Ask your average Canadian their impression, right now, of this countrys indigenous people and their hopes for prosperity, stability and success in their communities. In all likelihood, you will hear about a story they read recently involving an aboriginal communitys struggle with housing, education, youth motivation or even a rising rate of suicide.

In pictures: A B.C. reserve school unlike any other

What you probably wont hear is an answer that demonstrates even a basic knowledge of Canadas indigenous peoples involvement in the economic growth of this country; the initiatives they have under way for preparing the large numbers of indigenous youth poised to enter Canadas labour force; or even the names of two or three aboriginal organizations achieving remarkable success with their enterprises.

Here at the Banff Centre, we have spent the past two years in an intensive investigation of just what makes an aboriginal community successful. What are the wise practices that lead to success? we asked as we set out with a team of applied researchers, shadowed by a video crew and a group of highly engaged and eager aboriginal youth, to visit enterprises operated by four indigenous communities in Alberta. The resulting case studies, the details of which are now available to any and all interested in learning from them, were developed from research and conversations with the Mikisew Group of Companies, Mtis Crossing, the Alberta Indian Investment Corp. (AIIC) and Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park.

Rocky Sinclair, a principal with the AIIC, headquartered just outside Edmonton, was one of the representatives from the research communities presenting at an international symposium that convened at the Banff Centre last month.

Mr. Sinclair shared the struggles and triumphs that the AIIC has encountered since its formation in 1987, as well as its numerical and personal markers of success. This developmental lender has provided more than 800 loans worth some $53-million to Albertas aboriginal start-up businesses. Even more powerful: Were seeing generational success were lending to the kids of people we loaned to 20 years ago, Mr. Sinclair said.

The success stories depicted in these case studies along with the positive, energetic and thoughtful dialogue of the symposium speakers and delegates from Canada, the United States, Australia and New Zealand form a collective wisdom that we believe can and will help other indigenous leaders in shaping their communities futures.

The topic of youth and their involvement in the future success of aboriginal communities in Canada was never far from the top of the agenda at the symposium, with many speakers making note of the astounding potential for aboriginal youth to shape their communities and the countrys economic future. Canada cannot ignore the fact that more than 600,000 aboriginal youth will have entered the labour market between 2001 and 2026.

Roberta Jamieson, president and CEO of Indspire (formerly the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation), spoke about the creation and support of a positive future for aboriginal youth throughout her keynote speech at the symposium.

Canada cannot afford to squander the opportunity, she said, adding that it will take more than political will to advance the prospects of aboriginal youth. This is not a game to watch from the sidelines If its going to impact Indian people, Indian people have to lead it.

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Let’s hear more indigenous success stories

Inside Higher Ed has an interesting interview with Professors Kelly Ward (Washington State University) and Lisa Wolf-Wendel (University of Kansas) the authors of the new book Academic Motherhood: How Faculty Manage Work and Family. The whole thing is worth a read, including important points about how liberal arts colleges tend to be less family-friendly than research institutions because of their teaching loads and high expectations for campus involvement. I was glad to see research institutions were often places where structures and policies were in place to support families, and that those who work at community colleges tend to be the most satisfied.

But there is still a long way for all campuses to go, including my own.

Something that troubles me in the academic job rhetoric is how much personal agency matters to success: are you advocating for yourself, are you finding your own mentors, are you contesting a manuscript rejection, are you getting yourself invited for talks, are you negotiating properly for start-up? And in general, the mentoring I have received as a tenure-track professor has been framed as though its simply up to me to argue hard for myself and get everything I need. This doesnt help me navigate identify-specific issues like gendered or racial discrimination, or family duties. This kind of advice ignores the other side of the agency coin, and thats institution.

This is why I was thrilled to see this portion of the Ward and Wolf-Wendel interview:

Q: What are your top recommendations to institutions that want to be more supportive of academic parents?

A: Greater transparency! The biggest thing campuses need to do is not just have policies, but to, more importantly, let people know they can use the policies. We refer to this as a culture of use. Campuses need to make faculty aware of policies and let faculty know they can use those policies without fear of professional or personal retribution. This requires a cultural shift on behalf of all members of the campus, not just the faculty in need of the policy. Policies have to be known, easy to find, and useable.

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Move away from making deals equitable policy environments grant all faculty access to policies. Success at navigating work and family should not just be a matter of personal agency.

Agency only gets you halfway to resolving a social problem (like support of families, racial inequality, etc). The other half has to be institution, by which I mean culture like Ward and Wolf-Wendels point about creating a culture of use and policy like parental leave that understands a parents need for more time in order to achieve at work when, for instance, there is a squalling newborn at home (not to mention potential health issues, recovery from childbirth, and other kinds of fun).

Universities need to stop allowing different departments to regulate their own minimums for parental leave and family support, hoping department heads will remember to throw in the occasional stopped clock or semester off from teaching for new parents (oh, the horror stories I have heard), and set a progressive standard. This will have a positive effect not only on faculty with families, but those without: the more support parents have, the less the burden of academic service will get put on those without children.

Excerpt from:
Personal Agency, My Arse: Policy, Not Agency, Needed to Improve Outcomes for Academic Parents

The NFL is overrun with them. And, no, were not talking about former Patriots now working in the media.

Rather, its young starting quarterbacks.

Sixteen of the leagues 32 teams are guided by passers who have five years of experience or less. They include five sophomores and five rookies.

Indianapolis Andrew Luck, Washingtons Robert Griffin III, Miamis Ryan Tannehill, Clevelands Brandon Weeden and Seattles Russell Wilson, wholl face the Patriots today, are the rookies.

You have second-year pros in Carolinas Cam Newton, Tennessees Jake Locker, Minnesotas Christian Ponder, Cincinnatis Andy Dalton and Jacksonvilles Blaine Gabbert.

St. Louis Sam Bradford is in his third year; Detroits Matthew Stafford, Tampa Bays Josh Freeman and the Jets Mark Sanchez are in their fourth season; and the graybeards of the group, Atlantas Matt Ryan and Baltimores Joe Flacco, are in their fifth year.

Of that group, only Locker sat for his first season. The clipboard-carrying apprenticeship that used to be mandatory for the position is as outdated as the iPhone 3GS.

There are two generally held beliefs for this. First, its easier to succeed in todays NFL with its passer-friendly rules. Second, quarterbacks increasingly have become professionals before they actually turn pro.

I think the biggest reason why and I deal with this more than anyone else in the country at the younger age groups is theyre just so much more advanced in their learning curve, said Trent Dilfer, an ESPN analyst and Elite 11 coach, which is a program for exceptional high school passing prospects.

In Texas, from the time youre 10 years old, youre in passing camps and seven-on-seven tournaments, and teams are throwing the ball (in games). In Southern California, its the same way. Its even got into Ohio and Pennsylvania and places where they never used to throw it. Florida is loaded with seven-on-seven tournaments and teams going to pass-driven offenses.

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NFL: Quarterbacks primed for success during early years

SEWELL, N.J., Oct. 14, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Eulo Chiropractic Center demonstrates to personal injury patients who are suffering from back and neck pain how they may benefit from chiropractic care. Sewell chiropractor Dr. Chris Eulo recommends non-invasive pain management, including spinal adjustments, for a drug-free alternative to treating car accident injuries. Dr. Eulo, who has been treating patients since 1993, says that he has had substantial success using chiropractic care to relieve pain and treat injuries sustained in an accident, like whiplash.

Eulo Chiropractic Center in Sewell, NJ announced that the practice has had substantial success treating patients for personal injuries using chiropractic care. Sewell chiropractor Dr. Chris Eulo recommends that accident victims seek treatment for their injury as soon as possible after a car accident.

According to Dr. Eulo, a car accident injury can strain the soft tissue muscles in the neck and cause misalignment in the cervical spine. A whiplash injury occurs when the force of a rear impact abruptly whips the neck forward and backward causing such strain. According to Dr. Eulo, the most effective treatment is to correct this misalignment to alleviate pressure on the nerves, which relieves pain. He advocates prompt care to help reduce the buildup of scar tissue and increase chances of a more efficient recovery.

"Without proper treatment, a car accident injury can lead to chronic pain and delay in healing," said Dr. Eulo. "When patients experience injury such as whiplash, they often suffer from neck pain, headaches and migraines."

The Sewell chiropractor also notes that following a car accident, patients often experience back pain, neck pain, and headaches. He reports some patients may even experience radiating pain into their arms, shoulders and legs. Therapeutic treatments such as massage are designed to help relieve trapped tension that is causing this pain, while also promoting internal healing for personal injuries.

Dr. Eulo goes on to say that following initial spinal adjustments, he will prescribe an exercise regimen to help strengthen weakened areas of the spine. He also incorporates spinal rehabilitative exercises and various physiotherapy modalities for increased pain relief and increased function. He reports these treatments improve flexibility and mobility to fixated areas resulting from personal injuries.

"Chiropractic adjustments provide lasting pain relief by increasing joint mobility, decreasing muscle spasms; thereby, reducing any nerve pressure," said Dr. Eulo. "By treating the root cause for an injury, I am able to help patients heal safely and quickly after an injury. Prompt treatment and follow-up rehabilitative care can truly optimize a patient's recovery," said Dr. Eulo.

Eulo Chiropractic Center provides natural pain management and injury rehabilitation for personal injury patients in Turnersville, Williamstown, Blackwood, Clayton, Sicklerville, Pitman, Franklinville, and Washington Township.

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Sewell Chiropractor Uses Non-Invasive Treatment for Car Accident Injury Patients

OCT 15 How does a politician write off 47 per cent of his electorate by portraying them as having a victim mentality and still gain support? Mitt Romney has managed to close the gap between him and Barack Obama by simply admitting to it and moving on to other issues as fast as he could.

The underlying assumption being that his campaign plank of lowering taxes would have no appeal to those not paying any taxes at all and therefore are not likely to vote for him, so why bother talking to them at all?

Closer home, as elections draw ever nearer, politicians seem to be playing from the same songbook, making a couple of astonishing statements and then simply moving on.

After hounding Suaram for receiving foreign funding, the prime minister simply stated that he was not obligated to disclose the source of approximately RM40 million donated to Sabah Umno in cash across national borders.

Equally hypocritical was his assertion after years of George Soros bashing by his coalition for the billionaire financiers dealings with the opposition that he indeed had also met Soros, but only to fulfil a request for such a meeting by Soros himself.

For a man who constantly carps about cronyism, the opposition leader taking favours of rides in personal jets from friends for free when as economic adviser to Selangor he is in a position to reciprocate such favours is not exactly kosher either. He did not disclose the source of this favour to the opposition either. As far as the opposition is concerned, the issue is over and we all need to move on.

How can politicians who demonstrate such blatant hypocrisy get away with it? Why do they believe that transparency in such matters is of no consequence? Is it because like Romney they believe they only need to talk to their base and ignore the rest?

The answer may lie in their beliefs about how electoral politics plays out in the minds of the people. American politics has shown the way by demonstrating that elections can be won largely through the clever use of media over any number of well-meaning policies.

Recognising that sometimes the medium is the message, political parties emphasise media that is more in synch with their overall philosophy. In terms of media strategy, generally speaking, the Democrats in America rely on a grassroots campaign more than the big-budget mass media approach of the Republicans. In Malaysia that is mirrored by the ceramah circuit-dominated campaign of Pakatan Rakyat to the MSM-dominated campaign of Barisan Nasional.

The basic strategy is to use media to solidify the base of their own supporters first, try and win over the fence sitters by staking claims to issues of importance to them second, and immediately before the elections to go out on an all-out offensive on the other side without really responding to any counter-attacks. At the end its about slinging as much mud as possible on the other side and hoping some sticks.

Originally posted here:
Messaging and electoral success

Doug Bennett has been a personal trainer for more than 23 years. He owns the Body Studio a fitness studio near Cohasset Harbor. For more than a decade Bennett has helped hundreds of women and men lose anywhere from 5 to 100 pounds plus. As a former division 1A wrestler for Clemson University with degrees in biology and nutrition, Bennett now hopes to bring his brand of fitness to the world, specifically women, via an iTune app called Fit Girl.

Fit Girl was launched two months ago. Now a mainstream word, app is computer software that helps the consumer perform a specific task, in this case, a workout geared specifically towards women that can be downloaded and viewed on an Iphone or Ipad. Not everyone can afford or has access to a personal trainer and even those that do can not always find the time to work out at a gym, however, according to Bennett, this app, if done regularly can dramatically change ones fitness level and physique.

I want to reach a larger audience, beyond the South Shore..beyond New England, explains Bennett. I want to give women everywhere the tools they need to work out at home, or on vacation or a business trip, at a very small price.

Fit Girl has been a year in the making. Bennett first did a beta study a test for a computer product prior to commercial release. Beta testing is the last stage of product testing, and normally can involve sending the product to beta test sites outside the company for real-world exposure or offering the product for a free trial download over the Internet.

Bennett asked 60 women to try Fit Girl and followed them every step of the way offering daily advice and encouragement via email (and phone). This on-line group provided him with encouraging feedback, which encouraged him about the potential success of the program. Bennett is very excited about the fact that the test group lost an average of 18 pounds over three months using Fit Girls simple Body Thin Diet and exercise regimen both developed by Bennett, whose experience also includes being an assistant athletic trainer for Umass Amherst.

As for what it takes to create an app for iTunes...it is not for the faint of heart. According to Bennett the process was extremely challenging and very costly, well into the tens of thousand of dollars. In an effort to keep costs down he even wrote some of the computer code himself, having studied internet marketing for the last five years. In addition to Bennetts own time there were several costs associated with producing this program such as the cost of hiring a video production company; creating and writing the computer code; and the fee for the personal trainers who are featured in the app demonstrating the proper and safe way to do each of the exercises.

I wanted to give women workouts that could help them transform their shape, whether they have to lose 25 pounds or 125, says Bennett. The exercises focus on body concerns that affect the majority of women.

Bennett hopes that this app, which costs $1.99, will find its niche as an affordable and transportable training option. He stresses that old adage, for less than the price of a cup of coffee a woman can have all the benefits of a personal trainer or gym membership, as long as they put in the effort thats required.

If getting outside the local market was his goal, Bennett has already achieved success. Most of his downloads are coming from Australia where he has focused the majority of his marketing energy via the internet. Fit Girl first debuted over the summer on the website greatapps.com. It has reached # 4 in the list of the top iPad apps for health and fitness and has stayed in the top 100 since it launched. With more than 6,000 apps that promise health and wellness, the market is extremely competitive, however, Bennett is hopeful about the future success of this app. and has already begun working on another app and a Kindle book.

I studied all the fitness apps out there and found there is a lack of programs with a workout sequence like this, says Bennett. Many apps have celebrity names on them but there were not many that impressed me. I designed Fit Girl to truly be a blueprint for a womans body, with laser focus on their biggest concerns. I believe it works.

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Local trainer hopes Fit Girl App is an App-solute success

By Mary McCarty and Laura A. Bischoff

Staff Writers

Before he was led away in handcuffs after being charged with theft in office, money laundering and other felony charges, Clayton Luckie seemed the epitome of the hometown success story.

He grew up in a middle-class West Dayton family and played basketball at Chaminade-Julienne High School, graduating in 1981. After serving 10 years on the Dayton school board, he was elected to the legislature representing Daytons 39th House District.

He drove a Cadillac Escalade, wore finely-tailored suits and bought a home for his mother in Springboro.

I was really impressed by how good he was to his mother, noted Mario Gallin, who was often an adversary on the Dayton school board. That seemed counter to his image as the super politician.

Some privately wondered how Luckies lifestyle reconciled with his $68,000 income as a state representative and less than $10,000 from his part-time job as director of sales for Johnson Energy Co. There was always smoke, but I never saw any flames, Gallin said. Nothing happened that was anything but proper and above board.

Gallin was among those caught off-guard last week by the news that Luckie had been indicted on 49 criminal charges, including theft in office, money laundering, election falsification, tampering with records, and tampering with evidence and forgery. The indictment says that over his six years in the Ohio House he stole nearly $130,000 from his campaign account.

If convicted, he could spend years in prison.

Its no secret we werent friends, Gallin said of the six years the two served together on the school board. But, she said, Luckie cared about the school district and was an advocate for children.

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Hometown success story faces possible prison time

By Pat Perry

Throughout my career, I have been very fortunate to meet many successful business people.

Regardless of the type of success they have achieved, there seems to be characteristics they all have in common. And, it does not matter whether you are a recent graduate or a 40-year business veteran, successful people can provide you life lessons about personal achievement, work/life balance and happiness.

They also show us how to manage and lead organizations that do the right thing, make an economic impact and contribute back to the community. So here are several attributes that appear to be common denominators among these high achieving individuals:

* Define success They define success and use it as a critical guiding principle upon which they base decisions and take actions that affect their career path, personal wealth and family. Interestingly enough, the more successful people I meet the more I realize that most, if not all, have placed family first over career and money.

* Never grow up I have found successful business people to be incredibly creative, innovative and risk takers. These are great attributes that tend to be showcased more by kids than adults. In today's fear-based business environment, it is refreshing to run across people that are still "kid at heart" and find that each day is a new journey to explore, create and try something new. Successful business people recognize that traditional corporate procedures, reward systems and promotions are often based upon employees following the rules, playing company politics and being risk adverse. Rather than follow most of corporate America, these successful leaders have company cultures where magic is allowed to happen because they are not afraid of letting their employees be kids again.

* Communication masters Successful business people are very good at written and oral communication. These skill sets are essential in getting along with others, selling ideas, resolving conflict and contributing to organizational success. They may not be that great at texting, but their interpersonal skill sets are extraordinary. And, most importantly, they know how to listen.

* Last place Probably the most admirable attribute of successful business people is that they always put everyone else first and place themselves last. Their selfless approach with others inside and outside of their businesses goes against conventional "What's' in it for me?" thinking.

* Keep learning They read all they can, including general literature and career related information. Successful people ask plenty of questions and are not afraid to continually challenge themselves and others with new ideas, skill sets and technology.

* It's Called Work Successful people lead by example when it comes to work ethic. They are driven to give 100 percent at home and at their company. For them, it's about effort and energy and knowing that they gave it their all. And, they recognize it's not about the hours put into the job but what gets accomplished in the hours they work.

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Pat Perry: Success 101: Learning from those who have found their way

Master Sgt. William S. Benedict, a 1996 Beyer High graduate, received the Master Gunnery Sgt. Samuel C. Plott Staff Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year award at the annual Marine Corps Association & Foundation Intelligence Dinner last month in Arlington, Va.

The award is given for outstanding leadership and is presented annually in memory of Plott, who served 26 years in the Corps.

Benedict enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1996 and attended the Defense Language Institute, graduating in November 1998 as a Russian cryptologic linguist. He has served multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. He currently serves as the Marine Special Operations Intelligence Company's senior enlisted adviser.

Benedict is a graduate of the radio reconnaissance indoctrination program; survival, evasion, resistance and escape course; cold weather survival course; urban reconnaissance and surveillance course; U.S. Army Airborne School; Navy Dive School; military free fall course; and the U.S. Army jumpmaster advanced course.

Benedict's personal decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon and the Good Conduct Medal. Benedict is married to the former Shannon Silva and has one son, Chase.

Yosemite National Park's Historic Preservation Program received the Appleman-Judd-Lewis award last month. The award recognizes expertise and outstanding contributions to cultural resource stewardship and management by permanent full-time employees of the National Park Service. The crew completed a collaborative preservation effort on the fountain of the historic Wawona Hotel in Wawona. The program was one of four programs or individuals honored by the park service.

Terry McGrath of Modesto is the new lieutenant governor of Division 46 of the California-Nevada, Hawaii District Kiwanis Clubs. The division covers 16 Kiwanis Clubs in the four counties of Stanislaus, Merced, Calaveras and Mariposa. He is a member of Modesto Kiwanis, which recently seated President Karen Peterson, President-elect Jim Mesquit, Vice President Margaret Trammell, Secretary Don Ross and Treasurer Paul Hearst.

Submit items for Success & Service to local@modbee.com.

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Success & Service: Marine group recognizes Beyer High graduate

The St. Josephs Villa Family Council is hosting its second Interactive Forum focused on Personal Support Workers A Cornerstone to Long Term Care Success, on Thursday, Oct. 18, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at St. Josephs Villa Long Term Care Facility in Dundas.

The forum will be of special interest to family members who have loved ones in long-term care facilities, health professionals, long-term care workers and educators, and the public at large.

The forum will deal with the role, training and expectations of personal support workers in long-term care facilities. Knowledgeable speakers from education, health care and labour will present various points of view concerning consistency in standards, training and the certification and registry of front-line workers. Audience questions will also be addressed.

Peter Gnish, chair of the St. Josephs Villa Family Council, stressed the urgency for all sectors to work together to make long-term care in Ontario the best it can be.

Since 2008, the provincial government has provided funding for only 2.8 paid hours of care per resident per day in long-term care, he said.

They promised to increase that to four hours by 2012. This still has not been done and creates great strains on the PSWs and the care they can offer. We believe that the only way the current problems in our long-term care facilities can be improved is if the government keeps its promise, as well as working to establish a licensing body, such as a college, to develop a process of registration, accreditation and certification for all personal support workers.

To register as a participant in the forum contact Gnish at 905-547-1628 or pgnish@cogeco.ca.

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Family Council advocates for positive change