Bonus Totes/PSAs/ Exhibits/Elephants/Catch/ - 6/06

Fri Jun 16 09:03:01 EDT 2006

- LOUISIANA DIVORCE LEGISLATION?
- GOOD NEWS, PLUS A BONUS
- PSA's and DVDs FROM FIRST THINGS FIRST JUST IN TIME...
- EXHIBITS QUESTION
- ELEPHANTS AND FATHERHOOD - WATCH "CATCH"!
- IN PRAISE OF STEPPARENTS

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- LOUISIANA DIVORCE LEGISLATION?

I received many emails like this one that appreciate the wait period but
want to add some muscle.  - diane

> Is there a required counseling component to the statute?  I'm sad to report
> that I don't think the one year's required separation prior to divorce alone
> will make very much difference.   North Carolina has that requirement before
> any divorce -- not just ones involving children -- and it does not seem to
> have had a beneficial effect on the divorce rate.  I don't mean to be
> negative, but this does not seem to be an answer.
>  
> But we keep hoping ....
> 
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- GOOD NEWS, PLUS A BONUS

The Peachtree Center Food Court that is connected to the Marriott by a
skybridge and that has every conceivable fast food outlet, has agreed to
stay open over the weekend. This will make it much easier to grab a quick
lunch or dinner.  The Marriott is also arranging extra seating at it's
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Allie's restaurant buffets, but the food court
will help as very affordable back up. And, Chick-fil-A which is located in
the food court, is giving away conference tote bags and a coupon for a free
Chick-fil-A sandwich!  One per attendee.  - diane

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- PSA's and DVDs FROM FIRST THINGS FIRST JUST IN TIME......

Diane - 

I have been getting a blue million phone calls about media resources that
people can include in their healthy marriage demonstration grants. Please
let people know that they can go to http://www.firstthings.org scroll to the
bottom of the page, click on resources, then look for PSAs available and
click on that. Everything we have available is listed on this page with
prices for purchasing the rights for a year.

Also, people have asked me when we will have our First Things First
community healthy marriage initiative training available on DVDs.  The kit
includes the entire two-day training on film with coalition building, fund
raising, marketing programs and services, strategic planning, etc. We will
be taking orders at our exhibit booth at the conference in Atlanta. Look for
us on the International Level right across from the ACF booth.

Julie Baumgardner 
http://www.firstthings.org
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- EXHIBITS QUESTION

> Hello Diane --- I am registered for the conference next week.  I sent a couple
> previous emails asking about sharing a exhibit space.  I know you are busy and
> I didn't receive a reply.
> 
> Is there any exhibit space available even if I purchase the whole space?
> Would you send me the name and email/phone of the exhibit coordinator.  You
> can see my great product at   http://www.anniversarykeeper.com
> 
> I hope we can work something out.  Thank you.
> Deborah Rees, lMFT, djrees "at" adelphia.net
>   
I think I explained that we are sold out of exhibit space and that until we
see it set up, and get fire marshal approval, we can't sell any more tables.
You're on the wait list and we'll know by Tues afternoon if this is
possible. I know you hate to ship a bunch of stuff if you can't exhibit and
know you hate not to have materials with you if you can exhibit.  But them's
the breaks. Next year watch this space (the listserve) for the call for
exhibits and get in early.  If you want to call me on tues afternoon at the
Marriott 404-521-0000 and ask for the Smart Marriages registration desk ext
6211 or 6250, maybe you will have enough time to schlep stuff with you.
I'll also copy this to the list. Maybe an exhibitor will contact you
(through your website) and offer to sell you half their table.

Exhibits are $595 - Wed - Sun.

-diane 

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- ELEPHANTS AND FATHERHOOD - WATCH "CATCH"!

> Hi Diane,
> I saw the item about the Elephant/fatherhood story. NFI actually did a PSA on
> that very story a few years back in our ³Nature of Fatherhood² series.
> Perhaps you could send this link so that people can actually see the spot:
> http://www.fatherhood.org/psa/NFI_Elephant.avi
> Also, here are our other PSAs, a few of which also deal with animal stories:
> http://www.fatherhood.org/psa_tv.asp
> Vincent DiCaro
> Director of Public Affairs
> National Fatherhood Initiative
> 240-912-1270

The NFI PSAs are GREAT.  I highly recommend them. The elephants are good
AND, I defy any of you to watch the last one on the page "Catch" with a dry
eye. Scroll down and take the time to watch.   - diane

> Diane,
> Re the elephants, 60 minutes II did a video segment on this that is
> great for training.  The title of the segment is called "The Delinquents" and
> it aired in 2001 (I have the exact date on the video in my office).  It can be
> ordered from 60 minutes for 29.95 plus s+h.
> Ciindi
>  
Yes, it was the 60 Minutes segment that I was commenting upon on the quotes
page. It's a fascinating piece that goes into depth and makes the point. The
moral of the elephant experience is about fathers/men/leaders/uncles in the
community (in general) which is a good thing. Also gives hope that we can
turn things around - that it's never too late.  - diane

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- IN PRAISE OF STEPPARENTS

Diane:

As a response to an essay on being a stepmother in last week's NEWSWEEK,
this week's issue has several "letters to the editor" about the piece. I'm
delighted to say the responses are all positive and speak of the gratitude,
pride, and the enormous potential that comes with living in a healthy
stepfamily. One woman wrote "Stepparenting is one of the most under-rated
and least-talked about roles that has enormous potential to bring added
dimension and meaning to life." They all share wonderful happy times and one
man wrote "It's been one of the great blessings in my life.

Here here! So, in Atlanta there are many workshops and an Institute waiting
that will provides skills to strengthen stepfamilies. I cannot wait to do my
part there!

Elizabeth Einstein
Stepfamily Educator

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10th Annual Smart Marriages Conference, Atlanta Marriott Marquis Hotel,
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