In this Episode Shane Diamond the founder of Speak About it sits down with me to talk about how he launched an organization that has presented to over 300,000 high school juniors, seniors, and college freshmen across the country and around the world about sexual assault prevention and consent. He shares with us wisdom from starting something new, launching an organization, the language around consent, growing in leadership, asking for help, self care, and soo much more.
Show Notes:
This month, April, is Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month!! So be sure to check out some of the incredible organizations doing this work below (especially Speak About It) and consider supporting their work with a financial gift if you are able.
Below are links to all the different resources that Shane mentioned in this interview.
Speak About it Website – You can also check them out on their facebook page for their latest happenings. Note! That they have a super FUN fundraiser coming up next week! It’s called “Cirque Du Oh Yay! An Affirmative Consent Carnival” to benefit Speak About It. General admission is $30 and they have a discounted rate to make sure that the event is accessible to more folks at a price point of $15. Check out their event page for more information.
Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MECASA) – If you are looking for immediate support you can call them at 1-800-871-7741, you can also reach them at that number via text if that is more accessible to you Mon-Fri from 8am – 5pm. Their phone support is available 24/7, these folks are doing excellent work here in the state of Maine, especially around sex trafficking, children’s advocacy, and supporting LGBTQ survivors of sexual violence.
SCORE – Is a 501c(3) non-profit and is an incredible resource for anyone who is looking to start a new organization and learn new strategies for directions they can take their existing organization, whether you’re a non-profit, a business, or a hybrid model. Shane leaned on SCORE in the creation of Speak About It. They give free advice, they can pair you with a mentor that can be a sounding board for you and help guide you along the way. Also, in case you’re curious (because I definitely was) the acronym SCORE stands for Service Corp of Retired Executives.
Maine Association of Non-profits (MANP) – Offers great resources to non-profits. Also, if you live in Maine, they do have a jobs board where non-profits can list different job opportunities they have so definitely check that out if you’re looking for work or exploring options that are out there.
Blue Avocado – This is a magazine for non-profits by the Nonprofits Insurance Alliance. They have a lot of great articles and content worth checking out if you work in a non-profit, aspire to, or are working on building your own.
Sexual Assault Response Services of Southern Maine (SARSSM) – They have a helpline 1-800-871-7741 if you need support or know someone who does.
National Sexual Violence Resource Center – These folks have a lot of really great resources, based out of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Note they have a National Sexual Assault Conference called BEYOND THE BREAKTHROUGH happening August 21-23, 2019. Registration is now open if you’re interested. They are also part of the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape (PCAR) that Shane had also mentioned.
Rape Abuse Incest National Network (RAINN) – These folks are an incredible resource to folks in the work and also to survivors and the people that care about them. If you are needing support you can call them at 800.656.HOPE (4673) or you can chat with them here.
California Coalition Against Sexual Assault (CALCASA) – These folks do have some neat online webinars and resources for folks to check out as well.
National Association of Student Personnel Administrators NASPA – These are the folks that Shane mentioned host a national conference, the NASPA Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Conference, every year in January in Washington DC on sexual assault prevention. This year, it took place from Jan 17th to the 19th. Keep your eyes on their website for information about their 2020 conference.
Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault (CCASA) – They are co-hosting the 8th annual Colorado Advocacy in Action Conference right around the corner on June 5-7, 2019 in Vail. They are co-hosting it with Violence Free Colorado. Definitely looks like something worth checking out.
If you’re currently doing any kind of sexual assault prevention work and don’t see your organization listed, drop me a note through the feedback form with the details on what you’re doing and how folks can be in touch with you and I will gladly add you to this list of resources.
