Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County’s Post

We are smack dab in the middle of the Christmas season. There is a TON of stuff going on. Christmas parties, school concerts, and lots and lots of family get-togethers. Many churches jump on the bandwagon and fill the calendar with their own slate of events. That may be the proper strategy in your case, but realize there is a cost. Each event you do takes away from your ability to do something else with excellence – do you want to split your budget and staff energies across ten December events, or does it make more sense to focus intently on the Christmas Eve services [and making sure that whatever you invite guests back to in January is awesome]? Another cost is congregational overload. Think of it this way – would it be good for your child to be in basketball – and track – and drama club – and student government – and debate team – and choir – and band – all at the same time? Why not? Those are all good things… They are indeed good things, but not simultaneously. Similarly, you can burn out your congregation by “should-ing” them into too many things in an already jam-packed December. Not trying to be a Scrooge, but I’d rather see churches do a few things and do them incredibly, than do a bunch of things so-so. I say this a lot, but it’s good to remember – more isn’t better, better is better.  #creativeworshipideas

Another person applying the power of music to heal the world... ... you might think there is really something about this for all of us, in whatever space we are in... There is. And if you need science, that exists also. Yes, you can get some of this from listening, but the real joy is in actually doing it together. Join us. #leadingWithMusic #empoweringLEADERS #GtownCoach

🎲 🎱 "Let’s make this a game. Find one or two solutions to each problem reason without using the phrases: Great Repertoire, Guest Artist, or Your Support." 🎯 Find a creative solution or solutions for some real reasons why people stay away: ⚡ The parking lot is hard to get out of after a concert. ⚡ There is too much talking from the stage. ⚡ People don’t know when to clap. ⚡ People forget to shut off their cell phones or other disruptions from the audience. ⚡ There are no restaurants near the hall. Or restaurants are not open after a concert. ⚡ People don’t feel welcome yet get asked for donations week upon week after the concert. ⚡ The orchestra looks bored. ⚡ The seats are cramped. ⚡ Finding babysitting is rough. ⚡ Family of four costs more than going to the movies. 🛋 Why people stay at home instead of enjoy live concerts! Read on, share your thoughts and solutions in the comments!

Such a fabulous and impactful project! Sanctuary supplier Travis Perkins Managed Services Kate Curley have part funded alongside Children in Need the brilliant Community Albums Vocal Band and Sing Out choirs based in Banbury which are making a tangible difference by harnessing the well-documented benefits of singing to improve mental and physical well-being across all age groups. Community Albums deliver music-based projects at The Hill in Bretch Hill, Banbury which do an amazing job giving people access to music therapy projects and 1:1 mental health support, something they wouldn't be able to afford to access without these projects. Currently running a choir for young people, they offer opportunities for recording and learning new skills to deliver live performances at the many fests that take place in Cherwell; the live performances are something the young people have specifically asked for. The intergenerational work is a bi-weekly choir for older people crossing over with the work they do with the young people, offering coproduced recording and live performance opportunities. These sessions create a fun, inclusive, welcoming space where participants can connect with others, build confidence, improve overall wellbeing and experience the therapeutic effects of music. Providing an inclusive and intergenerational environment, all attendees leave feeling uplifted and empowered, proving that the act of singing together can have a profound impact. 🙌 #socialvaluematters #communityengagement #collaboration #bettertogether #procurementwithpurpose

Where to Make New Friends? 1. Volunteer in your community. 2. Join a local gym or sports league. 3. Visit a neighbourhood coffee shop or juice bar regularly. 4. Join a professional networking group. 5. Become a donor or support your community arts, zoo or museum organizations. 6. Go to church or join a spiritual study group. 7. Take your dog to the dog park. 8. Visit neighbourhood food, art and music festivals. 9. Check out Meetup for local social groups and activity calendars. 10. Take a class or learn a new skill through a community college or learning centre. How to Make New Friends? 1. Go first and put yourself out there.  2. Be intentional about staying connected. 3. Focus on being a good friend.  4. Ask your friends to introduce you to their friends. 5. Invite people over for coffee, dinner or playdates.  6. Ask people if they want to be friends (and see what happens).  7. Figure out what you like to do—and then do it with other people.   8. Plan an adventure and invite others to join.  9. Say yes to invitations.  10. Be patient with the process. 

Boo! 👻 Did we scare you? Halloween is almost here and Christmas is just around the corner (that’s actually terrifying). Here are some frightfully fun content ideas for October 2024. October is time to enjoy the harvest, kick up those fallen leaves and break out the pumpkin spice and cosy sweaters. October is also the month of Bullying Prevention, Global Diversity Awareness and Domestic Violence Awareness. Events in Ireland in October include: - Dingle Food Festival – 4-6 Oct - Belfast International Arts Festival #BIAF24 – 16 Oct-2 Nov - Wexford Festival Opera – 18 Oct-2 Nov - Cork Jazz Festival – 24-28 Oct - Sligo Live Music Festival – 24 Oct- 3 Nov - Bram Stoker Festival – 25-28 Oct - Dublin City Marathon – 27 Oct - Macnas Parade (Galway) – 27 Oct - Derry Hallowe’en Festival #DerryHalloween – 28-31 Oct – Europe’s biggest Halloween festival Dates to dies for!😱 🎃1st – Oct 1st is a busy one, it’s International Music Day #musicday, #InternationalCoffeeDay, and the Day of Older Persons #UNIDOP 4th – #WorldSmileDay 👻4th – International Animal Day 🎃5th – International Teachers Day 👻10th – #WorldMentalHealthDay 🎃11th – #NationalComingOutDay 👻16th – #WorldFoodDay 🎃22nd – Got something you want to shout about? It’s #CAPLOCKSDAY 👻24th – United Nations Day #UNDAY #FallBack with an extra hour’s sleep – the clocks go back on Oct 27th. 🎃The 28th is a public holiday here in Ireland. 🍬31st – No tricks, only treats – it’s finally Halloween 🎃What comes after October?👻 It’s starting to look a lot like… well, time for planning Christmas, anyway! If you have big plans for Halloween, Black Friday and Christmas, now is the time to get them moving. With less 65 days to Dec 1st (we know, we know, we’re sorry to remind you!) most digital marketers are already planning lots of end-of-year campaigns by Oct 1st. #Ireland #ContentCalendar #Ghostwriting

Good morning, America 🫡 📕 It’s been a nonstop few weeks for @reading_rhythms...and a lesson in how momentum breeds momentum, including a feature on one of the most watched TV programs in the United States (Good Morning America) Quick lil' recap: 📺 RR on @goodmorningamerica 👀 one of our largest events ever at the iconic @hudsonyards 🌳 “casual” park hangs turning into 100 person events ☑️ first sponsored events with @harpercollins, @epicreads @marinerbooks … The secret sauce? It’s easy - an unbelievably world class team that makes each event easeful, consistent, and evocative. Whether it’s @erica_figliolia finding gorgeous venues, @naturallynicoletta matching hosts to parties, Alexa Abrams putting on a masterclass in booking music, @owenciha stepping up as a coordinator, @ash_artrip putting us all to shame in literally 5 categories, @john_lif as the systems genius, @benbradbury as the man who makes it all work, @allybarron1 on coverage and capturing the vibe … it truly takes a tribe. 📚 The key to building really great communities? Consistency & trust in those that make the community what it is. It truly takes a village - without the key parts in place, none of it works.

Are you or have you been involved in a group that is not cultic? This post is for those who have not been involved in cultic groups but have been members or still are members of a range of different groups such as mainstream churches, sports groups, music groups, drama groups, Mum's groups and so on. The survey does take quite a time to complete - the actual time depends to some extent on your answers. Please do complete this survey if you can and repost it to your own followers. We will be using this data to compare results with the survey for former members of cultic groups. Here is the direct link - the QR code on the poster below should also work. https://lnkd.in/dVeiXg99

🌎This is what we’re talking about! ❤️Imagine such an event happening across the U.S. in conjunction with local Boys & Girls Clubs of America, YMCA of the USA (National Resource Office), and YWCA USA groups so we could be sure local events are community-led and culturally appropriate! This is the kind of thing, Biden for President, that could activate young voters and volunteers. By helping all people become aware of the impact of positive and adverse childhood experiences — how supporting the positive and working to prevent adverse childhood experiences — ACEs — at all levels, especially the systemic ACEs of racism, poverty, cultural oppression, inequity, the wholesale lack of support for young families (as we see as a matter of course with paid family leave, which is offered in EVERY OTHER industrialized nation) we can build a groundswell. Federal $$$ supporting education and grassroots work in cross-sector communities could make all the difference. A public health campaign to raise awareness of the need to bring every sector of each community into this work to prevent and heal ACEs and to promote positive childhood experiences (PCEs) and true community-supported resilience? It would be revitalizing to tell the truth about generational trauma stories in this nation: genocide, land theft, kidnapping, enslavement — and to let truths of collective historical trauma in each community be a firm foundation of creating compassion, empathy, and concern for the wellbeing of one another. Truth for youth, with kids in each community learning their respective history, and perhaps being able to use the tools created by ACEs Matter — the wonderful “family trees” examining adverse and positive childhood experiences across generations — could be a great way to start. Imagine starting this on Juneteenth and having community events culminating w/celebrations of our original land-holders on Indigenous People’s Day, October 14, 2024. Along the way League of Women Voters and others could help youth register to vote, and perhaps engage youth in helping family members register. This idea was prompted by the great work of Jeff Linkenbach and Carla Ritz at The Montana Institute. Perhaps Prevent Child Abuse America and other organizations mentioned herein, with the help of NAMI and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), National Association for Children of Addiction (NACoA) and CHC: Creating Healthier Communities, would want to help lead such an effort. Corporate and government support working together to activate around truth telling and celebrating youth? Could be a public health engagement campaign that could help prevent isolation and gain support from our forward-thinking Surgeon General, who is definitely concerned about youth suicide and isolation. Thomas G. Bognanno Jean C. Accius, PhD, NACD.DC Melissa Merrick Christina Bethell Jennifer Jones Jeoffry Gordon, MD

Sending your teen off to college can be both exciting and nerve-wracking. 🎓 Equip them with these essential safety tips ⬇️ 📚 Stay aware of surroundings, especially at night. 📚 Learn emergency contacts and how to access campus resources. 📚 Set boundaries for social activities and alcohol consumption. 📚 Understand the risks of substance use and how to seek help. 📚 Trust your instincts and encourage open communication. Help your teen navigate this new chapter with confidence and safety in mind! ➡️ . . . #opisafevending #safetyfirst #harmreduction #festivalsafety #narcanaccess #safercommunities #festivals #opisafe #festivalinnovation #publichealthinnovation #musicfestivals #safercommunities #drugsafety #festivalmarketing #opisafejourney #innovateforsafety #narcanawareness #communitysupport #harmreductionstrategies #opisafeimpact