Resurrection After Rape Community Group
Discussion, question-and-answer, general social support, and journal processing for progress-oriented rape survivors. No crisis, no damaging or triggering conflicts--this is for individuals who want to contribute to collective, cooperative action toward the goal of making actual PROGRESS through rape trauma. Much of this work is based on the book "Resurrection After...
The Oklahoma Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault is the regulatory agency that oversees all the DV/SA programs in the state. I've worked with them as a collaborator and contractor for many years, and they want to support the retreat next year.
They have also asked me to join their staff as the director of a new project to develop sexual assault programs throughout Oklahoma in rural communities.
15 of our counties have no SA crisis services for victims: no hospital forensic programs (called SANE programs), no counselors, and very little law enforcement training. The OCADVSA wants to hire me to create such programs, working with the various regional SA programs that already exist to help design these. It would mean organizing trainings for nurses and law enforcement, setting up guidelines for sexual assault programs, making sure therapists are adequately trained, and providing other technical assistance. I would work with the various District Attorneys Councils and the Attorney General's Office to ensure that SA programs meet state criteria.
OCADVSA is not considering any other candidates; the job is mine if I want it, and I could choose and hire my own assistant.
Now, it doesn't pay a whole lot. It would offer benefits to me, but I'd have to buy in for my family too, so at the end of the pay period I'd have very small checks. But we'd have health care!
The Pro's of the opportunity are these: I'd be in a position of leadership in the State, able to influence services on a massive level. Entire SA programs would set their policies based on my designs. Instead of my former career working with a room full of survivors in therapy, I'd be improving things for rape victims at a statewide level. I'd be the "go-to" guy for rural programs. I'd be working alongside my best friends, who are also the experts in Oklahoma on DV/SA. And it's hard to beat "created 15 sexual assault programs throughout the State" as a resume detail. And, frankly, it would feel like the ultimate refutation of naysayers, finger-waggers, and Pharisaical critics who would never have expected me to not only make a comeback, but become a State planner of new sexual assault services!
The Cons: Low pay for full-time work. It would take me away from my full devotion to two new books I'm developing, plus art, music, and a whole burst of creativity. Which is nice, but hardly a reason to pass up a career opportunity like this, either. HOWEVER, I have also been considering pursuing a Doctorate, and it's impossible to do both (one can't be a Doctoral student AND travel statewide organizing trainings and creating new programs and curricula). Organization is not my passion; I'm a right-brained thinker, not a planner. Having a full-time job would mean I couldn't travel when and where I'd like, so no extra-long Christmas with my family out of state, no road trips with the kids, no time to spend a few days in the mountains, etc.
So I'd like input and advice!
They have also asked me to join their staff as the director of a new project to develop sexual assault programs throughout Oklahoma in rural communities.
15 of our counties have no SA crisis services for victims: no hospital forensic programs (called SANE programs), no counselors, and very little law enforcement training. The OCADVSA wants to hire me to create such programs, working with the various regional SA programs that already exist to help design these. It would mean organizing trainings for nurses and law enforcement, setting up guidelines for sexual assault programs, making sure therapists are adequately trained, and providing other technical assistance. I would work with the various District Attorneys Councils and the Attorney General's Office to ensure that SA programs meet state criteria.
OCADVSA is not considering any other candidates; the job is mine if I want it, and I could choose and hire my own assistant.
Now, it doesn't pay a whole lot. It would offer benefits to me, but I'd have to buy in for my family too, so at the end of the pay period I'd have very small checks. But we'd have health care!
The Pro's of the opportunity are these: I'd be in a position of leadership in the State, able to influence services on a massive level. Entire SA programs would set their policies based on my designs. Instead of my former career working with a room full of survivors in therapy, I'd be improving things for rape victims at a statewide level. I'd be the "go-to" guy for rural programs. I'd be working alongside my best friends, who are also the experts in Oklahoma on DV/SA. And it's hard to beat "created 15 sexual assault programs throughout the State" as a resume detail. And, frankly, it would feel like the ultimate refutation of naysayers, finger-waggers, and Pharisaical critics who would never have expected me to not only make a comeback, but become a State planner of new sexual assault services!
The Cons: Low pay for full-time work. It would take me away from my full devotion to two new books I'm developing, plus art, music, and a whole burst of creativity. Which is nice, but hardly a reason to pass up a career opportunity like this, either. HOWEVER, I have also been considering pursuing a Doctorate, and it's impossible to do both (one can't be a Doctoral student AND travel statewide organizing trainings and creating new programs and curricula). Organization is not my passion; I'm a right-brained thinker, not a planner. Having a full-time job would mean I couldn't travel when and where I'd like, so no extra-long Christmas with my family out of state, no road trips with the kids, no time to spend a few days in the mountains, etc.
So I'd like input and advice!
Congratulations! It sounds like a perfect fit :)
I believe that you do deserve to let your voice be heard.
I think I hear Tonya in the background...is she singing a lively tune??
Freedom!!
We do not want you to go mad with planning and things that completely turn you off...this is the stuff that breeds burn-out, and no one will benefit from your gifts if that was to occur.
I was also thinking about "resume building"...it sounds selfish and self-serving to accept on those grounds alone...but, that being just ONE factor, lol...it *would* look great on a resume...and the thing about those who are on the Board...probably...heck, quite possibly ending up having to use your very words in their decision-making process...having to look into their own past decisions and finding YOU...little 'ol Matt...dang! That would have to feel good...and again, not a thing to make the decision solely on that...but.....oh, that would satisfy so much...sorry, again...too much of me, not a whole lot of who you are or what you are about in that comment.
I suppose, in some ways, the decision boils down to kind of ....for exactly what reason do you wish to lose sleep....stress over doing a great job in a job you really don't wish to do but know you need steady pay coming in....or, loss of sleep due to NOT having steady employment. Crap...I really am no good at this aid to decision making am I, LOL.
I simply believe you will make the wisest choice possible...and I am glad you have the opportunity to choose...I am glad that you being out of the job you did have didn't mean you lost all ability to support your family...you guys deserve a break...I pray you are given the peace about the decision so that you know in your heart you are choosing wisely.
Heck, my job was affected by my PTSD, and I was shifted from one job to another, then left that one because of the stress...and thought I was going to be forced out on disability, only to end up where I am. I left more jobs in 18 months than I have ever thought I would in a lifetime. I had spent 16 years on the job just prior to the PTSD coming back...so, I know how it feels to be 'forced' out of a position I loved. But...I love the job I have now...and my benefits are better...so...it can happen, even when you think the horizon looks bleak. Hugs and prayers to you and Tonya as you think this through.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEh4P56VsQE&NR=1&feature=fvwp
You mentioned some hesitancy about the planning/organizing aspect of the job, and people here had some great input. I'd like to put in my admittedly biased 2 cents worth. In the past, I've done volunteer work and have served in leadership positions in some different non-profit and service organizations. I've worked with a few highly organized and efficient types and have been impressed at how much they got done. Up to a point. Eventually, when these people were in charge, we lost our focus. We became more about organizational structure, programs, and business-like efficiency -- and less about the very people we were trying to help.
I've also worked under passionate people who never let us forget the individual people we were trying to help. At every board meeting or planning session, they would have at least one story about someone who benefitted from our services or someone who desperately needed something we had not yet thought of providing.
There are all sorts of go-getter super-administrator types. A lot of those skills can be taught and learned. But you can't teach someone passion and caring. You can't learn it from a book or a course. You can't teach someone to feel a heart-wrenching grief when they hear a survivor's painful story. You can't teach someone to pour their heart and soul into writing a book that some people will never understand, and others will toss across the room. You can't teach someone to come up with the crazy, impossible idea of a wilderness retreat for survivors, most who had never met in real life. You can't teach someone to care enough about strangers over the Internet to write them lengthy, deeply thoughtful, compassionate emails in order to help them work through stuck points. You can't teach someone to care that deeply.
When you are planning programs, you will not forget who you are really planning them for. You will see our faces, hear our voices, remember our words, sense our pain and our victories -- and that's a big part of what will inform and motivate your work.
I am do thankful that you have been given this opportunity. And I'm also thankful that your boss sounds like she really gets what is important to you and why.
I'm looking forward to hearing about all the exciting things you will accomplish.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gjXZdT0Qqw
You say your boss knows you and understands what you need, which is brilliant but does she know you were thinking about going for your doctorate? Perhaps in time they might be able to act as sponsor or part sponsor and your doctorate and your job would be working in conjunction with each other. I don't know how it works with you over there. Anyway just a thought.
Take care
Deb
Thank you for sharing!!