24th Annual Fall Conference 2014 The Journey Through Loss…

24th Annual Fall Conference 2014
The Journey Through Loss…
Universally shared, Uniquely experienced
October 15 - 17, 2014
Geneva Park YMCA Conference Centre
Orillia, Ontario
Four Plenary Speakers combined with your choice of
3 additional informative and diverse workshops
...a unique educational conference within a retreat setting and atmosphere...
Bereavement Ontario Network
174 Oxford Street ~ Woodstock, ON N4S 6B1
519.266.4747
[email protected]
www.BereavementOntarioNetwork.ca
Registered as a Charitable Organization: (BN) 13932-2317 RT0001
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Bereavement Ontario Network (BON) is a diverse group of organizations and individuals throughout the province that work
in the field of grief, bereavement and mourning as professionals and volunteers.
The need for a network was first discussed in 1989 at a bereavement conference in Hamilton. The ideas, enthusiasm and
energy generated during that conference led to a meeting a year later at which a blueprint for the Bereavement Ontario
Network was developed. BON does no grief counselling nor does it provide any direct service. Instead, it fills a distinct void
by providing linkages between the various groups, counsellors and bereavement resources already in place.
Today Bereavement Ontario Network provides an opportunity to access knowledge, experience, wisdom, and sensitivity of
other members throughout the province. You can use BON to access this support for your clients, and yourself from across
the province.
Membership in the Bereavement Ontario Network is open to individual, volunteer organizations, small businesses, and
corporations. If your work brings you in contact with the bereaved, BON can help you help them.
BON offers an annual conference, a directory of members, a quarterly newsletter, a website, and the services of volunteer
regional representatives. These representatives reflect all areas of the province and are available to answer questions about
the organization, its resources and how it can assist you.
Our Goals
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To encourage information sharing and networking among individuals and organizations who come in touch with grief,
bereavement and mourning.
To increase public awareness of death, dying and bereavement issues.
To identify service gaps on a regional basis and encourage service provision through advocacy and support.
Our Strategies
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To foster networking among the members throughout the year.
To promote public awareness and understanding of bereavement issues.
To establish a provincial clearing house for grief and bereavement with a mandate of training, research, and sharing.
To facilitate the development of educational materials.
To support and initiate regional events which promote networking in the bereavement community and to promote
networking opportunities within the regions.
To promote membership and attendance at the annual conference.
We invite you to become part of the Bereavement Ontario Network
As a member, you will receive:
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The Bereavement Ontario Network Directory, which puts you in touch with a network of others who work and
volunteer in the field of grief, bereavement and mourning. The Directory is updated on a regular basis.
A quarterly newsletter with current information on province-wide events about grief and bereavement as well as
related articles, book reviews and movie reviews.
Reduced Registration Fee for the BON Annual Fall Conference/Retreat. This conference offers plenary and workshop
sessions, networking and relaxation time, all at Geneva Park, Orillia.
Advertising Opportunities, upcoming events/notices can be sent to the BON office for electronic posting to the entire
membership list at any time as well as posting upcoming events and links on BON’s website.
The Services of Regional Representatives to bring you in closer touch with resources and opportunities within your
own area.
Registered as a Charitable Organization (BN) 13932-2317-RT0001
connect. learn. support.
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Dr. John D. Morgan Student Scholarship
The Bereavement Ontario Network is pleased to offer
The John D. Morgan Memorial Student Conference Scholarship
named in memory of Dr. Morgan who died in the spring of 2005.
We are pleased to honour Dr. Morgan’s memory with a student scholarship to our upcoming
conference. The successful candidate will receive full registration including accommodation
for the conference and a one year membership to the Bereavement Ontario Network.
Email [email protected] for application.
Applications due September 12, 2014
Sponsorship Opportunities
Do you have a company or client that provides services for the bereaved?
Do you know someone who is bereaved that would like the sponsorship to be in honour of a loved one?
Your name, program or company will be publicized during the conference and in our post conference
newsletter.
Sponsor any of the following:
Plenary $750 ~ Bursary $600
Workshop $300 ~ Nature Walk $250
Tax receipts issued for sponsorship donations
Bereavement Ontario Network
Registered as a Charitable Organization (BN) 13932-231-RT0001
Contact [email protected]
Thank you!
Important ~ Please Note
Some Helpful Suggestions
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Consider Members Discount Prices
Casual, comfortable dress is the norm during your conference stay
Review workshop choices and indicate your preference on the Registration Form. Workshops will be
assigned on a “first come, first served” basis with a limit on number of attendees per workshop.
Deadline for Registration
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Postmarked by August 29, 2014 - Early Bird Rate
October 6, 2014 - Last registration date
Cancellation Policy
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Cancellation Fee is $100.00 - FINAL DATE FOR CANCELLATION IS OCTOBER 6, 2014
Certificate of Attendance
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A Certificate of Attendance will be provided to each participant
Display Table
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If you would like to have a display table setup during the conference, please contact the BON office at
[email protected]. Table fee will apply.
Information correct at time of printing
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Conference Schedule
Pre Conference
Wednesday, October 15, 2014
Registration 8:30 am
9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Option A and Option B-3 includes lunch. Option B-1 and Option B-2 do not include lunch.
Full Conference
Wednesday, October 15, 2014
Registration from 4:00 - 5:30 pm
Welcome Dinner & Introductions 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Plenary and Celebration of Hope, Healing & Remembrance 7:00 pm - 9:15 pm
Thursday, October 16, 2014
Breakfast from 7:00 am - 8:30 am
Plenary and workshops run from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and include lunch
Dinner and AGM at 6:30 pm with Networking Reception and Silent Auction afterwards
Friday, October 17, 2014
Breakfast from 7:00 am - 8:30 am
Plenary and workshops run from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm followed by lunch and wrap up
Full conference schedule will be provided closer to event dates.
We are pleased to have Mandala Book Shop returning to the conference and
offering their premier resources to our participants. Mandala Book Shop was
established to fulfill a need within London and the community for resources
related to non-mainstream pursuits. Whether you are looking for books,
spoken audio, music, meditation products or symbolic personal ornaments, an
eclectic selection of products for spiritual growth will be available.
Location:190 Central Ave., London, ON 519.432.9488
www.mandalabookshop.com
The Labyrinth will be available during the entire conference for people to
walk. The labyrinth is an ancient, walking meditation that helps you balance,
heal and connect with your inner higher self. Immie Manthei, a Labyrinth
Facilitator, will be on hand to assist newcomers to the process.
*Additional Opportunities
Guided Nature Walk through the grounds of Geneva Park, Thursday afternoon, pre dinner.
Morning Meditation Sessions before breakfast.
connect. learn. support.
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Pre Conference - Option A
Wednesday, October 15th
Writing Retreat Day
Writing What Hurts:
Recounting Without Reliving
With author/speaker/advocate
Shannon Moroney
(inspiring triumph over trauma for people and communities)
Do you have a story to tell?
Do you believe that writing is therapeutic, but you also fear opening up wounds?
Give yourself the gift of a day spent with fellow writers engaging in activities that will help you maximize
the therapeutic aspects of writing and minimize the painful experience of revisiting trauma and grief.
Shannon Moroney, author of the best-selling memoir Through The Glass, offers wisdom and advice
for caring for yourself and your manuscript while writing about difficult times. Whether your own goal
is to publish, to document a journey, or to heal yourself, you will come away with tools and resources
to guide you and get you started (or keep you going!).
Retreat Day Format:
Morning Session - 2.5 hours
Afternoon Session - 2 hours + 1 hour writing time followed by a group debrief.
*Participants will be asked to complete a preparation activity prior to the retreat
day and bring it to the sessions.
Shannon is a teacher, counselor and restorative justice advocate who has spoken
internationally on the ripple effects of crime. Shannon is also a member of The
International Forgiveness Project. To learn more about Shannon you can visit
her website at www.shannonmoroney.com.
Back by popular demand, Shannon was the Opening Night Speaker for both the
2012 and the 2013 BON Conferences.
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Pre Conference - Option B
Wednesday, October 15th
Morning session (B-1)
Spirituality, Suffering & Grief
Afternoon session (B-2)
Eugene Dufour
Creating a Church Based
Grief Recovery Program
The Morning Session (B-1) will explore the key concepts of spirituality and suffering in relation to
a person grieving. Participants will leave the workshop with practical tools on how to bring forward a
grieving person’s spirituality and the nature of their suffering. The main focus of the workshop will be
on how to reduce suffering in their lives as they work through the grieving process.
This workshop is ideal for clergy, pastoral care workers, parish nurses, parish workers,
chaplains and lay people who are interested in alleviating a person’s suffering.
The Afternoon Session (B-2) will present current information on the grieving process and how to
run a church based, eight week grief recovery program. Participants will leave the workshop with
practical knowledge of how to support a person working through the loss of a loved one. Participants
will also be given an eight week model of facilitating a grief group from advertising the group to offering
after care once the group is finished.
This workshop is designed for clergy, parish nurses, pastoral care workers, chaplains and
lay people who want to support the bereaved in their church. This workshop would be
excellent for your entire pastoral care team.
PLEASE NOTE - Options B-1 and B-2 may be taken individually
or they may be taken together as Option B-3 which also includes lunch.
Please refer to the conference registration form for specific pricing.
Both sessions are facilitated by Eugene Dufour. Eugene is a clinically trained Individual,
Marital and Family Therapist, Bereavement Specialist, Compassion Fatigue Educator and
Therapist and a Critical Incident Stress Debriefing Facilitator. He received his BA and MA
from King’s College at the University of Western Ontario.
In 2002 Eugene was presented with the Commemorative Medal for her Majesty Queen
Elizabeth 2nd’s Golden Jubilee by the Governor General of Canada for his work in hospice
palliative care. Eugene presently works at the STAR Family Health Team in Stratford, ON.
In March 2012 Eugene and Michelle O’Rourke published their book:
Embracing The End of Life - Help for Those Who Accompany the Dying.
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Plenary Speakers
Unusual Events as a Pathway to
Peaceful Transition
Evelyn MacKay, BA, RN (retired)
Wednesday evening, October 15th
There often arise elements of the unexpected and unusual in end-of-life situations. This plenary
session will explore such events, helping us to be real and authentic with our palliative care clients
while maintaining calm in the face of the puzzling and the unknown.
Evelyn MacKay is a former nurse who has developed an interest in literature, world religion, mysticism
and meditative practice and has spent 30 years as a volunteer with hospice. She introduced energy work,
specifically Therapeutic Touch, to hospitals and hospice in Wellington County and continues to be active
in all hospice programs. In 2000 she was a recipient of the June Callwood “Circle of Friends” award.
Looking Below the Surface:
Social Justice Issues in Bereavement
Dr. Darcy Harris, Ph.D., FT
Associate Professor/Thanatology Coordinator
Department of Interdisciplinary Programs
King’s University College at Western
Thursday morning, October 16th
The experience of loss, death, and grief may be universal, but each person’s unique perceptions, choices,
perspective, and interpretation of meaning within these experiences are shaped and molded by many
socially-mediated factors. Most people who receive training in bereavement support or clinical
intervention for grief have been taught to focus on the individual factors that affect the grieving process
(i.e., personal vulnerability, loss history, the quality and nature of the relationship to the deceased).
However, very few helpers are well-versed in the social context in which grief occurs and how
social/political norms can profoundly influence bereavement.
This presentation will draw attention to the social justice issues that may be part of loss experiences.
Part of the presentation will include case studies that will be reviewed and discussed to demonstrate how
to critically assess relevant individual scenarios for issues related to social contextual factors and power
imbalances. A model for the cultivation of reflective practice and critical consciousness will be presented
to assist in learning how to empower bereaved individuals and the caregivers who support them.
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When Families Grieve:
Learning to Face the Fire with Those We Love
Andrea Warnick, RN, MA
Thursday afternoon, October 16th
When someone dies, the impact that grief has on surviving family members can be enormous.
Navigating one’s own grief experience is often a confusing, exhausting, and a completely destabilizing
process. However death rarely affects people in isolation. As a result, individuals within a family end up
navigating not only their own grief, but also the grief of the people around them.
There are many factors that contribute to the struggle most families experience after a death, including
changes in roles and routines, the financial impact of the death, and, of course, the heartbreak. Often
these realities are unavoidable. However, in many grieving families, there is also a dynamic of individuals
compensating for their desire to fix the unfixable in a way that can have the unintended effect of adding
to suffering. Becoming aware of the existence of this phenomenon can lead to a shift in the dynamic in a
way that allows family members to really make space for one another’s grief. This has the potential to
strengthen emotional connection and deepen family bonds even in the face of great heartbreak.
To learn more about Andrea please visit www.andreawarnick.com.
Dance in the Other Direction:
Tapping Into Our Inner Strengths When All Seems Lost
Lesley Parrott
Friday morning, October 17th
The human spirit is quite remarkable and even when we are in the depths of
grief and despair we can discover inner strengths that can sustain us and
help us heal. Lesley Parrott will share her story and what she’s learned,
from her challenging journey of grief and healing, about how we can survive
and even thrive following some of life’s greatest tragedies.
Lesley’s beloved daughter, Alison, was murdered in 1986 and through learning to live with this tragedy
she has reached out with hope and healing to inspire and help others. She likes to share the wisdom she
has learned and hopes she can help others gain personal insights and practical strategies to face and
overcome adversities with grace and coverage.
She has been involved in many capacities with Bereaved Families of Ontario - Toronto, as a bereavement
support facilitator, chair of the board, strategic planning, fundraising and spokesperson. Lesley has been
honoured with many industry and community awards including the prestigious YWCA Women of
Distinction Award for Communications and Community Service.
Lesley Parrott is a renowned veteran of the advertising industry, a speaker, a facilitator, a humanitarian
and a friend to many. To learn more about Lesley please visit www.lesleyparrott.ca.
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Workshop Choices
Thursday morning, Session 1
1. Loss and Liberation: Buddhist Approaches
Marco Mascarin DSD, Ph.D (ABD), Co-Director of the Institute of Traditional Medicine, Toronto
This workshop will explore a Buddhist approach to impermanence, loss, dying, death and the nature of how it is and how it
might be. Buddhism places loss, impermanence and death directly in front of us - not morbidly, nor to evoke anxiety, but
rather as an encouragement to deeper life and ultimately to decreasing suffering of self and others.
Learning Objectives:
 To look and listen deeply to loss - an invitation.
 To learn about the Buddhist perspective on dying and death - an opportunity for healing.
 To explore tools for transformation and new life.
2. Therapeutic Touch in Hospice and Bereavement Care
Mimi Craig, BA, BEd., Therapeutic Touch Practitioner
This workshop will outline how complementary modalities support the clients of Hospice Wellington in Guelph, demonstrate
the energy Modality of Therapeutic Touch and show how easy it is to support anyone without words by learning the
Hand-Heart Connection© (developed by Cathy Fanslow).
Learning Objectives:
 To understand how complementary wellness modalities offer comfort in hospice/bereavement care.
 To explore the modality of Therapeutic Touch through explanation and demonstration.
 To learn the Hand-Heart Connection©.
3. KIA: Understanding Combat-Related Loss
Christina Harrington, MSW, RSW, PhD (c)
This workshop will review the findings of the qualitative study, Living with the Loss of Canada’s Fallen Soldiers, which examines
(as part of the requirements for a doctoral dissertation in Social Work) the grief and bereavement experiences of Families of
the Fallen where the deceased was killed in action (KIA) in Afghanistan.
Learning Objectives:
 To gain a better understanding of the unique features of grief and bereavement following deaths in combat.
 To understand the role of trauma mastery in these deaths and in sudden death more generally.
 To provide a forum to begin to critically evaluate practice and policy related to sudden death.
4. Grief Journeys and Musical Moments: Exploring the Connections Between Music Therapy
and Bereavement Work
Debbie Emmerson, RN, Director of Kensington Hospice
SarahRose Black, MMT, Music Therapist, Kensington Hospice
This workshop will contextualize and narrate the role of music therapy in grief and bereavement work. Participants will be
guided through several case studies which will highlight the impact of music on anticipatory grief, legacy work, as well as short
and long term bereavement. Regardless of one’s previous musical experiences, music therapy can be a powerful tool that
connects people, creates relationships, and supports the dying process as well as grief and bereavement work.
Learning Objectives:
 To learn about the role of music therapy in hospice and its micro and macro connections to grief and bereavement work.
 To learn about the theoretical components of music therapy, and how they relate to short term and long term grief and
bereavement processes and anticipatory grief.
 To contextualize these theoretical frameworks into narratives based on case examples provided in the presentation.
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Workshop Choices
Thursday afternoon, Session 2
5. BON Death Café
Rebecca Daum, Spectrum Counselling Services, Thanadoula, Home Funeral Guide
A Death Café is a global movement that has been introduced within the last 3 years from Europe. It has made its presence
known in Canada slowly over the last 12-18 months. It is a social franchise that allows people of every background, the
opportunity to sit with others to discuss death, dying and life. This workshop will provide the Death Café experience, plus a
component of education and the opportunity for Q & A.
Learning Objectives:
 To learn about the Death Café movement and the Social Franchise.
 To learn how to co-ordinate and conduct your own Death Café.
 To experience a Death Café first hand.
6. A Personal Journey Through Disability
Jacqueline Dorssers, BSW, RSW
This inspiring and powerful workshop will explore the presenter’s journey of living with a congenital birth defect - spina bifida.
There is an interactive component to this workshop.
Learning Objectives:
 To experience in a very real way the weight that is carried by persons living with a congenital birth defect.
 To understand and experience the pain and sadness that is pervasive throughout a disabled person’s life.
 To understand how each and every person involved in a disabled person’s life has a role to play.
7. Smiling at Death: A Closer Look at Dying
Alberta Nye, filmmaker
This workshop tackles a sensitive and often shunned topic. Alberta explores the heart of this subject with insightful interviews
of people who were with someone at the moment of their death. Are they seeing where they are going in that last moment?
This 45 minute documentary offers a new perspective and positive outlook on this thing we call death and is narrated by Neale
Donald Walsch, author of the Conversation with God series of books. Workshop will include time for discussion.
Learning Objectives:
 Using video as a positive tool for leaving a message of love.
 The use of poetry in understanding transitions.
 Insights from a Near Death Experience and how it offers hope and consolation.
 The Smile that heals; a surprising end...or a new beginning?
8. Understanding the Grief of the Gay and Lesbian Community
John Kennedy Saynor, Genesis Bereavement Resources
This workshop will attempt to define “homophobia” in society in general. We will review the progress - or lack of progress in acceptance of the gay and lesbian community into our culture. We will also look at the fundamental causes of grief in the
gay and lesbian community. And we will discuss how we as caregivers can provide care and support for this group.
Learning Objectives:
 To help participants understand the depth of homophobia in our society.
 To dispel some of the myths surrounding the gay and lesbian community.
 To move towards a more compassionate attitude that leads towards better care for this group.
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Workshop Choices
Friday morning, Session 3
9. When a Baby Dies: Sustaining Families During Pregnancy and Infant Loss
Wendy Moulsdale, Chair of Education, Pregnancy and Infant Loss Network (PAIL Network)
Kemayla Fleming, Director of Volunteers Services and Outreach, PAIL Network
How might you support a woman and her family through pregnancy loss? In this engaging dialogue, increased awareness will
be gained on the uniqueness of pregnancy and infant loss, while also acquiring general knowledge about the faces of perinatal
grief.
Learning Objectives:
 To learn about pregnancy and infant loss and to understand perinatal loss through a cultural/spiritual lens.
 To learn how to communicate with perinatally bereaved parents, including caring for the caregiver, and supporting
yourself.
 To learn how to build on essential community resources.
10. The Conversation and Journey of Death and Dying
Sister Costanza Romano, Team Leader, Spiritual & Religious Care, St. Joseph’s Health Centre
This presentation will highlight advice and practical steps on the consideration of emotional, spiritual/philosophical and family
dynamics when planning end-of life care. Also featured will be a look at St. Joseph’s Guardian Angel Program, recently
awarded by the OHA with an Award of Excellence.
Learning Objectives:
 To learn how to start the conversation of death and dying and how to be prepared for a variety of emotions that will
stem from the onset to the end.
 To recognize the importance of a collaborative inter-professional approach to the care and treatment of persons requiring
end-of-life care.
 To recognize the importance of “communication” throughout the journey of end-of-life.
11. Teen Online Grief Group - Technology and Grief
Anne Leavens, MSW, RSW, Peterborough Youth Services teen counsellor, Hospice Peterborough
Hospice Peterborough’s Teen Online Grief Group (TOGG) was created to fill a gap in service as many teens were not
interested in the face-to-face group that was being offered. The Bereavement Coordinator at Hospice Peterborough
discovered that many teens would agree to an online version and the idea grew. Agreement from teens to join the group
turned out to be the easy part. Getting them to participate was the challenge! Join our discussion on how to reach grieving
teens.
Learning Objectives:
 To gain a better understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of an online group.
 To explore food for thought if you are considering use of technology in your programs.
 To share thoughts and ideas on how to work with hard-to-reach grieving teens.
12. Loss and Alzheimer’s: A Case Study
Nancy Gingerich, Grief and Bereavement Counsellor and Educator
This workshop will present a case study of one family’s experience with Alzheimer’s disease over a twenty year period. Loss
will be explored from the perspective of on-going disenfranchised loss, professional assistance, family dynamics, coping styles,
professional ethics and the impact of loss inherent in this disease.
Learning Objectives:
 To understand the disenfranchised nature of loss resulting from Alzheimer’s disease.
 To develop awareness of the impact layers of loss may have when a family is faced with long term illness.
 To understand the impact that complicating factors in family history can have on the Alzheimer’s journey.