To All Members of CUPE 3903:
The Peer Support Network will be holding its second training for volunteers on Saturday, May 2nd from 10am-4pm, dowtown location TBA.
The PSN is a peer-led anonymous email support network for the members of CUPE 3903. This is NOT a counseling service, but about peer support and appropriate referrals. The PSN is a safe space for members to open up and relieve stress, and promotes a strong sense of care and empowerment within the union.
Saturday's training will be about cultivating an anti-oppression, anti-racist space and about building supportive and active listening skills. Volunteers will learn primary response techniques and other responsibilities involved in PSN maintenance. Furthermore, volunteers will receive information packages with names and numbers of free services in the GTA that can be shared with those seeking support. All members who wish to join acknowledge that participation is on a volunteer basis and must attend at least one training session per year.
If you would like to attend, please RSVP to peerorg3903@gmail.com by Thursday, April 30th. Lunch will be provided as well as childcare reimbursement and two TTC tokens. Again, if you wish to volunteer, you must attend the training session. If you are unable to attend but still want to volunteer, we will be holding another training session in the fall of 2009. For further information, please email peerorg3903@gmail.com.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Monday, March 9, 2009
2009 Yoga-thon for Schizophrenia
Hi Readers!
The Schizophrenia Society of Ontario is hosting this year's fourth annual Yoga-thon on Saturday, May 16th. It will be held in the Fermenting Cellar on 55 Mill Street in the Distillery District from 9am to 4pm.
For more information, including schedule of events, donation and registration, please visit the SSO webpage: http://www.schizophrenia.on.ca/about-sso/10-signature-events/54-2008-yoga-thon-for-schizophrenia.html?active=5
A few of us volunteers thought it would be charitable to possibly register as a team and donate a few dollars from our own pockets, and some from the PSN 3903 fund. If you're interested in participating with us, please send an email to peerorg3903@gmail.com with your contact information, and we'll get in touch with you.
Thanks to everyone!
Sincerely,
Andrea
First Year PSN Volunteer
The Schizophrenia Society of Ontario is hosting this year's fourth annual Yoga-thon on Saturday, May 16th. It will be held in the Fermenting Cellar on 55 Mill Street in the Distillery District from 9am to 4pm.
For more information, including schedule of events, donation and registration, please visit the SSO webpage: http://www.schizophrenia.on.ca/about-sso/10-signature-events/54-2008-yoga-thon-for-schizophrenia.html?active=5
A few of us volunteers thought it would be charitable to possibly register as a team and donate a few dollars from our own pockets, and some from the PSN 3903 fund. If you're interested in participating with us, please send an email to peerorg3903@gmail.com with your contact information, and we'll get in touch with you.
Thanks to everyone!
Sincerely,
Andrea
First Year PSN Volunteer
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Riding the Wave, or How Not to Puke at a Conference
About a month ago I participated in a conference in southern California. Conferences always give me the jitters. I'm the type of person whose confidence resides in writing, and not so much her public speaking. I get clammy and nervous, my joints stiffen and my muscles tighten. I have an not-so-flattering image of myself with hunched shoulders, shifty eyes, my voice stammering, and I fear the seriousness of my research will be lost in the awkwardness of my presentation. In the conference I attended last September, I actually rushed out to vomit as soon as it was over, and missed out on meeting a lot of semi-important people who may or may not have liked my ideas (I might never know).
This conference was particularly nerve-racking for me. The strike was in its twelfth week, and I hadn't actually finished the paper, but pulled together some tightly transitioned material in the few days leading up to my flight. Additionally, and also as a result of the strike, I had completely lost touch with my research, spare those few days preceding, and the passion I obtained from completing the research in November was nearly lost. A nice cocktail of natural tendency towards anxiety, plus a shot of horrid past experiences, topped off with more-than-a-dash of low self esteem was a mixture for academic disaster.
I spent the majority of the 5-hour plane ride trying to snap myself out of my perceived peril. I arrived at my hotel room and bounced on the bed for a few minutes, changed my clothes to accommodate the weather, and took a walk to clear my head.
Now, you'll probably be struck with envy after I describe the 30-degree temperatures, the vast blue skies and the tranquil ocean waves, but keep in mind I was on the verge of a breakdown because my presentation is now less than 24 hours away. And, no, the weather wasn't really helping my situation. My winter-hardened body was so used to below zero temperatures that I was sweating myself silly. I had conveniently forgotten sandals, so I was strolling down the boardwalk in super-stylish and tourist-identifying sneakers (I was saving my nice shoes for the conference). I could feel my skin burning from the sun, and then started worrying about how red and flaky my skin would be during my presentation, and how no one would pay attention to my words, just my flaky Canadian face, and my strange accent, and my sock tan line...
I pulled myself out of the self-loathing coma and found a nice spot on a short stone wall under a palm tree. Taking off my shoes to dig my toes in the sand, I began to really observe the surfers out on the beach. I'm no athlete, and I don't think I could ever bring myself standing upright on a surfboard, nevermind ride a wave. But in that moment, trying my best to stifle the lingering neuroses, the surfers intrigued me. It was not so much their athletic ability or endurance, but the way in which the riders embraced the ocean. Because the ocean is powerful, and unpredictable, and loves to toss and turn and push and pull. Staying balanced on a board requires skill, but I also saw how it necessitates that the rider be open to the ocean, and be able to accept the water as being an unmanageable force. Surfing is not so much about conquering the waves as it is about establishing a relationship with them; allowing your body to be strong to stay on the board, and flexible to move with the water, allowing the water to carry you.
I couldn't help putting this moment into a greater context, for in my efforts to control many parts of my life, I've had to face the realization that life is somewhat an unmanageable force. I can set the stage for myself--do the research, prepare the presentation, work to get the funding and put the effort forth by showing up and doing my best--but ultimately my strength won't be able to control the outcome of my presentation. I need to possess the flexibility, open-mindedness, or else life will toss and turn and push and pull and I'll fall off my board. And, perhaps more importantly, life is full of waves. If I can't stay on my board through this one, I'll just get right back on and ride the next one, until I can truly move with the water and take every wave in stride.
In spite of this enlightening and peaceful realization, I got up to the podium the next day with enormous armpit stains and stuttered my way through 30 minutes of speech, having made no improvement on the quality of my public speaking skills. But I didn't make a nauseating trip to the toilet, and I shook the hands of many listeners who seemed impressed. It must be true that we are our own worst critics.
I will not forget the surfers, and I will always remain aware of the ocean that is life, and the board I've built for myself.
If you remember to stay strong and open, your waves will carry you in the right direction.
In Solidarity,
Michelle
First Year PSN Volunteer
This conference was particularly nerve-racking for me. The strike was in its twelfth week, and I hadn't actually finished the paper, but pulled together some tightly transitioned material in the few days leading up to my flight. Additionally, and also as a result of the strike, I had completely lost touch with my research, spare those few days preceding, and the passion I obtained from completing the research in November was nearly lost. A nice cocktail of natural tendency towards anxiety, plus a shot of horrid past experiences, topped off with more-than-a-dash of low self esteem was a mixture for academic disaster.
I spent the majority of the 5-hour plane ride trying to snap myself out of my perceived peril. I arrived at my hotel room and bounced on the bed for a few minutes, changed my clothes to accommodate the weather, and took a walk to clear my head.
Now, you'll probably be struck with envy after I describe the 30-degree temperatures, the vast blue skies and the tranquil ocean waves, but keep in mind I was on the verge of a breakdown because my presentation is now less than 24 hours away. And, no, the weather wasn't really helping my situation. My winter-hardened body was so used to below zero temperatures that I was sweating myself silly. I had conveniently forgotten sandals, so I was strolling down the boardwalk in super-stylish and tourist-identifying sneakers (I was saving my nice shoes for the conference). I could feel my skin burning from the sun, and then started worrying about how red and flaky my skin would be during my presentation, and how no one would pay attention to my words, just my flaky Canadian face, and my strange accent, and my sock tan line...
I pulled myself out of the self-loathing coma and found a nice spot on a short stone wall under a palm tree. Taking off my shoes to dig my toes in the sand, I began to really observe the surfers out on the beach. I'm no athlete, and I don't think I could ever bring myself standing upright on a surfboard, nevermind ride a wave. But in that moment, trying my best to stifle the lingering neuroses, the surfers intrigued me. It was not so much their athletic ability or endurance, but the way in which the riders embraced the ocean. Because the ocean is powerful, and unpredictable, and loves to toss and turn and push and pull. Staying balanced on a board requires skill, but I also saw how it necessitates that the rider be open to the ocean, and be able to accept the water as being an unmanageable force. Surfing is not so much about conquering the waves as it is about establishing a relationship with them; allowing your body to be strong to stay on the board, and flexible to move with the water, allowing the water to carry you.
I couldn't help putting this moment into a greater context, for in my efforts to control many parts of my life, I've had to face the realization that life is somewhat an unmanageable force. I can set the stage for myself--do the research, prepare the presentation, work to get the funding and put the effort forth by showing up and doing my best--but ultimately my strength won't be able to control the outcome of my presentation. I need to possess the flexibility, open-mindedness, or else life will toss and turn and push and pull and I'll fall off my board. And, perhaps more importantly, life is full of waves. If I can't stay on my board through this one, I'll just get right back on and ride the next one, until I can truly move with the water and take every wave in stride.
In spite of this enlightening and peaceful realization, I got up to the podium the next day with enormous armpit stains and stuttered my way through 30 minutes of speech, having made no improvement on the quality of my public speaking skills. But I didn't make a nauseating trip to the toilet, and I shook the hands of many listeners who seemed impressed. It must be true that we are our own worst critics.
I will not forget the surfers, and I will always remain aware of the ocean that is life, and the board I've built for myself.
If you remember to stay strong and open, your waves will carry you in the right direction.
In Solidarity,
Michelle
First Year PSN Volunteer
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Urgent PSN News
The following blurb was posted (hopefully) to multiple listservs in light of the structural changes we at the PSN saw necessary:
For various reasons unrelated to the demand of union members, the Peer Support Network will be closing its phone lines after this Saturday, February 7th, until further notice. Again, the phone lines will be operational for the rest of the week, and unavailable after Saturday at 7pm. The email service will still be provided to all members at no charge, 7 days a week, 24 hours per day, with a 12-hour response promise.
The PSN co-facilitators will be holding an info-session open to all CUPE 3903 members this Sunday, February 8th, from 2pm-4pm at the Green Beanery cafe. We encourage all members, volunteers or not, to come at their leisure to meet with the co-facilitators to ask questions or discuss ideas for the future of the PSN. The Green Beanery is an accessible space located on the southeast corner of the Bloor and Bathurst intersection, less than a block from the Bathurst subway station (http://www.greenbeanery.ca/bean/catalog/info_pages.php?pages_id=66). The Green Beanery is NOT a private or confidential space, so all discussion must be limited to administrative topics.
If you have any questions or concerns, you can email the co-facilitators, Tobin Haley and Julia D'Agostino, at peerorg3903@gmail.com, or check for updates on the Peer Support Network webpage: http://peersupportnetwork.blogspot.com.
We look forward to seeing you all on Sunday!
Just a quick additional note: we do not see this as the end of the Peer Support Network. We will continue to provide support through email services, and through up-and-coming monthly meetings for all members. Please do not hesitate to contact our admin email address for further inquiries.
For various reasons unrelated to the demand of union members, the Peer Support Network will be closing its phone lines after this Saturday, February 7th, until further notice. Again, the phone lines will be operational for the rest of the week, and unavailable after Saturday at 7pm. The email service will still be provided to all members at no charge, 7 days a week, 24 hours per day, with a 12-hour response promise.
The PSN co-facilitators will be holding an info-session open to all CUPE 3903 members this Sunday, February 8th, from 2pm-4pm at the Green Beanery cafe. We encourage all members, volunteers or not, to come at their leisure to meet with the co-facilitators to ask questions or discuss ideas for the future of the PSN. The Green Beanery is an accessible space located on the southeast corner of the Bloor and Bathurst intersection, less than a block from the Bathurst subway station (http://www.greenbeanery.ca/bean/catalog/info_pages.php?pages_id=66). The Green Beanery is NOT a private or confidential space, so all discussion must be limited to administrative topics.
If you have any questions or concerns, you can email the co-facilitators, Tobin Haley and Julia D'Agostino, at peerorg3903@gmail.com, or check for updates on the Peer Support Network webpage: http://peersupportnetwork.blogspot.com.
We look forward to seeing you all on Sunday!
Just a quick additional note: we do not see this as the end of the Peer Support Network. We will continue to provide support through email services, and through up-and-coming monthly meetings for all members. Please do not hesitate to contact our admin email address for further inquiries.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Striking and Relationships
Stress doesn't always bring out the best in people. Our frustration levels are high and our personal debt loads are climbing ever higher. Are we taking this out on each other? Have we started being disrespectful to those with whom we disagree? I know I have. I know my patience is dwindling and that I am lashing out in situations where I would normally take a deep breath and respond politely. I am more anxious and irritable and it is starting to affect my personal relationships. Nurturing my relationships has taken a back seat to the political, social, financial, physical and emotional demands of the strike. I am jumping to the defensive much quicker and I have less time to listen to the concerns of others.
This lack of patience is perfectly normal, but how is it affecting our well-being? Are we allowing it to harm ourselves and others? Are we taking the time to make sure we are sustaining our relationships with our families, friends, colleagues and romantic partners? Taking time for yourself does not mean you are not committed to your political ideology. Taking time for yourself ensures that you can continue to participate and interact with others in a healthy way.
This lack of patience is perfectly normal, but how is it affecting our well-being? Are we allowing it to harm ourselves and others? Are we taking the time to make sure we are sustaining our relationships with our families, friends, colleagues and romantic partners? Taking time for yourself does not mean you are not committed to your political ideology. Taking time for yourself ensures that you can continue to participate and interact with others in a healthy way.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Striking and Self-Care
Striking is stressful. We have been at this for a while now, many of you with little to no break. Whether you are picketing, driving vans, writing songs and letters, bringing music to the lines, making videos, working at HQ, talking to the media, bargaining, organizing meetings, working towards equity and accessibility, and/or just trying to keep up with the strike etc., the financial, physical and emotional impact of this strike is being felt by all members of CUPE 3903.
The efforts by all members are amazing and serve to ensure that we will get the best contract possible from the employer. Make sure, however, you are not neglecting yourself. Self-care during a strike situation is often put on the back burner. If you have 5 minutes take this self care assessment. Burnout is a HUGE factor in a long strike.
A Self Care Assessment
Do you drink six glasses of water a day?
Do you eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables every day?
Do you make time just for you?
Do you listen to your body?
Do you make time for exercise? (No walking the picket line does not count!!)
Do you release your emotions in a positive way?
Can you remember the last time you laughed until you cried?
Do you have beauty in your home or office?
Do you take time to enjoy nature?
Do you see a dentist twice a year?
Are you regularly touched and hugged?
Do you get 6-8 hours of sleep every night?
Do you get enough sunlight?
Do you get regular sexual fun?
Do you nurture your friendships?
Can you forgive yourself when you make a mistake?
Can you ask for help when you need it?
Do you visit your doctor regularly for a complete physical?
Have you thought about your spiritual needs?
Do you accept yourself for who you are?
Obviously no one can do ALL of these things ALL the time, but if you feel you are neglecting yourself, your own needs, take some time for you. To ensure you can maintain a healthy involvement in this movement think about self-care. You can only do so much. Recognize your limits and the respect the limits of others.
This quiz has been adapted from The Empowerment Project- Fredericton Sexual Assault Crisis Centre.
The efforts by all members are amazing and serve to ensure that we will get the best contract possible from the employer. Make sure, however, you are not neglecting yourself. Self-care during a strike situation is often put on the back burner. If you have 5 minutes take this self care assessment. Burnout is a HUGE factor in a long strike.
A Self Care Assessment
Do you drink six glasses of water a day?
Do you eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables every day?
Do you make time just for you?
Do you listen to your body?
Do you make time for exercise? (No walking the picket line does not count!!)
Do you release your emotions in a positive way?
Can you remember the last time you laughed until you cried?
Do you have beauty in your home or office?
Do you take time to enjoy nature?
Do you see a dentist twice a year?
Are you regularly touched and hugged?
Do you get 6-8 hours of sleep every night?
Do you get enough sunlight?
Do you get regular sexual fun?
Do you nurture your friendships?
Can you forgive yourself when you make a mistake?
Can you ask for help when you need it?
Do you visit your doctor regularly for a complete physical?
Have you thought about your spiritual needs?
Do you accept yourself for who you are?
Obviously no one can do ALL of these things ALL the time, but if you feel you are neglecting yourself, your own needs, take some time for you. To ensure you can maintain a healthy involvement in this movement think about self-care. You can only do so much. Recognize your limits and the respect the limits of others.
This quiz has been adapted from The Empowerment Project- Fredericton Sexual Assault Crisis Centre.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Our Confidentiality Promise
We promise to uphold a safe, confidential environment. All of our volunteers have signed a confidentiality agreement that prohibits any discussion of calls and emails outside of PSN approved safe and secure spaces. We do not have call display on our phone so your number will not come up. We do not take a record of your call. We do not keep a database of caller information. All emails are purged at the end of each week.
Please do hesitate to contact the PSN facilitators at 647-204-4034 or email us at peerorg3903@gmail.com with your concerns/comments.
Please do hesitate to contact the PSN facilitators at 647-204-4034 or email us at peerorg3903@gmail.com with your concerns/comments.
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