Keeping myself accountable

I have reached the end of the first 100 days of Join Me being an official non-profit. The goals were grand, lol. And missed. Not all, but definitely not completed as I had hoped.

So, a run down. The book didn’t get submitted to Amazon for sake because of the site’s formatting requirements. I have tried over and over, again, to no avail. Major fail because I really wanted it up for sale for October during Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Dang it, anyway. I did reached out to 116 past contacts, goal was 100, to announce the opening. I had 15 follow-up in-depth conversations, which I am told is very good. I’ll take that. I got 9 puzzle pieces completed, an event I was supposed to be at didn’t happen so it was a missed opportunity. I have 2 more events scheduled within the next 3 weeks (does it count if it was scheduled during the first 100 days?) where the puzzle is the focus. I was on a week long online program on narcissistic behavior and had good responses from it, and am scheduled for another videocast in 2.5 weeks. I held meetings with 6 people. I have interviewed 7 people for the upcoming Spotlight on Survivors project throughout October and had to develop the Microsoft form for distribution. Not as easy as I imagined. I did hold 3 men’s domestic violence intervention groups, attended over 6 hours by 18 men total. I trained 19 hairstylists for their state CEU requirement.

I did partner with a grant researcher for a little while, but it ended up not working out because she didn’t have an operating computer. We will try again soon.

It didn’t work out completely as I planned, but, now after writing it out, I’m not disappointed. Keep on keeping on is what the goal needs to be!

Work needing to be done

We are into another year that cosmetologist’s CEU’s are needed for the state of Illinois in domestic violence. I’m going to create a contact email list and start reaching out. This time I will focus on virtual training and will offer throughout the state.

Zachary made me a new logo, attached. I need to update all social media.

Inquiring on the cost of a table at the belleville farmers market for a DVAM table to introduce the workbook. Three more weekends.

This is the work to start with.

September 30th, nonprofit update

I made promises. I’ve met some of them.

I have my Board of Directors picked and they have agreed.

I have my first Breakfast Serial recorded and will be uploaded today as an introduction for tomorrow.

I have the Breakfast Serials logo completed.

I have our Articles of incorporation ready to send. I have the By Laws completed.

I have the first 10 copies of the workbook ready for sale and I’m starting to advertise.

I was able to hold one completed Law and Grace Domestic Violence class and train one nail technician.

I’m going twice a week still to to Starkloff Capstone course. Week 4, currently.

The rest is on track. ExCiTiNg!

Available now

I’ve started advertising the workbook! It feels good that people are willing to let me put notices on their pages, sites.

Let’s see how it goes. Fingers crossed!

$12, $3 added for shipping.

Sharing my message on all platforms

Domestic Violence Awareness Month 2020 begins this week. The year’s 20/20 vision needs to be clear: create a sustainable social system which reduces further victimization. This year the pandemic trapped many in their home with their abuser and resources were out of reach. We need better resolutions before the next societal catastrophe. This needs to fuel our vision.

Join Me at the Table (Jmatt for short) will work through the theory of the 7 C’s of Social Change: Consciousness, Congruence, Committment, Collaboration, Common purpose, Controversy with Civility, and Citizenship. This week will explain each C, the remainder will show why each is needed to proceed.

Jmatt knows that an eighth C is needed, a therapeutic Community. These steps will take us to this necessity. There is work to do. Let’s go.

A few more changes

Always true, isn’t it? You think it’s done, only to touch it in your hands and find a few more changes.

Easy fixes. Cover photo needs to fill the entire space. Non-slick interior pages. Title bigger, my name lower.

Onto the corrections.

One step closer…

Hard copy ordered

I just ordered a hard copy to look over before placing the “order” for the workbook.

Excited isn’t a big enough word.

6 pm. Come quick!

Publication ready for the public

After many tries, more delays, speedbumps…it’s finally done!

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. I wanted a way to make a contribution, again. This is it.

Now to advertise. And get out of my own way. Now that it’s finished I am thinking that its just an entry level attempt even though the editor said it helped her reading it. I need to hear that and move forward.

What is inside me is stronger than what’s in my way.

I’ve got this.

The community needs it.

Ready.

Set.

Go.

Entrepreneur in the continuing

Or restarting…

Several times.

I’ve always believed in the power of being your own boss. Your own decision maker for your present. Your future.

I sold handmade potholders as a kid. Door to door. 25 cents.

I sold ‘stolen’ corn, door to door. Got it from the fields we played in every day. Little did my brother and I know that the corn wasn’t for human consumption; it was horse corn. We learned this when neighbors brought it to our house and told my dad. Maybe door to door has it’s disadvantages, if you are involved in a life of crime.

Babysitting. 50 cents an hour. I started sitting when I was about 12, didn’t stop until I was 28, I think. Probably 30ish different kids. Later I did make more than 50 cents an hour, but never make enough to live off of.

I’ve tried: Avon–you would think i would do great since, apparently, I like going door to door; Melaluca; essential oils; Tupperware; Amway; life insurance; Mary Kay; life coaching…

So, I guess, since I’m still as broke as I can be, to steal a Mark Cuban term, I’m a wantrepreneur. I WANT to do it, just haven’t found my niche.

I know what I will never do again–life insurance and securities. Hated talking the game about financial independence when i was destitute. I don’t lie well. I don’t wear make-up so those in that line were not a good fit. Most of the others were just too expensive.

Coaching? That is what I’m drawn to but I end up falling into the non-profit mindset and just donate my services. Can’t make a living on that. I havevdone good; women have returned. But is it because it was helpful or free? I can’t decide.

I have a book written. Send it to a publisher? Oh, that is just too frightening.

I have a training program developed. Launch it? Apparently that is too frightening, too.

Dang it, I need a coach.

Declaration of intent

Photo credit Our Soul Intent

Its time. I’ve played around, danced around my intent. I’ve questioned why, how, when without realizing that all those questions are only answered by me.

Why am I putting it all out there in the blog, on Facebook, in life? Because that’s what I do. Since I heard a domestic violence educator, Sarah Buel, tell her story of thriving post abuse, i realized that sharing one’s story empowers others to build theirs. I started sharing mine, not as the focus of the event, but as the “if it can happen to me–the abuse, the staying, the leaving, the living…it can happen to the person they love, especially if that person was themselves. Why talk intimately about my disability? Because we have not been expected to be out and about in society. To be okay. I’m okay. I want to show it. I like journaling the new things, problem-solving the pain in the ass parts.

How? It’s so dang easy now. I can blog anywhere on my phone as long as I took the time to charge it. Easy peasy. My biggest obstacle is promotion. Still a bit ‘shy’–few people would believe that! I have a couple of noncommitted readers, hopefully returning and will become followers. Will today be the day i promote on Facebook?

When, well, today.

Who am I?

I am a 61, for 50ish more days, year old mom of 3, grandma of 1. I dabble in art, thrive talking about domestic violence prevention, love nature. I’m a perplexed spiritual awakening woman who struggled sharing the photo because it states I ‘pray often, which I don’t do traditional ‘prayer’ in the sense of praying to a God. In this sense I am using the term as a way of sending out thoughts into the universe, both of concern and joy.

In this current state, its difficult not to say that I’m very politically motivated. I protest for social justice, I work diligently for accountability in those in elected positions.

I’m working on getting things done. I’m excited. I’m me.