Post 87 

 

COMING NOVEMBER 2016 …

to the Greater Indianapolis Area

 

INTERNATIONAL GAMBLING COUNSELOR CERTIFICATION BOARD

CLERGY/LAY MINISTER CERTIFICATION

in Problem Gambling Prevention, Education, Awareness,

and  Spiritual Outreach Care

FOUR MODULE TRAININGS  (FREE*)

(required toward completion of Certification process)

Presented by the International Gambling Counselor Certification Board (IGCCB),  all four required Curriculum Modules toward the new non-clinical Certification for Clergy and Lay Ministers will be given this November 2016 in Plainfield, IN in the Greater Indianapolis Area. 

For those persons who need to pick up Modules for completing all four Modules, this is an opportunity to do so.  For those who have completed all four Modules, please, feel welcome to share this information with others who would be interested in attaining National/International Certification. 

Modules 1, 2, 3 and 4 … Training Sessions November 2016

IGCCB Clergy/Lay Ministers Certification

MODULE 1:  FRIDAY, November 4

MODULE 2:  SATURDAY, November 5

MODULE 3:  FRIDAY, November 11

MODULE 4:  SATURDAY, November 12

ALL SESSIONS:  Sign-In begins at 9:00 AM

Instruction Time:  9:25 AM -  4:00 PM

Location:  PLAINFIELD CHRISTIAN CHURCH

800 Dan Jones Rd., Plainfield, Indiana 46168

NOTES:

Registration is still open!  For registration information, contact the Indiana Council on Problem Gambling at (866) 699-4274.  Please, indicate the Module(s) for which you are registering OR all Modules. 

·     Cost: The Trainings are FREE.  Following the Trainings, there is an Administrative Fee of $50 payable to IGCCB for continued work toward Certification.  Please note that the IGCCB has waived the $185 initial Certification Fee through June 30, 2017.

Meals: Lunches will be “working lunches” and catered on site. We will have coffee and light refreshments available in the mornings during “Sign-In” time.

Directions: 

FROM   Interstate 465 and PLAINFIELD:

 From  I 465,  exit to US 40 North.  Continue US 40 N to Dan Jones Rd.  Turn left onto Dan Jones.

Proceed north on Dan Jones Road from US Hwy 40/Washington Street, about 1/2 mile. Turn left to the Church.

Park and enter by DOOR 3.  Sign-In begins at 9:00 AM  in Classroom A239 (take stairway to second floor or use the elevator).  Coffee is available on the first floor.  Class begins at 9:25.

 The Clergy/Lay Ministers Certification is a Program of the International Gambling Counselors Certification Board.  This is a National / International Certification. 

The Four Modules total twenty-four classroom hours and 24 CEUs from IGCCB.

For more information on this Certification, contact the Indiana Council on Problem Gambling at (866) 699-4274.

 

EDITOR'S NOTE:

 

This is a terrific opportunity for clergy and lay ministers of ALL faiths to receive current and valuable information on gambling addiction and recovery issues - both clinical AND practical - for immediate application within multiple ministry settings (parish, mission outreach, and pastoral counseling).  The IGCCB Clergy/Lay Ministers Certification on Gambling Addiction Awareness, Prevention, Education, and Spiritual Outreach Care is designated a National/International Certification.  This is cutting edge ministry - meeting our world's present and very real challenges in facing gambling addiction as it impacts gamblers of all ages and cultures, their families, friends, associates, and employers.

 

Plainfield, Indiana neighbors Indianapolis, I 465, and the Indy Airport: an accessible and central location!

 

There is still time to register! 

 

Blessings,

 

Rev. Janet Jacobs

Founding Director

Gambling Recovery Ministries

 

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

 

www.gamblersanonymous.org

www.gam-anon.org

www.indianaproblemgambling.org

www.facebook.com/PGNOhio  

www.ipgap.indiana.edu

www.kycpg.org

www.calpg.org

 

 

 

Post 86

Whether (or not, recovery will bring fair “weather”??)  Forecasts: 

Part 2 of a Series of 3

Well, as not predicted, Midwest USA weather has continued to be summer. It’s three days into Fall and forecasts are for 90 degrees here today!  Next week though… highs in the 70s are promised.  And so it goes, eventually, we will get to the promised, lovely temperatures of autumn. 

Recovery can be like that too: eventually, eventually!  And still, we need goals, promises, and affirming predictions.  A friend in recovery, years ago, advised me, in my work as Director of Gambling Recovery Ministries: Keep it simple, Janet, keep it simple.  And she was so very right.  As I include within my presentations to clergy and other professionals, each person seeking help, comes with his/her own individual territory.  Whether folks are genetically predisposed, environmentally impacted, or a combination thereof, recovery has its own path … sometimes uphill, or smooth, and/or ditch-prone.  Most likely, recovery is a mosaic of many, mini (and at times maxi) journeys.

To be sure, affirming predictions are valuable – with timing, cautiously, an individual matter.  In other words, without positives … why bother?  Still, even a health – or otherwise - scare (or negative motivation)  can be turned into a positive. 

As we take a look at Steps 4-9 in this edition of the GRM Blog, we’ll see the deep trench-work of the 12 Steps to Recovery program.  It is, particularly, in working these Steps, that one becomes aware of both the denial-smashing and the strength-building that will occur and develop.  Indeed, it can be said that this is when the Talk truly becomes the Walk!

FORCASTING RECOVERY: STEP BY STEP

Step 4:  [We make]  made a searching and fearless moral and financial inventory of ourselves

We may ease into this Step – at first – because it is a one-on-one facing of ourselves, only by ourselves.  It’s an introduction, so to speak, to self-honesty.  Both the moral and the financial aspects of our lives will intertwine.  Untangling will begin - only to find more tangles.  Again, keeping things simple, warrants plenty of time to be devoted to working this Step. 

Then too, we are to include BOTH the positives and the negatives within our inventories.  As we inspect our lists, we discover more – and we begin to feel freer to discover more.  The person we are inventorying is actually not a blur … rather, there are actual qualities to improve and eliminate, as well as the positives we can old in esteem (even if we think they are only specks).   Thus the work before us – at least – seems somewhat tangible.

STEP 5:  [We admit]  admitted to ourselves and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs

As self-honesty has developed during Step 4, we are becoming less defensive of past actions/attitudes/thoughts.   Self-admission – rather than self-justifying – begins to make thinking about our lives less complicated.  It is what it is, we may tell ourselves often. 

When it comes time to take on Step 5, we can approach another person (a trusted one!) with more openness and less shame.  Yes, there will be feelings of guilt but somehow  the speaking aloud to a trusted person begins to extract the wrong(s) from the shame-encrusted, secreted corners of our minds  - and puts them on the going-to-do-something-about-it  work-table.   Most likely – now - it is in expanding our recovery work to include another individual, we become more willing to actively take on accountability.  We are no longer humanly alone.

STEPS  6, 7, 8, and 9:  WORK!  WORK!  WORK!  WORK!

STEP  6:  [We are]  were entirely ready to have these defects of character removed

Entirely ready is facing the future, being open to start a new chapter in life, feeling prepared to leave harmful ways, and TO CHANGE.

This Step renders the old, dysfunctional mechanisms and attitudes useless to us anymore … no longer a functioning part of our being, and deemed counterproductive to all aspects of healthy living.

STEP 7:  [We]  humbly ask God (of our understanding) to remove our shortcomings

Now, we have a clearer picture of how to ask God for help.  Again, we realize that we are not alone – and from Step 3 on, we have already experienced divine care in granting us courage to share our moral and financial inventories with another person, as well as being ready to change and not rely on our old shortcoming ways.

STEP 8:  [We make]  made a list of all persons we had harmed and became [become] willing to make amends to them all

Our shortcomings and character defects take on personal faces.  Being entirely ready as in Step 6, may challenge our senses of courage and resolve.  Making the list helps us to take one situation at a time – and not become overwhelmed.  God’s care continues as progress in recovery is reflected in our calling for guidance in making this list.  As we work this Step, each listing becomes an opening for a new relationship and/or a lighter sense of debt (financial and otherwise).   

STEP 9:  [We]  make amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others

Working this Step is a compilation of progressing through all of the previous Steps … belief in a power greater than ourselves, honesty in self-assessment, acceptance, reaching out, responsibility, relationship building.  There’s a willingness to act and speak minus the crutches of  former character defects.  Empathy and patience for those impacted helps us to see others in a new light.  Forgiving and seeking forgiveness deepen our commitment to recovery.  Loving oneself and others now takes on new depths.

Next month, we will take a look at Steps 10-12 … the necessary maintenance steps.  Remember:  Progress in recovery is always progress!

Join us in October!

Blessings,

Rev. Janet Jacobs
Founding Director
Gambling Recovery Ministries

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

www.gamblersanonymous.org                          www.calpg.org

www.indianaproblemgambling.org                     www.kycpg.org

 www.ipgap.indiana.edu

 

Post 85

Whether ( or not, recovery will bring fair “weather”??) Forecasts:  Part 1 of a Series of 3

Yes, the recent hot, humid days have reminded me that it is, indeed, August … and yet, afternoon’s slant of pre-autumn sunshine forecasts cooler and drier days to come.  Even as sweat rolls off my forehead during outdoor chores, I can almost catch the aroma of dry leaves and hear their crackling sounds as feet shuffle along sidewalks. My mind turns to weather forecasts predicting crisper mornings and sleep-with-the-windows-open nights.  Extended predictions give the highs and lows of the coming days; and I look forward to 70’s high temperatures!

My mind turns to … I look forward to … yes, that’s expected thinking this time of year for Midwest autumn lovers.  However, a look above at our title for this edition of the GRM Blog indicates the topic is not weather-related.  Instead, the question of whether-or-not brings our focus to the what-can-I-expect recovery to bring me … what can I anticipate as I enter recovery work … will I be able to forecast – and experience – changes that will help me to attain wellness from addiction … how will I like my new life in recovery …  what can I look forward to …?

A couple of past Posts have addressed such what-will-I-face questions with affirming descriptions of recovery.  Checking back, Post 29 on July 3, 2012 lists the “Freedoms” experienced as each of the 12 Steps to Recovery are attained.  For December 15, 2011 (Post 22), you’ll read about “Promises/Presents” associated with the holiday-related “Recovery Tree”. (www.grmumc.org ) Then too, the Gamblers Anonymous program offers GA Promises (to experience) when living the life of recovery.  (www.gamblersanonymous.org )

As the possibility and increasing probability of change approaches, it is quite normal – and expected – that the whether or nots thoughts (and often fears) grow within the individual’s mind.  Treatment, support groups, accountability, the 12 Steps … become daunting challenges. 

Therefore, to address such concerns, this month’s edition takes a look at the first three  Steps to Recovery and connects them to forecastings of experiences to look forward to and to live by. 

Note:  each “forecast” is singular, first-person wording – as though the person in recovery would actually speak!

FORECASTING RECOVERY: STEP BY STEP

Steps 1, 2, and 3  [to Recovery]  are listed below in quotes. www.gamblersanonymous.org  and  www.gam-anon.org

Remember!  The “forecasts” are italicized and written as though recovery is in progress!

1. “We admitted we were powerless over gambling [the problem in our family] – that our lives had become unmanageable.”

I no longer count on an IF world … rather I begin to admit the real-ness – and limitations - of my own individual reality.  Therefore, my life is taking on more predictable outcomes, with the consequences of my actions more apparent and thus manageable.  My goal setting now is tailored to recovery – not escape or risk-taking.

2. “Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to a normal way of thinking and living.”

I no longer feel alone in dealing with my gambling problems [the problem in my family].  Moreover, there is additional power to help me; and it’s greater than my own present abilities.  Therefore, I am not limited to just my solutions, fears, expectations, and worries.  I’m starting to trust the idea that – with this Power’s help and care of/for me - I can, once again, have clear thinking and experience normal life patterns.
  
 3. “Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of this Power of our own understanding.”

I decided to trust the Higher Power of my own understanding and made the decision to turn myself – my will and whole life – over to the personal care of this Power.  Since then, I have experienced the Power’s growing, in me, the strength, courage, wisdom, patience and knowledge to counter the addiction that I have been so affected and influenced by. I no longer have to trust in my will – but instead, the will of One greater than me.  My thinking abilities and living patterns are increasingly steadier - and actually are starting to feel more normal! 

These first three Steps are, basically, an introduction – an ushering in – to life wherein trust, a Higher Power, hope, and forecasting of a “normal way of thinking and living” are actual options to be experienced and realized!  All necessary, they prepare the person to face more reality – their own selves and actions.

Steps 4-9 … They are the tough, boots-on-the-ground and yet beautiful - steps of self-awareness, repair, and restoration. We’ll be in the trenches of recovery with them next month. 
 
Join us in September!

Blessings,

Rev. Janet Jacobs  
Founding Director
Gambling Recovery Ministries

For more information on problem gambling and recovery issues, visit

www.ncpg@ncpgambling.org     www.indianaproblemgambling.org     www.kycpg.org

www.calpg.org        www.ipgap.indiana.edu   

Post 84

BELATED JULY NEWS

International Gambling Counselor Certification Board

CLERGY/LAY MINISTER CERTIFICATION UPDATE NEWS!!!

NEW DATE EXTENDS CERTIFICATION FEE WAIVER!

The actual Certification Fee of $185 is now being waived through June 30, 2017, for those applicants who have completed the training sessions (4 Modules), the required Class Project, and Oral Examination (an interview as to what the applicant has learned throughout the Certification process).  On July 13, at the first Board Meeting of the newly merged Board (International Gambling Counselor Certification Board and the American Compulsive Gambling Counselor Certification Board),   the decision was made to extend the initial Certification Fee waiver for six additional months, thus providing more time to fulfill the requirements toward Certification.

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

NOTE!  The four Modules may be taken in any order.

The following article details the next steps to be achieved in order to complete the requirements for IGCCB Clergy/Lay Minister Certification!

ALL MODULES TAKEN?  WHAT’S NEXT?

NEXT STEPS …

TOWARD CERTIFICATION

·         The Clergy/Lay Ministers Certification is granted by the International Gambling Counselor Certification Board and is of international certification status.  This certification is for pastors/clergy/Ordained Deacons and designated religious workers or Lay Ministers who will be trained in both clinical information and spirituality issues, along with parish application.

·         Submission of a written Proposal for your Class Project. Upon approval of Proposal and completion, submission of a type-written report is required, describing (1) the project created and implemented (2) the impact the project has had since it was implemented

Included, additionally, may be photographs/videos with the written report.

       

·         Passing of the Oral Examination:  This will take the form of an interview between the applicant and designated IGCCB Members.  The emphasis will be how the Trainings, Class Project, Readings, and Attendance to the Open GA and Gam-Anon Meetings have impacted the applicant’s ministry: the additions and changes made within his/her work ministry setting(s), along with other involvements with regard to gambling addiction awareness, prevention, education, and spiritual outreach care.  This interview will take place either in person or by telephone.

·         Checklist of forms to be completed and postal mailed to the International Board (along with the $50 Administrative Fee):

            Application Checklist

____ Application Form Completed

____ Education/Training Certificate of all four Completed Module Trainings

____ Ethics Page: Signed

____ Reflections Section (Open GA and Gam-Anon Meetings) completed

____ Payment of $50.00 (Administration Fee) Payable to IGCCB

____ Your Signature

____ Completed recommended readings from the bibliography

 

·         There is a $50 fee which is the "Administrative Fee" for the International Board's administering the certification process of the applicant.  This includes the instruction, class materials, and any mentoring for the applicant by the instructors.  The actual Certification Fee of $185 is being waived through June 30, 2017, for those applicants taking the training sessions (4 Modules) and doing the required project and oral examination (more of an interview as to what the applicant has learned throughout the certification process). This Administrative Fee is to be included within the application forms to be sent to the International Board.  See address below:

              International Gambling Counselor Certification Board (IGCCB)  

                  730  11^th Street NW,   Suite 601

                  Washington D.C.  20001

                   Phone:  (202) 547 - 9204

 ·         For more information or if you have questions, contact the following:

          International Gambling Counselor Certification Board: (202) 547-9204  Ext. 24  

            

FOLLOWING INITIAL CERTIFICATION: 

CONTINUING CERTIFICATION

 Notify any change of e-mail address, phone number, and postal address to the International Board (see above address).

 

·         Complete and submit Annual Accountability Attestation Form (This Form will be sent annually to Certified Clergy/Lay Ministers.)

·         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.

 

 

POST JULY REPORT:

 

Another very successful Certification Training of all Four Modules took place in Lexington, Kentucky of July 22-23 and 29-30!  Discussions now are under way as to possible future Trainings in Indiana and Maryland.  Stay tuned for dates, locations, and details!!

 

We will keep you posted!!!

 

Blessings,

 

Rev. Janet Jacobs

Founding Director

Gambling Recovery Ministries

 

                                                                                                                                                                                               

For more information on problem gambling issues, go to www.ncpgambling.org

 

For more information on gambling recovery support organizations, go to

www.gamblersanonymous.org 

www.gam-anon.org   

 

 



WE DON’T GET TO PICK OUR PARENTS … Part 2

Post 83

As promised, this June edition of the GRM Blog continues the theme of what it is like living with a problem gambler parent (and/or sibling).  As a reminder of those issues and dilemmas faced by children in such households, take a quick glance at the listings within May’s post.  What stands out to me is that each of these issues provides fertile ground for the seeds of dysfunction to grow within the sons and daughters of those suffering from gambling addiction.  

In other words, the compulsive gambler in the family is not the only person who is affected by the presence of addiction.  Indeed, the addiction-connected-struggles in family life extend far beyond the gambler!  Friends in Recovery who authored “The 12 Steps for Adult Children”  (Recovery Publications, Inc., San Diego, 1987) detail, through a guided narration of the 12 Steps to Recovery, common responses to self-identity and interpersonal relations experienced by – now – adult children who grew up in dysfunctional and addictive homes.  

Incredibly and sadly, those issues experienced by the compulsive gambler often become similar to those developing within his/her children: guilt, denial, shame, isolation, mistrust, insecurity, and problems with intimacy.

So let’s get on with the children – what words of comfort and guidance can be given? 

Before this, however, it is important to keep in mind that children want to be able to trust their parents; and yes, that is the healthy role for parents – to be trustworthy role models.  Moreover, gambling addiction is hard to identify … no needle marks, falling down stupors, slurred speech, or actual substances.  Moreover, the explanations and excuses offered by the problem gambler may sound quite logical.  To kids, gambling addiction probably doesn’t sound like an illness … maybe just  a matter of bad luck - which always has the hope for next time.

COMFORT

Three basic understandings, therefore, need to be stated first and shared with children:

·         As previously noted, it is important that compulsive gambling is understood as an addiction – an illness.  Harmful words, untrustworthy actions, lack of financial security, and other poor choices are NOT to be interpreted as the child’s fault, responsibility, or personal area of control.

·         The child (of a compulsive gambler) is not the only one who has a family affected by gambling addiction.  Although this tends to be minimized (unfortunately) by the public and some professionals, compulsive gambling is a devastating addiction experienced by many lives.  Often – especially because of financial struggles – families of problem gamblers tend to isolate themselves.  Shame, experienced by the non-gambling spouse, sadly can prevent the much needed reaching-out for help.

·         Therefore, talking about the gambling problem in the family to a trusted person can provide a healthy outlet for the child.  He/she can ask questions, sense security, and not feel alone with the issues that may have caused him/her to identify as helpless, different from others, and/or somehow a cause for the problem.  In such settings, the child can process both fear and anger issues that commonly – and normally - arise when a parent is a compulsive gambler.    

GUIDANCE

Finally, and in addition to the above information, what guidance can be given to a child whose parent’s dysfunctional influence on the family may have far-reaching effects throughout the child’s life?

(Note: interestingly, the following can be applied to both the children of compulsive gamblers and those significant adults (spouses, friends, co-workers, other family members) affected by gambling addiction.)

·         The strengths of a person should always be recognized.  Healthy self-confidence goes a long way in combating the negatives of others’ addictions.  Goal-setting (both short and long term) can help a person feel accomplished as well as a sense of order (especially in a chaotic home environment).

·         Healthy outlets of enjoyment help to release tension, anger, and fear … even for a short time.  Sports, other physical activities, hobbies, leisure reading, creative writing, crafts, and other new skills are all possibilities. 

·         Thankfulness:  there may be plenty of negatives; but a steady mindset of gratitude (even for tiny thanksgivings) opens the door to more balanced-thinking - particularly when everything seems to be in the negative column at home.

·         Experiencing the impact of another’s addiction can be a personal motivator to respond carefully/wisely when critical choices arise in one’s life.

 (A word of caution: at times, however, the actions/attitudes of the parent/older sibling may play a detrimental, role-modeling effect when it comes to the introduction and inclusion of  at-risk behaviors.)   

Gam-Anon, the support organization for family, friends, and associates of compulsive gamblers, provides additional notes of guidance:  do something positive for others; tackle one thing at a time; don’t be unrealistic and set self-expectations too high; watch out for being overly-critical of others.  Check out www.gam-anon.org  for more tips and helpful information!

Finally, I want to close this mini-series with an essential reminder …

For children and teens as well as adults,  we  may be the trusted, safe person - the one to whom someone seeks guidance about problem gambling in the home.  We don’t have to have all of the answers to their questions but we can listen and guide them to help and support groups.  We can be the encouraging voice that helps open that critical door to recovery!

Blessings,

Rev. Janet Jacobs

           Founding Director
          
          Gambling Recovery Ministries   

For more information on problem gambling and recovery issues, go to:

www.gam-anon.org

www.gamblersanonymous.org

www.indianaproblemgambling.org/family.cfm

www.problemgambling.ca.gov/ccpgwebsite/impacts-on-family.aspx

www.ncgambling.org

www.grmumc.org