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MentorCONNECT's Weekly Mentoring Moment
A Chance to Build New Skills for Mentoring Matchups
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February 1, 2010
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| Theme for the Week:
Happy Birthday MentorCONNECT! :-) |
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| Welcome to this month's Good News!
 >>>> Happy Birthday MentorCONNECT!!! <<<<
Today, on February 1st, the first global eating disorders mentoring community turns one year old! :-)
It all started with an idea, lots of passion, and it grew from
there... and today, MentorCONNECT has several hundred members. And we
continue to grow. We want to say "Thank You!" to everyone
who has helped and supported us on the way to make this community
happen and a big "THANK YOU!" to all our members for being a part
of MC - we are glad to have you!
And in order to continue to offer the help and grow our community and services offered, we ask for your help. And we invite you to support your community as a MentorCONNECT Founding Member. Within this ezine, you will find more information.
See you on tonight's and Thursday night's live chat.
If you are on Facebook, Twitter or MySpace, be sure to look MentorCONNECT up, and say "Hello!" -- we are looking forward to connecting with you online! :-)
Warmly and with HOPE,
Shannon, Jeanette, Andrea, Lynn, Cheryl, & Thom
(your MC Leadership & Advisory Team) |
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Mentoring "Thought for the Week"
I deserve to make good choices for myself, and I can choose well.
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MC's Member's Spotlight:
Getting to know your MentorCONNECT Community! :-)
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 #1: Tell us a bit about yourself:
My name is Leslie Benson.
I'm 27 years old and live on the Lower East Side of Manhattan in New
York City. My days in New York are currently spent in classes at New
York University where I am getting my master's in social work specializing in eating disorders
as well as at my field placement in a hospital here in Manhattan
working with patients who suffer from chronic pain. Previously I was a
sustainability consultant who helped architects build green buildings.
When I'm not in the library, I love to snowboard, read, travel, do
yoga, and bike joyrides around the city. This March I'm headed to Playa
Del Carmen in Mexico and I can't wait!
I have been in recovery
from anorexia and bulimia for almost nine years. My older sister also
had Anorexia and we spent much of my junior high school and high school
in a silent competition. I'm very happy to say my sister and I are both
in recovery (we took completely different paths to get there). She's
having my third nephew in April! The process of moving toward recovery
began for me when I went to college. I realized in order to accomplish some of my goals I had to stop behaviors that were getting in the way. Easier said than done, but I managed to get it done. J
#2: How did you find out about MentorCONNECT and how long have you been a part of this community?
I found out about MentorCONNECT through the Renfrew Center.
Last March I participated in one of their teleconferences and I
contacted the speaker to follow up on some opportunities to get more
involved with the community. She recommended I explore MentorCONNECT,
which I did. I have actively been a part of the community since August
2009.
#3: What do you like most about being a part of MentorCONNECT?
So much!
Honestly (not that the rest of this isn't honest) I find almost all
elements of the community special. I particularly love my mentees, who
have all taught me so much. I also enjoy moderating the Monday Night
Support Group because of the community I've seen grow there and the
altruism that emanates from many of the participants. One last
thing...the teleconferences are amazing. I listen to them regularly and
more than once. I feel quite lucky to be part of such a web of support.
#4: What helped you most in your recovery?
What helped me most in my recovery was: I hope this doesn't sound cliche, but finding my "Key to Life". When I was able to find the motivation to be ready, willing, and confident in my ability to stop fighting and start living, I did.
What helps me most in my recovery is four primary things:
- the ability to be honest with myself
- the ability to openly communicate my thoughts and feelings with others
- relationships
- gratitude
#5: Giving back: Tell us how you are helping this wonderful recovery community:
I
am a mentor and a bi-weekly Monday Night Support Group co-moderator. I
hope to be part of this community for a very long time. J Thanks to everyone for keeping the community alive.
For more information about Leslie, and to get in touch with her,
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Even the smallest gesture can make a HUGE difference!
"Change" by Carrie Underwood
Click here to listen to the song on YouTube |
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Together we ARE making a difference!
Dear MentorCONNECT member,
Happy National Eating Disorders Awareness Week month!
And Happy Birthday to MentorCONNECT - on February 1, 2010, the first global eating disorders mentoring community turns one year old!
This month is so special to all of us - because in the last twelve months, we found each other. We learned that we are never too ill to give support, and never too healthy to need support ourselves. We experienced how "relationships replace eating disorders"
as we joined together to pay it forward by leaving a legacy of hands-on
hope and help for every person who suffers from an eating disorder.
As the founder and Executive Director of MentorCONNECT, I look back over the last twelve months with awe, respect, and gratitude at our growing community. MentorCONNECT is run by a tireless volunteer team
of leaders and mentors who collectively donate hundreds of hours every
single week to ensure that no sufferer who comes to us seeking help is
ever turned away. This work takes a village - and we are one strong, determined, and dedicated village!
A Mentee Member About MentorCONNECT:
"MentorCONNECT has been very helpful
for me in my recovery journey. After joining, I looked forward to
receiving a mentor, and when I did I was amazed at her wisdom and
insight. While having the support of a therapist, doctor, and others is
very helpful and often necessary, I have found this additional support
to be very beneficial. It is great to be able to talk through various issues with someone who's been through struggles similar to yours.
They tend to have a different perspective from those who have never
dealt with ED. I also find the weekly online chats to be helpful. They
remind me of my recovery goals and equip me with courage to face the
challenges of a new week. -Joan
Here are just a few of our many accomplishments as a community in our launch year of 2009:
-In our first 12 months of operations, we responded to almost 1,000 requests for membership
-We
presented information and literature about adding a mentor to the
integrated treatment team at three major eating disorders conferences
-We
distributed information to 2,500 interested individual providers and
treatment centers, many of whom then referred clients back to our
community for ongoing support
-We
launched a free monthly teleconference series that provides our members
and the larger community with one-on-one access to the wisdom of
leading experts in the field
-We
expanded our services to provide mentoring support for members both
female and male and ages 15-62 in 12 countries worldwide
-We established the Pro Recovery Talk Rocks! Campaign highlighting our stringent pro-recovery policy and establishing MentorCONNECT as the first fully pro-recovery, moderated online support community
-We
partnered with three sister organizations, the Binge Eating Disorders
Association (BEDA), Eating Disorder Hope, and Beyond Eating Disorders,
to provide online support services as a source of ancillary support for
their membership
-We welcomed four new Leadership board members and drafted our state and federal paperwork to incorporate MentorCONNECT as a 501 c-3 non-profit organization in 2010
-We
recruited and trained 65 volunteer mentors to work in one-on-one
mentoring matches with sufferers and we supervised 80 mentoring teams
Members About MentorCONNECT:
"Being on MentorCONNECT has helped me see that there's a lot of people out there that get it and care. MentorCONNECT has really been that missing link for me.
It's like I can actually use my skills and everything I've learned [in
treatment and with my therapist] because I know I'm supported. When I'm
struggling I know I can get online or make a call. I have hope now that
I personally know more people that have really recovered." -Katie
"I would just like to say THANK YOU for MentorCONNECT. It has been such a blessing in my life and a fantastic recovery tool!" -Elizabeth
The most important thing we need to remember about MentorCONNECT, however, is that membership and all services continue to be FREE to our members.
This is why we are inviting you to celebrate MentorCONNECT's one year birthday by becoming a MentorCONNECT Founding Member in 2010. If
you are receiving this email, you are a founding member of an
organization that is the first of its kind anywhere in the world!
As a founding member, you are part of MentorCONNECT's
extended leadership and have the opportunity to say "thanks!" for all
that you have received and pay it forward to new members who need
support by making a donation of your choice towards our operating
expenses in 2010.
In exchange for your annual membership donation of $25 or more, you will receive a membership certificate signed by the entire MentorCONNECT Founding Leadership Team and you will be recognized as a founding member on a special MentorCONNECT web page dedicated to YOU (you may also choose to remain anonymous if you prefer).
So
we invite you now to click the link below and register your intention
to help lead and support your community as a founding member in 2010.
YES! I am ready to support my community
as a MentorCONNECT Founding Member!
Click HERE to make your donation
Thank
you again for helping to make our community's first year such a
remarkable, memorable, and heart-warming twelve months. We are excited
to continue our journey together in 2010 and beyond!
With appreciation, respect, and love,
Shannon
Shannon Cutts
Founder/Director
....on behalf of the MentorCONNECT Leadership Team
What members are saying about MentorCONNECT:
It's Saving My Life!
A Mentee Member About MentorCONNECT
"I really feel like I'm starting to grow. I think
that the biggest role in my growth has been sharing so openly with my
mentor and through the blogs. I'm finally able to get thoughts out of
my head and not feel so overwhelmed and bogged down by them. I am
starting to be able to recognize my needs. I'm also starting to recognize/ distinguish between the Ed voice and my voice,
what Ed wants and what I want. This stuff has been so important for me.
I know that I wouldn't be where I'm at without all the support on this
site! Thank you so much for being here!!! It's saving my life!" -Leslie Ann
There Is Nothing More Rewarding Than Knowing You Are Making Even the Smallest Bit of a Difference
A Mentor Member About MentorCONNECT
"This program is amazing. It feels so good to be able to mentor and help someone and possibly make it a bit easier for them.
There is nothing more rewarding than knowing you are making even the
smallest bit of a difference in someone's life. When you have been
where they have been, when you have experienced, first-hand, the pain
and the frustration and the sorrow, you know what it's like. The
greatest feeling is knowing that you are lessening that for someone.
You can see the relief from them when you simply say, "I've been there. I get it. It gets better." Being able to help, and being able to use my struggles to better someone else's life is truly as good as it gets." -Jen
YES! I am ready to support my community as a MentorCONNECT Founding Member!
Click HERE to make your donation
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Eating Disorder Survivor Miss America 2008 about MC
"There is nothing more isolating than a battle with
an eating disorder. During my recovery from anorexia, I found the
most healing of course through therapy, but also through connecting
again with people. Friends. Family. Individuals whom I could trust
and talk to at any time, whether I was feeling blissfully happy or
woefully inadequate. Letting my guard down and opening up to
people; having mentors to guide me and encourage me through the HARD
journey of recovery was my saving grace. One cannot weather the storms of this life alone, especially the darkness of an eating disorder. MentorCONNECT
is a positive and powerful way for individuals and professionals to
lift up and support each other when they feel no one else in the world
could possibly care. I congratulate Shannon for
all of her hard work in bringing the eating disorders community
together and helping people not only to hear the words "You are not
alone," but to experience that truth for themselves. I will be forever grateful to my mentors, and know that thousands will find the love and compassion at MC that they need to recover to health and happiness. -Kirsten Haglund, Miss America 2008
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Join us on Wednesday, February 17: MC Teleconference Series
What You Can Really Do
About Your Eating Disorder
 In this teleconference, Thom will talk about, and respond to questions about, practical tools for eating disorder recovery.
Thom points out that far too often, we -- including treatment
professionals -- inadvertently settle for becoming experts about
eating disorders without becoming experts on what is most important: eating disorder recovery.
"If I have cancer," he says, "I want to talk to the people who treat
cancer, not someone who just understands it."
 To RSVP, simply send us an email with "RSVP for Thom" in the subject line to mc@key-to-life.com
To view the event flyer click HERE
Click HERE To listen to past podcasts
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Hey Ed! You are not welcome inside the "Circle of Hope"!
Did you know that MentorCONNECT has its own "Ed Armor"? Designed by MentorCONNECT founder Shannon, the MC "Circle of Hope" Pendant (which appears alongside the M entorCONNECT logo) reminds ALL of us that the relationships we have here with each other really DO replace eating disorders! The
best news of all is that, whether you order MC Ed Armor for yourself or
to show your support for a friend who is struggling, you will also be
giving back to your community! 100% of sales proceeds go back to MentorCONNECT to help with overhead, expenses, and new programs (like our upcoming retreat!)
To order MC Ed Armor, just click HERE |
Beating ANA Study Group
Priorities
Priorities. We all want them....but how many of us are willing to do the hard work it requires to set - and keep - them?
So
for this chapter's assignment, write down your "top five" goals,
wishes, and dreams. Write as many as you can think of, and then pick
out your top five and write them down in that order.
Then re-write the list (if it does not already appear this way) with "recover from my eating disorder" in the #1 place.
The
eating disorder is a bully. It will not go away quietly if we ignore
its effect on our friendships, our studies, our relationships, our
careers, our lives. Quite the contrary - a bully responds to being
ignored or discounted the same way a thief does. While we are
pretending he doesn't exist or cannot harm us, his confidence grows and
he steals even more.
Priorities remind your mind of what you are living and fighting for. What are your priorities and what are you willing to do to fight for them - and for your recovered life?
Post your insights and ideas HERE
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Mark Your Calendar for the First Quarter of our Exciting 2010 MentorCONNECT Teleconference Series!
- February 17: with Thom Rutledge
- March 17: with Miss America 2008 Kirsten Haglund - "Miss America's perspective on recovery"
- April 14: with June Alexander, on how she recovered as a grandmother!
- May 5: with Dr. Kenneth Weiner, from the Eating Recovery Center - "Recovering from Eating Disorders in a Hostile Environment"
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Humility is wisdom, shame is not.*
Genuine
humility is the great meeting ground for us all, the place where we
know that I am neither better, nor worse than you, and you are neither
better, nor worse than me. At the core, we are the same. We are human
--- radically imperfect human beings. When we are ruled by shame, we
believe ourselves to be different from others, different in some very
negative ways. I call this "negative arrogance." If you fall into this
category, I have this to say to you: you are not that special. No
matter what Ed or The Bully in your head may tell you, you are not
different or separate from the rest of us. You belong here and deserve
to be here as much as anyone else.
Thom
Rutledge is a noted speaker/trainer, workshop facilitator, author of
"Simple Truth" and "Embracing Fear", and co-author (with Jenni
Schaefer) of "Life Without Ed". Thom is also the co-coordinator of the
monthly MentorCONNECT Teleconference Series. For more information about
Thom, visit him at www.nutshellwisdom.com
*copyright Thom Rutledge, all rights reserved
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Support Groups Community-Wide Homework
 Just a reminder that homework is posted each week after our support group meetings.
You are warmly invited to join in the continuing discussions by visiting the Groups page HERE
Want to join in
the Monday & Thursday Night e-chats but aren't sure where to go,
how to log in, and where to find the week's song lyrics? Click HERE for a login refresher!
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Have you missed a podcast?
Now, catch Thom
Carolyn & Sara
Jenni
Jessica
Doris
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Contact your MC Leadership Team
Have a question about the Mentoring Moment?
andrea@key-to-life.com
Have a question about the Forums?
jeanette@key-to-life.com
Want to make a mentoring match?
cheryl@key-to-life.com
Have questions about contributing to MC?
cheryl@key-to-life.com
Want to rsvp for an upcoming teleconference?
mc@key-to-life.com
Want to share your experience of MC?
mc@key-to-life.com
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Join us Monday & Thursday Nights on Chat!
Monday night,
8-9pm central time
Thursday night,
8-9pm central time
The chat room will be open from 7pm-10pm (Central time) to give us all time to reconnect before and after chat!
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Match with a Personal Recovery Mentor in Three EZ Steps!
MentorCONNECT is proud to be the first organization of its kind to offer one-on-one mentoring matchups!
If you would like to take advantage of your membership benefit to match with one of our caring volunteer mentors, here is how:
1. ORDER "Beating Ana" from your local library or bookseller
2. Complete the "Beating Ana Chapter One" exercise
3. EMAIL your answer to Jeanette
It really is that easy!
Why do we ask you to read 30 pages of a book before beginning a mentoring partnership?
Simply because once you understand the Mentor Model we use here on MentorCONNECT, you will be both knowledgeable AND fired up to make the most of your chance to be mentored!
Our mentors are standing by, on call to support you and reassure you that YES, recovery really IS possible for YOU too!
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MentorCONNECT is grateful for the support of its Sponsoring Care Partners:
MC PREMIUM LEVEL SPONSORS:
Remuda Ranch Programs for Eating Disorders
Tapestry: A Residential Treatment Center for Women with Eating Disorders
You Are Not Alone
MC PROFESSIONAL NETWORK SPONSORS:
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MM Archives: To access the full Mentoring Moment Archives, click HERE
NOTE: Participation in MentorCONNECT
is NOT meant to replace the supervision and care of a qualified medical
professional, and should never be construed as such. Shannon Cutts, the
MentorCONNECT Leadership Team and Key to Life
can NOT be held liable for any activities undertaken as a part or
result of receiving or participating in these online communities. If
you have a medical question, please consult your healthcare
professional.
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