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News for and about leaders in substance abuse prevention.
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Submission Guidelines Operation Snowball, Inc. and the Illinois Teen Institute are funded in part by the Illinois Department of Human Services and the Cebrin Goodman Center, an affiliate of the Lillian and Larry Goodman Foundations.   |
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Welcome to this month's Impact Your Community news! In this issue you will learn ITI is adding a MLI track, who won the Make the Right Mov(i)e contest, National Prevention Week is May 20-26th, and who the OS Outstanding Youth and Adult Leader is for 2012.
You will find other information and resources on our Facebook page. Please "like" our page today, and invite your friends to do so as well. Our social networking site links are to the left.
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Illinois Teen Institute 2012:
Conference Advisors, Speakers, and a new Middle-School Track
ITI is just around the corner! Alison Turner and Virginia Doherty are the conference advisors this year and they are hard at work planning a fantastic event! If you haven't gotten your application in yet- NOW is the time! Staff and Co-facilitator pairing assignments will be sent out soon.
ITI will offer a Middle-School track this year, within our exemplary leadership training structure. Middle school students will attend their own workshops and discussion groups, but have the opportunity to interact with our high school leaders during the general sessions held in the auditorium. Middle school staff will stay with them in neighboring rooms of the middle school dorm. We are really excited and hope you will share the information about ITI to middle school students, who will enter 7-8th grade next year. The Middle-School track will be held Sunday, July 22th - Tuesday, July 24th at Illinois Wesleyan University.
ITI, for high school participants, will be held at Illinois Wesleyan University from July 22nd-26th. Staff training will be held at IWU on Friday, July 20th-Saturday, July 21st. Here's a sneak peak at some of the speakers:
Leading to Change (link to: www.leadingtochange.com)
Reach Communications (link to: http://www.reachspeakers.com/index.htm)
MWAH Performing Arts Troupe (link to: http://mwah.net/)
Mike Dial
Brent Swolsky
And so much more! Check the website (link to www.or-iti.org) for more details. We'll be posting specific speakers and workshop presenters in the coming weeks.
Applications are available online at www.os-iti.org. For news and updates visit our page on Facebook, Illinois Teen Institute, and follow us on Twitter @iti2012. |
OS 3rd Annual Make The Right Mov(i)e Contest
This contest is designed to get youth involved in developing messages that can influence their peers and discourage them from drinking alcohol. It provides a unique opportunity for youth to develop a powerful video message on underage drinking prevention and have their creative talents displayed on YouTube before a national audience. Because underage drinking is particularly prevalent around special events, the videos should focus on messages dedicated to preventing underage drinking at prom and graduation events and parties.
And the winner is...
Carmel Catholic High School Operation Snowball
 | | CCHS Operation Snowball 2012 Video |
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Announcing National Prevention Week
 National Prevention Week is a new annual health observance supported by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) that celebrates the work that community organizations and individuals do year-round to prevent substance abuse and promote mental, emotional, and behavioral well-being.
National Prevention Week will take place May 20-26, 2012 and this year's theme is We are the ones. How are you taking action?
How Can I Get Involved?
This health observance is an opportunity for community members to learn more about behavioral health issues and get involved in prevention efforts that continue throughout the year.
Prevention involves both large and small actions - such as volunteering, participating in community organizations or healthy activities, and talking to youth and neighbors - which together contribute to healthier and more vibrant communities.
Host An Event
SAMHSA encourages communities to host events during National Prevention Week 2012 that:
- Celebrate the power of prevention;
- Raise awareness about substance abuse and mental health issues;
- Build support for wellness and prevention practices; and
- Promote mental, emotional, and behavioral well-being.
Take The Pledge
Everyone can make a difference during National Prevention Week 2012 by taking the "Prevention Pledge." The "Prevention Pledge" will allow visitors to commit to a healthy lifestyle and share this promise with others.
For more information and event ideas visit SAMSHA's NPW page. |
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OS Recognition Awards
Each year Operation Snowball, Inc. and the Board of Directors recognize the outstanding leaders in Snowball and Snowflake chapters for all the hard work and dedication that is happening in the local chapters and communities. Nominations are received from accredited chapters and as always it was a challenge selecting the winners.
The Outstanding Youth Leader is Clayton Conness from I.V.A.D.C. in Ottawa, IL. Among his many achievements was planning and implementing a successful dodgeball fundraiser. The event drew nearly 500 spectators and 100 participants raising nearly $2,500 for I.V.A.D.C.'s Snowflake.
"Clayton is clearly a student who goes above and beyond the call and demonstrates the values of a youth leader in all the things he does in and out of school."
The Outstanding Adult Leader is John Schwaller from Homewood-Floosmoor OS in Homewood, IL. Mr.Schwaller has provided the HF Chapter of Operation Snowball over 23 years of experience. In June of 2012, he will be retiring from HF and subsequently leaving Snowball to be carried on by others who he hopes will continue the traditions that he has spent years designing and supporting as outlined in the Operation Snowball Mission Statement. In November of 2011, he participated in his very last Snowball.
"When things don't go as planned, he comes up with a plan. If a speaker does not show, he steps in and presents without any preparation. As students experience extreme emotional breakthroughs, the social worker in John sits down with the student to help. He does not play just one role-he simply is Snowball."
Congratulations to Clayton and Mr. Schwaller! |
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IMPACT Your Community
is a publication of Operation Snowball, Inc. and the Illinois Teen Institute and is free of charge to subscribers.
IADDA Staff CEO: Sara Howe
COO: Eric Foster Business Manager: Pel Kelley
External Program Manager (OS): Mary Jo Davies
External Program Manager (ITI): Sarah Potter Prevention Program Coordinator: C.J. Cavazos
OS staff is provided through a contract between the Illinois Alcoholism and Drug Dependence Association and Operation Snowball, Inc.
IMPACT Your Community invites your comments, articles or photographs. Download submission requirements here.
Operation Snowball, Inc./Illinois Teen Institute
937 South Second Street · Springfield, IL 62704
800.252.6301 or 217.528.7335
info@os-iti.org
www.os-iti.org
This publication is free of copyright and may be reprinted. Please forward a copy of the printed material in which a reproduced IMPACT article appears. Appropriate authorship is appreciated.
Operation Snowball, Inc. Board of Directors: Patrick Ferrell, Chair; Charla Waxman, Past Chair; Spike Grossheusch, Vice Chair; Linda Pfeifer Secretary; Rob Grupe, Treasurer; Brianna Belgio, Teri Belgio, Melissa Byrne, Kay Daniel, Erin Emery, Laura Ferrell, Suzanne Hamilton, Sheri Huber, Jack Irwin, and Mike Waxman Board Members. . |
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