The MFSHC Bowling @ Brunswick Zone

The Moving Forward Self-Help Center members arrived a little late to the bowling alley but were able to recover and start the games on our three lanes. We had several star players bowling. There were several strikes and many a spare.

There were coupons for the snack bar for the hot dogs; they were $1 compared to $2.50 for regular hot dogs.

Alex the organizer almost had three strikes in a row. He had to step in to bowl for someone while they were away for a third strike. We found the lanes well kept and nicely arranged; they had soda there for us to drink as part of our package with the lanes. People put on shoes and choose balls, although some had their own balls and shoes.

The day was sunny although bowling is the kind of game that can be enjoyed in any weather. Next, we are planing a 2-day camping trip for the fall in a nearby park.

(Written by Bill.)

Please click this link for more pictures.

MHANJ Walk for Wellness: October 11, 2009

The UBHC team poses for a photo.

The Mental Health Association in New Jersey held their 2nd annual "Walk for Wellness" Walk-a-Thon in Johnson Park, Piscataway, NJ on Sunday, October 11, 2009. The walk sought to raise money and awareness for mental health causes. The Moving Forward Self-Help Center provided transportation for some members of the UBHC team. Lucy, David, Javier, Andy, and Ben participated in the walk as part of the UBHC team. The walkers completed a 5 kilometer course (3.125 miles). IHOP provided eggs with sausage/bacon and Dunkin' Donuts provided munchkins and coffee for breakfast. Applebee's provided wraps for lunch.

The temperature ranged from 50 degrees at 8:30 AM to 65 degrees at noon. The Shore Blues Band provided the entertainment.

Click this link for photos.

SCAC Picnic: August 18, 2009

Moving Forward Self-Help Center members attended the SCAC (Statewide Consumer Advisory Committee) picnic in Burlington County, New Jersey. Janice, Mark, Rich, Barbara, and Elise (all pictured above) enjoyed good food and bore the summer heat.

Follow this link for more photos.

Facilitators Meeting Minutes: Aug. 11, 2009

 

Moving Forward Self-Help Center members should review the minutes and bring any questions and/or concerns to a facilitator, Marty the member's liaison (shown above), or Lucy the center manager.

Facilitators Meeting Minutes

Moving Forward Self-Help Center
35 Elizabeth Street
New Brunswick, NJ 08901

August 11, 2009
4:30 PM

Members
Present: David, Gary, Mark, Janice, Linda, Sumona, Elise, Rich, Doug
Absent: Stacy, Natalia, Ben

Proceedings
Meeting called to order by chair: Lucy Buckner, SHC manager
Agenda and action of the last meeting was reviewed

Agenda and actions presented by Lucy:
* A facilitator cannot go outside the center to smoke without another facilitator on duty.
* Facilitator's assistants cannot be in charge of the center.
* Ben’s duties have switched from facilitator to driver.
* Linda requested to drive Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday; she will pick up people for training.
* Elise accepted the change to drive Tuesday.
* Gary will pick up members for the SCAC picnic next week.
* The next facilitator/facilitator's assistant trainings will take place on August 17th and 31st. The training will take place from 11 AM – 2 PM. Please arrive on time. Those attending should bring the training manual and their notebook.
* Janice, Sumona, and Stacy have facilitator-in-training status; they will assume facilitator positions before the end of August.
* David has assumed a volunteer facilitator position. He will help around the center and create the center’s Web site.
* Stacy and Janice will greet members, answer phones, prepare the sign-in sheet/SHOUT database, and talk to members.
* Sumona will have kitchen duty. She will prepare meals, maintain the kitchen, and encourage members to volunteer in the kitchen.
* Elise has taken issue with the early preparation of dinner. Members may heat their food in the microwaves if they wish.
* The CSP survey for SHC members will take priority before mealtime for now.
* The current facilitator/facilitator's assistant and driver schedule:

* Monday: Gary (f), David (f), Rich (fa), Linda (d)
* Tuesday: Gary (f), Rich (fa), Elise (d)
* Wednesday: Mark (f), Sumona (f), Janice (f), Stacy (f), Doug(fa), Linda (d)
* Thursday: Mark (f) Natalia (f), Janice (f), Doug (fa), Linda (d)
* Friday: Mark (f), David (f), Sumona (f), Ben (d)
* Saturday: Mark (f), Natalia (f), Ben(d)

* Lucy will post the list of facilitator, facilitator's assistant, and driver schedules in her office. The members have approved the schedule.
* Lucy stated that Rich should not become involved in activities/duties that do not apply to his facilitator assistant position.
* Robert Wood Johnson facilitator training will take place on Septembers 28, 2009 form 9:30 AM – 4 PM. All current and potential facilitators/facilitator's assistants should attend. Members who sign up for training but do not attend owe $10.
* All staff must give 24-hours notice and get coverage for a planned absence. They must contact the facilitator(s) on duty personally; they cannot leave a voicemail message
* Facilitator's assistants must report to the facilitator on duty, and must attend at least two business meetings per month. They must work as part of the center’s team, treat all members with dignity, promote a harmonious environment, and stock/maintain the Poland spring water cooler. They should not resolve conflicts; they should report conflicts/incidents to either the facilitator on duty or the center manger.
* Lucy reminded us of the importance of center where members feel safe.
* All facilitators will have specific outlined duties and a task sheet.
* Facilitators Mark and Gary have grandfathered-in duties and pay.
* Facilitators/facilitator's assistants currently receive the maximum allotted pay.
* All facilitators should try to get members involved in all center activities including becoming a facilitator.
* Lucy will try to come up with rules and guidelines to automatically handle situations/incidents. (i.e. members should speak one at a time, conflict resolution, treating others members with respect and dignity)
* Mark reminded us about the importance of empowering members.
* Janice suggested theme/skills days, led by members, to provide information to members.
* Sumona suggested personal hygiene training.
* Lucy will arrange screenings for metabolic syndrome, cholesterol, BMI, A1C. CSP will provide a screening team for Moving Forward SHC members and members from other SHCs. We will try to get as many SHCs involved as possible. The screenings will take place in north Jersey and at our center.
* Lucy reminded us to make members feel as welcome as possible. We should find out the histories of new members and encourage them to volunteer. We should provide as many opportunities as possible for members: mutual aid, empowerment, paths toward becoming facilitators, helping in the kitchen, vacuuming rugs, etc.
* The next meeting will take place on the second Tuesday of next month: August 8, 2009. The meeting will start at 4:00 PM.
* All facilitators should eventually have equal status.
* Should conflict arise, facilitators can write a report and must call Lucy.

Meeting adjourned at 5:00 PM
Meeting minutes submitted by David