GUIDEFOR STARTING EMPOWERMENT GROUPS
illinois IMAGINESGUIDE FORSTARTINGEMPOWERMENTGROUPSIllinois Imagines ProjectDecember 2014illinois IMAGINES
TABLE OF CONTENTSOUR RIGHTS,RIGHTS right nowGUIDE FOR STARTING EMPOWERMENT GROUPSGROUP MEETING SESSIONSMeeting #1: Community BuildingMeeting #2: Organizing the GroupMeeting #3: History of Oppression of People with DisabilitiesMeeting #4: Power – Personal and GroupMeeting #5: Power – Using Our Personal and Group PowerMeeting #6: Self-EsteemMeeting #7: BullyingMeeting #8: Gender InequalityMeeting #9: Sexual Violence 101Meeting #10: Sexual Assault ExamsMeeting #11: Self-Care and AssertivenessMeeting #12: Safe Places and PeopleMeeting #13: Internet SafetyMeeting #14: Helping a Friend Who DisclosesMeeting #15: Interview with Local Rape Crisis Center WorkersMeeting #16: Surrounding Yourself with Support SystemsMeeting #17: Group Decision MakingMeeting #18: Community OrganizingMeeting #19: Empowerment PlanMeeting #20: Connecting with Other Community GroupsMeeting #21: Group Leadership and StructureMeeting #22: Conflict Resolution and Keeping Up EnergyMeeting #23: Moving Forward CelebrationRESOURCESPages 4-11Pages 14-16Pages 17-19Pages 20-23Pages 24-26Pages 27-29Pages 30-31Page 32Pages 33-34Pages 35-37Pages 38-39Pages 40-42Pages 43-45Pages 46-47Pages 48-50Pages 51-52Pages 53-55Pages 56-58Pages 59-61Pages 62-63Pages 64-65Pages 67-68Pages 69-71Pages 72-73Pages 75-77This project was supported by Grant #2006-FW-AX-K009 awarded by the Office on Violence AgainstWomen, United States Department of Justice. The opinion, finding, conclusion and recommendationexpressed in this program are those of the author(s) and do not neccessarily relect the views of theDepartment of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women.illinois IMAGINES
OUR RIGHTS,RIGHTS right nowFORMSForm 1: Group Planning WorksheetForm 2: Recruitment FlyerForm 3: Meeting ChecklistForm 4: Member InformationForm 5: Sign-in SheetForm 6: Meeting ReportForm 7: Planning for the FuturePage 78Page 79Page 80Page 81Page 82Page 83Page 84Handout 1: Member Power and Ally SupportHandout 2: Why are We Here?Handout 3: Power PlayGroup Power Pictures 1-4Handout 4: My Personal Power PledgeHandout 5: Sexual Violence and YouHandout 6: My Self CareHandout 7: Ways to be HelpfulHandout 8: Disclosure of Sexual ViolenceHandout 9: We Learn TogetherHandout 10: The Top Ten Things I’d Like to Tell DisabilityService Providers about Sexual ViolenceHandout 11: We Make Decisions TogetherHandout 12: People Making Change GameHandout 13: Obstacles and Opportunities MatchHandout 14: Empowerment PlanHandout 15: Empowerment Plan WorksheetHandout 16: Community Partners Obstacles and OpportunitiesHandout 17: Leadership RolesHandout 18: Different Ideas and OpinionsOur Action PlanPage 85Page 86Page 87Pages 88-90Page 91Pages 92-93Pages 94-96Page 97Page 98Page 99Pages 100-101HANDOUTSillinois 104105106107108109110
OUR RIGHTS,RIGHTS right nowAcknowledgementsThe Empowerment Guide and related materials were created by: Jennifer Knapp,Shirley Paceley and Abbie Belford with input from the Women’s Group at MaconResources, Inc. and attendees at the Illinois Imagines statewide conference.Thank you to Carol Corgan for editing and writing. Thank you to Sean Black for editingand layout design. Thank you to Teresa Tudor for editing, writing and project overview.Thank you to Suzanne Knox, Sarah Ayers and Libby Shawgo for editing.Thanks to the Illinois Imagines Team members, who worked creatively andcollaboratively to envision and create a new way to serve women with disabilities whoexperience sexual violence. The Illinois Imagines team includes:m Self advocatesm Department of Human Services, Division of Community Health and Preventionm Department of Human Services, Division of Rehabilitation Servicesm Department of Human Services, Division of Mental Healthm Department of Human Services, Division of Developmental Disabilitiesm Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assaultm Illinois Family Violence Coordinating Councilsm Illinois Network of Centers for Independent Livingm Illinois VOICESm The Blue Tower Training CenterWe owe a great debt to all of the women with disabilities who participated in thisproject. They gave us invaluable insight into their world, sharing their thoughts,feelings, ideas and dreams. Without their guidance, we could not have done our job.2illinois IMAGINES
OUR RIGHTS,RIGHTS right nowNote to anyone using this moduleThis guide is one tool in a toolkit called: “Our Rights, Right Now.” If youdo not have a copy of “Our Rights, Right Now,” and all its modules, youcan receive a copy by:m Contacting the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault at217/753-4117; or,m Visiting the materials section of www.illinoisimagines.org.This module can be used alone, to establish and conduct anEmpowerment Group for women with disabilities or in conjunction withany or all of the projects and activities described in “Our Rights, RightNow.”If the Empowerment Group is a success, the group may want to continue,after the 23 meetings outlined in this module. An ongoing group maywant to use some of the education sessions contained in “Women withDisabilities and Sexual Violence Education Guide”, another “Our Rights,Right Now” module. That module contains outlines and materials for 19education sessions on healthy sexuality, sexual violence prevention andresponding to sexual violence.illinois IMAGINES3
SECTION 1GUIDE FORSTARTINGEMPOWERMENTGROUPSillinois IMAGINES
OUR RIGHTS,RIGHTS right nowGUIDE FOR STARTINGEMPOWERMENT GROUPSWHAT IS AN EMPOWERMENT GROUP?An empowerment group is a group of women with disabilities who support each otherin preventing sexual assault and finding resources to help survivors of sexual assault.Members of empowerment groups work together to make changes within themselvesand their communities. An empowerment group is not therapy, although some survivorswho participate may find it therapeutic as well as empowering.This guide will take you through the process of creating and facilitating anempowerment group. An empowerment group may choose to use an ally as aco-facilitator in the beginning. This will allow all the group members to participate on anequal basis and give the group members time to get to know each other beforemembers assume all leadership duties. The guide includes instructions in preparing forand conducting group meetings. Please note that this is only a guide. Each group willhave its own personality. Feel free to use the guide as it is, or adapt it to the needs ofyour group.4illinois IMAGINES
OUR RIGHTS,RIGHTS right nowWHAT DOES A GROUP DO?This guide provides structure and content for a 23-session empowerment group forwomen with disabilities. Each session is described in detail including session plans,materials needed, a script for the facilitator to use, handouts for sessions and forms tokeep group notes and records.Topics included in this guide are:m Meeting 1: Community Buildingm Meeting 2: Organizing the Groupm Meeting 3: History of Oppression of People with Disabilitiesm Meeting 4: Power – Personal and Groupm Meeting 5: Power – Using Our Personal and Group Powerm Meeting 6: Self-Esteemm Meeting 7: Bullyingm Meeting 8: Gender Inequalitym Meeting 9: Sexual Violence 101m Meeting 10: Sexual Assault Examsm Meeting 11: Self-Care and Assertivenessm Meeting 12: Safe Places and Peoplem Meeting 13: Internet Safetym Meeting 14: Helping a Friend Who Disclosesm Meeting 15: Interview with Local Rape Crisis Center Workersm Meeting 16: Surrounding Yourself with Support Systemsm Meeting 17: Group Decision Makingm Meeting 18: Community Organizingm Meeting 19: Empowerment Planm Meeting 20: Connecting with Other Community Groupsm Meeting 21: Group Leadership and Structurem Meeting 22: Conflict Resolution and Keeping Up Energym Meeting 23: Moving Forward Celebrationillinois IMAGINES5
OUR RIGHTS,RIGHTS right nowWHY START A GROUP?In the 1960s and 1970s, the women’s liberation movement opened many doors toequality for women. As women began to exercise their rights and find their voices, oneof the things they began to do was talk to each other about their lives. Wherever theygathered – in homes, churches, college campuses, places they worked – womenstarted telling true stories to each other about their experiences. Some of theseexperiences included sexual violence – rape, incest, sexual harassment and domesticviolence. These stories, shared quietly in a group or spoken with a megaphone at aprotest rally, were often accompanied by a plea or a demand: NO MORE RAPE. Thisrallying cry was the start of the anti-rape movement and led to the network of rapecrisis centers around the state and the nation today.However, some voices were left out of that phase of the rape crisis movement. Forexample, women of color, lesbians, transgender and gay people and people withdisabilities were on the margins. Making space for their voices, their stories and theirleadership is a growth step for the movement. This guide provides one method forpeople with disabilities to lay claim to their power: to share their life experiences, tolisten to others, to claim safety from sexual violence as a basic human right and tocreate a space of safety and mutual support.HOW DO WE DO THIS?Whether you are a woman with a disability or an ally, this module will guide you instarting an Empowerment Group. Before you start holding the 23 sessions outlined inthis module you have some work to do. So, find a friend or two and let’s get started.1.2.6Lead – Just as with any project, someone has to say: Let’s do this! If you’resaying that, you’re a leader!Find Support – If you’re a woman with a disability, find an ally or two to help you.If you work at a rape crisis center or an agency serving people with disabilities,find a woman with a disability or two to help you. Talk with them about why youwant to start a group and what kind of help you need to get going. Share yourcontact information (names, phone numbers and e-mail addresses) so you canstay in touch.illinois IMAGINES
3.4.5.OUR RIGHTS,RIGHTS right nowMake a Plan – Now that you are a team, talk with each other about how to startthe group. What do you need? Who can help you with that? Who will do eachtask needed to get the group going? Form 1, Group Planning Worksheet, is atool you can use to write your plan.Recruit Group Members – Start talking with women with disabilities about thegroup. Post flyers, go door to door in a residence, post it on Facebook, tell staffat disability service agencies and rape crisis centers. Pass the word – throughe-mail, telephone calls and letters – that a group is starting and what it is about.Tell when and where it will meet. Form 2, Recruitment Flyer, can help you letpeople know about the group.Find a Place to Meet – Empowerment groups can occur in many different settings.A group may be held at a local library, local college, a center for independentliving, a rape crisis center, an apartment building, or within an agency that servespeople with disabilities. For disability service agencies, there are many reasonsto start an empowerment group. Some of the advantages of an empowermentgroup include:m Interested women will be able to participate without any transportation issues;6.7.m The agency will have a program that provides meaningful engagement forindividuals served; and individuals will be able to gain skills and confidence.Organize for the First Meeting – So, you know where you’ll meet. Now it’s timeto get ready. Use Form 3, Meeting Checklist, to guide you in preparing for the firstmeeting.Keep Meeting Records – For the first meeting you will need to gathermembership information so you know who the members are and how to contactthem. Use Form 4, Member Information, for this. Use Form 5, Sign-in Sheet, totake attendance at meetings. Finally, use Form 6, Meeting Report, to keep arecord of what happens at meetings.illinois IMAGINES7
OUR RIGHTS,RIGHTS right now8.9.10.11.12.8Debrief – After the first group meeting, make time to talk about how it went.Meet with the recorder and meeting planner for the group.m What went well?m What was the best part?m What could you each do to make the group better?m How will you keep good records of meetings?m Who will keep the files?m Will you want to meet a few minutes before the next meeting to be sureyou’re ready?Continue to Assess – Make time to talk after each meeting. Make changes togroup sessions to fit the needs of your group.Build and Grow Leadership – As you move through all the group sessionslook for opportunities to build leadership.m Who are the natural leaders in the group?m Who needs some support to build leadership skills?m What can you do to help the natural leaders shine and possibly lead thegroup in the future?m What can you do to build leadership skills among those with less experience?Prepare for the Future – Each session should build members’ commitment tothe Empowerment Group and their skills for being part of a group. After the 23sessions detailed in the module are completed, the group may lose focus andlose members if you do not have a good plan for what the group will do next.Start thinking, talking and planning for the celebration session (session 23) early.Form 7, Planning for the Future, is a tool that can help you plan for whathappens next with your group.Accept Change – Empowerment groups are like any other group of people. Beready for people to leave – for lots of reasons: illness, a move, scheduling issues.Likewise, be ready to recruit new members and accept people who want to return.illinois IMAGINES
OUR RIGHTS,RIGHTS right nowNOTE TO ALLIES“I believe it’s important, if possible, for advisors to fade from involvement over time, andit’s important for them to be careful not to exercise control over the group, and to avoidthe scenario wherein a group falls apart if an advisor isn’t present. I believe advisorsshould be careful not to create dependency on themselves by doing too much andcontrolling too much of the group’s activities. Their role should be to guide and toadvise, and to be willing to give up responsibilities to the groupas the group becomes enabled.”Mark Satterwhite,The People First of Missouri Advisor Book of Information and Advice.Thank you very much for your willingness to be an ally for this women’s empowermentgroup. Your position as a facilitator, advocate, and supporter is vital to the effectivenessof the group. The goal of an ally is to fade into the background of the group, shepherdingfrom behind while the women in the group gradually step up to leadership positionsand eventually take over the organizational aspects, facilitation, and action planning.As an ally, your job is to support and encourage the women in the group to heal,discover their personal power, and live the life they desire. Allow the women to directand shape the meetings while you steer from behind. Give the women choice andcontrol whenever possible. Remember to provide assistance when asked and to adaptactivities or accessibility to all group members. Members may need help toexpress their opinions and participate in activities.You don’t need to be an expert facilitator or a professional counselorto be a great ally. Be your best self, adapt to what the women in thegroup ask of you and provide assistance to those who ask for it duringactivities or discussions.illinois IMAGINES9
OUR RIGHTS,RIGHTS right nowBelow are some desirable characteristics for allies. (Adapted from Alliance Manual):m Communicate with the members directly, not through other membersm Be honestm Follow throughm Come to all the meetingsm Back us up on the rules when we have to point out someone’s mistakem Ask us questionsm Listenm Ask us what we want you to dom Take advice from usm Learn what supports each person needsm Be a friendm Finds ways to help everyone get involvedm Make sure everyone knows when and where the meeting ism Don’t take over for the leaderm Don’t dictate what we should dom Don’t be afraid to speakm Don’t make decisions without membersm Don’t assume that everyone agreesm Don’t talk too muchm Don’t do too much for usm PLEASE DON’T QUITRECRUITMENT – GETTING THE GROUP GOING:Starting an empowerment group targeted at this specific population of women requiresalternative modes of recruitment since confidentiality and safe meeting spaces are ofthe utmost importance. If the group starts small, that’s okay! The meetings will bepowerful and life changing regardless of the size of the group. Below are a fewsuggestions for recruitment.m Local Networksn Referrals from Rape Crisis Centers, Disability Agencies, churches, localschools/universities, etc.l Send emails or letters to these organizations stating the purpose of thegroup and asking if they would advertise it from within.10m Current Organizational Membershipn Word of mouth from core membersl Advertise Publically (Be careful with this because you want the membersto feel safe). Newsletters, newspapers, signs.illinois IMAGINES
OUR RIGHTS,RIGHTS right nowFACILITATION TECHNIQUESIt is extremely important that the group members communicate effectively with oneanother and with external resources and partners. The following facilitation techniquescan help the group members feel comfortable sharing opinions and feelings and allowall voices to be heard and acknowledged. Practice using these techniques to build trustamong members and encourage individual confidence.m Seating arrangementn Circles or semi-circles are the best for encouraging participationm Introductionsn Allow time in each meeting for people to get to know one another and check-inm Check-inn Weather report – how people are feelingn Excitement sharing – something good that has happened recentlym Agenda and Reviewn Talk about what will happen this meeting and review what happened lastmeetingm Visible Notesn Flip chart notes allow for meetings to be idea focused not person focusedm Brainstormingn Allow all ideas to be heard and written downn No negative ideas or criticism of the spoken ideasn Ask people who have not spoken for their ideasm Go Around the Circlen Let each group member participate in the discussion by giving each a chanceto speak in turn.w Interrupts back and forth debatesm Nods and Shakesn Group members respond to simple questions by nodding or shaking their headin agreement/disagreementm Encourage Cooperationn Tension reducers – games, backrubs, humor, silence, stretching breaksn Create a safe spacen Build trustm Votingn Thumbs up, thumbs to the side, thumbs down – if the group needs to come toa consensus, this technique can be used. Thumbs up means the individuallikes the decision, thumbs to the side means that the individual can live with thedecision, and thumbs down means the individual cannot agree with the decision.illinois IMAGINES11
SECTION 2MEETING SESSIONSillinois IMAGINES
OUR RIGHTS,RIGHTS right now12illinois IMAGINES
OUR RIGHTS,RIGHTS right nowMEETING SESSIONSUsing the GuideEach meeting session includes:m Objectivesm Materials neededm Introductionm Activitiesm ConclusionThe materials include:Scripted remarks for the entire meeting – The facilitator may read thesescripted remarks or prepare in advance and use their own words to share thesame information.Notes – Notes to the meeting facilitator such as the purpose of each activityand description of the activity are in italics.Directions – Directions to the meeting facilitator such as handout, papers,prepare easel and marker. Directions appear in CAPITAL LETTERS.illinois IMAGINES13
OUR RIGHTS,RIGHTS right nowMEETING 1: COMMUNITY BUILDINGObjective: Get to know members of the group and establish ground rules for meetings.Materials Needed:m Paper easelm Markersm Sign-in sheetm Handout 1: “Member Power and Ally Support”Introduction (5 minutes): Welcome to the first Empowerment Group meeting. Thepurpose of this group is to bring women together to find and use our power to helpourselves and each other be safe. This is called empowerment. When we areempowered, we can prevent and end sexual violence against women with disabilitiesand we can support survivors of sexual violence. We will meet when, where, for howlong. Over the course of our meetings we will cover a variety of topics. Today’s meetingwill focus on getting to know each other and setting some rules for meetings.Icebreaker #1 (15 minutes): Purpose: Learn the names of people in the groupName and Adjective Game: Say your first name and a word that describes youthat starts with the first letter of your name.Example: Abbie - Athletic; Jen – Jolly; Hannah – HappyProcessing: Hopefully that activity will help you remember each other’s names. Ifyou do forget someone’s name, just ask them to remind you again!Icebreaker #2 (15 minutes): Purpose: Get to know a few things about the people inthe groupTwo Extremes game: This game will help us learn a few things about one another.First, imagine that there’s a line running down the middle of the room. I will say twoextremes or opposites, one located on the left side of the room and one located onthe right side (point to left and right sides of room). Go to one side or the otherbased on where you stand on a particular issue. If you don’t fall clearly to one sideor another, you can be in the middle of the line.14Example: Move to the left hand side of the room if you like salty snacks. Moveto the right hand side of the room if you like sweet snacks. If you don’t have astrong opinion, stand in the middle.”illinois IMAGINESM EETING 1: C OMMUNITY B UILDING
m Left hand side: Like doing outdoor activities.m Right hand side: Like doing indoor activities.OUR RIGHTS,RIGHTS right nowm Left hand side: Chatterbox.m Right hand side: Quiet.m Left hand side: Sleep in.m Right hand side: Get up early.m Left hand side: Summer.m Right hand side: Winter.m Left hand side: Country music.m Right hand side: Rap music.m Left hand side: Traveler.m Right hand side: Homebody.Processing: Now you know who likes some of the same things you do and who likesdifferent things. We will continue to get to know one another as we meet together.Establish Group Member Role vs. Ally Role (10 minutes): Now we are going talkabout the roles of group members and the role of the ally. Ask if everyone in the groupknows what an ally is (adapted from The Alliance Local Group Manual). If not, briefly discusswhat the word ally means. Say what makes you an ally.PASS OUT HANDOUT 1: “MEMBER POWER AND ALLY SUPPORT.” These are a fewof the things that group members and the ally of each group should do. Can you thinkof others to add to the list?illinois IMAGINESM EETING 1: C OMMUNITY B UILDING15
OUR RIGHTS,RIGHTS right nowEstablish Group Rules (15 minutes): PREPARE PAPER EASEL AND MARKER.DRAW A LINE DOWN THE MIDDLE OF THE PAPER EASEL AND WRITE “DO” ONONE SIDE AND “DON’T DO” ON THE OTHER SIDE. Now that we know what eachperson in the group will do during the meetings, let’s brainstorm what would create aspace of care and safety when we are together. Let’s make a list of what we can do tomake our meetings safe. What should we not do to make this a safe space?We will post this list at the meetings and point to areas as needed during meetingsExamples:Respect each otherNo cell phonesListenNo swearingAgree to DisagreeNo interruptingStick to the subjectNo yellingEngageNo name callingCome preparedFollow throughand honor commitmentsKeep focusedStay on topicEvery contribution is worthwhileDon’t interruptTake turns talkingInclude everyoneDoDon’tConfidentiality (5 minutes): Discuss what confidentiality means and that this groupwill be confidential. At every meeting it is important that everyone is aware ofconfidentiality and that anything that is shared in the group will not be shared ordiscussed outside of the group. Have participants repeat together out loud, “whathappens here, stays here.” (adapted from The Alliance Local Group Manual, p.6).Conclusion: Thank you for coming to this session and participating in the activities.Our next meeting will be date at time, place. I look forward to seeing you all again.After the Meeting: Decide who will keep and post the do’s and don’t’s at each futuremeeting.16illinois IMAGINESM EETING 1: C OMMUNITY B UILDING
OUR RIGHTS,RIGHTS right nowMEETING 2: ORGANIZING THE GROUPObjectives: Find out the strengths and roles of group members. Discuss the purposeand values of the group.Materials Required:m Paper easelm Markersm Sign-in sheetm Meeting report sheetm Small post-it notesm Handout 2: “Why are we Here?”m Pens, pencilsIntroduction (5 minutes): Welcome back to this group. SEND AROUND SIGN-INSHEET. Are there any new people joining us that we did not meet last week? Pleasetell us your name and a word that describes you that starts with the first letter of yourname. Example: Abbie - Athletic. Hannah-Happy. HAVE NEW PARTICIPANTSINTRODUCE THEMSELVES.Last time we got to know each other through icebreaker games. This week we willdiscuss each of your unique gifts and talents and how you can add to the group vision,mission and structure.Activity (15 minutes): Purpose: Find out about a unique strength that each memberbrings to the group.First, take a couple of minutes to consider what strengths you bring to this group. A fewexamples might be “creativity, insight, passion, training, good listener, understandingissues of women and disabilities, access to specific provider agencies, writing skills,task-oriented, work experience with sexual violence.”PREPARE PAPER EASEL AND MARKER. Now we will go around the table and shareour strengths with each other. I will record each person’s name and strengths on apaper easel chart to refer to later when matching individuals to assignments in futuremeetings (adapted from Our Rights Right Now! Overview Guide, p. 46).Processing: From our list you can see that each one of you has unique talents andskills that you bring to this group. As we go forward, we will refer back to this list toremind ourselves of how each person in the group adds value.Pick Leaders (15 minutes):illinois IMAGINESM EETING 2: O RGANIZINGTHEG ROUP17
OUR RIGHTS,RIGHTS right nowREFER TO THE EASEL TO DISCUSS HOW EACH PERSON’S STRENGTHS CANBE ASSETS TO THE LEADERSHIP OF THE GROUP.This group will need a secretary to take notes about what we do at each meeting. Areany of you ready to do this job? DISCUSS AND ACCEPT ONE MEMBER ASSECRETARY BASED ON HER STRENGTHS. IF THE GROUP CAN’T PICK ONEPERSON, DO AN ELECTION WITH BALLOTS OR TALK ABOUT HOW TO SHARETHIS ROLE. GIVE THE SECRETARY THE MEETING REPORT SHEET AT THESTART OF EACH MEETING.This group also needs a meeting planner who will reserve the meeting space eachweek, make sure that the space is set up for a group meeting by organizing thetable/chairs, and communicate with the ally about any other details for the meeting.USING THE SAME PROCESS DESCRIBED FOR THE SECRETARY; DISCUSS ANDACCEPT ONE MEMBER AS MEETING PLANNER BASED ON HER STRENGTHS.Group Purpose (30 minutes):Purpose: Discuss the reasons that this group exists, what it hopes to accomplish, andthe values that the group will stand by.DISTRIBUTE PENS/PENCILS AND HANDOUT 2: “WHY ARE WE HERE?” FORMEMBERS TO WRITE ON/BRAINSTORM WITH DURING THE DISCUSSION. We’llspend some time thinking about the purpose for this group: why it exists and what it willdo. Can you think of key words for why we are meeting? Let’s brainstorm together bydiscussing words and phrases and writing them on the handout in front of you.Ideas for key words: support, end violence, protection, empower, voice, action, change,stop rape, safetyLet’s think about these words. How can we use them to write our purpose statement?What will we do in this group? Will we support each other? Will we make new friends tobe part of our support systems? Will we create a safe space to talk about sexualviolence? Will we help change the way that sexual violence against women withdisabilities is handled at rape crisis centers/disability service providers?PREPARE EASEL. WRITE THE PURPOSE STATEMENT ON THE EASEL PAPER.ASK THE GROUP IF THIS SOUNDS RIGHT. EDIT AS NEEDED.Example purpose statement: We want to prevent rape of women with disabilities andhelp survivors get services. We will promote change within this organization and thecommunity at large.18illinois IMAGINESM EETING 2: O RGANIZINGTHEG ROUP
OUR RIGHTS,RIGHTS right nowCore Values: PREPARE PAPER EASEL, MARKER, AND SMALL POST-ITS. Now let’sbrainstorm core values of the group. Core values are the values that form the foundationfor the work that we do. Shout out values that you think we should have while I writethem on this easel. Consider values that will guide how we work together as well asguide project activities.Ideas for core values: embrace diversity, radical, hopeful, non-judgmental, empowering,survivor-driven, respectful, flexible, keep our word, unity, uniquenessLIST ALL VALUES FOR ALL TO SEE. Now I’m going to give each of you 3 post-itnotes. These represent your votes for the core values that the group should have.Come to the board and place your post-it notes by the words/values you think are mostimportant for the group. You can put all three post-its next to one word/value or you canput the post-its by different words/values. WHEN THE GROUP HAS DONE VOTING,CIRCLE THE TOP 5 VALUES WITH THE MOST VOTES. ASK SOMEONE IN THEGROUP TO SAY OUT LOUD THE TOP 5 VALUES THAT GOT THE MOST VOTES.Conclusion: Thank you for participating in today’s activities and discussion. Ourpurpose and core values will guide the work we do in this group and in the community.Our next meeting will be date at time, place. I look forward to seeing you all again.After the meeting: Remind the secretary to bring the completed meeting report to thenext meeting.Ask the secretary if she wants to prepare a copy of the purpose and core values for allmembers or if she wants you to do that.illinois IMAGINESM EETING 2: O RGANIZINGTHEG ROUP
Meeting #6:Self-Esteem Pages 30-31 Meeting #7: Bullying Page 32 Meeting #8:Gender Inequality Pages 33-34 Meeting #9: Sexual Violence 101 Pages 35-37 Meeting #10: Sexual Assault Exams Pages 38-39 Meeting #11:Self-Care and Assertiveness Pages 40-42 Meeting #12:Safe Places and P
regulations and guidelines for operating your merchant account. Visa Merchant Best Practice Guidefor Cardholder Not Present Transactions 03. . Visa Merchant Best Practice Guidefor Cardholder Not Present Transactions 11. Fraud Screening There are a wide variety of fraud screening services and .
Women’s economic empowerment is a prerequisite for sustainable development, pro-poor growth and the achievement of all the MDGs. Women's empowerment is about rights and equitable societies. Economic empowerment is the capacity of women and men to participate in, contribute to and benefit
empowerment within the experience of a non-governmental organization based in Chiapas, Mexico. This study aimed to investigate the linkages between participation and empowerment, in their original radical and theoretical forms, as well as in practice—addressing questions of whether and how participation may lead to empowerment.
Political empowerment Social and economic empowerment . intervention ‒ voice and participation, empowerment, and accountability ‒ and four types of impact: on access to public services, education outcomes, health- . qualitative research design. There are comparatively few quasi-experimental designs (except in the health sector) and only .
We review here all available evidence on civil society-led legal empowerment efforts. To our knowledge this is the first review of its kind. There is substantial evidence available on the impact of legal empowerment interventions. This review analyzes legal empowerment work, such as women textile workers learning to advocate for better labor
Women’s Empowerment Policy 4 stage of programme/policy design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, with a view to promoting women’s empowerment. 15. Women’s empowerment The process of expanding women’s abilities and resources to make strategic life choices to
Tree of Empowerment; six steps pathway to empowerment The GEM The Growth and Empowerment Measure “Its like a tree –there is a foundation (seeds, roots), then the energy and self‐esteem to look after yourself (trunk), so you can grow –the more you grow the bigger it gets on the branches (of
Accounting involves recording business transactions and, this in turn, leads to the generation of financial information which can be used as the basis of good financial control and planning. Inadequate record keeping and a lack of effective planning ultimately lead to poor financial results. It is vital that owners and managers of businesses recognise the indications of potential difficulties .
