Family Matters June 2013

Family Matters

NCNG FP JUNE 2013

Stay Charged

Y O U R U L T I M A T E S O U R C E

About Family MattersFamily Matters was created to provide Servicemembers and Families the most up-to-date information and

services available. If you would like to contribute to future issues, or if you have suggestions and com-ments, please contact the NCNG Family Programs Marketing and Communications Department person-

nel, Angelena Dockery or Kathryn Jarvis, at [email protected]. E-Versions of Family Matters can be downloaded at the NCNG Family Programs webpage at www.nc.ngb.army.mil.

References in this newsletter to any specific commercial products, processes, services, or the use of any trade, firm, or corporation name does not constitute endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by

NCNG Family Programs.

NC National Guard and Families

first line of Defense

Call the Behavioral Health

at

1-855-322-3848

Happy Summer! We're halfway through the year. Now, we're planning family vacations, summer camps for kids, ways to relax, planning ways to catch our breath and enjoy some sun and fun.

Because life can be so busy, summer is always a great time to catch up on fun ... and, recharge!

In this issue, we've included an article from Military OneSource on how you can keep your Military Family resilient.

We encourage you to take some time out for Family, Friends and Fun. Our Personal Financial Counselor (PFC) has offered advice on how you can get creative in having an affordable vacation away from home, and also, how you can make staying at home work for your bottom line. Remember that the PFC also provides FREE financial assistance in a variety of areas.

We also would like to remind you that we have a lot of wonderful things happening for our Military Kids. Our NCNG Teens are hosting their own NCNG Teen Challenge Retreat this month at Camp Butner. There's also a Teen Career Exploration Retreat for Military Youth happening in Asheville. Kids on Guard has several upcoming events, as well, and Step Up For Soldiers will have their 8th annual Children's Fishing Event this month. These are all FREE. We have some very amazing teens across the State and they are more involved than ever in being the voice for Military Kids. Through networking together, they can also recharge their batteries, share their talents and experiences ... and, have some fun. And, what better time to take advantage of these programs than the Summer when most kids are out of school.

Another great way to recharge is through one of our upcoming Strong Bonds Retreats. These programs are designed specifically for Military Couples, Families and Single Soldiers. There are lots of great opportunities coming our way. Stay tuned on our Facebook page.

We hope that you and your Family have a great June. Stay safe in the sun, in the water and wherever your travels may take you! If you have questions about any our programs and/or need assistance, please do not hestitate to contact any of our Staff Members listed here.

Happy June,

Diane Coffill

FAMILY MATTERSJune 2013

Diane Coff i l l

S tate Fami ly Program Director

diane. l .coff i l l . c iv@mai l .mi l

(919) 664-6324

MSG Ramona Scott

Fami ly Programs Specia l is t

ramona.k.scott .mi l@mai l .mi l

(919) 664-6000 Ext . 47005

SGT Tammy Fowler

Fami ly Programs Assistant

tammy. l . fowler.mi l@mai l .mi l

(919) 664-6000 Ext 46876

Wendi Bel l

Fami ly Ass istance Center Specia l is t

wendi .h.bel l .c t r@mai l .mi l

(919) 664-6078

Lana Greer

State FAC Coordinator

lana.m.greer.ct r@mai l .mi l

(800) 621-4136 Ext . 11667

Terry Henderson

Airman & Fami ly Readiness Program Mgr.

[email protected] .mi l

(704) 398-4949

Al ice Dean

Lead Chi ld & Youth Coordinator

a l ice.c .dean.ctr@mai l .mi l

(919) 520-9548

Angelena Dockery

Market ing & Communicat ions Manager

sal l ie .a .dockery.ct r@mai l .mi l

(919) 485-9570

Kathryn Jarv is

Market ing & Communicat ions Manager

kathryn.a. jarv is .ct r@mai l .mi l

(919) 485-9571

Judy Richardson

Senior FRSA

judi th. r. r ichardson.ctr@mai l .mi l

(800) 621-4136 Ext . 11346

MESSAGE FROM The Director

JOIN

For more information or to register for duty, contact:

Alice Dean (Lead Child & Youth Program Coordinator)

[email protected] or (800)621-4136 ext 12183

Kristi Wagner (Child and Youth Program Coordinator)

[email protected]

(800)621-4136 ext 12023

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ALL IN PREPARATION FOR A “SPECIAL OPERATIONS” MISSION

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CAMP BUTNER TRAINING CENTER 539 ROBERTS CHAPEL ROAD STEM, NC 27581

Let your voice be heard…

Only you know the challenges geographically dispersed Military Teens face! Come join us at the Teen Challenge Retreat and meet members of the NCNG Triangle Teen Council and see how you can start a council in your area!

JSS

page 4

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page 17

contents

05 Smiles Across Miles A lot of times, there are unsung heroes. One is Dr. John Hardy of Oxford, N.C. , a retired dentist of 36 years,

Dr. Hardy creates healthy smiles even without his dentistry tools.

06 DIY Re-ChargeBuilding the Resilience of Your Military Family ... a Military OneSource article

09 Staycation or Vacation?80-90% of Americans surveyed said they planned to take at least as many summer vacation trips

as they did last year, and 21% said they definitely expect more summer travel even in these tough

economic times. So what is someone to do if they want to make the vacation more budget friendly?

10 Child and Youth Programs Keeps it MovingKids on Guard takes a trip down memory lane to the Transportation Museum.

13 EmploymentNorth Carolina dedicated to the mission of employing Veterans. See what programs and services they

have to offer inside.

14 Charging Up!Maintaining Your FRG before, during, and after deployments.

16 News for YouEvents, Discounts and Opportunities

17 JSS WebinarsThe Power Of Learning-Stay charged!.

ON THE COVER: Graphic of Cell Phone: NCNG Family Programs

We're easier to find ... search NCNG FP

page 12

Page 9

4 F A M I LY M AT T E R S J U N E 2 0 1 3

We enjoy hearing stories about individuals and organi-zations within the community that reach out to help Ser-vicemembers and Military Families. With deployments and separations, community members have a chance to bridge the gap with support and shows of love.

A lot of times, these are unsung heroes. One being Dr. John Hardy of Oxford, N.C. A retired dentist of 36 years, Dr. Hardy creates healthy smiles even without his den-tistry tools.

Alice Dean, Lead Child & Youth Coordinator, brought Dr. Hardy’s efforts to our attention.

"He's really done a lot for our Service members, and we'd really like to say 'Thank You'", said Dean.

Dr. Hardy, who was also an Army Dental Officer, said, “I’ve been retired sine 2001 (from the dental profession), my passion now is helping people … most specifically deployed Servicemembers.”

This is done through what Dr. Hardy calls a "Package Ministry". He says he first started doing this with a Fort Bragg friend, and from there touched Servicemembers from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base and continued to grow.

Dr. Hardy's Package Ministry, he says, sends care packages to deployed units from all of the branches.He estimates that he’s personally sent about 80 pack-ages, and his church, Oxford Methodist Church in Oxford, N.C., has also sent out more than 80. For the N.C. National Guard, the 5-113th Artillery Battalion has been included in the ministry during their deployment.

The number of packages seem less important to Dr. Hardy than his intentions to support Military Members.

“We are here to let them know what they are doing is important,” he continued. “I just love the military.”

Dean said, “He has acted as POC for the organizations like his church, also the Oxford Baptist Church, Girl Scout Troop 1229 in the pick-up and delivery of these care packages.

Dr. Hardy loves the military and more … his community. He utilizes his carpentry skills to help build wheel-chair accessible ramps for organizations such as Military Mis-sions in Action (MMIA). MMIA’s mission is to assist veter-ans with disabilities to achieve independent living along with other ways to support our troops.

"Besides what he and the Oxford Community have done," Dean said, "Military Missions in Actionhas helped ship packages."

Among his many achievements, he has received the John Penn Award from Granville County Chamber of Commerce. John Penn was a resident of Granville Coun-ty who signed the Declaration of Independence.

Regarding the military and his package ministry, Dr. Har-dy says, “my biggest mission is to let these guys know we love them and support them.”

Like many other unsung hereos, Dr. Hardy plans to continue sending packages as long as there are deployed Servicemembers.

Across Miles

“For the NC National Guard, the

5-113th Artillery Battalion

has been included in the ministry during their deployment...”

Smiles

J U N E 2 0 1 3 F A M I LY M AT T E R S 5

J O I N I N G F O R C E S — D r. J o h n H a r d y

By Angelena Dockery, NCNG Family Programs


S T A Y C H A R G E D

Building the Resilience of Your Military Family

Long deployment separations, difficult post-deployment adjustments, frequent moves, and major life changes caused by combat-related trauma or loss are just a few sources of stress and adversity for military families. While most families do very well managing the unique demands of military life, you may have noticed that some people and even entire families seem especially strong. They seem to have a remarkable ability to keep moving forward during periods of high stress and recover from traumatic experiences. Some people are naturally more resilient than others, but there are things you can do to improve your own and your family's resilience. This information will help you better under-stand what resilience is and how you can work to nurture it in your family.

RE-CHARGEWhat is ResilienceOne popular definition of resilience is the ability to withstand, recover and grow in the face of stressors and changing demands. Being resilient doesn't mean you avoid emotional pain and suffering when faced with a crisis. Instead, it means you're able to recover and even grow stronger from the experience. Experts are beginning to discover what makes some people more resilient than others and identify things we can do to increase resilience in ourselves and our families.

Characteristics of Resilient FamiliesIn Strengthening Family Resilience, (The Guilford Press, 2006), resilience specialist Dr. Froma Walsh identifies nine characteristics that resilient families share. These characteristics reveal the family belief systems, organizational patterns and communication/problem-solving skills that foster resilience in adults and children.

• Finding meaning in adversity. Resilient families view crises as shared challenges that together they can understand, manage and make meaningful in some way. They see their emotions as human and under-standable under the circumstances and believe in their ability to learn from their experiences and move forward.

• Positive outlook. Resilient fami-lies have an optimistic rather than pessimistic view of life. Members see each other's strengths and offer encouragement to overcome difficulties or accept what can't be changed.

• Transcendence and spirituality. Resilient families have beliefs and values that offer meaning, purpose and connection beyond their per-sonal lives and troubles. They find strength and comfort in their cul-tural and religious traditions and experience spiritual inspiration in a variety of ways, including nature, the arts, service to others and faith in a higher power.

DIY R E - C H A R G E

• Flexibility. Resilient families adapt to change. They're able to adjust their family roles and rules to fit new life challenges while maintaining the rituals and traditions that provide stability in their relationships. Their flexibil-ity depends on strong, yet nurturing leadership, guidance, protection of children and mutual respect in the marital relationship.• Connectedness. Resilient families pull together during times of crisis. They're able to function as a team and sup-port each other while respecting individual needs, differ-ences and boundaries.• Social and economic resources. When they can't solve problems on their own, resilient families reach out for help by turning to extended family, friends, neighbors, community services and/or counseling.• Open emotional sharing. Resilient families accept and encourage a wide range of emotional expression (joy, sad-ness, fear, silliness, etc.) in adults and children. Family

members take responsibility for their own feelings and accept others who have different feelings. They value posi-tive interactions and appreciate humor, even as they cope with difficult circumstances.• Clarity. Resilient families practice clear, consistent and honest communication. Family members say what they mean and mean what they say; thus, they avoid sending vague, confusing or mixed messages to each other.• Collaborative problem solving. Resilient families man-age their difficulties by working together to understand a problem and identify ways to solve it. They make de-cisions together in ways that allow family members to disagree openly and then resolve those disagreements through negotiation, compromise and give-and-take. These families seek to repair the hurts and misunderstandings that go along with conflicts and act proactively to solve current problems and prevent future ones. They also learn from their mistakes.

IncreasIng your FamIly's resIlIenceIf you're currently coping with a stressful situation such as the deployment of a loved one to a combat area or caring for a wounded warrior; if you're suffering from a loss or dealing with a crisis of any kind, there are things you can start doing right now to strengthen your own resilience and model resilience for your children. The American Psychological Association in its publication, The Road to Resilience, recommends ten ways to become more resilient when dealing with stress or adversity:

√ Make connections. Good relation-ships with close family members,

friends or others are important. Ac-cepting help and support from those who care about you and will listen to you strengthens resilience. Some people find that being active in civic groups, faith-based organizations or other local groups provides social sup-port and can help restore hope. Assist-ing others in their time of need can also benefit the helper.

√ Avoid seeing crises as insurmount-able problems. You can't change

the fact that highly stressful events happen, but you can change how you interpret and respond to them. Try looking beyond the present to brighter days a little farther down the line. Note any subtle ways in which you might already feel somewhat better as you deal with difficult situations.

√ Accept that change is part of liv-ing. Certain goals may no longer

be attainable as a result of adverse situations. Accepting circumstances that cannot be changed can help you

focus on things you can change.

√ Move toward your goals. Develop some realistic goals. Do something,

however small, on a regular basis that helps you move toward your goals. Instead of focusing on tasks that seem unachievable, ask yourself, "What's one thing I know I can accomplish today that helps me move in the direc-tion I want to go?"

√ Take decisive actions. Act on ad-verse situations as much as you

can. Take decisive actions, rather than detaching completely from problems and stresses and wishing they would just go away.

√ Look for opportunities for self-discovery. People often learn some-

thing about themselves and may find that they've grown in some respect as a result of their struggle with loss. Many people who have experienced tragedies and hardship have reported better relationships, a greater sense of personal strength even while feeling vulnerable, increased sense of self-worth, a more developed spirituality

and heightened appreciation for life.

√ Nurture a positive view of yourself. Developing confidence in your

ability to solve problems and trust your instincts helps build resilience.

√ Keep things in perspective. Even when facing a painful event, try

to consider the stressful situation in a broader context and keep a long-term perspective. Avoid blowing it out of proportion.

√ Maintain a hopeful outlook. An optimistic outlook enables you to

expect that good things will happen in your life. Try to visualize what you want instead of worrying about what you fear.

√ Take care of yourself. Pay atten-tion to your own needs and feel-

ings. Engage in activities that you enjoy and find relaxing. Exercise regularly. Taking care of yourself helps to keep your mind and body primed to deal with situations that require resil-ience.

(Continues on pg 10 )J U N E 2 0 1 3 F A M I LY M AT T E R S 7


Find the perfect summer sitter for your family.

(part time & full time)

Activate today atsittercity.com/DoD

The Sittercity Military Program can

@ncngfamily

J U N E 2 0 1 3 F A M I LY M AT T E R S 9

or Vacation?

M O N E Y & F I N A N C E

Find the perfect summer sitter for your family.

(part time & full time)

Activate today atsittercity.com/DoD

The Sittercity Military Program can

01Be FlexiBle With Both time aNd PlaCe. You'll save the most if you

keep your vacation options open -- and

that includes both travel times and loca-

tions. Compare transportation options.

Don't limit yourself to flying or driving.

Depending on the distance, day of the

week, and time of year, it may be more

cost-effective to take a train.compan-

ions acceptance admirati families dis-

tance wandered.

02Fly midWeek. If you

do decide to fly, tickets

are typically cheaper

midweek. Most airline sales start on

Tuesday and end on Thursday, and the

two cheapest days of the week to fly

are Tuesday and Wednesday.

03travel liGht. Some

airlines, like JetBlue and

Southwest, allow you to

check one or two bags for free, but

most charge an additional fee for your

luggage. Worried about not having

enough stuff to wear? That's what

Laundromats and hand washing are

for.

04S t ay o u t S i d e PoPular areaS. Having a hotel room in the

center of everything is convenient, but

staying a few miles outside the city is

often cheaper.

05F i N d C h e a P e r lodGiNG With vaCa-tioN homeS. Vacation

home rentals cost the same or even

less than hotels, but offer more than

most standard hotel rooms -- full-ser-

vice kitchens, washers and dryers,

and bigger living spaces. So you can

eat out less, stay in more, and never

have to worry about a late-night trip to

a Laundromat.

06CoNSider houSe SWaPPiNG. If you're

willing to swap homes

(temporarily) with someone, you can

stay in their house for free during your

vacation. Several sites allow you to

view ads for available homes and post

your own: sites include:

•HomeexcHange.com•THe VacaTion excHange NetWork•DigsVilleDon't assume that because you don't

live in a vacation destination, nobody

would want to stay at your home. People choose their destinations for

lots of reasons, from business to visit-

ing Grandma.

07try to diNe out leSS But iF you do Go out uSe diSCouNt Food

aPPS. Some of my favorite apps

include:

•Yelp cHeck-ins•localeaTs•kiDseaTFreeSplit your meal in half, ask the waiter

to box it up and use the hotel's mini

fridge for storage. That way, you get

two meals for the price of one.

08turN your vaCatioN iNto a tax deduCtioN iF you have your

oWN BuSiNeSS. Turn your vacation

into a business trip and you can write

off some of your expenses, including

transportation, lodging, dining out and

even some cruises.

09take aN alterNa-tive vaCatioN. No one

says your vacation has

to include a pricey tourist destination.

There are plenty of cheaper ways to

enjoy some down time. For example:

•Take a sTaYcaTion in Your own City aNd live like a touriSt For a FeW dayS.•go camping in a naTional or State Park.•VisiT Your sTaTe's capiTal For the WeekeNd.•VisiT FrienDs or FamilY (espe-Cially thoSe With GueSt roomS).

10FiNally aSk a loCal. Want the real scoop on

the best cheap food, fun

and free entertainment ideas, or which

souvenir shops aren't overpriced?

Hopefully these little tips can save you

some money that you can put towards

next years trip or maybe in a savings

account!.

80-90% of Americans surveyed said they planned to take at least as many sum-mer vacation trips as they did last year, and 21% said they definitely expect more summer travel even in these tough eco-nomic times. So what is someone to do if they want to make the vacation more bud-get friendly? Here are 10 ways to save:

PERSONAL FINANCIAL COUNSELORFor Free Financial Information, contact:Mr. Chip Jurgensen, CFP(919) 334-8313

Come out and join us at THE MUSEUM THAT MOVES YOU........ Operation Kids on Guard will be holding an event at theNC Transportation Museum, 411 S Salisbury Ave., Spencer, NC 28159 on Saturday, 10 August 2013. The event will be from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. LUNCH WILL BE PROVIDED Come on out and enjoy the activities such as: take a 25-minute train ride, see a full-size replica of the Wright Flyer and visit one of the largest Roundhouses ever constructed. Pre-registration is required by 1 August 2013. POC: Leslie Taylor, [email protected], (800)621-4136 ext. 12181.

Alice DeanLead Child And

Youth Coordinator(919) 693-3651 Ext. 12183

[email protected]

Kristi WagnerYouth Coordinator

(800) 621-4136 Ext. [email protected]

Leslie TaylorAssistant Child And

Youth Specialist(919) 693-3651 Ext. [email protected]

KOG Special Day Events

KOG Day Drills Coming to a

KOG Overnight Weekend Camp

NCNG CHILD & YOUTHPROGRAM STAFF

1 0 F A M I LY M AT T E R S J U N E 2 0 1 3

(DIY RE-CHARGE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7 )

Raising Resilient ChildrenDifferent factors, including temperament and intelligence, influence children's resilience. However, no influ-ence is more important than the parenting they receive. When parents model and teach their children the hab-its of resilient families, the children will already have many of the skills needed to cope with difficult situations when they occur. Still, during difficult times, children need additional support and attention from parents, even as the parents are dealing with the same difficulties themselves.You can help build resilience in your children during times of stress or adversity by giving them as much of your time as you can. When you're with them, encourage communication by listening to their concerns and an-swering their questions with openness, honesty and reassurance.

Article provided by Military One Source. To find the original publication visit http://www.militaryonesource.mil/health-wellness/keeping-your-family-strong?content_id=267536


Some featured vacations as low as $50 a night.Search today at www.afvclub.com/

The pass allows the holder and passen-gers in a single pri-vate vehicle access to some 2,000 sites that charge per vehicle. At sites where entrance fees are charged per person, it covers the pass owner and three

adults age 16 and older.

Military personnel can get the passes at any national park or wildlife refuge that charges an entrance fee by showing their military ID. Family members also will be able to ob-tain their own pass, even if the service member is deployed or if they are traveling separately.

The pass will be accepted at National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Reclamation, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, and U.S. Army Corps sites that charge entrance or standard amenity fees.The free pass will be made available for activated members of the National Guard and Reserves. It is not available for military veterans or retirees, who have other opportunities for free or reduced admission, such as the National Park Service’s “Access Pass” or a seniors pass for those 62 and older.

Search a loction near you to receive you free pass at http://store.usgs.gov/pass/military.html

Service Members, Families Get Free Pass to National Parks Service members and their families will be able to enter all of America’s national parks free of charge for a year. The America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreation Lands Annual Pass, which normally costs $80.

HOH Waterfall at Olympic National Park, Washington.

Image courtesy of Microsoft Clipart.com

Operation Welcome

HomesAnyone who has served in Iraq or Afghanistan is eligible for the program, regardless of their current duty status. DD214 is required for proof of service.

About OWH:After recently purchasing a vacation home in Door County, Wisconsin, Don and Barbara Rubin realized how much of the time homes like theirs remain vacant. They envisioned a plan where “dormant” space in condos, time-shares and even commercial lodging facilities could be donated to uplift the morale of returning soldiers and their families.

"It's a way for those of us who are more fortunate to repay them for their service to us all," says Rubin. "Now we are hop-ing to see this vision expand. We plan to begin in Door County, developing a model that can be implemented coast to coast."

Please, contact [email protected] or call Operation Welcome Homes at: 312.263.1594 to learn more about how you can join in this effort.

Eligible Servicemembers: to Request a Vacation visit www.operationwelcomhomes.org

NOTE: Most donations come from Door County, Wisconsin, which is where the program started. Travel to and from loca-tions is not covered under the program.

J U N E 2 0 1 3 F A M I LY M AT T E R S 1 1


JOIN





[email protected]

(800)621-4136 ext 12023


FIRST AID




OBSTACLE COURSE

FUN AND GAMES






DON’T MISS IT






NC National Guard Yellow RibbonEmployment Program

BE READY, GEt PREPARED

Western, NC David Ponder

Office: (828) 274-8571Cell: (919) 485-9567

[email protected]

Eastern, NC Office: (800) 621-4136 Ext. 46740

Jeremiah Bigham [email protected]

OUR SERVICES FOR SERVICEMEMBERS AND SPOUSES:

Individual Employment PlansJob Search Help

transition ResourcesCareer AssessmentResume Preparation

Employment Preparation

AND MORE!

JOIN





[email protected]

(800)621-4136 ext 12023


FIRST AID




OBSTACLE COURSE

FUN AND GAMES






DON’T MISS IT






Wal-Mart is offering jobs to Veteran Who has been honorably discharged. the

Website, WWW.WalMartcareersWithaMission.coM


E M P L O Y M E N T

The Veterans' Employment

VETS is an organization within the U.S. Department of Labor that is closely affiliated with the DES in our mission to help veterans secure meaningful, career employment. Additionally, the VETS staff within North Carolina has several responsibilities unrelated to DES's functions. VETS provides technical assistance to employers, veterans and members of Reserve components regarding nondiscrimi-nation and employment protections related to covered military service, and investigates and resolves related claims. They have a similar responsibility regarding vet-erans' employment preference with federal agencies and departments. VETS role with businesses that contract with federal agencies and departments is somewhat different in that they promote compliance with the job listing, af-firmative action and non-discrimination provisions of the contracts and collect the VETS 100 reports filed annually by each contractor. VETS provides administrative support to the Presidents National Hire Veterans Committee.

For more information about VETS, visit www.dol.gov/vets/index.htm

& Training Service (VETS)

NCNGFPVisit us on Facebook

Now we're easier to find. Just type (or search)

Charlotte: Nikkie [email protected]

Clinton: Sarah [email protected]

Ext. 11346

Morrisville: Darlette [email protected] Ext. 16313

Oxford: Norman Dean [email protected]. 12182

Raleigh: George [email protected] Ext. 46714

FAMILY READINESS SUPPORT

ASSISTANTS

(800) 621-4136

Ext. 14735

Goldsboro: Greg Smith [email protected] Ext. 15423

High Point (Temporary location due to Construction):Gloria [email protected], Ext.15620

Jacksonville: Judy Richardson [email protected]

Maintaining Your FRG before, during, and after deployments…Mission time is the primary

reason the FRG exists. All of

the hard work the FRG leader,

other key leaders, and the com-

mander have done pays off

while the unit is performing the

mission—whatever it is. When

an effective FRG is in place year round and before missions, soldiers and their families can

function well during missions. Certain key tasks need to be emphasized that will keep

the FRG running well throughout the mission and beyond. What are they? Here is a brief

FRG Checklist (during deployment) for your convenience. Which key tasks take on major

importance now?

# Support the mission.

# Encourage frequent contact with soldiers.

# Welcome new members.

# Get critical information out.

# Keep the phonetree working well.

# Keep resources available in sufficient

quality and quantity.

# Stay connected—inside and outside of

the FRG.

# Deal intelligently with crises.

# Solve problems at the lowest level.

# Know where people are located.

# Plan and do more fun things together.

# Maintain stability.

# Arrange professional counseling and

material assistance when needed.

# Counteract gossip.

# Provide training on dealing with

separation, loneliness, and reunion.

# Prepare for reunion—welcome home at

arrival and a party, if appropriate.

# Avoid burnout.

This may seem like common sense, but keep in mind that the sense of urgency among

a number of key people—the FRG leader, commander, and other leaders—will decrease

once the troops return to a steady state mission (non-deployment). This is a time when it

would be easy to allow all the hard work to die on the vine, but DON’T LET THAT HAPPEN!

It’s easier to keep things going well than to let the FRG die all together… and then have

to build it again from scratch when the next mission pops up, which can happen without

warning.

Now is the time to put the FRG in a “lower gear,” but keep it moving. Continue all the key

tasks. Especially keep up fun activities and the flow of information to the membership. Be

sure to publicly recognize the hard work and caring help rendered by the members and

the contacts who worked during the mission. Use an FRG Checklist from The Army FRG

Leader’s Handbook periodically to gauge where the FRG stands. Make smart changes

where needed. Quietly keep things humming along, and keep the FRG effective. Most im-

portantly…keep your lines of communication open…stay in contact with your Soldiers/

Families, Bde FRSA, FAC and other Community Resources. KEEP YOUR FRG ALIVE! The pri-

mary focus of the FRG is ongoing communication with Family members. There will need

to be a strong communication system in place across all the stages of the deployment

cycle, especially for those Soldiers/Civilians and Family members that are geographically

dispersed.

Charging

Up


V O L u N T E E R W E b I N A R S


N E W S F O R Y O u


N E W S F O R Y O u

Upcoming Strong Bonds June 21-23 Family Wellness Retreat July 19-21 Single Soldiers RetreatAugust 9-11 There will be TWO Marriage Enrichment Events this weekend at the same location announced August 23-25 Single Soldiers RetreatSeptember 13-15 Family Wellness Retreat

For questions, please call Wendi Bell at (800) 621-4136

ext. 46078 or via email at [email protected].

Registration Forms are online at WWW.nc.ngB.ARmy.mil/SS/FP/PAgeS/SB.ASPx. Dates are subject to change. locations have not yet been confirmed.

The Internal Revenue Service an-nounced additional details about the closures planned for June 14, July 5, July 22 and Aug. 30, 2013.

Due to the current budget situation, including the sequester, all IRS operations will be closed on those days. This means that all IRS offices, including all toll-free hotlines, the Taxpayer Advocate Service and the agency's nearly 400 taxpayer assistance centers nationwide, will be closed on those days. IRS employees will be furloughed without pay. No tax returns will be processed and no compliance-related activities will take place. The IRS noted that taxpayers should continue to file their returns and pay any taxes due as usual.

Taxpayers needing to contact the IRS about their returns or payments should be sure to take these furlough dates into account. In some instances, this may include taxpayers with returns or payments due soon after a furlough day, such as the June 17 deadline for taxpayers abroad and those making a second-quarter estimated tax payment as well as the Sept. 3 deadline for truckers filing a highway use tax return.

Because none of the furlough days are considered federal holidays, the shutdown will have no impact on any tax-filing deadlines. The IRS will be unable to accept or ac-knowledge receipt of electronically-filed returns on any day the agency is shut down.

Similarly, tax-payment deadlines are also unaffected. The only tax payment deadlines coinciding with any of the furlough days relate to employment and excise tax depos-its made by business taxpayers. These deposits must be made through the Treasury Department's Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS [ http://www.irs.gov/uac/EFTPS:-The-Electronic-Federal-Tax-Payment-System]), which will operate as usual.

On the other hand, the agency will give taxpayers extra time to comply with a request to provide documents to the IRS. This includes administrative summonses, requests for records in connection with a return examination, review or compliance check, or document requests related to a collection matter. No additional time is given to respond to other agencies or the courts.

Where the last day for responding to an IRS request falls on a furlough day, the taxpayer will have until the next business day. If the last day to respond is Fri-day, May 24, for example, the taxpayer will have until Tuesday, May 28 to comply (Monday, May 27 is Memorial Day). Further details on the impact of the shutdown on IRS procedures will be available on IRS.gov. Some web-based online tools and phone-based automated services will continue to function on furlough days, while others will be shut down. Available services include Withholding Calculator, Order A Transcript, EITC Assistant, Interactive Tax Assistant, the PTIN system for tax professionals, Tele-Tax and the Online Look-up Tool for those needing to repay the first-time homebuyer credit. Services not available on those days include Where's My Refund? and the Online Payment Agreement. Visit online tools [ http://www.irs.gov/uac/Tools ] on IRS.gov to learn more about these tools. The IRS may possibly announce one or two additional furlough days if necessary.

Children’s Fishing Event – June 8

The 8th annual

fishing tourna-

ment is coming

up soon. June

8th at the Kure

Beach Fishing

Pier. You will

need to register

on line for this.

Go to:

www.stepupforsoldiers.org/kidsfishing

to register. This is a FREE event. Anyone in the

family can bring the kids for a day's adventure.

All equipment is furnished by Step Up for Soldiers

and breakfast and lunch will be provided along

with prizes, etc.

Veterans, Wounded Warriors and Families invited to Ride a Horse for FREE!

OPERATION FREE RIDE is a program that we created to give active duty military personnel, returning combat veterans, wounded warriors and their families the opportunity to ride a horse for free! We want them to ride a horse or experience the special bond and friendship of horses!

“This is the program for families that have ever wanted to ride a horse or experience the special bond and friendship of horses,” said Sydney Knott, president and executive director of Horses4Heroes, Inc.. “Horses certainly have proven their abilities to help heal the wounds of war and separation.” Visit www.operationfreeride.com/ to register for your free ride and find a participating facility near you!


N E W S F O R Y O u

Get R.E.A.D.Y. with JSS - Volunteers This webinar provides an overview and shows volunteers how JSS tools equip them to serve the National Guard community. This includes how to track your volunteer hours, collaborate in Groups and Forums, and locate helpful resources. Staff working with volunteers will also benefit from this session. Thursday June 6, 2013

10:00 AM – 11:00 AM, Eastern Register here (or cut and paste entire link below into browser) https://www.jointservicessupport.org/Events/EventDetails.aspx?Mode=ReadOnly&Id=0A5DF882-E94E-49D7-A552-2B4BEDEA341A

Creating and Uploading Event Evaluations in JSS This webinar will show event coordinators how to produce standard and custom break-out class evaluations; how to scan and upload evaluation forms; and tips for ensuring the successful processing of uploaded evaluation forms. Tuesday June 11, 2013 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM, Eastern Register here (or cut and paste entire link below into browser) https://www.jointservicessupport.org/Events/EventDetails.aspx?Mode=ReadOnly&Id=153A69F2-0F51-402B-B073-8C3F65ADB758

June

201

3

Webinar SessionsJSSAfter registering, you will receive a confir-mation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Using the Contacts and Resources Tool in JSS During this session, you will learn how JSS enables you to search for a resource, add a new resource and manage re-sources. Wednesday June 19, 2013 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM, Eastern Register here (or cut and paste entire link below into browser) https://www.jointservicessupport.org/Events/EventDetails.aspx?Mode=ReadOnly&Id=04164CC6-19E5-4F9C-883B-8341-DA49F0A2 Using the Groups Tool in JSS This webinar shows how to use the JSS Groups tool to con-nect with others, access information, and communicate ef-fectively over email and on the web. This includes how to post events in a shared calendar, upload documents to a File Library, and collaborate in forum discussions. Tuesday June 25, 2013 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM, Eastern Register here (or cut and paste entire link below into browser)

https://www.jointservicessupport.org/Events/EventDe-tails.aspx?Mode=ReadOnly&Id=C865A642-4355-45F8-976C-568159A37044

Get R.E.A.D.Y. with JSS - Staff This webinar provides an overview and shows program staff how JSS tools empower them to effectively support the Na-tional Guard community. This includes how to set-up pro-gram-specific events, create targeted email campaigns, and locate community resources. Tuesday June 25, 2013 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM, Eastern Register here (or cut and paste entire link below into browser) https://www.jointservicessupport.org/Events/EventDetails.aspx?Mode=ReadOnly&Id=8B321496-8683-44EA-9CBA-033403647F8D

***JSS Training provides Family Programs staff, VOLUNTEERS and Yellow Ribbon staff

instructions on utilizing Joint Services Support

applications and features***


SESSION 1June 4th 10:00 AM -11:00 AM, Easternhttps://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/663033034June 6th 9:00 PM – 10:00 PM, Easternhttps://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/167465986

SESSION 2June 11th 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM, Easternhttps://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/145993738June 13th 9:00 PM – 10:00 PM, Easternhttps://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/566284746

SESSION 3June 18th 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM, Easternhttps://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/374990114June 20th 9:00 PM – 10:00 PM, Easternhttps://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/934170818For further information, please contact, [email protected] (703-607-5309) or [email protected].

After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar. Upon joining the webinar, you will not be able to hear the sound through your computer. You will have to call the phone number provided in the registration. System Requirements, PC-based attendees, Required: Windows® 2000, XP

Home, XP Pro, 2003 Server, Vista, Macintosh®-based attendees, required: Mac

OS® X 10.4 (Tiger®) or newer.

Just another way to help you stay charged. Learn how you can bet-ter handle change this June with one of the upcoming Sessions!!

Everyone Ready! (ER)Managing Change (and Dealing with Resistance to It!)Trainer: Connie Pirtle

Change is inevitable and increasingly fast, so organizations must be able to implement new approaches/services/policies/procedures with a minimum of disruption and a maximum of buy-in from everyone, including volunteers. Change happens almost every day – a volunteer cancels at the last minute and you have to find a replacement; your organization (or department) is restructuring and you’ll have a new boss; or a new president assumes the leadership of a volunteer group.

This seminar will cover topics such as:• Why change is important.• Why change is threatening and some people resist.• Why volunteers in particular seem most resistant to change.• The science of change.• How to introduce new ideas to gain support. • Tips to manage change effectively.• Dealing with resistance to change.• Why it is OK for some volunteers, who do not accept the change, to leave.• How to celebrate successful change.

Stay Charged ... Stay Plugged In!Summertime can bring excessive heat and emer-gencies are sometimes unavoidable and incon-venient. Make sure you can reach the ones you need by keeping your cell phone(s) fully charged and carrying a charger with you. Also, be mindful of your carrier's service areas when traveling, as reception can vary.

SAFETY MATTERS


N E W S F O R Y O u

Personal Financial Counselor

Our Personal Financial

Counselor can provide one-on-one

financial counseling

services for you and your Family.

Mr. Chip Jurgensen, CFP(919) 334-8313

Asheville Military Family Resource Center7 Yorkshire St. Suite 101, 28803/Fax: (828) 274-7209Debra Collington, [email protected], (828) 274-8571

Charlotte Unit Family Contact Center4240 West Blvd., 28208/(800) 621-4136Carry Bandy, FAC Specialist, [email protected], Ext. 14547Doretha McLaughlin, FAC [email protected], Ext. 14548 Greenville State Family Assistance Center1401 N. Memorial Dr., 27834/(800) 621-4136 Ext. 11150Dawn White, [email protected]

High Point Unit Family Contact Center (UFCC) (Temporary location due to construction in Greensboro)3515 Armory Dr., 27260/(800) 621-4136 Ext. 15649 Katy Jones, FAC Network Coordinator [email protected]

Kannapolis Military Family Resource Center6001 Gateway Ctr. Dr., Suite 109, 28081/Fax: (704) 788-0550Lynn White, [email protected], (704) 788-4554

Kinston Unit Family Contact Center2875 Dobbs Farm Rd., 28504/(800) 621-4136 Ext. 15817Gabrielle H. O’Flanagan, [email protected]

Lenoir State Family Assistance Center1535 Beecher Anderson Rd., Lenoir, 28645/(800) 621-4136 Ext. 11242Frances Johnson, [email protected]

Family Assistance Centers are located across the State to provideassistance to ALL Military Service Members and their Families. If you know of a Service Member or Military Family that has a question or concern, please share our contact numbers, web site, newsletter, and Facebook link. We're here to help.

Family Assistance Centers

Morganton Unit Family Contact Center 411 Kirksey Dr., Morganton, NC, 28655/(800) 621-4136 Ext. 11869Nancy Davis, [email protected]

Raleigh Unit Family Contact Center 4105 Reedy Creek Rd., Raleigh, NC, 27607/(800) 621-4136Lisa Faison, [email protected], Ext. 47100Mark Woolbright, [email protected], Ext. 47102

Smithfield Unit Family Contact Center406 Hospital Rd., 27577/(800) 621-4136 Ext.12784Abby Millsap, [email protected]

Southern Pines Unit Family Contact Center510 W. Morganton Rd., PO Box 1317, 28387/(800) 621-4136 Ext. 12863Earlene Capps, [email protected],

Wilmington Unit Family Contact Center2412 Infantry Rd., 28405/(800) 621-4136Jim Marley, [email protected], Ext. 16918Judy Howard, FAC Network [email protected], Ext. 16925

Winston-Salem Unit Family Contact Center (UFCC)(Temporary location due to construction in Greensboro)2000 Silas Creek Pkwy., 27103/(800) 621-4136 Ext. 15651Sandy Harrison, FAC Specialist, [email protected]

MFLC PROGRAM

~Provides short-term, situational, problem-solvingcounseling services to service members and their Families

~Provides psycho-education to help military servicemembers and their Families understand the impact of

stress, deployments, family reunions following deployments and the stresses of military life

~MFLC services augment existing military support services~Flexible service delivery (Outreach/Rotational and On-

Demand)Services can be provided on or off military installations~Services provided to individuals, couples, families, and

groups~Children’s Support Program addresses military impact on

children~MFLCs are mandated reporters of child abuse, domestic

abuse and duty-to-warn situations~Services are otherwise confidential and private

Staff:John Alleman

Adult and Family Specialist(919) 745-9635

Betty Steelman

Youth and Family Specialist(919) 665-9178

Family Assistance Centers


Questions?

Call 910-938-5312

Follow us on:

City of Jacksonville Recreation & Parks

100 Recreation Lane

Jacksonville is a GREAT place to live! Recreation & Parks

works hard to provide Clean & Green Spaces throughout the City. Fees are affordable and a lot less than other programs.

Residents pay even less for programs, camps, sports and

activities!

Scholarship Opportunities

Available!

2013 Summer Camps

Registration: How to register: Registration Dates Online at www.ci.jacksonville.nc.us City Residents: March 25, 2013 In person at 100 Recreation Lane Non City Residents: April 1, 2013 By phone: 910 938-5312

Voyager Camp- Full day of activities, including trips to various recreation (water park, ice skating, roller skating, gymnastics), cultural (D.A.R.E., local farms), and educational (Sturgeon City, zoo, aquarium) venues. Campers receive a t-shirt with registration. Trips are included in fee. Ages: 6-11 Days: Monday-Friday Sessions: 6/17-6/28, 7/1-7/12, 7/15-7/26, 7/29-8/9 Time: 7:30AM-6PM Fee: $110/$165(R/NR) per session Location: Jacksonville Commons & Northwoods Recreation Centers Teen Voyager Camp- Full day of activities, including trips to various recreation (water park, ice skating, roller skating, bowling), cultural (Tryon Palace, local farms), and edu-cational (Battleship, zoo, NC State Parks) venues. Campers receive a t-shirt with regis-tration. Trips are included in fee. Ages: 12-15 Days: Monday-Friday Sessions: 6/17-6/28, 7/1-7/12, 7/15-7/26, 7/29-8/9 Time: 7:30AM-6PM Fee: $110/$165(R/NR) per session Location: Jack Amyette Rec Center Base Day Camp- Onsite activities, local opportunities and guest speakers. A few field trips are offered each session to include local venues such as: gymnastics, parks, farms and recreation centers. Ages: 6-11 Days: Monday-Friday Sessions: 6/17-6/28, 7/1-7/12, 7/15-7/26, 7/29-8/9 Time: 9AM-4PM Fee: $40/$60(R/NR) per session Location: Commons Middle School Stepping Stones Camp- A half day program for younger children accommodating nap requirements. The camp helps to develop social and physical skills. Activities in-clude: story telling, group play, crafts, guest speakers and water play. Ages: 4-5 Days: Monday-Friday Sessions: 6/17-6/28, 7/1-7/12, 7/15-7/26, 7/29-8/9 Time: 8AM-12Noon Fee: $40/$60(R/NR) per session Location: Kerr St Rec Center

Western Youth Network Summer Day CampsTBD depending on when school lets outHighlights: The Western Youth Network will host outdoor day camps for five weeks from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday for rising sixth- through ninth-graders in Watauga County. No camp will be held July 4 to 8.Participants will enjoy adventure-based activities, team building activities and exploring the High Country. Campers can sign up for one week or for all sessions. Transportation will be provided for those who qualify.Fee: The camp is $100 per week, but WYN also offers payments based on a sliding scale, as well as scholarships. Registration begins April 15.More Information: Call 828-264-5174

Beech Mountain Summer Day Camp

When: June- August, 9 AM – 3 PMWhere: Buckeye Recreation Center in Beech

MountainWho: ages 5-13

Highlights: Activities include team building, wilderness survival, hiking, canoeing, ceramics, slip n’ slide, and more!! Participants will meet at Buckeye Recreation

Center unless otherwise noted each morning of camp.

Fee: Daily Rate: $30; Weekly Rate: $125More Information: Register online at

www.ownofbeechmountainc.om, or call 828-387-3003

Western &Peidmont

Summer Camps

how to look

Search Summer Camps by County onl ine to find the per fect summer camp for your

chi ld(ren) .Example: Wake County Summer

Camps

o r Cal l your County

Parks and Recreat ion Department.

Watauga ParkS anD reC Fun in the Sun

CaMPWhen: June 17 – August 2

Where: Hardin Park SchoolWho: rising 1-7 graders, ages 5-13

Highlights: The Watauga Parks and Recreation Fun in the Sun Camp takes place at Hardin Park School, is open to

rising first- through seventh-graders and will take place for seven weeks this summer. Campers can attend one week or as many weeks as they want. The camp features many different

recreational activities, games and sports.Fee: The cost is $85 per week, and registration has already

started. Registration is $127.50 per week for non-county residents beginning April 1.

More Information: 828-264-9511, Click here for the registration form and information

Mad Science camps offer a daily combination of

in-class discovery and exploration, outdoor games

and physical activities, and hands-on applications

of the scientific principles presented.

Your child will be able to touch, see, hear, smell

and taste what science is really all about. We use simple, real world science techniques that

allow even the youngest of campers to enjoy our learning environment. Campers create,

build and assemble a variety of take-home projects while exploring how science affects the

world around us.

More Information Can be found at http://piedmont.madscience.org/

Blowing Rock Parks and Rec Summer CampWhen: June 10 – July 29Where: Blowing RockWho: rising 1-7 graders, ages 5-13Highlights: The Blowing Rock Parks and Recreation Summer Day Camp is open to rising kindergarteners (at least 5 years old with daycare experience) through 6th graders. Camp hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Children swim, hike, play sports, fish and go on field trips. Registration started March 4 for Blowing Rock taxpayers, and open registration starts on March 18.Fee: $60 per week for taxpayers and $120 per week for non-taxpayers.More Information: 828-295-5222, www.townofblowingrock.com


N E W S F O R Y O u

Documents

Family Matters June 2013