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In This Issue:

1. MEN WHO COOK Benefit 2008: A Thanksgiving Sampler!
2. Moving Forward head promoted to Associate Executive Director
3. MRC Staff member speaks at Hartford University on “Real Deal on Violence”
4. The election may be over, but you can still vote for the MRC with Florence Savings Bank!
5. Is there an “Upside” of anger? Find the answer to that question in an article by our expert on Anger Management

1.   MEN WHO COOK Benefit 2008: A Thanksgiving Sampler!
Come celebrate with the MRC for Change at our MEN WHO COOK Benefit, the Sunday before Thanksgiving (Nov. 23rd) at the Delaney House in Holyoke.

$40 per person. TICKETS WILL BE AVAILABE AT DOOR. Otherwise, visit us online for tickets or call (413) 253-9987.

This year our roster of “cooks” supplying us with recipes will include fair-trade coffee entrepreneur Dean Cycon; United Way of Hampshire County president John Ebbets; president of Hampshire College Ralph Hexter; Gallery owner and Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce President Tony Maroulis; president of Amherst College Tony Marx; WFCR General Manager Martin Miller; culinary aficionado State Senator Stan Rosenberg, and Baystate Health CEO Mark Tolosky. And though the demands of his office won’t permit him to attend, we will also feature a favorite recipe submitted by Governor Deval Patrick.

Hope to see you there for a relaxed evening in support of the crucial work of the MRC for Change.

2.   Moving Forward head becomes associate director.

Eve Bogdanove, who came on board with the MRC last summer to head the Moving Forward program has moved up to the position of Associate Executive Director of the agency. She will continue in her role as MF director but will take on additional duties also in supporting the over-all health and growth of the organization. As always, you can contact Eve by e-mail.

3.   MRC Staff member B.C. Chaney presented at the University of Hartford’s October Conference entitled, “The Real Deal on Violence: Stories from People Who Have Lived It”.

B.C. spoke as part of a presentation of personal stories by the Veteran’s Education Project (VEP). The VEP and its volunteer veteran speakers provide approximately 150 hours of programs per year across Western New England. B.C. was one of the presenters at the conference sponsored by associated departments and organizations of the University of Hartford that covered school violence, community violence, domestic violence and the violence of war.

4.   Florence Savings Bank offers Customer’s Choice Giveaway – VOTE FOR THE MRC!

Florence Savings Bank's Annual $50,000 Customer's Choice Giveaway is happening now. All that is required is for Florence Bank Customers to visit the website, and go to the appropriate spot on the lead page in order to vote. You can also vote directly at the bank, where there are ballot sheets. There is a maximum of $5,000 given to an organization and some apportioned amount will be given to all organizations that receive at least 1% of the vote. Further, there will be a drawing for grants of $500 to six agencies that receive less than 1% of the tally. Last year’s winners needed only 68 votes to qualify for a grant!

5.   “The Upside of Anger?” An article by Joy Kaubin, MRC’s Anger Management Coordinator.

The movie with Joan Allen by this name failed to enlighten me about the "upside" of anger, but participants in the MRC's Anger Management classes do often identify useful aspects of anger. Accepted as a natural feeling and utilized constructively, anger can serve as a signal that one's needs aren't being met, and can become a motivator to energetically address issues which need to be addressed, whether interpersonal or on larger social and political levels. Participants in our 10-week class report an improved ability to remain calmer, recognize their triggers more readily, express anger and other feelings more assertively, and solve conflicts more effectively.

Our Anger Management program serves adult men and women, 18 years and older, meeting weekly in 2-hour sessions for 10 weeks. The class is preceded by an individual intake interview, and class size is kept to a maximum of 9-10 participants, so that each member receives good support and attention in doing their work.

This program was launched in late 2004, and has thus far served over 80 people in 15 separate classes. While some people are required by courts, the Department of Social Services, or their school or employer to attend, many come on their own or at the suggestion of a therapist or family member. Class members are also strongly encouraged to engage in stress reduction and self-care activities regarding their physical health and psychological well-being.

While we had initially expected to offer separate classes for women and men, we have discovered that mixed gender classes have worked quite well, with some productive exchange of views and warm support being generated between class members. We do explore how women's experience and expressions of anger may differ from men's, as well as how one might deal with anger directed toward you by others. We are alert to emotional safety issues, and any applicant who doesn't feel comfortable in a mixed gender class is offered a gender-specific class, individual counseling, or referrals. Our anger management program is not designed to handle domestic abuse issues, and if such issues bring a person to our door, we discuss the matter with them and redirect them to our MOVE program, which is more likely to meet their needs. Anyone interested in enrolling or referring someone or receiving more information about our anger management program may contact Joy directly at the MRC, (413) 253-9588, ext. 23.

The MRC's work is informed by the voices of men and women working for gender equality and justice and is made possible by the generosity of people like you. Financial support from individuals, businesses, corporations, and private foundations allows us to fulfill our mission of supporting men, challenging men's violence and developing men's leadership in ending oppression.
To make an on-line donation, please donate.

Comments? Questions? Suggestions? Let us know what you think of this monthly newsletter and how we can best keep you informed about the MRC.

David R. Gillham
    Editor, MRC E-Newsletter
    (413) 253-9887, ext. 16
    or e-mail him.

Our 25th Anniversary 1982-2007:

How You Can Help Keep the Celebration Going and Growing!

Remember -- your gift in multiples of 25 is your opportunity to help ensure that 25 years from now our work to support healthy masculinity and manhood will still be strong and enduring. Learn how YOU can help us keep on doing this important work!

The mission of the Men's Resource Center for Change is to support men, challenge men's violence, and develop men's leadership in ending oppression in our lives, our families, and our communities. We are a male-positive, pro-feminist, gay-affirmative, anti-racist social change organization offering a variety of men's programs locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally.

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