Black Americans. Now, you could look at that and say, well, Black people just aren’t as good at saving as White people. After all, it’s not like there’s anything legally preventing them from making or saving more money. But that completely ignores the ways in which wealth builds up over generations. Past generations of Black Americans were unable to build wealth because they had far less access to higher incomes, banking services and housing.
These ideas about how the structures of power interact with race may have their origins in Du Bois’ work, but they continue today. And so do his studies of racial resistance. Researchers of racial resistance ask, how do different racial groups challenge and change the structures of power? Sometimes racial resistance is easy to see in society. Think the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 60s or Black Lives Matter today. But sociologists can also look at more subtle forms of resistance too, like resistance against racial ideas and stereotypes. For example, sociologist Patricia Hill Collins has written about the different relationships that Black and White women have had with marriage and staying home to raise a family. In the feminist movement of the 1960s and 70s, one of its key issues was the exclusion of women from the workforce. Entering the workforce was seen as a form of resistance. But Black women have, for most of American history, been forced to work or needed to work to help support their families. For them, Collins argues, joining the workforce is not resistance. Instead, staying at home to care for their families can be an act of resistance against society’s expectations for Black women.
All of these modern fields of study within race conflict theory, racial identity, racial formation, racial politics, and racial resistance, they all have their origins in the work of one sociologist, W. E. B. Du Bois.
Today, we talked about W. E. B. Du Bois, one of the founders of sociological thought and the founder of race conflict theory. We talked about race and how our understanding of how we define race has changed over time. We talked about Du Bois’ idea of ‘double-consciousness’ and how it relates to the modern day field of racial identity. We introduced the idea of racial formation and used Du Bois’ survey of African Americans in Philadelphia to look at how economic, political, and social structures affect how we perceive different races and vice versa. And finally, we looked at the activist side of Du Bois’ life as co-founder of the NAACP and editor of The Crisis and discussed how modern day sociologists study racial politics and racial resistance.
Next time, we’ll take a look at some of the sociologists who were at the forefront of a different type of conflict theory: gender-conflict theory.
Crash Course Sociology is filmed in the Dr. Cheryl C Kinney Studio in Missoula, Montana and it’s made with the help of all of these nice people. Our animation team is Thought Café and Crash Course is made with Adobe Creative Cloud. If you’d like to keep Crash Course free for everyone forever, you can support the series at Patreon, a crowdfunding platform that allows you to support the content you love. Speaking of Patreon, we’d like to thank all of our patrons in general and we’d like to specifically thank our Headmaster of Learning, David Cichowski.
Thank you for your support.
Under Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. | sociology |
https://inkingtheheart.weebly.com/inking-the-heart-blog/the-blessing-of-community | 2022-12-10T02:40:47 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2022-49/segments/1669446711637.64/warc/CC-MAIN-20221210005738-20221210035738-00381.warc.gz | 0.962627 | 862 | CC-MAIN-2022-49 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2022-49__0__3020723 | en | I've spent the last 8 years juggling kids, school schedules, sporting events, and work hours.
There have been times when I have needed to be in two places at once. Times when work started before the morning bell, or when they got out before I did. Times when my kids needed to be someplace and I just couldn't get them there.
Schedule impossibilities stare me in the face still. I have all three in three different schools. They participate in sports and before and after school activities. And there is no way in the world that I can do it all by myself and still work!
But my kids get to where they need to be each week. . .
. . .and it is because of other moms, my friends, that step in and fill the gaps when my schedule doesn't allow me to be everywhere all the time.
For the past 8 years I have developed relationships with these women. Their schedules are just as crazy as mine, but together we get this mom job done each day.
In raising our kids and admitting that we need some help, something beautiful has bloomed.
It is to these friends that I write to tonight:
In eight years we have shared more than just the mom job. We have shared our lives, our disappointments, our time, our joys, and our tears.
We have sat on couches together and prayed for our children and their schools.
We have stood on the sidelines and cheered for each others' kids at soccer games, cross country meets, football games, track and field events, and water polo and baseball games.
We have walked together through cancer.
We have lost moms and father-in-laws.
And we've sat next to each other at a funeral, awards assemblies, and in buses traveling to field trips.
We have cried together and laughed a lot.
We trust each other with our most precious possessions. Our kids.
Our kids are safe at each other's houses, and when I can't be there I feel better knowing that one of you can stand in my place.
We have shared our baking, our families, our minivans or S.U.V.'s, encouragement, and appreciation for one another.
We have given grace when we have forgotten each other's kids and have laughed at our moments of absentmindedness.
Being a mom is not easy and we all get that! And we get that there is a depth of connection when you trust like this. And I need you and you need me and we really do need each other to survive some days.
This week, one of our husbands did not survive a terrible crash. And because we are all in this thing called life together, we all grieve together.
And our hearts ache for our friend . . and the kids.
I appreciate this community of women. I just want you to know that.
You love well, not just this week, but in all the years past, through all the messes of life we have walked through. This little community in this big city is a jewel.
I am praying for God's grace as we once again sit together at a funeral, as we once again shed tears. As this community of women walks down yet another path with a woman we all call "friend."
I am thankful for you and the roles you have played, no matter how big or small, in my kids' lives over the years. I appreciate your trust in me with your own kids.
There is strength in this community of women. God has placed us here, together, for a reason. He alone is our strength And when one is weak it is His strength in another that upholds.
I have been blessed to be a part of this communtiy. I pray that I have been a blessing too. And I look forward with hope to the future blessings that will come from such a community of women as this.
"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." 1 Thessalonians 5:11
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https://www.guidedistanbultours.com/how-many-people-live-in-istanbul/ | 2024-04-19T11:22:36 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2024-18/segments/1712296817398.21/warc/CC-MAIN-20240419110125-20240419140125-00107.warc.gz | 0.968078 | 655 | CC-MAIN-2024-18 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2024-18__0__119150858 | en | - On 20/09/2020
- In Turkish Culture
How Many People Live In Istanbul ?
Istanbul was always the most crowded settling and the busiest commercial hub of Western Asia since the Roman Empire till Modern Turkey. It was named as the capital of different empires throughout history with the names Constantinople and Asitane. Despite not being the capital of Turkey now, Istanbul is still the most populated city in the region. The residential area is significantly expanded as the city continues to attract many migrants from the other parts of the country as well as many more from various countries where peace is not established or people suffer from economical problems.
Counting that there are many illegal aliens migrated especially from Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, and the other Stan countries, it is quite hard to figure out the exact population however the estimated number is around 17 million. European Side is still more populated than the Asian Side because of the job opportunities, most of the migrants keep settling with their relatives in specific neighborhoods in this part of the city and changing the demography of Istanbul.
How The Demography Of Istanbul Changed Historically?
Needless to mention that till the Ottoman conquest the population was Greek. It sounds strange that being the capital of the Ottoman Empire for ages, Istanbul had more Non-Muslim inhabitants than the Muslims till the beginning of the 20th century. Regarding the census made by the Ottomans in 1897, we can see that the Non-Muslim population was majorly formed by the Greeks, which were half the number of the Turks, then the Armenians, Jews, Albanians, Kurds, and some other minor communities.
After the Balkan Wars with the loss of significant land, Muslim society has moved to Istanbul, and finally, with the declaration of the Turkish Republic, the Greek population has decreased in enormous numbers. Later on, with the unwanted pogrom that happened in 1955 then the forced emigration decision taken by the government before invading North Cyprus the population of the Greeks lowered to only a few thousand.
Again regarding the Armenian society, there is a huge difference in numbers between the end of the 19th century and through the years the 1930s because of the exile in 1915 then the operations to the southeast Turkey where the Armenians still used to live those days. The Jewish society was slightly luckier than these two but also due to the rising of the fascist ideology in Europe, some of the so-called Turkish nationalists positioned themselves against the Jewish community in Thrace and many people decided to leave with the unrest during the years the 1930s.
After the 1960s and the minimization of the Non-Muslim communities in Istanbul, Istanbul became literally Turkish. Starting with the 1970s, the terror in southeast Turkey has risen and made people leave their homeland and move to Western Turkey. This inevitably and constantly continued till these days. Furthermore, the problem in the southeast spread to Iraq then Syria and now the ethnic population in Istanbul consist of Turks, Kurds with Turkish nationality, Syrians, Iraqis, Afghans, and many people from the Stan countries because of the current economical situation in the territory and the historical bonds with the Turks. By the way, there are still Greek, Armenian and Jewish communities that try to pursue their own culture and tradition. | sociology |
https://wordsfromtheroadofficial.wordpress.com/2015/05/25/international-romance-in-the-time-of-tinder/ | 2018-06-23T13:38:31 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2018-26/segments/1529267865081.23/warc/CC-MAIN-20180623132619-20180623152619-00609.warc.gz | 0.952955 | 900 | CC-MAIN-2018-26 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2018-26__0__95721582 | en | There is nothing wrong with the Japanese countryside. My window frames the chain of mountains encircling Sabae City, offering a spectacular view as I wake with the sun each morning. Unlike my Tokyo-based friends, getting to work doesn’t require that I literally be stuffed into the narrow metal frame of the local train. For those reasons and many others, I’d say that I prefer this rural existence to the city life.
The only downside to teaching and living in the backwoods of the Province of Pokémon is the difficulty of forming new relationships, both romantic and platonic. The big issue is the disparity between my demographic and that to which the majority of my fellow Sabaeans (Sabae-ites?) belong; though I’m stepping dangerously close to 30, I’m still in my twenties. My social circle these days has been reduced to 50-year-old bar patrons and the occasional hangout with an illustrator and a writer I met at the cultural center.
It’s nothing to complain about, not really; friends in any form are welcome. Even so, if there is one thing that will eventually drive me back home into the embrace of ‘Murica, it’s the difficult social situation. Just how bad is it? I’ve started using Tinder.
I’m historically merciless when it comes to my thoughts on social dating platforms. My friends are scarred by my high horse rants about the virtues of actually going out into the world to meet people. Rochester always seemed to make it so easy. Head to the Old Toad or Victoire — the city’s finest gastro-pubs — on a busy night, introduce yourself to people, get a phone number. Done.
That approach just hasn’t worked here. Sure, I’ve had dates with women from the local coffee shops. When I found out we weren’t compatible, though, it was like I’d evaporated a third of my dating pool in a single yakitori-infused evening. Unless I wanted to date women twice my age or fresh college students — neither of which is appealing — it seemed romance was out of the question.
I’ve been using Tinder for a week now. It can be both creepy and really useful. Despite what I thought, not everyone using the platform is looking for a night of skin-slapping with a random webizen. I’ve had some great conversations about movies and music, international dating, and even cooking. It’s been great, for the most part.
There is a dark-side to Tinder, though. Just anecdotally, it seems like the service has a very low adoption rate for non-English speaking Japanese. Pretty much everyone I’ve met so far either speaks fluent English as a second language, is studying English, or wants to study English. No problems there; I’m a guy looking to meet people and improve my Japanese, after all.
It gets problematic when, just like in the real world, you become a study tool versus a friend who can help someone out with his or her goals. In the online blogging community centered around Japan, creatively dubbed the J-vlogging community, these people are labeled gaijin (foreigner) hunters. Back during my more otaku-centric writing days, I called them language vampires.
Basically, these are people to whom your identity is inconsequential. As long as you’re a (moderately attractive) foreigner who speaks English — and I suspect other languages — you fit the bill. If you pay attention, it’s pretty easy to tell when you’re sinking yourself into one of these relationships. If not, you can find yourself deeply invested in something one-sided, something I’ve learned the hard way.
So far, I’ve only gotten that creepy oh-my-god-you-just-want-me-for-my-English vibe from one person . Tinder has proven to be a really useful tool, though I’m loath to say so. I certainly never would have guessed that it would be the best way to make friends on my adventures through Japan.
Have you turned to Tinder or other dating platforms to make connections while abroad? Share your experiences in the comments below! | sociology |
https://www.nildealnow.com/tigerimpact-focused-extraordinary-life-changing-work-clemson/ | 2023-10-01T19:39:36 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233510924.74/warc/CC-MAIN-20231001173415-20231001203415-00106.warc.gz | 0.968165 | 1,477 | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2023-40__0__58696137 | en | With the introduction of name, image and likeness in the summer of 2021, universities and athletes alike were unsure of how the industry would adapt to paying student-athletes.
As we approach the two-year anniversary of the legalization of NIL, it is apparent that collectives have become the leading third-party in organizing the successful outcome of NIL deals. However, with a clearer sense of what is and isn’t appropriate in the NIL space, some collectives have taken a new approach to NIL.
“We’re trying to understand what really defines a quality collective,” Bobby Couch, the Executive Director of TigerImpact, said in a recent interview with The NIL Deal. “Is it all about how much money you raise? Or is it about the impact that you’re having and that the student-athletes are having a great experience playing their sport for their respective school while earning money off their name, image and likeness?”
These questions are what caused Clemson alum and TigerImpact Founder, Rich Davies, to explore charitable opportunities through NIL. The former kicker, who played for the program from 1982-1985, was inspired by local community member, Bella Attiso.
Attiso had been diagnosed with cancer and was amazed by the outpouring of help her family received from the Clemson community. In response, she and her husband created the Nutifafa Shelter, a charity dedicated to helping children whose parents are suffering from cancer.
Davies couldn’t comprehend how an organization of this manner wasn’t getting the necessary exposure it needed to continue to flourish and make an impact in the community.
“He felt NIL could be an answer to helping organizations like Nutifafa Shelter become more visible by using the student-athletes platform to amplify the great work that organizations like Nutifafa Shelter were providing,” said Couch. “That was the ‘aha moment’ for TigerImpact to begin.”
Davies, along with a collection of Clemson alumni and leaders in the community, began their journey to integrate charity with the student-athletes competing at Clemson. They applied and received 501c3 status, raised philanthropic funds, and started matching student-athletes with charitable organizations that reflected their ideas.
TigerImpact works very similar to other collectives. Before signing each individual athlete, they run an NIL algorithm to determine a student-athlete’s value. Then, they negotiate the individual requirements of each athlete’s responsibilities for their NIL deal with their charity. However, it differs in its focus on building young adults who are involved in the community and recognize the importance of using their platform to make a difference.
“TigerImpact allows me to engage with my social media followers and get them to really align with what I believe and feel. I’m not only engaging with my followers, but they’re able to now connect with something bigger than just my social media,” said Clemson running back Will Shipley, who through TigerImpact has been able to strengthen his relationship and bring national awareness to Levine Children’s Hospital.
“That’s what TigerImpact has allowed me to do. Put the word out and get more people to know more about the charities we work with.”
Former Clemson defensive end, KJ Henry, credited TigerImpact for its ability to contract meaningful NIL deals for Tiger student-athletes.
“It’s allowed it to become a space where it’s goal-oriented. They’ve set up those hurdles and checkpoints, where it’s this charitable organization and you get paid this month for a certain amount of posts, appearances and social engagement,” said Henry. “It’s how we as athletes are wired. The structure and timing of TigerImpact couldn’t have come at a better time and place.”
Clemson basketball player, Amari Robinson, shared a similar sentiment.
“TigerImpact makes a huge difference in what we do. As student-athletes there is both the athletic and entertainment side of us, and being able to give back to those around us who give so much to us is really important,” said Robinson. “It shows that we’re more than athletes and who we are on the field. It’s really huge for us to have that aspect of being a student.”
Currently, TigerImpact has 58 student-athletes signed to NIL deals along with identifying over 150 charities to engage with. Their goal is to continue to build their relationship with Clemson and it has hopes of signing all 524 student-athletes at the university and partnering them with a charity that embodies themselves and the community.
“We’re trying to get every sport at Clemson covered throughout TigerImpact. It was really important for us not to be just solely focused on football, basketball and baseball like other collectives. We’re sending the message about being inclusive, being diverse and working within this service environment,” said Couch.
TigerImpact is changing the way collectives operate financially and with their student-athletes.
According to Couch, the collective has been working on building a charity impact report that will use data from the past year to highlight all of the financial and personal success of these NIL partnerships. The TigerImpact team is also working on organizing a symposium for this upcoming summer. The goal: to gather the charities and student-athletes that have made the progression of TigerImpact possible and discuss ways to grow for the future.
“We’re going to sit around and focus on all the great work that’s being done and what we can do next. What are some areas that we can improve upon? Because at the end of the day it’s about serving these charities like Nutifafa Shelter and really having an impact on them. That’s what separates us,” said Couch.
Name, image and likeness at times hasn’t received the positive headlines needed to demonstrate the impact that NIL can have on a community. Couch and the Board of Directors at TigerImpact hope that their work can shine a light on the good of NIL and be an example for universities across the country.
“We need more of the good that’s going on in this NIL space out there for people to continue to gain confidence that we’re heading in the right direction,” said Couch. “I know that the partnerships made through TigerImpact will have a lifelong impact on student-athletes and in the charities they serve. The job that’s upon us is we’ve got to be able to tell that story publicly. So people understand that this is just not about paying 17-to-24-year-olds for their name, image and likeness. This is about taking this marketplace and doing something extraordinary and life changing and that’s what TigerImpact is all about.” | sociology |
http://oakdalenursing.com/volunteer-opportunities/ | 2023-03-22T00:36:52 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-14/segments/1679296943747.51/warc/CC-MAIN-20230321225117-20230322015117-00097.warc.gz | 0.946217 | 133 | CC-MAIN-2023-14 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2023-14__0__36779899 | en | Thank you for your interest in volunteering! Oakdale Nursing Facility welcomes community groups, student organizations and individuals to share their talents and interests with our residents. We have various volunteer opportunities available which will make a difference in the lives of others. Volunteering can be one of the most rewarding activities in your life, and the positive change you can make by building new friendships, trying something new, creating job experience and providing a service to your community is practically endless! Once you have determined to apply as a volunteer please, contact the Activity Director at Oakdale Nursing Facility. We are happy to discuss the numerous volunteer options available. | sociology |
https://www.greenparkschool.co.uk/about | 2024-04-23T15:11:10 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2024-18/segments/1712296818711.23/warc/CC-MAIN-20240423130552-20240423160552-00566.warc.gz | 0.954637 | 221 | CC-MAIN-2024-18 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2024-18__0__138971260 | en | Our Mission Statement
Green Park aims to provide access to high quality education and learning experiences, both in school and in the community.
We seek to maximise each pupil's achievement as part of his or her life long learning. It is the school's aim to be a centre of Educational Excellence in the heart of the community.
The school's culture is an important element of achieving our aims and values. Green Park is a school where there is warmth and where we work together with all parties to improve the opportunities for our children to learn.
Our main aims are to:
- Help every child to develop his or her full potential by providing a caring and stimulating environment in which every individual pupil feels valued.
- Provide all pupils with the opportunity to succeed and become confident young people.
- Ensure pupils are able to communicate their choices, hopes and aspirations to others.
- Educate pupils intellectually, socially, morally, aesthetically, physically and spiritually.
- Form the best possible relationships between teachers, children, parents and others professionals so that we have successful learners. | sociology |
https://resources.mojomedialabs.com/blog/mojo-media-labs-a-season-of-giving | 2020-09-25T19:05:02 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-40/segments/1600400228707.44/warc/CC-MAIN-20200925182046-20200925212046-00761.warc.gz | 0.940991 | 647 | CC-MAIN-2020-40 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2020-40__0__186033901 | en | We love the holidays at Mojo Media Labs! Cheer and festivities filled the offices, but this year our Mojo Makers’ spirit of giving was stronger than ever.
We are working hard to elevate our contribution to our communities through volunteer efforts and charitable gifts. Our team members and partners suggested several remarkable organizations, so we wanted to get out the good word. We’re taking a moment this holiday season to bring awareness to three causes for you to consider adding to your community outreach.
1. KT’s Kids
Liz, our president of the Mojo Chicago office, brought one such organization to our attention. We celebrated the season of giving by switching gears from our traditional client holiday gifts. In lieu of a client gift, the Mojo team decided to put the money towards KT’s Kids, an organization that provides support for disabled children in Chicago’s poorest neighborhoods.
KT’s Kids hosts a large holiday party for children in households with kids being treated at Schwab Rehab. At this event, the children are each given a fun and a practical gift, but the mothers aren’t forgotten! Each mother also receives a $20 dollar Target gift card.
This past party hosted more than 600 kids, and our gift was able to supply all the practical gifts for the children thanks to our team members, customers, and partners!
2. Helping Other People
Our culture committee also discovered a grass-roots program in Fort Worth called Helping Other People. This group gathers local donations of socks, blankets, tarps, boots, jackets, coats, sweaters, gloves, scarves, or essentially anything helpful to keep the homeless community warm and dry throughout the winter season.
What makes this group unique is their agility to collect donations through a “call for goods” on their Facebook page. You simply drop off your goods or go with the group near the homeless shelters and pass out your donations directly. There is no red tape or wondering where your goods go.
The Mojo Dallas team cleaned out their gently used closets, and brought a large SUV’s worth of bags of donations to warm hearts and hands. Please consider following and supporting Helping Other People if you’re in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex and looking for some charitable groups to support.
3. Irving School Foundation
Finally, our partners, American Solutions for Business, coordinated a canned and dry food drive to support the Irving School Foundation, an organization that helps the children of low income households in the Irving School District, providing financial support for teachers and students to maximize learning via donations, grants, and scholarships. Our Mojo Makers jumped in to participate after learning about our partner’s effort, hauling in more than 35 lbs of dry and canned goods.
Have Other Suggestions for Organizations You Love? Let us know!
Have other organizations we should know about? We’re always happy to learn and seek new ways to contribute to our local communities. Our Mojo Family wishes you and yours -- and all of these incredible organizations along with the lives they impact -- a very happy, healthy and prosperous New Year! | sociology |
https://www.clifcannon.com/our-approach | 2024-04-14T10:33:51 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2024-18/segments/1712296816879.25/warc/CC-MAIN-20240414095752-20240414125752-00867.warc.gz | 0.952751 | 601 | CC-MAIN-2024-18 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2024-18__0__168847692 | en | "He who looks outside, dreams;
he who looks inside, awakens."
_Carl G. Jung
COACHING CHANGE FROM THE INSIDE, OUT.
My work reveals unconscious beliefs and assumptions that drive leaders' performance. I help shift leaders and teams into a more conscious and effective stance.
My defined approach awakens the six domains of leadership and teaming: Self, System, Relationship, Body, Mind, and Source or Spirit. This creates new ways of thinking and competencies that move leaders to constructive action. Their organizations experience strikingly high levels of performance that otherwise could not be attained through a business-as-usual approach.
Conscious, integrated leadership begins with authenticity, vision, and purpose. These awakened leaders are effective communicators who are both humble and hold themselves and others accountable. They create deep bonds with those they lead and understand that leaders achieve through the strength and depth of their relationships. And, they create a corporate and teaming culture that thrives.
What does “thrive” look like? Improved productivity, collaboration, meaningful results, and whole team engagement. In short, those things that are critical to business success.
Awaken and Lead For Results
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT IS A PROCESS, NOT AN EVENT
DISCERN & UNLEARN
*Frederic LaLoux, Reinventing Orgaizations
Leadership is built on a platform of self-awareness. Leaders become conscious or "awakened" to what is happening internally, individually and as part of the collective team. They will see clearly how their beliefs drive their actions and contribute to their current state. We raise consciousness of underlying beliefs and assumptions that drive behaviors and counter-productive actions that are holding them back from their desired future. Leaders discover that all actions come down to choice. And, that the impact they want to create calls for a transformed approach.
DISCERN & UNLEARN
Leaders "discern" which beliefs and behaviors are serving them in the most effective way and those they would like to or need to "unlearn." They hold an experimental and curious mindset and begin to intentionally create the relationships, interactions, and outcomes they want. Leaders grow in their capacity and their power of choice to take new, constructive action and develop a deep sense of connection and relatedness with others.
Conscious leaders understand themselves at a deep level and have also learned about complex social systems and teams. They develop empathy and insight. They reach out with relational and emotional mastery and engage their teams more effectively. They move from isolated skills and competencies toward more collaborative and complex "thinking abilities" and build their capacity as leaders who guide holistically. This way of being moves leaders into constructive action and advances teams and the organization. This becomes not just a way of leading, but a way of life. | sociology |
https://divano.com.co/en/fsc.html | 2023-10-03T07:20:41 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233511055.59/warc/CC-MAIN-20231003060619-20231003090619-00456.warc.gz | 0.938984 | 210 | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2023-40__0__265721953 | en | FSC is a global, not-for-profit organization dedicated to the promotion of responsible forest management worldwide.
We enable businesses and consumers to make informed choices about the forest products they buy, and create positive change by engaging the power of market dynamics.
Our members include some of the world's leading environmental NGOs (WWF and Greenpeace), businesses (Tetra Pak and Mondi PLC) and social organizations (the National Aboriginal Forestry Association of Canada) , as well as forest owners and managers, processing companies and campaigners, and individuals.
Together these diverse voices define best practices for forestry that addresses social and environmental issues. The membership consensus sets the FSC Principles and Criteria - the highest standards of forest management which are environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial and economically viable.'
To make sure no one viewpoint dominates the others, our membership has three chambers – environmental, social and economic – that have equal rights in decision-making. Also, to ensure that we have globally fair representation, members represent either North or South sub-chambers. | sociology |
http://www.womensfitnessassociation.org/author/lisacoors/ | 2020-02-29T12:25:57 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-10/segments/1581875149238.97/warc/CC-MAIN-20200229114448-20200229144448-00423.warc.gz | 0.980283 | 434 | CC-MAIN-2020-10 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2020-10__0__84611909 | en | Our Mission Statement:
The Women’s Fitness Association (WFA) is an inspirational group of fitness professionals and avid exercisers who share in their knowledge of fitness by giving back to the Greater Cincinnati Community. The WFA partners with other non-profits in the community to supply presenters and teachers to these organizations. These individuals share their knowledge with at-risk and under-privileged women to inspire them to make positive changes in their life.
The WFA will establish numerous chapters across the country to share the knowledge of the fitness professionals and avid exercisers in their communities with those women in need.
In 2006, several female national fitness presenters got together to discuss how women in the fitness industry could band together to increase the standards and ethics of the industry. It was noted that the standards of Corporate America were not the same as that of the fitness industry. Why was our industry so lax? What could we do to raise the bar?
WFA was founded in March of 2012. Its existence was ignited after a 21 year old group fitness instructor was sexually harassed for the clothing she was wearing to teach a class. The outfits normally consisted of tank tops and long pants. Two different personal trainers were harassing her because of the way she dressed stating that, “when you dress like that you ask for it.” Not only was she being harassed, but other female employees of the gym were being treated with the same lack of respect. When the incidents were reported to management, nothing was done to reprimand the trainers due to a “lack of evidence.” In turn, the group fitness instructor quit her position at that facility.
A “shockwave” is coming for the fitness industry:
In the next decade, there is a strong chance that all personal trainers will have to be licensed by the state in which they train. Just like a physician must pass her state board exam, so will a personal trainer. Like it or not, we need to be prepared. The WFA will be the powerhouse in providing women the skills they need to pass these exams while driving our profession to the highest of standards. | sociology |
https://bonnevilleresearch.com/index.php/news-57/86-hinckley-liquor-stores-bring-profit-despite-strict-policies | 2023-01-27T17:48:29 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-06/segments/1674764495001.99/warc/CC-MAIN-20230127164242-20230127194242-00231.warc.gz | 0.964209 | 771 | CC-MAIN-2023-06 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2023-06__0__11886083 | en | Jon Springmeyer from Bonneville Research delivers findings from a study on the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control at a Hinckley Forum on Monday.
“Say what you want to say about the state being in the liquor business,” said Jon Springmeyer, vice president of Bonneville Research. “You can say it’s a really good idea or a bad idea, but I think we can all agree that if you’re going to do it, do it well. Do it right. And that’s not happening.”
Bonneville Research was hired by the Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control to research its operations and create an enhanced business plan. The research company completed an investigation of the DABC, including state versus package stores, maintaining the status quo and how to move the commission forward to adjust with the times.
The company made recommendations to the department, but during their six-month study, the heads of the department changed so the people who commissioned the study were not there to hear the findings. As a result, few recommendations have been implemented, Springmeyer said.
Included in the company’s findings was that all the state liquor stores made money. Despite the size of the store, inventory and employee turnover and location, each store made at least a $200,000 profit.
“The [Alcoholic Beverage Control] Commission spends almost all of its time hearing pleas and requests for liquor licenses,” Springmeyer said. “Steady parade of — for the most part — new business owners who are putting themselves at the mercy of this liquor commission.”
Research also found there was a “significant lack” of retail experience on the commission board. The board was looking at selling alcohol as a state agency and something that should be controlled instead of a $3.2 million annual retail business, he said.
Bob Springmeyer, president of Bonneville Research, said revenue appears to be on the climb.
“We don’t know whether people are drinking more or more people are drinking,” Bob Springmeyer said.
The worst store, in a bad location with bad parking, located on Park City’s Main Street, made a profit of $232,000, Jon Springmeyer said.
Utah and Pennsylvania are the only two states that have complete control over liquor sales. Bob Springmeyer mentioned changes that have occurred during the years to Utah’s liquor laws as hope for change in the future.
“We find that we are the bridge between the public side and the private side and help facilitate those communications,” Bob Springmeyer said.
The liquor board has adopted committees to deal with policy issues since the report was completed. It was not one of their specific recommendations, but Bob Springmeyer said it is a step in the right direction.
“There is a right-hand, left-hand disconnect between the executive branch and the legislative branch on what to do,” Springmeyer said. “Why are we involved? Because there’s money to be made.”
He said there is also some culture and history involved with the situation.
“Good public policy would be to encourage those who want to consume alcohol to do it at home or at a restaurant with food,” Bob Springmeyer said. “It would reduce drunk driving and abuse. This is not without some values involved.”
Contact Marjorie Clark at [email protected]
Short URL: http://www.dailyutahchronicle.com/?p=2587724 | sociology |
https://www.mynativeforest.com/blog/collective-action | 2024-04-14T11:32:59 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2024-18/segments/1712296816879.25/warc/CC-MAIN-20240414095752-20240414125752-00001.warc.gz | 0.927184 | 3,101 | CC-MAIN-2024-18 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2024-18__0__18853592 | en | Unification is essential when facing global issues. Find out how collective action can help save our planet!
What is collective action?
Collective action is the joint efforts of a group of individuals or organisations that work together to achieve a common goal or solve a shared problem. Many issues cannot be solved alone so collective action promotes the sharing of resources, knowledge, and expertise to address complex social, economic, or environmental issues more successfully. Multiple forms of collective action exist, from nonviolent protests and advocacy campaigns to community organisations and cooperative projects. It frequently requires a shared vision, shared values, and a readiness to cooperate towards a common goal.
What is the purpose of collective action?
The goal of collective action is bringing about social, economic, or environmental change that cannot be accomplished by individuals working alone. By working together and combining their resources, expertise, and experience, individuals and groups can solve challenging problems, topple established power structures, and defend their rights and interests. Some frequent objectives for group action include:
Advocacy: With advocacy, a problem can be highlighted, legislation can be forced through, and officials can be made to answer for their actions.
Mobilisation: Individuals might be inspired by collective action to take action on a particular issue, support a particular cause, or join a particular group.
Building community: Participating in group activities can help people who share interests or identities feel more connected to one another and more united.
Power building: Collective action can weaken established power systems and forge new sources of authority and influence.
Solving issues: Collective action can bring together individuals with various backgrounds and specialities to address challenging social, economic, or environmental issues.
What is an example of collective action?
The 2018-starting worldwide climate strike movement is an illustration of collective environmental action. Millions of people worldwide were inspired by the campaign spearheaded by young activists to demand immediate action against climate change.
Large-scale protests, marches, and rallies were held during the climate strikes, along with other kinds of activism, such as school walkouts, social media campaigns, and civil disobedience. The strikes were intended to exert greater pressure on organisations and governments to cut greenhouse gas emissions and lessen the effects of climate change.
Through collective action, the climate strike movement has helped to raise awareness about the urgency of the climate crisis and put pressure on decision-makers to take action. It has also inspired a broader movement for climate justice and sustainability, with people from all walks of life joining together to demand a more just and sustainable future for all.
What is the difference between collection action and social movement?
Social movements and collective action share some similarities but differ in several significant ways.
Collective action describes the coordinated activities of a group of people or organisations working together to accomplish a particular objective or address a common issue. Peaceful demonstrations, advocacy efforts, community organising, and cooperative projects are just a few examples of the many forms that collective action can take.
On the other hand, social movements are more extensive and longer-lasting initiatives to support social, political, or cultural change. Social movements may be characterised by a shared identity, values, and beliefs and frequently involve a variety of collective acts across time.
However, not all collective actions are a part of a social movement. Social movements typically last longer and entail numerous joint activities, whereas collective actions might be isolated and short-lived
Another significant distinction is that while collective activities may concentrate on particular concerns or problems without attempting broader systemic change, social movements frequently work to alter the underlying structures and mechanisms that fuel social crises.
What are the types of collective action?
Protests: Groups often protest in public gatherings to draw attention to societal issues and demand change. Protests come in many forms including, including rallies, marches, and sit-ins.
Strikes and boycotts: Strikes and boycotts are forms of collective action in which individuals or groups refuse to go to work or make purchases to exert pressure on public figures or businesses.
Advocacy campaigns: Changing public opinion through educating the public, lobbying elected officials, and using social media and other communication channels.
Community organising: People and organisations unite to strengthen the local authority and address particular issues that impact their community.
Collaboration initiatives: When people meet to discuss challenging social, economic, or environmental issues.
Civil disobedience: When groups of people intentionally break the law or defy authorities to make a point in protesting unfair practices or laws.
What is the collective action theory?
The collective action theory is a social science hypothesis explaining why people and groups work together to accomplish shared objectives. The theory analyses the driving forces behind why people prefer to unite to solve social, economic, or political problems. According to the theory, people take collective action when they believe than working together will help them achieve their objectives more efficiently than working individually. Additionally, it emphasises the significance of social networks, shared values, and group identity in inspiring group action.
What are the benefits of collective action?
Increased effectiveness: Collective action can be more effective than individual action because it pools resources, knowledge, and expertise, enabling groups to achieve goals that would be difficult or impossible to achieve alone.
Amplified voices: Collective action can amplify the voices of individuals and communities, drawing attention to important issues and creating opportunities for advocacy and policy change.
Greater accountability: Collective action can hold decision-makers accountable, ensuring they are responsive to the needs and interests of the communities they serve.
Community building: Participating in group activities lays the groundwork for a feeling of belonging and kinship with those who share your interests.
Empowerment: By giving people the chance to engage in decision-making processes and upending existing power structures, collective action can empower people.
Positive change: The ultimate purpose of collective action is to bring about constructive social change by advocating for more equity and justice.
What is the power of collective action?
“Collective action played an important role in not only helping us achieve our zero waste target, but in rapidly accelerating the speed of our global roll-out programme, meaning we reached our target well ahead of schedule,” - Tony Dunnage on achieving sustainability goals at Unilever.
Working together towards shared goals and achieving positive social change is known as the power of collective action. People can combine their resources, knowledge, and skills to amplify their impact, hold decision-makers accountable, and push for a fairer society.
Collective action is especially powerful when individuals or communities feel left out or ignored in the decision-making process. When they unite, they can challenge existing power structures and demand more transparency from those with authority.
Apart from bringing about societal change, collective action also has the potential to influence people's attitudes, values, and behavior in meaningful ways. Increasing public awareness of social, economic, or environmental problems can help change policies and build a more just and equitable society.
In the end, the strength and resiliency of communities dedicated to working towards a common objective give collective action its power. Collective action can produce long-lasting change that benefits everyone through fostering teamwork, establishing a sense of solidarity, and preserving a long-term vision.
How do you create collective action?
Identifying a common goal: Finding a shared objective is the first stage in organising a group of individuals to take action on a problem or issue they care about. This objective ought to be something that appeals to a broad spectrum of people and can unite them.
Developing relationships: Creating strong bonds and trust is key to successful collective action. Reaching out to like-minded people, and potential allies and building social networks is a great starting point.
Mobilising resources: Resources such as funding, knowledge, and volunteers are essential for collective action. Determining what resources are required for the specific goal is crucial in accomplishing the shared goal and creating an effective strategy to utilise those resources.
Creating a plan of action: A clear plan is also essential for implementing successful collective action. A clear plan includes setting objectives, identifying important stakeholders, and developing a strategy to influence key decision-makers.
Action: Collective action requires action. It's crucial to be deliberate and strategic to ensure that the right course of action is chosen and it supports the collective's objectives and ideals.
Evaluation of progress: It's critical to routinely assess how well everyone is doing in reaching the shared objective and make necessary strategy changes. Indicators of success may need to be tracked, stakeholder opinions gathered, and situational changes may require adaptation.
How do individual acts lead to collective action?
Raising awareness: When people take action to bring attention to a problem or issue, it can increase awareness and inspire group action. This could be posting information on social media, participating in demonstrations or marches, or sending letters to decision-makers.
Building relationships: Establishing connections and partnerships between individuals is a way for those with similar interests or goals to do so. These connections form the basis for group activity by fostering a sense of belonging and a common goal.
Modelling behaviour: People acting in ways that support a group's ideals and objectives can motivate others to follow suit. This may snowball, involving more individuals in the collective activity and their participation.
Creating pressure: Individual actions can compel decision-makers to act on a matter by applying pressure. This could be signing letters or petitions, participating in boycotts or divestment movements, or practising civil disobedience.
Developing expertise: As people become specialists in a specific subject or issue, it may open up possibilities for group action. Sharing one's knowledge and experience with others might inspire them to take the initiative and strive towards a common objective.
Individual actions can be crucial in generating collective action, serving as a basis for knowledge development, relationship building, behaviour modelling, and pressure generation. Individuals can affect positive social change and advance greater equity and justice by banding together to achieve a common objective.
What is the main problem with collective action?
Many challenges, such as the following, may hinder collective action:
Free-riders: The "free-rider" problem arises when individuals or organisations profit from a shared activity without taking part.
Problem with coordination: When numerous individuals are engaged, coordination between people and groups can be complex. This may result in duplication of effort or contradictory tactics and conflict, which could reduce the potency of group action.
Power disparities: It may be challenging to accomplish shared objectives when there are disparities in power between people or organisations. Those in positions of power may resist change or co-opt or thwart efforts at group action.
Lack of resources: Funding, knowledge, and volunteers are frequently needed for collective action. A need for more resources might constrain the ability of people and organisations to accomplish their goals.
Absence of trust: Establishing trust between people and groups might take time and effort. Building solid relationships and cooperating on a common objective might be challenging without trust.
What factors influence collective action?
Shared identity: People are more likely to behave collectively when they feel a sense of belonging or a shared identity. Based on prevailing political, social, or cultural ideals.
Size of the group: The size of the group can influence how a group takes action. Smaller groups may find it easier to organise and coordinate even if larger ones may have more resources and visibility.
Diversity: Within a group, individual differences can both benefit and impede collective performance. Although a varied group may contribute various viewpoints and experiences, disagreements over values or priorities make reaching a consensus on objectives or tactics more challenging.
Degree of organisation: Institutions or groups that provide leadership and coordination might make working together easier. Political parties, neighbourhood groups, and labour unions may all fall under this category.
Resources: Funding, knowledge, and volunteers are necessary for collective action. Organisations with more resources might be better equipped to organise and maintain initiatives for collective action.
External influences: External influences can impact group behaviour, including governmental policies, economic situations, and social movements. Political or economic climate changes can provide new opportunities for a group activity or present unique challenges.
Communication: Clear communication is necessary for group action. Communication channels that promote collaboration, coordination, and information sharing can help create momentum for group action.
How can we measure the impact of collective action?
Although assessing the effects of collective action may be challenging, it is essential for determining the success of the initiative and creating improvements for the future. A few methods for assessing the impact of collective action include the following:
Set concrete objectives and metrics for success: Begin by outlining the results you intend to achieve through teamwork. Once these objectives have been set, monitor development over time and gauge success using metrics related to these objectives.
Conduct surveys and interviews: Data can be used to gather feedback and determine how the collective activity has affected communities and people. You can identify areas for improvement and understand the endeavour's perceived rewards with these tools.
Monitor alterations in behaviour or attitudes: Surveys or direct observation can be used to gauge modifications in behaviour or attitudes brought about by collective activity. You should monitor changes in recycling behaviour or attitudes over time if the collective action campaign aims to reduce waste.
Use statistics and data: Compile and assess statistics and data to ascertain the consequences of group action. There may be information on resource use, emissions, or other environmental or social factors.
Cooperate with professionals: Get the aid of experts in the field to assist you in developing the right measurements and indicators for evaluating impact. You can make sure your plan is comprehensive and trustworthy by doing this.
What role do governments and institutions play in supporting collective action?
Governments and institutions can encourage cooperation between various groups and organisations to stimulate collective action. You could do this by forming committees or working groups to handle specific issues or by holding forums for discussion and debate.
Governments and other organisations can launch education and awareness campaigns to help individuals comprehend the benefits of collective action and how to participate.
Governments can enact laws and regulations that support collective activity, such as the freedom to gather, demonstrate, and organise. Collective action participants may also benefit from legal protection from them.
By giving funding and resources like grants, subsidies, and access to facilities or equipment, governments and institutions can support initiatives that take collective action.
Regulations that encourage sustainable practises are just one example of the rules and regulations that governments and institutions can make to support community-based organisations and stimulate group action.
In conclusion, group efforts have the power to make a significant difference and address complex social and environmental concerns. Whether it involves community organising, advocacy, or social movements, collective action joins disparate individuals and groups to create a single force for change. Collective action can substantially influence and bring about long-lasting change, even if it can be difficult and takes consistent effort and dedication. We can achieve a more just, equitable, and sustainable future by setting clear goals, forming diverse coalitions, establishing effective communication, and utilising the backing of institutions and the government. Each of us can support efforts for group action in our communities and elsewhere. Together, we can forge an effective force for good change and make a real difference in the world. | sociology |
https://homelessness-sionsimon.nationbuilder.com/letterinfull | 2018-09-24T18:04:00 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2018-39/segments/1537267160620.68/warc/CC-MAIN-20180924165426-20180924185826-00077.warc.gz | 0.961726 | 991 | CC-MAIN-2018-39 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2018-39__0__47421113 | en | While campaigning for election as Mayor you repeatedly told us that you could get a better deal for the West Midlands because you “have good connections with central government.” You brought Theresa May here several times to show how close you are to her. You said you’d be “knocking on the door of Downing Street” what sounded like every day.
You also told us you’d get things done, important things like tackling homelessness. “I will make this happen,” you said. “We will turn back those [homeless] numbers.” You told us time again that you “have a very clear plan” to tackle homelessness.
You’ve been in office nearly 6 months now and we’ve seen no action. Taskforces are not action. So what are you actually doing? What direct action are you actually taking to tackle homelessness in the West Midlands?
There are over 16,000 homeless people in the West Midlands, a number which has tripled since your Conservative party has been in government in London.
There are 10,000 homeless people in Birmingham alone. Homelessness in the West Midlands is increasing every year – in the year from 2015 to 2016 alone there was a huge 16% increase in the West Midlands.
The number of houses being built under this government is embarrassingly inadequate – just 780 houses were built in Birmingham last year.
The number of people sleeping rough in Coventry is three times higher than the national average.
The West Midlands accounts for almost half of the number of families living in overcrowded accommodation across the country.
Housing benefit for under 25s has been frozen at £57.34 a week since 2016 for 4 years, pushing many more young people in the West Midlands into poverty and onto the streets.
Recent statistics from homelessness charity Centerpoint show the real extent of youth homelessness is more than 8 times higher than the government admits.
Earlier this year your Tory government scrapped housing benefit for 18-21 year olds, further proving the Conservatives’ disdain for young people.
Do you support the housing benefit freeze? If not, what have you done about it?
Do you accept that this government’s policies are having a direct effect on the unacceptably rising number of young people who are homeless? If not, what have you done about it? Have you raised it with the Housing Minister?
Do you support your Tory government’s policy to scrap housing benefit for 18-21 year olds? If not, what have you done about it? Have you asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to put an end to this policy? And if you do support it why do you think it’s acceptable to punish people based on their age?
Your Tory government has cut £150m from mental health care in the last 4 years and it’s now estimated that 62% of homeless people suffer from mental illness. With your Government connections, have you asked the Health Secretary to reverse these cuts to mental health? If not, why not?
Do you support the Conservative government's policy of giving the largest cut in mental health funding in the country to Walsall’s CCG? Have you asked the Health Secretary to reconsider this funding cut that directly effects people in the West Midlands? If it, why not?
Your Tory government’s cruel Bedroom Tax affected 60,000 people in our region, many forced to pay simply because there were no smaller properties to move into, because this Tory government hasn’t been building them.
Do you oppose the bedroom tax? If so, what have you done about it? Have you used your influence with the Tory Secretary of State?
And if not, why not? And what is your message for the 60,000 people suffering it in the metropolitan region?
Do you support this Conservative Government’s abrogation of their promise to build a “new generation” of social housing? Have you written to the Housing Minister about the immediate need for more social housing to be built in the West Midlands? And if not, why not?
Your Tory government is forcing domestic violence victims into homelessness because they’re being turned away by local councils who don’t have anywhere to house them. Funding cuts have already led to 17% of refuges being forced to close down.
Do you support these cuts and closures? If not, what have you done about them? Have you made representations to the Secretary of State?
Or if you do support these cuts and closures to vital services for women in the West Midlands - why? And what is your message to the women and children suffering as a result?
I look forward to receiving your answers about the actions you’ve taken. Or haven't.
Siôn Simon MEP | sociology |
https://www.whistlerrealestate.ca/blog/what-does-it-mean-to-be-a-whistler-local/ | 2022-08-18T07:44:35 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2022-33/segments/1659882573172.64/warc/CC-MAIN-20220818063910-20220818093910-00707.warc.gz | 0.974624 | 753 | CC-MAIN-2022-33 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2022-33__0__102697471 | en | What, exactly, does it mean to be a Whistler local?
Perhaps a better question to pose is, what defines a Whistler local?
Maybe a local is someone who was born and raised in Whistler – but this excludes the people who came to Whistler decades ago and have, essentially, built our town up into what it is today – and they’re as local as anyone (some of them even have ski runs named in their honour!)
Maybe being a local means you have a fixed address here in town. By this definition, someone who owns a second (or third) home in Whistler but only visits once or twice a year is a local, while someone who has lived in town for several years but hops around from rental to rental is not – and that doesn’t seem quite right.
In our town, we have short-term residents who move to Whistler in November and call it home until they leave in April. We have young adults who have been here for four or five years, who moved here “for the season” but haven’t been able to pry themselves away just yet. We have regular visitors who don’t live in Whistler, but who make the pilgrimage up the 99 every weekend and have been doing so for dozens of years. We have people whose ancestry is deeply rooted in our community, tracing their lineage back hundreds of years to the land.
In other words, it’s a little tricky to pin down what makes a person a local.
How much of a Whistler local are you?
However, there is one definition that seems to perfectly encapsulate what it means to be a local: local-ness is measured in how much you care about the Whistler community.
In other words, the person who has only been here a few weeks but is volunteering their time with a local organization is a local. The Weekend Warrior who patiently explains to a tourist why it’s important to properly dispose of garbage to protect bears is a local. The person who sits on the board of a community non-profit; the person who supports the new business their neighbour just opened in town; the person who attends the fundraiser for a community member going through a tough time – they’re all locals, and they’re what makes our community such a fantastic place to live.
For fun, here are a few other metrics by which to measure a local:
- A local knows where to find fresh, untracked powder after 11 AM
- A local has a strong opinion on what the best grocery store in Whistler is – even though he or she may not agree with another local on this matter
- A local has a Whistler Public Library card tucked in his or her wallet
- A local has a minimum of one of the following items in the kitchen pantry: Nonna Pia’s balsamic reduction, Jules Fuel, a Whistler Chocolate bar, or some Namasthe tea
- A local owns more pairs of ski or snowboard boots than high heels
- A local can get to the top of Alpine Way in the middle of a snowstorm
- A local has waited over an hour in line at the post office in December
- A local knows where find a parking spot in the Village on a Saturday in the middle of summer
- A local has completed at least three of the following activities in a single day: skiing/snowboarding, biking, golfing, frolfing, hiking, or swimming at the lake
- A local knows where to find the best Caesar in town | sociology |
https://www.procom.ca/news/it-leaders-and-mentor-programs-for-brogrammers/ | 2017-05-28T08:30:17 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2017-22/segments/1495463609610.87/warc/CC-MAIN-20170528082102-20170528102102-00499.warc.gz | 0.97492 | 480 | CC-MAIN-2017-22 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2017-22__0__195389868 | en | There is a new breed of people who are working in IT jobs, and many leaders are having difficulty adjusting their managerial styles to the influx of “brogrammers,” CIO Canada reported.
According to the news outlet, these new employees are rejecting the old title of geeks in favor of a more social-focused image, as CIO and IT managers are beginning to see a shift in the type of worker that is applying for open positions.
An article in Bloomberg Businessweek outlined how the recent influx of “brogrammers” has led to a change in the perceptions of people who are working in IT jobs, as the party-hard, play-hard mentality is entering into parts of the tech sector that it had not previously existed in.
The article noted that the jobs of a programmer and other IT positions still require enormous brainpower, but the people who are filling these jobs are now coming from diverse backgrounds and changing the culture in tech offices around the world.
“I don’t need to wear a pocket protector to be a programmer,” John Manoogian III, a software engineer and entrepreneur, told Bloomberg.
This is a trend that is not something that is likely to change anytime soon, as the sector is attracting talent from all over to fill a growing number of jobs.
“There’s a rising group of developers who are much more sociable and like to go out and have fun, and I think brogramming speaks to that audience,” Gagan Biyani, co-founder and president of Udemy, told the news outlet.
The negative stigma – for some applicants – that had turned people off to tech jobs in the past could be something of the past, as the jobs are being filled by a more diverse group of individuals.
CIO Canada reported that employers have to adjust the way that they are going to deal with their programming team, as it will likely no longer consist of individuals who are introverted and unlikely to actively pursue social matters.
According to the news source, the move to a more social job environment is something that could benefit programmers, as they could begin to reap some of the benefits that come from the exposure of hard work and making a company a significant amount of money. This could also help IT departments with customer interaction and influencing executives. | sociology |
http://www.maxfleury.com/blog/2016/2/27/world-psychiatric-association-position-statement-on-spirituality-and-religion-in-psychiatry | 2019-10-22T06:02:11 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2019-43/segments/1570987803441.95/warc/CC-MAIN-20191022053647-20191022081147-00312.warc.gz | 0.951232 | 950 | CC-MAIN-2019-43 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2019-43__0__1968336 | en | WPA Section on Religion, Spirituality and Psychiatry The World Psychiatric Association (WPA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have worked hard to assure that comprehensive mental health promotion and care are scientifically based and, at the same time, compassionate and culturally sensitive. In recent decades, there has been increasing public and academic awareness of the relevance of spirituality and religion to health issues. Systematic reviews of the academic literature have identified more than 3,000 empirical studies investigating the relationship between religion/spirituality and health.
In the field of mental disorders, it has been shown that religion/spirituality have significant implications for prevalence (especially depressive and substance use disorders), diagnosis (e.g., differentiation between spiritual experiences and mental disorders), treatment (e.g., help seeking behavior, compliance, mindfulness, complementary therapies), outcomes (e.g., recovering and suicide) and prevention, as well as for quality of life and wellbeing. The WHO has now included religion/spirituality as a dimension of quality of life. Although there is evidence to show that religion/spirituality are usually associated with better health outcomes, they may also cause harm (e.g., treatment refusal, intolerance, negative religious coping, etc.). Surveys have shown that religion/spirituality values, beliefs and practices remain relevant to most of the world population and that patients would like to have their religion/spirituality concerns addressed in healthcare.
Psychiatrists need to take into account all factors impacting on mental health. Evidence shows that religion/spirituality should be included among these, irrespective of psychiatrists’ spiritual, religious or philosophical orientation. However, few medical schools or specialist curricula provide any formal training for psychiatrists to learn about the evidence available, or how to properly address religion/spirituality in research and clinical practice. In order to fill this gap, the WPA and several national psychiatric associations (e.g., Brazil, India, South Africa, UK, and USA) have created sections on religion/spirituality. WPA has included “religion and spirituality” as a part of the “Core Training Curriculum for Psychiatry”.
Both terms, religion and spirituality, lack a universally agreed definition. Definitions of spirituality usually refer to a dimension of human experience related to the transcendent, the sacred, or to ultimate reality. Spirituality is closely related to values, meaning and purpose in life. Spirituality may develop individually or in communities and traditions. Religion is often seen as the institutional aspect of spirituality, usually defined more in terms of systems of beliefs and practices related to the sacred or divine, as held by a community or social group. Regardless of precise definitions, spirituality and religion are concerned with the core beliefs, values and experiences of human beings. A consideration of their relevance to the origins, understanding and treatment of psychiatric disorders and the patient’s attitude toward illness should therefore be central to clinical and academic psychiatry. Spiritual and religious considerations also have important ethical implications for the clinical practice of psychiatry. In particular, the WPA proposes that:
1. A tactful consideration of patients’ religious beliefs and practices as well as their spirituality should routinely be considered and will sometimes be an essential component of psychiatric history taking.
2. An understanding of religion and spirituality and their relationship to the diagnosis, etiology and treatment of psychiatric disorders should be considered as essential components of both psychiatric training and continuing professional development.
3. There is a need for more research on both religion and spirituality in psychiatry, especially on their clinical applications. These studies should cover a wide diversity of cultural and geographical backgrounds.
4. The approach to religion and spirituality should be person-centered. Psychiatrists should not use their professional position for proselytizing for spiritual or secular worldviews. Psychiatrists should be expected always to respect and be sensitive to the spiritual/religious beliefs and practices of their patients, and of the families and carers of their patients.
5. Psychiatrists, whatever their personal beliefs, should be willing to work with leaders/members of faith communities, chaplains and pastoral workers, and others in the community, in support of the well-being of their patients, and should encourage their multi-disciplinary colleagues to do likewise.
6. Psychiatrists should demonstrate awareness, respect and sensitivity to the important part that spirituality and religion play for many staff and volunteers in forming a vocation to work in the field of mental health care.
7. Psychiatrists should be knowledgeable concerning the potential for both benefit and harm of religious, spiritual and secular worldviews and practices and be willing to share this information in a critical but impartial way with the wider community in support of the promotion of health and well-being. | sociology |
https://mipsychoanalysis.org/ | 2020-07-11T04:03:24 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-29/segments/1593655921988.66/warc/CC-MAIN-20200711032932-20200711062932-00005.warc.gz | 0.931037 | 1,167 | CC-MAIN-2020-29 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2020-29__0__172404675 | en | The Michigan Psychoanalytic Institute and Society condemn all acts of police brutality.
These acts, as we have witnessed in recent weeks–the brutal killings of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and the harassment of Christian Cooper–have disturbed us to our core.
The harmful impact on the mental health and well-being of all Americans, especially on those of Black and Brown color, has exacerbated anxiety, stress and mental health disorders. This week’s event adds to the collective trauma that Black Americans endure in response to police brutality and everyday racial discrimination and bias against them. Our hearts are full of grief and pain for the families of the individuals who have been killed and harmed.
Michigan Psychoanalytic Institute and Society is a community that promotes diversity, equality and inclusion. Anyone who participates in our events, scientific programs, symposia, classes and clinical treatment programs is entitled to fair and respectful consideration. This consideration should honor all individual differences including cultural, racial, religious, age, sex/gender, and sexual orientation diversity and disability. We do not tolerate racism or harassment of any kind.
Black lives matter. MPI and MPS stands with Black and Brown People in our own community and everywhere. We are committed to create a physically and emotionally safe space for our students, faculty, members, patients and clients, community participants and staff. We are striving toward making our community and our world better. We can do better.
The youth of today speak the truth clearly and articulately. A 27 year old man says, “This idea that in America, you can be whoever you want and do whatever you want as long as you work hard; it’s just plain false. Those who don’t recognize that absurdity are doing so intentionally. They are making a choice to turn a blind eye to the way things are, and the ability to make that choice is the essence of white privilege.”
In the words of Reverend Al Sharpton, “What will we do with the time that we have?” Let’s be a part of the solution. Let’s open our eyes and ears to what is around us, and let’s not be afraid to face it and then DO something about it.
Sally Rosenberg, D.O.
Rebecca Mair, Ph.D.
For Frontline Healthcare Workers During the Coronovirus Pandemic
The coronavirus pandemic has affected everyone, most of all patients and their families and the frontline healthcare workers treating them. Frontline workers include everyone on the healthcare team affected by the pandemic, whether they provide direct care or are members of support, maintenance, food service or administrative staff. Frontline workers have extremely long and stressful days, with little time and energy to regroup and consider their own well-being. These workers need time and space to decompress, share their experiences, and refresh their minds to meet the challenges of the next day at work.
What is the MPI Helpline Initiative?
Psychoanalysts and psychotherapists affiliated with the Michigan Psychoanalytic Institute and Society have begun an initiative to provide emotional support and assistance to frontline health care workers fighting the coronavirus pandemic. During the months of April, May and June, experienced clinicians will offer up to 5 free virtual sessions to any staff member involved in, or affected by, the coronavirus pandemic.
What Can We Help With?
Stress can take many forms. If you have burnout feelings, irritability, excessive worrying or sadness, difficulty sleeping, feelings of inadequacy at work, numbness, or feeling alone, we can help.
How Do We Help?
The reactions to an unprecedented event like a pandemic are complicated. They involve an interaction between inner strengths and vulnerabilities and the demands of outer realities. Your first virtual call or video visit will help you to map out inner and outer experience, and create a plan to address specific issues and concerns that were identified. The number of sessions is variable and hard to predict until a first consultation has taken place. The goal of the consultation is to provide relief through greater understanding as well as practical suggestions. You will be invited to consider the usefulness of further work beyond the first few sessions.
All sessions are completely confidential. No information can be disclosed without your permission.
How to Reach Us
We have two separate call lines, one for Ann Arbor and one for metro Detroit.
Ann Arbor: To make a private, confidential appointment or to get more information, please call 734-677-1590. We will return calls within 24 hours to set up a first virtual appointment.
Metro Detroit: To make a private, confidential appointment or to get more information, please call 248-907-4407. We will return calls that are not answered directly within 24 hours to set up a first virtual or phone appointment.
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
Psychoanalysis is a method of intensive therapy that helps people understand their own mind, especially how they experience relationships, and what drives their thoughts, feelings, wishes, and behavior.
The Michigan Psychoanalytic Institute is a premiere training institute for psychoanalysts in the United States. The Michigan Psychoanalytic Society provides professional programs for area psychoanalysts. We are affiliated with the American Psychoanalytic Association.
Psychoanalysis is not the same as what Freud practiced over 100 years ago. In fact, psychoanalytic clinician-researchers have continued to explore the complexity of the human mind and brain in order to improve the effectiveness of contemporary psychoanalytic treatment. | sociology |
https://israeliblogger.com/history-of-kibbutz-in-israel/ | 2024-04-24T22:52:31 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2024-18/segments/1712296819971.86/warc/CC-MAIN-20240424205851-20240424235851-00553.warc.gz | 0.950967 | 2,126 | CC-MAIN-2024-18 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2024-18__0__131490516 | en | The first kibbutzim were created to establish Israel as a unique collective community based on socialism and Zionism. A typical kibbutz consisted of a closely-knit social grouping that shared all property and products. Kibbutzim started as agriculture communities, and later, they also got involved in manufacturing and services.
For example, Kfar Glickson is a kibbutz in the northern coastal plain of Israel that was established in 1939 by Jewish immigrants from Hungary and Romania. This kibbutz consists of 300 residents, and it relies on agriculture such as field crops and a dairy farm, also relying on a small handcraft industry and tourism.
General Information about Kibbutz
Nowadays, there are 270 kibbutzim in Israel. Most of these communities have adapted to social and economic changes since Israel became a developed country with a liberal economy, compromising on different aspects of the original kibbutz. A moshav is a different sort of cooperative farmers’ village that exists only in Israel, and it was created in the first part of the 20th century. Unlike the kibbutz, the moshav members have economic autonomy, although they share various components of mutual assistance.
Nahalal is the first moshav established in 1921, and it is an extraordinary example of a rural organisation. This village is developed around a circular axis, with the farmers’ houses arranged around an imaginary round table as a symbolic display of equality and collective spirit. The public buildings are inside the inner circle, and the agricultural fields are arranged in all directions to emulate the sun’s rays. Water sources irrigate the fields.
Details About The Kibbutz And Historical Chronicles
The kibbutz in Hebrew means a communal settlement. It is a unique rural community where the society is devoted to exchanged support and social equity with a socioeconomic system based on joint possession of properties, equity, a collaboration of production, education, and consumption. The first kibbutzim were founded 40 years before the independence of the State of Israel.
One of the first kibbutzim is Degania, which is situated in the southern area of Lake Kinneret. It was established in 1909 by a group of young Jewish pioneers coming from Eastern Europe in a land that belonged to the Jewish National Fund. These pioneers reclaimed the land of the ancient Jewish homeland, and they also wanted to start a new life. The beginning of their life has been challenging due to a hostile environment, inexperience in agriculture, a deserted land, insufficiency of water and lack of funds. Nowadays, there are 270 kibbutzim, each one consisting of 40 to 1000 members, across Israel. The total number of people living in kibbutzim is almost 130 thousand that is 2.5% of the total population of Israel.
The Organization Of The Kibbutz
The kibbutzim are organised similarly. A kibbutz area is a residential place that includes the members’ houses with gardens, children’s playgrounds, communal buildings like auditorium, library, dining room, swimming pool, tennis court, medical clinic, laundry room, and grocery. Inside the kibbutz, there are also chicken coops, industrial plants, and around the perimeter of the inner area, there are agricultural fields, orchards, and fish ponds. Inside the kibbutz, everyone walks or rides bicycles, and for disabled people and the elderly, there are electric carts available. The organisation of the kibbutz is based on democracy, and there is a general assembly of all the kibbutz members to formulate policy, elect officers, authorise the kibbutz budget and approve new members. The general assembly of a kibbutz is both a decision-making structure and a forum that allows the members to express opinions and points of view. Every day the elected committees of the kibbutz deal with affairs concerning culture, finance, health, housing, and production planning. The kibbutz executives are the chairpersons of the committees and the secretary. These roles are full-time positions, but the members of the committees have their regular jobs.
Working The Land Of Israel
The first pioneers who worked the soil of the land of Israel lived like farmers following an ideology and not only with the purpose to earn a living. During several years, the kibbutz farmers made a miracle while working hard on a desert and desolate land, making it bloom and producing field crops, orchards, poultry, dairy and fish farming, and nowadays organic agriculture. A mix of hard work and advanced farming technologies made improve the structure and the products of every kibbutz of Israel. The industry of the kibbutzim expanded into different branches of manufacturing, such as clothing and irrigation systems. Nevertheless, most of the kibbutz industry is focused on producing metalwork, plastics and processed foods.
Every industrial facility consists of a maximum of a hundred workers. Some kibbutzim own enterprises like cotton gins and poultry-packing plants, and they also provide computer data compilation, marketing and purchasing services. Kibbutzim contribute to the country production with 33% of agriculture products and 6.3% of industrial goods. And nowadays, kibbutzim also joined the tourism industry becoming tourist centres and offering recreational facilities, swimming pools, horseback riding, tennis, museums, exotic animal farms and water parks, attracting both Israelis and foreign visitors. With the growth of the urban centres and Israel’s population, a part of kibbutzim became part of the suburbs of cities.
Working In A Kibbutz
Work is fundamental in the ideology of every kibbutz, and it is the concept of dignity of labour that elevates every job performed in it. Members of a kibbutz get a position for a specific time, and everyone performs the kitchen and dining hall duties at different times. Every economic branch is managed by an elected administrator, who organises the work of the other units, the production and the investment plans. Women work in the kind of job available for them inside the kibbutz. Most of the women in a kibbutz are devoted to positions such as education and health. Some members work in the kibbutz, some are employed in enterprises, some get educational and political employments, and others get a profession outside the kibbutz. Many kibbutzim offer accommodations to young volunteers from Israel and abroad for a month or more in exchange for work.
Children Raised In Kibbutzim
Children raised in kibbutzim live at their parents’ house up to high school age. During the day, children spend time with their companions in facilities for different ages children. The parents join their children in their activities, and children are educated following the values of the kibbutz, such as the importance of work and sharing. The educational system underlines the importance of daily cooperation educating the young children to perform age-appropriate tasks, while the older children have some job in the kibbutz. During high school, teenagers are dedicated a day per week to work in a branch of the kibbutz. Additionally, older children attend a regional kibbutz high school, and almost 40% of all children go back to settle in their original kibbutz after the army service. Indeed, most of the kibbutz members who grow up in their kibbutz build their life there.
Individual And Communal Needs Of The Kibbutz
Every kibbutz is a communal society that allows every member to assume their responsibility and commitment to contribute to the welfare of the kibbutz. Kibbutz provides a social framework and economic stability to each member. Today, every kibbutz member has a wide choice to select clothing, home furniture, and holiday plans. Moreover, there are more opportunities to participate in higher education.
Contribution Of The Kibbutz To The State Of Israel
Besides being a kind of settlement and a lifestyle, the kibbutz is an essential part of Israeli society. In the beginning, the kibbutz had a central function in agricultural development, defence, immigration, and settlement. Once the government assumed these functions, the kibbutz kept its involvement in Israel’s political life and other national tasks. Many kibbutzim offer five-month courses for new immigrants combining intensive Hebrew language classes, tours in Israel, and lectures on different aspects of Israeli life, including a period of work in the kibbutz. Participants who stay in the kibbutz become members. Moreover, some kibbutzim accept youngsters from disadvantaged families during their high school period, and among them, some decide to join the kibbutz community.
Traditions Of The Kibbutz
The kibbutz improved to celebrate Jewish festivals, national holidays, weddings, bar and bat mitzvahs, and anniversaries uniquely. Additionally, every kibbutz has renovated seasonal and agricultural events with song, dance, and other art forms. Besides various programs, cultural activities such as films and professional performances are diffused in the kibbutz auditoriums. The kibbutz movements sponsor professional groups such as symphony orchestras, chamber ensembles, modern and folk dance companies, choirs and theatre companies. Some kibbutzim founded museums dedicated to archaeology, nature, art, Jewish history and the development of the land of Israel.
The Future Of The Kibbutz
The kibbutz is a unique social-economic structure that flourished with an expanding economy and contributed to the establishment and development of Israel. Driven by powerful beliefs of a distinctive ideology, the founders formed a society with a unique collective lifestyle. Born into the kibbutz structure, their children strengthened its economic, social, and administrative systems. The contemporary generation, which grew up in an organised and wealthy society, uses its strengths and abilities to face modern life in the technological age.
The kibbutz aims to maintain its democratic nature, the spirit of voluntarism with commitment and idealism to create a resource that contributes to Israel welfare. | sociology |
https://www.kimberlydawnrobertson.com/about | 2024-04-25T02:06:11 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2024-18/segments/1712296820065.92/warc/CC-MAIN-20240425000826-20240425030826-00413.warc.gz | 0.960465 | 485 | CC-MAIN-2024-18 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2024-18__0__133350997 | en | Kimberly Robertson (Mvskoke) is an artivist, scholar, teacher, and mother who works diligently to employ Native feminist theories, practices, and methodologies in her hustle to fulfill the dreams of her ancestors and to build a world in which her daughters can thrive. She was born in Bakersfield, CA and currently lives on unceded Tongva lands.
Robertson is an Indigenous anti-violence advocate who has received trainings and certifications from Sacred Circle, the former National Resource Center to End Violence Against Native Women as well as the current National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center. Robertson is also an active member of the Los Angeles Indian community and in this capacity has served as the chairperson for the Parent & Community Committee of the Los Angeles Unified School District’s Indian Education Program; as a councilmember of the American Indian Community Council; as the project coordinator for Insight – an Indigenous Youth and Violence Prevention Project; and as the community outreach coordinator for American Indian Families Partnership. She also currently serves as the Co-Creative Director of Meztli Projects -- an Indigenous and youth centered arts collective.
She earned an MA in American Indian Studies and a PhD in Women’s Studies from the University of California, Los Angeles in 2012 and is an Associate Professor of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at California State University, Los Angeles.
Informed by Indigenous feminisms, Kimberly Robertson’s creative practices include screen printing, collage, beadwork, installation art, and zine-making. They address the settler colonial and heteropatriarchal violences that plague Indigenous communities and operationalize the decolonial worlds many of us desire to live in. Her work centers the ideas and practices of ceremony, storytelling, intersecting subjectivities, dislocation, decolonization, and Indigenous futurities.
"I was a first-generation college student, the oldest of six, and the first in my family to go to college. When I took a women's studies class my freshmen year, I felt like the whole world cracked open for me. I finally found the words to articulate my experiences. The same thing happened again when I took my first Indigenous studies course. I really fell in love with education (and eventually ARTivism) as a tool for social justice, community empowerment, decolonization, and healing." | sociology |
https://planethms.com/implementing-energy-saving-practices-tips-for-sustainability/ | 2024-04-22T19:51:25 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2024-18/segments/1712296818337.62/warc/CC-MAIN-20240422175900-20240422205900-00558.warc.gz | 0.916623 | 2,564 | CC-MAIN-2024-18 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2024-18__0__67215403 | en | Welcome to our article on implementing energy-saving practices in the workplace to promote sustainability and eco-friendly office initiatives. In today’s world, businesses are increasingly recognizing the importance of reducing their environmental impact and creating a sustainable office environment. By implementing energy-saving practices, companies can not only contribute to a greener future but also enjoy benefits such as cost savings and improved employee morale.
In this article, we will explore various strategies and initiatives that can be implemented to make your office more sustainable. From understanding the importance of employee morale to introducing hospitality management systems by PlanetHMS, we will provide valuable insights to help you create a green workplace.
Throughout the article, we will emphasize the connection between energy-saving practices, sustainability, and employee morale. By adopting eco-friendly initiatives and embracing sustainable office design, you can create a positive work environment that supports employee well-being and productivity.
Are you ready to make a difference? Let’s dive into the world of energy-saving practices and explore how they can transform your workplace into a sustainable oasis.
Understanding the Importance of Employee Morale
In order to create a positive work environment, it is crucial to understand the significance of employee morale. Employee morale refers to the overall satisfaction, motivation, and enthusiasm that employees have towards their work and the organization they are a part of. When employee morale is high, it has a direct positive impact on workplace satisfaction and productivity.
When employees are satisfied with their work and feel valued and appreciated, they are more likely to be motivated and engaged. This leads to increased productivity, as employees are willing to go the extra mile to achieve their goals. They are also more likely to collaborate with their colleagues, share knowledge, and contribute innovative ideas, creating a positive and productive work environment.
Employee morale also plays a vital role in the success of sustainability initiatives in the workplace. When employees are satisfied and motivated, they are more likely to support and participate in sustainability efforts. Sustainable practices, such as reducing energy consumption, minimizing waste, and promoting eco-friendly behaviors, align with employees’ values and create a sense of purpose and pride.
By fostering a positive work environment and prioritizing employee morale, organizations can enhance workplace satisfaction and productivity. This, in turn, boosts overall employee well-being and contributes to the success of sustainability initiatives, creating a win-win situation for both employees and the organization.
Introducing Hospitality Management Systems by PlanetHMS
PlanetHMS offers a comprehensive range of hospitality management systems that are designed to streamline operations, optimize efficiency, and enhance the overall guest experience. With a focus on sustainability and employee morale, these systems enable hotels to stay ahead in a competitive industry while driving positive environmental and social change.
One of the key products offered by PlanetHMS is the hotel channel manager. This powerful tool allows hotels to manage their online distribution channels more effectively, ensuring maximum visibility across various booking platforms while minimizing the risk of overbooking or underselling. By optimizing occupancy rates, hotels can reduce wastage and maximize resource utilization, contributing to a more sustainable operation.
The hotel booking engine is another essential component of PlanetHMS’ hospitality management system. This user-friendly interface enables hotels to offer real-time online reservations directly on their website, eliminating the need for potential guests to book through third-party platforms. By reducing reliance on intermediaries, hotels can build stronger relationships with guests and ultimately improve employee morale by fostering a sense of ownership and direct engagement.
PlanetHMS also provides a hotel website builder that allows hotels to create and maintain a modern and functional website, showcasing their unique offerings and facilities. With a user-friendly interface and customizable templates, hotels can effortlessly create a branded online presence, attracting potential guests and driving direct bookings. By reducing dependence on external web developers, hotels can save costs and unnecessary energy consumption.
Additionally, PlanetHMS offers a hotel event manager software, which simplifies the management of conferences, meetings, and other events. This software streamlines the event planning process, enhances communication between teams, and ensures a seamless guest experience. By optimizing event management, hotels can minimize waste and enhance sustainability efforts while providing exceptional service to event attendees.
By implementing hospitality management systems from PlanetHMS, hotels can take significant strides towards sustainability, all while improving employee morale. These systems enable hotels to optimize resource utilization, enhance direct bookings, reduce unnecessary energy consumption, and streamline event management. In doing so, hotels can create a more sustainable and efficient operation that aligns with both guest preferences and global environmental goals.
Boosting Employee Morale through Sustainable Office Design
Creating a green workplace is not only beneficial for the environment, but it can also have a profound impact on employee well-being and overall satisfaction. Sustainable office design incorporates elements that prioritize the health and comfort of employees while reducing the ecological footprint of the workspace.
One essential concept in sustainable office design is biophilic design, which aims to bring nature indoors. By integrating natural elements such as plants, natural materials, and water features, biophilic design creates a calming and rejuvenating environment. Studies have shown that exposure to nature within the workplace can improve productivity, reduce stress levels, and enhance overall employee well-being.
Another crucial aspect of sustainable office design is the utilization of natural lighting. Maximizing natural light not only reduces energy consumption but also provides numerous benefits to employees. Natural light has been proven to enhance mood, boost productivity, and regulate the body’s circadian rhythm. By incorporating large windows, skylights, and open spaces, sustainable office design ensures that employees have ample access to natural light, creating a more positive and energizing work environment.
Ergonomic furniture is another key component of sustainable office design. Providing employees with ergonomically designed chairs, desks, and workstations promotes proper posture and reduces the risk of physical strain and injuries. Comfortable and supportive furniture enhances employee well-being, leading to increased job satisfaction and decreased absenteeism.
Implementing sustainable office design not only benefits employees but also contributes to a more sustainable future. By integrating biophilic design, natural lighting, and ergonomic furniture, companies can create a work environment that fosters employee well-being, boosts morale, and promotes a green workplace.
Implementing Energy-Efficient Practices in Daily Operations
Creating an energy-efficient workplace not only promotes sustainable operations but also helps in reducing the carbon footprint. By implementing energy-efficient practices in your daily office operations, you can contribute to a more environmentally friendly and cost-effective working environment. Here are some practical tips to help you get started:
1. Use Energy-Efficient Appliances
Invest in energy-efficient appliances such as computers, printers, and kitchen appliances. Look for devices with ENERGY STAR ratings, which indicate higher energy efficiency and lower power consumption.
2. Optimize Heating and Cooling Systems
Ensure your heating and cooling systems are properly maintained to maximize efficiency. Clean or replace air filters regularly and consider installing programmable thermostats to adjust temperatures based on occupancy and working hours.
3. Promote Paperless Workflows
Encourage employees to embrace digital alternatives and reduce reliance on paper. Implement document management systems and cloud storage solutions to store and share files electronically. Use email and digital signatures instead of printing and mailing documents whenever possible.
Implementing these energy-efficient practices will not only help in reducing your carbon footprint but also contribute to sustainable operations. By making these small changes, you can create a workplace that is both environmentally friendly and cost-efficient.
Encouraging Employee Engagement in Sustainable Initiatives
Encouraging employee engagement in sustainable initiatives is crucial for creating a positive and impactful workplace. By involving employees in sustainable practices, organizations can foster a sense of ownership and ignite a collective effort towards a greener future.
One effective way to promote employee engagement is by providing opportunities for team participation. Encourage employees to collaborate and brainstorm ideas for sustainable initiatives. This not only fosters a sense of teamwork but also allows for the exchange of diverse perspectives, resulting in innovative solutions.
Employee recognition and rewards programs can also play a significant role in driving sustainable behaviors. Acknowledging and rewarding employees who actively participate in sustainable initiatives reinforces their dedication and motivates others to follow suit. It creates a sense of pride and purpose, further fueling employee engagement.
Remember, sustainable initiatives are about collective action. By involving employees, organizations can harness their creativity, passion, and commitment, making sustainability a shared responsibility and a cornerstone of the company’s culture.
To highlight the importance of employee engagement in sustainable initiatives, implement an employee spotlight or success stories section on your company’s intranet. Share stories of employees who have contributed significantly to sustainability efforts, showcasing their achievements and inspiring others to get involved.
Empowering Employees through Training and Education
In addition to fostering a culture of teamwork and recognition, organizations can promote employee engagement in sustainable initiatives by providing training and education. Conduct workshops or seminars to equip employees with the knowledge and skills needed to actively contribute to sustainability efforts.
By empowering employees with the necessary information, organizations enable them to make informed decisions and take action towards a more environmentally friendly workplace. These training sessions can cover topics such as energy conservation, waste reduction, and sustainable procurement practices.
Furthermore, organizations can leverage internal newsletters and communication channels to educate employees about the impact of their actions on sustainability. Regular updates and reminders about ongoing initiatives, as well as sharing success stories, can inspire and encourage greater participation.
Remember, employee engagement in sustainable initiatives is a continuous journey. Regularly evaluate and assess the effectiveness of your engagement strategies and seek feedback from employees. By actively involving employees in decision-making processes and addressing their concerns, organizations can create a culture of sustainability that inspires employees and drives meaningful change.
Communicating the Value of Sustainability to Employees
Effective sustainability communication is a crucial aspect of promoting green initiatives within the workplace. By clearly communicating the value of sustainability to employees, organizations can foster a sense of purpose and drive engagement in environmentally friendly practices. Here are some strategies for employee education and engagement:
Workshops and Training Programs
Conducting workshops and training programs on sustainability can empower employees with the necessary knowledge and skills to make eco-conscious decisions in their daily work lives. These sessions can cover topics such as energy-saving practices, waste reduction, and the importance of adopting green initiatives. By providing practical guidance and actionable tips, workshops can inspire employees to actively contribute to sustainable efforts.
Newsletters and Internal Campaigns
Regular newsletters and internal campaigns dedicated to sustainability can help maintain employee awareness and engagement. In these communications, organizations can share success stories, upcoming initiatives, and tips for sustainable practices. By showcasing the positive impact of green initiatives and highlighting employee contributions, newsletters and campaigns can reinforce the value of sustainability and foster a sense of collective responsibility.
Employee Recognition and Incentives
Recognizing and rewarding employees for their sustainable behaviors can significantly boost engagement and motivation. This can be done through formal recognition programs, such as “Green Champion of the Month,” where employees who consistently demonstrate sustainable practices are acknowledged. Additionally, offering incentives like gift cards or extra vacation days can further encourage employee participation in green initiatives, reinforcing the importance of sustainability in the workplace.
By implementing these strategies, organizations can effectively communicate the value of sustainability to employees, creating a shared understanding of the benefits it brings. This not only improves employee morale but also strengthens the organization’s commitment to environmental responsibility.
In conclusion, implementing energy-saving practices in the workplace not only contributes to sustainability but also has a profound impact on employee morale. By creating a sustainable office environment, businesses can benefit from increased workplace satisfaction, productivity, and overall employee well-being.
We have explored various strategies and initiatives that can be implemented to achieve these goals, such as sustainable office design, energy-efficient practices, and employee engagement in sustainable initiatives. By embracing these practices, companies can reduce their carbon footprint, promote eco-friendly behaviors, and create a positive work culture that values sustainability.
If you are looking for assistance in implementing sustainable initiatives in your workplace, PlanetHMS can provide the necessary tools and support. Whether you need a hotel channel manager, hotel booking engine, hotel website builder, or hotel event manager software, PlanetHMS offers a range of hospitality management systems to help you achieve your sustainability goals. Reach out to PlanetHMS at [email protected] for more information and guidance on transforming your office into a sustainable and employee-friendly space. | sociology |
https://blog.healthsoup.com/2017/06/26/family-meals-foster-healthy-habits-and-so-much-more/ | 2018-07-19T14:55:53 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2018-30/segments/1531676591140.45/warc/CC-MAIN-20180719144851-20180719164851-00391.warc.gz | 0.964488 | 186 | CC-MAIN-2018-30 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2018-30__0__144472211 | en | Our busy schedules often make it difficult to sit down to a family meal. But family meals do more than just bring the family together to break bread, they offer a chance for parents to open the lines of communication and model healthy eating.
Research has shown that kids who participate in family meals have higher nutrient intake, eat more fruits and vegetables, have a decreased risk of obesity, experience less disordered eating habits, achieve stronger grades, exhibit more self confidence and practice better table manners.
All these benefits make family meals worth the work and these tips will help make it easier:
- Schedule the meals in advance and log them on the family calendar
plan a weekly menu
- Keep the meals simple
- Don’t be afraid to make breakfast your family meal
- Get everyone involved.
Who you eat with is just as important as what you eat when it comes to a healthy and happy relationship with food. | sociology |
https://hollyzhope.com/our-story | 2020-07-13T10:39:21 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-29/segments/1593657143365.88/warc/CC-MAIN-20200713100145-20200713130145-00468.warc.gz | 0.979523 | 343 | CC-MAIN-2020-29 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2020-29__0__131285545 | en | It started with a mission to see dogs freed from life on a chain.
In 2015, we began working in the Lake Norman area reaching out to homeowners who were leaving their dogs outside on a chain. The dog owners we worked with loved their pets, but all too often did not have the financial means or knowledge of how to provide more humane conditions.
Our team of volunteers partnered with these families. We built them a fence, provided a dog house, wellness care and dog supplies including food, bedding and toys. We gave them a solution, and a better life for their pets.
We broke the cycle.
By working with families without judgment, our simple act of kindness gave owners a sense of pride, and the opportunity to become more responsible pet owners.
Since we began, we have built fences for hundreds of dogs and their families across five cities and two counties in North Carolina.
The freedom we were able to help provide to these dogs was immeasurable. The dogs now have freedom to run untethered, to find shelter during inclement weather, and to be loved unconditionally.
We provide fencing and other supplies at no cost to the pet owner - all we ask in return is the simple agreement to spay/neuter their dog, which reduces the overpopulation of unwanted animals. The result? Happier pets, happier owners and ultimately, positive change in the community.
But we still have work to do.
We’re working in our community to help make sure all pet owners have the resources and education they need to provide a safe and secure area for their dogs outside. Join us as we continue to help dogs live life off the chain! | sociology |
https://ma-yitheatre.org/shows/firsttwentyallarts/ | 2023-11-30T03:58:49 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-50/segments/1700679100164.87/warc/CC-MAIN-20231130031610-20231130061610-00679.warc.gz | 0.942524 | 216 | CC-MAIN-2023-50 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2023-50__0__277747347 | en | This compelling 30-minute documentary film showcases the evolution of the Asian American playwright over the last 20 years, taking a close look at the shift in how Asian American plays are broadly perceived, as well as the widening scope of subjects tackled by Asian American writers that move far beyond identity politics. Interviewees include theater luminaries: David Henry Hwang, Young Jean Lee, Mike Lew, Rehana Lew Mirza, Qui Nguyen, Lloyd Suh, Lauren Yee, and Chay Yew.
The First Twenty is an exciting new content initiative from ALL ARTS, the Emmy-winning arts and culture hub, uncovering the ways that the first two decades of the 21st century have impacted American art, culture and the collective consciousness. The initiative provides artists across multiple disciplines the opportunity to share their lived experiences, including how the creation and consumption of art has changed. The First Twenty: 20 Years of Asian American Playwriting is one of three specials premiering this fall, along with The First Twenty: Afterwards and The First Twenty: Ma’s House. | sociology |
http://www.gibney.com/about/pro-bono | 2013-05-25T02:11:52 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705318091/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516115518-00050-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | 0.946549 | 1,524 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2013-20__0__53538391 | en | Gibney attorneys recognize their professional responsibility to serve the public interest through pro bono and community service activities. Our firm supports and gives credit to associates who take an active role to assist those with limited means. Our lawyers are encouraged to select their own pro bono and community service activities, including: serving as board members and trustees of educational, religious, non-profit and civic institutions; teaching as adjunct professors at local law schools; representing battered spouses and abandoned children in immigration proceedings; acting as mobile legal volunteers during elections; and assisting immigrants with the U.S. citizenship process. Through the “Gibney for the Community” program, we match vacation time for employees who use their own vacation time to engage in worthy causes to serve the needs of the community.
New York Cares
With the assistance of Annick Delrome, Rachael Gallagher, Lillian Perdomo, Karina Rodriguez and Lina Rodriguez, Gibney employees participated in two of NY Cares 2012 programs (Winter Wishes and Coat Drive) for a third year.
Through the Winter Wishes Program, each participant received a letter from a disadvantaged child connected to shelters and community organizations throughout the city. This past holiday season, 70 of Gibney employees participated in the Winter Wishes program and donated a wrapped gift fulfilling the wish of a teenager.
The firm collected 32 gently used coats this year to contribute to a warmer New York. According to NY Cares organization, a total of 113,976 coats have been distributed throughout New York City.
Safe Passage Project
A team of Gibney attorneys is currently providing pro bono services to two brothers from Guatemala who are seeking Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), which is available to certain undocumented immigrants under the age of 21 who have been abused, neglected, or abandoned by one or both parents. Once a child receives SIJS, he or she can apply for U.S. permanent residence and eventually for U.S. citizenship. This pro bono effort is part of the Safe Passage Immigration Project founded by Professor Lenni Benson of New York Law School. Attorneys Michele Gallo, Natalia Gouz, Inez Iraldo, Amy McCoy and Zarina Syed, are representing one of the brothers in immigration removal proceedings, and both brothers in guardianship applications filed in the Family Court, in the hope that they may then apply for SIJS, lawful permanent resident status and a secure future. In recent years the Department of Homeland Security has reported that there were 1.2 million undocumented minors in the United States. While these children are entitled to counsel in immigration proceedings, the government does not pay for legal representation and as a result more than half go through immigration proceedings without a lawyer. Gibney attorneys are therefore pleased to provide pro bono assistance in these cases.
inMotion - Story by Story - Climbing to End Domestic Violence
For the second year in a row, Team Gibney participated in the fundraiser Story by Story – Climbing to End Domestic Violence to benefit inMotion, a nonprofit organization providing free legal services to battered women and children. We were among the1,000 inMotion supporters coming together to climb the stairs of 1411 Broadway—a 42-story skyscraper in the heart of Manhattan's Fashion District and Times Square. We exceeded last year’s fundraising efforts, raising over $4,400, including donations from the firm, and family and friends.
My Sisters’ Place
Under the direction of Gibney Partner Ellen Poreda, attorneys and paralegals are helping to reunite more than 25 children from Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico with their mothers in the greater New York City area as part of a pro bono project on behalf of My Sisters’ Place (MSP), a nonprofit organization assisting victims of domestic violence and human trafficking. Gibney professionals participate in a small but enormously complex and emotional aspect of the lives of MSP clients: the reunion of dependent children who are located outside the United States with their victimized mothers. In addition to preparing required forms and documentation for presentation to the U.S. Consulates abroad, Gibney attorneys help to prepare the children for their Consular interviews and other logistics required for their travel to the U.S. One Guatemalan mother was recently reunited with three teenage children that she had not seen for nearly 10 years. During those years, even though some of the children had no recollection of their mother, they sent homemade cards and clung to the hope of a future together. Thanks to the volunteers at MSP and Gibney, this year the Mother’s Day gifts arrived in person.
Gibney attorney Judi McManigal serves as Chair of the Board of Directors of OneJustice, a California service organization comprised of individuals from law firms, law schools, corporate legal departments and legal nonprofit organizations whose purpose is to steer campaigns that provide legal help to Californians in need. A hallmark project of OneJustice is the “Justice Bus,” in which urban law students are literally driven by bus to rural areas where they collaborate with local legal aid organizations to provide essential free legal assistance to elderly, disabled, poor and other needy clients. Without the Justice Bus, many of these rural organizations do not have the staff to offer legal clinics, and clients often must wait weeks to get legal advice.
Children's Hospital Boston
Gibney Partner, Angelo E.P. Mazza, organized a raffle and silent auction in conjunction with the International AntiCounterfeiting Coalition (IACC) to benefit the Children’s Hospital Boston. Angelo proudly donated $13,760 to the hospital on behalf of the IACC. Funds will benefit children and their families receiving care. Children’s Hospital Boston employs 963 active medical and dental staff as well as 897 residents and fellows, 1,570 nursing and clinical personnel and 5,200 other full and part time employees. They also have a diverse, trained team of more than 800 volunteers.
Farmer Solidarity Project
Immigration paralegal Lina Rodriguez participated in a ten-day service trip to Guatemala, organized by the Farmer Solidarity Project. In conjunction with CONIC, a social movement organization that fights for land reform, food sovereignty, and campesino and indigenous rights, Rodriguez and other volunteers visited with poverty stricken communities in the mountainous Alta Verapaz region of Guatemala to help plant trees and build stoves with proper ventilation.
CUNY & AILA Citizenship Day
Immigration attorneys Survi Parvatiyar, Trisha Yukawa, Rosanna Fox and Amy McCoy participate in ongoing, free immigration legal aid clinics organized through a partnership between the City University of New York and the American Immigration Lawyers Association. The attorneys help legal permanent residents to complete their applications for U.S. citizenship, obtain any available waivers of fees and language requirements, and receive referrals for sliding scale or pro bono services in the event of any complex issues. The clinics in New York City are co-sponsored by the CUNY Citizenship Now! Project and AILA.
Street Soccer U.S.A.
Immigration attorney Filomena Lepore has been working to obtain replacement green cards for homeless immigrant soccer players involved with Street Soccer USA. The organization seeks to improve the lives of homeless adults through a competitive soccer league that provides mentoring, structure, fellowship and hope. Gibney voluneers will be on the scene when Street Soccer hosts the SS USA Cup in July 2012. | sociology |
https://activespinenc.com/first-labor-day/ | 2024-04-24T00:34:04 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2024-18/segments/1712296818835.29/warc/CC-MAIN-20240423223805-20240424013805-00791.warc.gz | 0.977812 | 127 | CC-MAIN-2024-18 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2024-18__0__135978235 | en | The first Labor Day took place on September 5, 1882. The second Labor Day was held on September 5, 1883. Starting in 1884 Labor Day was celebrated on the first Monday in the month of September.
Labor Day was founded to celebrate the social and economic achievements of the American workers. It was originally celebrated with a street parade to honor the American workers to be followed by a festival to be shared by family and friends.
So here is our thank you to all of the hard working individuals out there that make up the American workforce. Keep working hard, because it takes all of us to make our nation great. | sociology |
https://thecet.org/articles/oecd/ | 2022-05-26T01:50:09 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2022-21/segments/1652662595559.80/warc/CC-MAIN-20220526004200-20220526034200-00782.warc.gz | 0.9351 | 259 | CC-MAIN-2022-21 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2022-21__0__273385374 | en | Career Ready? How schools can better prepare young people for working life in the era of COVID-19
The focus of this working paper is on how secondary schools can optimise young people’s preparation for adult employment at a time of extreme labour market turbulence.
By reviewing academic analysis of national longitudinal datasets, it is possible to identify indicators of comparative adult success. How teenagers (i) think about their futures in work and what they do to (ii) explore and (iii) experience workplaces within and outside of schools is consistently associated with better than expected employment outcomes in adulthood. Analysis of the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2018 illustrates substantial variation in the extent of such career readiness between and within countries. Variation in career readiness is particularly associated with disadvantage. More effective education systems will ensure schools systematically address inequalities in teenage access to information and support in preparing for working life.
Mann, A., V. Denis and C. Percy (2020), “Career ready?: How schools can better prepare young people for working life in the era of COVID-19”, OECD Education Working Papers, No. 241, OECD Publishing, Paris, https://doi.org/10.1787/e1503534-en. | sociology |
https://connectgw.com.au/ | 2024-04-16T04:46:42 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2024-18/segments/1712296817043.36/warc/CC-MAIN-20240416031446-20240416061446-00590.warc.gz | 0.974079 | 406 | CC-MAIN-2024-18 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2024-18__0__3072264 | en | MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS
Welcome to GW Connect!
GW Connect is a concept which was born out of a series of tragic events which struck Gridiron West that really highlighted the hidden struggle that many people were going through.
GW Connect is designed to be a safe space where people who are suffering with mental health issues, whatever they may be can connect with peers and friends through our sporting network and seek advice, support, guidance, referral to professional agencies or simply a sympathetic ear when one is needed. The connection can be formal or anonymous through our network or you can simply follow the links on this page to help guide you to find the support that’s right for you.
If you would rather seek help from someone else other than our trained volunteers, below are some useful links, just click the button to be taken to their website. REMEMBER you are not alone there is always someone to talk to, no matter what you think DO NOT struggle alone, please reach out.
I had a black dog, his name was depression
At its worst, depression can be a frightening, debilitating condition. Millions of people around the world live with depression. Many of these individuals and their families are afraid to talk about their struggles, and don’t know where to turn for help. However, depression is largely preventable and treatable. Recognizing depression and seeking help is the first and most critical towards recovery.
Within Gridiron West we have volunteers who are trained in mental first aid and are always happy to talk and offer support, no matter what time of day, during the season or out of season someone from Gridiron West is always available to help.
You are family and nothing means more to us than listening and helping you through any struggles you may have now or in the future. All sessions are completely confidential and remember we are here to help you if needed, you can find the details of our volunteers by clicking the link below. | sociology |
https://slickmobiles.co.uk/?p=715 | 2021-08-05T04:56:17 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2021-31/segments/1627046155322.12/warc/CC-MAIN-20210805032134-20210805062134-00619.warc.gz | 0.9719 | 300 | CC-MAIN-2021-31 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2021-31__0__266600574 | en | Concerns about slow and unreliable broadband are preventing many Brits from moving to the countryside, research has shown.
Many British people are put off moving to rural areas because of concerns about poor broadband services, research has revealed.
In a survey by Opinium, commissioned by uSwitch.com, 17 per cent of respondents – the equivalent of nine million people – said the fear of being cut off by inadequate broadband would prevent them from moving to the countryside.
Sub-standard internet connections and phone reception were cited as major disadvantages to living in rural locations, with only poor transport links emerging as a bigger issue.
The research revealed that nearly four out of ten rural residents (38 per cent) currently struggle with a slow or unreliable connection, despite Ofcom's claims that 93 per cent of the country can now access superfast broadband services.
Mobile phone services are similarly problematic, with a third (34 per cent) of people who live in the countryside saying their calls often cut out, and a quarter (25 per cent) unable to make calls at all.
One in ten residents of rural areas said they would have thought twice about moving to their current location if they had known about poor connectivity beforehand.
Ernest Doku, Broadband and Mobiles Expert at uSwitch.com, said it is "ludicrous" that people still have to consider the quality of internet and phone signal when deciding where they want to live in the UK.
Credits | USwitch | sociology |
https://irishwhitetail.ie/The-story-of-the-Irish-and-Whitetails.php | 2019-07-23T05:56:06 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2019-30/segments/1563195528869.90/warc/CC-MAIN-20190723043719-20190723065719-00263.warc.gz | 0.983572 | 592 | CC-MAIN-2019-30 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2019-30__0__55638543 | en | The story of the Irish and Whitetails
Prior to and during the great famine, thousands of rural Irish were forcibly removed from their lands by landlords that wanted to charge higher rents on an already poor population on the verge of starvation.
For our ancestors, they were removed from their homes on Árainn Mhór Island and forced to walk to ships in Derry and Donegal that would take them to a strange new land in North America. From there they would be brought to locations in Canada and America by coffin ships to begin a new life for themselves and their families. They eventually made it to a small island in the middle of Lake Michigan called Beaver Island, a small place that reminded them of home. With many speaking little or no English, these Irish communities were at the core of their new lives in a strange land.
As the emigrants followed work westward, they settled in the mining towns, logging camps, or fishing villages north of the Island in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. This presented these families with new challenges that they never faced before. One of these challenges was the harsh North American winters. Faced with the inability to farm the lands as they had before, survival meant finding new sources of food. One of the most common food sources in the Great Lakes region was the whitetail deer.
Communities and friends banded together to build cabins in the woods to facilitate this search for food. These "camps" became family were memories and stories were shared. These camps also became a place to share and consume their favorite drinks to keep them warm during the cold winter months. Whiskey, Beer, and music, helped develop the culture that would blend their old world with their new. Making the Upper Peninsula their new home, but never leaving Ireland far from mind.
Ireland has a call that beckons all of her sons and daughters to return home. Much like the call of the loons in their new home, this call could be heard everywhere they traveled. The sounds of the loon drifted over the lakes and lands in a way the pipes flowed over the mountains and bogs. Always reminding those who left of their desire to return.
Unfortunately, very few ever had the means or opportunity to return home. Irish Whitetail is in honour of them, those who went before us and forged a life that we would not be able to enjoy without their sacrifices. From enduring hardships, unsafe working conditions, and war torn battlefields; these are the individuals who gave us this great time to live in. Every bottle of Irish Whitetail is made with friends and family in mind, sharing in all of life's special moments.
So pick up a glass, have a toast to our past, and share a dram with those closest to you. For you never know how long we have together, but we will always have the memories we share together.
© Copyright Irish Whitetail | sociology |
https://www.unblu.com/en/blog/transforming-culture-what-does-digital-culture-look-like/ | 2024-04-13T08:39:14 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2024-18/segments/1712296816587.89/warc/CC-MAIN-20240413083102-20240413113102-00587.warc.gz | 0.944347 | 751 | CC-MAIN-2024-18 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2024-18__0__362630 | en | Being a digital organization means more than having digital products, services and customer interactions. It means that core operations are now being run by technology, which means the job descriptions for employees also have to radically change. It also means they also have to change their behavior. Otherwise what’s the point of having flexible, fast and helpful technology if employees can’t embody the same behaviour? If digital transformation is going to succeed, it has to be a cultural transformation. And that requires changes in leadership style, in the roles of employees, and in behaviour. So how does a digital culture act and behave?
A digital culture starts at the top, with executives who are proactive and rigorous about shaping culture. In a recent McKinsey digital survey on culture, respondents identified three cultural intervention points—risk aversion, customer focus, and silos. Most cultures are inherently risk-averse, but in today’s climate, taking a risk is often the most direct path to innovation. For instance, executives have to continually ask themselves whether they are trusting their employees at all levels to make decisions that aren’t bogged down by reporting structures or red tape. With a laser focus on these three issues, leaders can get on the road to cultural transformation.
A digital culture empowers employees to deliver results faster. Digital organizations move faster than traditional ones, and their flatter hierarchy helps speed up decision-making. In traditional organizations, bank employees can be stuck in traditional ways of working that are incompatible with front-facing technology – things like working around legacy systems, reporting structures from decades ago or dealing with siloed data. Meanwhile customers can carry out tasks quickly and efficiently on the front end. Staff need to be as agile as customers are, and that requires new behaviours. For starters, employees need the latitude and autonomy to make decisions that are in the customer’s best interests. In turn, senior management must empower staff with their trust to carry out these decisions. It’s a risk worth taking – because moving faster gets you one step closer to being one step ahead of the customer, anticipating their needs before they are aware of them.
A digital culture develops teams that are autonomous and self-managing. One aspect of a siloed organization is the tendency to have a siloed approach to accountability. When it comes to cultural norms, this can translate into a “that’s not my problem” approach to work. To counteract this mentality, organizations can develop cross-functional teams who collaborate together to solve problems. Bringing together a mix of employees from diverse backgrounds, such as marketers, engineers, product develops and commercial specialists, provides greater flexibility for making decisions and driving value. A shared view of the customer and a common definition of success can bind these teams together
Culture is a key determinant of successful digital transformation. Banks can’t afford to adopt the latest in digital technology tools without changing the way they think of themselves and their place in customers lives. Digital transformation is not about applying technology. It’s about changing mindsets and transforming the culture, the structure and the organization, from the inside out. Without a change in the way people work and behave, technology is likely to fall flat. Banks have to embrace digital cultural characteristics, such as customer centricity, responsiveness and transparency and embed them within all their processes.
It takes time to develop a digital culture. Organizations need to build and foster a culture and community where people are encouraged to share experiences, to test new ideas, and to collaborate. The sooner banks embrace this shift in cultural thinking, the sooner they will be able to compete in today’s digitized, multichannel world. | sociology |
https://thewaitingroom.karger.com/interviews/rare-disease-day-2023-an-interview-with-lisa-sarfaty-national-organization-for-rare-disorders/ | 2024-03-03T22:37:00 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2024-10/segments/1707947476399.55/warc/CC-MAIN-20240303210414-20240304000414-00893.warc.gz | 0.974475 | 5,302 | CC-MAIN-2024-10 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2024-10__0__79650385 | en | For this episode of Karger’s The Waiting Room Podcast on Rare Disease Day 2023, which is held on February 28, we spoke with Lisa Sarfaty from the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD). Lisa currently serves as the Vice President of Community Engagement, and particularly focuses on advocacy, education, and capacity building.
While addressing the 40th anniversary of the Orphan Drug Act (ODA) and of the foundation of NORD as an organization, we specifically tried to answer the question: “What does equity mean for people living with a rare disease?” We also looked at what should be done to actually achieve this equity in education, the workplace, and everyday life. Last but not least, we had a closer look at NORD’s plans for Rare Disease Day 2023.
Note: The statements and opinions contained in this podcast are solely those of the speaker.
To access further The Waiting Room Podcast episodes and/or subscribe to the podcast channel, visit The Waiting Room Podcast landing page.
First of all, please tell us a bit about yourself and your work at NORD.
Thank you for having me. I am the Vice president of Community Engagement for NORD. I have been with the organization for 11 years now, which is amazing. In my role at NORD I have the privilege and honor of working directly with our community of volunteers and advocates and donors and patient organization leaders who are all working together to make positive change for the rare disease community. And I’ve been really honored to work on campaigns like Rare Disease Day, among others.
Now, before we come to the actual topic of equity, the Orphan Drug Act (ODA) turns 40 this year. And as the ODA also led to the formation of NORD as a result, with the two being closely intertwined, I’d be interested to hear your take on the ODA and what happened in these past 40 years to both NORD and the ODA.
Back in 1983, for context, there were fewer than 40 treatments available for rare disease patients and families, and there were a group of parents and patient advocates who were struggling to access the treatments that they needed for their children and for their loved ones. At the same time, there was recognition on Capitol Hill that there was this orphan drug problem. And so in the eighties, early eighties, it took a group of parents and patients and advocates forming a coalition. And that coalition advocated for the passage of the Orphan Drug Act, which was a piece of legislation, the first of its kind, really groundbreaking, that provided incentive for companies to develop treatments for rare diseases. And previously those incentives did not exist.
And so by virtue of the Orphan Drug Act getting passed, it was able to spur innovation and research into rare diseases that previously would have been orphaned by the medical and research community. And so that same group of parent advocates, led by Abbey Meyers, NORD president and founder for 25 years, realized that their work wasn’t done when the Orphan Drug Act was passed and that they were able to achieve such a monumental thing when they worked together and they united their voices. And so they decided to formalize the coalition into an organization that they called the National Organization for Rare Disorders. And that really paved the way and started the rare disease advocacy movement, both in the US and globally.
And the last 40 years of progress have been undeniable. When we look at the Orphan Drug Act as the example and it turning 40 this year along with NORD celebrating its 40th anniversary of an organization, we now have over 500 treatments for rare diseases in comparison to the fewer than 40 40 years ago. And so the Orphan Drug Act, in the work of the Rare Disease community, has been really instrumental in ensuring that we have greater opportunities for treatment, potential cures and just a recognition for rare diseases and the challenges the families face.
Many thanks for this overview, Lisa. So, what does equity mean for people living with a rare disease?
Equity in the context of rare disease would mean that patients and families affected by rare diseases would have fair opportunity to achieve their best health and well-being, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual identity, where they live, what disease they have. And today, unfortunately, we just don’t have health equity yet for rare diseases, and there are more than 7,000 of them affecting more than 25 million Americans who need health equity to be part of the conversation.
And so taking that a step further, I think some of the greatest barriers to health equity for rare disease patients and families are things like access to an accurate diagnosis, a timely diagnosis. I think it’s accessing medical experts that know how to diagnose and treat their condition that they can access locally, that don’t require high out-of-pocket costs to travel out of state for that care. In addition to them being able to fully participate in society. So, by virtue of it being health and well-being, that they can attend school, that they can go to work, that they have equal opportunity to be full participants in society and that they are not left behind.
You just mentioned the issue of barriers. Could you please provide us with a couple of more examples? Which barriers where disease patients may encounter?
I’m happy to, yeah. The number one barrier that we talk about is the diagnostic odyssey, and we call it an odyssey for a reason. The average, you know, for rare disease patients and families is that it can take 5 to 6 years to get a diagnosis, which means for some it’s greater than 5 to 6 years. And this is a long and arduous journey that can take more than 12 specialists and dozens of tests and out-of-pocket costs to hopefully receive an accurate diagnosis. Once the family gets that diagnosis, the second barrier that they face is whether or not there will be an approved treatment. So, while we celebrate the success of the Orphan Drug Act and the fact that we now have over 500 treatments for rare diseases, the unfortunate reality is that only 10% or less of rare diseases have an approved treatment. So, the chances of there being an approved treatment once you get a diagnosis are fairly low.
And so for a parent or a caregiver or a person being diagnosed with a rare disease, the obstacles just keep mounting at that point, because now you are dealing with: “How am I going to treat my disease? How am I going to slow the progression of this disease? Who can help me? Is there anyone out there that, any clinicians, any experts that know about this disease?” There may be barriers in support because there might not be a patient support group yet for that disease. And I think that patient support groups play a huge role in a person’s ability to achieve their best health and well-being. Being able to connect with other families who have gone through the same disease or condition and understand what you’re going through, looking to these organizations who know where the research is happening, they know where the experts are located. They’re working on education. So, that can be a huge barrier for patients and their families.
And then I think we can’t talk about barriers without talking about the financial burden that often comes along with a rare disease diagnosis. The NIH (National Institutes of Health) did a study and they recently published a statistic that said that rare disease patients and families see costs that are 3 to 5 times that of someone without a rare disease. And we know that these costs include things that are not covered by their insurance, things that they have to pay for out of pocket, the cost of treatment when there is a treatment for their condition, the cost of care.
And so for many families, this results in them having to make very difficult decisions and choices about affording their medical care and treatment or being able to stay in the workforce and have two incomes coming in or one income or having to be a full-time caregiver, and full-time caregiving really is a full-time unpaid role. It’s more than 40 to 45 hours a week for most caregivers, and that creates its own barriers to their health and ability to take care of themselves when they’re caring for their loved ones. And so, those are just some examples of the barriers that these families are facing, these individuals are facing, but it doesn’t stop there, certainly.
Let us take a closer look at two particular aspects of equity, namely in the field of treatment and diagnosis, as well as the area of work and education. What are your thoughts on this?
When I first started in rare diseases 11 years ago, I heard the term “zebra” and I didn’t know what it meant, and what I quickly learned was that when it came to rare diseases, oftentimes in medical school, doctors are taught “When you hear hoofbeats think horses, not zebras”, with the intention of “It’s most likely something common, and not uncommon, for your patients”. And the challenge with that is that we do have more than 25 million Americans and more than 300 million people worldwide living with rare diseases. And when you don’t suspect something to be rare, it’s going to continue to go undiagnosed.
NORD and the rest of community have been working really hard to address the diagnostic odyssey and really address the fact that rare diseases do occur. They are present. You will come across them in your medical practice, in your life. The statistic is that it’s one in ten Americans that have a rare disease. So, it’s really, while individually a rare disease affects fewer than 200,000 people, which is what makes it rare, collectively rare diseases actually aren’t that rare when you compare them to more chronic conditions like asthma or COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) or cancer.
And so I think when we talk about the diagnostic odyssey and health equity, I think one of the number one things that we need to do is to continue to educate and create awareness for rare diseases, help clinicians to access diagnostic tools and resources to help more quickly get to an accurate diagnosis. We need to reduce the burdens and barriers placed on patients to be able to access appropriate care. That’s something that NORD is doing through our rare Disease Centers of Excellence, where we have over 30 academic medical centers around the country who are equipped and ready to help diagnose and treat rare disease patients to improve their care. And then I think we also need to continue to help patients and families to know where to turn to so that if they suspect they have a rare disease, that they have opportunities to continue to pursue that on their own.
And I think an example, an easy example of that is when you are struggling with a rare disease and you suspect that you have one, oftentimes you’re not given the language to know where to go to look for answers. And so your physician isn’t telling you “You have an undiagnosed condition” where you can then type in “undiagnosed” into your search engine and then come up with all of these resources and support. So, oftentimes families are then having to go on the internet and just type in symptoms and try through symptom searches to figure out what they might have. And so I think making information more readily available to both the medical community and to society to help with that education and awareness is key.
And as to the second part of the question, what about the area of work?
So, we’ve done surveys over time, and we know that one of the challenges that our committee is facing is the ability to have accommodations in work and in school so that they can participate. And I think for a rare disease patient or caregiver, that may look different depending on their disease. And so everyone’s journey is unique, their needs are unique, their accommodations are unique. But I think right now society isn’t really set up to accommodate rare disease patients and caregivers in school and in the workforce.
Many conditions require medical attention throughout the day. They might have sensory challenges. They may require advanced opportunities for absorbing what they’re going to be doing throughout the day. They might need accommodations if they have conditions like narcolepsy, which is something that I’m familiar with through my own family, where, you know, a 9-to-5 work combination doesn’t actually work for them. And it doesn’t mean that they don’t have the skills or the ability to contribute to an organization, to a company, to their mission, and contribute their expertise. It just means that they might have to do it on a different schedule. They might need different accommodations so that they can maintain their health and well-being while also being a participant.
And so I think from a workforce and an education perspective, again, it goes back to awareness. You know, what are the unique needs and how do we meet every individual with a rare disease where they are so that we can address and accommodate them to do so, to be, you know, in school with their peers and in workforce that they want to with their peers. And I think right now it’s just very limited. And I think that’s again why we often see children with rare diseases homeschool. We see parents becoming full-time caregivers. And these are high burdens that are placed on these families. And it affects not just the patient with the disease or their parents, but it also affects their siblings and extended families.
And this brings me to my next question. And to be honest, you’ve kind of touched on it in one of your previous answers already. However, maybe you’d like to add a couple of more sentences on the subject. That is, what does equity mean when focusing on the families as well as friends of those living with a rare disease?
Well, I think there’s never a shortage of things to say, right, when we talk about equity and what the needs are. But, you know, I look at it in a few ways. So, when we look at caregivers, for example, there are very few resources to support caregivers in their caregiving roles. And so I think as a society, as a community, we need to look at how we can better support caregivers in their ability to do what they need to ask caregivers, but then also to take care of themselves as individuals.
And so an example of that is, within the last few years, NORD launched a caregiver respite program, and this is the first of its kind where we’re helping families to be able to take time off from doing caregiving to get the rest that they need. And so we give out stipends and this money can be used to pay for an in-home nurse to come and watch your child, your loved one, while you go do something that you need to just take a break from caregiving or get the support that you need, in-home or out of the home or whatever it might be, but just something to give caregivers that respite that they’re desperately looking for.
I also look at it in terms of the families, and as I mentioned, when a person is diagnosed with a rare disease, it’s not just that person that gets the diagnosis, it’s the entire family that receives that diagnosis and whose lives are now affected by the diagnosis. And so often the voices that are unheard are those of siblings who are also caring and supporting their family member, their brother or sister that has a rare disease, and also trying to participate in society, who are also trying to go to school and live normal “lives”. And they’re challenged by that. There is a lot that they are dealing with at a young age, conversations that they may be a part of the kids their age, other siblings their age wouldn’t necessarily be dealing with when it comes to these life-threatening, life-altering conditions.
And there are disruptions for them, disruptions in school, disruptions in their ability to do things outside of school with their peers. And so I think as a society, looking at these challenges, looking at the whole person and the whole family and understanding what their holistic needs are, those holistic access barriers and challenges and the burdens, and really starting to look at both systemic solutions and long-term sustainable solutions, but then also community-based solutions. So what can we do to help alleviate those burdens for our friends, for our families, for our neighbors, for our community members, so that they can again live their best health and well-being, which I keep coming back to because it’s NORD’s mission. But I think it’s also so germane to the health equity conversation.
I’d like to come back to one of your previous answers, where you addressed the barriers, the obstacles, and even the burden that rare disease patients encounter, which really do stigmatization and even discrimination play, and how can these be avoided in order to achieve social inclusion and equity?
So, in the context of rare disease, you know, we often hear that people face discrimination and stigmatization. Again in their workforce, in school, but then also just generally in their interpersonal relationships. And so what that looks like is, again, then feeling like they’re not seen, they’re not heard, they’re not worthy of medical care, appropriate, I should say, medical care that when they go into these health care settings, no one understands what they have. They don’t know about this disease. Sometimes they walk into these settings and they’re told: “You’re making it up. It’s all in your head. You don’t have a rare disease.” But, you know, they know their body. They know their health. They know what they’re feeling and what changes they’re experiencing. And so there’s a lack of validation and recognition which creates further isolation.
And I think that’s one of the things that so often families express they feel is being very isolated and they’re on an island by themselves and they’ve never met anyone else who has this disease. And maybe they’ve never met anyone who has a rare disease and understands generally what they’re going through. And they don’t have the ability to get the support that they need and the validation that they need that: “Yes, you might have a rare disease, and here’s, you know, the person or the group that is going to help you.” And I think having that support system that says “We recognize you, we see you, we hear you, and we’re going to help you figure out what you have” is so instrumental to removing stigma in health care.
I also think that, going back to accommodations and the barriers that people face, when we don’t create these accommodations, when we don’t look at the holistic needs and meet people where they are, it makes it incredibly difficult to move past the stigmatization because again, it goes back to: “Am I, how do you perceive me? How do you perceive me having a rare disease? How should I participate in society? And you know, what can I do?” But I think it doesn’t, it’s more than the individual.
I think, again, it takes a collective to come together to say: “We’re going to be informed, we are going to be educated, we’re going to help understand the plight of someone living with the disease and the challenges. And we’re going to support them with what they need and again, meet them where they are with their unique needs and challenges and figure out how we can help them to participate again fully in society.” And so, I think, one of the greatest things that we can do, again, just really comes back down to awareness and education.
And once you’re informed, once you’re educated, you are compelled to want to help, you are compelled to want to look at your loved ones and look at those within your community and say: “How can I be of service? How can I support the rare disease community for you in your journey?” I think it’s impossible. And I say that as someone who got, 11 years ago, pulled into this community and has not left for that reason. It is hard, once you are aware, to not want to do something. And I think that’s why things, you know, campaigns like Rare Disease Day are so important because they create that greater awareness, that understanding that then leads to collective action and support.
Speaking of which, and that brings me to my last question of this interview: What are your plans for Rare Disease Day 2023 and what are NORD’s plans for the awareness Day in terms of showing your stripes and lighting up for rare and showing your colors?
For those who don’t know, Rare Disease Day is an annual awareness campaign to bring attention to the unique needs and challenges of the rare disease community. This is a global campaign. So, it was started in Europe by Rare Diseases Europe, or EURORDIS, and then brought to the US the following year. And now there are more than 75 countries that participate in Rare Disease Day, and NORD is the US sponsor. So, we help to lead the campaign in the US with our community and our stakeholders. And there are a few key activities that we work on each year.
So, the first is the global chain of lights, which was started in Europe. And in essence, what we ask is that communities help us to light up for rare disease. And so what that looks like is having major monuments or buildings and bridges and just individual home and businesses locally to light up in the rare disease colors and help us to create visual recognition and celebration for rare diseases, which we have seen in other health campaigns that that really is impactful and that lighting up for rare is growing here. Here in the US, we’ve had the Empire State Building, as an example, participate, which, you know, there are over 8 million people living in New York City and millions more visiting daily. And so I think that’s something that’s been really great to see.
I also think one of the main calls to action and an opportunity is storytelling. So, we are looking for patients and caregivers and families and friends to share their stories of rare diseases and help us to amplify them. The more that we can put out into the world – information, education, awareness about these diseases and how they affect families and individuals –, the greater awareness that will be created that can then lead to bigger conversations about what resources are needed, what we can do to improve their experience, their lived experience with these conditions.
And so storytelling is really important, and I think, added on to that, is the Show Your Stripes campaign. And so, similar to the lighting up for rare, we are still trying to create a very visible recognition of this day, of this awareness campaign. And, in the US, we started the Show Your Stripes campaign, which again, going back to the zebra being the mascot, we are a herd of zebras who want to be seen. And so the call to the community and its supporters is to wear stripes on Rare Disease Day, on February 28th, and help us to start a conversation.
And we’ve seen that in different settings. For example, hospitals, when there are, you know, 25 or more employees wearing stripes all on the same day. It’s a conversation starter! “Why is everyone wearing stripes?” And it opens the door to a conversation to say: “Well, let me tell you about Rare Disease Day. Let me tell you about rare diseases.” And that really helps us to foster that dialog that then brings people back in to be part of the community, of the support system that we are creating.
And beyond that, there are events happening throughout January, February and March. So these events can be local events that we host with our volunteers. They can, you know, we have events that are legislative, so they’re being hosted on at State Capitol to help raise awareness of diseases among our policymakers. There are events that are happening on university campuses to help raise awareness among future doctors and future health care professionals about rare diseases, and then also community events like community fairs that work to bring information to families locally in a more accessible way.
So, really looking at what resources and services exist in our state to support those living with rare disease and building and fostering that community locally, that they can stay connected year round. And so I really encourage those who want to get involved in Rare Disease Day to go to the US website to learn more about what events are happening near you or ways for you to get involved and help show your support for the rare disease community.
Lisa, many thanks for your time and for the interview. | sociology |
http://econ.korea.ac.kr/econ/?p=68399 | 2023-03-26T15:33:24 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-14/segments/1679296945473.69/warc/CC-MAIN-20230326142035-20230326172035-00151.warc.gz | 0.8516 | 435 | CC-MAIN-2023-14 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2023-14__0__218384411 | en | The Ministry of National Development Planning (Bappenas) in collaboration with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and the United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO) in Indonesia would like to cordially invite you to participate in the national workshop on “Building forward better: Securing inclusive, resilient and green development in Indonesia”, to be held virtually on Monday, 7th March 2022 during 15.00-17.00 hours, Jakarta time.
This national workshop aims to discuss ideas on public policy options that help make Indonesia more socially inclusive, resilient to future shocks and ecologically sustainable. The discussion will focus on key policy areas such as Indonesia’s medium-term development opportunities and challenges, recent policy initiatives to promote green development, and the socio-economic and environmental implications of greener development.
The target participants are government officials and representatives of national think-tanks, academic institutions, non-governmental organizations and international development partners. The workshop will be conducted in English with simultaneous interpretation via Zoom.
Kindly note that all participants are required to register online by Wednesday, 2nd March 2022 at https://forms.office.com/r/d1FQdpSYWp. The workshop website https://unescap.org/events/2022/national-workshop-indonesia-building-forward-better provides details on the concept note, programme and other workshop materials.
We look forward to your active participation at the event. For any enquiries about this workshop, please contact Mr. Vatcharin Sirimaneetham, ESCAP ([email protected]); Ms. Diandra Pratami, RCO ([email protected]); or Ms. Rufita Sri Hasanah, Bappenas ([email protected]).
The Ministry of National Development Planning
The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific
The United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office in Indonesia | sociology |
http://footballconsultantscout.blogspot.com/ | 2017-10-23T09:38:48 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2017-43/segments/1508187825889.47/warc/CC-MAIN-20171023092524-20171023112524-00439.warc.gz | 0.914795 | 233 | CC-MAIN-2017-43 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2017-43__0__50117740 | en | Oshoala told Completesportsnigeria.com in Lagos that the five day clinic will help empower the girl child in the society and develop the game of Women’s Football in Lagos, Nigeria.
“I will be taking the MVP at the clinic to either the United Kingdom or China to study and also play football,”
“This project is my little way of giving back to the society and also part of my foundation programme to develop Women’s football in Lagos, Nigeria.
Oshoala also appealed for support from Lagos State government in her quest to run the project smoothly..
Oshoala’s five day education and football clinic is endosed by the Lagos State Sports Commission, the Lagos state Football Association and also supported by the office of the First Lady of Lagos State, Mrs Bolanle Ambode.
Also,three Super Eagles stars Vincent Enyeama, Obafemi Martins and Odion Ighalo have confirmed their participation at the maiden edition of the Asisat Oshoala Lagos Secondary School Girls Football clinic. | sociology |
https://www.wmbnow.org/programs-service | 2023-11-30T06:38:47 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-50/segments/1700679100172.28/warc/CC-MAIN-20231130062948-20231130092948-00887.warc.gz | 0.972644 | 551 | CC-MAIN-2023-50 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2023-50__0__128889335 | en | PROGRAMS & SERVICES
The WMB NOW programs and services are offered and were started with the thought that confident, prepared children should be the norm and the lack of financial resources and/or a diagnosis or difference should not be a barrier. The end goal of the WMB NOW programs and services are to provide an equal playing field for all children, regardless of a diagnosis or an economically disadvantaged situation, and instill the WILL to win, MOTIVATION to see all of life's projects through, and the BELIEF in ones self.
AFTER- SCHOOL CARE
The WMB NOW after-school care program provides children ages
3-15 to enjoy a wide range of activities, organized games, daily homework monitoring and help, and supervised computer use.
TUTORING & HARDSHIP PROGRAM
When a child has the burning desire to learn & achieve without the resources to do so; this is where we step in. Tutoring, purchasing laptops for education, travel assistance for competition, these are just the beginning of it all.
While working with the children in our programs, we noticed that many problems arising in the family structure would overlap into other areas in the child's life; both in school and in everyday interactions with their friends. WMB Foundation is committed to helping families work through conflicts by encouraging open and honest communication between the parents and children. Sessions are led by a specialist and are meant to enhance the family dynamic.
FIREARMS SAFETY COURSE
During our family initiative projects, we saw a need for firearm safety and education courses to strengthen the knowledge, skills, and most importantly, the attitude of the families we serve who are also firearm owners. The goal of the program is to research and enhance firearms safety and preserve firearm education through free classes for families and communities under our programs and beyond. Better education and safer practices will help to maintain the trend of decreasing accidents as it pertains the children and their families
Heartfelt team member thoughts ~
The mother who works late and works hard to make ends meet but cannot afford an after school care program, the child born addicted to meth that has bounced around from house to house, the teenager that feels defeated after losing both parents to incarceration by age 13, the juvenile that has homework daily online but has no computer at home to get online, the child with ADD, ADHD, or AUTISM that have heard all their lives that they are different and can't learn; This is why I love this place and love doing what we are doing. We actually change lives, thought processes, and the outcomes to many who thought their destiny was to fail. WE ARE WILL, WE ARE MOTIVATION, WE ARE BELIEF. | sociology |
http://mobileufabet.biz/the-risks-of-oversharing-your-kidss-lives-on-social-media-2-key-dangers/ | 2024-04-13T12:40:32 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2024-18/segments/1712296816734.69/warc/CC-MAIN-20240413114018-20240413144018-00566.warc.gz | 0.935449 | 917 | CC-MAIN-2024-18 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2024-18__0__77267637 | en | Scientists have been inspecting the influence of social media on our society, notably its results on weak kids and adolescents. A important evaluation revealed within the Worldwide Journal of Environmental Analysis and Public Well being in 2022 consolidated findings from over 68 research on social media use in kids and adolescents, revealing a spread of dangers. Listed below are some notable points related to unregulated social media use throughout childhood and adolescence:
- Weight loss program-related issues
- Psychological points
- Sleep disturbances
- Decreased bodily exercise
- On-line grooming/predators
Clearly, social media can have destructive penalties for youngsters, particularly if they can not use it responsibly. However what occurs when the choice to be on social media is just not theirs? May “sharenting,” the act of oldsters sharing extreme private details about their kids on-line, result in comparable destructive results? And the way does this observe influence our kids’s privateness and id?
Sadly, the information is just not promising on each the id and psychological well being fronts.
In keeping with a 2018 report by Barclays, sharenting by millennial dad and mom might end in id fraud that prices practically $900 million yearly by 2030. Dad and mom who share their kids’s lives on-line usually fall right into a false sense of safety, presumably because of the widespread use of social media.
This false sense of safety, mixed with the will to showcase their kids, can unknowingly expose numerous essential particulars about their kids, which might be exploited by fraudsters to steal their identities. Some seemingly harmless particulars embrace:
- Full names
- Dates of delivery
- Dwelling addresses
- Names of faculties
- Names of pets
Apart from the dangers of id theft, sharenting additionally has two destructive psychological well being penalties for youngsters.
#1. Sharenting can pressure the parent-child relationship
A 2019 research revealed within the journal Kids and Youth Providers Overview discovered that adolescents largely disapprove of sharenting, particularly once they understand the parental motives behind it as makes an attempt to handle impressions. The most typical response amongst adolescents in direction of sharenting was that it’s “embarrassing and ineffective,” besides when the motive was info archiving.
Previous analysis has emphasised the importance of an individual’s relationship with their dad and mom (and parenting model) when it comes to general well-being. Therefore, it’s essential to make sure that kids will not be exploited and have a say in how they’re represented on-line.
Dad and mom needs to be aware of their motives when partaking in sharenting. As a substitute of prioritizing self-promotion or in search of validation via their kids’s lives, dad and mom ought to prioritize their kids’s well-being and privateness. Open and trustworthy communication about on-line sharing, acquiring consent, and respecting kids’s boundaries can foster more healthy digital practices and preserve a optimistic parent-child relationship.
#2. Sharenting can contribute to unhealthy comparability and insecurity amongst kids
Social comparability is a well known consequence of adolescent social media use. As an illustration, a research revealed in The Journal of Psychology in 2022 discovered that adolescents who intensively use Instagram have a tendency to interact in unhealthy comparisons with their friends, which might affect their vulnerability to destructive feelings.
With sharenting, despite the fact that kids might circuitously take part in scripting and strategizing their social media presence, the consequences of social comparability can nonetheless manifest. This will happen in a number of methods:
- Dad and mom might exert extreme stress on their kids in pursuit of extra likes or shares.
- Kids might internalize the stress to carry out and consistently search validation via social media metrics, negatively impacting their vanity and self-worth.
- Comparisons with the lives of different sharented kids can result in emotions of inadequacy and a distorted sense of self, as kids understand themselves as falling brief in comparison with their on-line friends.
By being conscious of the potential penalties and staying knowledgeable by analysis and knowledgeable insights, millennial dad and mom can navigate accountable boundaries in sharenting. Allow us to attempt for a digital panorama that respects our kids’s privateness, safeguards their well-being, and permits them to thrive in a linked world. | sociology |
https://mayfieldheightsohio.gov/236/Social-Work-Outreach | 2023-12-05T09:43:39 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-50/segments/1700679100550.40/warc/CC-MAIN-20231205073336-20231205103336-00188.warc.gz | 0.845895 | 284 | CC-MAIN-2023-50 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2023-50__0__238793264 | en | CPA Social Workers assist residents with the goal of independent, community living through social work interviews, assessment, intervention, and referral. Social Workers will meet with you and/or your family to come up with a plan to help you maintain your independence and stay in your home as long as possible. All services are provided without regard to race, ethnicity, disability, veteran status, gender, sexual orientation, religion, or political affiliation.
Community Resource Assistance
CPA Social Workers can assist residents with the following:
Homestead Exceptions (taxes | water)
Advanced Directives Form Assistance
Long Term Care
DSAS Transportation Funding
RTA Paratransit Referral
Supplement Nutrition Assistance Program
Home Energy Assistance Program
Resident Grant Applications
Community and CPA Service Registration
CPA Social Workers can register residents for the following:
Safe At Home
Meals on Wheels
Case management, in-home assistance, personal care, housekeeping and hoarding, home modifications, elder fraud, elder justice, financial assistance, legal aid, insurance questions, volunteer referrals, hospital social work and home health, physical therapy rehabilitation, Adult Protective Service, Mobile Crisis, Veteran's Assistance.
Contact Social Workers at 440.442.2626 ext. 244
Please note: For a list of snow plow and landscaper contractors, please contact the Building Department at 440-442-2107. | sociology |
http://www.loieberle.com/articles/fostering-compassion-in-the-culture-of-mean | 2017-08-18T20:11:16 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2017-34/segments/1502886105108.31/warc/CC-MAIN-20170818194744-20170818214744-00598.warc.gz | 0.960621 | 2,889 | CC-MAIN-2017-34 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2017-34__0__124397953 | en | Fostering Compassion in the Culture of Mean
by Loi Eberle, MA, CC
November 22, 2010
I was saddened by the recent headline: “1 Ohio school, 4 bullied teens dead by own hand”. Students quoted in that Yahoo Daily News article insisted that the suicides were not due to the particular school, rather, were the fault of the “culture of conformity…If you’re not an athlete or cheerleader, you’re not cool. And if you’re not cool, you’re a prime target for the bullies.”
Unfortunately we all have seen too many similar accounts lately. Barbara Coloroso, a national anti-bullying expert, says the school is allowing a “culture of mean” to thrive, and school officials should be held responsible for the suicides — along with the bullies. “Bullying doesn’t start as criminal. They need to be held accountable the very first time they call somebody a gross term,” Coloroso says. “That is the beginning of dehumanization.”
Recently I heard nationally recognized author and educator, Dr. Michele Borba, speak about how to turn cruelty into compassion. Often I reflect on memories of the pain of childhood years and the concerns of parents, and wonder, “why people can’t be nice”?! Dr. Borba described research showing that the potential for violence goes down when empathy is up. She also discussed the recent research showing that as babies we are hardwired to be empathic. [Read further at www. Micheleborba.com.]
Fostering compassion, or empathy, is encouraged by virtually all spiritual traditions. “Recognition of the unique value of every living being… reverence for life, compassion for all, sympathy with the need of all individual to find truth for themselves, and respect for all
religious traditions” is a fundamental proposition of the Theosophical Society. Pema Chodron, Buddhist author and teacher, describes the kinship with the suffering of others that emerges from the discovery of our own soft spot, our noble or awakened heart, which is said to be present in all beings. She writes “Just as butter is inherent in milk and oil is inherent in a sesame seed, this soft spot is inherent in you and me…”
Yet, despite the hardwiring for empathy with which we were born, increasingly there have been waves of violence among our youth. Even more disturbing is the current form of electronically induced bully-cide, which has resulted in far too many suicides.
Most everyone is “plugged in” to some degree; many youth are plugged in over 7 hours a day. The result is a tremendous lack of face to face contact, what Dr. Borba calls a “heart deactivator,” a prevalence of “ME, ME, rather than WE.” How, then, can we move toward a positive culture of WE? Certainly a large portion of our culture shares a pervasive electronic connection, which need not be considered all bad. Many spiritual traditions teach that joy is found by recognizing our inter-connection. Really, the question is, ‘how is this electronic connection being used, and what is the consciousness that’s driving it?’
Jane McGonigal of The Institute for the Future presents on www.ted.com some ways the highly popular computer games like World of Warcraft give players the means to save worlds, and incentive to learn the habits of heroes. She asks what if we could harness this gamer power to solve real-world problems, and points out the problem that most gamers feel they aren’t as good at reality as they are at games. Her research shows that gamers collectively spent the equivalent of 5.93 million years gaming, which is actually at the magnitude of human evolution. She reports that on average gamers have spent 10,000 hours by the age of 21 playing games. This is the amount of time the research described in Malcolm Gladwell’s book, Outliers says is required to reach virtuoso status, in any area. McGonigal has concluded that gaming among our plugged-in youth is so prevalent because it creates urgent optimism, a fabric of trust and stronger social relationships. Gamers are willing to work hard to solve problems. Gamers are super-empowered individuals. What is disturbing is her conclusion that gamers can have stronger relationships online than in real worlds. Recognizing that computer games are a powerful platform for change, the Center for the Future is attempting to apply gaming technology to solve real problems.
And yet, what are most people plugged into? There are not many examples of altruistic behavior in our lives; mostly what we are exposed to is a culture of cruelty, which interferes with our ability to develop empathy. On October 14, 2010 His Holiness the Dalai Lama spoke to the community of scholars at Stanford University, at their request. He affirmed that we are all human beings who have the right to achieve a happy life. Emphasizing that the fundamental basis of survival is compassionate motivation, he spoke of our current need to develop genuine friendship based on trust that comes from transparency and honesty.
Author Richard Rhodes worked with incarcerated male murderers to research the topic of his book, Why They Kill. He learned the steps that lead to homicide begin with brutalization in the form of violent coaching either by a parent, a peer, or a video game watched ad nauseam. This turns to belligerence that turns to violence when the person is seriously provoked. Rhodes learned from his research that culture has power, and is the critical factor in creating either an attitude of compassion, or one of conflict.
The power of good examples and positive role modeling is critically important. Unfortunately there is a lot of emphasis on “winning” and ridicule, in our media and on our collective playgrounds. There are not many good examples of altruistic behavior. Fortunately, we don’t need a lot of good examples, perhaps just one good one! Research shows that one individual, or a single instance, can elevate someone’s heart and cause a ‘moment of compassionate conversion’.
Jesus Christ teaches us to love our enemies, reminding us that this is the difficult work; it is much easier to love our friends and family. Other spiritual teachers teach that the most effective way to overcome our anger is to learn to better understand the person who is causing us conflict, which helps to create empathy. Social researchers show the one thing that most easily unifies a group of people who hate each other is to have them work together on a project where the outcome is very important to them. Perhaps this is how deeper understanding occurs.
Aristotle thought the best way to teach morality is by example. In settings where a climate of compassion is successfully being established, a key component is teaching restitution and social skills. One school teaches its students to examine their interactions by asking themselves, “Was it helpful or hurtful?” If they see that it was hurtful, the next question students are asked is, “What are you going to do to make it helpful?” In Japan, the police give criminals an opportunity to confess and show contrition by making restitution. If they do, it goes much easier on them. Perhaps as a result, they have a very small prison population.
In an attempt to offer real world examples of altruism, Dr. Borba described how the principal at KLO Middle School in Central Okanagan, BC helped them become a “blue ribbon school” by teaching ways to build each other up, rather than deflate each other. Their rule for compassion is that all threats and cruelty will be taken seriously.
“A Violin Requiem for Privacy” written by Elias Aboujaoude recently appeared in the Chronicle for Higher Education. It was his response to the suicide of 18-year-old Tyler Clementi, the Rutgers freshman music major who jumped from the George Washington Bridge after his roommate streamed a video of him having a sexual encounter. Aboujaoude, a clinical associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral science at Stanford University wrote in his Violin Requiem: “the small inviolate zone of privacy that we all need, that is absolutely crucial to our psychological equilibrium, has now become virtually impossible to maintain.”
“The greatest minds in the field of human development have stressed the importance of individuation,” Aboujaoude explains. He describes individuation as “a process by which people achieve and maintain psychological stability by separating themselves from others.” He quotes the influential developmental psychologist, Erik Erikson, as considering individuation to be a more important barometer of health than social success: “mature involvement with another person can happen only when someone is comfortably autonomous and happy in his relationship with himself.” Aboujaoude then quotes psychologist Carl Jung’s view that individuation is the person’s “fortress against the weight of group mentality and group demands…it’s at least as important to be oneself—that is, to be separate—as it is to belong…individuation is a natural necessity inasmuch as its prevention by leveling down to collective standards is injurious to the vital activity of the individual.”
The challenge is to encourage healthy individuation by developing an autonomous sense of self and also to learn to co-exist. How do we learn to navigate and balance these seemingly contradictory needs? How do we encourage finding and hearing one’s own individual voice while existing in community? Too often, those who are different, who don’t “fit in” are bullied.
Dr. Borba cited the American Psychological Association’s analysis of over 24,000 kids in 153 studies that showed the consistent factor involved in creating bullies and victims was a lack of good social skills. Other studies show bullying often involves young people who have learning difficulties or are gay. What can help is for people to become more resilient about navigating their differences. It has also been observed that among the 85% of kids who witness bullying, when those witnesses learn the skills to stop the bullying they are watching, they can stop the bullying in a matter of minutes. The first step is to evoke empathy; the second is to have the courage to take action, the most important and most challenging part of this process.
The Sept 13, 2010 NBC Dateline show “The Perils of Parenting”, outlined some simple ways of stopping bullying behavior. It involves these steps:
1. Evoke one’s sense of empathy
2. Make contact with and befriend the victim
3. Use distraction to stop the bully, also try to stop them from having the attention
4. Speak out about, and clarify the bullying behavior, stating that what they are doing is “mean”. Do not insult them, focus on their behavior
5. Tell someone else, or text for help
6. Exit the situation, so as to not give them an audience or attention for their
Some may remember the news broadcast years ago about a nurse attacked on a corner in New York City. Although all the neighbors saw and/or heard her screams, only one person called for help, and no one stepped forward to stop the attack. Understandably, they feared they could become victims too, unless enough people would stand together to confront the attackers. The collective sense of horror about people’s unwillingness to risk involvement, fortunately, has resulted in more heroes willing to risk stepping forward to help other victims. These heroes can inspire us to connect with our empathy, discover our courageous voice, and find the courage to risk intervening to help a person being victimized.
Rehabilitating the bully is more difficult. Frank Jude Boccio’s article “Love in full bloom” [May 2010 Yoga Journal] encourages us to focus our energy where we actually have impact, while maintaining a calm state to benefit our own well-being. He quotes his yoga teacher, Satchidananda: “judging and criticizing hardly helps us maintain a serene state of mind. We should not divert attention from our own practice in order to try to reform those who are unlikely to heed advice…if you try to advise them, you will lose your peace.”
In a recent interview Buddhist teacher Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche said: “Our true nature is completely pure and good…there isn’t the slightest bit of difference between your true nature and the Buddha’s.” Explaining that it is “already perfect and complete,” he points out that “none of our confusion and our fear can change this inner purity. It doesn’t get worse when we suffer or improve when we become enlightened like the Buddha. We don’t need to add anything to it or take anything away, nor do we have to do something to get it. It’s here with us each and every moment, like a diamond in the palm of one’s hand… The problem is that we don’t recognize what we’ve had all along. We get so caught up in the drama of our lives that we don’t see the radiant purity of our own minds. This nature is with us even when we feel scared, lonely and angry.” [Shambala Sun, Sept 2010]
It would definitely be helpful to learn to connect with our own true nature and provide positive examples and friendship to those being bullied. By encouraging the victim to be in touch with the beauty of his or her own true nature, we can help dissipate the sense of victimization that incites the bully. By doing this, we awaken our own heart and encourage interconnection. In this way we open up a path of joy for all of us by recognizing the beauty of who we already are. | sociology |
http://birlinghamvillagehall.org/wi.html | 2023-02-07T11:19:03 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-06/segments/1674764500456.61/warc/CC-MAIN-20230207102930-20230207132930-00367.warc.gz | 0.941453 | 160 | CC-MAIN-2023-06 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2023-06__0__160512103 | en | The I.W. (Birlingham Independent Women) meet on the third Thursday of the month, 7.30 p.m. in the Village Hall.
We are a friendly, open and welcoming group of women from Birlingham, Pershore and surrounding villages
who meet together on a monthly basis to enjoy a social evening.
For our entertainment we have either a speaker or activity covering a wide range of topics,
and organise outings to local places of interest.
We also support many charitable organisations and the local community.
If you would like to join us at any time, guests pay £3 per meeting whilst annual membership costs £22.50.
You don't need to book just come along to a meeting; you can be assured of a warm welcome. | sociology |
https://bizimkasa.com/donegal-community-goes-online-to-win-major-digital-prize-donegal-daily/ | 2022-07-06T16:51:00 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2022-27/segments/1656104675818.94/warc/CC-MAIN-20220706151618-20220706181618-00325.warc.gz | 0.942205 | 988 | CC-MAIN-2022-27 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2022-27__0__137232033 | en | Donegal community goes online to win major digital prize – Donegal Daily
The community of Glencolmcille won a major digital prize and €9,000 to spend in their area.
The community won the accolade at the .IE Digital Town Awards 2022.
Gleann Cholm Cille’s “Building Digital Cultural Infrastructure for Our Community” project won first prize in the Digital Tourism category at the awards ceremony held yesterday.
The .IE Digital Town Awards honor local city projects and people who use digital innovation, technologies and digital thinking to improve cities, citizens and community services
“Building a digital cultural infrastructure for our community” by Gleann Cholm Cille won a total prize of €9,000
Speaking at the ceremony, a .IE spokesperson recognized the project winners and nominees as “showing great commitment to making a positive contribution to the digital advancement of their local community”.
Gleann Cholm Cille has been announced as the winner in the Digital Tourism category at the second annual .IE Digital Town Awards 2022.
The result was announced at a virtual awards ceremony attended by Minister Damien English, Minister of State for Business, Employment and Trade at the Department for Business, Trade and Employment .
The .IE Digital Town Awards were created in 2021 by .IE, the managers of the trusted online .ie address in Ireland.
The awards recognize local city and community projects and people who use digital innovation, technologies and digital thinking to improve cities, citizens and community services.
As the winner in the digital tourism category, ‘Building digital cultural infrastructure for our community’ by Gleann Cholm Cille won a total prize of €9,000 in recognition of work done in the Gaeltacht community in the South West of Donegal, to embrace digital technologies to create reusable objects. resources to showcase and share their rich cultural heritage.
This year’s awards focused on communities and digital leaders who have embraced new ways of thinking to improve localities through the innovative use of digital tools to achieve digital equity in the community, bridge the digital divide , facilitate emergency response, improve digital infrastructure and enable digitization of culture and oral traditions.
Projects were shortlisted in the categories of Digital Education, Digital Tourism, Digital Community as well as Digital Business, while three special awards honoring individuals and communities who are making a significant difference for digital betterment in local cities were also awarded in the categories of Digital Rising Star, Digital Changemaker and Digital Local Hero.
Congratulating the high caliber of nominations, Minister English said: “The awards are an important annual event that recognizes the remarkable efforts of our local digital champions who are committed to sustaining the places where they work, rest and play. This year the bar has been set exceptionally high, with many inspiring examples of digital leaders in our communities transforming local life and society in innovative and creative ways.
There was a total prize of €100,000 in seven prize categories. 13 counties had one or more nominated projects, including Cavan, Clare, Cork, Donegal, Dublin, Galway, Kildare, Kilkenny, Kerry, Limerick, Mayo, Roscommon and Sligo.
Commenting on the announcement, Oonagh McCutcheon, .IE Corporate Communications Manager, said: “We would like to congratulate all of our winners, finalists and congratulations today and celebrate their tremendous achievements.
“The purpose of the .IE Digital Town Awards is to shine a light on the digital efforts of cities and their residents working to improve their communities across the country.
“What we are celebrating today through the winners, finalists and all who are shortlisted is a phenomenal level of resilience and spirit of cities and local communities. In the case of all of our finalists and winners today, the results have been transformative.
“At .IE, we hope that Gleann Cholm Cille and all of our winners and nominees can become an inspiration to other cities and communities across the country and ultimately help breathe new life into communities. communities through the demonstration of new and innovative ways of using digital tools.
“What we’ve seen are outstanding examples of how communities and digital leaders have stepped up and embraced new ways of thinking and doing, helping their cities and communities not just survive but thrive.”
The .IE Digital Town Awards, announced by .IE in 2021 as part of its global .IE Digital Town program, are part of a four-year, €1 million investment initiative focused on digital enhancement and the adoption of digital technology in Irish cities.
This year’s category sponsors included the Western Development Commission, Connected Hubs, Vodafone and AIB Merchant Services.
Donegal community connects to win major digital prize was last modified: June 9, 2022 by | sociology |
https://housefamilylaw.com/arizona-house-bill-2642/ | 2024-02-26T11:55:43 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2024-10/segments/1707947474659.73/warc/CC-MAIN-20240226094435-20240226124435-00311.warc.gz | 0.952107 | 356 | CC-MAIN-2024-10 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2024-10__0__124112928 | en | Arizona House Bill 2642 passed the House yesterday. The bill would give children 14 years and up the right to choose which parent they will live with in a divorce or custody proceeding. If the child is under 14, it requires the court to “strongly consider” the wishes of the child. The current law gives much more discretion to judges when considering a child’s wishes.
In some family court cases, a child is mature enough to express a preference on who they want to live with. But in many more cases, children are being influenced by one or both parents in inappropriate ways. It is not uncommon for one parent to poison a child’s relationship with the other parent, even when there are no legitimate concerns about parental fitness.
If the law passes, it will put extreme pressure on children in divorce proceedings to pick sides. Their parents will know that, if they can convince the child to live with them, it will almost ensure a favorable outcome in their case. An award of primary custody also has a significant effect on child support. In the middle of a divorce case, parents frequently act out of malice for the other parent or are motivated by financial gain, rather than the child’s best interest.
A child’s wishes should be a factor in determining custody (which is already the case under current law). However, it should not be the deciding factor. HB2642 would cause huge negative effects in the family court system and on children with divorced parents. It would also create a flood of litigation from parents who have already laid the groundwork to alienate the other parent. I oppose HB2642 and encourage you to contact your representative to express your views.
You can track the bill’s progress here. | sociology |
https://brouk.org.uk/fake-news-victims-to-tech-companies-how-many-deaths-does-it-take-for-you-to-defend-against-disinformation/ | 2019-05-21T13:18:53 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2019-22/segments/1558232256381.7/warc/CC-MAIN-20190521122503-20190521144503-00116.warc.gz | 0.953506 | 1,307 | CC-MAIN-2019-22 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2019-22__0__136519962 | en | *** Disinformation victims from Myanmar to Sandy Hook issue open letter to Mark Zuckerberg, Jack Dorsey and Susan Wojcicki ***SAN FRANCISCO.— This week victims of disinformation from across the world have come to Silicon Valley to confront social media companies for the first time. The meetings were highly emotional, bringing social media employees to tears, as they came face-to-face with the human cost of the crisis fueled by their platforms. Following their meetings, these victims have issued an open letter calling for urgent action to stop the spread of disinformation and to recognize the deadly damage it can cause.
In reaction to the meetings with Facebook and Twitter, one of the victims, Ethan Lindenberger, said: “Our job was to touch the hearts of the executives inside the halls of Silicon Valley, to breakdown the firewall of apathy that can come when you’re facing a computer screen instead of a real person. We know the executives we met with will be taking our stories to the CEOs. The real question is whether Mark, Jack and Susan will start acting with the kind of urgency the world needs, the urgency that comes when you truly feel the pain you’re causing.”
Another victim, Tun Khin, representing the Rohingya people, said: “Social media helped sow the seeds for the Rohingya genocide and allowed the government’s propaganda defending its actions to spread. While Facebook has taken some steps, they have never been held truly accountable. And Twitter continues to give a platform to the genocidal mastermind, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, to spread his racist messages. These platforms must clean up their act, especially ahead of Burma’s national elections next year which the Rohingya remain shut out from. And they must cooperate with the UN’s new investigative mechanism by handing over the evidence they hold of the genocide.”
A third victim, the Finish investigative journalist Jessikka Aro, said: “Social media companies operate as enablers of Russian propaganda trolls and extremist criminals. It’s time the companies stand up and protect their users. I hope my experience as crime victim helps them to fix the issue.”
The victims who have signed the letter include: two Rohingya leaders who saw misinformation inflame genocide in Burma; an award-winning Finnish journalist facing death threats for uncovering Russian troll farms; a father of a Sandy Hook victim who was part of the lawsuit against Alex Jones; a high school student who has demanded vaccination after his mother refused to vaccinate him and his five siblings based on information on Facebook, and several more.
Addressed directly to Mark Zuckerberg, Jack Dorsey, and Susan Wojcicki, the letter says that: “This week we have only one message for you — fake news has real victims. It affects real people, real families, and real communities. Despite what you say in public, your platforms continue to be weaponized to spread lies, hate and fear. So we’ve come together from different corners of the world to say, enough is enough. You couldn’t protect us, but you can protect others.”
Touring Silicon Valley, the disinformation victims have been promoting solutions to the disinformation crisis, including calling for platforms to ‘Correct the Record’ by having platforms show corrections from independent fact checkers to anyone who saw or shared fake news, much like newspapers do.
The group was hosted by Avaaz, the global advocacy group with more than 50 million members worldwide. “We are all fake news victims,” says Fadi Quran, Campaign Director for Avaaz. “Misinformation is tearing apart our common truths, dividing our societies, and undermining our democracies — from the fight against climate change to the global vaccination epidemic to compromising our elections, this impacts all of us.”
Notes to editor:
Who are the disinformation victims? Please contact us for any interview requests:
Jessikka Aro (Finland) is a journalist who researches pro-Russian troll farms and disinformation tactics. After a visit to St Petersburg to investigate the Internet Research Agency, where she interviewed employees at the “troll factory” who create fake online accounts and produce fake stories, she encountered a significant backlash from pro-Russian trolls. She’s faced 5 years of coordinated disinformation attacks, calling her a spy and a NATO drug dealer, resulting in constant death threats, harassment and hate.
Tun Khin (Myanmar) is a Rohingya human rights activist and community leader. He still has cousins and friends in Myanmar who remain constantly under threat. Tun has briefed officials on the continuing human rights violations committed against Rohingya populations, and the role of social media in stoking the violence. He has presented on this issue at the US Congress and State Department, UK Parliament, Swedish Parliament, EU Parliament and Commission, the UN Indigenous Forum and the UN Human Rights Council.
Ethan Lindenberger (United States) is a teenager who was not vaccinated by his parents. Lindenberger testified earlier this year to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, and stated that his mother received most of her anti-Vaxx disinformation on Facebook. He stood firm even in the face of anti-vaxx speeches from Dr Rand Paul.
We also have other disinformation victims who are available to be interviewed remotely, including the father of a Sandy Hook victim, a parent who almost lost their child in the ongoing vaccine crisis, and a climate activist who faced death threats after a national politician spread fake news about her.
More on Avaaz’s Work:
We are running a massive disinformation team in Europe – just last week they got Facebook to take down a network reaching 1.7m people in Spain days before the election.
The same team released a report on the fake news (reaching 105m views) that fueled the Yellow Vests crisis in France.
We ran a team in Brazil that exposed a massive disinfo network (28 pages with 12.6m interactions) during the Brazil elections.
Our call for Facebook and others to Correct the Record – like newspapers have to – as a primary solution to disinformation is currently being tested by a Facebook team and has been endorsed by people like Julian King, EU Security Commissioner.
We’re working with legislators in Brazil to pass precedent-setting disinformation legislation. | sociology |
http://lianneraymondyogi.tumblr.com/ | 2013-12-13T19:32:51 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-48/segments/1386164987957/warc/CC-MAIN-20131204134947-00038-ip-10-33-133-15.ec2.internal.warc.gz | 0.969603 | 272 | CC-MAIN-2013-48 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2013-48__0__169397387 | en | “We are well advised to keep on nodding terms with the people we used to be, whether we find them attractive company or not,” Joan Didion (born December 5, 1934) observed in her timeless meditation on the value of keeping a notebook. For the past half-century, the beloved author has been keeping American society on nodding terms with itself, despite the themes of cultural collapse and moral chaos that permeate Didion’s novels and her literary nonfiction.
A champion of the New Journalism movement, Didion has brought her exquisite amalgamation of narrative storytelling and nonfiction to such diverse subjects as mourning, museums, music, second-wave feminism, and the American political process. She lists Hemingway and Henry James among her handful of influences, but women writers like the Brontë sisters and George Eliot she sees as “models for a life, not for a style.”
Despite devastating personal tragedy — the sudden loss of her husband of nearly forty years, followed closely by the death of her daughter — Didion has continued to find in writing, above all, access to her own mind, in turn inviting the reader to access greater truths about what it means to be human in modern culture, implicitly asking, as she often does in her nonfiction, “Do you get the point?” | sociology |
https://www.dctlaw.com/establishing-paternity-in-connecticut/ | 2024-04-19T02:36:49 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2024-18/segments/1712296817253.5/warc/CC-MAIN-20240419013002-20240419043002-00383.warc.gz | 0.958591 | 467 | CC-MAIN-2024-18 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2024-18__0__128004378 | en | When a child is born to two married parents, the husband is the legal father and his name is put on the child’s birth certificate. However, in the diverse society in which we live, children are born into families of many different dynamics. When parents are unmarried, paternity must be legally established in order for the father to appear on the child’s birth certificate and have legal rights to the child. This is an important step since it also involves future rights of the child.
So, how is paternity established in Connecticut?
Voluntary Vs. Involuntary
Paternity can be established voluntarily or involuntarily. When both parents agree on who the biological father is, they both sign an “Acknowledgement of Paternity” in front of a notary pubic, establishing paternity, voluntarily. This acknowledgement is then filed with the Department of Social Services or Department of Public Health, officially establishing paternity.
Establishing paternity involuntarily is a longer process, involving a court order of paternity. The person seeking to establish paternity (the petitioner) can be the child, mother, alleged father, a guardian of the child or sometimes a person representing a public assistance program. The process begins with the petitioner filing a “Paternity Petition” in family court. A judge may order the alleged father to undergo DNA testing to prove paternity. Once it is established, the judge will issue an official order of paternity and the father’s name will be added to the child’s birth certificate.
Why Establishing Paternity is Important?
Establishing paternity is about more than just a name on a birth certificate. It involves the rights of all involved. Once paternity is established, the father has the right to request custody and/or visitation. He will also be financially responsible for the child. Additionally, the child and the father will have inheritance rights should one pass away before the other. The child will also be able to benefit from the father’s health insurance, and social security and veteran’s benefits.
Establishing involuntary paternity can turn into a long process, especially if parents do not agree on support and custody rights. Individuals facing this situation should seek the help of a family law attorney, ready to advocate in the best interests of the child. | sociology |
https://whittamcox.com/media/whittam-cox-chooses-roundabout-as-official-charity-partner/ | 2018-07-23T07:31:35 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2018-30/segments/1531676595531.70/warc/CC-MAIN-20180723071245-20180723091245-00551.warc.gz | 0.938155 | 383 | CC-MAIN-2018-30 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2018-30__0__44710147 | en | 16 March 2018
Whittam Cox Architects are to continue their support for the local community having announced Roundabout as its official charity partner for 2018.
The practice, who have raised over £20,000 for local charities, will organise and take part in a series of fundraising activities to raise money for the Sheffield based organisation, which aims to support young people who are homeless or are at risk of homelessness, providing shelter and life skills through a range of comprehensive training programmes.
Their first fundraising event will see 23 employees, family and friends take part in the Dronfield 10k, a two-lap road race set in Dronfield Woodhouse near the practice’s HQ.
Jon Godwin, who heads up CSR initiatives at the practice, said, “We’re looking forward to taking part in this year's 10k; it’s always a brilliant physical challenge and a great way to get everyone involved in raising money for charity. We’re really pushing for as many donations as possible – I’m even taking to the track in an 8ft dinosaur outfit!”
“We are delighted to be partnering with Roundabout, the work they do for young people in the city is absolutely invaluable and we’re looking forward to supporting them throughout the year.”
Clare Collingworth, from Roundabout added, “We’re thrilled Whittam Cox have chosen to support our fundraising initiatives this year; the commitment from businesses like Whittam Cox goes a long way to helping us as a charity – we are extremely grateful.”
For further information about Roundabout Homeless Charity visit http://www.roundabouthomeless.org/
To donate please go to https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/WhittamCoxArchitects-Dronfield10K | sociology |
https://up2dates.in/the-rise-of-vegan-restaurants-in-downtown-vancouver/ | 2024-04-24T13:05:54 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2024-18/segments/1712296819273.90/warc/CC-MAIN-20240424112049-20240424142049-00510.warc.gz | 0.910401 | 1,008 | CC-MAIN-2024-18 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2024-18__0__142671416 | en | As sustainability and health-consciousness continue to gain traction, veganism has transcended its niche status to become a mainstream dietary choice. This dietary revolution is vividly reflected in the proliferation of vegan restaurants in urban landscapes, offering an array of innovative and delectable plant-based dishes.
Let’s delve into the journey from farm to fork, exploring the factors driving the rise of the best vegan restaurants in downtown Vancouver and the culinary creativity behind their menus.
The Roots of Change: Environmental Awareness and Ethical Considerations
One of the primary drivers behind the surge in vegan dining establishments is the growing awareness of environmental and ethical concerns associated with animal agriculture. As consumers become more cognizant of the environmental impact of meat production, there is a burgeoning demand for sustainable dining options.
Vegan restaurants, with their emphasis on plant-based cuisine, offer a compelling solution by significantly reducing carbon footprints and minimizing water usage and land degradation associated with livestock farming. Moreover, ethical considerations play a pivotal role in the decision to embrace veganism.
Concerns regarding animal welfare and the ethical implications of industrial farming practices have prompted many individuals to opt for cruelty-free dining experiences. Vegan restaurants cater to this conscientious consumer base, providing a guilt-free dining alternative aligned with their ethical principles.
Culinary Innovation: Elevating Plant-Based Cuisine
Contrary to conventional assumptions, vegan cuisine is far from bland or monotonous. On the contrary, vegan chefs are pushing the boundaries of culinary creativity, crafting dishes that are not only delicious but also visually stunning and nutritionally balanced. By harnessing the diverse array of plant-based ingredients available, these culinary maestros are redefining the perception of vegan food, transforming it into a gourmet culinary experience.
From intricately layered salads bursting with vibrant colors and flavors to indulgent plant-based burgers that rival their meat counterparts, vegan restaurants are adept at satisfying the most discerning palates. Innovative cooking techniques and a keen understanding of flavor profiles allow chefs to create dishes that appeal to a wide spectrum of tastes, dispelling the myth that vegan food is restrictive or uninspired.
Health and Wellness: Nourishing the Body and Mind
Another driving force behind the rise of the best vegan restaurants in downtown Vancouver is the growing emphasis on health and wellness. With an increasing number of individuals embracing a plant-based lifestyle for its purported health benefits, vegan eateries have emerged as sanctuaries of wholesome dining.
These establishments offer patrons a guilt-free indulgence that nourishes both body and soul by eschewing animal products and focusing on whole, nutrient-rich ingredients.
The menu offerings at vegan restaurants often showcase an abundance of fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains, all of which are packed with essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. These nutrient-dense ingredients not only promote physical well-being but also contribute to heightened energy levels and improved overall vitality.
Additionally, many vegan dishes are naturally low in saturated fats and cholesterol, making them an ideal choice for individuals looking to maintain a healthy weight and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
Cultural Influence and Global Adoption
The rise of vegan restaurants is not confined to a particular geographical region but is rather a global phenomenon fueled by cultural exchange and culinary innovation. In cities around the world, from bustling metropolises to quaint towns, vegan eateries are cropping up, catering to a diverse clientele with an appreciation for plant-based fare.
This global adoption of veganism reflects a shift in societal attitudes toward food consumption, with an increasing number of people recognizing the interconnectedness between dietary choices and planetary health.
The emergence of the best vegan restaurants in downtown Vancouver signifies more than just a culinary trend; it reflects a broader societal shift towards sustainability, ethical consumption, and holistic wellness. In a world increasingly concerned with the environmental impact of food production and the ethical treatment of animals, vegan eateries stand as beacons of conscience, offering delicious alternatives that align with these values.
These establishments not only cater to vegans but also attract a diverse clientele seeking innovative, flavorful dishes that prioritize health and sustainability. By showcasing the versatility of plant-based ingredients and culinary creativity, these restaurants challenge traditional notions of dining while promoting a more compassionate and eco-conscious way of living.
Moreover, the rise of vegan dining reflects a growing awareness of the interconnectedness between diet and personal well-being. As people seek healthier lifestyle choices, plant-based diets have gained recognition for their potential health benefits, including reduced risk of chronic diseases and improved vitality.
In essence, the prominence of vegan restaurants in downtown Vancouver symbolizes a culinary renaissance driven by a shared commitment to environmental consciousness, ethical integrity, and individual wellness. As these values continue to resonate with consumers, vegan eateries are poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of food culture, inspiring palates, and nourishing both body and soul for generations to come. | sociology |
https://web.ncku.edu.tw/p/16-1000-195473.php?Lang=en | 2024-04-22T03:58:01 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2024-18/segments/1712296818072.58/warc/CC-MAIN-20240422020223-20240422050223-00878.warc.gz | 0.95282 | 1,136 | CC-MAIN-2024-18 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2024-18__0__123785444 | en | On the morning of June 5, more than two hundred Muslim students of NCKU and other Muslims in the Tainan area celebrated Eid al Fitr to mark the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. Together, they listened to verses recited from the Qur’an and performed ritual prayers in a temporary prayer room set up on the third floor of NCKU’s old library.
The celebration was very solemn and stately. The participants hugged and shook hands with each other throughout to symbolize a new beginning. Afterwards, everyone shared food within the warm atmosphere. NCKU president Dr. Huey-Jen Jenny Su hoped that each and every participant would “remember NCKU and remember the respect and equal treatment they have received in Tainan and in Taiwan.” The Muslim students indeed thanked NCKU for valuing Islamic culture.
There are currently about two hundred Muslim students at NCKU from countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Burkina Faso, and France. NCKU holds proper reverence for those practicing their Islamic faith and currently offers small prayer rooms in the Departments of Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Materials Science & Engineering, and Nursing. There is also a larger prayer room that can accommodate up to a hundred people in the Sheng-Li 6th Dormitory. In light of the importance of Ramadan and Eid al Fitr to Muslims, NCKU coordinated with various departments to set up a temporary prayer room capable of hosting over three hundred people in the old library so that Muslim students could enjoy a hub to share these important celebrations with other Muslims in Tainan.
Vice President for Student Affairs Professor Chin-Fu Hung, Associate Vice President for International Affairs Associate Professor Chia-Yuan Chen, and Director of International Student Affairs Division Associate Professor Yueh-Heng Li all attended Eid al Fitr with enthusiasm along with Dr. Huey-Jen Su. Wearing a scarf given to her by Muslim students, Dr. Huey-Jen Su indicated that universities should respect and give their full support to the religious faiths, activities and expressions of each individual. She proclaimed her satisfaction with having been able to meet the needs of Muslim students as president and hopes that all Muslim friends can understand NCKU’s respect for different religions. In Indonesian clothing, Professor Chin-Fu Hung made a special effort to say good morning to the participants in Indonesian and Javanese. His display of sincere communion with Muslims was greeted with cheers and applause.
Since the Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar, Ramadan falls on different dates every year. This year, Ramadan began on May 6 and ended on June 4. The Taipei Grand Mosque announced on June 3 that June 5 would be the first day of Eid al Fitr. At around 7:30 AM, Muslim students and civilians in Tainan began to arrive at NCKU. Many brought their children to introduce the traditions to the next generation. Before the rituals, Eid al Fitr prayers were continuously played through speakers, and many people recited along with them. One could feel their devotion to the faith and the palpably solemn atmosphere. Following the prayers and rituals, the participants then joyfully shared food and drink, shifting the atmosphere into a festive one. Everyone quickly became busy greeting one another and enjoying the food, creating a hubbub of activity.
President of the Muslim Students Association-NCKU Adi Sopyan elaborated on what makes Ramadan an extremely holy month for Muslims. During the 30 days of Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn until sunset and refrain from sexual relations. The purpose of Ramadan is to teach Muslims how to learn from the hardships of hunger and practice both self-discipline & the virtues of sharing. For some Muslims, the self-restraint of fasting brings them closer to Allah and gives them the key to paradise.
Current NCKU student and President of Perhimpunan Pelajar Indonesia Tainan Deni Yasmara explained that according to the Qur’an, everyone must get together, greet one another, and forgive one another’s past evils or sins on Eid al Fitr. It is an important event for Muslims that marks a new beginning, as well as a joyful peace. Celebration activities typically include wearing festive clothing, visiting friends and family, sharing good food and spreading good cheer.
Arsanto Ishasi Wibowo, a student of the International Degree Program on Energy in Engineering who attended the celebration, expressed that NCKU’s provision of a venue large enough for two to three hundred Muslims to celebrate Ramadan & Eid al Fitr together was of great significance to Muslims students and showed that the University valued them. Furthermore, the five or six prayer rooms established around the NCKU campus for students to perform their daily prayers “…are very important to students, and we thank NCKU for paying attention to us.”
Islam has over 1.6 billion followers worldwide. A vast majority of the foreign migrant workers in Taiwan are Muslims, but many Taiwanese citizens and residents are still unfamiliar with Islam. To create a campus environment that is friendly to diverse cultures and respectful to Muslims, NCKU established the Muslim Students Association-NCKU as well as prayer rooms of various sizes around campus. In 2017, the Department of History held the “Understanding Islam” special exhibition, and in 2018 the Office of Student Affairs hosted the NCKU World Islam Campus Summit. | sociology |
https://trailblazersoflight.com/ | 2024-04-23T05:56:06 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2024-18/segments/1712296818464.67/warc/CC-MAIN-20240423033153-20240423063153-00890.warc.gz | 0.965967 | 286 | CC-MAIN-2024-18 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2024-18__0__74935919 | en | This site has been developed to acknowledge the accomplishments of women photojournalists during the film era, decades before the advent of digital cameras. Also referred to as “The Silent Generation,” it refers to a time when a few courageous women first entered the photojournalism work force and simply did the work without fanfare but with steely determination. They worked side by side with men on a daily basis at newspapers, magazines, wire services, and photo agencies. They reported from foreign war zones, the streets of our towns and cities across America, and everywhere in between. A generation of courageous and fearless women who embraced all that came with the job. For many the work came first.
Everyone included on this list is a woman who in her own right has made her mark in photojournalism. They did so often with stoicism and pride. Women have always had a voice. It’s shown through their work and courage. The women on this list have their own unique stories and all are trailblazers! The attributes that photojournalism require, the incredible mental and physical strength necessary to navigate fast-moving, often dangerous situations, the warrior-like determination and fortitude, the relentless commitment, intelligence and artistry behind the camera, is readily manifest in the work of the women on this list. Respect!
We encourage educators to use information on this site as a teaching and reference tool. | sociology |
https://summi7.com/careers/ | 2024-02-21T16:23:38 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2024-10/segments/1707947473518.6/warc/CC-MAIN-20240221134259-20240221164259-00346.warc.gz | 0.93653 | 196 | CC-MAIN-2024-10 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2024-10__0__52175178 | en | Join Our Team
Be a part of the solution.
We are deeply passionate about helping organizations, leaders and their teams be their best by clarifying purpose, leveraging their strengths and working collaboratively to grow their business, scale their impact and develop their people.
Stewarding the team, building community and commitment to the growth of people, while still achieving defined goals.
Access for All
Fostering an inclusive and equitable environment that provides opportunities to diverse groups.
Dedicating ourselves to helping others reach their peak influence and bring their ambitions to fruition.
Speak Your Mind
Being unafraid to challenge societal norms and seek better and more efficient processes to appeal to a broader audience.
Continuing education throughout life at different levels of the spectrum, from traditional institutions and experimental workshops, to real-world experience.
Share the wealth of knowledge with future leaders to help them reach the summit of their success.
Small team, big mission
Technology + IT | sociology |
http://acountryfarmhouse.blogspot.com/2010/06/infertility.html | 2017-03-30T04:50:39 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2017-13/segments/1490218191986.44/warc/CC-MAIN-20170322212951-00338-ip-10-233-31-227.ec2.internal.warc.gz | 0.988074 | 403 | CC-MAIN-2017-13 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2017-13__0__104722753 | en | We met and fell in love in August. By May we were engaged and by October we were married. During our courtship, we talked of fixing up an old house in the country, of small town life and of children...lots of children.
Our wedding was six years ago this October. I was 33 and Mike was 35. We followed our dreams and moved to that small town, and even found that old house in the country. But the children, the children never came.
We started trying to have a baby before our first year wedding anniversary. Unknowingly, it was the beginning of our long path of infertility. My diagnosis came a few short months after we bought our old farmhouse, a house which was proving to require much more work than we had anticipated and to cause much more stress than we could have possibly imagined.
While we struggled to create a home that would provide peace and comfort, we were also going through intensive fertility treatments and procedures...all of which, month after month, year after year, proved to be unsuccessful.
The reality of what was happening caused us great sadness, and I personally felt an overwhelming sense of mourning...mourning for the woman I always thought I was, fertile, and mourning for the life I had dreamed of with my husband, with children.
I began this blog three years into our infertility journey because I desperately needed to find the calm in the storm and to celebrate all the good we had to be grateful for.
At a time when I started to retreat from friends and social gatherings, I found a new community with new friends from around the world. The days in which I couldn't bare to run into anyone in town, were days I found comfort in the words and warmth of bloggers near and far.
A year ago we returned once again to the fertility clinic in Portland.
So it is with great happiness that I share with you something I never thought possible...I am pregnant. We are due just before Christmas. | sociology |
https://www.maevenelsondesigns.com/dream | 2023-12-07T04:18:30 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-50/segments/1700679100632.0/warc/CC-MAIN-20231207022257-20231207052257-00886.warc.gz | 0.969063 | 135 | CC-MAIN-2023-50 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2023-50__0__209837313 | en | DESIGN FOR SOCIAL CHANGE
The objective was to explore both sides of a social movement in history with a focus on the role of design. I chose to explore the role of violence and nonviolence in the social movements of the 1960s. I titled the publication, "We still have a dream: an exploration of the presence of violence and non-violence in the social movements of the 1960s". This is intended to both reference MLK's "I have a dream" speech and point out the cyclical nature of history. We had a dream in the 1960s of a more civic society, and we still have these hopes as we face similar conflicts today. | sociology |
http://100countycountdown.blogspot.com/2013/05/jones-county-knights-run-5k-april-20.html | 2018-04-23T20:57:56 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2018-17/segments/1524125946199.72/warc/CC-MAIN-20180423203935-20180423223935-00327.warc.gz | 0.989061 | 230 | CC-MAIN-2018-17 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2018-17__0__74408830 | en | Jones Middle School in Trenton was the safest place to be in the county on race morning, as no fewer than 15 sheriff and deputy cars lined up to provide traffic control along the race course in this city with a population of 201. The turnout for the race seemed to be very positive, with lots of runners and volunteers milling around the school, taking care of registration and setup and loosening up before the 5k started. There were lots of participants from the school, but also a good contingent of runners from around the area, parents, and supporters.
I was very pleased with my 26:45 time and with the good spread of snacks and drinks they had for us post-race. The finishers, whether they ran the whole way or were just out for a walk that would support the school, were in a good mood and all the good spirits contributed to a nice post-race atmosphere. Another great surprise was when they began giving out medals for the top age-group finishers, and yours truly took home 1st place in his age group! (Yep, there weren't many 40-year olds at the middle school.) | sociology |
http://universitychurchhome.org/from-the-pastor-14-2-2-2/ | 2020-06-04T05:21:56 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-24/segments/1590347439019.86/warc/CC-MAIN-20200604032435-20200604062435-00000.warc.gz | 0.943342 | 284 | CC-MAIN-2020-24 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2020-24__0__39318154 | en | All Church Meeting
Sunday, October 6, 12:00 noon
Please plan to join us Sunday, Oct. 6, at noon, for some important updates and a brief discussion that will inform decisions about how we move forward as a church in the year ahead. Lunch will be provided (gluten-free and vegetarian options available).
The people of University United Methodist Church, as well as a majority of United Methodist Church members across the United States, have rejected the traditional plan voted on by the 2019 General Conference, which is in direct conflict with our commitment to inclusion.
We met several times over the summer to gather and discuss information related to alternative plans and actions. In addition, we met last week with District Superintendent Jerry Devine to gain a better understanding of the complex and rapidly shifting landscape.
At the October 6 meeting, following the 11 a.m. worship service, we will share with you facts and insights, answer questions, and discuss how we will move forward together.
We look forward to seeing you and hearing from you, and we ask you to join us in praying for wisdom and discernment.
At University United Methodist Church, we affirm that as disciples of Jesus Christ, we are an open and inclusive congregation and welcome all persons into full participation regardless of race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic situation, age, ability, education, background and whether single or partnered. | sociology |
http://disabilitybenefitstoday.com/are-drug-addicts-and-alcoholics-entitled-to-social-security-disability-benefits/ | 2023-09-25T02:45:17 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233506676.95/warc/CC-MAIN-20230925015430-20230925045430-00374.warc.gz | 0.980858 | 656 | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2023-40__0__8389129 | en | Are Drug Addicts and Alcoholics Entitled to Social Security Disability Benefits?
- September 28, 2011
- No comments
I was recently asked whether drug addicts and alcoholics are entitled to Social Security Disability benefits. Such a seemingly simple question deserves a good lawyerly answer – and – so not to disappoint, my answer is “it depends.” Let me explain.
Before 1996, people could actually claim Social Security Disability benefits based upon their addiction to drugs or alcohol. In other words, the law allowed a person to basically say that his or her addiction itself was a disability and he or she could therefore claim benefits based on that disability. Then, in 1996, everything changed. Newt Gingrich, who was Speaker of the House at the time, spearheaded legislation that came to be known as “The Contract with America.” The legislation was passed and the rest is history. The new legislation included regulations that basically aimed to prevent drug addicts and alcoholics from using their addiction as basis for getting disability money. In other words, today, alcoholism and drug addiction may not be considered as disabling impairments. You can imagine that such a simple concept enjoyed widespread support. However, nothing Congress ever does is quite as simple as it seems, and this proved no exception. Basically, the way the law stands today, a person cannot receive such benefits if his or her addiction to drugs or alcohol is a “contributing factor material to the determination of disability.” 42 U.S.C.A. 423(d)(2)(C)(2). Gotta love lawyers! The best way to think about what that means is to ask whether the person would still be disabled even if he or she discontinued using alcohol or drugs. If the answer is yes, that person may still be entitled.
For example, consider the person who acquires AIDS through intravenous drug use. Even if that person stopped using drugs, the AIDS would not go away, and therefore the person may still be found disabled. It does not matter that the drug use caused the AIDS. Consider the person who has abused alcohol so much that his liver is now damaged beyond repair. If his liver condition would remain regardless of his alcohol abuse, he may still qualify for benefits. It does not matter that alcohol abuse caused his liver problems. Additionally, many people who are addicted to such substances also have severe underlying mental illnesses for which they are trying to compensate. In the field of psychiatry, it’s known as “self-medication.” In such cases, a person may quit all drug and alcohol abuse yet still suffer from a deep dark depression. That depression may serve as the basis of a disability claim. The legal analysis of these issues can be quite slippery in the real world.
In my own practice, I have seen many Judges misapply this standard. Most recently, a man who has had a lifelong struggle with alcohol came to my office to ask if I could represent him in an appeal of a case that was recently denied by a Judge. After reading the Judge’s Opinion and finding a number of instances where the Judge misapplied this standard, I agreed to take his case. It is currently pending on appeal. | sociology |
https://www.thelongrunlab.com/post/book-review-good-for-a-girl | 2024-02-22T10:18:25 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2024-10/segments/1707947473738.92/warc/CC-MAIN-20240222093910-20240222123910-00008.warc.gz | 0.983335 | 1,118 | CC-MAIN-2024-10 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2024-10__0__194628591 | en | I just recently finished Lauren Fleshman's new book, Good for a Girl, and I cannot recommend it enough. I have been a Lauren fan since high school when I came across her blog, Ask Lauren Fleshman, while Googling information on how to be a better runner after having just joined my school's cross country team. I specifically remember pouring over all the questions she received and replied to, soaking in her advice and valuable perspective as an experienced woman in the sport that I was quickly growing to love. She was an elite level, heavily decorated athlete who also exuded this humanistic comfort to young emerging runners. Within that first day of coming across her blog, she became a role model for my younger self who I would continue to look up to as I progressed through the sport myself.
Lauren's book is written in a memoir fashion with bits of research on women's health and sociology of sport mixed in, skillfully tying together her life path with her broader morals, values, and calls to action. She describes her life growing up, her family dynamics, her introduction to and relationship with the sport of running as a child, and her experience as a female athlete as she progressed through high school, college, the professional level, and eventually as a coach, business owner, and mother. She tells her story in a very raw and vulnerable manner including both her highest highs and lowest lows, detailing personal challenges and dark moments that played a role in cultivating who she is as a person and why she holds the beliefs she does.
While it is always interesting to me to read about the lives of elite and professional athletes, I often find it difficult to relate to them. I was never a stand-out runner. I was a mid-packer in high school, never made it to my State Championships, and was not recruited by any colleges my senior year aside from little DIII schools (Note: There is nothing wrong with DIII, I just wasn't interested in any of those particular schools) who were basically sending out the mass fishnet of recruiting letters to see who they could snag. I spent my first two years out of high school at my local community college to continue to train for a couple more years under a good coach before reaching out to the colleges I was more interested in attending and competing for. I transferred in to San Francisco State University, then again to Western Colorado University where I really began to bloom as a runner. I had a lot of success there, but was never a national champion and did not go pro after graduating. Needless to say, many of our experiences and paths don't quite parallel that of your typical professional athlete.
Even amongst these differences, Lauren presents her story in a way that is still incredibly relatable. Regardless of talent and ability, the general narrative of the female athlete is very similar across most individuals once you strip it down to its core. I think a lot of us can identify with the struggle of comparing ourselves to others in the sport, the challenge of navigating the absolute maize of puberty and coming into our women's body (Ie: Getting a period, struggling with maintaining a normal period, developing hips and breasts, etc) and the often hidden or masked gender bias and sexism that is still present in our sport, even in 2023. These biased and sexist tendencies manifest by training young girls and women in the same manner as boys and men, the saturation of white men in the coaching industry, the lack of proper education about the physiological differences of the female vs. male body, and the subsequent blame on women for being weak and not working hard enough when we reach the inevitable - though temporary - performance plateau or dip as we go through puberty and become a woman. If you simply pay attention, it is so obvious that there are social inequities in the female sporting world across all levels. High school girls are fed the lie that they will be slow when they hit puberty, that they aren't tough enough, and that the boys can do more than they can. Professional women athletes are paid less, expected to exude sex appeal to the male eye, and if they make the decision to start a family, have even had their salary suspended during their pregnancy, as Lauren describes Nike to have done in her book.
Lauren has used her platform as an elite runner to not just support, but fight for the rights of women in the sport. She pushes a more holistic approach to training and competing, striving for health and happiness both on the track and in the world outside of running. She describes her path of using this passion to become a female entrepreneur and the gender bias she experienced in this journey in addition to in her athletics, connecting with other women and eventually partnering with Oiselle, the now well-known female-centered running brand that was started by CEO Sally Bergesen (another bad-ass woman!). As an emerging runner in high school just trying to navigate the new sport I found myself in, Lauren provided a light to follow. Now as a young woman who has been through the thralls of competitive running, is still training competitively, and coaches other young women, Lauren still proves to be a role model for me.
Reading this book left me feeling validated in my experiences as well as fired up and angry about the experiences of others. Women in sport will almost certainly relate to the story, and men in sport can take the opportunity to learn about our experiences. Regardless of gender, age, talent, or ability, this would be a valuable read to any and all. | sociology |
https://directdialogueinitiatives.com/clients/ | 2021-07-27T02:58:02 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2021-31/segments/1627046152168.38/warc/CC-MAIN-20210727010203-20210727040203-00541.warc.gz | 0.937638 | 657 | CC-MAIN-2021-31 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2021-31__0__297457902 | en | Our clients include both operational and advocacy NGOs in the fields of environment, reforestation, child-welfare, societal upliftment, and public health.
Greenpeace India is an independent global campaigning organisation with a network of offices in over 55 countries. Greenpeace India campaigns to prevent the dangerous impacts of climate change by protecting our forests, air and water. It promotes clean renewable energy through solar power and safe food through ecological farming. Greenpeace India does not accept donations from governments or corporations and relies on the support of individual donors to fund campaign work.
Alaap is a social enterprise with a mission to create a world that exists in harmony with nature; and where development is not at the cost of destroying our planet or our communities. It does this through the revival of degraded lands into fast-growing natural forests and turning chemical-dependent farmlands into regenerative food forests. This creates short and long term income opportunities, climate-resilient communities, and carbon sequestration.
Railway Children India (RCI) is a non-profit organisation that has been fighting to protect and provide for children with nowhere to go, for over 20 years. RCI creates child-friendly railway stations and races to reach lost, missing or abandoned children before an abuser does. Once they are rescued, RCI works with communities and governments to relocate or reunite them with their families.
Anahat bridges the gap between the poor and the government healthcare system, by strengthening the demand for healthcare and, building the capacities of non-medical health workers to provide these services. It works to create strong public health systems which are critical to improving the lives of the poor, as health is linked with livelihoods, the environment, nutrition and food security.
VAANI works to advocate for the right of every deaf child to lead a full and complete life with respect and dignity. By bringing language and communication into the lives of deaf children and their families, VAANI enables them to have meaningful interactions between themselves and the world around them.
Vimor Handloom Foundation was set up in 2004 to empower Indian weavers and ensure the preservation of India’s rich handloom tradition. Through skilling, design and financial support, the foundation helps weavers sustain their traditional occupation. Vimor Museum of Living Textiles, a museum set up by the foundation aims to create awareness about the importance of India’s textile heritage. Another domain of work is the research and documentation, of India’s traditional handloom saree motifs and weaving techniques.
Organisation For Friends, Energies and Resources is a non-profit based out of Kolkata, West Bengal that works on issues of child protection, HIV/AIDS eradication, disability and other human development areas. OFFER caters to vulnerable groups from 5 states namely West Bengal, Bihar, Assam, Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Since its inception in 1987, OFFER, has been working tirelessly for the rescue, rehabilitation and social integration of orphaned and abandoned children living with HIV/AIDS, homeless children, and children with intellectual disabilities. OFFER is the first organisation to start a cafe in Kolkata run exclusively by HIV positive young adults from Anandaghar. | sociology |
https://www.citizensadvicened.org.uk/about-us/how-you-can-support-us | 2024-04-24T08:09:35 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2024-18/segments/1712296819089.82/warc/CC-MAIN-20240424080812-20240424110812-00829.warc.gz | 0.958355 | 326 | CC-MAIN-2024-18 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2024-18__0__141573481 | en | How You Can Support Us
Some people think that the Citizens Advice Service is a government body. Not so! Citizens Advice North East Derbyshire is an independent charity. As such we are heavily dependent upon financial support and also donations to keep our vital services going.
With a Citizens Advice office in the community you have somewhere to turn when you need help – four in ten people have used the service at some point in their lives.
Please consider making a donation. We welcome donations from Individuals, Companies and Trusts.
£5 would contribute to a days training for a volunteer adviser.
£50 would contribute to the cost of sessions to support and advise a young person who needed to set up home for the first time.
£150 would pay for us to help a family under stress overcome a chronic debt problem and avoid homelessness
£400 would help pay for us to support two people suffering from severe mental health problems avoid a crisis and a return to hospital
£5,000 would allow us to improve essential money skills for 150 homeless people so they won’t lose their tenancy when they find a new home.
£10,000 would pay for us to run an outreach service in a needy part of town to improve the welfare of older or hard to reach people for a whole year.
If you wish to make a donation, however much you can afford, please visit our JustGiving page or you can donate via Give as you Live
You can also help Citizens Advice North East Derbyshire when you shop online without it costing you any extra via Give as you Live! | sociology |
http://ruapekapeka.co.nz/read/traditional-m%C4%81ori-society | 2017-04-24T09:32:12 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2017-17/segments/1492917119225.38/warc/CC-MAIN-20170423031159-00381-ip-10-145-167-34.ec2.internal.warc.gz | 0.986615 | 1,631 | CC-MAIN-2017-17 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2017-17__0__32478279 | en | Traditional Māori Society
Māori are descended from the great Polynesian sea-farers who swept across the Pacific Ocean, finally arriving in New Zealand about 750 years ago. These ancestors arrived aboard great voyaging waka (canoes), the names of which have been passed down through the generations.
Māori society was vibrant and dynamic from the outset. The ancestors were quick to adapt to their new homeland, a rugged and temperate environment very different to the small tropical islands they had departed. There were challenges, many relating to the cooler climate, but also some grand opportunities.
The descendents of the Polynesian voyagers became tangata whenua, the people of the land, the indigenous people of Aotearoa (New Zealand). By the time New Zealand was “discovered” by Europe in 1642, Māori culture was vibrant and unique, tied to and inseparable from the land itself.
Māori society was organised into more-or-less autonomous communities, connected through complex networks of kinship ties and political alliances. Communities were loosely grouped into iwi (tribes) defined by descent from a common ancestor. The iwi was the largest unit of Māori society, however, there was no permanent office of “paramount chief” at the level of the iwi. Decisions were reached through negotiation among rangitira (chiefs) and kaumatua (family leaders). Formal hui (meetings) were held to discuss important issues, where people of sufficient rank would speak in turn.
Personal status was strongly influenced by genealogy and gender. Males were superior to females, elder siblings superior to younger siblings. The status of a person was based on the level of mana they possessed. Mana is often translated as “prestige” but is also encompasses spiritual power, status, charisma and authority. Rangitira were defined by their possession of sufficient mana. Mana was inherited, however the mana of a person or a hapu could increase or decrease depending upon their successes or failures. In other words, leadership in Māori society was not determined through inheritance alone. A rangitira who failed to lead his hapu to success would suffer a loss of mana (and therefore power).
In terms of everyday life, the hapu (clan or descent group) was the most important social unit. Hapu were fairly small, their members numbering in the hundreds. Māori communities were formed by hapu (or several hapu), under the leadership of a rangitira whose mana offered them protection. Hapu were connected to each other to varying degrees through kinship ties and common ancestry. Intermarriage between high-ranking men and women was one way to strengthen kinship ties and promote friendly relationships.
The authority of a chief extended over a particular area (rohe), and it was here that his hapu built their houses, planted gardens and stored their food supplies. Members of the hapu would work together to carry out larger-scale projects, such as making a canoe, clearing land for cultivation or going on a fishing expedition. Each extended family (whanau) would share a sleeping house, and the grandparents would focus upon looking after the children while the parents worked. The kaumatua (eldest male) was the leader of his whanau, and his wife also had a great deal of influence.
In the absence of an overarching system of governance, Māori society was ordered and organised according to tikanga. Tikanga can be loosely translated as “customs”, but it really means more that that. Tikanga is the prescribed and correct way of doing things, and it governed almost every aspect of Māori life.
Māori shared their world with a host of atua (gods, spirits and ghosts), inhabiting a supernatural realm entwined with and inseparable from the real world. Many atua are ancestral figures – the mana (prestige, status) of a chiefly person is derived from his descent from the atua.
The atua were easily offended and some of them were downright malevolent. The key to avoiding offence was to ensure that tapu was respected. The concept of tapu (sacredness, spiritual restriction) was central to Māori life. To breach or diminish tapu was a very serious matter, which had dire consequences in the real world. Many things were tapu, for example, to touch the head of a chief was a terrible breach. The tapu of a chiefly person prevent him from preparing food, because food was noa (ordinary, free from tapu).
Tapu could be breached or diminished, and it could also be created or enhanced. Tohunga (experts) in the religious realm were extremely important in Māori society, and this kind of authority was passed down through particular lines of descent. Tohunga performed special rituals to control tapu and other spiritual forces. Tohunga and rangitira had the power to create tapu – for instance, the birds on a certain lake might be declared tapu, which would prevent anybody from harvesting them until the tapu was lifted.
The spiritual world was entwined with the land itself. To the Māori of old, the land is Papatuanuku, the earth-mother goddess who gives birth to plants, animals and people. Some elements of the landscape were the personification of ancestral atua. Mount Manaia, a towering rocky formation at the entrance to the Whangarei Harbour is a good example: the high rocky pinnacles are Manaia and his wives, who were turned to stone during a fight with the servant Paeko. Paeko was also turned to stone, immortalised as a rocky outcrop partway down the side of the mountain.
Māori could not “own” land in the European sense of the word. Each hapu had strong spiritual and physical connections to certain places, the boundaries defined by special landmarks, posts or stones. However, for practical purposes New Zealand was not divided into land parcels with sharply defined boarders. For a start, home villages (kainga) were not continuously occupied. People moved with the seasons, from place to place, gathering and harvesting food along the way. Each hapu had rights to certain resources in certain areas, overlapping and entwined with the rights of other hapu. The rights to occupy or use a certain area were held by the group and not by individuals.
Garden plots were very valuable and required a lot of attention. Kainga were built nearby the gardens, and the people returned often in-between their trips away to gather food, visit friends or settle disputes. After two or three years of cropping, the garden plots were left to fallow for several decades. When it was time to move to a different garden area, the kainga was shifted as well. The early European settlers found very difficult to understand the Māori way of moving through the landscape in cycles. In European eyes, lands that were not obviously in use were thought to be abandoned and therefore available.
Moving around within the rohe was a perfectly normal aspect of everyday life. But mobility in Māori society went beyond that. It was fairly common for hapu to migrate and resettle in entirely new lands. A simple population increase was a possible motivating factor. A shortage of gardening land, stretched resources, or defeat in battle could drive a hapu to seek and entirely new place to live. In some cases, the newcomers were welcomed, especially if they were kin to those who lived there already. However, in many cases migrating hapu would expect a fight. Invasions and conquests had serious knock-on effects. A hapu defeated and displaced had to find another place to live, and so the upheaval would spread across many communities. | sociology |
http://howardgardnerschool.com/news/testimonial/anne-cummins/ | 2018-02-24T20:20:39 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2018-09/segments/1518891815934.81/warc/CC-MAIN-20180224191934-20180224211934-00413.warc.gz | 0.978497 | 236 | CC-MAIN-2018-09 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2018-09__0__168752898 | en | Howard Gardner School has a very unique and special learning environment. We choose this school because we believe in its philosophy and approach – the principles and love of learning that have been instilled in our boys will definitely carry through and serve them well in life. We feel very lucky to have in our area the option of a progressive, outside of the box, school that is helping to lay the foundation for our kids to truly love to learn about the world around them. Our three children are not only accepted, but appreciated, for the individual people that they are – and their education is tailored to their specific strengths and learning styles. We find the teachers to be excellent and our boys are not only challenged in the areas that they excel, but patiently guided through topics that prove difficult until they gain a true understanding of the material. The atmosphere at the school is one of community and support among the kids, teachers, and parents – differences among the students are valued. Our kids love going to school each and every day and actually count down the days until they can return to school after a break or vacation – as parents, you can’t ask much more than that! – Anne C. | sociology |
http://hsr.com.sg/AboutHSR/CorporateSocialResponsibility.aspx | 2017-07-24T10:49:27 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2017-30/segments/1500549424846.81/warc/CC-MAIN-20170724102308-20170724122308-00551.warc.gz | 0.935782 | 559 | CC-MAIN-2017-30 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2017-30__0__175288130 | en | About HSR / Corporate Social Responsibility
Over the years, HSR as an organisation has contributed positively to charity. We have provided leadership and advisory services to charities, civic organisations, and other non-profit organisations.
CSR is clearly spelled out in one of our missions, “As a responsible corporate citizen, we take pride in contributing towards the development of the community”.
MY HSR ELDERLY OUTREACH
‘My HSR Elderly Outreach,’ a vibrant outreach program was initiated by our company since 2003 for the elderly of the Toa Payoh Constituency.
There are some of our regular activities.
1. HSR Home Meal Service: On a weekly basis, we deliver meals to the needy families. Currently 15 families benefit from this service.
2. HSR Elderly Parties: Fortnightly, we ferry our elderly friends to HSR Building and minister to them socially, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Activities include wellness checks, educational talks, excursions, exercises, art and craft sessions, etc.
3. HSR Agape Ration Service:On a monthly basis, the selected needy families who are staying at Toa Payoh will come to HSR to collect rations. For the weak and semi mobile, we deliver the rations to their families. Currently 20 families benefit from this.
4. HSR Autumn Stars:We started a choir with our elderly friends to bring hope and joy to different charity and needy organisations. We have performed in different places, including IMH, Assisi Hospice, Singapore Leprosy Relief Association, and other organisations.
5. HSR Social Enterprise:We are currently working with our elderly friends to produce arts and craft that meet commercial standards to help them enhance their self esteem and enjoy themselves. We also provide part-time jobs for them where possible.
6. Junior Achievements:In addition, we collaborate with Junior Achievements to go to different schools to teach the students leadership, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and other important soft skills.
7. Crisis Relief:We have also raised funds and offer different services for humanitarian causes. We have responded financially to support humanitarian work in response to natural crisis, including the Asian Tsunami, Pakistan earthquake, China earthquake and Myanmar cyclone. Haiti earthquake and the Japan Tsunami. Other services include donation drives for old clothing to send to Payatas (Philippines) to help the needy cope with the winter season.
All donations are sent directly to the designated charity organisations and projects wherever possible.
Should you wish to know more about HSR Charity Challenge and other projects, please call (65) 6559 8888 or fax us at (65) 6559 8889. | sociology |
http://warnewsupdates.blogspot.com/2017/03/after-six-years-of-war-has-syrian.html | 2017-05-26T13:11:42 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2017-22/segments/1495463608665.33/warc/CC-MAIN-20170526124958-20170526144958-00287.warc.gz | 0.937831 | 251 | CC-MAIN-2017-22 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2017-22__0__153124754 | en | Destroyed buildings in Homs. About half of Syria’s prewar population has fled, the United Nations says, and nearly four million people are refugees abroad. Credit Sergey Ponomarev for The New York Times
Bethan McKernan, The Independent: After six years of war, Syria’s rebels reflect on whether revolution has been worth it
‘I have too much and too little to say. I was on the side of freedom in 2011, and I am on the side of freedom now… But how many more will have to die?’
Almost half a million dead. More than 10.9 million forced to flee their homes, many into the arms of traffickers or graves at the bottom of the Mediterranean.
Cities starved into submission by government sieges, tens of thousands disappeared in regime prisons, and the rampant growth of extremist ideology intent on sucking the little life and joy left out of Syria.
An entire generation of children who don’t flinch at explosions or artillery fire in the distance.
Such is the state of the Syrian revolution, six years on since the hopes of the Arab Spring.
Read more ....
WNU Editor: The answer is a big NO! | sociology |
https://sqsww.com/2023/11/20/exploring-the-advantages-of-a-preschool-education/ | 2024-02-24T15:15:01 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2024-10/segments/1707947474541.96/warc/CC-MAIN-20240224144416-20240224174416-00042.warc.gz | 0.960123 | 535 | CC-MAIN-2024-10 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2024-10__0__103218904 | en | Children develop at a rapid pace during their early years, which makes it critical for parents to provide them with a solid educational foundation from an early age. Preschool education is one of the most effective ways to do this. Not only does it prepare children for primary school, but preschool education also yields several other benefits. This blog post will explore the advantages of investing in a preschool education for your child.
Early Learning Opportunities
One of the primary benefits of a preschool education is the early learning opportunities it provides for children. Preschool programs focus on developing cognitive, emotional, and social skills in children in fun and interactive ways. Children learn how to count, read, write, problem-solve, and work collaboratively with others. These activities not only help children develop academically but also socially, allowing them to become well-adapted and confident.
Another advantage of a preschool education is that it provides children with a structured environment. Preschool programs usually have daily routines and schedules that children follow. This sense of structure helps children learn about schedules, routines, and organization. These skills are essential in preparing children for primary school and beyond.
Preschool programs play a crucial role in providing children with plentiful opportunities to interact and socialize with their peers and adults. Through these interactions, children not only learn how to effectively communicate but also acquire essential skills in forming genuine friendships and developing empathy towards others. They gradually become adept at establishing and maintaining social connections, preparing them for a lifetime of successful and enriching interactions with a diverse range of individuals from different backgrounds and perspectives. Overall, these early socialization experiences lay a strong foundation for their future personal and social development.
Finally, a preschool education focuses on play-based learning, which makes learning fun for children. Children are encouraged to participate in activities like singing, storytelling, arts and crafts, and games. These activities help children develop creativity, problem-solving skills, and language skills, all while having fun. Additionally, it helps children learn through hands-on experiences, which is a critical aspect of early learning.
All parents want their children to succeed in life, and investing in a preschool education for your child is a great way to do that. Not only does it prepare children for primary school, but it yields several other benefits, such as early learning opportunities, a structured environment, socialization opportunities, and play-based learning. All these benefits contribute to a child's overall development of academic, social, and emotional skills, helping them succeed in life. Start your child's educational journey on the right foot and invest in preschool education today!
Contact a local preschool education centre to learn more. | sociology |
http://www.tkeumn.org/join-tke/join-at-the-university-of-minnesota | 2023-06-09T05:19:15 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-23/segments/1685224655247.75/warc/CC-MAIN-20230609032325-20230609062325-00685.warc.gz | 0.96278 | 346 | CC-MAIN-2023-23 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2023-23__0__208823484 | en | Tau Kappa Epsilon expects serious attention to academic performance. A strong academic record not only prepares members for success after graduation, but it also helps them strengthen their mind to the world. TKE will help its members excel in their academic life and assist in their pursuits afterward.
TKE teaches the basic principles of effective living such as integrity, honesty and patience, which are core values in Tau Kappa Epsilon. Generations of men have become successful in life through their experiences in Tau Kappa Epsilon.
TKE offers your men the opportunity to develop as leaders and prepares them to use those leadership skills during their lifetime. Tekes are encouraged to take an active leadership role in community, campus, and chapter activities.
Tau Kappa Epsilon believes that the backbone of a successful team is
based on building relationships, and developing strong interpersonal ties. TKE helps our members reach their full potential, and achieve a level of excellence in every activity in which they engage.
TKE is committed to instilling a sense of responsibility and contribution in all of our members. The Fraternity encourages members to provide service to their campus and community through philanthropic activities.
In Tau Kappa Epsilon hundreds of thousands of men have established solid friendships that last a lifetime. Tekes around the world act as a network of friends, which can be very beneficial both personally and professionally to our members.
The TKE social calendar will provide you with more than enough opportunities to have a good time. TKE believes man is a social being, frequent contact with your brothers and the rest of the Greek community is a necessary component of your Greek experience. | sociology |
https://www.vut.ac.za/vut-closes-womens-month-with-a-gender-based-dialogue/ | 2020-09-27T00:37:05 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-40/segments/1600400249545.55/warc/CC-MAIN-20200926231818-20200927021818-00093.warc.gz | 0.954583 | 795 | CC-MAIN-2020-40 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2020-40__0__285866941 | en | Mr Dumisani Dlamini “Mbodla”: Isibaya actor
Gender-based violence has once again hit the headlines with women being kidnapped, physically abused, emotionally abused, raped and murdered. What has gone wrong?
Gender -based violence is a deep and general problem in South Africa, affecting almost every part of a woman’s life. It is an evil that affects women and girls around the world and is intensely rooted in institutions, cultures and traditions. It arises as an outcome of normative role expectations and unequal power relationships between genders in a society.
In addressing these issues of gender-based violence, equality and crime prevention, the Department of Arts and Culture, together with the Department of Social Justice and Transformation, hosted a dialogue about such issues under the theme #RespectMe. The event took place on Friday, 30 August 2019 at the Desmond Tutu Great Hall, Vanderbijlpark campus.
In his opening and welcoming address, the Vice-Chancellor and Principal: Professor Gordon Zide emphasised that the end of Women’s Month is not a signal for men to do as they wish from now on. He said that it’s women’s day on a daily basis. He further stated that real African men do not rape, do not abuse women and children and they listen when a woman says “NO” and that she means “NO”.
This important event was graced by the presence of the MMC of Public Safety in the Sedibeng Municipality: Yusuf Mahomed; Mr Dumisani Dlamini “Mbodla”: Isibaya actor; Dr Motlalepule Nathane: Senior Lecturer Social Sciences at Wits; Brigadier Nikiwe Hoeane: Station Commander at the Vanderbijlpark SAPS; and Ms Refiloe Mathloko: author of the book Beyond Hopes and Dreams.
Mr Dlamini shared his personal story of how his father murdered his mother while he was away on a shoot for Sarafina. He explained that through all this experience, he has learnt that forgiveness is important. In supporting his statement, Ms Mathloko said that we need to understand the greater purpose behind the experience and be unapologetic about womanhood.
Dr Motlalepule Nathane: Senior Lecturer Social Sciences at Wits
MMC Mahomed suggested that more programmes like this are needed for young people, to teach them and use them to build a better generation. In addition, Dr Nathane advised the students to believe the perpetrator the first time (when abused) and also advised men to know that “it’s ok to be vulnerable and not to bottle up issues”. “Sister solidarity is important” she said and recommended that people should stop putting pressure on young girls.
In closing, Brigadier Hoeane warned students not to drink too much alcohol and to take responsibility for their safety. She said: “Ziqoqe… uzifumane”.
The audience had a chance to interact with the panellists, asked questions to gain clarity on matters they had shared with the audience. Mr Joseph Radebe: Social Cohesion Advocate gave a vote of thanks to all participating departments, partners, staff and students who attended the event.
Brigadier Nikiwe Hoeane: Station Commander at the Vanderbijlpark SAPS
Partners of the event were: Department of Arts & Culture; Emfuleni Municipality; Sedibeng District; Life; SAPS; National Prosecuting Authority; Rand Water; Community Policing Forum; Nicro and Power. Participating departments were: Social Justice and Transformation; Institutional HIV/AIDS Unit (IHAU); Corporate Affairs and the Centre for Academic Development. | sociology |
http://omeka.hrvh.org/exhibits/show/history-of-poverty-new-paltz/road-to-the-poor-house | 2017-04-29T01:40:51 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2017-17/segments/1492917123172.42/warc/CC-MAIN-20170423031203-00230-ip-10-145-167-34.ec2.internal.warc.gz | 0.953321 | 117 | CC-MAIN-2017-17 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2017-17__0__62651034 | en | Road to the Poorhouse
The history of welfare in the state of New York drastically changed from its beginnings in the era of the English poor laws and almshouses to the welfare system we have today. The treatment of those in need consistently changed from the practices of auctioning off the poor, binding out, and outdoor relief. These practices faded as a result of the Quincy and Yates Reports, which transformed traditions of Elizabethan poor relief into the age of the poorhouse system.
(Image credit: Cigar Box Labels, http://cigarboxlabels.com) | sociology |
https://lockdownvoices.in/2020/08/26/in-fellowship-with-nature/?fbclid=IwAR3PCmxXdE_laigVhdOvn6dwwryNVgJ-FAK1RXcIWjw0JxeXnYGPnRZMvw0 | 2023-03-31T00:05:15 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-14/segments/1679296949506.62/warc/CC-MAIN-20230330225648-20230331015648-00511.warc.gz | 0.977661 | 2,997 | CC-MAIN-2023-14 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2023-14__0__279983424 | en | For the past few years, every monsoon, Assam has been in news for the grim flood situation. Once again, this year heavy incessant rains in the midst of the pandemic created havoc in the lives of the people. Lockdown Voices reached out to interview Tezpur based Rita Banerji, an eminent environment and wildlife filmmaker, conservationist and Project Director, Green Hub for a reality check.
Green Hub, a collaborative initiative of North East Network (NEN), Guwahati and Dusty Foot Production (DFP), is the first youth and community based video documentation and training centre for recording environment, wildlife and people’s biodiversity in the Northeast Region.
Lockdown Voices (LV): Thank you Rita for finding time from your hectic work schedule. How has the Green Hub fellowship program been affected during the lockdown?
Rita Banerji (RB): Since we offer a one year fellowship program which starts in May every year, because of COVID-19, it is a gap year for the fellowship program. We had shortlisted the applicants for the interviews in April 2020, but then we had to drop everything. However, we have a network of 88 fellows now and we are working with the alumni to create stories related to the situation from their own locations. And the Green Hub team got busy with the COVID-19 relief work soon after the lockdown in March, as the situation with daily wage workers across the region was quite bad. Thanks to the NEN (North East Network) and fellows network we were able to reach many areas.
LV: How did you keep the fellows engaged during the pandemic?
RB: The fellows from the batch of 2019-20 were going to graduate in May. Many of them looking at the situation managed to reach home before the lockdown was announced.
Those who stayed back continued with their work on the edits, so they remained busy. We had three online training sessions, which was the first time for us, and it was interesting to see that it can work in the future also, not as our main sessions, but to support the program. The fellows also helped with the packing of ration for the COVID-19 relief work as everyday we were going out with 100 – 200 packets. So it was like an assembly line.
LV: Wonderful to hear the fellows got into relief work with full gusto. We hear of monsoon floods in the Northeast every year. How different was the situation this year with the lockdown?
RB: In my understanding, two things happened. One is that over the years, the frequency of big floods is increasing. Earlier, it used to be in a gap of 7-8 years and now in the last 4 years there have been 3 big floods. This year it also came a bit early, in June. With the COVID-19, the situation became worse for the families, as social distancing in the relief camps was almost impossible. Here people mostly shift to tents on the highway, and then some Naam ghars and schools are converted to relief camps. Whichever area we went for distributing relief, it was tough as people did not wear masks or maintain distance. And in that situation they are already struggling, with their houses flooded, living in tents on the road, dependent on relief… it is not easy, and then how do you tell them to wear masks and stay away… it is crazy. Many times we saw women wading through knee deep water coming to the road to take the relief. At the end of the day, it is one packet with some ration, or with sanitation material. It kind of shakes you and in that moment I think COVID-19 takes a backseat… there is no option. You can just hope for the best that all the people are safe and get enough support.
LV: Rita, the relief work must have been a challenging task. With so much demand, on what basis did you distribute the ration?
RB: The initial focus was to see who were the worst affected in and around where we are. One realized during this time that a huge majority in the town as well as the rural areas are dependent on daily wage – from rickshaw wallas, vegetable sellers, fishing community, people who work in stores and factories to farm labour etc. We focused on these people, especially those who did not have ration cards, or BPL cards. It was quite a process as we had to make lists first before the distribution, make sure that the right people were getting the ration. We also found that there were hundreds of people from other states who were working here in sales for farm companies etc. They were all stuck as they could not return, and also did not have money for food.
LV: How difficult has it been for your team to go about with relief work during lockdown? And which areas were you able to reach out to?
RB: We worked closely with the district administration as we needed special permits to move during lockdown. Many times they would call us to provide relief packets to certain areas if they were running short. So in some sense it was good as we were all working together on this.
The Green Hub team covered Sonitpur District and parts of Nagaon. Through the North East Network team and fellows network, we were able to reach several districts of Assam, Nagaland, Meghalaya, and some parts of Manipur. In Arunachal Pradesh, it was primarily for the families of forest patrolling staff and nature guides.
LV: With such a large reach, how have you been able to manage funding for relief work?
RB: The most amazing thing has been the number of people who came forward to support both COVID-19 and flood relief work. We sent out an appeal for donations, and we got a lot of contribution mostly from civil society. It has been heartening to see. The funding agencies who support our work, also immediately came forward to prioritise COVID-19 relief work. This was a big help. In that sense, it has been an incredible time where you saw a network of people all working together to help as much as they could.
LV: Environment and wildlife are the key work areas of Green Hub. What has been your main concern in these areas ?
RB: I think one of the main concerns during the COVID-19 time has been the number of projects that have been cleared by the Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF), which if not stopped will be detrimental to the Northeast region (both biodiversity and people), and it will be a big loss globally. The hydropower projects in Dibang Valley, the coal mining in Dehing Patkai Elephant Reserve, the proposed highway across Pakke Tiger Reserve… And above all there is the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) draft. If passed the way it is, this will leave little hope for environment and wildlife as well as community well-being across India. While the COVID-19 situation should make us think about protecting our natural systems even more, we are going the other way.
Apart from that there is a lot of news about hunting for bush meat. One is not sure, but there is a possibility that this has escalated. But otherwise, looking at the larger picture, there must be sure benefits – so many months of less transport on the road, lesser flights, less pollution, working out of home. Must be a moment of peace for the wild world.
LV: Rita you are known for your films on environment and wild life. How difficult is the process of making a documentary film in the current situation?
RB: Right now with the pandemic, it is not that easy, as people are also not open to having filming units coming from outside. There is a fear. If you are filming in the wilderness around where you live, it still works. Documentary films, especially wildlife and environment films depend a lot on going into the field, talking to people, so all that is definitely affected as travel is restricted. However, there is a story everywhere, in every situation and people are pushing themselves to innovate. I am sure interesting things will come out of the pandemic too.
LV: Post-pandemic, what do you think would be the documentary film production and funding scenario?
RB: Difficult to say what is going to happen post. Anyway, there are very few channels for documentary funding, especially working on independent films. At the same time documentaries, and any other form of art, plays a big role in telling the stories of that particular time – reflections, history, culture, nature, politics, people… so I am sure there will be a need for seeing those stories, films. For example it has become so evident during COVID-19, the need for revival of our natural ecosystems, and look at sustainable livelihoods, or in other words a system where ecological security forms the bedrock of economy. At the same time, it is not easy for mindsets to change. Films and other forms of communication will play a role in bringing out this narrative. The form of documentaries may explode in different ways – we have seen social media being used for story telling in many innovative ways. So lets see… everything will take time to recover, but it will and hopefully in the right way, and in creative ways.
LV: As an environment filmmaker and conservationist, what should be the action plan to preserve the biodiversity hotspots regions of the North East during natural disasters?
RB: I think this cannot be answered in isolation of floods or natural disasters. We need to reboot the entire system, entire way of thinking about development. I think the need for protecting whatever we have left of forests and rivers is pretty much clear. I think, it is not rocket science. What is needed is the real intention from the governance as well as from the people, and all of us to work towards a paradigm that defines development in a way where ecological security is the foundation of economy and not the other way round. There is no other way. The real profit should be assessed based on how many years of sustainable life will a project support, and not for one or two people, but for the community overall. How can water be secured, how can clean air be secured, how can food be secured? This is your real insurance. And this has to be beyond the idea of cash based economy. Real democracy is when people are self sufficient and are able to live with dignity and happiness… that’s what we have to strive for.
LV: Getting back to your past few months of relentless relief work, what has been your realisation and learning?
RB: I feel in the first 4 months, one of the biggest realisation has been the power of collaborating. I think we were able to do so much because of the number of people who worked together, coordinating, reaching out. It was on the strength of civil society, the NGOs, the local administration that the entire system moved and helped and worked in solidarity. It was just amazing. Some friends from Chennai were on the phone just being translators for migrant labour from Jharkand, Bihar as well as the Northeast, some other groups were on the railway station helping them get onto trains, other groups were coordinating through the entire rail or bus journey to see that they got food along the way. Sometimes we would get a call about hundreds of students from Northeast stuck in other states like Rajasthan. Immediately a WhatsApp message would be sent to support groups and friends, within minutes a whole chain would kick off and in a day or two you would get the message that they are all on board. And I think this would be the story you will hear across the country from anyone working on relief work during COVID-19. There were so many people working on the ground just determined to help. And in all this whether it is the relief work or raising awareness about the environment issues, the youth have played a tremendous role… and I think that is the real hope.
LV: We hope to get over the COVID-19 scare in the coming months. Do you think we can prevent such situations happening in the future?
RB: We definitely have to see how all of us can work towards creating a sustainable future. The way things are, a COVID-19 situation may happen again. It will be important for us to work towards preparedness both short-term and long-term. It may mean looking carefully at the public health systems and improving current facilities and in the long-term adopting a more holistic approach like One Health. One Health looks at multi- disciplinary approach to community well being, where you look at health as part of the larger system – the people, the animals, the environment. This is the core in some sense. It is clear that COVID-19 is the outcome of a whole chain of disruptions we have caused to the natural systems – the large-scale deforestation, damming up rivers, unplanned urban development and much more. It is difficult to reverse, but it is possible to move towards recovery if we focus on rejuvenating the natural ecosystems, plan development, based on how forests and rivers could be protected, use technology keeping the systems of nature in mind, or use it to amplify restoration as well as empower people.
LV: Rita, you began your career as a filmmaker in Delhi in the 90’s. Later, you shifted to the Northeast and set up Green Hub in Tezpur in 2014. What motivates you to work in the Northeast?
RB: My mother is from Assam, so I have my roots here. My grandmother herself was a social worker here and a big inspiration. When I started my own set up Dusty Foot, our first project was based in Pakke, in Arunachal and I guess over the years the bond just grew. It’s a beautiful part of the India. Over the last 5 years, one has learnt a lot from the Green Hub fellows who come from different parts of the Northeast, and more you get to know more you fall in love with the place and the people. They are the biggest motivation…
LV: Thank you Rita for sharing your thoughts on protecting our future and giving us a glimpse of the outstanding work you and your fellows are doing. On behalf of our readers, we wish you the very best in your endeavours. Please stay safe!
Cover Image: Green Hub
Story Images: Green Hub
Standard Disclaimer : The story contributors are responsible for all views and facts provided in their posts. Lockdown Voices and its editorial team is not accountable for the accuracy of the information posted.
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https://www.beaconcentersd.com/domestic-violence-in-the-workplace | 2021-07-27T08:02:50 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2021-31/segments/1627046153223.30/warc/CC-MAIN-20210727072531-20210727102531-00496.warc.gz | 0.942009 | 846 | CC-MAIN-2021-31 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2021-31__0__254904211 | en | Domestic Violence in the Workplace
While historically considered a private and personal issue, awareness campaigns and public education about domestic violence have made it unacceptable for employers to ignore this serious problem. Regardless of whether victims are abused at home or at work, the abuse will ultimately affect their professional life or even jeopardize their safety at work and the safety of their co-workers.
Why Should an Employer Intervene?
Domestic violence travels with a victim, from the home to the workplace. It often has a significant effect on a victim's performance in the workplace. It results in increased absenteeism, lower productivity and quality of work, and higher medical costs.
Many employers feel uncomfortable addressing the problem or feel that there is nothing they can do. Although it may not be easy, it is crucial to educate employees about the signs of domestic violence in order to create a work environment that encourages victims to seek help.
Recognizing when an employee might be in a domestic violence situation
Disclosure to other employees (even joking)
Fear of the partner, references to the partner's anger
Abuser calls or visits employee at work frequently
Many sick days - high absenteeism
Decreased productivity and attentiveness
Isolation from friends and family
Insufficient resources to live (money, credit cards, car)
What an employer can do to help:
Let the employee know that you are there for him/her when he/she is ready to talk.
You could say, "No one deserves to be hit by someone else"
Let victim know you're concerned. You could say, "I am concerned for your safety and there are resources in our organization and in the community that can help you. I am here for you when you need help."
Be patient; People will take action to leave an abusive situation when they are ready
Talk in a quiet place. A comfortable, safe atmosphere will convey a message of confidentiality, importance and seriousness
Respect an employee's decision not to disclose
Be open and flexible with requests from employee for time off to things related to leaving the abuser (moving out, filing protection orders, attending court, etc)
Encourage the employee to contact Beacon Center (605) 886-4300 or 1-800-660-8014 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.
Let the victim know that you want to help keep them safe at work. Ask what changes could be made to make him/her feel safer--remember, the victim knows the perpetrator better than anyone else. Some ways to do this:
Encourage him/her to save any threatening e-mail or voicemail messages. These can potentially be used for future legal action, or can serve as evidence that an existing protection order was violated.
Make arrangements for the victim to have priority parking near the building.
Have calls screened, transferring harassing calls to security--or have his/her name removed from automated phone directories.
Relocate the victim's work space to a more secure area or another site.
Obtain a protection order that includes the workplace, and keep a copy on hand at all times. The victim may want to consider providing a copy to the police, his/her supervisor, security, or human resources.
Provide a picture of the perpetrator to reception areas and/or security.
Identify an emergency contact person should the employer be unable to contact the victim.
Ask security to escort the employee to and from vehicle or public transportation.
Keep the information confidential
Your first responsibility is to keep the workplace safe for all employees. By taking these steps, you can help the employee who is in a domestic violence situation keep his/her job and possibly gain enough strength to leave the abusive partner. You are also protecting your employees. It is frightening to have an abusive person come or call the workplace, but please remember to be supportive of your employee who is trying to survive the situation. You could be helping to literally save his/her life.
For more information call Beacon Center at 1-800-660-8014 or 605-886-4300. | sociology |
https://www.sustainabledevelopment.report/reports/2017-u.s.-cities-sdg-index/ | 2023-11-30T03:46:42 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-50/segments/1700679100164.87/warc/CC-MAIN-20231130031610-20231130061610-00526.warc.gz | 0.931576 | 1,087 | CC-MAIN-2023-50 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2023-50__0__254749352 | en | America is a paradox: the world’s leader in technology and dynamism and yet increasingly a laggard in wellbeing, public health, inequality, and even confidence in the future. As is famously known, the U.S. is getting richer but not happier. The paradox is resolved of course by recognizing that money is not everything. A society’s wellbeing depends on its social cohesion, trust in institutions, sense of fairness, good health, and care for the natural environment. In short, wellbeing depends on a holistic vision of sustainable development, embracing the economic, social, and environmental dimensions of wellbeing.
That is why the world’s governments unanimously adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in September 2015, to be reached by 2030. These ambitious goals aim to end poverty and malnutrition, ensure health and education for all, promote gender equality and a fairer distribution of income, and to protect the environment, notably by ending global warming and conserving ecosystems and biodiversity. Notably, the SDGs singled out a special role for cities, by adopting SDG 11, calling for resilient, inclusive and sustainable cities.
The UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) promotes the achievement of the SDGs worldwide by partnering with universities, governments, think tanks, and community leaders to accelerate SDG progress. The SDSN welcomes many partner institutions in this effort, including the new SDG USA, a non-governmental organization that aims to spur interest and focus on the SDGs in the United States. Many outstanding organizations, such as Bread for the World, Results, the Kresge and Hilton Foundations, and many others, are showing great leadership in this regard. SDSN is proud to partner with them.
Many cities are taking up the SDG Challenge and using the SDGs to help guide bold actions for their future. SDSN works with the dynamic city leaders of San Jose (CA), Baltimore (MD), and New York City (NY), in this cause. Dozens, indeed hundreds, of cities around the U.S. are showing great creativity and energy in promoting sustainable development, including low-carbon futures, social justice, and improved local economies. We strongly salute those efforts.
The SDSN has produced this first U.S. Cities SDG Index in order to help cities across the U.S. to take up sustainable development as an organizing framework and a key motivation for public action. We find in this report the scale of the challenge ahead. Many American cities face high rates of racial disparities, high levels of income inequality, and sky-high carbon emissions, just to name some of the key metrics and problems. Many cities are experiencing deep and growing crises regarding safe water, a challenge that perhaps most Americans thought had been long solved. Many American cities are caught in the turmoil of today’s labor market, in which traditional jobs are disappearing because of technological changes and yet too few in the labor force are properly trained for future skill-needs.
We hope that the SDGs, suitably adapted to America’s context, will become America’s Goals for 2030. We have within reach tremendous opportunities: to slash poverty, ensure good jobs for all, provide quality healthcare and education for all, end glaring inequalities by gender and race, and protect the natural environment. America is rich in know-how, creativity, and entrepreneurship. We have vast renewable energy resources as well, to wean ourselves off of fossil fuels. In other words, the SDGs present not only a set of challenges, but a tremendous opportunity to dedicate the skills of this generation to a great economic and social renewal and to build the new American economy of the 21st century.
We count on the new U.S. Cities SDG Index to be a help in this national endeavor. By measuring the current state of the SDGs across America’s metropolitan areas, we create an accurate starting line for our race to 2030 and a smart, fair, and sustainable future. No doubt there will be many areas of improvement to the U.S. Cities SDG Index in the years ahead. Yet time is short
and 2030 is near. Let us seize the opportunities offered by the Sustainable Development Goals.
Jeffrey D. Sachs
Director, Sustainable Development Solutions Network
AuthorsMihir Prakash, Katerina Teksoz, Jessica Espey, Jeffrey Sachs, Michael Shank and Guido Schmidt-Traub
The core data collection and analytical work was carried out by Mihir Prakash with Katerina Teksoz and substantial inputs from Guido Schmidt-Traub, Jessica Espey led the team, Michael Shank assisted, and Jeffrey Sachs supervised the overall project.
The authors are very grateful for advice and feedback from several colleagues and partners, including Alison Holder, Billie Giles-Corti, Marc A. Levy, Sandra Ruckstuhl, Melika Edquist and Kristen Lewis. We would also like to acknowledge the research assistance provided by Yemissrach Melka and Timothy Bushman at various stages of this work. The authors would like to thank the Hilton Foundation for their generous support for the production of this report and the Kresge Foundation for their support of the SDSN’s USA Sustainable Cities Initiative, which informed the production of this report. | sociology |
http://www.providenceplanning.org/CityNews/ | 2014-08-27T14:52:09 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2014-35/segments/1408500829421.59/warc/CC-MAIN-20140820021349-00056-ip-10-180-136-8.ec2.internal.warc.gz | 0.9204 | 256 | CC-MAIN-2014-35 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2014-35__0__41477051 | en | This week we announced plans for Providence’s first city-owned urban greenhouse through our Lots of Hope program. The greenhouse will be a place where neighbors of all ages can work together toward building a more sustainable community.
The greenhouse will be an important community asset by extending the growing season for local urban farmers, helping foster micro-businesses, promoting composting, and serving Providence students.
It will be built on vacant land located in the heart of South Providence and within walking distance of Mary Fogarty Elementary School, Robert Bailey Elementary School, a library, a senior center and a church.
Low-cost leases to farmers using the greenhouse will support agricultural business development and link locally grown food with school food service purchasing. The greenhouse will also provide opportunities for school curriculum integration, including a composting pilot where students will learn about local food systems and reducing solid waste.
The greenhouse represents the latest phase of our Lots of Hope initiative launched last year in partnership with the Rhode Island Foundation. Lots of Hope is turning vacant, city-owned property into productive urban farms and bringing fresh produce to neighborhoods. The greenhouse project is funded by the Rhode Island Foundation and Partners for Places.
We look forward to seeing this vacant land be transformed into a hub of urban agriculture in Providence. | sociology |
http://fsims.blogs.ccps.us/student-pledge | 2019-03-24T21:36:25 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2019-13/segments/1552912203493.88/warc/CC-MAIN-20190324210143-20190324232143-00075.warc.gz | 0.954779 | 114 | CC-MAIN-2019-13 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2019-13__0__74031705 | en | BGE STUDENT PLEDGE: (We will recite it each morning with our announcements)
I am in school to get an education.
I will listen, follow directions, and do my work.
I will be honest and do what is right.
I will treat others the way I want to be treated.
I will think about the feelings of others.
I came to school to learn, and I will learn.
By doing all of these things, I will be proud of myself,
and others will be proud of me too! | sociology |
https://www.e-education.psu.edu/geog571/node/139 | 2023-03-28T15:33:15 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-14/segments/1679296948867.32/warc/CC-MAIN-20230328135732-20230328165732-00618.warc.gz | 0.934212 | 1,296 | CC-MAIN-2023-14 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2023-14__0__57538175 | en | At its heart, identity has to do with what makes us unique as well as what makes us similar to others; and, by extension, what makes us individuals and what makes us belong to larger collectives (see Jenkins, 2008). The apparent paradox suggested here is resolved if you think about identification as a process by which we determine the ways that we relate to other people — how we balance the qualities we share with others and the differences between ourselves and others.
In this regard, identity is neither essential nor necessarily stable. As Dowling and McKinnon argue, identity is
something that changes with time, something we construct, something that is closely connected with operations of power in the contemporary world, whether at the level of global politics or that of the politics of everyday life. Here, scholarship is more likely to think about identity in the plural and imagine how human beings inhabit multiple identities in the course of daily life. (2014, p. 628)
Human geographers work with various theoretical approaches toward identity (including, to name a few, feminist, Marxist, post-structuralist, and psychoanalytic theory). Many human geographers borrow loosely from social theorists and sociologists, theorizing identity as relational and socially constructed. We’ll focus on the second part of this description in the next section of this lesson; for now we turn our attention to what it means for identity to be relational.
To say that identity (or, as we will see, identities, plural) is relational is to argue that identity is not founded on some unchanging, essential kernel of selfhood, but rather on people’s social positions relative to one another. This happens through a careful balancing act in which we recognize what differentiates ourselves from others, as well as what creates commonalities between us. Following Hall (1996), we might argue that identity forms through processes that force us, often unconsciously, to reconcile our social positions relative to others—and these processes create social spaces of inclusion and exclusion.
Consequently, in discussions of identity we often hear or see lists of traits that might describe a person. Consider, for example, the designations on forms given out by human resources departments, doctors' offices, or even the US Census Bureau. On any one of these, people might be asked if they are male, female, or intersex; Black, White, Asian, Latino, Native American, or Middle Eastern; man, woman, transgender, or nonbinary; Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, Wiccan, agnostic, or atheist; abled or disabled; working class, middle class, upper-middle class, or upper class; straight, gay or lesbian, bisexual, pansexual, or asexual; elderly, middle-aged, a young adult, teenager, tween, or preschooler—and this list is far from exhaustive.
Yet notice that each of these sets of traits coalesce around some broader social category. That is, each of the items above reflects some aspect of sex, race, gender, religion, dis/ability, class or socioeconomic status, sexuality, or age. We could add other broad categories such as ethnicity (e.g., Italian American, Pakistani British, etc.) or nationality (i.e., the state in which one claims the right of citizenship), among others.
The point here is that, given a list of categories, anyone can tick off a series of boxes that theoretically indicates some aspect of their identities. How strongly we feel about any of these descriptors may change depending on any number of things—for example, who is in the room, the event or circumstances under which these descriptors are relevant, whatever is happening in the world at large, and so on. For some categories, we might not feel that any of the available options reflect who we are. Finally, how relevant one’s particular position is at any given moment is affected by several factors, many of which are beyond our control. We will revisit this point in the next section of this lesson.
Further complicating our identities is the fact that they are complex and multilayered. Think back to the first exercise in this lesson: was any single answer that you provided sufficient to fully identify you? Chances are, your immediate response is something like, no, it is the collection of those things that makes me who I am.
Consider the various categories (e.g., sex, race, age, religion) presented above. In any given moment we all occupy some position within each of those categories. A person might be simultaneously -- and among other things — Asian (race), Christian (religion), queer (sexuality), a woman (gender), American (nationality), and middle-aged (age). Someone else might be White, Jewish, straight, nonbinary, Israeli, and a teenager. A third might be White, agnostic, straight, a woman, and middle-aged. All three of these individuals are complex people whose life experiences may differ — or be similar — in part as a result of their relative social positions.
One important point to bear in mind is that we can in no case reduce anyone to a single aspect of their identity (no one is ever just a man, just Black, just an atheist, and so on). As Hall puts it, identities “are never unified and, in late modern times, increasingly fragmented and fractured; never singular but multiply constructed across different, often intersecting and antagonistic discourses, practices and positions” (1996, p. 4). And as we will see in the next section, we cannot say definitively what any given identity means because identity is neither natural nor essential.
Dowling, R. and McKinnon, K. (2014). Identities. In R. Lee, N. Castree, R. Kitchin, V. Lawson, A. Paasi, S. Radcliffe, and C. W. J. Withers (Eds.), The Sage handbook of human geography (pp. 627-648). Sage.
Hall, S. (1996). Introduction: Who needs “identity”? In S. Hall and P. Du Gay (Eds.), Questions of cultural identity (pp. 1-17). Sage. | sociology |
http://www.academyforlife.va/content/pav/en/eventi/pandemic.html | 2021-01-19T21:57:32 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2021-04/segments/1610703519784.35/warc/CC-MAIN-20210119201033-20210119231033-00383.warc.gz | 0.943819 | 187 | CC-MAIN-2021-04 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2021-04__0__15051936 | en | During the General Audience of September 30, 2020, the last of a cycle dedicated to the Pandemic and its consequencies, Pope Francis said:
We need to set to work urgently to generate good policies, to design systems of social organization that reward participation, care and generosity, rather than indifference, exploitation and particular interests. We must go ahead with tenderness. A fair and equitable society is a healthier society. A participatory society — where the “last” are taken into account just like the “first” — strengthens communion. A society where diversity is respected is much more resistant to any kind of virus.
Following the Pope's teaching, and the urgencies of our times, the Pontifical Academy for Life is reflecting about the pandemic, to speak to all the men and women and to bring a light in the society of our time in line with the Gospel and the Magisterium. | sociology |
https://massagebydesign.net/massage-by-design-boost-employee-engagement-with-on-site-chair-massage-services/ | 2023-12-03T05:03:40 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-50/segments/1700679100484.76/warc/CC-MAIN-20231203030948-20231203060948-00568.warc.gz | 0.937518 | 1,117 | CC-MAIN-2023-50 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2023-50__0__239626828 | en | Studies have shown that engaged and satisfied employees are more productive, loyal, and committed to the success of their organizations. In the highly competitive corporate world, fostering a work environment that promotes employee engagement and satisfaction has become an essential consideration for businesses. One increasingly popular and effective way to achieve this is by offering on-site chair massage services to employees.
On-site chair massage services cater to employees’ well-being by providing a much-needed break from their work routines, promoting relaxation, and offering a range of health benefits such as reduced stress and muscle tension. By incorporating chair massage into the work environment, employees feel not only refreshed and rejuvenated but also valued and appreciated, which in turn boosts their engagement and satisfaction levels.
In this article, we will discuss the benefits of on-site chair massage in enhancing employee engagement and satisfaction, delving into their impacts on productivity, job satisfaction, and workplace culture. We will provide guidance on implementing chair massage services effectively within your workplace and emphasize the advantages of partnering with a professional provider like Massage by Design. By understanding the undeniable role of chair massage services in elevating employee engagement and satisfaction, companies can embrace this unique wellness offering as a vital component of their larger strategy for creating a positive, thriving, and successful work environment.
The Connection Between Chair Massage and Employee Engagement and Satisfaction
To appreciate the impact of on-site chair massage on employee engagement and satisfaction, it is essential to explore their relationship. Chair massage can enhance employee engagement and satisfaction through:
Stress Relief: Chair massage provides instant relaxation, helping employees reduce stress levels and feel more at ease in their work environment. Consequently, they are more likely to be engaged and satisfied with their job.
Rejuvenation: The brief respite from work demands offered by chair massage enables employees to recharge, returning to their tasks with renewed energy and focus. This contributes to higher levels of engagement and satisfaction.
Improved Workplace Relationships: Offering chair massage services promotes a sense of camaraderie among employees, providing an opportunity to connect with coworkers in a relaxed setting. This fosters stronger relationships which contribute to increased satisfaction and engagement.
How On-site Chair Massage Services Boost Productivity and Job Satisfaction
By integrating chair massage services into your workplace, you not only improve employee well-being but also elevate productivity and job satisfaction. These benefits are interrelated, as engaged and satisfied employees are more likely to excel in their roles. Key advantages include:
Reduced Absenteeism: Employees who experience reduced stress, pain, and discomfort through chair massage services are less likely to take sick leave, resulting in a more productive and engage workforce.
Higher Performance Levels: When employees are less stressed and feel valued, they are more likely to remain motivated and perform at their highest capacity, contributing to the company’s success and fostering their own sense of satisfaction.
Greater Employee Retention: Satisfied and engaged employees are less likely to seek new job opportunities, reducing the costs associated with turnover and resulting in a more stable and experienced workforce.
Developing an Engaging Chair Massage Program for Your Workplace
Successfully integrating a chair massage program into your workplace to maximize employee engagement and satisfaction requires strategic planning and execution. Follow these tips for establishing an effective program:
- Outline Your Goals: Clearly define the objectives of your chair massage program, such as improving employee engagement, satisfaction, and well-being.
- Create a Comfortable Space: Providing a designated, comfortable space for chair massage sessions helps make employees feel valued and creates a relaxing atmosphere conducive to stress relief.
- Develop a Consistent Schedule: Establishing a regular schedule for chair massage sessions encourages employees to consistently participate in the program, ultimately fostering habits of self-care and increased engagement.
- Promote the Benefits: Communicate the advantages of chair massage to employees, emphasizing the connection between regular chair massage and improved engagement and satisfaction.
Choosing a Professional Chair Massage Provider
Partnering with a reliable and professional chair massage provider is essential in ensuring the success and positive impact of your chair massage program. When selecting a provider, consider these factors:
Certified and Experienced Therapists: Choose a provider such as Massage by Design, which employs certified therapists with experience in providing chair massage services in corporate settings.
Flexible and Customizable Offerings: Collaborate with a provider that can tailor their chair massage services to meet your organization’s particular needs, schedules, and preferences.
Commitment to Service Quality: A reputable chair massage provider should consistently deliver high-quality services, ensuring your employees reap the full benefits of chair massage for their engagement and satisfaction.
Incorporating on-site chair massage services into your workplace is an investment in the engagement and satisfaction of your employees. By providing a regular opportunity to restore and rejuvenate, chair massage can help create a positive, thriving work environment where employees feel valued, satisfied, and engaged in their roles.
Implementing a successful chair massage program involves setting clear goals, creating a comfortable space, establishing a schedule, and effectively communicating the benefits to employees. By partnering with massage chair services like Massage by Design, you ensure that your employees receive high-quality services that genuinely contribute to their engagement and satisfaction. By recognizing and valuing the role of chair massage in fostering employee engagement and satisfaction, businesses can cultivate a motivated, productive, and satisfied workforce that drives success in today’s competitive corporate landscape. | sociology |
https://worka.com/about | 2020-11-28T13:05:06 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141195656.78/warc/CC-MAIN-20201128125557-20201128155557-00289.warc.gz | 0.953657 | 155 | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2020-50__0__19044110 | en | Giving everyone great workspace, everywhere
One answer for all the ways people work
For years, the gig economy and flexible working have been on the rise. Now, we’re all rethinking the way we work and where we do it.
Worka is built for people who can’t always work in the office, but don’t always want to work from home.
For entrepreneurs and small businesses, it’s constant access to professional space where you can be productive. For larger organisations, it’s a way to keep consistent standards, even as your workforce is distributed worldwide.
And for those who still need a permanent home for their business, Worka can provide flexible offices for as many months or years as you need. | sociology |
http://www.greaternaplesymca.org/donate.html | 2019-07-15T20:14:16 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2019-30/segments/1563195524111.50/warc/CC-MAIN-20190715195204-20190715221204-00274.warc.gz | 0.928891 | 748 | CC-MAIN-2019-30 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2019-30__0__166655286 | en | For a Better Us
You make a difference for the kids, teens, adults and families in our community.
Did you know that the Greater Naples YMCA awarded over $1 million in scholarships to members and participants? Generous donors made it happen!
We rely on the generosity of our community to ensure that every individual regardless of age, income or background, has access to the essentials needed to learn, grow and thrive. We believe that lasting personal and social change can only come about when we all work together to invest in our kids, our health and our neighbors. Donate today and change lives tomorrow!
LEARN HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT THE NAPLES Y
The Y’s Annual Giving Campaign is strengthening our community, one life at a time!
Your support is necessary to fund many of the Y programs and services that families that are in need use every day. Together we can ensure that everyone, regardless of age, income or background, has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive in a YMCA program.
Planned gifts to the YMCA are about planning for the future: Your future and the future of children and families. While each planned gift is unique, these gifts can offer significant financial or tax benefits while ensuring that future generations will enjoy the YMCA.
All kids have great potential and deserve the opportunity to go to Summer Day Camp at the Y.
Camp provides an exciting and safe environment for young people to explore the outdoors, build confidence, develop skills and make lasting friendships and memories.
Your generous gift ensures that no camper is denied the best summer ever because of the lack of financial resources.
Volunteers are vital to the YMCA. Without you, we wouldn’t be able to meet the needs of the people who live in our community.
From board members to youth sports coaches to smiling greeters, volunteers are the heart of the Y. Hundreds of business leaders, community members, parents, teens, and so many more dedicate their time and talent to strengthening their local community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. Becoming a volunteer allows individuals to give back and learn something about themselves in the process. The Y is a nonprofit like no other. Get involved today.
Donating your boat to charity is easy and it also provides you with some great benefits. Not only does boat donation help a local child, but you will also be eligible for an itemized charitable tax deduction on your federal tax return. We pick up the boat free of charge and use the proceeds to benefit Greater Naples YMCA. Your boat donation will make a difference in the life of a local child!
You can make a difference in your community by donating your used or unwanted car or motorcycle to Greater Naples YMCA.
We work with Naples Auto Donation Center to process all of our auto donations. If you are interested in donating a vehicle, just call our friends at Naples Auto Donation Center and tell them you have an auto you’d like to donate to the Greater Naples YMCA. They’ll take care of the rest, including picking up your car, transferring title, auctioning the vehicle, and transferring the proceeds to us.
All donations are TAX DEDUCTIBLE & support the YMCA!
SHOP AMAZON AND SUPPORT THE Y!
You can now give back to the Y by shopping your favorite store, Amazon! Shop for everyone on your gift list this holiday at smile.amazon.com/ch/23-7039993 and Amazon donates to Greater Naples YMCA.
For more information, please contact:
Mission Advancement Director | sociology |
https://klasbergman.com/tag/free-speech/ | 2023-06-02T11:35:31 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-23/segments/1685224648635.78/warc/CC-MAIN-20230602104352-20230602134352-00606.warc.gz | 0.979827 | 504 | CC-MAIN-2023-23 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2023-23__0__195576553 | en | How would you have voted in the recent Supreme Court decision in the case between a grieving father and a church, whose hateful members regularly picket funerals and memorial services around the country – all in the name of their crusade against gays and lesbians in America.
“God hates fags” and “Thank God for dead soldiers” said some of their signs, reflecting their belief that America is being punished for tolerating homosexuality.
For the Supreme Court it seemed like an easy decision when it this week upheld the church’s right to use its vitriolic language during its members’ demonstrations, citing the right to free speech in the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. It did so almost unanimously – only one of the court’s most conservative justices, Samuel Alito, dissented, saying that in this case the hateful verbal attacks by the church members violated the father’s right of privacy when burying his son, who had died in Iraq.
The case had reached the Supreme Court after the father had sued to church. The father, after losing, said that the eight justices had no more sense than a goat.
Is there a limit to free speech in America? When it comes to this country’s public debate, the Supreme Court seems to answer that question with a “no,” in spite of the political differences on the Court and in spite of its obvious sympathies towards the father. There was nothing illegal in the church’s action, it said. The demonstrators kept the lawful distance to the funeral, or about 1,000 feet, and they engaged in a debate through their signs and placards on public issues, such as homosexuality and gay rights.
It was the second verdict in a relatively short time that the Court had sided with free speech. Then, eight justices, again with Alito dissenting, declared that a law forbidding video films about extreme cruelty towards animals violated the first amendment on free speech.
Speech can inflict great pain, said Chief Justice John G. Roberts, but we “cannot react to that pain by punishing the speaker.” Free speech, he added, protects “even hurtful speech on public issues to ensure that we do not stifle public debate.”
The court’s decision in Snyder v. Phelps was correct, many seemed to say afterwards, for it continued to protect one of America’s most precious rights, freedom of speech. | sociology |
https://sanfrancisco.salvationarmy.org/san_francisco/news/the-36th-annual-celebrity-bell-ringing-at-macys-union-square | 2023-10-03T14:38:54 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-40/segments/1695233511106.1/warc/CC-MAIN-20231003124522-20231003154522-00527.warc.gz | 0.900564 | 763 | CC-MAIN-2023-40 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2023-40__0__279988474 | en | The 36th Annual Celebrity Bell Ringing at Macy's Union Square
The Salvation Army 36th Annual Celebrity Bell Ringing Day
See some of San Francisco’s finest celebrities, media personalities, costumed characters, Santa, musicians, and more together in one location at Macy’s Union Square to ring bells at the 36th Anniversary Salvation Army Celebrity Bell Ringing Day on Friday, December 9, 2016 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Kick off the season of giving as The Salvation Army spreads holiday cheer while helping families and individuals in need.
The Macy’s Geary Street entrance will provide local musicians opportunities to showcase their talent while giving back to others and encouraging the public to support a good cause.
Celebrities, musicians, Bay Area media personalities, Santa, costumed characters, San Francisco Giants’ mascot Lou Seal, The Salvation Army Brass Band, and more
Musical performances include: Swoop Unit, Dick Clarke & Noah Griffin, Simmons Family Band, and more
- San Francisco Giants mascot, Lou Seal
- Tom Sweeney, legendary doorman of the Sir Frances Drake Hotel
- Several of the Bay Area's favorite television and radio news anchors
- And of course... Santa Claus!
Organizations competing in contest to raise the most funds for the needy:
- First Republic Bank
- Fitness SF
- Pamakid Runners Club
- Rotary Club of San Francisco
- Wells Fargo
Macy's Union Square (majority of celebs stationed at Geary Street entrance)
Friday, December 9, 10:00am to 2:00pm
To raise awareness and support for The Salvation Army's programs and social services helping San Franciscans in need
In the winter of 1891, Salvation Army Captain Joe McFee put a crab pot on San Francisco docks and asked citizens to "keep the post boiling" by making donations so he could feed needy San Franciscans at Christmastime. These days, we all know this "crab pot" as The Salvation Army Red Kettle seen on city streets around the world during the holiday season.
In 1980, Chief of Protocol for the city of San Francisco Charlotte Shultz (Then Charlotte Swig), created the event to bring together many of San Francisco's community leaders to ring bells for The Salvation Army. San Francisco Chronicle Columnist Herb Caen wrote about the inaugural event, noting Charlotte's remarkable talent for raising money and awareness for the city's most vulnerable men, women, and children. The Salvation Army recently honored Shultz at the Holiday Luncheon for her energy and enthusiasm as the Army's most dedicated volunteer.
Photo Ops & Interviews
- Media Personalities, community leaders ringing bells and performing wacky antics to collect change for The Salvation Army (many often compete to see who can raise the most in an hour)
- Live musical entertainment at the Macy's Geary Street entrance
- Interviews with Salvation Army staff including Lt. Cols. Tim & Cindy Foley and select celebrities (as willing)
About The Salvation Army
Since 1883, The Salvation Army has been serving the San Francisco Bay Area, offering practical support, spiritual comfort and a critical safety net to people in need. The Army has 16 facilities throughout San Francisco providing a myriad of services, including youth programs, meal delivery, drug and alcohol rehabilitation, transitional housing, and nutritional and housing support for seniors. In addition, the Army also provides disaster relief services. For more information on Salvation Army activities in San Francisco and Central California, visit online at: www.sanfrancisco.salvationarmy.org | sociology |
https://www.jmghomeslaredo.com/ | 2018-01-21T22:38:24 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2018-05/segments/1516084890893.58/warc/CC-MAIN-20180121214857-20180121234857-00562.warc.gz | 0.899296 | 119 | CC-MAIN-2018-05 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2018-05__0__44619561 | en | 3820 Cedar Ave
Laredo, TX 78041
Phone: 956 722-6049
Or use our contact form.
We are open during the following hours:
We welcome your support, whether it's a financial commitment or your personal time.
Contact us directly for more details on how you can help.
Building the community one family at a time. As a major provider of affordable housing services, JMG Homes offers vital support to Laredo residents. We understand the importance of dignified assistance as a means of improving the livelihood of an entire community. | sociology |
https://careers.bloch.umkc.edu/jobs/youthfront-camp-experiential-youth-ministry-mission-summer-job-paid/ | 2021-12-07T15:54:00 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2021-49/segments/1637964363400.19/warc/CC-MAIN-20211207140255-20211207170255-00521.warc.gz | 0.94458 | 938 | CC-MAIN-2021-49 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2021-49__0__47477350 | en | Be a part of bringing youth into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ.
Come work for Youthfront camp in one of our summer staff roles! Experience an incredible community committed to creating safe, engaging, and fun environments for kids ages 6-18.
Some of our available roles include:
- Cabin counselors
- Day camp counselors
- Program staff
- Grounds & Maintenance
- Camp nurse
- AND MORE
Our Mission & Values:
Knowing that the greatest contribution that we can make to the Christian formation of others is the example of our own lives, Youthfront is committed to pursuing passionate intimacy with Jesus Christ. Out of an overflow of an intimate relationship with Jesus, we commit to sharing life together, building meaningful relationships that extend God’s love to one another.
A growing relationship with Jesus Christ involves the renewal of the whole person. A healthy condition of the spiritual, physical, mental and social aspects of our lives are critical to a sturdy, growing relationship with Jesus Christ. Youthfront is committed to helping youth workers and students develop their entire being.
As the Church seeks to find ways to cooperate with God’s mission to restore the world, Youthfront is passionately committed to assisting in this endeavor. Youthfront’s camps, programs, training, resources, experiences and other ministry initiatives are intentionally designed to assist the Church in contextualizing the good news of Jesus Christ. We strive to be creative youth workers who engage in theology, ministry, formation, practice, relationships, service and life with a prophetic imagination that cooperates fully with the Mission of God.
The external factors and conditions that surround people influence and affect their lives. Youthfront is committed to nurturing environments for youth workers and students to encounter God in a transformational way. While we know that transformation is the work of the Holy Spirit and not a formula that we enact, we will intentionally create environments of space, time, hospitality and community. The environments that Youthfront creates are intended to help youth workers and students discover, explore and experience God.
We believe that evangelism and discipleship are a process of one’s life-long spiritual journey. We are committed to helping youth workers and students embrace the essential elements of the Christian faith. We are devoted to the calling, inspiring and equipping of youth workers and students toward the pursuit of becoming like Jesus Christ through the work of the Holy Spirit, Scripture, the Church community, prayer and other spiritual practices.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION
We believe that at the heart of the universe is a Triune God marked by relationships of equality, mutuality, and reciprocity. In the image of this Trinitarian community, we were created to reflect and imitate these same qualities in our relationships with one another. When Jesus walked this earth, he consistently disrupted power and relocated it by going out of his way to include ethnic and religious outsiders, women, persons with disabilities, and other marginalized people into God’s Kingdom mission. When the Spirit came on Pentecost, God again enacted this desire for intimacy with all people gathering together God’s long-lost children who had been estranged by the dividing walls of ethnicity, language, religion, gender, and class to create one new humanity out of the many. At Youthfront, we believe that this work of mending the divisions and healing the hurt in a broken world, is at the heart of God’s mission and our calling as Christians in this world.
We commit ourselves to love not with words or speech but with actions and in truth, creating new structures of belonging so that those who have been underrepresented in our organization are fully at home and are empowered as co-creators of our future. We bend our lives towards this future with humility, recognizing that change is costly, requires sacrifice, and gives greater honor to those who have lacked it to attain equitable participation (1 Cor. 12:15-26).
Who is eligible to apply?
Anyone who enjoys working with kids, sharing the love of Christ, and has a full or half summer available!
What are the dates for the job?
May 31, 2022- August 5, 2022. BUT we are flexible! Only have June-July free? Apply anyway!
What is the deadline to apply?
April 1, 2022. However, we will keep hiring until we are fully staffed, so even if it is past April 1st, apply anyway! | sociology |
https://www.fakazahub247.com/thandiswa-mazwai-artist-biography-lyrics-and-albums/ | 2024-02-22T16:57:51 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2024-10/segments/1707947473824.13/warc/CC-MAIN-20240222161802-20240222191802-00179.warc.gz | 0.941734 | 969 | CC-MAIN-2024-10 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2024-10__0__96566058 | en | Thandiswa Mazwai, born on March 31, 1976, in Eastern Cape, South Africa, is a revered singer, songwriter, and cultural activist whose distinctive voice and socially conscious music have solidified her as one of the leading voices in contemporary South African music. As a solo artist and a former member of the iconic band Bongo Maffin, Mazwai has played a pivotal role in shaping the sound of post-apartheid South African music.
Thandiswa Mazwai’s musical journey is deeply rooted in the rich cultural tapestry of South Africa. Growing up in the turbulent years of apartheid, her exposure to the diverse musical traditions of the country, including jazz, mbaqanga, and traditional rhythms, became the foundation of her eclectic and innovative approach to music.
In the mid-1990s, Mazwai co-founded Bongo Maffin, a pioneering group that blended kwaito, reggae, and other African influences to create a sound that resonated with the youth of the newly democratic South Africa. The group’s debut album, “The Concerto,” released in 1998, catapulted them to stardom. Bongo Maffin’s music, with Thandiswa’s soulful vocals at the forefront, addressed social issues, celebrated African identity, and became a soundtrack for the nation’s post-apartheid optimism.
As a solo artist, Thandiswa Mazwai continued to explore and expand her musical horizons. Her debut solo album, “Zabalaza” (2004), showcased her versatility and ability to seamlessly blend various genres. The album, which means “struggle” in isiXhosa, reflected Mazwai’s commitment to using her art as a means of addressing social and political challenges.
One of Mazwai’s most acclaimed albums, “Belede” (2009), delved deeper into her Xhosa roots and explored traditional sounds with a contemporary twist. The album earned her critical acclaim and established Mazwai as a boundary-pushing artist unafraid to experiment with her sound while staying true to her cultural heritage.
Thandiswa Mazwai’s lyrics are often poetic and thought-provoking, addressing themes such as identity, love, and the socio-political landscape of South Africa. Her ability to infuse her music with profound storytelling and social commentary has earned her respect not only as a musician but also as a cultural activist.
Beyond her musical contributions, Mazwai is recognized for her advocacy work and outspokenness on social issues. She uses her platform to address gender inequality, cultural preservation, and the ongoing struggles for social justice. Her role as a cultural ambassador is evident in her efforts to promote African languages and traditions, emphasizing the importance of cultural pride and heritage.
Thandiswa Mazwai’s stage presence is electrifying, and her performances are a captivating blend of soulful vocals, dynamic energy, and a deep connection with her audience. Whether she’s singing poignant ballads or rhythmic anthems, Mazwai’s authenticity and passion shine through, creating an immersive experience for her listeners.
In addition to her solo career, Mazwai has collaborated with a diverse range of artists, both locally and internationally. Her willingness to engage with different musical styles and collaborate across genres reflects her commitment to breaking down artistic barriers and fostering a global appreciation for African music.
The accolades bestowed upon Thandiswa Mazwai are numerous, including South African Music Awards (SAMAs) and the Order of Ikhamanga, a national honor recognizing her contribution to the arts and culture. Her impact on the music scene is also acknowledged beyond South Africa’s borders, solidifying her status as a cultural ambassador for the African continent.
In recent years, Thandiswa Mazwai’s music has continued to evolve, reflecting her ever-expanding artistic palette and the changing social landscape. Her relevance in the music industry is a testament to her ability to adapt while staying true to her roots.
As we reflect on Thandiswa Mazwai’s journey, it becomes evident that her music is not just a collection of songs but a narrative of South Africa’s complex history, a celebration of its diverse cultures, and a call to action for a more just and inclusive society. In the grand tapestry of South African music, Thandiswa Mazwai has woven a thread that connects the past, present, and future, leaving an indelible mark on the country’s cultural legacy. | sociology |
http://secondchances.org/ | 2013-06-19T06:28:51 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368708142617/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516124222-00039-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | 0.94925 | 386 | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2013-20__0__44143417 | en | Second Chances represents opportunity
Second Chances' mission is to provide clothing to people in need, inform supporters about issues affecting our community and help people connect with local organizations or issues that resonate with their values, skills and personal experiences.
Since 2005, Second Chances has provided free clothing, shoes, accessories and gift cards to more than 2,400 lower income and homeless people in Cambridge and Somerville and recycled or reused over 490,000 pounds of clothing, shoes and accessories. Through our clothing donation program, we are helping people in need in our community, conserving natural resources, and diverting waste from our area's already overflowing landfills. Working closely with our partners, we are involving the community in helping our neighbors, connecting with other community members and preserving the environment.
May is always a big month for us, with people moving, students leaving town, and spring closet cleaning shifting into high gear. This May you donated 66% more clothing than our highest month ever! Second Chances received more than 20,000 pounds of donated clothing, shoes and accessories through our donation bins and clothing drives in May. That's a lot of recycling and reuse, and the clothing you donated will help lots of people in need in our community. Thank you!
Spring Clothing Changeover Tips from a Pro
2013 clothing drive results
Thank you to everyone who coordinated and participated in a clothing drive! We are grateful for your help and enthusiasm.
In the news
We're so grateful for coverage by Kara Baskin in her Boston.com blog during the 2012 holiday giving season! Read about Second Chances and some other great local nonprofits here »
Get our Spring 2012 Community Report online (pdf) now! It takes a little while to download, but it's worth the wait. Special thanks to long-time friend and supporter, Jackie Cefola, for volunteering her graphic design skills to produce this! | sociology |
http://pmpc.haifa.ac.il/index.php?lang=en | 2016-10-26T05:40:38 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2016-44/segments/1476988720737.84/warc/CC-MAIN-20161020183840-00392-ip-10-171-6-4.ec2.internal.warc.gz | 0.924127 | 305 | CC-MAIN-2016-44 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2016-44__0__194222289 | en | Last Updated: 08 March 2016
The Center for Public Management and Policy (CPMP) was established in 2004 in order to discuss questions related with the proper management of public agencies, governmental ministries and public organizations as well as quasi-governmental organizations. We aim at better understanding various mechanisms and processes related with the performance of the Israeli public sector and public sectors around the globe.We hope to contribute to the development of new managerial tools, innovative ideas about policy determination, modern policy making procedures, as well as good administrative solutions to public concerns. We encourage studies about policy making in modern democracies, better knowledge about state auditing and local government administration, and public employees attitudes, behaviors and services to the community. The center is collaborates with national institutions to advance initiatives related with modern reforms and renewal of the Israeli public sector by participation in advisory boards and suggestion of new policy programs. The center encourages authentic citizenship involvement in government activities at the national and at the local levels and promotes interdisciplinary research papers and empirical studies for both basic knowledge and applied studies. We are especially interested in better engagement of knowledge from other disciplines such as social science, humanities, law, natural science, technology, engineering, and education.
Dr. Nissim Cohen is the head of the Center for Public Management & Policy (CPMP) at the University of Haifa. His research interest and teaching fields are: Public Policy, Public Administration, Political Economy, Welfare State, Social Policy and Health Policy.
Information about other CPMP members. | sociology |
https://www.dorothysuecobble.com/for-the-many | 2023-06-05T12:29:02 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2023-23/segments/1685224652116.60/warc/CC-MAIN-20230605121635-20230605151635-00553.warc.gz | 0.90311 | 869 | CC-MAIN-2023-23 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2023-23__0__256187952 | en | For the Many
For the Many presents an inspiring look at how US women and their global allies pushed the nation and the world toward justice and greater equality for all. Reclaiming social democracy as one of the central threads of American feminism, Dorothy Sue Cobble offers a bold rewriting of twentieth-century feminist history and documents how forces, peoples, and ideas worldwide shaped American politics. Cobble follows egalitarian women’s activism from the explosion of democracy movements before World War I to the establishment of the New Deal, through the upheavals in rights and social citizenship at midcentury, to the reassertion of conservatism and the revival of female-led movements today.
Cobble brings to life the women who crossed borders of class, race, and nation to build grassroots campaigns, found international institutions, and enact policies dedicated to raising standards of life for everyone. Readers encounter famous figures, including Eleanor Roosevelt, Frances Perkins, and Mary McLeod Bethune, together with less well-known leaders, such as Rose Schneiderman, Maida Springer Kemp, and Esther Peterson. Multiple generations partnered to expand social and economic rights, and despite setbacks, the fight for the many persists, as twenty-first-century activists urgently demand a more caring, inclusive world.
Putting women at the center of US political history, For the Many reveals the powerful currents of democratic equality that spurred American feminists to seek a better life for all.
Princeton University Press
Series: America in the World
Release: May 11, 2021
For a review symposium on For the Many in International Review of Social History, click here.
For a review of For the Many in Jacobin Magazine, click here.
For a review of For the Many in The New York Review of Books, click here.
"Labor Historian’s Upcoming Book Highlights Full Rights Feminists," Rutgers Today, 8 March 2021.
"Women's History Month: Full Rights Feminists," by Steve Flamisch for Rutgers School of Management and Labor Relations, March 2021.
"Dorothy Sue Cobble’s stirring international tale of ‘full rights’ feminism imparts a fundamental lesson: there can be no history of feminism without connecting it to the struggle for economic democracy, and there can be no future for economic democracy without feminism. A must-read book, For the Many offers not just a rich history, it provides an intellectual foundation for a vibrant, multidimensional, and equitable political future." —Jefferson Cowie, author of The Great Exception: The New Deal and the Limits of American Politics
"The wide-ranging research that underpins this new history of American feminism is impressive, and its passion and perspective are refreshing."
—Marilyn Lake, author of Progressive New World
"With extraordinary breadth and complexity, this narrative of interconnected international feminisms is a scholarly tour de force, a compelling read, and a hopeful reminder that versions of feminism committed to labor and social rights for working people are embedded in American history, and may still inspire movements for gender, class, and racial equality." —Joan Sangster, author of Transforming Labour: Women and Work in Postwar Canada
"Only Dorothy Sue Cobble could have written For the Many with such keen sensitivity and historical insight. Covering a large swath of twentieth-century history, this masterful synthesis of existing literature and new research captures the resilience and persistence of the battle for social democratic values in ways that speak powerfully to us today."
—Susan Ware, author of Why They Marched
"This indispensable book deftly charts the collective biography of a vast, cosmopolitan, and multigenerational network of ‘full rights’ feminist activists, many with labor movement roots, over the long twentieth century. Dorothy Sue Cobble shows that on both the national and global stage, these individuals laid the groundwork for today’s gender, race, and class justice movements."
―Ruth Milkman, author of On Gender, Labor, and Inequality
Watch the May 2021 book launch of For the Many here. The event features Cobble and a panel of distinguished global scholars discussing feminist activism for women's rights and economic justice. | sociology |
https://www.thinkhubbell.com/portfolio-items/mobilizing-community-support-school-bond-measure/ | 2021-10-27T12:47:29 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2021-43/segments/1634323588153.7/warc/CC-MAIN-20211027115745-20211027145745-00512.warc.gz | 0.981408 | 290 | CC-MAIN-2021-43 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2021-43__0__235420232 | en | A local school district came to Hubbell Communications for help in developing and passing what was to be the largest capital school bond (as measured by revenue per student) in the state’s history. This task was made uniquely challenging by the fact that some of the capital projects funded by the last bond were plagued by poor workmanship and resulted in litigation. Another complicating factor was the aging demographic of the community in which more than two-thirds of voters did not have school aged children. At the time we were retained, the bond was barely polling at 50%.
We began by polling the issue to determine key messages, potential obstacles and ways in which the bond might be structured to increase the likelihood of passage. We built a coalition of individuals within the local community that would be able to promote the efforts of the campaign themselves. By organizing events, letter writing campaigns, presentations and fundraisers, we were able to get the word out about the need for the additional school funding. The creation of a brand new website and social media platforms, as well as earned media in local papers, allowed us to mobilize the community at an organic level.
By mobilizing the community and local volunteers, we were able to successfully fundraise, complete numerous community presentations and form a committee in support of the bond measure. Despite initial low polling numbers, the bond measure passed with more than 60% voter approval, 10 percentage points higher than when we were initially retained. | sociology |
https://www.possopreschool.com/post/building-integrity-in-preschoolers-nurturing-strong-moral-character | 2024-04-17T03:22:30 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2024-18/segments/1712296817128.7/warc/CC-MAIN-20240417013540-20240417043540-00560.warc.gz | 0.932438 | 738 | CC-MAIN-2024-18 | webtext-fineweb__CC-MAIN-2024-18__0__131660579 | en | In the formative years of a child's life, the seeds of integrity are sown, laying the foundation for their moral compass. Preschoolers, in particular, are at a crucial stage of development where they begin to grasp concepts of right and wrong. As caregivers and educators, it is our responsibility to nurture and cultivate integrity in these young minds, shaping them into individuals of strong moral character. Let's delve into some effective strategies for instilling integrity in preschoolers.
Lead by Example:
Children are keen observers and often mimic the behaviours of adults around them. Therefore, it's essential to model integrity in our own actions and words. Whether it's admitting our mistakes, being honest in our dealings, or showing kindness and empathy towards others, demonstrating these virtues sets a powerful example for preschoolers to follow.
Teach Empathy and Compassion:
Empathy is the cornerstone of integrity, as it involves understanding and caring about the feelings of others. Encourage preschoolers to empathise with their peers by discussing emotions, sharing stories, and engaging in role-playing activities. Through these interactions, children learn to consider the perspectives of others and develop a sense of compassion that guides their actions.
Foster a Culture of Honesty:
Honesty forms the bedrock of integrity, and it's crucial to instil this value in preschoolers from an early age. Create an environment where honesty is celebrated and valued, and children feel safe to speak truthfully without fear of judgment or retribution. Praise honesty whenever you see it, and use instances of dishonesty as teachable moments to discuss the importance of telling the truth.
Encourage Responsibility and Accountability:
Integrity involves taking responsibility for one's actions and owning up to mistakes. Give preschoolers opportunities to make choices and face consequences in a supportive environment. Whether it's tidying up after themselves, sharing toys, or apologising for a wrongdoing, teach children to take accountability for their behaviour and learn from their experiences.
Promote Respect for Others:
Respect is a fundamental aspect of integrity, encompassing tolerance, manners, and consideration for others. Encourage preschoolers to treat their peers, teachers, and surroundings with respect through positive reinforcement and gentle guidance. Teach them the importance of listening to others, waiting their turn, and valuing diversity in thoughts and perspectives.
Engage in Moral Discussions:
Engage preschoolers in age-appropriate discussions about moral dilemmas and ethical decision-making. Use storybooks, role-playing scenarios, or real-life examples to prompt conversations about right and wrong, fairness, and justice. Encourage children to express their thoughts and feelings, fostering critical thinking skills and moral reasoning.
Cultivate a Sense of Gratitude:
Gratitude cultivates humility and appreciation for the blessings in one's life, fostering a sense of integrity grounded in humility. Encourage preschoolers to express gratitude for the kindness of others, the beauty of nature, and the simple joys they experience daily. By fostering a grateful mindset, children learn to value what they have and develop a sense of integrity rooted in humility and appreciation.
In conclusion, building integrity in preschoolers is a multifaceted process that requires patience, consistency, and a nurturing environment. By leading by example, teaching empathy, fostering honesty, promoting responsibility, encouraging respect, engaging in moral discussions, and cultivating gratitude, we can instil strong moral character in young children that will serve as a guiding light throughout their lives. As caregivers and educators, let us empower preschoolers to become individuals of integrity who make positive contributions to their communities and the world at large. | sociology |
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