International Social Action Project

Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc’sDomestic Violence Awareness

Forum

Project Planning Outline

Date Task List Date Task list

1. Purchase (200) Purple ribbons

2. Purchase (200) Pins

3. Program Design (collaborative)

4. Decorations for OPP informational table

5. Printing Flyers

6. Printing Programs

7. Secure Photographer

8. Program Design

9. Event Promotions

10. Purchase Pens for sign – in sheets

11. Decorations for informational

12. Water for Panelist and vendors

1. Secure Congress Speakers

2. Flyer design

3. Secure Venue

4. Secure elected officials

5. Long black table cloth for guest sign in round table

6. Press Release

7. Press Liaison

8. Create Sign in sheets/surveys/clipboards

9. Confirm (3) panelist

10. Send out invitations to local elected officials

11. Secure (2) advocacy orgs to set up table

12. Secure Supreme Council Members

QUESTIONS TO ANSWER• Who will moderate?• What will be the Congresswoman’s role throughout the

program• Will OPP be represented on the panel?• Will Chapter Presidents be represented on the panel (fyi,

maximum of 8 panelist can be on the dais)• What is our plan to get 150+ guest to attend the event

(outside of press plan)?– Church program/announcements (list churches)– Community Board Meetings– Apartment Building/Tenants Associations

Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. will host a special town hall forum to address the issue of domestic violence and raise awareness. At this form, the taboo topic of domestic violence in the community will be discussed in an attempt to bring about prevention through raising awareness.

The town hall will feature:

Ω Alicia Crowe Esq., Author of Real Dads Stand Up! What every single father should know about child support, rights and custody

Ω Ted Bunch, Co-founder, A Call to Men

Ω Jacqueline Cherry, Author of Sister to Sister let’s Talk…..Harnessing the Power of Positive Self Talk

Ω Pauline Haynes, Esq., Assistant District Attorney, Domestic Violence Unit

The Brothers of The Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Present

“QUIET ACCEPTANCE”A special domestic violence forum to combat the issue of domestic abuse

If you are, or know someone who is a victim of domestic violence, and is in need of immediate assistance, please call the New York State Hotline (800) 942-6906 (English) (800) 942-6908 (Spanish)

May 1, 20097:30 pm

The Westchester Marriott in Tarrytown, NY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE . . . .CONTACT: J. Kendall Smalls, 2nd District Social Action chair, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Information JKendallSmalls@gmail.com 646-739-4956

The Mighty Second District of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc presents “QUIET ACCEPTANCE”

A special Domestic Violence forum to end domestic violence

TARRYTOWN, NY BROOKLYN, NY (May 2nd 2009) --- Where – Westchester Marriott Tarrytown, NYWhen – May 1, 2009 7:30pm

Who – Mighty 2nd District of Omega Psi Phi fraternity Inc. along with panel speakers:

Alicia M. Crowe Esq. AuthorREAL DADS STAND UP! What Every Single Father Should Know About Child Support, Rights and CustodyBlue Peacock Press

Ted Bunch Co-Founder - A CALL TO MEN

PAULINE HAYNES, ESQASSISTANT DISTRICT ATTORNEYDOMESTIC VIOLENCE UNIT

What: The 2nd District of Omega Psi Phi fraternity will host a special town hall forum for domestic violence. At this forum, the secrecy of longstanding domestic violence in the community will be discussed and how we can bring it to light to initiate prevention. The mighty 2nd District, pledges starting in October 2009 will recognize the importance of domestic violence throughout the entire district with a series of programs that will highlight awareness. The programs will be in conjunction with recognizing Domestic Violence Awareness Month which evolved from the first Day of Unity observed in October 1981, by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. At this special forum we will promote awareness and of domestic violence and how we can highlight prevention. Like the national initiative, it

is our intent to support battered women’s advocates within our community.

J. Kendall Smalls, 2nd District Social Action Chair of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, adds, “Males may also be victims of domestic violence as perpetrated by their female or male partners. It’s important for us to note today that they too can experience the same dynamics of interpersonal violence as female victims including: disbelief, ridiculed and shame --- and therefore are entitled to help. . If you are, or know someone who is a victim of domestic violence, and is in need of immediate assistance, please call the New York State Hotline (800) 942-6906 (English); (800) 942-6908 (Spanish).

Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. is an international organization of over 150,000 college educated black men dedicated to promoting the ideals of scholarship and Christian manhood. Founded on Nov. 17, 1911, on the campus of Howard University, it was the first Black Greek-Letter organization established at a Historically Black College or University. Omega Psi Phi's cardinal principles are Manhood, Scholarship, Perseverance, and Uplift; its members are dedicated to greater service toward the betterment of society and strive to exemplify the fraternity's motto of "Friendship is Essential to the Soul." The 2nd District under the guidance of District Representative James Jordan comprises the states of NY, NJ, Penn, Del and Maryland, for more information please visit us online at www.opp2d.org

Guiding Questions for the ModeratorFrom a legal standpoint:

• What are some of the legal and social definitions of DV? And how that looks when in family and criminal courts; and what are the legal consequences and remedies available to victims, children and batterers?

Victim /Survivor aspect:• What are the obstacles to leaving violent and abusive situations? Why is the onus put on

victims/survivors, while enduring the different forms of abuse to leave, go into shelters, keep their children safe and out of ways harm, attend groups, relocate, give up their jobs, etc., While men are seldom held accountable for their behaviors? What are the ways that systems re-victimize victims when the report DV?

Children:• What is the impact of witnessing domestic violence on children? Where and when does this show-up in

their lives? And what is available or what needs to be put in place for them?

Men:• What can we do to change attitudes and behavior of abusive men? What should happen to men? Are the

current criminal justice approaches effective? What about community responses to family violence? What can the community do to keep families safe?

Some of these things may be addressed through the presentations but this can be used to address some of the salient issues in that come up when addressing DV

DV on college campuses:

• What can sororities and fraternities do individually and collectively to intervene and perhaps prevent perpetuating attitudes that case violence against women, either on college campuses or in the communities they serve (undergraduate and alumni)?

Question: What is domestic violence?Answer: Domestic violence is an escalating pattern of violence or intimidation by an intimate partner, which is used to gain power and control. Assessment: Over the years I have noticed that the elderly are also at risk for severe violence against them and thought that is also needed to be addressed as it is often over looked

Question: Can you explain what "Domestic violence grown old" is?Answer: "Domestic violence grown old" is when domestic violence started earlier in life and persists into old age "Late onset domestic violence" begins in old age. There may have been a strained relationship or emotional abuse earlier that got worse as the partners aged. When abuse begins or is exacerbated in old age, it is likely to be linked to: Retirement Disability Changing roles of family members Sexual changes Some older people enter into abusive relationships late in life

Question: Who are abusers? Is there a typical characteristic associated with abusers? Answer: Perpetrators are spouses or intimate partners The majority are men Some perpetrators abuse drugs or alcohol. For a discussion of the relationship between abuse and substance abuse,

Question: What are the indicators of Domestic violence? Answer: Indicators of domestic violence are similar to those associated with physical abuse and/or sexual abuse The frequency and severity of injuries are likely to increase over time Victims often experience intense confusion and disassociation Violent incidents are often preceded by periods of intensifying tension and followed by periods of apparent contrition on the part of perpetrators

Question: How do batterers access these programs?

Question: How long are the programs and what are the goals of the programs?

Question: What are some stats on alternative to violence programs? Do they show any sustained changes in violent behaviors?

Question: How is domestic violence assessed?

Question: What are the types of domestic violence?

Question: How does the mandatory arrest law work in NY?

Question: Are people in poor and minority communities more at risk for domestic violence?

Question: Are there a large number or even an equal amount of men being battered by women that are not reported in heterosexual relationships?

Question: If she doesn’t like being battered, why doesn’t she leave or ask for help? Aren’t there social service agencies, hospitals or other places she could go?

Question: What are the types of restraining orders that a person needing one can obtain?

General order of protection/restraining order/no contact order/civil anti-harassment order (for your information)Restraining order: This is broader than a domestic violence protection order, since it can deal with property issues, child support, spousal support, as well as domestic violence and temporary custody issues. A restraining order is filed as part of a divorce case, a paternity case, or other family law case. If you are concerned about preventing the Respondent from disposing of assets during your separation, you might contact an attorney to see about getting a restraining order.

No-Contact Order

This type of order does not require you to fill out a petition, because it is part of a criminal action. The court will decide whether to issue this order when it decides if the Respondent is to be released on bail or personal recognizance, or when the Respondent is arraigned (formally charged) or being sentenced. Generally this order does not last as long as a protection order, and it does not award custody, establish visitation, or order counseling. This order is intended to protect you while the criminal case is going on.

Civil Anti-harassment Order:

This order typically applies to situations when the persons are not married or related to each other, for example, in disputes between neighbors, and stalking (stranger-stranger) situations. This order is helpful when a person is being harassed but has not been assaulted or threatened with physical harm.

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DVF TIME FRAME PROGRAM SEGMENTDVF TIME FRAME PROGRAM SEGMENT3:30 – 5:30 PM – DVF Set up

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------6:30 PM – 6:45 PM – Rotunda mixer (15 min)*6:46 PM – 6:51 PM – Welcome by District Representative (5 min)6:51 PM – 7:01 PM - Transition to Courtroom (10 min)7:02 PM – 7:07 PM – Kenny Smalls Opens Program and gives Purpose (5 min)7:08 PM – 7:13 PM – recognize elected officials and others and introduces Moderator (5 min)7:14 PM – 7:18 PM - Moderator gives Opening remarks and explains Audience Q&A process with index cards (4 min)7:19 PM – 7:21 PM - Moderator introduces Keynote speaker, (2 min)7:22 PM – 7:24 PM - Play clip of Keynote speaker – (2 min)7:25 PM – 7:35 PM - Keynote address (10 min)7:36 PM – 7:42 PM - Panel introductions by Moderator: read bios of each panelist, no more than 1 min for each– (6mins)**7:43 PM – 8:08 PM - Panel discussion with Moderator (25 min)8:09 PM – 8:24 PM - Audience Q&A (15 min)8:25 PM – 8:32 PM – Closing Statements of panel guided by , 1 min each (7 min)8:33 PM – 8:40 PM - Closing Statements summation guided by (5 min)8:41 PM – 8:43 PM - Moderator brings chapter presidents to close program (2 min)8:44 PM – 8:50 PM - Chapter Presidents close program (5 min)

---ADDITIONAL PICTURES WITH ALL PARTICIPANTS -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

*Mixer will give guest an opportunity to visit each DV advocacy group tables in rotunda. Participants will also have an opportunity to take pictures, mingle with guests, get their purple ribbon pins and meet the press.

**It is suggested that the moderator introduce the panelist by reading their bios to avoid any panelist taking up additional time on their introductions.