Dear Reader,

We are both pleased ... and admittedly a little surprised ... that we're able to send you Starlink in reasonable time this month. :) In addition to our usual workload, we've been busy developing a new training program for those who work or volunteer in the aged care sector.

We're excited to be launching the program this month - you can read about it below - but at one point were wondering if the October issue of Starlink would morph into November! But here it is - arriving to your inbox in October after all. Whew! :)

We've also decided that wandering the web can be a bit like wandering a garden. We look for good seeds, shoots and blooms to offer our readers, but do have to battle a few weeds and discard dead links along the way.

However, eventually as usual, we think we've unearthed some things that have good potential for growth. We hope you'll find a seed or two that can take root and flourish for you.

Cheers
Sue & Chris
BJ Seminars International

If you are searching for an innovative, gentle exercise activity that engages, empowers and enthuses both low care and high care residents, then our new Chair Chi Training Program may be what you are looking for. This comprehensive program is designed for carers, aged care professionals or volunteers, and will teach you how to deliver Chair Chi sessions for residents and enhance their physical, psychological, social and emotional wellbeing.

Drawing on his 25 years of experience as a Tai Chi practitioner and teacher, Chris has developed and delivered a large number of Chair Chi sessions for both low and high care residents in aged care centres in Melbourne.

These exercise sessions have proved both popular and highly successful as an excellent way of learning how to calm the mind and energise the body while seated on a chair. They are adaptable, require little space, help to improve flexibility, co-ordination, and circulation and are ideal for those whose physical or cognitive ability is impaired.

The first training workshop (Level One of the program) will be held on 25th November, at the Abbotsford Convent in Melbourne. If this is of interest for you or others you know, please visit our website or download the flyer (pdf format) for more information.

The UCLA Center for Mental Health in Schools has been mentioned in Starlink a number of times over the years. It is one of our long-time favourite sources of excellent support information and resources for schools.

This month we'd like to highlight their collection of links related to enhancing school and classroom culture or climate. While the links are US-centric, much of the information is very relevant for Australia - indeed, to any school anywhere, we think.

Although their page of links has the disclaimer that it "represents a sample of information to get you started and is not meant to be exhaustive", it's a very long list! Well worth bookmarking, as there is far more available than could possibly be read during a single visit.

According to a report from Pro Bono Australia, most charitable organisations are missing out on the burgeoning mobile market to reach potential supporters.

Over 73 per cent of Australians own a smartphone but only 16 per cent of charities offer a mobile optimised website, according to a new survey.

The survey by international digital consultancy Reading Room says it’s clear that charities are missing out on mobile.

Reading Room reviewed the web presence of 30 of Australia’s most prominent charities and found that only a small minority are using either the mobile web or mobile apps to engage with their audiences. It found that Australian charities are failing to use mobile to reach, engage and raise revenue from the general public.

A timely 'heads up' perhaps, for nonprofit organisations across education and community sectors, to reconsider their web presence and usage. :)

The Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth (ARACY) has released a draft action agenda for The Nest, a project which aims to align efforts to improve the wellbeing of children and youth, aged 0-24 years. It is about collectively identifying what it is we should be aiming to achieve for children and youth. The focus is on the most effective prevention-focused and evidence-based ways to achieve this change.

The draft agenda makes for interesting reading for anyone involved with children or youth. It draws on consultation with over 4000 Australian young people and families, outcomes from The Nest Summit (Phase 1) late last year, evidence from the 2013 ARACY Report Card: The wellbeing of young Australians and a review of effective interventions. It details the evidence-based actions required to improve outcomes for all Australian children and youth, under the following areas:
* Being loved and safe
* Being healthy
* Learning
* Participating

ARACY are also now looking for feedback on this draft, so some of our Starlink readers may wish to contribute a response.

Here is a small collection of 'spirit boosters' for you - we hope they'll brighten your day!

Firstly ... Peace One Day. When we entered the International Day of Peace on 21 September into our website calendar, we didn't know the story of how it began! Apart from the Peace One Day website, you may like to see this 2011 TED talk by Jeremy Gilley, British actor and film-maker who began the whole thing. Or even, when you have time, the full length (1 hr 21 minutes) documentary (produced by Jeremy and offered freely on YouTube) called The Day After Peace.

Secondly, the 'rainbow revolt' that has been taking place recently in Istanbul, Turkey. Begun by a retired forestry engineer, who simply wanted to 'make people smile' and beautify the city, it became (through a series of actions and reactions) a city-wide movement. People everywhere began painting 'rainbow steps' as an act of quiet protest. Read the full story at the link above and watch the video - it's an inspiring tale of community-led 'guerilla beautification'. :)

Here is a very heartwarming story about Sonya, an abandoned dog that was found and rescued, thanks to the fact that someone spotted her on Google Maps. And if you'd like to see more stories like this, Hope For Paws (the US-based animal rescue service) has many more videos on their website, in which lost, sad and badly neglected dogs are transformed through love and care to new lives.

And finally here's an innovative way to celebrate a birthday! This September, for the second year in a row, a man called Bob Blackley in the US has spent his birthday handing out five dollar bills on the street to passers by. Holding a sign saying "I have a home, I have a job, could you use an extra $5?", he has stopped traffic and mystified many. But when asked why, he simply says 'It's my birthday. You'll be there one day."

Visit our Events Calendar to find details of conferences, workshops, training opportunities, exhibitions and special days to celebrate!

Of course October ends with Hallowe'en ... but for those Aussies who curl a lip muttering "Bah, humbug. American import", take the link to our Event Calendar to view its history. The truth is quite different. :)

And possibly some of our male readers are gearing themselves up for "Movember", even if they are not contemplating these luxurious championship results. :)