Inner beauty and self-esteem can be your award winning virtues if you are five feet two inches tall, have passed Class 12 and belong to one of the three tribes of Lisu, Nah and Puroik.

It is not a beauteous sentence but the only way to sum up the quota system proposed for the three underprivileged tribes by the Miss Arunachal Beauty Pageant. Ahead of auditions for the 10th edition next month, the organisers of the contest have announced a direct entry by reserved quota for contestants from Lisu, Nah and Puroik minority tribes. The ethnic character of these tribes, their migration and roots in places as far as China or their history of political de-recognition followed by a deprived if restored citizenship in India makes them a very curious anthropological case study. But to offer them affirmative action via a beauty contest is a classic case of cross-wired and complicated social activism.

Arunachal Pradesh has been making a virtue out of positive discrimination. Last year, 59-year-old Hage Tado Nanya from Ziro village was crowned Mrs Arunachal. Married at 13, she participated to raise awareness against domestic violence, gender discrimination and polygamy. Many contestants in that pageant were victims of polygamy and violence.

Beauty contests have always had discrimination and commercial gain wired into their plumbing. The Miss Universe contest launched in 1952 a year after Miss World was a marketing stunt by Pacific Knitting Mills, a California clothing company after the winner of another rival pageant Miss America refused to wear one of its swimsuits. The point was to sell a swimsuit, not crown a woman for beings gods blue-eyed kid.

Such contests have long been debated as hotbeds of female objectification and commercial opportunism. They confuse the psychological self esteem of a person with her body attributes. But despite loud protests and sloganeering across the world, they have never really faded away from popular culture.

Even in these last two years when persuasive new arguments of colour, race, plus size and body positivism got added to fundamental feminist concerns, no society or country has weaned away entirely from beauty pageants.

Whats happened instead, including in India, is an improvisation of the beauty contest model. Beauty has not only become accepting of diversity but it is now outraged and activist like. The old contest model of dressing up, lining up, walking out before a jury to be judged for a set of agreed upon virtues, should have been scrapped to wipe out its inherent flaws. Instead it has been made bigger with room for the violated, the ostracised, the downtrodden, the gay, the married (thats a separate category of contests), the physically challenged and now the tribal. There are beauty contests for incarcerated women across the world. Bom Paston Womens Prison in Brazil holds a contest ironically titled Miss Jail whereas Lithuanias Penal Labour Colony calls it Miss Captivity.

In India too what we now have is an alternative culture of contests that still in some form worship the body positivism or whatever. Indias first transgender pageant Indian Super Queen was launched in 2010 by Laxmi Narayan Tripathi, the Mumbai-based transgender activist to reiterate the beauty and esteem of an otherwise ridiculed community. Mr Gay India, Nepals Ms Dalit Queen (launched in 2013) and a contest organised for visually challenged girls by Mumbais National Association for the Blind last year add to the list. What exactly are such contestants contesting for though is hard to define if it is not dressed up beauty?

Back to Miss Arunachal Pradesh.

The three tribes chosen via quota entry to the pageant come with a defensive explanation, which says it is to celebrate inner beauty and raise self confidence and self esteem. Whether self esteem is directly proportional to winning or participating in a beauty pageant has still not been proved by any scientifically designed anthropological study done with beauty queens across the world. But what is worse is creating reservation for an ideological and existential talent as vague as like inner beauty for which there are no barometers of measurement on a scale of 1 to 10.

The question we may need to address as a society is why in the first place do we need beauty contests to address societal issues like LGBT rights, or rehabilitate downtrodden tribes like the Lisu, Nah and Puroik?

Perhaps it is easier to find sponsors for events that glamourise anything victimhood, violence, natural and cosmetic beauty or physical handicaps but hard to raise a hue and cry on personal empowerment programmes that dont parade the dressed up body posturing to seek notice.

Shefalee Vasudev is a fashion journalist and author

The views expressed are personal

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Quota for three tribes in Arunachal pageant: Case of cross-wired activism - Hindustan Times

LAHORE:Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that more than 60 percent population of Pakistan consists of the youth and added that they are our precious asset and provision of resources for youth empowerment is a beneficial investment to secure the bright future of the country. The youth are a symbol of bright future and the nation has attached high hopes with its brilliant and talented youth.

In his message on the occasion of International Day of the Youth, Shehbaz Sharif said that the Punjab government has taken revolutionary steps for youth empowerment and welfare. He said that the purpose of the celebration of this day is to highlight the adoption of steps so that the youth can fully utilise their potential along with ensuring the solution of their problems.

He said that the talented youth of Pakistan has proved its mettle in every field and the government is giving special attention to improving their skills. Serious efforts are being made for the solution of problems of the youth at every level, he added. He said that educational stipends have been given to thousands of low-income families from Punjab Educational Endowment Fund so that their children could study without being burdened. Similarly, soft loans worth billions of rupees have been distributed to the jobless youth to economically empower them.

He vowed to change the destiny of the nation by giving latest knowledge to the youth and said that the dream of national development will be materialised by their empowerment.

COUNTRY PROSPEROUS BECAUSE OF NS:

In a statement issued on Friday, Shehbaz Sharif commenting on the Lahore-bound rally of Nawaz Sharif and his supporters, saying that the reception of Nawaz Sharif is proof of peoples tremendous love for him and it also shows that the masses want national development. He added that Nawaz Sharif and the people are inseparable.

The people have always reposed their full confidence over the policies of PML-N and the party has also adopted practical steps for national development, instead of indulging in any lip service, he said. Due to the wonderful policies of Nawaz Sharif, the country is fast moving towards prosperity and development, he added.

Shehbaz Sharif said that national development and public welfare are our prime targets, while the claimants of so-called change have wasted their time on roads during the last four years; instead of indulging in public service, negative politics has been their agenda, he said. He said the credit for setting up energy projects for getting rid of the darkness goes to the PML-N and Pakistan is also economically stronger than ever before.

He said that vibrant, prosperous and bright Pakistan is our destination and the defeated political cabal obstructing this journey are an enemy of the nation who has obstructed this public welfare program just for their personal gains. These are those elements which have been rejected by the people in general as well as in by-elections. These elements will face historic defeat in the General Elections of 2018, he added. He said that the popularity of the PML-N has diminished the politics of the opponents.

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Govt has taken revolutionary steps for youth empowerment: CM - Pakistan Today

Source: The HitavadaDate: 11 Aug 2017 10:18:12

Staff Reporter,

RAIPUR,

YOUNG Indians (Yi) Raipur Chapter organised a session on Youth Empowerment India (YEI) at RITEE College of Management, Raipur on Thursday. Learning and Development specialist and Mentor at YEI Lakshmanan Krish conducted the special session on Career Planning with the students. He equipped them with the tools that will help in designing their career plan.

While addressing the session, Lakshmanan emphasized on career planning of a student and asked them to align career on their interests, values, skills and preferences. He sensitized students for crafting careers based on personal talent, interest as well as personal situational and inspirational factors. These focused areas can be matched to future requirements in market rather than pursuing courses and jobs in just popular industries aimlessly, he added.

Laxanan also interacted with students on making them understand the current industry scenario which has witnessed huge gap is skilled resources in different sectors under influence of mass movement rather than crafted career planning. The different sectors of industry experience, excess availability vs low demand then the stress send tremors across the youth and associated families, he stated. Thus, YEI in association with Yi CII aims at helping youth to understand their personal interest, identify areas where they can naturally shine and create remarkable career journeys. This in turn will help the country to maintain equilibrium and self sufficiency of experts in different domains and industries that is natural impetus for growth.

It is worth mentioning that in the current year, under the youth drive, YEI is covering 20,000 plus students and driving over 10,000 kms across 12 statesin 21 days. States covered during the special initiative are Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi, Uttarakhand, UP, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, AP, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

Lakshmanan Krish holds expertise driving results through focus on key areas of Business Performance Intervention (BPI), Business Performance Acceleration (BPA), Peak Performance Intervention (PPI) and High Performance Organisation Building (HPOB). These specialized areas also include intervention and systematic support right from idea stage, to business plan, to executing and devising scalability and growth plans for different stages of organizations cycle.

Speaking on the occasion, Chair Yi Raipur Chapter Jugal Madnani said that the youth represents most dynamic and vibrant segment of the population with 65 per cent of the population being below age group of 35 years. Youth is the key factor in development and they are the most receptive to new ideas. They have least to loose and most to gain and therefore fear less and invest more in change.

As such, Yi Raipur Chapter along with the YEI drive, national initiative of Yi is trying to bring the change by covering 12 states pan India, Madnani maintained.

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Session on Youth Empowerment India by Yi at RITEE - The Hitavada

How do you measure reconciliation? Thats the question Im wrestling with, as I continue working on my investigation about reconciliation in small Canadian towns and it's leftme scratching my head.

Thats why Im canvassing academics for answers, including one whos examined what reconciliation looks like around the world (likeCyprus, for instance). But Ill have my work cut out for me. In its report Reconciliation In Practice, the nonpartisan United States Institute of Peace reported that indicators used to measure reconciliation including self-awareness, personal empowerment and motivation are generally weak, especially at the individual and government levels.

Can you refer me to someone whos done research into measuring reconciliation? Do you have suggestions for how it should be measured? Tell me viaFacebook,Twitteroremail.

I watched the fallout from last weeks decision by Petronas toshelveits Lelu Island LNG project on B.C.s north coast, which my colleagues atDiscourse Mediahavedocumentedextensively. Theonline bullying,intimidationandbickeringbetween Indigenous people otherwise known as lateral violence after the Petronas decision was particularly interesting to me.

Corporate and government officials who promote LNG projects to First Nations dont live in those communities, and dont have to deal with the fallout if a project is cancelled. According toTimes ColonistwriterLes Leyne, the benefits to First Nations were key selling points; they included alleviating poverty, boosting employment and community improvements. First Nations must take a critical look at how the promise of such benefits from these projectsimpactthe socio-cultural fabric of their communities.

Whereas some community members see benefits as practical, others view them as bribery. In a 2016Discourse Mediastoryabout the Lelu Island LNG project, the paving of a road in Lax Kwalaams is referred to in a benefits package circulated to community members as an inducement for good faith negotiations on LNG. Now that the Petronas deal is cancelled, theres no project to fight over but theres still infighting. If First Nations communities dont heal and learn from this, the same problem will play out over and over again.

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What does a reconciled town look like? - Toward Reconciliation

TRUCKEE, Calif.(BRAIN) QBP recognized several industry members at its recent SaddleDrive event at Northstar Resort here.

Leah Benson, the owner of Gladys Bikes in Portland, Oregon, received the Londonderry Award, which recognizes bicycle industry professionals who work to encourage, promote, and develop women's cycling and women in the cycling industry.

Gladys Bikes operates as a full-service repair and sales shop known just as much for its comprehensive Saddle Library as its inclusive environment.

"With a manifesto that includes statements such as, 'You fit in here. We promise,' Benson continues to stand out as a leading figure in generating more awareness about WTF (women, trans and femme) cyclists," QBP said.

Benson said, "In my original business plan for the shop, there was no talk about buying strategies, profits, long-term growth, or the like. Instead, the bulk of the 10+ page document outlined how the shop would work to encourage more women to ride, how we could develop a space that respected folks of all gender expressions, and how we would use bikes as a tool for personal empowerment and community building. Four years later, I now understand that we also have to turn a profit, but am still just as committed to cultivating a business with a purpose that goes beyond dollars and cents. And so, I'm beyond honored to have that aspect of the work of Gladys recognized. This means more than hitting any sales goal ever could."

Saris won QBP's Vendor of the Year Award, presented to companies and brands that not only have a strong partnership with QBP, but have worked with the company to both serve bike shops and advance the cycling industry.

QBP said, "Since its inception in 1989, Saris has been committed to keeping the independent bicycle retailer at the forefront of everything it does. Whether it be through community involvement, best-in-class dealer margins and marketing, or new innovative product, Saris is a prime example of a brand that is painting a bright future for independent bicycle retailers."

Saris founder Chris Fortune said, "When we look at our industry and the community, we've been very successful as a company and we're fortunate individually, and with that comes responsibility to give back, whether that's to the cycling community or the Madison community."

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QBP honors industry members at SaddleDrive - Bicycle Retailer

StarNews Editorial Board

Its nice to see people learn their history, but a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing.

Case in point: the Honorable Dallas Woodhouse, executive director of the North Carolina Republican Party.

Responding to a Democratic Party tweet Sunday on the anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, Woodhouse accused Democrats of being responsible for killing black people in Wilmington in 1898.

Well, technically, that's true. The perpetrators of the 1898 insurrection/coup -- who burned down a black-owned newspaper, forced the citys legally elected Republican leadership to resign, more or less at gunpoint, and killed an unknown number of black residents -- were overwhelmingly affiliated with the then-conservative Democratic Party.

But mostly, thats a cutesy debaters trick. A reasonable person realizes that the Democratic Party has changed over the past 120 years.

Following Woodhouses logic, perhaps Democrats should start tweeting about the GOPs role in the Great Depression and the number of Republicans who opposed entry into World War II, giving aid and comfort to the Nazis. Should we blame contemporary Republicans for the burning of Atlanta and Charleston during the Civil War?

In 1898, the North Carolina Democratic Party consisted entirely of white men. The state Democratic Party in 2017 includes a large number of African Americans. In fact, more than 80 percent of black registered voters in North Carolina are Democrats.

In the 1960s, with Democrats like John F. Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson and Terry Sanford supporting civil rights, and the attraction of Barry Goldwater and the GOPs Southern Strategy, white Southerners began to exit the Democratic Party. Most black voters have long since pledged allegiance to the Democrats.

Wed suggest that if Tar Heel Republicans want to make inroads among black voters, they not only disavow these type of antics, but also stop pursuing voting limitations that disproportionately affect African-Americans, and draw election districts that can at least pass the muster of the courts.

The Republican Party should be able to appeal to black Americans with a positive message, especially on issues like personal empowerment, economic opportunity and school choice.

So will Republicans reach out to black voters on those important issues, or is the state GOP content to let Woodhouse sit back and blast off his usual bromides, hoping to fire up the base and score cheap political points? Is that really the message they have for black voters?

No wonder only 3 percent of the states black registered voters are Republicans. Frankly, were surprised the number is that high.

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EDITORIAL, Aug. 9: Republican leader's 1898 tweet a pathetic ... - StarNewsOnline.com

Alameda County Women's Empowerment Program Among Best In The County Patch.com The program, offered in English and Spanish, helps women develop personal, professional and financial skills to assist them in breaking the cycle of violence and poverty. It also includes detailed job development sessions that serve as pathways to paid ...

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Alameda County Women's Empowerment Program Among Best In The County - Patch.com

Director-General National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Otunba Segun Runsewe has reiterated his pledge to unbundle the huge potential in culture sector to strategically drive the process of economic diversification in line with the government policy thrust.

Speaking in Abuja on the update for this years edition of African Arts and Crafts Expo, Runsewe recalled that on assumption of office some months ago, he made commitment to all Nigerians to reposition the Arts and Culture sector as a key player in the nations economy with the capacity to generate wealth and employment as well as contribute significantly to the nations Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

According to him, this informed the theme of this years edition of the expo; Our Culture: The Untapped Treasure, which he noted was carefully selected to draw attention to the vast opportunities in the sector, and mobilize Nigerians to take advantage of the opportunities therein for personal empowerment and the economic development of Nigeria. This years African Arts and Craft Expo, which promises to be the largest of its kind in Africa, holds between August 27th and September 17th at Abuja.

Runsewe disclosed that the council has embarked on wide and extensive consultations with stakeholders and key players in the industry, with a view to aggregating, harmonizing and mainstreaming all shades of opinions aimed at rebranding the Expo while also carrying out aggressive communication and marketing campaigns to raise national and international awareness for the event.

He noted that the responses so far were quite overwhelming saying, this has greatly encouraged us and further fueled our determination to expand the scope of the event and make the edition truly the best amongst its peers in Africa, in line with our leadership role in the continent.

On my assumption of office about three months ago, I made a firm commitment to all Nigerians to reposition the Arts and Culture sector as a key player in the nations economy with the capacity to generate wealth and employment as well as contribute significantly to the nations Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Accordingly, the new vision of the Council under my leadership is encapsulated in the statement culture: the new revenue base for Nigeria.

This vision statement is far from being a mere slogan. It is borne out of our firm conviction that there are abounding opportunities in the Arts and Culture Sector that could be harnessed and channeled towards reinventing our economy.

He assured that he alongside his management was leaving no stone unturned in making this years exposition a unique one featuring unprecedented and memorable events especially in packaging and delivery.

He stated that the massive construction and renovation works ongoing at the site affirming the essence was to give practical expression to the determination of elevating the exposition to an international standard that Nigeria and the whole of Africa would be proud of.

In his words, before this time, the expo had been held here on a bare, dusty and uneven ground. We have now graded and tarred the main bowl of the exhibition arena, measuring about 1.5 hectares. We plan to also do landscaping and beautification.

On issues of security, he said that we now have a police post within the premises of the village for 24-hour security cover. For the first time, we have illuminated the entire village with flood lights. We are also constructing and renovating environment-friendly public utilities to make the arena a conducive social environment for our exhibitors, delegates and clients.

Innovations expected at AFAC 2017 include, skill acquisition programme in order to build or enhance the capacity of our creative artists in various areas, Chefs will be invited to teach Nigerians and non-Nigerians alike the rudiments of Nigerian cuisines, experts would also be available to teach interested participants the simple ways of communicating in our major indigenous languages, there will be hosting of Cultural Attaches in Nigeria to a Pre-AFAC Dinner including an Investment Round-Table during the main event amongst others.

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Runsewe repackages AFAC - The Nation Newspaper

By Gabriel Olawale

The Director-General of the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Otunba Segun Runsewe has re-iterated his pledge to unbundle the huge potentials in the culture sector to strategically drive the process of economic diversification in line with the policy thrust of the present administration.

Speaking ahead of the forthcoming African Arts and Craft Expo, AFAC slated for August 27th to September 17th in Abuja, Runsewe said the theme of this years edition of African Arts and Crafts Expo; Our Culture: The Untapped Treasure, was carefully selected.

The theme was carefully selected to draw attention to the vast opportunities in the sector, and mobilize Nigerians to take advantage of the opportunities therein for personal empowerment and the economic development of Nigeria, he said.

While seeking the support of the mass media in a bid to ensure maximum media coverage of the event, Runsewe said; On my assumption of office about three months ago, I made a firm commitment to all Nigerians to reposition the Arts and Culture sector as a key player in the nations economy with the capacity to generate wealth and employment as well as contribute significantly to the nations Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Accordingly, the new vision of the Council under my leadership is encapsulated in the statement culture: the new revenue base for Nigeria.

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NCAC boss solicits support for African Expo - Vanguard

When Erik Cole was elected to council in Nashville in 2003, predatory lending was already a hot issue in his district, which included parts of East Nashville.

My district had a corridor that still has a significant number of pawn shops and payday loan stores, says Cole, who also encountered predatory loan cases in his job as executive director of the Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services. In 2003 when I ran, the biggest comment I heard was, can we not have any more of that in our neighborhood. That was from rich, poor, black, white.

Cole worked with other council members to pass zoning legislation to restrict new pawn shops, payday lender storefronts, adult bookstores and some other unsavory businesses, he says, on that corridor. Unfortunately, Tennessee Quick Cash, a payday lender with one storefront already on the corridor and plans to open a second, successfully sued the city to lift the restrictions. Since then, the city has passed new measures, which payday lenders continue to try to circumvent.

In 2013, Cole left council and became the first director of the citys Office of Financial Empowerment. In his new capacity, Cole led Nashvilles adoption of the Financial Empowerment Centers (FEC) model, originally pioneered in New York City. The results of that work were published today by the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund (CFE), the Bloomberg Philanthropies-funded initiative that supports the expansion of the FEC model to other cities.

The centers provide free, professional, one-on-one financial counseling for clients as a public service. Cities bring a local university onboard to train counselors from nonprofits. Nashville partnered with Belmont University and United Way. Counselors are typically embedded, full-time or part-time, at a site where other public services are provided, like welfare or food stamps or community health clinics.

CFEs newly released findings cover the period from 2013 to 2015. In Nashville, out of 1,708 FEC clients over that period who returned for at least a second visit (allowing the program to track outcomes), 302 clients reduced their debt, 231 increased their credit score, 220 increased their savings, and 175 clients opened or transitioned to a conventional bank account over that period.

Philadelphia, Denver, Lansing and San Antonio also adopted the model. Overall, 5,305 FEC clients across the five cities recorded 14,493 outcomes over the 30-month evaluation period, adding up to a reduction of $22.5 million in cumulative personal debt and an increase of $2.7 million in cumulative saving.

We found our best integrations were in workforce development and job placement sites, domestic violence shelters, and prison reentry programs, says Cole.

One of Nashvilles part-time FEC sites was at the Tony Sudekum and J.C. Napier public housing communities, in partnership with a Jobs Plus program site (HUDs onsite workforce development program that provides a springboard to new careers for public housing residents).

When NYC pioneered the FEC model, it started with just one site, in the Bronx, with private philanthropic support from the insurance industry, including AIG. This was back in 2008, when the company was at the epicenter of the financial crisis. Demand for services was high, which prompted the program to expand to three other NYC sites in 2009, still with only philanthropic funding. After there was evidence of sufficient demand and sufficient quality of services in terms of outcomes for clients, in 2011 the city picked up the bill and scaled up the program, which is now offered at 22 sites around NYC.

The national replications are following suit, with 100 percent private funding for the centers in the first three years. Of 48 cities that expressed interest in the model, five were chosen based on an evaluation of each citys relationships with local partners and other assets.

The biggest thing was, who wanted us, what agencies had already identified financial coaching and counseling was an element that could drive good outcomes for them, says Cole. NYCs model was great because we knew where to start, places where benefits were provided, places where case management services happen, where domestic violence intake happens.

Each city tweaked the model. In Nashville, Cole explains, they had to account for a larger base of homeowners compared to NYC, where a majority of households rent, especially low-income households. They also tracked the household impact of payday lending, which is outlawed in New York state.

In terms of reach, across the five-city replication, the median monthly income of FEC clients was $1,535, 70.6 percent were women, 62.1 percent had children, and 42 percent were employed full-time (14 percent were employed part-time).

In terms of housing, 53.5 percent of FEC clients were renters, 21.8 percent were homeowners, 12.8 percent reported living with family or friends, 3.4 percent lived in public housing, and 6.5 percent reported being homeless. Nearly 47 percent of FEC clients across the five cities were black, 26.2 percent were Latino, and 17.5 percent were white. Ninety-three percent of clients were U.S. citizens.

Similar to NYC, since CFEs funding ended, cities have picked up the programs and funded them, in full or in part. Cole still oversees the Nashville effort in his new position as the citys chief resilience officer. Its a natural connection to me to think about what is a persons personal financial resilience and what is the impact of that on the community, he says.

The period in which these FEC replications took place has also been a transformative time for the financial empowerment field. New insights and data coming out of the U.S. Financial Diaries Project, especially the publication of The Financial Diaries earlier this year, have dramatically shifted perspectives on how to do this work. Among other insights, the financial diaries research found that for about five months a year, households earned incomes that were either 25 percent higher or lower than their yearly average income.

Other researchers are taking note. Income volatility is the new reality for a majority of American households, according to a Pew study this year that took inspiration from the financial diaries work.

It is truly transformative for our industry, says Jonathan Mintz, founding president of CFE. Its that granular of a reimagining and understanding of what people are going through and how they really think about getting through not their year, not their month, but their week.

Mintz, who led the creation and expansion of FECs in NYC as commissioner of the Department of Consumer Affairs under Mayor Michael Bloomberg, gives an example of somebody who has to replace a broken muffler within the next two weeks before the neighbors start complaining. So they save $200 over the next two weeks, but because they had to spend those savings within the same month for a new muffler, the FEC counselor wasnt capturing that data on monthly or yearly snapshots.

One of the things that we heard from counselors and that we learned from the financial diaries is, if you take a monthly or yearly snapshot on how somebody builds savings, youre missing all the energy in between that came and went, says Mintz.

CFE is now supporting a pilot on top of existing FEC replications in Philadelphia and Nashville to learn what happens when they start to document and support shorter-term savings goals.

Were now starting to measure what are your shorter-term savings goals, what are your shorter-term savings successes, and were measuring whether were capturing a lot of the information were missing of effort and success, says Mintz.

Through the existing FEC client surveys, which also ask questions like how much control do clients feel they have over their own finances, CFE is also trying to measure whether acknowledging the more granular efforts and successes make FEC clients feel more control over their finances.

In other words, if somebody is feeling like these shorter-term victories are being called out and acknowledged, does that make them feel empowered sooner, and does that make them start investing in these energies more, says Mintz.

Maybe FEC clients know more about financial literacy than most people give them credit for. Maybe what they need isnt more information, but more support.

Its not that literacy doesnt matter, its that when people are in trouble they need help, they dont need information, Mintz adds. This should not be a box that should be checked off so easily.

More help is coming. Also today, CFE announced it has opened the application process to replicate the FEC program in 12 more cities or counties.

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Here's What Financial Empowerment Centers Accomplished in 5 ... - Next City

Not one to do things by half measures, Nidhika Bahl is an author, entrepreneur, international speaker, success coach and owner of a media company. She shares her success story to date and how Joyce Meyer changed her life.

Her weekly episodes on The Game of Life TV are intended to leave viewers more motivated, inspired and equipped to turn their dreams into reality:

Quite the powerhouse, heres how she does it

Nidhika Bahl, Queen of the Comeback.

One day, I came across a book called Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer. I loved the contents of the book and I had a huge urge to look up Joyce Meyer so I went straight to Google and searched for her name. What came up was a Youtube recording of one of Joyces many womens conferences. I started watching the video, hoping that something she might say in the video would give me the answer that I was seeking. Half the video went by and there was nothing I was disappointed! Nevertheless, I kept pushing myself to keep listening. Somewhere around the 40-minute mark, a lady in the audience raised her hand to ask Joyce a question. To my shock she asked Joyce the exact Why me question that had been playing in my mind. I was so excited! I still remember that moment, I felt a chill go down my spine, and I had goosebumps all over my body.

I jumped up on my seat eagerly waiting for Joyces response. And then Joyce said something that changed the entire course of my life! She said, You hurt, you heal, you help. Her words resonated with me so much that they went straight though my heart into my whole being.

Those words from Joyces mouth changed the entire direction of my life and made me the person that I am today. I have never met Joyce and she definitely has no clue that I exist. But, six words from her mouth You hurt, you heal, you help, changed my entire life. This is when I began my quest for personal leadership, empowerment and intentional living.

The book includes stories of vision and belief, passion and persistence, struggles and setbacks of seven individuals that became key players in their domain. Each of the stories is from a different field and presents a different face, yet the soul remains the same the ability to fight against all odds to come up victorious. Through these stories I reveal a pathway for living that empowers the readers to adapt to change and gives them the wisdom to take advantage of the opportunities that come with each and every obstacle in life. The books message is simple Dont surrender to misery another day. Take steps towards unlocking and unleashing the magic inside you and create your own breakthrough to a magnificent life!

As far as managing time for my personal life is concerned, I start my day early in the morning. Thats when I do my planning for the day ahead and set up my goals for the day. This is also the time when I do most of my writing. Then I spend my day engaging with my training and coaching clients through various social media platforms. I typically do one free seminar or webinar every week and I do two live weekend workshops every month. Apart from that I take up two to three speaking engagements in a month. Thats not a whole lot of work really, so Im not busy through the day and have the freedom to design my own schedule. I like to balance my life on a daily basis, and I do this by watching movies and reading because both these activities are super relaxing for me.

I took to full-time theatre with Ank Theatre Group in Mumbai and performed in numerous plays under the direction of the late Shri Dinesh Thakur at the famous Prithvi Theatre in Juhu, Mumbai. This is where I was offered a freelance job with a media company. During my stint with them, I literally did everything for their corporate client vertical from idea initiation, client servicing, creative direction, and job execution to final delivery. I started loving my new work so much that I took the decision to start my own media company, and this is what led to the birth of Parallel Circles Entertainment.

I formed Parallel Circles Entertainment in 2006 with an intention to produce quality content for the corporate sector, as well as TV and cinema. As the founder and creative director of Parallel Circles Entertainment, I had the privilege of working with some of the best names in the corporate industry, such as P&G, Gillette, E-City Films, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Neev Group, Voltas, Akzo Nobel, CRY Shiksha, Zoya by Tata and many more.

Seems Bahls certainly found the secret to successfully living her best life and bouncing back from life's many obstacles.

Contact Bahl through the following channels for more: email: moc.lhabakihdin@akihdin | web | Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram | Youtube

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#WomensMonth: Queen of the Comeback on speaking up - Bizcommunity.com

Self empowerment implies self belief, trust, and self leadership. Being self empowered, you will KNOW you have an active role in creating the future of your dreams.

As soon as you trust yourself, you will know how to live. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

In order to trust yourself, you must know yourself! Explore your passion, purpose, your values and priorities through your personal mission development. Find out who you are!

Then, cultivate your personal success and fulfillment by giving yourself a fertile and stable internal environment. This translates to an attitude that is:

When I was a child, my mother had a small patch of ground by the side of the house that she called a garden!?!

During the 2 years of this garden, I was occasionally asked to help work in it. It was a bit of a joke. The soil seemed about 95% clay, and the seeds she planted would rarely become anything more than a sprout. A few very hardy seeds and a few weeds would persist, but it was a fairly futile exercise.

I had an aunt who lived on the same street. She cultivated the soil in her yard, tilling and adding manure and fertilizer. She found out about the vegetables she planted and gave them the best conditions to encourage vibrant growth. She had a lush garden and it was a joy to see the plants thriving in it. It was even more fun to eat her fresh homemade pumpkin pie at harvest time!

The simple difference was that she offered the seeds and plants the healthy environment that encouraged what they did naturally. And thats what we want to do, create a vibrant healthy personal environment that will encourage our self development and motivation.

These elements may be viewed as the requisites to a healthy inviting environment for self growth.

If you are serious about enjoying fresh organic goodies from your own personal growth garden cultivate these:

What is your Self Concept telling you? Whether positive or negative, it is talking in your ear every day. Is it helping you achieve your goals?

You can wield personal power with positive self talk. There is one caveat your subconscious power must be working with you. When the subconscious is in alignment with your highest wishes, it is supporting the same constructive ideas as your positive thinking self talk. This is powerful.

High Self Esteem is a major component of self empowerment. It births self confidence and great trust in your own abilities. It doesnt mean you have to always be right. It means you are inwardly prepared to face whatever life serves up.

When do you think your self esteem and self concept began developing? Yes, just about the time of consciousness. How do habits, attitudes, beliefs, and values impact this ongoing development?

There are three main causes of low self esteem. Fortunately building self esteem is achievable and ongoing.

Understand how your beliefs and values, and subconscious programming can be aligned by you. Yes, it comes down to you,.. it is self esteem self help.

Self Motivation is at the beginning of be, do, have.

What self motivation seeds ensure you are planting SUCCESS motivation? Motivate yourself properly to start with, and youll love your life.

Learn the necessities for success motivation and build higher with these.

These five skills are easy self help motivation abilities to acquire, and will enhance not only your self motivation, but also your success.

Think back to previous hopes and dreams, and the success you have achieved in your life. You can see that you had an underlying belief in yourself that you would be able to accomplish those particular things. Whether it was learning to ride a bike, or play a musical instrument,or graduate from university,.. whatever you have achieved, you believed that you could. You were self empowered for that pursuit.

The structure of society has often encouraged people to defer to an expert and trust them unconditionally rather than foster belief in oneself. Many of us have grown with this understanding that there are experts who will tell us how to do whatever it is we are interested in. Society has taught us that self improvement advice is forthcoming from physicians for better health, religious leaders to tell us what god to believe in, and psychiatrists to solve our emotional and mental health problems.

Experts of course have an abundance of knowledge and may be great resources. Empowered individuals take an active role in learning, sharing thoughts and ideas with other experts, instead of glibly believing and accepting what apparent authorities promote. It may seem like a bit of work sometimes, taking primary responsibility in ones own self development. It is certainly a life change in attitude for people who have become accustomed to depending on anothers viewpoint or justification, rather than cultivating knowledge and belief in oneself. When the effort is expended to achieve self empowerment, you will find the riches that much sweeter.

By becoming more aware of our self concept, improving self esteem, and increasing self motivation, our self knowledge and confidence build. It is a natural progression to trusting ourselves and our life inspiration.

As personal leadership development unfolds, our sense of being active creative participants in life also grows. This internal state of self empowerment is a dynamic platform to move forward from in our personal development plan.

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Self Empowerment Appears Fundamental For Personal Development

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Personal Empowerment | Prometheism.net - Part 31

Jill Johnson is a three-time cancer survivor with a lifelong passion for helping others through fine jewelry. She relied on her 27 years as a sought-after importer, manufacturer and wholesaler to the jewelry trade to design a beautiful, meaningful jewelry collection that could also empowerand unitea larger community. Johnsons Minneapolis-based fine jewelry company, Jilco Inc., has been giving back to organizations like the Fistula Foundation (in partnership with Oprah Winfrey) and the Children's Cancer Research Fund since 1989.

How has your life experience made you the leader you are today?

My life experience has taught me to be resilient, a lesson I learned from a very early age. I was diagnosed with cancer at eleven years old, the first of three cancer occurrences. Facing your own mortality as a child is maturing and formative but also empowering in that you are more willing to take risks in order to pursue your dreams. These experiences taught me to be a decisive, bold, and hardworking leader and gave me an appetite for entrepreneurship.

How has your previous employment experience aided your tenure at AWE?

I spent the last 28 years running Jilco, the jewelry manufacturing and wholesale business I founded in my early 20s. This experience combined with my cancer survivorship is what enabled me to recognize a gap in the marketplace: survivors lack a meaningful and enduring gift that is unifying and commemorative of their triumph over adversity. In designing AWEs inaugural collection, I leveraged both my creative expertise and industry contacts to create a medallion that both symbolizes the resilience of survivors and is crafted to last a lifetime.

What have the highlights and challenges been during your tenure at AWE?

AWE is built around our mission of gifting and giving back. We create meaningful gifts that honor, unite, and celebrate the triumphs of survivors, and donate 20% of each sale to one of our four charity partners. Our mission-driven, luxury-goods business model is largely new to the market, which has been a challenge, and necessitates a certain level of market education.

However, creating a community that unites and empowers survivors who have turned adversity into opportunity has been one of the most rewarding and fulfilling experiences of my life! The fact that we have been able to connect those in need with those who have triumphed is a signal to me that this is something the world needs. The organic community response to our mission has been deeply moving.

What advice can you offer to women who want a career in your industry?

The jewelry industry has evolved dramatically since I started 35 years ago. Back then bridal jewelry encapsulated the industry. Nowadays modern, empowered women are purchasing jewelry for themselves and others, and there is a growing appreciation for craft, design and meaning as millennials chose brands that are a true reflection of their lifestyle and values. In addition, e-commerce is completely disrupting the jewelry purchasing experience.

My advice to young professionals interested in the jewelry industry:

What is the most important lesson youve learned in your career to date?

Know what you're good at. My expertise is in jewelry sales and manufacturing: I understand the manufacturing process, supply chain, design trends, and pricing strategy. Now through AWE Im using this skill-set to accomplish my goal of giving back. Its important to remind yourself of your accomplishments and push yourself to grow further in the professional areas youre passionate about.

How do you maintain a work/life balance?

I believe finding balance is about dedication, consistency and accepting that its not an easy process! My time is currently split between my two businesses: the one I've run for 28 years and my startup AWE. Additionally, its always been important for me to dedicate time with my sons, my greatest sources of joy and inspiration.

To accomplish this I physically schedule out my time--including the things I need to do and want to do--on an elaborate system of post-its, and I stick to it! I've learned to prioritize my physical and mental health by incorporating them into my daily routine. I go to gyrotonic three times a week and schedule my mornings around it. I meditate before work for greater mental clarity.

What do you think is the biggest issue for women in the workplace?

Women face a number of issues in the workplace today (from combatting biases to gender inequality), and often lack support in dealing with them. On top of that women are searching for ways to have it all: a successful career, a healthy and stable family, physical and mental well-being, and some semblance of a social life. Often somethings gotta give, which is unfair because its not usually that way for men.

When adversity like illness or trauma takes women off their course, it can be especially devastating, which is why it is central to AWEs mission to elevate stories of empowerment and support organizations that provide immediate aid to those in need.

My advice to women is to support one another in the workplace when it comes to both personal and professional goals! In doing this we become united, and that can only make us stronger.

How has mentorship made a difference in your professional and personal life?

My late uncle was my most stable guiding figure through the early years of my career. When I turned 18 I moved from St. Paul, Minnesota to New York City and worked multiple jobs on 47th Street in the Diamond District to pay for my education. My uncle, who owned a dozen womens retail clothing stores in Minnesota, would take me along to his Market Week appointments in NYC, educating me on buying and negotiation. We would attend these meetings throughout the day and Broadway shows at night, a ritual I continue to this day with my son who lives in New York.

My uncle encouraged me to take all I learned from the New York jewelry industry back to Minneapolis and start Jilco. He instilled in me a strong sense of self, a confidence to go after what I want, and a compassionate leadership style.

Which other female leaders do you admire and why?

Michelle Obama inspires me with her grace, intelligence, and drive. She leveraged her position of power to make unprecedented impact in areas like health education and promotion of the arts. Moreover she effected change through compassionate and respectful rhetoric, reminding me to be the kindest leader I can be.

Ive always been fascinated by Frida Khalo. Her life was tumultuous to say the least, but she turned her hardships into inspiration. She broke gender barriers in the art world and explored the concept of gender through her paintings in a way that was uniquely feminine. I admire her fierce individualism and sense of personal style.

What do you want AWE to accomplish in the next year?

If we succeed in our mission, AWE will change the conversation around survivorship to one that is more empowering and inclusive, build a platform and community for inspiration, and directly impact the lives of survivors in need through our meaningful donations.

We hope that people will choose AWE as a lifelong symbol of strength, hope and resilience, which is everlasting and powerful by design. This next year we are focused on building out the respective areas of our business so we can maximize our impact in a scalable and sustainable way.

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Women in Business Q&A: Jill Johnson, Founder, Jilco Inc - HuffPost

An art exhibit by Dorothy Netherland opens Thursday at The Southern, 2 Carlson Ct., exploring issues of identity, transformation and personal power from the context of being a mother of a teenage daughter.

Netherland's art coalesces photographs of her daughter's face with bodies from fashion magazines and then overloads imagery. These creations are inspired by the complexities and contradictions involved in crafting an identity in the modern age.

Inspirations include constantly shifting perceptions, seeking validation through online self-documentation and both the empowerment and anxiety involved in this self-documentation.

My daughter is in a time of life which is so open to possibility, and her ideas about her identity as separate from her parents is still forming," says Netherland. "Identity is complex and multi-faceted, and social media allows us to try out multiple personas. Girls today are aware of it as a power tool and means of self-expression.

But, like fashion, which constantly changes, its a challenge to stay relevant and fresh ... Im interested in the mixed messages of girl power and the way female strength and empowerment can resemble branding. In a personal way, my work contemplates the current culture, and my daughters growing involvement in it.

The opening reception takes place from 6-8 p.m. Thursday.

Reach Kalyn Oyerat 843-371-4469. Follow her on Twitter @sound_wavves.

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FanGirl opens at The Southern, exploring issues of identity, transformation and personal power - Charleston Post Courier

BEACON Hudson River Sloop Clearwater welcomed 12 participants onboard this July for a two-day program aimed at empowering and educating the Hudson Valleys LGBTQ community.

Clearwaterfirst launched this groundbreaking environmental education and leadership training program for youth who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Allies in 2009.

This year participants were involved in a wide range of physical and academic activities in small groups and as a team. Under the supervision of Clearwater educators, the group set sail, deployed fish nets, re-wrote sea shanties, and camped overnight beside the river in Ulster County. The group also examined development of environmental and LGBTQ movements, and explored how to be a leader in both. The group exchanged personal stories about their lives in the LGBTQ community and offered encouragement and guidance to one another.

Many ofClearwatersformer crew who identify as members of the LGBTQ community returned to talk about their experiences as sailors and in other professions.Queerwater is an amazing program that I participated in as a crew member in the past, said Captain Aleythea Dolstad. This year, it was so gratifying to be able to sail with the Hudson Valley LGBTQ community as their captain.

Kristen Lovell was the special guest speaker, talking to the participants about community leadership, personal challenges, and the opportunities available to them today.

This August, Clearwater will gear up to host two more youth empowerment programs: Young Women at the Helm and Young Men at the Helm.Young Women and Young Men at the Helm introduce Hudson Valley youth to the river through an intensive three day leadership training program. Annually, 20-25 young women and young men are accepted to these programs and participate in various on-board and shore basedactivities. Hudson River Sloop Clearwater offers a variety of ecology-based experiences to thousands of youth and adults each year. Clearwater makes it a priority to reach out to urban and rural areas and minorities who are often underserved in this capacity.

Clearwaters youth empowerment programs are free to participants and sponsored through contributions made to Clearwater.

Visitwww.clearwater.orgfor more information.

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Clearwater Hosts Onboard LGBTQ + Allies Youth Empowerment Program - Hudson Valley News Network

Collective Evolution

The Double Eclipse Gateway Is On Its Way & There Is A Global Synchronized Meditation Collective Evolution This is also when Orion becomes aligned with the three pyramids of Giza, all aligning in the constellation of Leo, the sign of personal empowerment. It is said that a gateway of opportunity occurs at this time, to rebirth yourself and step into a ...

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The Double Eclipse Gateway Is On Its Way & There Is A Global Synchronized Meditation - Collective Evolution

Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards called abortion non-negotiable in a series of tweets Tuesday responding to comments made by the Chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee that the DCCC does not have an abortion litmus test for candidates.

The CEO of the nations largest abortion provider tweeted that Womens health & rights are non-negotiable incl. access to safe, legal abortion. Well hold any politician who says otherwise accountable.

She also argued that access to safe, legal abortion is central to womens economic empowerment and bodily autonomy, and tweeted agreement with a New York Times article arguing that there is no economic equality without the ability to terminate a pregnancy.

Given Richards' position at the helm of an organization that ended the lives of 328,348 unborn babies in the past year alone, her tweets are relatively unsurprising. However, Richards said something slightly different in April when asked about DNC Chair Tom Perezs comment that all Democratic candidates need to support abortion.

Is it difficult right now to be a pro-life Democrat?" NBCs Nicole Wallace asked her at the time. "Do you guys make it difficult?

Oh, I don't think so, she replied, saying, abortion is one of these issues that it is I think shouldn't be politicized.

I think its actually a very deeply personal issue, and I respect folks having their own personal feelings about it, she continued. I think the question is, what should the government be doing about it? And so, I think theres are there are room for people to have their own personal opinions without saying, Well, Im going to make everybody else abide by my own my own views.

If abortion is non-negotiable and central to womens economic empowerment and bodily autonomy how can it also be a personal issue that shouldnt be politicized with room for peoples personal opinions?

Much of the far lefts reaction to the news that the DCCC might fund pro-life Democrats has been anger and hysteria. The question remains whether Democrats who vote based on the belief that abortion ends a human life will be tolerated in the party or if they will remain but be asked to keep their views as personal opinions and vote in line with the party on abortion.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) seemed to be open to the existence of pro-life Democrats in their comments on the controversy over Perezs comments.

This is the Democratic Party. This is not a rubber-stamp party, Pelosi told The Washington Post, adding that she grew up in a very devout Catholic family, and saying, my family, extended family are not pro-choice. You think Im kicking them out of the Democratic Party?

I am strongly pro-choice, and I will fight, Sen. Warren told The Huffington Post but added, I recognize that not all of my colleagues agree with me. Ill do everything I can to persuade them, but they are my colleagues, and thats just how it is with the Democrats.

A recent Gallup poll found that only 43 percent of Americans consider abortion to be morally acceptable. There are 21 million pro-life Democrats, or roughly a quarter of the party, some of whom feel betrayed by the partys platform on abortion.

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Cecile Richards's Confusing Stance on Pro-Life Democrats - Townhall

The memorial service for Daniel C. Marshall, 61, of High Forest Township, will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 4, at the United Methodist Church in Stewartville, with the Rev. Wane Souhrada officiating. Burial will follow at High Forest Cemetery in High Forest.

Mr. Marshall died unexpectedly on Sunday, July 30, 2017, of natural causes, in rural High Forest Township.

Daniel Collins Marshall was born on Oct. 15, 1955, in Stewartville to Roy and Betty Jo (Collins) Marshall. He grew up in rural High Forest Township and attended Stewartville schools, graduating from Stewartville High School in 1973. He enlisted into the Army serving for four years. Following his honorable discharge in 1978, he returned to Minnesota and attended Thief River Vocational School receiving his certificate in welding. Dan returned to High Forest and made his home on the Marshall family homestead.

He was employed with his Uncle Duane and sons at Collins Masonry for 10 years. Dan was then employed at Hormel Co. in Austin for 28 years until his retirement in 2014.

Dan was married on Sept. 11, 2010, in High Forest to Jo Lynn "Jody" Stuber (Street). The couple have made their home on the Marshall family homestead. Jody was employed as a nurse at Mayo Clinic in Rochester for 34 years until her retirement. She is currently employed as an equine specialist at H.O.P.E. (Horses Offer Personal Empowerment) in Rochester.

Dan was a member of the UFCWU Local 9 (United Food and Commercial Workers Union). He enjoyed the outdoors and was an avid deer hunter, fisherman, and liked gardening, canning ,cutting wood, mowing the yard and land conservation. He was serious about raising chickens, his pickles, Nascar and #3. He loved time spent with friends and family, especially his wife, Jody and his stepchildren.

Dan is survived by his wife, Jody Marshall; one stepson, Anthony Street of Rochester; two stepdaughters, Corey Street (Sam Benson) of Minneapolis and Ericka Street of Rochester; his mother, Betty Jo Marshall; and two sisters, Cindy Grundmeier and Debra Marshall (Doug Erickson) all of Hines, Minn.; and one brother, Bruce Marshall of Colville, Wash.

He was preceded in death by his father, Roy; and a brother, Tom Marshall.

A time of visitation will take place from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 3, at Griffin-Gray Funeral Home in Stewartville and one hour prior to the service Friday at the United Methodist Church.

Arrangements are with Griffin-Gray Funeral Home in Stewartville. http://www.griffin-gray.com.

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Daniel C. Marshall -- High Forest Township - Post-Bulletin

From left: Ashley Reid, founder and CEO of Wellist; Dusty Donaldson, founder of LiveLung; Chuck Gershman, co-founder, president and COO of Kuveda; and moderator Howard Krein, CMO of StartUp Health

One thing is clear: There are a plethora ofstakeholders in the healthcare ecosystem. And in trying to bring everyone together, we often neglect to tie in the most important part of the equation: the patient.

In a panel at MedCity CONVERGE, a group of panelists touched on the significance of patient engagement, particularly in oncology care. Perhaps unsurprisingly, all three panelists have personal ties to cancer. KuvedaCOO Chuck Gershmans father was diagnosed with cancer, Wellist CEO Ashley Reids mother had breast cancer and LiveLung founder Dusty Donaldson is a lung cancer survivor.

Due in part to their experiences, they each formed their own organizations.

Gershman co-founded Kuveda, a company that utilizes analytics and genomics to create cancer treatment options unique to each patient. Reid founded Wellist, which works to ensure healthcare organizations are giving patients access to their nonclinical needs. And Donaldsons LiveLung seeks to spread awareness of and support patients with lung cancer.

While the startups go about it differently, they all share the same goal: to empower the patient.

Kuveda wants to do so through personalized medicine. This year, approximately 14 million people are going to be diagnosed with cancer globally, Gershman said. But only 200,000 to 300,000 of them are going to get access to precision medicine. The company wants to bridge that gap.

Wellist looks at patient engagement a little differently. It provides its clients (such UPMC Hillman Cancer Center) with analytics solutions and the tools to connect patients with supportive communities. We exist to be a one stop shop so patients and nurses can get connected to organizations like Dustys, Reid said.

LiveLung exists to advocate for patients and to end the stigma surrounding lung cancer. By working with cancer centers and nurse navigators, its primary mission is to serve the lung cancer population.

And for each of the companies, technology is one of the keydrivers of ensuring patients are engaged with their diagnosis and treatment options.

Gershman, whose organization is in the process of building a patient portal, neatly summarized the mindset of patients today: Its no longer the doctor is God.' Instead, theyre looking online to find information.

Donaldson agreed. Patients are Googling. Caregivers are Googling, she noted. The Internet is definitely a huge player. Websites not only serve as a tool for patients to find information, but also for survivors to share their stories and connect.

Whether through tech or other means, empowerment comes down to recognizing that each individual has different needs.

Patient engagement is really getting to the heart of the patient whos going through whatever theyre going through, Donaldson concluded.

Photo: Justin Lawrence

Originally posted here:

Want to empower patients? Look to technology - MedCity News

Embed from Getty Images We read a lot about motivating factors for entrepreneurs: having self-belief, never giving up, failing fast, continuing to look forward. And its mostly good stuff. But Ive found that sometimes there is something deeper. Something that supports these traits which is more personal and more impactful than just believing in oneself. Here are four things I have found having a meaningful bearing on our mental health, and ultimately our careers.

1. Its never about business, its all about whatever you love the most. For me, my children matter more to me than anything in business. I almost lost sight of that at one point. Not that I forgot I loved my kids, but too often I overlooked being present and showing it. Dont allow your stress and pressure get in the way of the one source of strength that will always be there for you. The ones who love you unconditionally.

2. Have a loving support network around you. Things will go wrong, go south, and be difficult to handle. Having those around you who will understand and offer compassion will give you strength to move forward. Sometimes a person just listening and telling you it will be all right is enough. The hug of a loved one, the compassion of a loving listener, the arm around your shoulder. It can have a profound impact on your decision making.

3. Be a strong co-leader of your family. Learning to lead in business means nothing if you sacrifice the opportunity to be a loving and strong co-leader for your family. You and your parental counterpart, regardless of your marital situation, are who your children look to when they experience the world. Their morals, their ethics, their care for others, their respect for others: They learn it all from you. You cannot hide from this. They are your opportunity to learn how leading impacts others. The most respected business leaders know this and treat their employees this way. They learn it in the most important place, their home.

4. Control doesnt matter. Cooperation and interdependence do. Supporting others in a way they say helps them be a better person, matters. Their love for you supporting them and vice versa, your acceptance of them as an individual with thoughts, feelings, and life goals, your humility to equality and the capable contribution of others, is what will produce trust and drive you all forward.

The feeling of success in life is unique, precious, and incredibly focusing. Nothing in business will ever fully give you this, even the feeling of accomplishment from signing a huge deal or selling your business. This only matters when you have someone to share it with. Someone you love, and someone that loves you and makes you happy. Someone who can say they are proud of you. Someone to acknowledge that your hard work has paid off. And when it doesnt, someone who can tell you will be okay will help you back on your feet.

Finding this contentment, this happiness, this love, will propel your courage, your confidence, and your self-empowerment in your career and your business. Whether its your life partner, your children, your parents, or your God. Success in our lives doesnt come from success in business or our careers, success in business comes from success in our lives. Be successful in your life. Photo credit: Getty Images

Dad of 3, Technology Executive and Advisor, budding Author. Nothing in my career matters if my family get hurt, so they come first. Always. They are my ultimate source of self-empowerment.

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Forget the Business talk: It's Always Personal - The Good Men Project (blog)