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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
Happy Holidays VOCAL members and followers!
The holiday season is typically a stressful time of year. From turkey eating to Christmas shopping to spending time with friends and family, it can be quite jam packed! For many of us though, it can also be a lonely time of the year. We know that loneliness is a transient emotion that can be resolved quite easily by picking up the phone, getting in touch with an old friend, or going out and exploring new things. This time of year is also a reminder to think of what we have to be grateful for. There are many things for which I am personally grateful: my health, friends, family, and jobs...yes, jobs.
As my time with VOCAL continues, I have learned that we cannot take for granted what VOCAL has to offer or forget just how important a statewide peer-run organization can be. We are looked upon by many as the place to turn for any number of tasks: from advocacy to working on human rights regulations to connecting with each other and other resources. These are tasks we can all take on as we move forward.
VOCAL is moving forward on a number of fronts. We are in the process of hiring for VOCAL's Network, CO-OP, and REACH programs (go to www.vocalvirginia.org for further information), closing out the books and understanding our financial situation with a greater amount of clarity, developing and expanding the Board of Directors to include a number of committees with a wide range of tasks, working on codifying our procedures in a coherent manner, and becoming more communicative and transparent as an organization.
To assist in the communications and transparency, there is now the "Ask Will" Column. In this column, members can ask questions of VOCAL's Executive Office. The intent is to answer each and every inquiry posed in a timely fashion. Inquiries can be sent to askwill@vocalvirginia.org. Please include your name and contact information for verification: anonymous submissions will not be accepted. Responses will be published here in the VOCAL "Network News", which is currently published six times per year. An archive of responses will be made available through VOCAL's website at www.vocalvirginia.org.
In closing out 2012, it will be remembered as a year of transition. With this transition came turmoil and confusion; however, it also brought about clarity and growth. As we work to resolve what we can of the past, we also look to set ourselves up for future success. I look forward to continue to work with you in 2013. Know that my door is open. We are all in this together.
Sincerely,
Will Gallik
VOCAL BOARD Meets Wednesday, January 9th in Charlottesville
10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
1600 5th Street, Room A
This is an open meeting.
Please RSVP to Deidre at deidre@vocalvirginia.org if you would like to attend.
Please note: VOCAL does not reimburse for mileage/travel expenses nor provides lunch for guests.
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From the President of the VOCAL Board of Directors, Ann Conner
Hello VOCAL Members!
Since I wrote to you last, we have added two dynamic new members to the Board of Directors: Patrick Bruckart who will represent Region 4; and Jean Esplin who will fill the at-large vacancy. If you look at VOCAL's Articles of Incorporation on the website, you will see that Patrick was one of the three original signers of that document. Bios and pictures of both Patrick and Jean will be added to the website
soon. As promised, I want to tell you about
the Committees of the VOCAL Board of Directors and invite you to join them.
Nominating Committee, Chair: Debbie Smith
Identifies, selects, recruits, and orients Board members. This standing committee shall consist of five (5) voting members, and shall prepare a slate of nominees for officers and at-large Directors of the corporation, whose two year terms are ending, which shall, with any nominations from the floor, be
voted upon at the annual meeting.
Finance and Fundraising Committee, Chair: Betsy Brown
The Treasurer shall be the chair of this standing committee which shall develop fiscal policies and procedures, to include overseeing budget development, cost control, auditing, investments, insurance and bonding. This committee shall also be in charge of fundraising.
Advocacy Committee, Chair: Troy
Ark, and Advisor: Bonnie Neighbour
This is where VOCAL members, Board and staff discuss and determine VOCAL's advocacy responses to particular legislation and policy. It is also a great place to listen and learn what is going on with the legislature. During the legislative session, the committee will meet weekly by conference call: the rest of the year, it will meet on an as-needed basis. Members are welcome to join VOCAL at the General Assembly for Committee Meetings.
Cultural Competency Committee, Chair: John Gibbs
The Network Program Director will work directly with this committee. It will have five (5) members, representing Veterans, African-American, Native American and Hispanic communities. This committee is responsible for developing VOCAL's Cultural Competence Plan and for annual review of compliance with this plan.
Executive Director Transition
Committee, Chair: Marty Grizzle
This is a special ad hoc committee, established not only to start the search for VOCAL's permanent Executive Director but also to plan this transition, and to have a plan in place for future transitions especially when unanticipated.
Governance Committee, Chair: Marc Cowgill
This special ad hoc committee works to ensure the efficient and effective work of the Board, including reviewing VOCAL by laws and other policy documents, evaluating Board and committee structure and governing
process, and recommending appropriate changes.
Personnel Committee, Chair: Jerry Higginson
This is a special ad hoc committee, set up over a year ago, specifically to complete a set of VOCAL Personnel Policies and Procedures to submit to the Board for consideration and approval.
Are you interested in volunteering your time and energy to make VOCAL the best it can be? Joining a Board committee would be a wonderful way for more people from the broader VOCAL membership to
actively participate with the Board and staff. Currently, the majority of committee
meetings are held via conference calls.
If you are interested in participating, please email me, conhod@msn.com, or by postal mail at PO Box 1248, Charlottesville, Virginia 22902. If you have questions, you may reach me through Deidre Johnson in VOCAL's Charlottesville office at 434.243.7878 extension 22. Tell me what committees you would most like to work
with, your history as a VOCAL member,
any background information related to
work with non-profit Boards and your availability for conference calls. Please
include resume if you have one.
I am pleased to report that the initial invitation for members to participate on the Governance Committee has had a very positive response and that committee is now composed of Board, staff and members!
Thank you!
From Where I Sit...
Creative Offerings from Members and Friends
"First Dance" by Ann Catherine Braxton, Hampton
A blushing wallflower shrinking violet of a boy
Pimples glowing under his unruly hair
Hesitating--initially--to take the hand
Of the cheerleader in low-cut crimson
The band is playing a slow, sultry salsa
He is entranced by the highlights in her
Titian hair
Her green eyes inviting him into her arms
For the first time, he is graceful, his blush resurfacing
Only when she plants her strawberry lip print on his cheek
This time, first dance; maybe next time, first kiss.
Fire Stories: Further Thoughts on Radically Re-thinking Mental Illness
by Malaina Poore, Firewalkers Project Director
A group of us here at VOCAL have been working on the creation of an anthology. At the recent CAC (Consumer Advisory Council) conference in Charlottesville, Commissioner James Stewart said that we must keep telling our stories, again and again and in different ways until people get it. That resonates with me. What better way to accomplish this than to invite many voices and perspectives to the conversation.
Now the book is complete and very soon will be available on Amazon, our website and assorted bookstores and events. I've heard that editing a book would be difficult and this is true. It is hard to turn away good stories that don't fit just right, to arrange it all to strike the right balance and to take on the responsibility of the finished product. My saving grace is that I didn't have to do it alone. It was a great pleasure to work as an editorial team with three wonderful women: Cynthia Power, Yolande Long and Beth Gager. Cynthia is one of VOCAL's founding members, longtime activist and straight shooter. She also worked on the first Firewalkers book. Yolande worked on the first book as well. You may know her as VOCAL's Communications and Events Coordinator. She is smart, good hearted and down-to-earth. Beth works for Region Ten. We are new friends who met when she read something that I wrote and sent me something that she wrote and we found that we are soul sisters on a mission. That's a pretty good team!
Our work has always been about putting a human face on something potentially scary and unknown. Fire Stories is a small but powerful book that encompasses so much of what we wanted to say about mental health, crisis, spirituality, and who we are. It is not about simple answers or cheap advice.
I don't know what the future holds for Firewalkers, but I am happy to say that I have done what I came to do and then some. I want to encourage each of you to tell your story and be the shining star that you are.
From the Advocacy Desk
by Bonnie Neighbour, Advocacy Director
The legislative session is getting underway soon. Are you asking what that means for you? There are lots of great opportunities for you to get involved with advocacy during this time. *** Did you vote? Good for you! If you didn't vote because you have lost your right to do so, do you want information about how to request to have that right restored if appropriate? *** Have you been to the annual rally in January on Capitol Hill yet? Stay tuned in the
e-digests to find out specifics about the rally this year. *** Are you interested in serving on VOCAL's Advocacy Committee? We will be meeting weekly by phone, beginning soon. Email me to get included on the Committee announcements. Your commitment to this can be as much or little as you are able. *** Are you interested in attending - and maybe speaking at - any General Assembly committee meetings? *** Have you ever written a letter or an email, or made a phone call to your legislator? Watch the e-digest for opportunities or send a letter or email now and introduce yourself. Many times laws are changed based on constituents' relationships with our legislators. Go make a relationship! *** Do you want someone to come do a workshop on Systems Advocacy to your group? Let's talk. *** Are you interested in serving on
a state-level committee? I'd like to talk
to you about your interest and availability. ***Email me: bonnie@vocalvirginia.org***
Editor's Note:
Bonnie will be the featured speaker at the January Central Peer Connect meeting! Join us on Wednesday, January 9, from 12:30 - 2:00 p.m. at Virginia Office for Protection and Advocacy (VOPA) Board Room, 1910 Byrd Avenue, Richmond, 23230.
Bonnie will be speaking to the group about the upcoming legislative session.
SAVE THE DATE!
Save the date for the VOCAL Annual Statewide Mental Health Consumer Conference! Monday - Wednesday, May 20th -22nd, 2013.
More information to follow in the February newsletter!
News from the Regions
Central Peer Connect
Tuesday, December 11th at the Thomas Hale Center, 203 S. Taylor Street in Ashland, for a holiday celebration! Join your peers for fellowship, food, and fun!
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:
Thursdays 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:
Thursdays 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Joe & Fredona Gartlan Center
8119 Holland Road, Alexandria, VA 22306
Contact: Shavonne G. Carpenter (571) 432-8640
Email: Sister_SGC@yahoo.com
Saturdays 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Embry Rucker Reston Shelter
11975 Bowman Towne Dr., Reston, VA 20190
Contact: Vanessa Priest (703) 966-8935
Email: vanessapriest@hotmail.com
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<
Mental Health America of Virginia (MHAV) 2012-13 Training Schedule
QUEST
Williamsburg/Middle Peninsula - April 8-10, 2013
Middleburg/NOVA April 22-24, 2013
CELT (Consumer Empowerment Leadership Training)
Roanoke- March 25-29, 2013
Fredericksburg- May 20-24, 2013
Well-Quest (both in Richmond)
Feb 18-19, 2013
Advanced training
June 17-18, 2013
For more information and to apply, call Tiffany Perry at 804-257-5591
"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
"Drop-In" WRAP Group in Richmond
Ongoing group in Henrico County.
For further information, email: wrapnrecovery@gmail.com or call 804.727.8540/804.727.8555
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 community!
The group meets every two weeks and the next meeting will be held on October 24th 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 or Mary Cook at the following numbers: (804) 222-2607 ext. 3128 (office) (804) 239-2710 (work cell) coo96@co.henrico.va.us (email)
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
February - March 2013 newsletter is January14, 2013.
Please contact me at the VOCAL Network office if you
have any questions. Submissions may be sent in via
email at yolande@vocalvirginia.org or postal mail.
Our mailing address is 1904 Byrd Avenue, Suite 111, Richmond, Virginia 23230
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