Economic Crisis Workshop Series of Central Massachusetts: TOOLS FOR SUCCESS

Making the Most of LinkedIn for Networking

Getting the Interview:  Strategies for Job Search Success

Meditation and Relaxation during Periods of Crisis: A Mindfulness Workshop

Launching Your Own Business…Legally

Why Did God do this to me?: Spiritual Responses to Financial Crisis

For Richer or for Poorer: Family Coping with Economic Stress

Financial Wellness in Economically Stressful Times / Basic Estate Planning to Protect Families

Healthcare Insurance Options during Unemployment

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Workshop #1:  Thursday, October 15^th, 6:30-8:30 pm, Tatnuck Booksellers,  Westborough, MA        

"Making the Most of LinkedIn for Networking"

Led by Etta Lappen Davis, Founder and Principal, Etsky Consulting

With more than 44 million members in over 200 countries and territories around the world, LinkedIn is the place to be for professional electronic networking. A new member joins LinkedIn approximately every second. Can you afford not to be on LinkedIn? This workshop will explore LinkedIn basics, such as:

Live demonstration will be projected. If you have a laptop, feel free to bring it for a hands-on experience!

Etta Lappen Davis, founder and principal of Etsky Consulting, has more than 30 years experience as a trainer and conference presenter. As a consultant to non-profit organizations navigating the economic downturn, Etta helps organizations to identify cost-effective management options. Etta is a member of the WCMC Steering Committee and a volunteer facilitator of a Success Team for people seeking employment or career change.

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Workshop #2: Thursday November 5^th, 6:30-8:30 pm, Congregation B'naiShalom, Westborough, MA

"Getting the Interview:  Strategies for Job Search Success"

Led by Alisa Stone and Karen Weiner, HR Consultants and Trainers

Tired of treading water in the applicant pool? Feeling discouraged after sending off so many resumes without results? Join us at this "hands-on" workshop to help you get noticed from the pack. Whether you are a seasoned veteran in the employment marketplace or new in your employment goals, there are a variety of tips and techniques to be gained. During this workshop, we'll cover:

Please bring your resume no matter what stage it is in!

At the conclusion of this workshop, you will have:

• Tools and techniques to look for a new position
• Concrete employment goals and individualized strategies to attain them
• What it takes to get the interview!

If you are:

• currently unemployed and seeking your next meaningful position or reinventing yourself
• a first time job seeker
• returning to the workforce after taking a break
• easing into retirement
• under-employed
• feeling like you have heard it all before and still aren't getting results

…then we hope to see you there!!! 

Alisa, presently an HR Coach with FMG Financial Services, Inc. in Worcester, MA, has over twenty years experience as a Human Resources generalist. Prior to joining FMG, Alisa spent fifteen years as a human resource practitioner with Joseph E. Seagram & Sons, Inc., in New York, Ball Corporation and HR Textron in California, and Bose Corporation in Massachusetts.  In 2002, Alisa joined FMG Financial Services, Inc., as Human Resources Account Manager. With the addition of Alisa to the firm, FMG expanded its client offerings to include human resources training and coaching, along with group benefits and COBRA support. Alisa holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Massachusetts's School of Management.

Karen is founder and principal of Hyperion Consulting Group.  As a coach, consultant and trainer she improves the performance of individuals, teams and organizations, emphasizing effective working relationships and communication.  Sample areas of expertise include performance management and appraisal, conflict resolution, customer service, high performing teams, change and transition management, and outplacement.  Clients include Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare, Little Brown And Company, City of Cambridge, and Reebok.  Previously, Karen worked as a Senior Consultant for three outplacement firms, as a Director for Arbor, Inc., and as a Senior Human Resources Analyst and Program Analyst in state government.  Karen is a graduate of Boston University's School of Education.

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Workshop #3: Thursday, November 19^th, 6:30-8:30 pm, Tatnuck Booksellers, Westborough, MA

"Meditation and Relaxation during Periods of Crisis: A Mindfulness Workshop"

Led by Mitch Gordon

"Life is an occasion, rise to it."

Loss of a job is one of many things that can cause stress and anxiety. Yet, stress, anxiety and tension are realities of everyone's life, and despite this, many of us feel overwhelmed or even powerless to deal with the stresses. All too often we can become overwhelmed. This presentation will talk and identify practices (such as meditation, mindfulness, and presence) that help us be proactive in our lives. In turn this will generate new skills, responses and processes so that, when life arises we have more tools to engage with it and get through the crisis successfully.

The objective of this workshop is to observe our own tendencies, actions, and reactions during periods of crisis such as: Loss of a job, chronic illness, children acting up, issues at work, issues within the family, too many bills and others. To help us develop new tools for ourselves in addressing the crisis, anxiety and stress as well as those tensions of our family, friends and others before, during and after.

This workshop is pen to anyone and everyone 18 years old or older. Dress in comfortable clothing (feel free to take off your shoes if you want to); No current crisis required; No meditation experience necessary; Come prepared to participate at your own comfort level

At the conclusion of the workshop participants will:

• Have noticed how they are in crisis and have some skills to reflect on that,
• Have new tools for practicing before crisis,
• Become better skilled at being able to observe and report what they see (in themselves and others),
• Be able to use these observations and new tools to rise to life's' occasions.

Mitchell Gordon's work focuses on the application of mindfulness and presence, and as applied to the life's transitions. His consulting work evolved from a lifetime of conteplative meditation practice combined with experience as a nonprofit business executive and board member. From 2002 to 2004, he worked with Roger Fisher, the author of Getting to Yes and founder of the Harvard Program on Negotiation (PON) at Harvard Law School, where he taught Israeli and Palestinian negotiators as well as the UN's World Food Programme in Rome. He also served as an advisor to the Harvard Negotiation Insight Initiative (HNII) at PON until 2007. At HNII he worked with meditation leaders such as Jon Kabbat-Zinn and Kenneth Cloke, and has lead meditation workshops with Zoketsu Norman Fischer (the co-founder of Makor Or with Rabbi Alan Lew). Mitch leads weekly ongoing Jewish Meditation sessions at Congregation B'nai Shalom in Westborough.  

Mitch is a mediator, trainer and educator and has worked with kids, families, individuals and businesses in crisis for more than twenty years; helping them develop skills to reduce stress and anxiety while also helping them to have the difficult and necessary conversations that allow them to move forward successfully.  He has presented at workshops and conferences around the country and in 2005 & 2006 was voted the top presenter at the annual Blackbaud technology conference for his workshop "Being Present."

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Workshop #4: Thursday, December 10^th, 6:30-8:30 pm, Tatnuck Booksellers, Westborough, MA

"Launching Your Own Business…Legally"

Led by Steven Sager, Esq., Sager & Schaffer, LLP

Have you had enough downsizing, layoffs and reductions in your professional career? Are you thinking of controlling your own destiny by starting your own business?  Or, have you started a business and don't know which way to go next?

Join Attorney Steven Sager as he brings to light the many aspects and legal complexities of getting a business started. This will be an interactive workshop, so remember to bring your questions.

Attorney Steven Sager is a Partner in the law firm of Sager & Schaffer, LLP, in Westborough, MA.  For over 20 years, Attorney Sager has consulted on all aspects of establishing and operating a business successfully.

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Workshop #5: Thursday, January 7^th, 2010, 6:30-8:30 pm, Tatnuck Booksellers, Westborough, MA

 "Why Did God do this to me?: Spiritual Responses to Financial Crisis"

Led by Rabbi Laurence Elis Milder, Ph.D., Congregation B'nai Shalom

"I should be secure. I should be happy. I don't deserve this."

When our operating assumptions about life are shaken, we are inclined to shake our fist at God. Like Job, we want to know: What did I ever do to warrant this kind of treatment?

All faith traditions address this most universal condition. In this session, we will discuss classical and contemporary responses to the problem of unjustified suffering.

Rabbi Laurence Elis Milder is the rabbi of Congregation B'nai Shalom in Westborough. He earned his doctorate at the Center for Modern Jewish Studies at Brandeis University. He has served as an assistant professor in the Philosophy Department of the University of Maine, and as adjunct faculty at Bangor Theological Seminary.

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Workshop #6: Thursday, January 28, 6:30-8:30 pm, Tatnuck Booksellers, Westborough, MA

 "For Richer or for Poorer:  Family Coping with Economic Stress"

 Led by Stephen Slaten, Ph.D., Executive Director, JFS Worcester

All family members are affected by financial stress.  And, while having to deal with this stress, families also need to serve as a resource for coping through challenging times.  How can a family help each other in order to get through this time together without blame or shame and remain whole and in tact? How does work and financial stress affect parenting and how much do children really need to know? 

In this workshop we will discuss:

Stephen Slaten, Ph.D. is Executive Director of Jewish Family Service of Worcester, Inc.  Dr. Slaten, a licensed Clinical Psychologist and received his Ph.D. in Clinical and Community Psychology from University of Houston. He also received advanced training in a systems approach at the Galveston Family Institute, Cambridge Family Institute and the Institute at Newton.  As Executive Director of JFS Worcester, he oversees  a highly regarded Child and Family Counseling Program with a professional staff known for their expertise working with non-traditional families, separation, divorce, remarriage and family transitions.  JFS also provides family mediation, adoption, guardianship for elders, and recently started Neighborhood Connections to help seniors who are aging in place in their homes and neighborhoods.

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Workshop #7: Thursday, February 11^th   (double workshop), 6:30-8:30 pm,Tatnuck Booksellers, Westborough, MA 

 1) "Financial Wellness in Economically Stressful Times"

Led by Rick Shrier

What should you do about your retirement plan? Roll It? Take It? Leave It? Move It? Invest It?

Rick Shrier, principal of Shrier Associates LLC and Registered Investment Advisor, will guide you through the maze of options available to you with respect to your retirement plan and how to manage these assets in a time of financial uncertainty.

Founding Shrier Associates, LLC in 1988, Rick has spent almost 30 years helping individuals and families preserve and grow their assets, increase income, reduce tax liability, and ensure that their money lasts their lifetime or even longer.

2) "Basic Estate Planning to Protect Families"

Led by Marvin Silver, Esq., LL.M., Seder & Chandler, LLP

This program will review estate planning documents needed by most families. We will examine documents that provide for the transfer of assets upon death such as Wills and Trusts, and will also examine the appointment of agents under Durable Powers of Attorney and Health Care Proxies.  Living Will Equivalents and Declarations of Homestead will also be discussed.  The program will also cover the basic elements of estate and gift taxation that may be applicable to many families. Asset protection issues will also be discussed for those who may be in economic distress.

Speaker: Marvin S. Silver is a partner in the law firm of Seder & Chandler, LLP with offices in Worcester and Westborough.  Marvin practices in the areas of estate planning and administration; business and business planning, and tax law.  He received both his Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree and Master of Laws in Taxation (LL.M.) degree from the Boston University School of Law.  He is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel.  He has also been selected for inclusion in "The Best Lawyers in America", and in New England Super Lawyers in the category of "Estate Planning and Probate".

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Workshop # 8:  Thursday, March 11, 6:30-8:30 pm, Tatnuck Booksellers, Westborough, MA

"Healthcare Insurance Options during Unemployment"

Led by Mara Yerow, FACHE

In the current economic climate, many unemployed and underemployed individuals are without health insurance.  Employed individuals and families with less financial resources are deciding to "gamble" and forego health insurance thinking they are healthy.  However, unforeseen circumstances do arise – an accident, unexpected illness, etc.  These can prove to be financially devastating and have long term economic consequences for those encountering these situations.  

The workshop will address health insurance options available for the uninsured and underinsured in Massachusetts.  The workshop will provide:

• Available resources
• Eligibility requirements
• Contact information
• Application information
• Opportunity for questions and discussion

Mara Yerow is currently the Director of two Mass Health insurance programs for the Executive Office of Health and Human Services - the Children's Medical Security Plan (CMSP) and the Healthy Start Program (HSP).  Prior to going to EOHHS fifteen months ago, Ms. Yerow served as the Director of the Medical Security Program (MSP), the state's health insurance program for the unemployed, at the Division of Unemployment Assistance for six years.  Ms. Yerow is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and holds a Master's of Public Health in Health Administration from the University of Pittsburgh.  She has held positions as a hospital executive; Executive Director of a nationally recognized health planning agency and Director of Planning and Policy to the Department of Mental Health.  In addition she has maintained an independent health care consulting practice specializing in strategic planning; managed care contracting; program development; government relations; and grant and proposal development.  Ms. Yerow is active in a number of professional and community organizations that include serving on the Board of Directors of the American Health Planning Association and the Governing Council of the American Public Health Association.

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Locations:  Tatnuck Booksellers is located in the Westborough Shopping Plaza, at the corner of Route 9 and Lyman Street, Westborough

Congregation B'nai Shalom is located at 117 E. Main Street, Westborough

** The Economic Crisis Workshop Series is a collaborative program between Gesher (Congregation B'nai Shalom, Westborough), WCMC (Worcester Central Mass Connections) and JFS Worcester.  Funding for this program made possible through a grant from the JFCM (Jewish Federation of Central Massachusetts).