Monthly Archives: June 2023

Myanmars overall humanitarian and human rights situation has deteriorated to alarming levels, exacerbated by the militarys strategy to prevent life-saving humanitarian aid from reaching those who desperately need it, a report published today by the UN Human Rights Office shows.

Since 1 February 2021, UN Human Rights has documented how the military continues to prioritize its aims over all other considerations, including the urgent need of conflict-affected communities to receive life-saving assistance. Even when humanitarian workers have been permitted access, their ability to deliver aid has been strictly limited and controlled.

The military has operated as if those providing aid are helping those opposed to their rule, rather than respecting their need for protection and facilitating their access and assistance to the civilian population in a time of crisis.

The already dire situation on the ground has been compounded by the militarys restrictions on aid imposed in the aftermath of Cyclone Mocha in May, bringing further suffering and misery to wide swathes of the population in the west and northwest of the country.

As the report makes clear, intentional obstruction or denial of humanitarian assistance may amount to gross violations of international human rights law, and serious violations of international humanitarian law.

Aiming in part at cutting off support for its opponents, the military has employed its four-cuts strategy to kill and injure thousands of civilians while destroying goods and infrastructure necessary for survival, including food, shelter, and medical centres, the report says.

Myanmars human rights and humanitarian crisis is massive. An estimated 1.5 million people have been internally displaced, and approximately 60,000 civilian structures have reportedly been burnt or destroyed. Over 17.6 million people, or one-third of the overall population, require some form of humanitarian assistance.

Between February 2021 and April 2023, credible sources verified that at least 3,452 people had died at the hands of the military and its affiliates, and 21,807 individuals had been arrested.

Notably, our report says the security situation has dramatically worsened for humanitarian workers since the coup. Aid providers are consistently exposed to risks of arrest, harassment or other mistreatment, or even death.

Under international human rights law and international humanitarian law, populations-in-need are entitled to receive assistance to ensure the respect of their rights to food, shelter, and health. All parties must allow and facilitate unimpeded passage of life-saving relief to all those in need".

In the context of armed conflicts, intentional obstruction or denial of humanitarian assistance may further constitute war crimes such as wilful killing, torture and other degrading treatment, starvation, and collective punishment. Such intentional denial can also constitute crimes against humanity such as murder, extermination, torture and other inhumane acts, or persecution, when committed in the context of a widespread or systematic attack against a civilian population.

The UN Human Rights Chief will present the report to the Human Rights Council next week.

Read the full report

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Myanmar: Dire humanitarian and human rights situation ... - OHCHR

Just shy of a year ago, CNBC ranked North Carolina as No. 1 on its list of Americas Top States for Business. For North Carolinians, especially those who have lived their entire lives here as I have, this was no surprise. For years, state leaders have been intentional about making investments and building an infrastructure that positions North Carolina as a key destination for businesses across the globe.

In contrast, we have not done the same for public education.

As superintendent of Guilford County Schools,a place I have called home since kindergarten, I am often asked about what I have seen change in public education. My answer is always the same: not that much. Most notably, our teachers continue to be undervalued for their hard work and have seen few changes in compensation over the years, which is far behind the national average.

Do you see the problem here? Though business is booming, and our state is growing, our communities remain fragile because of how little we have invested in our public schools which are often the top employers in communities across the state. Flourishing business in North Carolina brings us one step forward, but meager teacher compensation takes us two steps back. Burnout is intensifying, teachers are leaving, undergraduate teaching programs are enrolling fewer students and all of this is happening in the wake of pandemic learning loss when our kids need high-performing and committed teachers most.

Our dollars speak volumes about our indifference.

I say this not with bullheaded partisanship or false alarm but with desperation for our states citizens to understand the realities we are facing and the dangerous trajectory we are on. Being the top state in business and the last in teacher pay is a future we cannot afford. It is a future where millions of kids lacking high-performing teachers are robbed of the opportunity that could have been theirs and where our communities, once filled with promise, become fragile. I believe our kids deserve better that we all deserve better. Our communities can only be as strong as our public schools, which is why we must invest in them with competitive compensation in order to attract and retain the best teachers.

Consider what our hard-working teachers have been able to accomplish despite decades of underfunding and inadequate pay. I think, for example, about the broad range of choice programs Guilford County Schools offers families that have been developed in partnership with businesses and aligned to workforce needs including STEM, aviation, artificial intelligence, global logistics, biotechnology research and advanced manufacturing. We also have early and middle colleges, language immersion schools, top art programs and four public separate schools for students with severe and profound disabilities. These choice programs are completely unmatched in the private and charter school sector and they are offered for free in order to transform life outcomes for all students regardless of zip code. Imagine, then, what our public schools might do with competitive teacher salaries and adequate funding. We would be able to attract the best teachers in the nation, giving our own students a competitive advantage to lead in a global economy.

What is special about public schools is that public schools belong to all of us, regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, or ability to pay. We take all students. That is not the case for private schools. If the bill to expand private school vouchers passes, however, even more resources will be taken away from our already underfunded schools.

I do not oppose families having the opportunity to choose the best school possible for their children, but that should not come at the expense of public education. If we want to remain a state that attracts global employers, we must invest in our young people at scale.

This is a pivotal moment for the state, and our kids and our communities are waiting on us to show up for them. Will we embrace the opportunity to train our workforce and strengthen our communities? Or will we give up on the schools and teachers that have shown remarkable resilience crisis after crisis? The choice is ours. I hope we can stand united on behalf of our youngest North Carolinians for their future and the future of North Carolina.

Dr. Whitney Oakley is the superintendent of Guilford County Schools (GCS), serving more than 68,000 PK-12 students and 10,000 employees at 126 schools. As the districts first homegrown superintendent, Oakley is a long-time educator and school administrator with a proven track record of improving student learning outcomes.

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Invest in our public schools - EdNC

The rights of LGBTQ Americans are under attack. Lawmakers in other states are doubling down on efforts to roll back advancements in LGBTQ equality, and they have set their sights specifically on the transgender, gender non-conforming and non-binary communities.

According to the Human Rights Campaign, state legislatures nationwide weighed more than 525 anti-LGBTQ bills this year alone. More than 75 of these measures have become law more than double the number from last year. Barricades to health care, mental health support, and workplace discrimination that were once torn down, are being erected again.

Some states are even going so far as to ban educators from discussing LGBTQ issues in class, essentially seeking to erase these Americans from existence. Instead of moving our nation forward, lawmakers in these states continue to use dangerous rhetoric to advance an agenda that would usher the return of an era steeped in ignorance, intolerance, and malice.

Not in New York.

Governor Hochul signed nation-leading legislation to protect and affirm the LGBTQ+ community ahead of her participation in New York City's annual Pride March. (Don Pollard/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul)

From Stonewall to the legalization of same sex marriage, to the unprecedented protection from the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act and Gender Recognition Act, New York has been a pioneer in the evolution of LGBTQ equality. Gov. Hochul is determined to continue to trailblaze, advancing initiatives that will ensure our state remains inclusive for all New Yorkers, especially our LGBTQ community.

Just days ago, the governor signed legislation removing outdated and stigmatizing language from the definition of sexual orientation in the states Human Rights Law. She also signed a measure implementing the use of gender-neutral language in state laws, reinforced protections for those seeking and providing gender-affirming care, and established safeguards to protect transgender youth. The governor embodies what we as New Yorkers all share: the ability to be compassionate, respectful, and protective of our neighbors.

The state Department of Labor is part of this effort to advance inclusion in the workplace. We continue to take a data-driven approach to better cater to the needs of all New Yorkers, while also educating employers so they can better provide a safe, inclusive work environment.

To that end, the Department of Labor has extended its public comment period for our first transgender and gender non-conforming employment study. New Yorkers who identify as transgender or gender non-conforming now have until Sept. 15 to provide insight into their experiences applying for jobs and in the workforce.

We want the voices of New York States transgender and gender non-conforming community to shape both the report and the resulting recommendations aimed at breaking down all barriers to employment. The Department of Labor has been intentional to prioritize meeting with and listening to transgender and gender non-conforming stakeholders and community organizations, in an effort to be as thoughtful as possible in our coming policy recommendations.

Many nationwide studies have determined that transgender and gender non-conforming Americans experience high rates of unemployment, workplace discrimination, harassment, and violations and our goal is to find out why, and how we can put an end to it. We also want to ensure that the transgender and gender non-confirming community feels supported and comfortable in being their authentic selves in the workplace.

Data has always played a crucial role in how we as a state respond to injustices impacting the people of New York, and the data we are compiling for this report could impact generations of transgender and gender non-conforming New Yorkers. Out Leadership recently ranked New York State No. 1 in the nation for LGBTQ equality in the workplace, a ranking we are very proud of at the Department of Labor and one we hope to maintain for years to come.

Pride month ending today is devoted to honoring the contributions of our LGBTQ community. It is a time to remember when these New Yorkers were silenced simply because of who they are. It is also a moment to celebrate victories in overcoming hate and prejudice to gain the respect, freedom, and rights we all deserve as Americans. The fight is far from over. Those rights are now in jeopardy beyond our borders, and we must continue to stand together in solidarity of what is right and just. Pride month lasts only 30 days, but in New York, we will continue to fight each and every day to protect the rights of our LGBTQ community.

By utilizing data, knowledge, and truth, we can continue to be a shining beacon of hope for the LGBTQ community across the state, nation and globe. We want them to know that they will always be seen, will always be welcome, will always have a voice, and will always find a safe haven here in New York State.

Reardon is commissioner of the state Department of Labor.

More here:

N.Y. stands up for LGBTQ equality: Having Pride 12 months a year - New York Daily News

NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace hangs out with young fans outside of a McDonalds restaurant in Chicago.

CHICAGO Ahead of the NASCAR Chicago Street Race, Bubba Wallace driver No. 23 of Michael Jordan co-owned 23XI Racing hosted Bubbas Block Party, a nationwide community initiative at The DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center on Wednesday.

The South Side event featured racing-themed entertainment, local food from Black-owned businesses and a live musical performance from Chicago rapper Lupe Fiasco. It was scheduled from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

A lot of people (have been) saying that they dont feel welcomed to be a part of our sport. Ive been racing for 20 years, going on 21 years now, and I couldnt think of being anywhere else, Wallace told the Tribune.

Ive always enjoyed my time, except when I lose. But from the stories that Ive heard and peoples comments, we got to be better. Youve always heard the labels about our sport whether its being racist, redneck or whatnot. Thats very far from the truth. Theres always a couple bad apples, but a couple bad apples doesnt portray the whole picture of our sport.

Wallace, who became just the second Black driver to win a race in NASCARs top Cup Series level in 2021, wants his block party to be a place where people, who havent felt welcomed by the racing community, come and learn about the sport. Since 2020, Wallace has tried to expose racing to new audiences, bringing our life into their lives and vice versa.

The block party initiative, which began last year, has been held in Richmond, Virginia and Birmingham, Alabama both cities with majority Black and minority communities. They are intended to be a fun atmosphere where Wallace can connect with fans of all ages.

Its really just for you to feel welcomed and feel wanted, something a lot of people have said in years past that they dont feel comfortable with, he said of the block parties, which also featured iRacing simulators and pit stops.

At the parties, Wallace received feedback from fans. He viewed it as an opportunity to show there are other ways to be a part of NASCAR, such as a member of a pit crew. He acknowledges the expense of the sport for both participants and viewers can be a barrier to entry for many in Black and brown communities. The block parties are free.

We were brainstorming ideas on how we need to keep trending forward and moving the messages forward, moving our visuals, our fan base forward, and not staying stagnant and doing the same old stuff, Wallace said of his Diversity Leadership Team that was created in 2020. I was like, hey, you know, theres a lot of people that want to come to race. They dont feel safe, they dont feel welcomed. Why dont we make a welcoming environment beforehand? Have a party at the racetrack, like a block party?

Having the Chicago installment event at The DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center was an intentional choice on the part of Wallace and NASCAR.

The museum is named after Jean Baptiste Point DuSable. Wallace called it an honor to both give back and pay homage to its namesake, the first permanent non-indigenous settler of what would eventually become the city of Chicago.

He hoped the Chicago street race, as well as the block party, would bring racing to those who have felt it was out of reach and help move NASCAR forward.

It makes people question a lot about themselves. It also allows people to accept change and accept something different. Its been a fun process, but its been a tough one to continue to guide because its a never-ending process. And theres always going to be something that we need to be better at. And its up to us to be proactive instead of reactive.

The NASCAR Chicago Street Race will be held Sunday around Grant Park.

Original post:

NASCAR, Bubba Wallace bring 'Bubba's Block Party' to Chicago - Daytona Times

Fifth Third Bancorp (Nasdaq: FITB) today published its 2022 Sustainability Report . The report is an annual update on the Companys progress against its five sustainability priorities: keeping the customer at the center, strengthening its communities, delivering on its commitment to employees, promoting inclusion and diversity, and addressing climate change.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230630077853/en/

Fifth Third has published its 2022 Sustainability Report (Graphic: Business Wire)

In addition to the 2022 Sustainability Report, Fifth Third has published indices aligned with the Global Reporting Initiative, SASB standards and Stakeholder Capitalism Metrics. The indices are published as part of the Companys commitment to provide transparency and data aligned to industry standards for all of its stakeholders.

Its an honor for Fifth Third to report its progress in advancing sustainability, said Kala Gibson, executive vice president and chief corporate responsibility officer. We are innovative, inclusive and intentional in the development and execution of our sustainability priorities, all of which align with our purpose to improve lives and the well-being of our communities while we continue striving to be the one bank people most value and trust.

Fifth Thirds 2022 Sustainability Report spotlights the following categories:

About Fifth Third

Fifth Third is a bank thats as long on innovation as it is on history. Since 1858, weve been helping individuals, families, businesses and communities grow through smart financial services that improve lives. Our list of firsts is extensive, and its one that continues to expand as we explore the intersection of tech-driven innovation, dedicated people and focused community impact. Fifth Third is one of the few U.S.-based banks to have been named among Ethispheres Worlds Most Ethical Companies for several years. With a commitment to taking care of our customers, employees, communities and shareholders, our goal is not only to be the nations highest performing regional bank, but to be the bank people most value and trust.

Fifth Third Bank, National Association is a federally chartered institution. Fifth Third Bancorp is the indirect parent company of Fifth Third Bank and its common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol "FITB." Investor information and press releases can be viewed at http://www.53.com . Deposit and credit products provided by Fifth Third Bank, National Association. Member FDIC.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230630077853/en/

Stacie Haas (Media Relations) Stacie.Haas@53.com | 513-534-5113

Chris Doll (Investor Relations) Christopher.Doll@53.com | 513-534-2345

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Fifth Third's 2022 Sustainability Report Shares Progress on Priorities ... - InvestorsObserver

Due to a legacy of discrimination and ongoing legal disparities, LGBTQ+ people have a variety of unique financial needs and challenges. Employment, healthcare, family planning, insurance, housing, marriage, and retirement are just some of the financial planning priorities that may look a bit different for LGBTQ+ people.

Luckily, there are many LGBTQ+ financial experts and influencers (or finfluencers) sharing their knowledge and lived experiences around money and finance online through social media, books, podcasts, and their own platforms.

With many personal finance influencers sharing content online, theres a wealth of information out there. Here are a few financial influencers and experts from LGBTQ+ communities who are worth following:

Carmen Perez is the founder of Make Real Cents, a blog about personal finance and financial independence, and the creator of Much, a budgeting and finance management app. With a Bachelor of Science degree in finance, she focuses on teaching millennials and Gen Z about money management and building wealth, with tips on investing, crypto, paying down debt, budgeting, and saving.

Although her financial advice is not specifically targeted to LGBTQ+ communities, Perez gave this advice in an interview: Because folks in our community can and do face financial problems because of their gender identity or sexual orientation, side hustles are one of the best ways to give yourself a raise and bridge income loss/stagnant wages. While building a side hustle can take time, its advantageous to have a book of business or another stream of income you can rely on regardless of your employer.

Daniella Flores is a neurodivergent, nonbinary, and queer Latine entrepreneur who helps LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent people develop their money, side hustles, and careers. Their podcast, Remote Work Bestie, launched in 2023 and interviews guests on topics like salary transparency, traveling while working full time, moving abroad to work remotely, and working with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Their financial resources focus on saving, investing, upskilling, and finding and managing passive income streams.

About their work, Flores writes, We dont believe in gatekeeping through manipulative hustle bro culture. This knowledge should be accessible to anyone and everyone. Side hustles are all about creating more assets, income streams, and optionsand can be an important tool when trying to build wealth and financial freedom.

Husbands David Auten and John Schneider are authors, bloggers, speakers, and the creators of the Queer Money podcast, which is all about the nuances of personal finance in LGBTQ+ communities. It all started when the two financial services professionals found themselves living beyond their means and accruing over $50,000 of credit card debt. They created a system to pay it off and started sharing their personal and professional experience around debt, entrepreneurship, saving, and investment with others.

On the topic of LGBTQ+ representation in the financial services industry, Auten said in an interview, Theres always been a struggle [...] for representation, but beyond that, I think that theres been a struggle with how the finances of queer folks [are] different than the general population[.] How do we figure out those nuances and serve those nuances? And I think a lot of companies are scared to do that, or hesitant to do that, or just downright dont want to do that.

While not a typical social media influencer, David Rae is an established media personality whose financial advice segments have appeared on various news outlets. Rae is also an accredited financial expert, holding Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF) certifications, and he works with many LGBTQ+ clients through his financial advising company. On his website and in other publications, Rae has written on topics like retirement, savings, taxes, investing, and wealth management.

Regarding financial planning in the LGBTQ+ community, Rae says, I dont think investing for the LGBT community is actually a different thing unless youre really trying to do socially conscious investing. I think where the differences lie is really in financial planning. You build in different areas, you have different financial goals, and you have different expenses that are going to be a bigger thing for you. We have some income advantagesdouble income, no kids is a big advantage for many gay couplesbut at the same time were living in metropolitan areas that have much higher costs of living, so it will balance out.

K. Kenneth Davis is a Black transgender entrepreneur, financial literacy activist, and speaker who works to empower and educate LGBTQ+ people in order to end systemic poverty and economic discrimination. He holds a Master of Science in finance from Pace University and writes, coaches, runs workshops and creates content around topics like debt, navigating the legal system as a transgender person, and money management.

In an interview about his work, Davis said, If you are queer, please do not let society or capitalism make you think that you cannot thrive within this world because of your gender. It is possible to live your lifestyle peacefully, have a comfortable life, and achieve any financial goals that you have. I literally started with nothing, and I built an impactful company that does fantastic work to help empower others through mindset and money training.

River Nice is a queer independent financial planner who runs Be Intentional Financial, a remote, fee-only financial planning firm. Their specialty is working with transgender and queer individuals and families on short-term and long-term financial goals. They run online workshops and group programs, provide free online resources, and share videos on Instagram where they answer comments and questions from followers and users about money, work, financial planning, retirement, and more.

Regarding financial concerns that are specific to queer people, Nice says, Being able to talk to somebody about money and not have to explain what hormones are, what gender-affirming surgery is, that family planning takes a little extra effort and sometimes a lot of extra money [] there [are just] those basic competenc[ies] of understanding what our lives are like.

Without equal rights and protections when it comes to healthcare, work, school, housing, and in society at large, many LGBTQ+ people continue to experience discrimination and financial difficulty.

According to a report by the Center for LGBTQ Economic Advancement and Research, LGBTQ+ adults were more likely than their non-LGBTQ+ counterparts to report low or unpredictable incomes, struggle to get by, be unemployed or looking for work, be unbanked or underbanked, have poor credit scores, or have less money saved for retirement.

Research has also identified an LGBTQ+ wage gap: LGBTQ+ workers earn around 90 cents compared to each dollar that an average worker earns. Nonbinary individuals, transgender people, and LGBTQ+ people of color typically earn even less.

In addition, many LGBTQ+ people experience different challenges when it comes to financial planning because of their priorities and lived experiences around work, education, healthcare, family planning, housing, and retirement.

Although there is much progress still to be made, the financial sector has begun to diversify, and LGBTQ+ people can now look to allies and role models within their communities for financial advice.

Whether online or in person, many resources are available that speak directly and specifically to the lived experiences of LGBTQ+ people when it comes to personal finance. Finding an LGBTQ+-friendly bank can be a good place to start, as well as improving financial literacy with free online resources and courses such as the ones offered by the influencers listed above.

Opening up the conversation around money with friends and chosen family can also be a helpful starting point, whether its sharing tips and ideas or asking for emotional support.

LGBTQ+ financial influencers, or finfluencers, with large followings on social media include Carmen Perez (@MakeRealCents), David Auten and John Schneider (@DebtFreeGuys), and Danielle Flores (@ILikeToDabble).

Many LGBTQ+ financial influencers have multiple social media accounts, including Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, Twitter, and YouTube, as well as their own websites.

As with any financial information, its important to check the credibility of the source, including relevant experience and professional designations. When it doubt, online money advice should not be considered a substitute for professional advice from a qualified financial advisor.

There are many financial influencers who identify as LGBTQ+ who share their experiences with money and financial planning online. LGBTQ+ people may find it helpful to look to their resources for inspiration, advice, and assistance, as content creators who are part of LGBTQ+ communities are likely to better address the specific financial situations that LGBTQ+ people tend to experience.

However, it is always important to thoroughly vet any information found online, review the financial qualifications and background of the source, and seek advice from designated financial professionals when appropriate.

The rest is here:

Top LGBTQ+ Financial Influencers to Learn from in 2023 - Investopedia

By Chris Farrell

Intentional breaks can lead to the next chapter of work

During the recovery from the pandemic several workplace catchphrases generated buzz, including quiet quitting, great resignation, and hybrid work. Expressions like these in the aggregate reflect a much larger conversation rethinking work, purpose, and the good life in the postpandemic economy.

I'd like to throw another term into the mix that I hope will gather momentum with the aging of the workforce: "Periodic retirement."

Many more people are working well into the traditional retirement years compared to the previous generation. For example, from 2000 to April 2023 the labor-force participation rate of the 60- to 64-year-old age group rose by 23% to 57%. The comparable figures for the 65- to 69-year-old cohort are 45% and 34%, respectively, according to calculations by Advisor Perspectives.

"For those who are able, working in retirement can have profound effects on financial security," notes the survey-based report by the demographic consulting firm Age Wave and the financial services company Edward Jones. "The nonfinancial benefits are just as profound. Working in retirement keeps people mentally active (a benefit both retirees and preretirees find more valuable than the paycheck), physically active, socially connected and feeling a stronger sense of purpose and accomplishment."

Read:I'm 54 and the primary earner but 'professionally, I am exhausted' -- we have $2.18 million but what about healthcare?

Odds are the labor-force participation rates of older workers will rise in coming years, thanks to the combination of increased life expectancy (especially for educated workers) and an aging population. College graduates who recently received their diplomas can reasonably expect to work for 50 years or more.

Longer work lives will push people away from landing on one career in favor of embracing multiple careers. The three-stage life plan we grew up with--attend school, find a career, and then retire--is being rewritten into a more complex multistage narrative.

"There are real opportunities to move away from the constraints of a three-stage life to a way of living that is more flexible, and more responsive--a multistage life with a variety of careers, with breaks and transitions," write Lynda Gratton and Andrew Scott in the "100-year Life: Living and Working in an Age of Longevity." "However, this restructuring of life is not trivial. It will involve major changes for you as an individual, for the firms and organizations that hire you, and indeed for government and society."

Read:Will you have enough money in retirement? New research could help investors find their number

Here's where the concept of "periodic retirements" comes in for individuals. (Comparable terms are sabbaticals and mini-retirements.) The motivating question behind the periodic retirement idea is to take time to figure out "what comes next." Intentional breaks from work can rejuvenate the mind and spirit. The respite may lead to the next work chapter that offers both meaning and money.

Just ask John Davis, age 61.

"Shift your paradigm," says Davis, the executive director of Warroad River Place, a 20,000-square-foot arts, culture, and events center in development in Warroad, a town of some 1,800 in northwest Minnesota. "Maybe 25 years ago I said, 'retirement is so traditional.' I believe in periodic retirement."

There is a sustained arc to his career. He has focused on how the arts and culture can contribute to the vitality and sustainability of rural communities. He's also a fan of periodic retirements. His retirement has led to new inspirations and eventual unretirements.

For example, he moved to New York Mills in 1987, a Minnesota town with a population of nearly 1,000 at the time. Like many rural towns, residents worried about their community's future vitality. Davis and the community together created the New York Mills Arts Retreat and Regional Cultural Center, a multidisciplinary arts organization.

Time for a break. He saw a 1966 Red Ford Galaxy for sale on the side of the road; he bought it; and "retired" to head out West.

Months later he returned to New York Mills with a new idea: The Great American Think-Off, a philosophy contest for the ordinary person that started in 1993. (The 30th Annual Great American Think-Off was held on June 10.)

He stayed several more years in New York Mills before retiring in 1996. This time he took off in an Airstream.

"Being intentional is important," he says. "Take the time to think about what comes next."

He unretired a year and a half later by taking an executive director position at an arts organization in Lanesboro, population 700-plus in southeastern Minnesota. He left after several years and retired to travel and pursue various projects like the Kids Philosophy Slam.

He returned after several years to Lanesboro and helped transform the town into a vibrant arts campus. He retired in 2018, and he unretired in 2023 for his current position in Warroad, a town better known as Hockeytown USA.

"What excited me about this opportunity was a vision for adding arts and creativity and innovation to a community that's already known for the outdoors for fishing and hockey," he says.

The concept of taking periodic retirements and unretirements throughout a long career makes sense, whether you return to your former employer or embark on a new endeavor. The career risks and traditional stigma associated with taking a break from work may well be declining in the postpandemic economy, too. LinkedIn has added Career Breaks to its Experience section on professional profiles. People can also add context to their leave if they want. In the heated competition for talent, many more employers seem willing to put former employees back on payroll (the so-called boomerang employee).

That said, there's nothing easy about retiring, unretiring, and repeating the process several times throughout a lifetime. The approach takes planning, especially with household finances. You'll want to build into your budgeting and savings strategies the option of having some financial resources available to tap for a limited period. There is little institutional support from established organizations. Companies don't offer employees a periodic retirement or unretirement benefit, for example (too bad, though). Neither does the government.

At the first White House Conference on Aging in 1961, President Kennedy remarked that while we have "added years to life," the challenge is how might we "add life to years."

The opportunities created by the prospect of longer work lives suggests a talent for managing transitions well will be critical in the future. Periodic retirement is a rich way to add life to years.

-Chris Farrell

This content was created by MarketWatch, which is operated by Dow Jones & Co. MarketWatch is published independently from Dow Jones Newswires and The Wall Street Journal.

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

06-29-23 2021ET

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'Retirement is so traditional,' try periodic retirement to figure out ... - Morningstar

Savanna Greywind. Daisy Mae Heath. Ashlynne Mike.

The reading aloud of those names and five other missing or murdered Indigenous women and girls followed by a moment of silence opened a three-day hearing of the Not Invisible Act Commission in Albuquerque on Wednesday.

The federal commission made up of tribal leaders, law enforcement, service providers, impacted families, and survivors has traveled the country this year, visiting Oklahoma, Alaska, Arizona, Minnesota and California to hear testimony from people most affected by the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous people.

Testimony gathered in those places and in Albuquerque this week and Montana next month will inform a final report due in October. Its purpose is to help Congress, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland and U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland improve how federal, state and local government agencies respond to the crisis.

Confusion among governments over jurisdiction and a lack of dollars and dedicated personnel often impede investigations, many advocates and law enforcement officials say.

The families are tired, Amber Kanazbah Crotty, a commissioner and Navajo Nation Council delegate, said. The families are tired of walking. Theyre tired of protesting. Theyre tired of everything. They just want justice.

More than four in five American Indian and Alaska Native women and men have experienced violence in their lifetime, a 2016 National Institute of Justice study found. And American Indian and Alaska Native women died by homicide at a rate of 4.3 per 100,000 compared to 1.5 for non-Hispanic white women from 2003 to 2014, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report (non-Hispanic Black women had the highest rate at 4.4).

The Albuquerque event kicked off Wednesday with panel discussions, with personal testimony from survivors and families with missing and murdered loved ones planned for closed-door sessions on Thursday and Friday.

Speaking to survivors and families, Elizabeth Hidalgo Reese, a member of Namb Pueblo and senior policy advisor for Native Affairs at the White House, recognized the unfairness of asking them to talk about their pain and loss.

Its wrong that systems failed to protect you or your loved ones, she said. And its wrong that now you need to talk about it as a part of fixing it, even if it might feel a bit better for some people to get that out.

A handful of panelists, including state lawmakers, spoke about challenges in recruiting and retaining police officers, community trust in law enforcement and New Mexicos needs in terms of resources, among other concerns.

Commissioner Patricia Whitefoot held back tears as she described a lack of consistent communication from law enforcement when her sister, Daisy Mae Heath, went missing decades ago. Her remains were found years later.

Several agencies worked on her sisters case, Whitefoot said, and officers typically didnt identify themselves or where they worked. Over the years, she didnt know who to contact for updates on the case.

How did I know I was supposed to keep track of them? Whitefoot said.

Many other families have reported similar experiences.

Whitefoot asked the panelists about the training law enforcement receive.

What kind of education is being done and conducted, particularly with non-Native officers, and our own tribal officers as well? she said. What do you know about historical and cultural oppression of our people? What about the impact of boarding schools on the lives of our children, our families, my great grandparents, my ancestors, and our own experiences that weve had with boarding schools, as well?

Whitefoot was speaking of 408 boarding schools the U.S. operated or supported between 1819 and 1969 across 37 states (or then-territories). According to one estimate, hundreds of thousands of Native American children were taken from their families in an effort to strip them of their cultures and languages.

FBI analyst Don Metzmeier said the agency hosted 50 officers from around the state last fall for a cultural sensitivity training that was eye-opening for him.

Were still learning on this as we go but we do acknowledge that is a space that we need to do a better job, he said.

New Mexico State Police Major Troy Velasquez, whose focus is recruiting, said young tribal police officers working where they grew up often report low pay and a lack of career advancement and training opportunities and eventually leave for other agencies.

That creates a hole in tribal communities, Velasquez said, because officers from elsewhere arent familiar with local customs and traditions.

Alexander Uballez, U.S. Attorney for the District of New Mexico, pointed to the work of the FBIs Albuquerque field office to develop the nations first database of missing and murdered Indigenous people and increased community outreach over the past several years as examples of progress. The current FBI list of Native Americans missing from New Mexico and the Navajo Nation counts 200 people.

No amount of investigation, prosecution or years in prison will bring back a murdered loved one, Uballez said. Its only through outreach, through education, prevention, that we truly confront this crisis.

Uballez also announced at Wednesdays hearing the Department of Justice will be placing 10 attorneys and coordinators in five regions, including New Mexico and Arizona, to focus on the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous people.

Crotty, the Navajo Nation Council delegate, said theres a need not only to remedy law enforcement issues but to explore preventative measures. She said resources need to be consistent so that were not back to this point in five, 10, 25 years, adding that Indigenous communities have suffered from intentional underfunding.

Many of the solutions discussed on Wednesday are in a response plan published last year by New Mexicos Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Relatives Task Force created by the state Legislature in 2019.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed two bills into law last year that were priorities for the task force. One created a missing Indigenous persons specialist position in the Attorney Generals Office and the other started an annual event meant to connect families with missing relatives and law enforcement.

But Lujan Grisham has faced criticism from task force members. During this years legislative session two task force members said they were considering resigning after the governor appointed James Mountain as cabinet secretary of the Indian Affairs Department, where the task force is housed. Mountain, a former governor of San Ildefonso Pueblo, was indicted in 2008 but never convicted on charges of criminal sexual penetration, kidnapping and aggravated battery against a household member.

Chastity Sandoval (Din), a member and tribal legal advocate for Namb Pueblo, told New Mexico In Depth in April that there werent any resignations as far as she knew. But she said she was concerned about how the task forces ongoing work would be impacted if any members left because of the appointment, which Lujan Grisham has continued to defend.

Meanwhile, legislation addressing the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous people was largely absent from this years session.

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Crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous people brings federal ... - New Mexico In Depth