Free Coaching Session on Boxing Day

Sadly I haven't been able to contribute time to Free Coaching Sessions in my Online Coaching Gymn this autumn. Designing and delivering The Gender Fest in partnership with Eastleigh Council has been an intensive but inspiring experience. I am also engaged in writing some more programmes.

Remembering when I lived as a divorcee with a young family to care for Xmas seemed to focus my attentions on what a great time everyone should be having. Don't misunderstand me, I loved arranging a wonderful xmas meal, buying wrapping and opening presents.Going to the forest to choose The Perfect Tree Sitting down to watch a good film in the afternoon in front of a real fire with a glass of wine. All things that families do a Xmas. I was very happy living an independant life and certainly not a women who craved being in a committed partnership again.

The is something about Xmas that seemed to niggle at my peace - a kind of inner voice that kept asking ' Who do you think you are kidding? You are not fooling anyone.........' Boxing day seemed to be the worst when the anti-climax set in and the kids were off doing their stuff with their mates and everything seemed to highlight what I wasn't - part of a couple and traditional family. Even though this was entirely my choice, I always dreaded the feeling of lonliness that popped up on Boxing Day. The Millenium marked a wonderful new (if unexpected) relationship and marriage for me and I no longer have an empty aching feeling on Boxing Day.

I wanted to connect with others that may be experiencing that same feeling of emptiness at Xmas really just to say hello and pass a lighthearted hour. As my Xmas contribution I've decided to run a Free Boxing Day Special Coaching Gymn Session. Anyone interested in joining me can do so via my website and we can chat in the comfort of our own homes potentially with people from all over the World.

I don't really have a sense of how busy the session will be but if anyone experiences difficulties accessing the session this will probably mean that the session is at full server capacity. Looking forward to sharing some peace, goodwill and fun with you on Boxing Day.

warm regards

Lynne Paris

http://www.my-diversity-coaching-gymn.net/

Together Everything Becomes Possible

THE GENDER FEST -- A SUCCESS

I am delighted to report that The Gender Fest was a success, according to emails and feedback that I have received after the event. The event was well attended despite being in a mainstream venue, the staff at The Point were marvellous - very welcoming and professional and provided a service as supportive as I have become used to receiving when organising Ministerial and Secretary of State events. Nothing was too much trouble. The Mayor of Eastleigh , Roger Smith surprised me by staying at The Gender Fest long after he had made his welcoming speech making himself available to listen to the guests and learning more about the real issues that the TG Community face. In truth The Mayor could have fulfilled his civic duty with much less effort and the fact that both he and Min Partner have demonstrated so much support and a willingness to listen should be commended and suggests that this is a real opportunity for the TG Community to be taken seriously and respected for just who they are.
This is the major breakthrough that I have been working hard towards as a springboard for TG people to' Step into a Great Place in The World'. Accessibility to services that TG people, partners and family want and need was a focus for the event. I was pleased to receive support from Emma Scully, Laser Therapist, Tina Livingstone, Counsellor, Vollers Corsets and Christine Crowle - professional make-up artist and Trelogan Wigs as providers. The Gender Trust , Beaumont Society also had a presence at The Fest. I was also happy to meet representatives from other TG support organisations. There are other providers who have contacted who would like to be involved in any further Gender Fest that we hold.
The music - open mike - section went down very well with Rachel and Bridget performing. There are other aritsts waiting in the wings to contribute to this performance which will emphasise that the event is for having fun as much as the health and welfare aspect. I have discovered a wealth of creative talent in the TG Community and hope to develop the creative and cultural aspect of The Gender Fest over time.
I have recruited another member to The Mastermind Team that worked with me to design the initial event and I have some great news in the offing that I will publicise when I can. I'll be compiling a lessons learned list so interested to hear constructive feedback from anyone who has suggestions on how things can be improved.
Also, anyone wishing to stage a Gender Fest should contact me to discuss copyright. I am happy to support within time constraints but I hope to continue working in partnership with Eastleigh Council if they wish and to co-ordinate progress around them.
I will also be interviewing with a student from Bournmouth University about the Social Impact of The Gender Fest and he is interested in talking to TG people who would like to share views. Anyone who would like to be involved can contact Mike via myself. Also company wishing to develop accessibility for their services or any TG member, partner or family who shares my vision of 'A Great Place in The World' for the TG Community can access my services via my website, e-mail or telephone - anonymously if required.

warm regards
Lynne Paris
Diversity Coach
http://www.my-diversity-coaching-gymn.net/
Together Everything Becomes Possible
Tel 07795498733

COMING SOON - TRANSGENDER BUSINESS TOOLS COACHING GYMN - BSY COLLEGE CURRICULUM

I have been asked to design a coaching course for companies and organisations who would like to develop great transgender policies, schemes and procedures.This course will be evaluated for inclusion in the course curriculum at BSY Online College. I am currently in the design stage and would be interested in hearing examples of the most difficult situations and any suggestions that would make working life better for transgender people and their work colleagues. I've done a considerable amount of research but always place great value in consulting with key people - ie people who are involved in some way either personally or professionally.

I'd be delighted to hear your comments lynne.paris@my-diversity-coaching-gymn.net

Do you feel stuck with your organisations response to Diversity Duty and how to develop a Scheme which demonstrates commitment to providing a safe and respectful environment for transgender people to work in? It's hardly surprising given the volume of European legislation that business has to implement.

Can you bear another day trawling through endless business and public sector websites to crib schemes, action plans and behaviours from other organisations and then attempt to adapt them to your own business, which feels a bit like wearing a dress two sizes too big/small and inside out. Invariably the style and content are so long and tedious that it would bore the pants off even the most anal Director or Executive Board Member.

Briefing for David Blunkett, former UK Secretary of State was challenging and sometimes difficult because of his visual impairment and because it was an exercise in communicating complex and difficult issues very briefly and simply to transfer to audiotape. This experience fostered, in me, a strong dislike of wieldy, inaccessible documents that demand the victim take a power snooze before even contemplating a read.

If you are looking for something concise and a perfect fit for your organisation, don't let others dictate what you want your transgender policies to look like - tell me what you want and I will listen and incorporate them into the design for the new Transgender Equality Business Tools Coaching Gymn to develop great transgender policies for your business.

I will be unable to respond to emails -- which may as always be anonymous -- until I return from summer in France.

Together everything becomes possible

Lynne Paris

Diversity Coach

http://www.my-diversity-coaching-gymn.net/