CRU News Archive

CRU Resource Library News - February 2009 Papers from ‘Making Rights a Reality- Implementing the United Nation’s Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Welcome to CRU’s first e-Resource Library News!  This is a trial run so we would appreciate any feedback you would like to make, especially on the issues and subjects you would like to hear about.  This information is for you so we want to make it as relevant and useful as possible. With the beginning of a new year full of hope and promises, resolutions, revolutions and evolutions, big thinking and big hearts I chose the equally big subject of human rights.  I have selected some papers from a 2008 Conference in the United Kingdom called ‘Making Rights a Reality- Implementing the United Nation’s Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities’. The Conference was sponsored by the ‘Time to Get Equal’ project (Scope, United Kingdom) and had lots of food for thought (as did their website!).  The conference was addressed by two particularly interesting people: Dr Rodrigo Jimenez Sandoval, a Puerto Rican lawyer, and consultant specializing in human rights, and Dr Richard Light, an Independent Policy Adviser. Dr Sandoval, in his paper ‘Disabled People’s Rights- opportunities and challenges in implementing the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities’ reflects on what we mean by ‘disability rights’; what political situation has led to the necessity to reflect on disability rights, and ways we can improve access to justice for people with disabilities. Dr Light’s address ‘Means and Ends’, points out that there is no universally agreed definition of human rights.  Two definitions he offers ensure the possibility of living with dignity, and guarantee those rights essential to recognise a person’s humanity.  Neither definition requires us to ‘do’, or ‘be’ anything (an ideal citizen, etc), but are ‘a solemn obligation on those who govern, which should not be hostage to political dogma or expediency’.  He quotes Alvaro Gil-Robles, EU Commissioner for Human Rights (2004): Against a background, by no means limited to the United Kingdom, in which human rights are frequently construed as, at best, formal commitments and, at worst, cumbersome obstructions, it is perhaps worth emphasizing that human rights are not a pick and mix assortment of luxury entitlements, but the very foundation of democratic societies.  As such, their violation affects not just the individual concerned, but society as a whole; we exclude one person from their enjoyment at the risk of excluding all of us. He sets out what the Convention will and won’t do (it is only a means to an end, and quotes Oliver, M and Barnes, C’s speech Disability Politics and the Disability Movement in Britain: Where Did It All Go Wrong? (2006) as a final warning: To get too close to the government is to risk incorporation and end up carrying out their proposals rather than ours.  To move too far away is to risk marginalisation and eventual demise.  To collaborate too eagerly with the organisations for disabled people risks having our agendas taken over by them, and having them presented both to us and to politicians as theirs.  To remain aloof risks appearing unrealistic and/or unreasonable, and denies possible access to much needed resources. With all these dilemmas and  tensions aside and knowing that many people “die with their rights on”, CRU believes the rights of people with disability are a fundamental, non-negotiable starting point, without which our efforts can slide into charity or arbitrary decision-making based, too readily, on economic imperatives.  If you’d like to read either of these two thought provoking papers in more detail, contact me at CRU 07 3211 5700 or email helencreed@cru.org.au Helen Creed CRU Information Consultant CRU News - October 2008 CRU AGM Dear CRU Friends We would like to convey our thanks to all those who attended our recent AGM and 20 th Anniversary Celebrations (to the date of incorporation!), held at the Holiday Inn on Monday 20 th October and the many who couldn’t, but who sent us congratulatory wishes and support for the future. It was a lovely night with many people turning out to support us, and taking the opportunity to catch up with past and present “CRU-ers” – long seen, by some, but not forgotten! We bade fond farewell to Mike Duggan as the President of CRU for the past 16 years, though he will remain on the committee. We also farewelled Julie Stuart & Alf Lizzio and welcomed in a relatively new committee to take CRU forward through transition and beyond. They are as follows: President: Lesley Chenoweth Vice President: Anita Speed Secretary: Margaret Geldard Treasurer: Anita Speed Members: Mike Duggan   Robert Harriman   Richard Warner Over the next 3-4 weeks we would like to share with you the stirring, inspiring and at times challenging words of our Guest Speakers for the evening. In the meantime we will leave you with a few photos that capture the essence of the night and a selection of messages. The magnificent cake was the inspiration and work of Julie Stuart. The cake decoration was based on the 1990 CRU Conference flyer “Celebrate Change”.  We would also like to thank the many people who renewed their membership with CRU and warmly welcome those who signed up for the first time. The year ahead is promising to be one of renewed hope, energy and action: your support of, and faith in, CRU and the hopes and lives of people with disability and their families will drive us to make it so. Lesley Chenoweth Christine Douglas President Transition Director  to top

MESSAGES FROM MEMBERS:

I am sorry I have to put my apologies for tonight. I am sure it will be a really nice night with a lot of reminiscing…Just a very important piece of work that CRU supported that may be forgotten: the work that Sandra Kalms did with the Collective Action Group was remarkable, with the result that the group got funding and became the first agency to support people in a host arrangement in Queensland. It took 6 years in the development, but she was the one who helped to drive through to reality. She was a wonderful inspiration to families and to me and bent over backwards to support the project and the people well…

…As I am sitting here writing to you, on my desk is a plaque given to me by CRU with a statement by George Orwell that still inspires – In a time of universal deceit telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act. CRU has been one of my greatest inspirations and allies over the years and I hope it can develop strength and content again to become the greatest strength and inspiration to people with disability, families and their workers over the next 20 years! I hope you have a wonderful night.

All the best
Jan Dyke

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Hello dear CRU-ers

Just a note to say I hope tonight goes well- and that there is a sense of pride, accomplishment and new beginnings.

Have a wonderful evening

Warm regards
Lynda Shevellar

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Message from Ross Womersley, Jayne Barrett and all at Community Living Project, Adelaide:

Thank you to CRU from all of us, who have been enthused, enlivened and enriched, thanks to our associations with CRU and all its members. We have long lusted for a CRU of our own! Keep up the fantastic work.

Yours in solidarity and admiration
Ross, Jayne and all

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Dear Christine and CRU

Congratulations on the events of last night – they were spirited, forward looking, full of cheer and celebration. It was one of the occasions that I have sometimes had in life, when I have looked about me and thought: I would not want to be anywhere else but here.

It’s true, I would not want to have missed being in the company of all those good people – those where were there enjoying each other’s company, and those who appeared on the screen in the many places and settings over the years. Having them “present” in that way was an inspired thought and was a powerful reminder that CRU is a very large community of people.

Well done CRU!
Pam Collins

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A Few Pictures from the AGM

The 20^th anniversary cake, made and beautifully decorated by Julie

  

Lesley and Mike, current and former Presidents of CRU, cutting the cake


Outgoing committee members


AGM attendees


CRU Director’s Report, recorded by Sharyn in her absence overseas


Thanking Julie as outgoing treasurer


The incoming transition committee


Some of the CRU staff members


CRU Transition Director


Anne Cross, guest speaker


Anne Roveta, guest speaker


Michael Kendrick, guest speaker


The after-party

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CRU Appointment

The Management Committee of CRU is delighted to announce the appointment of Ana Barassi to the position of Office Co-ordinator & Finance Officer. The position is full-time and plays a pivotal role in ensuring the smooth running of the office and providing support to our steadily growing team!

For the past 3 months the Office Co-ordinator position has been ably but temporarily filled by Jonathan Pacey until we finally and successfully secured suitable, permanent employment in the person of Ana. Ana comes to us with high level skill in events co-ordination and understanding of community based organisations. We look forward to working with her and assisting her to settle into her new and busy roles.

This means of course that we bid farewell to Jonathan. His youth and energy will be sadly missed not to mention his quiet, efficient manner as he took over the role, during an uncertain period, with a maturity and aplomb beyond his years. Thank you Jonathan and all the best for the future

Lesley Chenoweth	Christine Douglas
President	Transition Director

A Word from Ana:

I have years of experience in working with people at different levels and cross-culturally, with a vast experience in multicultural issues. I completed a Bachelor Degree of Commerce in 1998 with a double major in Human Resources Management and Industrial Relations. I have a personal interest in working in a role in which I can contribute to, and support the development of, better responses and systems that will enhance the quality of life of people with disability and their families and communities in Queensland. I look forward to becoming part of the team here at CRU.

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CRU News - September 2008

Transition Director

The Management Committee of CRU is delighted to announce the appointment of Christine Douglas to the position of Transition Director.
Christine will be well-known to many throughout Queensland. Christine has a strong commitment to social justice issues and has worked for over 25 years for community organisations which seek to improve the lives of people with disabilities and their families. At Queensland Advocacy Incorporated, Christine was passionately involved in significant change agendas, including the movement for the closure of institutions and the Community Living Movement. Most recently Christine has worked with Pave the Way, assisting families to develop and safeguard their vision and to plan for a good life now and in the future for their sons and daughters, co-facilitating planning workshops and developing networks and circles of support as well as developing her own counselling consultancy.

We look forward to working with Christine over the next twelve months in the renewal and development of CRU  as an organisation committed to leadership and social change.

Mike Duggan

President

CRU AGM and 20th Anniversary Celebration

From the Management Committee

The CRU Annual General Meeting will be held on Monday 20th October 2008 from 5.30 onwards. The twenty year history of CRU will be celebrated marking the achievements, the people and the influence of CRU's work. Join us to meet with old friends, to reflect on our endeavours and to look forward to a reinvigorated and committed future.

Mark this date in your calendar now! Further details will be available soon.

Membership Renewal

We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your financial support of CRU in the past and to invite you to renew your membership for 2008-2009. Your membership is extremely important to us, particularly during this transition period in the organisation’s history.

Individuals derive some direct, immediate benefit from membership, such as receiving event fliers and copies of CRUcial Times. Perhaps more importantly though, membership funds contribute to our efforts to effect social change; as such, it is our communities that ultimately benefit. The contributions from members which CRU has received in the past have helped sustain the work of the organisation over the past twenty years. You can download a membership renewal form from the Membership section.

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CRU News - June 2008

Renewal Strategy Progress Update

From the Management Committee

We recently announced our commitment to renewal and change for CRU. In undertaking this process of renewal CRU is responding to the needs of people with a disability and their families and the demands and needs of service providers in 2008.  As all organisations experience as they grow, there must be space for evaluating, listening to others, and learning that change is a necessary element in the continuous development and relevance of a healthy organisation. To not do so places an organisation at risk of becoming irrelevant and isolated.

In the last few weeks CRU has been involved in a process to assist us to develop and implement the strategy to consider the future focus of CRU. Several consultations were conducted recently and we thank all those who were able to make the time to participate in these consultations and provide us with their thoughts, ideas and vision for the future of CRU.

The feedback from these consultations was rich and inspiring, reflecting both a deep respect for the people and work of CRU over the last twenty years and for the commitment of CRU to renewal and change. We were encouraged by the demonstration of support and encouragement for CRU and the commitment of others to continue to support the work of CRU.

We feel it is important to communicate and share with you the proposed change for CRU and to stress that there is still much to do to consolidate this change.

The breadth and depth of the feedback we received has led us to point where we feel we need time to reflect more on the potential for the future of CRU. We will spend more time in discussion and planning to develop further clarity about a strategic plan for the future and will postpone the planned summit to a later date. This summit will be an opportunity for CRU to present an overview of a change management plan for the future; a plan of focused strategies to guide the direction of CRU.

If you have responded to our declaration, we will forward an invitation to attend the summit.

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CRU Update - April 2008

Declaration of Commitment to Change and Renewal for CRU

Following a recent strategic planning process, the decision was reached that CRU will undertake a transformation to plan and develop a new and responsive organisation.

• This process of change signals our commitment to move to becoming an organisation with a progressive, relevant, and future-oriented agenda.

• We are seeking contribution and input from the wider sector to shape this organisation to support this renewal process, in order to be pertinent to the range of issues facing our broader community

• We believe that the work of CRU needs to be relevant to the broad sector and the current social climate.

• We encourage you to stand alongside CRU and assist in the evolutionary process. Even if you have not felt closely connected to CRU in the past, we value your comments and welcome your contribution.

You can be part of the process in the following ways:

• Telephone or meet with us to discuss your ideas
• Send us an email
• Ask to be kept informed of developments
• Express your interest in being involved in a discussion forum The Discussion Forum will be held on 16th June 2008 in Brisbane.

Contact Sharyn Pacey on 07 3211 5700 or sharynpacey@cru.org.au

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Homes West Experience book now available

The Homes West Experience. Steps to Independent Living for Adults with a Disability compiled by Jill Hole with contributions made by Homes West families.
Published by Homes West Association Inc. (2007)

This book is based on the real life experiences of a small group of parents who rejected traditional services and joined together to establish a service to support their sons and daughters for the long term. The book is written in three sections: Getting started; Living in the Community - moving into a home of your own; and The next Generation - when parents are no longer around. The Homes West families hope that by sharing their journey, they will contribute to the next generation's journey by smoothing the pathways in some small way.

This book is provided as a FREE resource to families, postage and handling charges apply.
$11.00 plus postage and handling for organisations and government and non-government agencies.

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Annual Report

The Annual Report for 2006-2007 is available to download here.

From the Management Committee

Charles Darwin once said that it is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.

As this year draws to a close, we, the CRU committee, thought it was timely to reach out to our members, allies and supporters to let you all know of how CRU is responding to the many changes that are currently challenging us. Like many of you, CRU has found 2007 to be a very difficult year. While we have tried to maintain a state-wide presence through our training, we nevertheless have been inwardly focused as we have worked through leadership transition, generational transition, geographic transition, and staff turnover. While necessary, this has come at the expense of wider sector engagement.

In the next twelve months CRU is aiming to embrace more firmly our core values and renew and affirm our mission. We are acutely aware that CRU does not exist in a vacuum and that we live in the context of long-term and mutually respectful relationships. As such, we will be initiating a series of deep and searching conversations to assist in our strategic planning.

In the New Year we will be encouraging people to join with us to contribute to these discussions, and we will welcome your thoughts and your hearts as we work towards renewing focus and investing in relationships across the sector.

Our best wishes to you all for a safe and joyous Christmas period.
Mike Duggan
President

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