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The "Network News"
The "Network News" is a publication by the VOCAL Network, 1904 Byrd Avenue, Suite 111, Richmond, Virginia 23230. Call us toll free at 1-877-VOCLNET (862-5638) Email: yolande@vocalvirginia.org.
"Our Mission is to bring Virginia mental
health
consumers together in a statewide network, to
celebrate our strengths and courage,and to
support each other in recovery through
hope,learning,
and empowerment."
From Will Gallik
VOCAL Interim Executive Director
The complexities of running a small non-profit came to roost with VOCAL during this past year. As the organization worked to maintain the quality of services we have all come to expect, the demands from membership and funders became increasingly more "vocal" as well.
This brought a level of tension in the organization as never seen before.
As VOCAL, through its board and staff, worked to keep up with mounting expectations, it was simply too much for the structure to handle. This led to a plethora of changes in the past few months. Its
founding staff and executive director, Brian Parrish, has moved on from the organization. And there have been numerous other changes in regards to staffing: Cassandra Nudel, long-time consultant; Ann
Benner, VOCAL Network Program Director; Heather Peck, CO-OP Program Director; and Anna Mendez, REACH Program Director and Director of Operations, have also moved on.
Standing at the precipice, the Board of Directors recommended bringing in an interim executive director and asked me to step up to help guide
the organization through this transitional time. I humbly accepted, and knew that taking on this daunting task was not to be taken lightly. The first line of action was to determine VOCAL's financial
health. This was not looking good, primarily due to a lack of communication. As this has been moving toward resolution, a spending plan for the remainder of the fiscal year has taken shape. Second, was
to develop an action plan for the organization to meet its contractual obligations. This was accomplished through the hiring of a technical assistance support specialist and executive office assistant. Kudos
go out to staff members Malaina Poore, Yolande Long, and Bonnie Neighbour for stepping up to the plate and taking on additional and crucial responsibilities as well. Additionally, the Board of Directors continues to take big steps in coming together to take on the tasks of the organization.
In concluding this brief narrative, we share our thanks for the many who came before us and brought VOCAL to this level. I look back and realize that this is a tremendous opportunity for VOCAL. Because of its mission and through its staff, board, members, and many others, there is excitement that has not been seen in quite a while. Energy and optimism have returned. There are big things in our future and each and every one of us can be part of it. I am humbled to have been asked to take on this challenge and look forward to cultivating a
vibrant VOCAL, together, with you.
Editor's Note: To contact Will Gallik, email him at will@vocalvirginia.org or call him at the Charlottesville office: 434.243.7878 X23
VOCAL BOARD Meets Wednesday, September 5th in Charlottesville
10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Quaker Friends Meeting House, 704 Forest Avenue; this is an open meeting.
Please RSVP to Malaina at malaina@vocalvirginia.org if you would like to attend.
Please note: VOCAL does not reimburse for mileage/travel expenses nor provides lunch for guests.
.
Firewalkers Update
by Malaina Poore, Firewalkers Program Director
These are the hottest days of summer. My children are home from school and the house is always dirty. I like to be with my children but I miss the relative quiet of the school year and the concentration it allows me. In time there will be no children to fight in the backseat of the car or leave peanut butter finger prints on the cabinets and I can have my brain to myself. I'm smart enough to know that I will miss these days.
Change is the only constant. I have to remind myself of this when I find myself wishing for what's gone.
Firewalkers continues to grow and unfold as new people join and other people move on. I like the image of a candles being lit one to the other, or even a torch being passed. The past informs us but we are constantly regenerating.
The most exciting project at Firewalkers these days is the upcoming Firewalkers anthology. Our editorial team read submissions from across the country - so many wonderful stories! We believe so strongly in the power of stories. The power of our own stories told in our own voices. It has been enlightening to try to put pieces together in a way that blossoms. Each piece affects the others. I found out that a collection of stories is a living, breathing thing. I am so grateful to have a team to work with on this project.
Spring time is particularly busy in the mental health world. In May Firewalkers planned the second annual Mental Wellness Expo in Charlottesville (with Mental Health America's Alice Anderson at the helm) as well as a screening of "Crooked Beauty" at VCU in Richmond. If you haven't seen "Crooked Beauty" please let me recommend it. It is narrated by Jacks Macnamra of "Icarus Project" fame. For anyone interested in rethinking mental illness, hers is a voice to be heard. May ends on a high note with the VOCAL Conference. The 2012 conference was a success on all accounts. By June I am ready for a break.
I remain grateful to be allowed to do this work and hopeful of what's to come.
From Where I Sit...
Creative Offerings from Members and Friends
For I Wonder
by Magdalene Harris, Petersburg
For I sit and wonder
Where will I go from under my darkness
I reach up high, and then I step back
But I am not out of it yet.
What do I do today, tomorrow, next week, or next year
Should I plan, or just one day at a time,
I wonder.
So I will plan, write down my intentions,
Think, read, listen to music, watch tv
Find myself a hobby, or just
Be under my darkness.
I have to do something
For as each day goes by, I have nothing to do.
I have to find myself.
When I do, I know it will be better.
Executive Director Forum!
The VOCAL CO-OP Program will be hosting a retreat for executive directors of Virginia peer-run programs, September 17-18, in Montpelier, Virginia.
Running a peer-run organization is a huge undertaking and wonderful challenge. The Executive Director Forum will cover many pertinent topics including Board and leadership development, DBHDS data collection, organizational policies and procedures. Of course there will be time for networking, connecting, sharing in the beautiful Montpelier setting!
For more information about this event and anything else technical assistance related contact Mickie at 804-677-7825 or mickie@vocalvirginia.org.
Meet the New Folks at VOCAL!
Will Gallik comes back as VOCAL's full-time Interim Executive Director
in July. Will was a founding board member and has been a part of
VOCAL since 2001. Most recently, he served as the Interim Executive
Director from September to December of 2011 and as executive
consultant/coach from January through May of this year. He received
his Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree in 2011 and is
pleased to be doing what he does best. Will is a wellness enthusiast.
In addition to maintaining physical wellness, he has learned,
employs, and teaches others coping and wellness skills ranging from
cognitive techniques to qigong - Chinese healing and mindfulness. He
has worked at the Wellness Recovery Center, Region Ten CSB's crisis
stabilization unit, as a Wellness Recovery Specialist for the
past three years and states, "working at Wellness has afforded
me the opportunity and flexibility to learn a variety of healing
modalities. I take pride in the fact
that I can not only
practice what I preach but preach what I practice." In the past few
years, Will has become certified in auricular acupuncture and is a
certified Tai Chi Easy practice
leader. He is thrilled to take on
the challenge that VOCAL presents
and is looking forward to
strengthening the organization
as it moves forward.
Mickie Chapman comes on board as a Technical Assistance Program
Specialist. She works with consumer operated, peer-run organizations
throughout Virginia offering technical assistance. She has experience
and education with mental health recovery and nonprofit management.
Mickie loves technology and solving problems creatively; some
have called her a geek! She
enjoys spending time
with her family, especially her grand kids.
Deidre Johnson is the new Executive Office Assistant in the
Charlottesville office. She is very enthusiastic and grateful for her
new role with VOCAL. She currently attends Germanna Community College
and will be graduating in the spring of 2013 with a psychology
specialization degree. She plans to attend UVA in the fall of 2013 to
major in psychology with the intention of pursuing her Master's degree
to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker specializing in grief and
child loss.
Editor's Note:
To reach Mickie Chapman, email her at mickie@vocalvirginia.org or call the Network Office at 804-343-1777.
To reach Deidre Johnson, email her at deidre@vocalvirginia.org or call the Charlottesville office at 434-243-7878 X22
A Letter from the Board of Directors Development Committee
Dear VOCAL Members:
The Virginia Organization of Consumers Asserting Leadership's (VOCAL) mission is to develop a diverse statewide coalition of consumers and consumer-run programs and organizations united to provide a voice for individual empowerment, and to foster a consumer-driven mental health system.
The Board Development Committee of VOCAL is in the process of recruiting new board members. We have several vacancies: Region 1 (Northwest); Region 5 (Southeast); HPR 3 (Southwest); and one At-Large. Please refer to page 6 for a breakdown of the regions including counties and cities.
The VOCAL board normally meets six times a year (every other month), with additional meetings as needed. Other activities include the VOCAL conference and a yearly retreat. The average time commitment on a board members' part is 6-10 hours per month. More information about board expectations and commitments are included in the VOCAL Board Member Questionnaire/Application.
If you are interested in being a part of this organization, we want to hear from you! Please complete the VOCAL Board Member Questionnaire/Application (see link below) and submit online to BoardDC@vocalvirginia.org, or print, complete and mail to Board Development Committee Chairperson, P.O. Box 1248, Charlottesville, VA 22902.
Chairperson,
Board Development Committee
HPR 1 - Northwest
Serving
Counties of: Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford and Campbell, Rockingham, Clarke, Frederick, Page, Shenandoah, Warren, Caroline, King George, Spotsylvania, Stafford, Culpeper, Fauquier, Madison, Orange, Rappahannock, Albemarle, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, Nelson, Bath, Rockbridge, Augusta, Highlands
Cities of: Bedford, Lynchburg, Harrisonburg, Winchester, Fredericksburg, Charlottesville, Buena Vista, Lexington, Staunton, Waynesboro
CSB's: Central Virginia, Harrisonburg-Rockingham, NW Community, Rappahannock Area, Rappahannock-Rapidan, Region Ten, Rockbridge Area, Valley
HPR 5 - Southeast
Serving
Counties of: James City, York, Accomack, Northampton, Essex, Gloucester, King and Queen, King William, Lancaster, Mathews, Middlesex, Northumberland, Richmond, Westmoreland, Isle of Wight, Southampton
Cities of: Poquoson, Williamsburg, Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Franklin, Suffolk
CSB's: Chesapeake, Colonial, Eastern Shore, Hampton-NN, Middle Peninsula Northern Neck, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Virginia Beach, Western Tidewater
PPR 3 - Southwest Virginia
Serving:
Cumberland Mountain CSB, Dickenson County Behavioral Health Services, Highlands Community Services, Mount Rogers Community Services Board, New River Valley Community Services, Planning District One Behavioral Health Services
HPR 3
Serving
Counties of: Franklin, Henry, Patrick, Botetourt, Craig, Roanoke, Buchanan, Russell, Tazewell, Pittsylvania, Dickenson, Washington, Floyd, Giles, Montgomery, Pulaski, Lee, Scott, Wise
Cities of: Martinsville, Roanoke, Salem, Danville, Bristol, Radford, Norton
News from the Regions
"Peer to Peer Mental Health Recovery" in Charlottesville
Every Saturday from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
at the JMRL Central Branch,
3rd Floor Jefferson Room
Contact Pattianne Waters at 540-223-7053 for further information about this group.
Central Peer Connect meets on the second Tuesday of each month from 12:30-2 p.m. in central Virginia.
Our next meeting will be held on September 11th, at Friends 4 Recovery Whole Health Center, Rockwood Office Park, 9511 Hull Street Road, Suite A
Richmond (23236) (804) 308-1366
Our October meeting will be held at Henrico Mental Health, 10299 Woodman Road in Glen Allen.
Call the Network office at 343-1777 or email: yolande@vocalvirginia.org for more information.
Mental Health Support Groups in NOVA
(Affiliated with the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance of Falls Church, Virginia and the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Northern Virginia)
For individuals with depression and bipolar disorders:
Thursday Evenings 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at First Christian Church, 6165 Leesburg Pike, in Falls Church, Virginia 22044
For more information contact: Muna Jazrawi
703-532-8012 or email: munajaz@hotmail.com
For individuals with any mental health diagnosis:
Saturdays from 3:00 p.m.to 5:00 p.m. at Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute, 3302 Gallows Road in Falls Church, Virginia 22042
For more information contact: Jaimie White 703-521-8555 or email: jwhite8@cox.net
"Recovery Among Friends" Support Group Meets in Central Virginia (Ashland)
Every Tuesday at 5:30 p.m., at the Thomas
Hale Center, 203 S. Taylor Street in Ashland
For questions: Patrick at 804.317.1255 or pebruckart@inbox.com or Betsy Brown at 804-798-4587 or
New "Drop-In" WRAP Group in Richmond
Ongoing group forming in Henrico County.
For further information, email: wrapnrecovery@gmail.com or call 804.727.8540/804.727.8555
"Laughter is the Best Medicine" at 84 Main in Warsaw
Every Tuesday from 1:00-2:00 p.m.
Inspired by a workshop at the VOCAL conference!
The folks at 84 Main are dedicating an hour each week to increasing the laughter in their lives.
"A Peer to Peer Wellness Connection"
Saturday, September 8th from 2:00 - 3:00 p.m., in the
McIntire Room (on the third floor) of the Jefferson Madison Regional Library, located at 201 E. Market Street, Charlottesville, 22902
This will include a 40 minute talk by Ed and Cherie with time for questions and answers afterwards.
For further information:
434.947.1850 or email: goingoingon@yahoo.com
"Peer Support for Co-Occurring Disorders"
Each Friday from 2:30 - 3:30 -p.m. at SAARA, 306 Turner Road, Suite L, Richmond (23236)
For further information, call 804.762.4445
Eastern Henrico Peer to Peer is open to anyone in the Greater Richmond Area who has lived experience with mental health challenges. The group is devoted to providing a warm, safe and comfortable environment where we share our experiences and support one another in Recovery and Wellness. Come out and take part of this exciting new community!
The Group meets every two weeks and the dates for this month are August 15th and August 29th from 6:00 -7:00 p.m.
Any questions, please feel free to contact Larry Almarode (804) 986-7129 or e-mail at
lalmarode@live.com
Henrico Mental Health - East Center is located at 4825 South Laburnum Avenue, Henrico, Virginia.
From the Newsletter Editor
by Yolande Long, Communications and Events Coordinator
Thank you to those that sent in creative submissions
and news from the regions! The deadline for the
October - November 2012 newsletter is September 12, 2012.
Please contact me at the VOCAL Network office if you
have any questions. Submissions may be sent in via
email or postal mail.
Our new mailing address is 1904 Byrd Avenue, Suite 111, Richmond, Virginia 23230
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