Establish H.R. 3695, the Help Find The Missing Act into Billy's Law in less than Ten Seconds with these Simple Steps

TO IMPLEMENT H.R. 3695, THE HELP FIND THE MISSING ACT INTO BILLY'S LAW, Simply Cut/Paste the Following Letter and send out to your Federal Congressperson:

"10 Seconds" to accomplish Steps:  
Simply remove the X's and replace with your information. 
Next click on Write Your Representative  
(This service will assist you by identifying your Congressperson in the U.S. House of Representatives and providing contact information.)

October XX, 2009



TO: Congressmen XXXX

FROM: Name – Address – City/St/zip

RE: H.R. 3695, The Help Find the Missing Act (Billy's Law)


Dear Congressmen XXXXX:

Thank you, in advance for reviewing my letter and the information below. As a Representative of our district, I am hoping that you will support H.R. 3695. This is very important to me and as a member of our community I believe this is important to all, and hopefully to you as well.


It is no longer a rare occasion in which one may become a missing statistic, rather it happens more often than we would like. The growing number of citizens with Alzheimer's and other cognitive disabilities also has shown a tremendous increase in missing loved ones, which also includes those with other cognitive disorders such as autism.


Your support, and those of your colleagues, are desperately needed. We feel if we do not gain support the bill will just die off. This bill is very necessary. We only want to have the gaps closed that will enable families of missing to have one source to be able to search for their loved ones.


Some recent published examples are:


* 200 unidentified bodies,in Florida, right now from 60's and 70's lying in wait in county morgues, unidentified. http://micurl.com/lyewu


* In Los Angeles, there are 4815 unclaimed. http://coroner.co.la.ca.us/htm/ucplist.cfm


Every year tens of thousands of Americans go missing, never to be seen by their loved ones again. Additionally, there are also an estimated 40,000 sets of unidentified human remains that are being held or disposed of across the country. Sadly, because of gaps in the nation’s missing persons systems, missing persons and unidentified remains are rarely matched. The Help Find the Missing Act (Billy’s Law) is an effort to fix these gaps. We want to help families to have the resources so that we can lessen the burden on the system as well as bringing loved ones home for a proper burial.

Please review the below and help by supporting H.R. 3695

Filling in the Gaps of the Nation’s Missing Persons Systems

Endorsed By: Connecticut Department of Public Safety, National Forensic Science Technology Center, National Center for Forensic Science, Doe Missing Persons Network, Center for Hope, Families of Homicide Victims and Missing Persons, Inc.

Sponsored by Representatives Chris Murphy (D-CT) and Ted Poe (R-TX)

This legislation is named after Billy Smolinski of Waterbury, Connecticut who went missing on August 24, 2004 at the age of 31. Billy’s family knows all-too-well the systemic challenges in trying to find the missing. They quickly learned that while federal law mandates law enforcement report missing children, there are no such requirements for adults – or unidentified bodies. Compounding this problem is the fact that local law enforcement agencies, medical examiners, and coroners, often don’t have the resources or training to voluntarily report these cases. Finally, even when missing adults and remains are reported, the wide-range of unconnected federal, state, local, and non-profit databases to help match the missing with unidentified bodies, makes finding a match an often insurmountable challenge.

Billy’s Law builds upon recent efforts to address these issues by:


* Authorizing, and therefore helping to ensure funding for, the National Missing Persons and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs), which was created in July 2007 by the Department of Justice (DOJ) to provide a missing persons/unidentified database that the public could access and contribute;


* Connecting NamUs with the FBI’s National Crime Information Center (NCIC) in order to create more comprehensive missing persons and unidentified remains databases and streamlining the reporting process for local law enforcement;


* Creating an incentive grants program to help states, local law enforcement and medical examiners/coroners report missing persons and unidentified remains to NCIC, NamUs, and the National DNA Index System (NDIS);


* Calling on the DOJ to issue guidelines and best practices on handling missing persons and unidentified remains cases in order to empower law enforcement, medical examiners and coroners to help find the missing.

In closing, I thank you again for your review and hopeful support. Should you have any questions or needs, I am sure that Representative Chris Murphy (D-CT) and Ted Poe (R-TX) would be honored to respond to your inquiries.


Respectfully,


XXName

XXAddress

XXCity/State/Zip

XXPhone Number

As fall approaches, seasonal affective disorder may be one issue to look out for

October 10th, 2009

Mental Illness Awareness Week and What You Should Know About Seasonal Affective Disorder

Today marks the last day of Mental Illness Awareness Week, first recognized by Congress in 1990. The first week of October has since been used to raise awareness about mental health issues. As fall approaches, seasonal affective disorder may be one issue to look out for.

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a common mood disorder that occurs in autumn and winter. The reduced sunlight during these months causes the body to fall out of its natural rhythm. People with the disorder may feel drained, depressed, or lack interest in normal activity, among other symptoms.

Not to worry, though. These five tips may help you lose those winter blues:

• Exercise regularly. Just 30 minutes of exercise is enough to flood the brain with endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good hormones.

• Eat a balanced diet. Cutting out excess carbohydrates and saturated fats and replacing them with healthier foods can boost your metabolism and give you more energy.

• Get plenty of sunlight. Most physicians recommend getting at least 30 minutes of sunlight to boost brain chemistry. If sunlight is scarce, you might consider a form of light therapy.

• Consult your physician. There are lots of health conditions with similar symptoms as sad. SAD can be mistaken as hypothyroidism, mononucleosis, or another mental disorder.

• Consider medication. For more severe cases of SAD, medication may be needed to balance the brain’s chemical levels. Talk to your doctor about different medications and other treatment options.

According to the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI), as many as 26 percent of adults and 10 percent of children living in the U.S. are directly affected by a mental health disorder every year. Mental illness affects everyone, but it doesn’t have to wreak havoc on your life. Taking extra steps toward positive mental health can keep a smile on your face this season.

Get more information about symptoms of seasonal affective disorder (SAD), or find resources on how to make Mental Illness Awareness Week recognized in your community.

Start Writing That Book Inside You

How to Stop Procrastinating & Start Writing That Book Inside You

Posted by Wendy Aron on April 2nd, 2009

Image courtesy of BingBing

Whenever I tell a new person I’ve met that I’ve recently had a memoir published, the response is, invariably, “You wouldn’t believe my story. I should write a book, too.” And my response to them is, invariably, “Then, why don’t you?”

The gap between having the desire to write a book and actually sitting down to write one is quite large, but with some effort, it can be bridged.

Getting Started

The first thing you need to ask yourself is what is actually stopping you from sitting down at the computer. Most people procrastinate because of fear of failure. If you never do anything then no one can say that you did it poorly. Most procrastinators are their own worst critics. Putting off doing something that they have always wanted to do is their way of avoiding their own perfectionism and convincing themselves that they could have excelled if only they had the (fill in the blank) to write.

When it comes to writing, the first thing you have to do to stop procrastinating is to challenge the assumption that what you write needs to be perfect. Even bestselling and award-winning authors are never satisfied with the first drafts of their manuscripts. A professional author can write multiple versions of his or her book before ever letting anyone read it. The best way to approach this is to just sit down and spit out whatever comes into your mind. There’s time for analyzing and revising later, and you can do it as much as you want before ever sending your baby out to be critiqued. The important thing is to just get your ideas down on paper or on the screen.


If you’ve decided to write fiction, chances are you’ll need to do some research, and you can motivate yourself to begin the project by going to the library to do some investigation. There’s nothing like learning about a new world for stimulating the imagination. Make the project fun by going to the library with a friend or family member who is also doing research for their own undertaking. And share what you have learned with others who can give you ideas and suggestions for making your work stronger and more appealing.

Another helpful approach is to break your manuscript down into manageable chunks, rather than putting yourself under pressure to write an entire book.  Divide your manuscript into chapters and set yourself short term goals for completing them. Writing a book becomes much less daunting when you approach it incrementally. Perhaps you can start by writing an outline or basic synopsis of your plot. That way, you’ll have a road map to guide you as you write.

Finding the Time To Write

Many people say they can’t write their manuscript because they have other obligations and just can’t find the time. I remember reading once that when John Grisham wrote his first novel, A Time to Kill, he was still working as a lawyer and wrote one page a night for a year until he had finished his book. The point is, if you really want to write, you can find the time. If you’ve got a family, you can talk to them about giving you a certain period each day when you cannot be disturbed. A supportive family will understand.

Many people also believe that they need the optimal conditions in which to work, and that absent these conditions, they just can’t produce. This is another faulty assumption. No less an author than the late Pulitzer-Prize winning John Kennedy Toole wrote his book, A Confederacy of Dunces, in his bedroom in longhand on a legal pad. You do not have to be in the perfect surroundings to write a book. And if you do have a favorite place to write, there’s no reason you can’t make yourself as comfortable as possible by arranging your workspace to please yourself.

Final Thoughts on Writing a Book

Don’t get me wrong; writing a book is no easy proposition. In fact, I once read on a publishing Web site that for every thousand people who aspire to write a book, one of them actually does it. But just think how great you’ll feel about yourself once you have a completed manuscript. You can be that one person, so start writing now!

Coaching Boys Into Men campaign

Safe Nest, in partnership with the Family Violence Prevention Fund, is proud to announce the launch of a ground-breaking campaign to engage men as partners in preventing violence against women.

Safe Nest invites men in Southern Nevada to do their part to end violence against women through the Coaching Boys Into Men campaign. The message of the campaign is simple:  Men can teach boys that violence does not equal strength.

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The Challenge

How can men help prevent violence?

Research has shown that men are ready and willing to become partners in the movement to end violence against women:

• 21 percent of men say they don't actively support efforts to stop domestic violence because "no one asked me to get involved."
• A majority of men are willing to talk to children about the importance of healthy, violence-free relationships.
• Men respond extremely well to the notion that they are in a unique position as role models and can help steer boys and teens away from abusive behavior.

The Challenge to Men — Be Our Children's Role Models

The Coaching Boys Into Men campaign appeals to men as fathers, friends, mentors, coaches, and community leaders and encourages them to talk with the boys in their lives about why violence has no place in relationships. The goals of the campaign are to:

1. Invite men to be part of the solution while educating them about the problem.
2. Motivate them to see their role as leaders and to act on it; and
3. Provide them with the tools and information necessary to break the cycle of violence.

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Reaching the Public

The Coaching Boys into Men campaign includes television, radio and print media. Television and radio spots titled "Father and Son", feature vignettes of a father and son playing different sports together. The narrator states, "You taught him how to hit the strike zone, a 9-iron, the net, the open man, but how much time have you spent teaching him what not to hit?" The narrator continues, “All violence against women is wrong. Teach early." These moving public service announcements were developed by the Family Violence Prevention Fund and the Ad Council.
Look for the Coaching Boys Into Men public service announcements on local television and radio stations! For more information, contact Safe Nest at 702-877-0133, ext. 225.

• TV Spot "Father and Son" Storyboard
• Radio Spot "Father and Son" Script

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Men - What you Can Do

The boys in your life need your time and energy. Your son, grandson, nephew, younger brother. The boys you teach, coach and mentor. All need you to help them grow into healthy young men.
Boys are swamped with influences outside of the home – from friends, the neighborhood, television, the internet, music, the movies… everything they see around them. They hear all kinds of messages about what it means to "be a man" – that they have to be tough and in control. There are numerous conflicting and some harmful messages being given to boys about what constitutes "being a man" in a relationship.
Boys need your advice on how to behave toward girls. Boys are watching how you and other men relate to women to figure out their own stance towards girls. So teach boys early, and teach them often, that there is no place for violence in a relationship.

Here's How:

Teach Early. It's never too soon to talk to a child about violence. Let him know how you think he should express his anger and frustration – and what is out of bounds. Talk with him about what it means to be fair, share and treat others with respect.

Be there. If it comes down to one thing you can do, this is it. Just being with boys is crucial. The time doesn't have to be spent in activities. Boys will probably not say this directly -- but they want a male presence around them, even if few words are exchanged.

Listen. Hear what he has to say. Listen to how he and his friends talk about girls. Ask him if he's ever seen abusive behavior in his friends. Is he worried about any of his friends who are being hurt in their relationships? Are any of his friends hurting anyone else?

Tell Him How. Teach him ways to express his anger without using violence. When he gets mad, tell him he can walk it out, talk it out, or take a time out. Let him know he can always come to you if he feels like things are getting out of hand. Try to give him examples of what you might say or do in situations that could turn violent.

Bring it up. A kid will never approach you and ask for guidance on how to treat women. But that doesn't mean he doesn't need it. Try watching TV with him or listening to his music. If you see or hear things that depict violence against women, tell him what you think about it. Never hesitate to let him know you don't approve of sports figures that demean women, or jokes, video games and song lyrics that do the same. And when it comes time for dating, be sure he knows that treating girls with respect is important.

Be a Role Model. Fathers, coaches and any man who spends time with boys or teens will have the greatest impact when they "walk the walk." They will learn what respect means by observing how you treat other people. So make respect a permanent way of dealing with people – when you're driving in traffic, talking with customer service reps, in restaurants with waiters, and with your family around the dinner table. He's watching what you say and do and takes his cues from you, both good and bad. Be aware of how you express your anger. Let him know how you define a healthy relationship and always treat women and girls in a way that your son can admire.

Teach Often. Your job isn't done once you get the first talk out of the way. Help him work through problems in relationships as they arise. Let him know he can come back and talk to you again anytime. Use every opportunity to reinforce the message that violence has no place in a relationship.
Courtesy of the Family Violence Prevention Fund

A List of Free Webinars for Nonprofits - October 2009

23 Free Webinars for Nonprofits - October 2009

Wake Up Your Nonprofit Brand! How to Distinguish Your Organization and Reach Donors in a Down Economy
Free webinar hosted by Howard Levy, Red Rooster Group, includes examples of branding campaigns, hands-on activities to clarify your organization’s brand, and a chance to “Ask the Expert” your branding questions (60 minutes).
Date: Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Time: 12:00 noon Eastern
Register

Causes on Facebook: Partner Center, Application Redesign and America’s Giving Challenge, Oh My!
Free teleconference with Matthew Mahan, the Director of Nonprofit Relations and Business Development at Causes, the largest application on Facebook.
Date: Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Time: 1:00 p.m. Eastern
Register

How Idealist supports nonprofit professionals
Free webinar introducing several resource centers at Idealist.org (30 minutes).
Date: Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Time: 1:00 p.m. Eastern
Register

VolunteerMatch 101
Free introductory webinar for nonprofits new to VolunteerMatch.org (60 minutes).
Date: Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Time: 11:00 a.m. Pacific
Register

Risk Management Webinar: The Volunteer Protection Act
Free webinar sponsored by the Nonprofit Risk Management Center (90 minutes).
Date: Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Time: 1:00 p.m. Central
Register

YouTube for Nonprofits
Free webinar presented by see3 communications on getting the most out of your online videos (60 minutes).
Date: Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Time: 1:00 p.m. Eastern
Register

Accounting For Change: Implementing FAS 117-1 For Endowment Fund Management and Addressing the Reporting and Auditing Challenges Facing 403(b) Plans
Free basic webinar by Clifton Gunderson LLP is aimed at US nonprofits (60 minutes).
Date: Thursday, October 8, 2009 (two sessions)
Time: 10:00 a.m. & 2:00 p.m. Central
Register

Gear Up for Giving: Recruiting, Fundraising and Running Effective Campaigns on Causes
Free webinar with Sarah Koch, Causes Nonprofit Coordinator, with best practices, tips, and success stories about how to get more people to join your cause and use those supporters to run effective fundraising campaigns (60 minutes).
Date: Thursday, October 8, 2009
Time: 1:00 p.m. Eastern
Register

Get to Know Your Online Activists
Free webinar uses the case study of the NY League of Conservation Voters to explore the value of building a relationship with your online activists (60 minutes).
Date: Thursday, October 8, 2009
Time: 1:00 p.m. Central
Register

Welcome to Idealist’s social media tools
Free webinar introducing new social media features on Idealist.org, including blog, podcasts, discussion forums, video, Idealist Groups, and more (30 minutes).
Date: Monday, October 12, 2009
Time: 1:00 p.m. Eastern
Register

Proposal Writing Basics
Free webinar teaches the basics of writing a proposal for your nonprofit organization (60 minutes).
Date: Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Time: 2:00 p.m. Eastern
Register

Strategies for Diversifying Revenue Sources
Free webcast workshop, part of a series presented by Talisman Associates  and National Safe Place, will share best practices on how to expand your fundraising using the human and financial resource you have (60 minutes).
Date: Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Time: 2:00 p.m. Eastern
Register

Best Practices for Recruiting Online
Free webinar covering the eight simple things you can do to help your opportunities stand out on VolunteerMatch.org  (60 minutes).
Date: Thursday, October 15, 2009
Time: 11:00 a.m. Pacific
Register

Email Messaging: Best Practices for Reaching and Engaging your Audience
Free webinar with Eric Rardin from Care2, who takes you through simple techniques for composing compelling, engaging email messages with high open rates (60 minutes).
Date: Thursday, October 15, 2009
Time: 1:00 p.m. Central
Register

Skilled Volunteers: How to Maximize their Potential
Free webinar for nonprofits just beginning to add skilled volunteers to their program, or thinking about doing so; hosted by VolunteerMatch.org (60 minutes).
Date: Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Time: 11:00 a.m. Pacific
Register

“Missionize” Your Year-End Fundraising: Maximizing Your Organization’s Fundraising Potential this Holiday Season
Free introductory teleconference with Terry Axelrod, founder and CEO of Benevon®, which trains and coaches nonprofit organizations to implement a mission-based system for raising sustainable funding from individual donors.
Date: Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Time: 1:00 p.m. Eastern
Register

Fundraising House Party Basics: From Planning to Asking
Free webinar with Andy Robinson, nonprofit consultant, explains how you can organize a fundraising house party event in one to six weeks (60 minutes).
Date: Thursday, October 22, 2009
Time: 1:00 p.m. Central
Register

How Idealist supports individuals: job seekers, volunteers, prospective grad students, and service corps members
Free webinar introducing the the Nonprofit Human Resources Center, The Volunteer Manager Resource Center, and  Nonprofit FAQ at Idealist.org (30 minutes).
Date: Thursday, October 22, 2009
Time: 1:00 p.m. Eastern
Register

Before You Seek a Grant: A Checklist for New Nonprofits
Free webinar will provide you with a step-by-step checklist approach to help increase your organization’s readiness for foundation fundraising (60 minutes).
Date: Thursday, October 22, 2009
Time: 3:00 p.m. Eastern
Register

Annual Giving for Nonprofits
Free webcast workshop, part of a series presented by Talisman Associates  and National Safe Place, presents how to find, cultivate, solicit and upgrade your annual donors (60 minutes).
Date: Tuesday, October 27
Time: 2:00 p.m. Eastern
Register

Grantseeking Basics
Free webinar provides an overview of the funding research process for those seeking grants from foundations, corporations, and grantmaking public charities (60 minutes).
Date: Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Time: 3:00 p.m. Eastern
Register

How Idealist supports nonprofit professionals
Free webinar introducing several resource centers: Idealist.org (30 minutes).
Date: Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Time: 1:00 p.m. Eastern
Register

Introduction to Fundraising Planning
Free webinar provides an overview of the process of strategically thinking through the components of a fundraising plan (60 minutes).
Date: Friday, October 30, 2009
Time: 1:00 p.m. Eastern
Register

Please join us at Peace4 the Missing
Missing Persons Awareness and Support Network
http://peace4missing.ning.com