Monday, April 11, 2016

TIMES OF SAN DIEGO, APRIL, 2016

AIN’T NOBODY’S BUSINESS …
By Laura Walcher


They may not ever tell you, but I’d be willing to bet that my experience will resonate with many women you think you know.

I have two adult children: our son heads a key division of a financial services firm; our daughter’s 15th anniversary of heading up her own public relations firm is coming up this year. They are both healthy, both accomplished.  

In their earliest years, I was a sad and sickly mother. Going through two unexpected pregnancies was not going to benefit their own young lives. Ergo: two abortions followed: one legal, one not. Considering my fragile health, the doctors had advised me to proceed.

Each abortion was a physical relief, and an emotional drain.  Even though my abortions were, and most are, performed before a fetus is viable, the experience is nothing to be celebrated; instead, and I believe I speak for most women, the most – if not the only – positive emotion might be … relief. 

Relief, from difficult expenses; from interference with one’s life path; from the emotional toll of additional children to care for; from – as noted – a negative impact on one’shealth; for youth, for fear, for feelings of inadequacy, embarrassment, and so on.    And, experience has shown us: too often, an unwanted child can be a highly unlucky one as well.

In deciding on abortion, I cannot recall seeking the opinion of others, except for my doctors. I do not recall sharing the decision or experience with others, save my husband and select intimates. Understanding the rationale for my decision, none tried to dissuade me.

While much of life is left to luck, my adult children today lead reasonably balanced, successful lives. I prefer to believe that providing them a stable, attentive mother – has helped. 
 
Amazingly, the abortion beat still goes on. In the courts, in the legislature (for instance, threats to the Affordable Care Act can deprive women of health insurance, under which women may receive reproductive care; Hillary Clinton has called for the repeal of The Hyde Amendment, which prevents federal programs from paying for abortions; among the Republican candidates – all are anti-choice; and so on); in attacks on Planned Parenthood, in churches, synagogues, and the rise of several women’s organizations telling their stories, demanding their right to manage their own lives, their own health, their own options. 

See-sawing too, on abortion has become business as usual, from Supreme Court Justice Anthony to – heaven help us – Mr. Trump. May I advise them to stop; please. Gents, bow out - it ain’t nobody’s business but our own.

Laura Walcher is Principal Public Relations Counsel to J. Walcher Communications, San Diego




Monday, April 4, 2016

What Now? PEACE Now!


By Laura Walcher

If we need a little hope for the world, we could consider that at the National Conflict Resolution Center, the organization that selects the awardees for their annual Peacemaker event, always have plenty of excellent choices. .  And, says CEO Steve Dinkin,
“it’s our mission and pleasure to honor our ‘peacemakers, ‘  and hope they lead folks everywhere
to solving problems via mediation –a vital, proven  process for managing conflict without rancor, without broken relationships. “

The 2016 Peacemakers are: actor Richard Dreyfuss, the National honoree, recognized for his Dreyfuss Civic Initiative, where youths learn the importance of civil discussion and critical thinking; Linda and Mel Katz, community leaders who have earned the Philanthropy in Peacemaking Award; and, for the local award, “Reclaiming the Community,”  a music project produced by the Pipeline Project Musicians in southeast San Diego,  which has helped to foster positive change in the historically disenfranchised community.

Carol and Jeffrey Chang
NCRC has also named Carol and Jeffrey Chang Honorary Chairs a dynamic couple devoted to promoting civility in all aspects of our society. Among other activities.  Carol chairs the UCSD Foundation, and heads the Balboa Park Conservancy;  Jeffrey is Professor Emeritus and former head of the Reproductive Endocrinology Division,    School of Medicine at UCSD.

Carol Chang and I had a talk: 

LW:  How had your career in Health Sciences informed the impressive volunteer work you’ve done here;    the Balboa Park Conservancy – and now, co-honorary chair with Jeffrey, of NCRC’s Peacemaker Awards? 

CC:  My education (psychology & public health) led me to a career in healthcare delivery and organizational behavior.  On moving to San Diego and taking early retirement (so Jeff & I could live together – we’d been at different UC campuses for the first four years of our marriage!), I decided to see if the volunteer world would have a place for me, to engage my interest and skills – primarily in education and science.

LW:  How did you two connect with NCRC?

CC:  Elaine Galinson and I served on the UCSD Foundation Board.  Through that exposure, I recognized the amazing work that Murray and Elaine had done in this community.  It is hard to be involved here and not become aware of Murray’s legacy! In any case, Elaine  introduced me to UC’s campus civility program (initially funded by them and operated by NCRC).  From both Jeff and I having worked in higher education, but also being exposed to undergrads and campus life, a program focused on teaching civility was really on the mark. Giving students opportunities to learn how to listen, to solve problems, to resolve conflicts without anger, alienation, etc.  – well, we hope the program will become part of UCSD’s curriculum.  The impact from the participating students is just inspiring!  I’m happy to be an advocate/broker to ensure that the program continues to thrive. 

LW:  Tell us about the program– serving student/faculty?  Who are the mediators? Any outcomes to report?

CC:  Right now, UCSD’s program only serves students, but there is an interest in eventually serving faculty and administrators.  NCRC provides trained mediators, and   along with Student Affairs leaders,  are tracking outcomes.

LW:  Have you used, or had any experiences with mediation in your own careers, in your own lives?

CC:  In my professional career, I’ve been a facilitator in organizational behavior, and have worked with outside
mediators to effect change with numerous organizations. 

LW:  As honorary chairs, have you had any input into the choi8ce of this year’s Peacemakers?  What are you thought about their merit?

CC:  The choices were strictly an NCRC board decision. That said, we’re delighted that Mel & Linda Katz were chosen as the community philanthropists!.  We look forward, too, to hearing from the musicians as well as Richard Dreyfuss. 

LW:  You describe your volunteer work as “ …so much fun!”  Dies it qualify for “leisure” as well?

CC:  That is an insightful question!  I do think there is an element of leisure in volunteer work:  it stimulates but relaxes, engages  - yet enables me to control my schedule. So we do have time for theater, reading, travel, and fortunately, we do lots of it!  ###

The 28th Annual Peacemaker Awards will be held Thursday, April 14, 2016 at the Hyatt Regency La Jolla at Aventine.  5:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.  RSVP: Heidi Stafford: 619-238-2400, xt. 222, or hstafford@ncrconline.com