Volunteer convention dec 2,3 , 2011

Dear Volunteers, This is your chance to choose the one voluntary engagement you like from a handful offered by the best upcoming social enterprises in India. What’s more - iVolunteer brings you this opportunity for free (normal registration fee for the same is Rs 6,500) ‘Unconvention 2011’, India's premier Innovation & Social Entrepreneurship conference, held by Villgro on 2-3rd Dec, Chennai. Visit www.unconvention.co.in for more information. iVolunteer is the Session Partner on Volunteering. iVolunteer has designed a special ‘Volunteer Speed Dating’ session (2 Dec, 2 - 5:30 pm). Some of the most promising social enterprises will be pitching their volunteer positions at the session. And you, the volunteer, get to choose what fits you best. Through the session, you can: ● interact with these organisations, ● understand their volunteers requirements, and ● explore your specific engagement. Volunteers and organisations also get to identify and workout solutions to some of the most common issues related to volunteer engagement. You can also join us for the morning panel discussion on ‘Volunteering - the jargon busted’ (2 Dec, 11.30-12.30 am). The panel will be moderated by iVolunteer co-Founder & Director, Mr Shalabh Sahai. Joining us on the panel are a CSR lead from an MNC, a senior corporate professional in avatar of a star volunteer, an eminent NGO head and regional head of iVolunteer who connects them all. Each panelist will the volunteering under-currents and related jargons from their industry and experience. Volunteer policy, recruitment & retention, awards and corporate volunteering are just some of the topics we will cover. To book your seat, email me at prarthana@ivolunteer.in with the subject line “Volunteer-Unconvention”. (Please note that there are limited free volunteer seats. Book early for a confirmed seat). Thanks much and happy volunteering….

Final preparation for Suicide Survivors Day prog

Organizing an International Survivors of Suicide Day Conference Site Final Details Dear Organizers, Believe it or not, ten years ago, in 2001, there were just 3 International Survivors of Suicide Day conference sites. Thanks to all of you, this year survivors in 300 cities in 19 countries will join together for this day of healing along with thousands more online. Thank you for making this happen. Please read over the following information so you’ll be ready next Saturday, and let us know if you have any questions or concerns. We’re here to help. What to do leading up to November 19th: 1. EXTREMELY IMPORTANT If you do not receive the DVD by the end of the business day tomorrow, Friday Nov. 11th, email survivingsuicideloss@afsp.org right away with your current mailing address so we can resend it immediately. Test the DVD as soon as possible upon receipt, preferably using the same equipment you plan to use on November 19th. 2. TO DO ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19th · Test your DVD and all audio-visual equipment. Don’t forget to arrange for external audio, on the day-of, especially if you are using a laptop to project the DVD onto a screen. Laptops have tiny internal speakers that will not be loud enough. For details, see the Technical Information Sheet. · Set up room(s) – As a final touch, we recommend putting a box of tissues in each room. · Post large, clear signs that say “International Survivors of Suicide Day” outside the building. You may also need additional signs inside the building, especially if you are having sharing sessions, activities, or food in different rooms. · Greet attendees - We highly recommend having at least 1 greeter at the door, plus a greeter who can take down the names of attendees and hand out any name tags or materials you may be providing. · Attendee Evaluations Ask each attendee to fill out an Evaluation Form. 40 of forms were mailed to the primary organizer. If you expect more than 40 attendees, please photocopy more. We read every single evaluation, and take feedback very seriously. Click here to view the evaluation. 3. AFTERWARDS · Attendee Evaluations–Mail forms back to AFSP Survivor Initiatives Dept, 120 Wall Street, 29th Floor, New York, NY 10005. · Let us know how many attendees you had. · Attendee List – Please send a list of all attendees (or copies of local registration forms) with attendee contact information (full name & email at a minimum) so AFSP can share information on future resources and programs. · Organizer Feedback – We will email each organizer a short questionnaire on Monday. Please take a few moments to share your feedback with us so we can continue to improve this program. · Save the Date for Next Year– Saturday, November 17, 2012 · Reserve next year’s location now if it worked well. We are here to help, so please be in touch if you have any questions at all. Thanks, and take good care, Rebecca and Elizabeth Rebecca Thorp, Survivor Initiatives Manager - rthorp@afsp.org or 212-363-3500 x2033. Elizabeth Hish, Survivor Initiatives Assistant – ehish@afsp.org or 212-363-3500 x2035 American Foundation for Suicide Prevention 120 Wall Street, 29th Floor New York, NY 10005 Fax (212) 363-6237 www.afsp.org Reply Forward Rebecca Thorp rthorp@afsp.org

Call on Congress to prevent Veteran Suicides, AFSP

Call On Congress to Prevent Veteran Suicides In honor of Veterans Day (Friday, Nov. 11), let’s come together to pay tribute to the men and women who have worn the uniform of the United States Armed Forces; patriots who have risked their lives in service to their country and the families who support them. Please join AFSP to ask members of Congress to support efforts aimed at reducing the high rate of veteran suicide. We are urging our Field Advocates and their family members, friends and colleagues to call Congress through Thursday, Nov. 10, to tell them that AFSP supports our veterans year round and urges Congress to do the same by providing funding at the highest levels possible for veteran suicide prevention and education programs. Call the toll-free phone number below through November 10. Your calls will be redirected to the appropriate offices. Call 1-877-762-8762 to reach the United States Capitol Switchboard. You will be asked by an operator what office you would like to connect with. Please call three times and request to speak with each of your senators and your member of the House of Representatives. You can find out who your members of the Senate are by visiting www.senate.gov and your member of the House of Representatives at www.house.gov.