Post 97

International Gambling Counselor Certification Board

CLERGY/LAY MINISTER CERTIFICATION UPDATE NEWS!!!

 

NEW DATE  CONTINUES EXTENTION  OF

 CERTIFICATION FEE WAIVER!

 

The actual Certification Fee of $185 is now being waived through June 30, 2018, for those applicants who have completed the training sessions (4 Modules), and the additional requirements toward Certification (see Next Steps article).  On July 19, at the International Gambling Counselor Certification Board’s Annual Meeting, the decision was made to continue to extend the initial Certification Fee waiver through June 30, 2918, thus providing more time to fulfill the requirements toward Certification.

 Therefore, your opportunity to complete the required work and attain International Clergy/Lay Minister Certification, for only the Administrative Fee of $50, is still open.

Remember, the four Modules may be taken in any order!

 

UPCOMING CLERGY/LAY MINISTER TRAININGS!!

·        Gary, Indiana Trainings:   Sept. 8-9  &  Sept. 15-16, 2017

       Contact the International Board:  (202) 547-9204 or shushmitau@ncpgambling.org

 

·        Baltimore, Maryland Area Trainings                                                                         

Module 3:  Sept. 30  and  Module 4:  Oct. 14

           Contact Information:  MarylandCouncilPG@yahoo.com                                        

·   Springfield, Massachusetts Trainings:  Oct.13-14  & Oct. 20-21                

 
          Contact the International Board:  (202)547-9204 or shushmitau@ncpgambling.org

ALSO

COMING!! September 12 - 13  and October 24 - 25  

September 12-13:   9^th Annual  IN ARMS!

Indiana Annual Recovery Month Symposium

Mariott East, 7202 East 21^st Street, Indianapolis, IN  46219

Information:  https://www.inarms.org/agenda_prev.html

Theme: Join the Voices for Recovery, Strengthen Families & Communities!

Offering:  a diverse arena of addiction, mental health, criminal justice, and community based organizations to meet the needs and interests of all attendees.  Topics will cover Treatment and Recovery, Co-occurring Issues, Peer Recovery & Support, Youth Prevention and Treatment,  Criminal Justice, and other hot topics!

October 24-25:  Mid-Central Annual Conference on Problem Gambling   

Hilton Garden Inn,  Greenwood … 5255 Noggle Way, Indianapolis, IN    

Information: GAMBLINGAWARENESS-L@Indiana.edu or www.indianaproblemgambling.org

An annual offering of gambling-specific topics … CEUs granted by the International Gambling Counselor Certification Board.  This FREE educational event is a super way to earn those “gambling-specific” continuing education credits to maintain Certification for Certified Counselors, Clergy/Lay Ministers, and Co-occurring Specialists (see below article).

 INDIANA 2017  DISORDERED  GAMBLING  TRAINING  SCHEDULE

VISIT:  GAMBLINGAWARENESS-L@indiana.edu  for MORE Trainings: FREE!!

 

FOLLOWING INITIAL CERTIFICATION:  CONTINUING CERTIFICATION

(IGCCB Certification:  Clergy/Lay Minister Certification in Gambling Addiction Prevention, Education, Awareness, and Spiritual Outreach Care)   

Notify any change of e-mail address, phone number, and postal address to the International Board:  Phone:  (202) 547-9204 OR  email: shushmitau@ncpgambling.org

·         Complete and submit Annual Accountability Attestation Form (This Form will be sent to you.)

·         Provide document(s) evidencing completion of 18 hours of gambling-specific CEU hours every three years

·         Re-certification is every three years.   

·         The Re-Certification Fee amount is $95.

 

 

Blessings as you continue to learn and grow ... to help others learn, grow, and recover!

 

Rev. Janet Jacobs, CCGSO

Founding Director

Gambling Recovery Ministries

      www.grmumc.org

    For more information on problem gambling and recovery issues, visit:                                                                                                                                                      

www.indianaproblemgambling.org

www.ipgap.indiana.edu

 www.mdproblemgambling.com

 www.gamblersanonymous.org

 www.gam-anon.org

 www.kycpg.org

 www.pgnohio.org

 www.calproblemgambling.org

 www.christsd.com

 

Post 96 

SUMMER READING … AND LISTENING:   a collection of thoughts

Lightyears ago, when I was in elementary school, one of my favorite activities during those almost-three-months-long, summer vacations was to join the children’s reading program at the local library.  As soon as school was out, my brothers and I would sign up.  The librarian gave each of us an attractive, handmade, little notebook to keep track of the books we read.  At the end of the summer, there would be a large poster on display with the participants’ names and how many books each person read – most read were at the top of the page, of course!  How I read and read to be one of the top readers! 

This summer, I decided to create my own reading program – and stick to it despite many other goals and responsibilities.  Purposefully – knowing the kind of schedule ahead of me – the materials chosen were ones that could be interrupt-able and somewhat lighter in nature.  The categories are diverse, providing mental shifts from one to the next.  I designated four areas of reading in which to regularly indulge:  (1) historical fiction, (2) inspirational, (3) information on addiction, and  (4) devotional.  Gladly, I can share that it’s been a consistent read since early-June ... a rewarding and thought-provoking one.

For the July edition of the GRM Blog, I will share several of these thoughts associated with each piece of material.

The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman by Ernest J. Gaines

·        American Slavery was an intricate system affecting/creating/perpetuating multiple impacts upon the culture:  economic, social, psychological, theological, an overall sense of fear/insecurity, and a general outlook of ongoing sameness with no reason/opportunity to change.  It’s a story of traveling through time (and eras) for a former young slave girl to a 100+ year old woman.  In many ways, the old-slavery-system impacts continued strongly throughout the book affecting a host of characters on both ends of slavery’s spectrum. 

Reading intimate details of being bound  thus reminded me, over and over, of the limited existence that is captured and held by addiction.  Whether the personal situation is substance or behavior driven, the addict and loved ones/associates are bound to the ruling effects of the addiction cycle.  Then too, the above mentioned, pervasive impacts are found repeatedly within individual true-life stories of addiction.

The Upside of Down by Christine Ostertag Timmins

·        By the title, you can tell this is of the inspirational category.  Written in first person, Chris Timmons chronicles the events of her life following a tragic accident leaving her quadriplegic.  She shares the frustrations and fears one can only experience with such tragedy in addition to unexpected divorce and Stage IV breast cancer later.  Her story is not Pollyanna … nor is it buried in deep depression.  Throughout are the bare bone basics of severe limits set free by a spirit of responses to God’s affirmations for her.  Quotations from scripture and many others punctuate the challenges-turned-victories that portray Timmons’ post-accident life.  This is a book about recovery – not as one would expect or initially hope for - but one upheld and surrounded by the grace and beauty of God.

If You Can’t / Won’t Stop Smoking by James Scala, Ph.D.

·        Dr. Scala begins by urging his readers to quit smoking or using smokeless tobacco.  The title, however, goes beyond this point.  Acknowledging that there are folks who won’t quit using, Scala directs his studies to how nicotine and  other harmful aspects of smoking/chewing/dipping affect the body - and what persons can do to try and strengthen their bodies bearing the effects of cigarettes, etc.  It’s a fascinating read (keep in mind that the copyright is1993) … and if the book is thoroughly read, whether one continues to use or not, the information is clear … there are areas of destruction throughout the body from tobacco/nicotine use.  Page after page, Scala’s recommendations spell out multiple (and I mean multiple) ways to try and lessen the resulting harm.  In fact, the exhaustive extent of information underscores his very first recommendation: quit! 

Essentially, this is a book about the effects of addiction.  Regardless of the source of addiction, the mind and the body are pervasively affected.  This is not a no, no message … rather once finished with this book, the reader will be able to see how much needs to be done to repair (and keep repairing) the body.  Perhaps then, the question will come to mind: is my addiction worth this high maintenance regime?

The Upper Room  and  Gamblers Anonymous A Day at a Time

·        Both publications are daily meditations filled with one page per day messages to encourage the reader’s spiritual growth.  The Upper Room is written by both lay and clergy from all over the world.  Additionally, there are weekly discussion questions for individual or group use. 

·        GA A Day at a Time is definitely meat-y!  Whether the person is a problem gambler, otherwise addiction-prone, or just wants to dig deeply for a personal examination of conscience, this devotional is a great aid in helping to peel back the layers of denial and/or self-reveal.  The questions are probing; and at the same time, there’s a message of a silver lining for each day.

This book is, also, a great resource for therapy groups, discussion classes, and even sermon series!

Throughout the past two months, summer reading has not only opened my mind to think more deeply … but to listen more carefully.  What are others saying?  What am I hearing from God?  Thoughts have been provoked and revoked.   There has been much reflection – and I’m still digging!  

Blessings,

Rev. Janet Jacobs, CCGSO

          Founding Director
          Gambling Recovery Ministries
            www.grmumc.org

For more information on problem gambling and recovery issues, visit:                                                                                                                                                      

www.indianaproblemgambling.org

 

www.ipgap.indiana.edu

 

www.mdproblemgambling.com

 

www.gamblersanonymous.org

 

www.gam-anon.org

 

www.kycpg.org

 

www.pgnohio.org

 

www.calproblemgambling.org

 

www.christsd.com