MY VIEW

One of the unique characteristics of the TIP Program is our "broad brush approach."  By broad brush, I mean that we respond to assist the young, the old, the rich, the poor and citizens of all races and ethnic backgrounds. And we respond to all kinds of crises. Finally, we provide our services in a variety of locations, from upscale homes to small one bedroom apartments.  Our motto could be, "Bring it on!" 

In the TIP Volunteer Training Academy we refer to the many different people we serve affectionately as "the cast of characters."  Serving the "cast of characters" is a real strength of our organization and it certainly adds challenge to the job of our TIP volunteers. 

While there are no clients more important than others, I can tell you that when we are serving those who Mother Teresa referred to as "the poorest of the poor" and grant makers refer to as "the most vulnerable"  we are, I believe, at our best.  As you read this, somewhere in the country, there is a TIP volunteer helping a fragile young child, or an elderly person with Alzheimer, or a person who can't speak English, or a person with a history of alcohol or drug abuse, or someone with a mental illness, or a family so poor they can't afford to bury a loved one.

It's one thing to respond to calls to assist the cast of characters, but it's quite another to respond with compassion and respect. There is a danger when regularly serving those who are struggling and may be "living on the edge" to become calloused and judgmental. Fortunately, our volunteers don't fall into that trap. As one volunteer said to me after returning from a call with a "rough" client ― "after spending time with him, I saw below the roughness to just a grief stricken human being." 

Just as many people (including myself) believe that the basic test of a society is how it treats its most vulnerable, I believe you can test the character of an organization by how it treats its most vulnerable and "least attractive" clients. 

Using this test, we are an organization with a strong character indeed!

MANDY ATKISSION PROMOTED TO TIP SAN DIEGO EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 

Mandy Atkission was recently appointed the Executive Director of TIP of San Diego County Inc. She started her involvement with TIP as a TIP Volunteer, and then she was hired and served as the Crisis Team Manager for three years.  Mandy says that what she is most proud of as the Crisis Team Manager is her relationship with the TIP Volunteers."   I got to know all the volunteers on a personal level," said Mandy.  "I think volunteers feel more committed to the program when they feel they have a relationship with the manager,"  she said.

Mandy reports that her biggest goal as the new Executive Director is to continue the relationship with the volunteers and to strengthen her relationships with emergency responders."  I want responders to know who I am and to have a personal relationship with me," she said.  Another goal Mandy has is to increase the number of "friends" TIP has in the community.

Mandy's family life is a great balance to TIP. Her and her husband of 26 years, Bill and their four children like to bike ride, camp and play games as a family. They also like going to amusement parks and ball games.

Mandy's success as a Crisis Team Manager and her promotion to Executive Director speaks of her leadership ability according to Wayne Fortin, TIP Founder. "I think Mandy is a great leader," said Fortin.

"She knows that leadership is largely about establishing relationships, and she has great people skills," he said.

When Mandy reflects on what it means to be an effective leader she says that "a leader must realize that he/she needs help. I feel very honored when someone asks me for help, so I try to pass that on by letting others assist me."

You can congratulate Mandy on her promotion at doubleditto@cox.net

June Vining, Executive Director of TIP Portland/Vancouver Inc, wanted to supply her 160 volunteers with reflective vests, but at 30.00 per vest, her Affiliate just couldn't afford it. June brought her dilemma to the TIP Advisory Committee and she was pleasantly surprised at the results.  The Advisory Committee suggested approaching Fire Stations and police departments and asking each to purchase one vest for a TIP Volunteer.  Lt. Allen Oswalt of the Portland Fire & Rescue Bureau took the lead and sent out a letter which in part said: "I am asking and challenging each Engine and Truck Company in the region to come up with the funding of one vest. This will show our appreciation for the work that they do to help us out when we respond to tragedies."

June Vining reports that within 10 hours of the letter going out, enough money was raised for 40 vests!  

Our Open House was held on March 1st.  Vice President Scott Van Wagenen donated one year of rent to help us get our feet on the ground and running.

The Volunteer Center of Fresno County awarded TIP of Fresno with the Spirit of Service Award for our commitment to making our Community safer and stronger.  We inspire by example.

TIP of Fresno County is now an endorsed Organization Member of United Way of Fresno.  We have met their goals and will be a part of a network of many non-profit organizations.

We received a grant for $2,000 from Bank of Sierra and $500.00 contribution from Central Valley Community Bank.

TIP VOLUNTEERS ATTEND CORONER'S INQUESTS

TIP of Southern Nevada TIP Volunteers are now attending Coroner's Inquests in Clark County, NV. They are invited by the Clark County Coroner to support family members of citizens who have been killed by law enforcement personnel.  TIP Volunteers are there for the sole purpose of providing emotional first aid to family members.  Coroner's inquests are very wrenching experiences for family members of the deceased.  Often they see the last moments of their loved one's life on audio or video tape.

One of the challenges of this new service offered by TIP of S. Nevada is to explain to the police that TIP is not there to allow family members to "bash" the police, but to just support people who are in emotional pain.  Another challenge is gaining the trust of family members.  Initially, family members think that TIP Volunteers are part of the police department.  When they understand that TIP is a separate organization, they accept TIP support.

UCI MEDICAL CENTER HONORS TIP VOLUNTEERS

On June 7, 2008, the University of California Irvine Medical Center hosted an appreciation luncheon for Orange County TIP Volunteers.  Over 85 volunteers and family members attended.  Hospital staff expressed their appreciation for TIP Volunteers not only because volunteers help support family members of patients, but because as one social worker said "when we know a TIP Volunteer is on the way, we all breath a sigh of relief." 

According to Debbie Simpson, the Chapter's Crisis Team Manager, the luncheon was a relaxing and fun event.  "We purposely did not have many speakers," Simpson said.  "We just wanted to appreciate our volunteers with good food, gifts and a few laughs," she said. 

			Click images to enlarge

 

FUNDRAISING EVENT

TIP FRESNO FUNDRAISING EVENT

The Fresno and Foothill Response Teams collected over 11,887 pounds of        e-waste and raised over 2,000.00.

FUNDRAISING IDEAS

• Adopt A TIP Volunteer. 

• A number of nonprofits have had great success with a celebrity waiter event where celebrities (or police officers/firefighters) donate their time to serve dinner to guests.

• Here's a great way to spice up an auction.  Have a few items for bid that are opportunities to hold someone else's job for a day.

• Dunkin Donuts and Baskin Robbins stores nationwide support a variety of emergency response agencies nationwide with cash grants and Hero recognition events.  Contact local stores for more information. 

UPCOMING EVENTS

 

"Dare To Transform" Conference Washington, DC July 11  Wayne Fortin will present The TIP Model at this conference of trauma practitioners from across the country  TIPNational Annual Meeting Orange County, Ca.  November 6-8  Salute to On-Scene Heroes Dinner TIP Fresno, Ca.  October 17, 2008

 

TIP MARRIAGES & ENGAGEMENTS

TIP Fresno:  Dave and Helen Zamora (both TIP volunteers) were married on January 1st.

TIP Fresno:  Ryan Fraytes and Sherry Stovall (both TIP volunteers) will be getting married October 17th.

QUOTABLES

"We have all been at the scene when we turn grieving family members over to the caring hands of TIP Volunteers. We are able to return in service with that feeling of relief that they are in good hands and we are not abandoning these people in need."   Lt. Allen Oswalt, Portland Fire & Rescue

"I just love my job. I enjoy the volunteers and I like connecting to the emergency responders. I have a million different things on my 'To Do' list and I don't have time to get bored. I find TIP challenges to be kind of exciting."  Mandy Atkission, Executive Director, TIP of San Diego

"She put her arm around me and listened...you helped me on the worst day of my life."   TIP Client

"God's Angel."  TIP Client

"Her heart was open with very needed understanding...you helped my healing."   TIP Client

The volunteer "was essential to the performance of my duties."  Sheriff's Deputy

"I love to see (the TIP Volunteer) for my patients...very helpful."  Hospital Emergency Room RN

"In every situation you have helped care for the grieving and allowed officers to go back to work and concentrate on other issues."  Pensacola Police Officer

"I am always relieved when any TIP Volunteer assists with a traumatic event."  Sheriff's Deputy

RESOURCES

• Addresses of major media outlets are available at http://www.americanreview.us/mediadd.htm

• Excellent grief resources ( free ) are available at www.usaaedfoundation.org

Click image for a Big Smile

Click here to download or print this month's TIPNational e-Newsletter edition.

Return to top

TIPNational is able to operate and continue establishing new Chapters across the nation thanks to the generous contributions of our supporters.  For more information, click here.  TIP is a 501(c)(3) Tax Exempt Organization And Your Contribution is Tax Deductible

For information about Trauma Intervention Programs, Inc., you may visit our website or contact Wayne Fortin at TIPIncCEO@aol.com.

This e-Newsletter is presented by TIPNational, 1420 Phillips Street, Vista, CA  92083.