Tag Archive | training programs

Volunteers in Partnership needs volunteers

Mar9

VOLUNTEERS IN PARTNERSHIP
PROGRAM
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!!!
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING IN THE MENTAL HEALTH FIELD?
Would you like an opportunity to:
            • Work 1-1 with adults experiencing a mental illness?
• Help someone achieve their individually set goals?
            • Learn about the mental health system?
The Volunteers in Partnership Program is looking for adult volunteers who can offer 2-4 hours per week to adults in the Vancouver area who are experiencing a mental illness. Volunteers assist participants with improving their skills, increasing their independence and exploring new activities.
Volunteers and participants are asked to commit to their partnership for a minimum of six months.
This is an opportunity to volunteer off-site in the community with support and guidance from the program coordinator.
For more information on this volunteer program please contact:
Volunteers in Partnership Program
CMHA Vancouver-Burnaby Branch
175 West Broadway
Vancouver, BC V5Y 1P4
www.vancouver-burnaby.cmha.bc.ca
Coordinator: Katy Vinson
Phone: 604-872-4902 ext 290

E-mail: ka************@cm**.ca

Health Lecture Series

Feb11

   Health Lecture Series 2010

North and West Vancouver Branch

FEBRUARY
3

LET’S TALK ABOUT LOVE
Do you want to live from the deeper, fuller waters of love? We will discuss the 4 secret steps everyone needs to know in order to create you relationship, manifest formulas that create the relationship you really, really want and recognize the neglected places in your life that are secretely hiding the depths of love you desire.  Come experience, share –through storytelling, poetry  and music about how everyday life is secretly teaching you about “The Deeper Waters Of Love”.
Michael Talbot-Kelly, RCC is a wholistic psychotherapist, midlife awakening specialist and spiritual counselor with over 25 years of experience counseling healing and guiding individuals towards the deeper waters of love, liberation and belonging.

FEBRUARY 10

LOW MOOD AND ANXIETY
Feeling low? Stressed? Anxious? Bounce Back can help. The Bounce Back program, offered through CMHA is a self-help program which offers two components: a DVD Living Life to the Full (immediate resource) and a coaching over the telephone while working with the self-help material. Come and join us for an interactive evening where a part of the DVD will be viewed and discussed.
Miriam Planovska, BSW Bounce Back Community Coach has been a coach on the North Shore for the past year and half. Over the years she has worked with wide range of people and also has a good understanding of the multicultural population.

FEBRUARY
17

CIRCLE DANCE: CONNECTING HANDS AND HEARTS
Circle Dance , or Sacred Circle Dance, was born in 1976 at Findhorn, a spiritual community in northern Scotland.  We dance for many reasons including connection, peace, celebration, healing, spirit and fun.  Dances range from lively to meditative, traditional to contemporary, and are danced to contagious music from around the world.  This evening we’ll include dances that celebrate the theme of Love as we will have just passed Valentine’s Day.  Come prepared to join hand and hearts!
 Corinne Chepil has been teaching dance most of her life.  She especially enjoys sharing the gifts of Circle Dance. Her education includes a B.A. in Dance/Psychology, a Dance Teacher Diploma and a Sacred Dance Teacher Certificate from Scotland’s Findhorn Foundation.  She has been fortunate to facilitate in a variety of settings including Women’s Spirituality Celebrations, a Yoga retreat, Riverview Hospital, and the 2006 World Peace forum.

FEBRUARY
24

 3 PILLAR FOUNDATION TO HIGH VIBRATION LIVING

Discover the 3 Pillars to High Vibration Living and how to apply them for improved health and vitality.  Learn techniques on how to better manage your thoughts and achieve greater success.  Experience the power of the Merkaba Technique and how it fast tracks your progress to a better life.

Steve Hulcombe is the founder of Propel Life<http://www.propellife.com/> and the Merkaba Technique.  He assists individuals and organizations to align with their mission and achieve their goals by utilizing his own vibration technique, intuition and coaching strategies.  You will benefit from being empowered to make high vibration choices and having old disempowering structures systematic removed thereby allowing your true essence to emerge.

EVERYONE WELCOME! EVERY WEDNESDAY AT 7:00pm – ADMISSION BY DONATION

LOCATION: 2nd Floor of John Braithwaite Community Centre, 145 West 1st Street, North Vancouver

For information, call 604-987-6959 or visit www.northwestvancouver.cmha.bc.ca

Peer Support Training

Jan18

Þ  Þ  PLEASE POST  Þ Þ
WANTED:  PEER SUPPORT TRAINEES
Closing Date March 5, 2010
Training: Sept. – Dec. (3 hrs X 2 days/week), Practicum: Jan. onward
TO APPLY FOR TRAINING, PLEASE SUBMIT:
  • Application Form (see attached or obtain form at reception)
  • Resume
  • Two Letters of Reference (2) not from family members
CRITERIA FOR BEING ACCEPTED INTO THE TRAINING:
  • Have personal experience receiving mental health services
  • Role model to people recovering from serious mental illness
  • Good interpersonal skills, particularly the ability to be empathetic, supportive and patient
  • Able to learn and work in a classroom setting for 3-4 hrs/class
  • Adequate writing and reading skills
  • Present in a professional manner
  • Work cooperatively and collaboratively with mental health staff
  • Like working with a variety of people and have an appreciation of each individual’s unique value
  • Willing to work with a culturally diverse population
  • Related experience is an asset, though not required
REQUIREMENT ONLY WHEN ACCEPTED INTO TRAINING:
  • Complete a Criminal Record Check (CRC)
  • CRC cost is $55, reimbursed to those who have been short-listed after interviews and upon submission of receipt
PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION PACKAGE TO:
Peer Support Office
200 – 520 West 6th Avenue, Vancouver, BC  V5Z 4H5
PHONE:  604-708-5274
FAX:  604-874-7661
APPLICATIONS DUE ON OR BEFORE MARCH 5, 2010
VANCOUVER PEER SUPPORT TRAINING APPLICATION
Name:
Address:
Phone:                                          Email:
1.      What motivated you to apply for this training program?
2.      What do you hope to gain from this training?
3.      How would you define the role of a Peer Support Worker?
4.       If applicable, list your background related to mental health courses
         or programs, volunteer or employment experience that you would   consider to be an asset for this training?
5.      What personal life experiences have you had that you consider to be      an asset for doing peer support work?
6.       Please share some of your thoughts and feelings about having been        given a mental health diagnosis?
7.      As a Peer Support Worker, is there a particular kind of person that      you would like to work with?  Please explain.
8.       As a Peer Support Worker, is there a particular kind of person that      you would find difficult to work with?  Please explain.
9.      What would you do if a person with who you are doing peer support        work with wants to do something that goes against your beliefs and       values but isn’t something illegal or unsafe?
10.      Anything else that you would like us to take into consideration?

Federation Vox

Dec10

Federation Vox
November 27, 2009

Federation News

All Aboard!
After a brief stop to let passengers off and on, the good old Fed Train is back on track and chugging along. It’s been a bit of a rough ride in the Arts World this year, but The Fed has had one of its most energetic and successful years ever, due to the energy and commitment of Fed members, volunteers, staff and board.

Carla Reimer, who did a terrific job as ED, is settling into her new life in Ontario and has the Board’s warmest regards and wishes for a fine future. Sylvia Taylor, Board Director for seven years and President for two, has stepped into the ED position, and brings a wealth of professional literary and administrative expertise.

So far this year, the Fed has:
•       welcomed more new members than ever before – 13 in the last month alone!
•       fundraised over $2,000 for Fed programming
•       maintained all its services and programs
•       hosted six literary & fundraising events throughout the province
•       showcased the Fed and its members at major literary events, including Word On the Street, Vancouver International Writers’ Festival, Surrey International Writers’ Festival, Powell River Writers’ Festival
•       created and strengthened alliances and partnerships provincially and nationally
•       actively supported Arts preservation movements

The Fed Train needs everyone’s mind and muscle to keep the engine stoked and the momentum building. Please contribute in any way you can, to keep us chugging for years to come.

New Members

Welcome to:
Bill Dovhey, Lois Quinlan, Diane Common, Sue Goldswain, Mike Hartner, Diane Jones, Valerie Parks, Dana Marie Ramstedt, Kathleen Milner, Katherine Wagner, Perry Wilson, Gordon Marx, Hendrik Slegtenhorst.

Job Opportunities

We are looking for an experienced writer who can synthesize healthcare related concepts and make them accessible to a number of audiences, including the general public. Must have experience writing for the web and in the healthcare field. Please respond with CV, cover letter, writing samples, hourly or contract rate. Serious enquiries only. Thanks
David J. Adams
Research Coordinator
UBC Department of Family Practice
David Strangway Building
#320 – 5950 University Blvd
Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3
Phone:  (604) 827-4185 Fax:  (604) 827-4184

Call for Submissions

Working Title: Not a Broken Record
An Anthology of Writing to stop violence against women and girls
Deadline: January 15th, 2010
We are currently seeking submissions for an anthology of diverse voices which record the experiences and impacts of violence against women at all levels: brutality, neglect, a punch, a put-down; from the personal to the abstract. We invite submissions on a range of subjects, from violence in media imagery, pornography, beauty rituals, humour, language, myth, etc.; a variety of tones are also welcome, from the serious to the humorous.
We invite everyone – of all genders and backgrounds – to submit ONE work of fiction or non-fiction of no more than 2000 words, or a maximum of FOUR poems on the subject of violence against women and girls.  We are especially interested in non-fiction narrative.
All submissions can be sent by email as WORD or RTF attachments in 12 point Times New Roman font to Andrea Routley at lo*****************@gm***.com. Please include your name, brief bio, and contact information in the body of your email, as well as the attachment.  All narrative should be double-spaced; poetry single-spaced. Previously published work will be considered as long as author retains copyright.
Note: Work already submitted is still under consideration unless notified otherwise.
This is a charitable project; no remuneration. Contributors will receive two copies of the anthology. Proceeds will benefit anti-violence organisations.
Anthology will be published by Caitlin Press, forthcoming Fall 2010.

Conferences, Courses & Workshops

Salmon Arm
Saturday, November 28, 1 – 3 pm
THE BUSINESS OF WRITING
A two-hour workshop with GAIL ANDERSON-DARGATZ
Website: http://www.gailanderson-dargatz.ca
Gail Anderson-Dargatz discusses the business side of writing life; from finding an agent to self-promotion, Gail will offer tips on navigating the complex publishing industry.  For more information and to register, call 250-804-8888 or visit www.okanagan.bc.ca/csreg.

Sunday, December 6, 2009, 1 – 5 pm
TELLING FAMILY STORIES, MEMOIRS, LITERARY STORIES, OR FOLK TALES
Website:  http://www.jewishmuseum.ca/info/current_events/fall-workshops-09
This course will appeal to writers who wish to read and ‘perform’ their work more effectively or to those who would like to explore this exciting genre.  Cost: $35, $30 for Jewish Historical Society of BC Members.  Seating limited – register at in**@je**********.ca or 604-257-5199.  Location:  Jewish Museum & Archives of British Columbia, 950 West 41st Avenue, Vancouver.

Alliance for the Arts Workshops:
Social Media / Introductory: Tuesday, December 1 from 9 am to 12 noon. Rebecca Coleman and Simon Ogden will reprise their popular workshop on helping you navigate the  the paradigm shift from traditional marketing forms  to social media. They will explore what it means to join a social network, the etiquette required and help you to choose the platforms that are right for you.
Social Media / Advanced: Tuesday, December 1 from 1 pm to 4 pm. In this afternoon follow-up of the morning’s Introductory Workshop (separate registration required – enroll for either or both) you will move from theory to practice, as the facilitators share clear, concrete methods and tips for building your social media marketing plan using the most effective sites in the landscape of platforms: Blogs, Facebook, E-mail newsletters, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr.
Strategic Grant Writing: Thursday, December 3 from 1 pm to 4 pm. In our increasingly competitive funding environment, you need to know how to get your project noticed. There’s no way around it – grant-writing is a competitive process. Making ART happen is a difficult task. Allyson McGrane will show you how, in order to succeed, you must be able to make your project… irresistible.
Managing Arts Organizations Through Lean Times: Friday, December 4 from 1 pm to 4 pm. Judi Piggott will show you how “the best way out is through” when navigating today’s crisis in arts funding. This interactive session will focus on generating practical options for small and medium organizations to help us survive the ‘meantime’ and regain our footing for the future.

Out of Province

RYERSON UNIVERSITY WRITING CLASSES
Website: http://ce-online.ryerson.ca/ce_2009-2010/calendar/default.aspx?id=5&section=course&sub=subject&disc=%7b89831E51-A3AE-11D4-AE93-00E029501EB1%7d&mode=disc_list
Be the writer you’ve always dreamed of becoming.  Talented instructors help unlock and develop your talents in short fiction, novel, poetry, or dramatic writing.  Explore specialized genres.  Learn to tell your life story.  Enhance business writing skills.

May 1, 2010
ONTARIO WRITERS’ CONFERENCE
Website:  http://www.thewritersconference.com/
What began in 2008 as the dream of a handful of organizers from the Writers’ Circle of Durham Region became a full-fledged writers’ organization in 2009.  Building on that success, the 2010 conference will have educational, challenging, and interactive workshops, panels, round table discussions, and lectures.

Awards and Contests

Sumission Deadline December 1, 2009
WEST COAST BOOK PUBLISHERS SOCIETY
Invites all publishers and British Columbian authors with titles that fit the awards criteria to enter the BC Book Prizes for books published in 2009.
In addition, publishers and members of writing and publishing organizations are invited to submit nominations for the annual Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Literary Excellence. The deadline for nominations is Friday, January 8, 2010. There is no fee to enter.
THE WRITERS TRUST OF CANADA announced winners of $127,000 in prizes for literature in the fiction, non-fiction, and short fiction categories. The event, at the Isabel Bader Theatre in Toronto, is one of the richest awards nights for literature in Canada.
Vancouver writer Annabel Lyon won the $25,000 Rogers Writers’ Trust Fiction Prize for The Golden Mean, a novel about Aristotle and his one-time pupil Alexander the Great. Brian Brett, a writer from Salt Spring Island, won the $25,000 Writers’ Trust Non-Fiction Prize for Trauma Farm: A Rebel History of Rural Life, an account of the author’s small island farm and an impassioned plea for maintaining a connection to the hands-on lessons of rural living.Three more authors received awards for their excellence in literature: novelist David Bergen (Winnipeg), children’s writer Marthe Jocelyn (Stratford, Ontario), and emerging writer Yasuko Thanh (Victoria).
GOVERNOR GENERAL’S LITERARY AWARD
Vancouver poet David Zieroth has won the Governor General’s Literary Award for Poetry for his eighth collection, The Fly in Autumn (Harbour Publishing, $18.95). All the winners were announced in Montreal on November 17.  The other nominees for the Governor General’s Award for Poetry were David W. McFadden for Be Calm, Honey (Mansfield Press), Philip Kevin Paul for Little Hunger (Nightwood Editions), Sina Queyras for Expressway (Coach House Books) and Carmine Starnino for This Way Out (Gaspereau Press).
November 30, 2009
ONE COOL WORD MAGAZINE – WRITING CONTEST FOR POETRY & FICTION
Website:  http://www.onecoolword.com/
Judges will be Rita Wong and Patrick Friesen. Fiction Judge: Lee Henderson (2009 BC Book Prize Winner). 1st prize – $250, publication, year subscription and entry to all 2010 OCW parties. First place fiction also receives Lee Henderson’s The Man Game. First place poetry also receives books by Rita Wong and Patrick Friesen. Runners up: publication, year subscription and entry to all 2010 OCW parties.  Entry fee: $20 (includes subscription valued at $25). Additional entries $5. Submit to: wr************@on*********.com. Guidelines on the website.
November 30, 2009
PRISM CREATIVE NON-FICTION CONTEST
Website: http://prism.arts.ubc.ca/contests.php
Prism international’s Creative Non-Fiction Contest is now accepting entries. Fame and fortune await! Grand Prize is $1500. If you want to know which entries for the contest have succeeded in the past, please go to our previous winners in past issues, such as “The Death of Pedro Ivan,” by Amanda Hale, which appears in PRISM (47:2). Or better yet, subscribe!

November 30, 2009
ONE COOL WORD MAGAZINE – WRITING CONTEST FOR POETRY & FICTION
Website:  http://www.onecoolword.com/
Judges will be Rita Wong and Patrick Friesen. Fiction Judge: Lee Henderson (2009 BC Book Prize Winner). 1st prize – $250, publication, year subscription and entry to all 2010 OCW parties. First place fiction also receives Lee Henderson’s The Man Game. First place poetry also receives books by Rita Wong and Patrick Friesen. Runners up: publication, year subscription and entry to all 2010 OCW parties.  Entry fee: $20 (includes subscription valued at $25). Additional entries $5. Submit to: wr************@on*********.com. Guidelines on the website.
November 30, 2009
PRISM CREATIVE NON-FICTION CONTEST
Website: http://prism.arts.ubc.ca/contests.php
Prism international’s Creative Non-Fiction Contest is now accepting entries. Fame and fortune await! Grand Prize is $1500. If you want to know which entries for the contest have succeeded in the past, please go to our previous winners in past issues, such as “The Death of Pedro Ivan,” by Amanda Hale, which appears in PRISM (47:2). Or better yet, subscribe!
Call for submissions

November 30, 2009
PROSE & POETRY CONTEST — THE NEW WRITER MAGAZINE
Website:  http://www.thenewwriter.com/
Established in 1997, this is one of the major annual international competitions for short stories, novellas, single poems, poetry collections, essays and articles; and offers cash prizes as well as publication for the prize-winning writers in The Collection, special edition of The New Writer magazine each July (back copies available on TNW website). Check the website for more information and the guidelines. Writers can enter online at our secure credit card server at http://www.thenewwriter.com/entryform.htm. The entry form can also be downloaded from that page on the website and sent in the post with your entry. We can supply this year’s printed Entry Forms on request, and in bulk to writers’ groups and organizations.
    We are now seeking fiction and poetry and features from TNW subscribers over the years for our bumper celebration issue, Jan/Feb 2010.  If subscribers, past and present, would like to submit something for consideration, please email to the editorial office – ed****@th**********.com – marked ‘100th issue’ in the subject line and if we like it, we’ll use it.  Maximum words for short stories 2,000. Postal address:  The New Writer, PO Box 60, Cranbrook  TN17 2RE, United Kingdom. Phone: 01580 212626 – Email:  ad***@th**********.com.

November 30, 2009
SHORT STORY PRIZE 2009
Website:  http://www.fishpublishing.com/fish-international-short-story-prize.php
This contest is welcoming entries on any theme, in English, to a maximum of 5,000 words.  10 stories will be published in the 2010 Fish Anthology.  Entry fee: €20.  First prize is €3000 (of which €1000 is travel expenses to the launch of the Anthology.)

December 1, 2009
FICTION CONTEST:  NATIONAL CANADIAN PUBLISHER
Website: http://www.enfieldandwizenty.ca/
This year Enfield & Wizenty launches a fiction contest to celebrate our own survival, as we go into our third season as a national fiction imprint of Great Plains Publications. For this champagne-soaked third year, Enfield & Wizenty is offering a $5000 advance for the most outstanding submission of literary fiction that we receive. We will be reading fiction submissions (novels and collections of short stories) from now until December 2009. Short story collections should have appeared extensively in Canadian literary magazines. Please note that we’re not interested in genre novels–crime, science fiction, romance etc. Simultaneous submissions are fine, but do let us know. Submit your query letter and sample to: Maurice Mierau, Associate Editor, Enfield & Wizenty, 345-955 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB  R3G 0P9 or by email to in**@gr*********.ca.

December 1, 2009
FIDDLEHEAD’S LITERARY CONTEST
Website: http://www.thefiddlehead.ca/
$1000 for best short fiction; $500 for two honourable mentions in short fiction. $1000 for Ralph Gustafson Prize for Best Poem; $500 for two honourable mentions in poetry. The winning entries will be published in the Spring 2010 issue of The Fiddlehead (No. 243) and on our website. The winning authors will be paid for publication in addition to their prizes. Entry fee: $30 for entry in either category.

December 31, 2009
FREEFALL PROSE & POETRY CONTEST 2009
Website:  http://www.freefallmagazine.ca/pdf/2009ContestRules.pdf
$1000 in prizes to be won; first prize in each category is $300.  Maximum length 3000 words prose, or 5 poems per entry.  Entry fee of $20 includes one-year subscription (AWCS members $10, additional entries $5).

December 31, 2009
DELACORTE PRESS CONTEST FOR A FIRST YOUNG ADULT NOVEL
Website:  http://www.randomhouse.com/kids/writingcontests.
Open to US and Canadian writers who have not published a young adult novel.  Prize: $1500 cash, publication, and $7500 advance against royalties.  Guidelines on website.

November 30, 2009
PROSE & POETRY CONTEST — THE NEW WRITER MAGAZINE
Website:  http://www.thenewwriter.com/
Established in 1997, this is one of the major annual international competitions for short stories, novellas, single poems, poetry collections, essays and articles; and offers cash prizes as well as publication for the prize-winning writers in The Collection, special edition of The New Writer magazine each July (back copies available on TNW website). Check the website for more information and the guidelines. Writers can enter online at our secure credit card server at http://www.thenewwriter.com/entryform.htm. The entry form can also be downloaded from that page on the website and sent in the post with your entry. We can supply this year’s printed Entry Forms on request, and in bulk to writers’ groups and organizations.

We are now seeking fiction and poetry and features from TNW subscribers over the years for our bumper celebration issue, Jan/Feb 2010.  If subscribers, past and present, would like to submit something for consideration, please email to the editorial office – ed****@th**********.com – marked ‘100th issue’ in the subject line and if we like it, we’ll use it.  Maximum words for short stories 2,000. Postal address:  The New Writer, PO Box 60, Cranbrook  TN17 2RE, United Kingdom. Phone: 01580 212626 – Email:  ad***@th**********.com.

November 30, 2009
INTERNATIONAL FISH SHORT STORY PRIZE 2009
Website:  http://www.fishpublishing.com/fish-international-short-story-prize.php
This contest is welcoming entries on any theme, in English, to a maximum of 5,000 words.  10 stories will be published in the 2010 Fish Anthology.  Entry fee: €20.  First prize is €3000 (of which €1000 is travel expenses to the launch of the Anthology.)

December 1, 2009
FICTION CONTEST:  NATIONAL CANADIAN PUBLISHER
Website: http://www.enfieldandwizenty.ca/
This year Enfield & Wizenty launches a fiction contest to celebrate our own survival, as we go into our third season as a national fiction imprint of Great Plains Publications. For this champagne-soaked third year, Enfield & Wizenty is offering a $5000 advance for the most outstanding submission of literary fiction that we receive. We will be reading fiction submissions (novels and collections of short stories) from now until December 2009. Short story collections should have appeared extensively in Canadian literary magazines. Please note that we’re not interested in genre novels–crime, science fiction, romance etc. Simultaneous submissions are fine, but do let us know. Submit your query letter and sample to: Maurice Mierau, Associate Editor, Enfield & Wizenty, 345-955 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB  R3G 0P9 or by email to in**@gr*********.ca.

December 31, 2009
2010 GRIFFIN POETRY PRIZE
Website:  http://www.griffinpoetryprize.com/rules.php
Two categories, Canadian and International, comprise this $100,000 prize.  Each category has a $50,000 value.  The prize is for best collection of poetry in English published in the preceding year; books must be submitted postmarked no later than December 31, 2009.

Check websites for submission guidelines.

More information on awards, contests and submissions deadlines available on the Federation of BC Writers website at http://www.bcwriters.com/awards.php

Events | Lower Mainland & Sunshine Coast
Friday, December 4
GENERAL RICK HILLIER
General Rick Hillier recounts his role and experiences with the Canadian military in the new book, A Soldier First: Bureaucrats and the Politics of War. Friday, December 4 at 12:00pm, free. Alice MacKay Room, lower level, Central Library, 350 West Georgia Street. For more information please contact Vancouver Public Library at 604-331-3603.

Thursday, December 10
Hope In Shadows – Anthology Reading / 2010 Calendar fundraiser
Downtown Eastsiders Helen Hill, Tom Quirk and Russ
Zillman read with two other contributors (TBA) at the UBC
Bookstore/Library, Robson Square (800 Robson Street). @ 7:00 p.m. –

Friday, December 4
CBC OPEN HOUSE AND FOOD BANK DAY
Website:  http://www.cbc.ca/bc/openhouse-foodbankday
Writer/broadcaster Bill Richardson and other CBC personalities will welcome the public to CBC Vancouver for a tour of their newly renovated, state of the art broadcast centre at 700 Hamilton Street.  Food Bank volunteers will accept donations at stations around the building.

Thursday, December 10, 7:30 – 9:30 pm
TWS READING SERIES
Website:  http://www.thewritersstudio.ca/readings/
The Writers’ Studio at Simon Fraser University presents the TWS Reading Series 2009.  A new reading is held every month, featuring TWS members and alumni, local emerging writers and authors, and authors on book tours.  For more information: Eufemia at tw*****@sf*.ca.  Location: Rhizome Cafe, 317 East Broadway at Kingsway, Vancouver.
CBC OPEN HOUSE AND FOOD BANK DAY
On Friday December 4, writer/broadcaster Bill Richardson and other CBC personalities will welcome the public to CBC Vancouver for a tour of their newly renovated, state of the art broadcast centre at 700 Hamilton Street. Food Bank volunteers will accept donations at stations around the building. You can also donate online here, starting November 6.
Tuesday, December 1 at 7:30pm
GRAEME GIBSON AND MARGARET ATWOOD
Partners Graeme Gibson and Margaret Atwood will make a duo appearance as part of the Pacific Arbour Speaker Series in support of their two new releases: Atwood’s The Year of the Flood and Gibson’s Bedside Book of Beasts. Tickets are $18/$15. Capilano Performing Arts Theatre, 2055 Purcell Way, North Vancouver. More information at http://www.capilanou.ca/news-events/performing-arts/season-performances/Speaker.html.

Events / Central
Vernon
Saturday, November 28, 1 – 3 pm
BOOK READINGS & SIGNINGS
Fed members Kay McCracken and Deanna Barnhardt Kawatski will both read from their new books from 1 – 2 pm, followed by signings from 2 – 3.  Location: Gallery Vertigo, 1-3001 31st Street, Vernon

Salmon Arm
Saturday, December 5, 12 – 2 pm
BOOK SIGNING:  ALL I NEED NOW ARE SOME CHICKENS, A COW, AND A WIFE
New Fed member Dick Armfelt will sign copies of his new book, a compilation of letters his father wrote (mainly in the 1930s).  Kay McCracken will also sign copies of her new book A Raven In My Heart.  Hot apple cider and homemade cookies will be available.  Location: The Book Nook, 310 Ross St NE, Salmon Arm.

Upcoming
Saturday, January 16, 11 am
RWA MEETING
Website:  http://www.rwagvc.com/meetings.html
Join presenter Susan Lyons (www.susanlyons.ca).  Location:  Burnaby United, 7591 Gray Avenue, Burnaby.

Saturday, March 13, 11 am
RWA MEETING
Website:  http://www.rwagvc.com/meetings.html
Presenter Russ Crossley will speak on “Cliff Hangers”.  Location:  Burnaby United, 7591 Gray Avenue, Burnaby.

Victoria
June 24 – 27, 2010
CANWRITE! 2010 – THE CANADIAN AUTHORS’ ASSOCIATION NATIONAL CONFERENCE
Theme: “Applying Technology to Your Writing”
Website: http://www.canauthors.org/conference.html
Keynote speaker – Patrick Taylor, bestselling author of the Irish Country Doctor series.
•       John Chandler from Alandale Training Corporation will share computer tips and tricks to make your writing life easier;
•       Learn how to enhance presentations and book launches by creating Power Point presentations;
•       Find out how to increase sales through social networking (ie blogs, MySpace, Twitter);
•       Explore the world of EBooks;
•       Let Rodger Cove from the Vancouver Film School show you how to structure stories for the screen;
•       and more!
Early registration bonus – Patrick Taylor will accept six 1500-word pieces of fiction – to be submitted no later than May 15, 2010 – and give one-hour, one-on-one evaluations with the authors on Thursday, June 24th, 2010 as part of CanWrite!  See the website for all details and registration information.  At the Harbour Towers Hotel, 345 Quebec Street, Victoria.  Info: Jean Kay, Conference Coordinator, jk**@ca********.org.

Reading Series | Writing Groups

Mondays (ongoing), 8:00 pm
VANCOUVER POETRY SLAM
Website: http://vancouverpoetryhouse.com/vanslam/
A poetry slam competition with frequent guest performers, the Vancouver Poetry Slam has been wowing audiences since 1996.  1st, 3rd, and 5th Mondays: Open Slam; 2nd Monday: Alternative Slam; 4th Monday: Youth Slam (ages 13 – 22).  Tickets are generally $5.  Location: Cafe Deux Soleils (2096 Commercial).

Second Tuesday of every month, 7 – 9 pm
WORD WHIPS – THE NORTH SHORE EDITION
Take a writing challenge!  Pandora’s Collective provides the prompts, time to write, and the opportunity for sharing.  See what you can whip up!  Hosted by Fran Bourassa and Suzy Malcolm.  Location: Starbucks in Indigo Books, 1025 Marine Drive, North Vancouver.

Tuesday, September 22, 6:30 – 8:30 pm
WORD WHIPS WRITING SERIES
Ready for a writing challenge?  Join guest host and Fed member Maureen Egan at the Britannia Library for “Word Whips”.  They provide the writing prompts, 10-15 minutes to write each prompt, and the opportunity for sharing.  See what you can whip up!  Location: Britannia Library, Gallery Room, 1661 Napier Street, Vancouver.

Tuesday, September 29, 6:30 – 8:30 pm
PANDORA’S COLLECTIVE PRESENTS WORD WHIPS WRITING SERIES
Take the challenge. We provide the writing prompts and the opportunity for sharing. Ten – fifteen minutes to write to each prompt. See what you can whip up. Hosted by Fed members Bonnie Nish and Sita Carboni. Britannia Library, Gallery Room,
1661 Napier Street, Vancouver
http://www.vpl.vancouver.bc.ca/branches/details/britannia_branch
Contact: bl*************@ya***.ca
or visit hmtp://www.pandorascollective.com/openmics.html

First and Third Wednesday of every month, 8 – 12 pm
THE SPILLIOUS SPEAK AND SING
This event is open to musicians and spoken word performers, poets and storytellers, and anyone who wants to take the mic.  Contact: Trevor Spilchen (tr************@ya***.uk).  Location: The Cottage Bistro, 4468 Main Street @ 29th Avenue, Vancouver.
First Thursday of every month 7: – 9:00 pm
TWISTED POETS LITERARY SALON
Pandora’s Collective, in the spirit of Vancouver, welcomes all poets. Come out and bring your best, favourite, newest, oldest poems, and share in an evening of literary surprises. Hosts: Fed members Bonnie Nish and Sita Carboni

Third Thursday of every month, 7:00 pm
POETRY AROUND THE WORLD
Poetry Around the World invites poets, writers and artists to promote their cultural values through music, poetry, spoken word and art in a pleasant and friendly ambiance. This is a multicultural event, and everyone who wants to join in, is welcome.Chapters at Metrotown
4700 Kingsway, Burnaby. Contact:  lu********@ya***.com

Third Friday of every month, 8 pm – late
57 VARIETIES
Join hosts Rowan Lipkovits and Matthew Glick for an unplugged open stage/variety show.  No sign-up; do what you want, when you feel.  The venue changes constantly, so email ro***@bu*********.ca for more information.

First Saturday of every month, 7 – 10 pm
THE EASTSIDE WRITERS
Feature performances with open-mic event to follow.  Location: 20 West Hastings (Main & Hastings), Vancouver.

_______________________________

From the desk of
Sylvia Taylor, Executive Director
Federation of BC Writers
604-683-2057
bc*******@sh**.ca
www.bcwriters.com

WRAP at South Team (Open to all)

Nov26

WRAP at South Team
COME NAVIGATE A ROAD TO RECOVERY
Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP)
Developed by Mary Ellen Copeland, M.S., M.A.
Open to all those who have experience living with mental illness
WRAP is a program aimed at helping people to take charge of their own recovery journey by developing an action plan for wellness and recovery. It’s not about illness. It’s about creating the life one wants to live. You will create your own recovery and crisis plan designed for you, by you. 
WHERE: South Mental Health Team
                    220 – 1200 W 73rd
                    Vancouver
WHEN:    Mondays from Jan. 25 – March 1
                  1 pm – 4 pm
                                        ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Space is limited so register early by calling
604-708-5274 leaving your name and phone number.

WRAP course

Nov4

COME NAVIGATE A ROAD TO RECOVERY
Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP)
Developed by Mary Ellen Copeland, M.S., M.A.
Open to anyone who has experience living with mental illness
WRAP is a program to help people take charge of their own recovery journey by developing an action plan for wellness and recovery. It’s not about illness. It’s about creating the life one wants to live. You will create your own recovery and crisis plan designed for you, by you. 
WHERE:   Kitsilano Team, 400-1212 Broadway
WHEN:    Fridays from 1:30-4:30 pm
starting January 22, 2010   
                                        ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Space is limited so register early by calling
604-708-5274 leaving your name and phone number.

Vancouver Richmond BCSS Message

Oct25

(Mailing list information, including unsubscription instructions, is located at the end of this message.)

Hello Everyone!

Autumn is here, and people seem to have moved into their busy fall schedule- I will mention some upcoming activities to you and hope you will be able to attend some of them.

RECOVERY DIALOGUE: HOW DO WE INCORPORATE RECOVERY ORIENTED VALUES IN OUR DAILY LIFE?- TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20TH

Last minute notice! If you are interested in attending, please call 604-708-5224 or email ky*********@vc*.ca<mailto:ky*********@vc*.ca> immediately as it is from 12:30 – 2 pm tomorrow. Check to see if there is still space. Held at Raven Song, 2450 Ontario Streeet. Light lunch served.

TAKING IT TO THE STREETS- TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20TH

BC Mental Health and Addictions is sponsoring an event to promote their community based research in mental health and addictions. The evening includes short talks and a panel- some of the participants are Victoria Maxwell, Dr. Elana Brief, Dr. Erin Michalak, and Dr. Amy Salmon. Event is held at Gallery Gachet, 88 East Cordova Street, from 7 – 9 pm.

BCSS VANCOUVER SUPPORT GROUP- MONDAY, OCTOBER 26TH

Consider yourself invited to attend our monthly support group for family members and friends of those living with a mental illness. We meet at Raven Song, 2450 Ontario Street, in the Partnership Room, from 6:30 – 8:30 pm. We’d love to meet you and offer our collective support and encouragement at whatever point you are at, in your journey in understanding the many dimensions of mental illness and its impact on you and your loved ones.

MENTAL HEALTH CARE IN THE NEW MILLENIUM- A MENTAL HEALTH CARE POLICY FORUM- WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28TH

Cedar Cottage Neighbourhood House is sponsoring this forum. There will be five speakers on the panel and they will present their perspective on where mental health policy should be headed as we approach the second decade of the new millennium. Event is held at St Margaret’s Cedar Cottage Anglican Church, 1530 East 22nd Avenue, from 7 – 8:30 pm. Free.

BRAIN WELLNESS, THE SECRETS OF LONGEVITY- THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29TH

This special event is brought to you by Richmond Mental Health Family Member Advocate, Linda Burchill. It’s a workshop/lecture on the things you need to do to keep your brain healthy and functioning optimally throughout your life.

 Gary Anaka, author of “Your Brain Wellness: The Secrets of Longevity” and “The Magical Brain- How it Learns Best” is the keynote speaker. Gary has over  34 years of teaching experience in the regular classroom as well as in learning assistance. He presents ideas from the field of Applied Educational Neuroscience. Linda reports that his presentation is informative, lively and fun filled.  It’s being held at the Lecture Hall of the Minoru Cultural Centre, 7700 Minoru Gate, Richmond, from  7- 9 pm. Tickets: $15

KELTY RESOURCE CENTRE- OPEN HOUSE- THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29TH

Celebrate Health Literacy Month by visiting this fabulous resource at their Open House from 2 – 4:30 pm. Location is the Mental Health Building (Heather and 30th), Children’s Hospital, 3rd floor, Room P3-302

OPEN MINDS ACROSS CANADA -MENTAL HEALTH SYMPOSIUM- SAT, NOV 7TH

Sponsored by the Canadian Psychiatric Research Foundation, join the symposium (free) from 8:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. for presentations by Dr. Erin Michalak, Dr. William Honer, Catriona Hippman, and Dr. Ric Procyshyn. Presentations include interesting topics such as: stories of self managment strategies from people living with bipolar disorder, brain plasticity in psychosis, connection between genes and your mental health, and a report on why people with schizophrenia smoke more. Location: BC Children’s Hospital, Chan Centre, 4500 Oak St.

I wish I could summarize all of the upcoming activities and special events that cross my desk but I hope this list will tempt you to participate in one or all of these offerings. It’s empowering to increase our knowledge of mental health issues and to meet others with the same interests and concerns.

In closing this newsletter update, I would like to remind you that I enjoy hearing from you, either by phone; 604-247-1884 (usually best to leave a voice mail message that I can reply to) or by email: lproudfoot @bcss.org. We can also meet for coffee if you would prefer.

I sincerely hope you are taking care of yourself, taking the time to recharge your batteries and to remind yourself that your health and happiness is an important step in developing your resilience and coping skills.

Cheers,

Linda Proudfoot

Van/Richmond Coordinator

eVisions-Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Oct25
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e-Visions-Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Vol. 6 | No. 1 | 2009

Online Table of Contents and PDFs: www.heretohelp.bc.ca/publications/visions

Background

Editor’s Message
–Sarah Hamid-Balma
Sarah reflects on her own experiences with CBT and wonders why so many people can’t take advantage of this cheap, effective and side effect-free treatment option.
The Time is Now: Let’s improve access to CBT services in BC
–Mark Lau
Cognitive-behavioural therapy, or CBT, is a type of talk therapy that explains how our thoughts, feelings and behaviours are related and affect each other. It’s been shown to be as effective as medication—sometimes even more effective than medication—in treating many mental health and substance use problems. Unfortunately, it can be very hard to access CBT services.
CBT in Practice: Part science, part art
–Michelle Patterson
If you think that things will never work out for you, you might not try new things or new opportunities. This can make you feel even worse. Michelle explains the science of the “vicious circle” of thoughts, feeling and behaviours and the art of engaging clients in CBT treatment.
 CBT: What is it?
–Nichole Fairbrother
 CBT can be used to treat many different problems, including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, psychosis, substance use problems and sleep disorders. The “ingredients” of therapy might be a little different depending on the type of problem, but there are many common features in CBT treatment.

Experiences and Perspectives

Conversations with Myself
–Danielle Raymond
An eating disorder left Danielle tired, hungry and afraid. With the help of her CBT skills, she’s fighting back and regaining control of her life.
 From Pain to PTSD: Running the gamut of CBT
–Lynda Marie Neilson
Today, Lynda can walk more often on busy streets. She volunteers and is working to finish her degree. But it took a lot of hard work to get there. Follow her journey from CBT treatment for pain management to post-traumatic stress disorder and depression.
When Life’s Demands Take Their Toll: Changeways for depression
–Pat Merrett
Joe realized that he needed more than medication to help him cope with depression. His wife and doctor suggested Changeways, a CBT-based program for people with depression. But Joe wasn’t sure if therapy would help—or if he could even get into the program.

Alternatives and Approaches

The LEAF Program: Peer-led group CBT
–Shelly Jones
LEAF (Living Effectively with Anxiety and Fear) is a program for people with panic disorder. It’s led by people who’ve used CBT to help overcome their own anxiety disorders. As LEAF leader Shelly explains, helping others use CBT is beneficial for participants and leaders alike.
The Congitive Behavioural Approach to Treating Individuals with Eating Disorders
–Ron Manley
If a passenger on the bus looks at you, would you assume that they’re judging you and think you “fat,” or would you think that they might be admiring you? One of the goals of CBT for eating disorders is to help clients recognize these automatic thoughts and see how unrealistic these thoughts can be.
Metacognitive Training: Influencing schizophrenia treatment worldwide
–Todd Woodward
Metacognitive training, or MCT, teaches people with schizophrenia and psychosis to “think about their thinking.” By recognizing thinking distortions, you can work to control delusional thoughts and even help prevent psychotic breakdown. 
CBT for Children and Youth in BC
–Gayle Read
About one in seven children and youth in BC have a mental illness, so it’s important that they can access services that work. Find out how the Ministry of Children and Family Development is helping young people from across the province get CBT.
CBT: Does it work well with the Chinese Population in Vancouver?
–Mary Kam and Kelly Ng
 The Chinese character for “tolerate” looks like a knife over the heart: if we tolerate too much, the knife can stab at our heart and lead to depression. But we can take away the knife by learning positive coping skills. This is just one example of how SUCCESS, a service agency, modified a CBT-based depression program for Chinese clients.

Regional Programs

CBT for Adults with Mental Health Problems: Working to improve access in BC
–Jamie Livingston, Mark Lau, Dolores Escudero, Eric Ochs, Gayle Read, Pam Whiting, Maureen Whittal and Chris Wilson
Medication is often the only choice for people with mental health problems because there aren’t enough trained CBT practitioners in the province. Unfortunately, this also means that mental health problems in people who can’t take medication or don’t want to take medication may be left untreated. The BC CBT Network is working to improve the availability, accessibility and affordability of CBT services across the province.
Help with Mild to Moderate Depression: CBT-based self-management options
–Dan Bilsker
Mood self-management teaches you skills to manage your own moods. When a BC psychologist realized that people with mild to moderate depression weren’t receiving this through the mental health system, he worked to create self-management workbooks that anyone could use. 
Taming Worry Dragons: Helping children and adolescents cope with anxiety
–Jane Garland and Noel Gregorowski
 Worries and anxiety dragons sometimes boss children around, but children can learn to use their imaginations to fight back. A dragon tamer in training might learn how to lock their worries in a jar and put it on a shelf, or learn how their bravery can help them face feared situations. Taming Worry Dragons is a fun and imaginative program, using books and groups, to help children (and parents) understand and cope with anxiety.
Bounce Back: Reclaim Your Health
–Kimberley McEwan
Research shows that CBT doesn’t have to be delivered by a psychologist for people with mild-to-moderate depression or anxiety: self-help and guided self-help may be just as effective. Bounce Back: Reclaim Your Health is a free, CBT-based self-help and guided self-help program that’s helping thousands of British Columbians cope with depression and anxiety.

What is eVisions?

You asked and we answered. Visions, BC’s award-winning mental health and addictions journal is now just a click away! Visions is a forum for the many voices of people who care about mental health, mental illness and substance use issues. Each edition looks in-depth at a different theme and features articles by people living with mental illnesses and/or addictions and their families, mental health and addiction professionals and other concerned citizens. It is written for the mental health and addictions community, by the mental health and addictions community and now it can be delivered straight to your inbox, a week before it hits the press.
Four times a year you’ll receive an eVisions newsletter with brief summaries of each article in the issue—so you can better choose which articles interest you—with links to the full HTML article online. Read only what you want, when you want. Share it easily with others. No PDF readers needed. Best of all, eVisions is free!
Visions: BC’s Mental Health and Addictions Journal is produced by the BC Partners for Mental Health and Addictions Information, and funded by BC Mental Health and Addiction Services, an agency of the Provincial Health Services Authority. The project is coordinated by the Canadian Mental Health Association’s BC Division.

Get a print copy of Visions

Like Visions enough that you want your own print copy? One free copy is sent to every publicly-funded or nonprofit mental health or addictions provider. If you don’t currently see Visions, email bc********@he********.ca or call 1-800-661-2121 to enquire about a free subscription. Otherwise, subscriptions are $25 Cdn a year for 4 issues.

Write for or respond to Visions

NEW ARTICLES: We always welcome new voices and perspectives from across BC. Check out our writers’ guidelines at www.heretohelp.bc.ca/publications/visions or contact Stephanie Wilson at vi*****@he********.ca or 1-800-555-8222 ext. 231 with your story idea. 

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: If you want to respond briefly to something you’ve read, email us at bc********@he********.ca

More about us

Visions: BC’s Mental Health and Addictions Journal is an award-winning, policy-to-practice magazine of the BC Partners for Mental Health and Addictions Information.
The BC Partners is a group of provincial mental health and addictions agencies in BC including the Anxiety Disorders Association of BC, BC Schizophrenia Society, Canadian Mental Health Association’s BC Division, Centre for Addiction Research of BC at UVic, FORCE Society for Kids’ Mental Health Care, Jessie’s Hope Society, and Mood Disorders Association of BC. Our reason for coming together is that we recognize that a number of groups need to have access to accurate, standard and timely information on mental health, mental disorders and addictions, including information on evidence-based services, supports and self-management.

The BC Partners and Visions Journal are funded by BC Mental Health & Addiction Services, an agency of the Provincial Health Services Authority. More than 15,000 people read the hard copy of the journal and thousands more access it online at
www.heretohelp.bc.ca/publications/visions. Visions is available free to any resident of BC such as people with mental illness or addiction issues, their friends and family, members of the BC Partners member agencies, mental health and addictions services providers (one per address), MLAs, other concerned citizen groups, libraries, academics and policy-makers.

Subscribe/Unsubscribe

 Simply visit www.heretohelp.bc.ca to subscribe and hit the e-Visions button to mana ge your subscription. Email are only collected and used for the purpose of delivering e-Visions and for no other purpose.

—

Fwd: [thinkingandlinking] info on women and depression

Oct25

 

Please disregard the previous email re: online survey. It has expired. See below, FYI

___________________________________

[
The POWER Study is producing a two-volume Women’s Health Report to serve
as an evidence-based tool for policy makers, providers, and consumers in
their efforts to improve health and reduce health inequities among
Ontario women.

In the Depression chapter, the patterns of depression care in the
province and how these vary by sex, income and geography are presented.

A set of evidence-based indicators, based on the continuum of depression
care are reported at the provincial and Local Health Integration Network

(LHIN) levels. Indicators included background measures of the need for,
use and supply of mental health care services, and indicators of primary
and specialty outpatient care and acute and specialty inpatient care
including measures of transition back to into the community after a
hospital stay for depression. Download the Depression chapter at
http://powerstudy.ca/the-power-report/the-power-report-volume-1/depressi
on

The Depression Chapter Highlights document, which outlines the chapter’s
key findings and recommendations, is also available in French at
http://www.powerstudy.ca/l-etude-power-/volume-1/

Also available for download from www.powerstudy.ca :

Chapter 1, Introduction to the POWER Study, Chapter 2, The POWER Study
Framework, Chapter 3, Burden of Illness, Chapter 4, Cancer and
accompanying highlights documents in English and French
(http://www.powerstudy.ca/l-etude-power). Chapters on Cardiovascular
Disease and Access to Health Care Services are forthcoming.

The POWER Study is funded by Echo: Improving Women’s Health in Ontario,
an agency of the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. This report does
not necessarily reflect the views of Echo or the Ministry. We welcome
your thoughts and feedback on the Report.

Arlene S. Bierman, MD. MS
Echo’s OWHC Chair in Women’s Health University of Toronto and St
Michael’s Hospital

__._,_.___

Fwd: WRAP coming to Midtown

Oct25

COME NAVIGATE A ROAD TO RECOVERY
Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP)
Developed by Mary Ellen Copeland, M.S., M.A.
Open to all those who have experience living with mental illness
WRAP is a program aimed at helping people to take charge of their own recovery journey by developing an action plan for wellness and recovery. It’s not about illness. It’s about creating the life one wants to live. You will create your own recovery and crisis plan designed for you, by you. 
WHERE:   Midtown Team, 3rdFloor, 2450 Ontario St.
WHEN:            Wednesday, Nov. 4 – Dec. 16,
1:30-4:30pm
                                        ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Space is limited so register early by calling
604-708-5274 leaving your name and phone number.