April 17/2010 - The Rock Garden

Hello to the rocks.

Yes, it seems like an unusual greeting doesn't it? But I was sitting here trying my hardest to think of a word for all of those people who have made it through this, not just survivors, but also the parents and families and friends who've helped those along the way. That's what I've come up with, "Rocks". You're all rocks. You're strong, and sturdy, and can weather any storm. So I think it fits.

So my dear rocks, I don't have a huge amount to tell of progress, but I will share whatever news I have. Amy is continuing to contact volunteers personally one by one, as well as email everyone with petition info. I think this is wonderful of her. As for myself, well I continue to maintain contact with the facebook group, update the blog as well as getting updates from Amy. Monday I will make my way along the newspaper media more, and attempt to get our cause more coverage. Especially since we have people who are signing the petition and getting others to sign. I want to attempt to keep a continual media stream on the issue, rather than saturate it all at once. I must say, I haven't spent a tremendous amount of time today devoted to the cause as I have in the past week however, as I am suffering from a horrible migraine, but I will put all my efforts forward again tomorrow (God willing my pain has subsided).

A big shout out to everyone who is taking a stand by signing the petition. I cannot reiterate just how important these signatures are. Like I've said before, lots of people don't like going around collecting signatures (believe ME I get it!), so even if you are the only person who signs it, that means alot. Just think, our group at this very moment as 3,501 members. So if every person only signed for themselves that is a huge accomplishment. If everyone attained only 1 or 2 extra signatures (and yes, anyone of any age can sign as long as they can print for themselves)... we could have over 10,000 signatures in no time. OK, I'll stop preaching to the choir. I know you're all doing what you can. nuff said! :o)

Well my hearty, wonderful rock garden I will say goodnight. I need to be in ship-shape for my duties on our quest for victory tomorrow.

Much love and blessings to you ALL!

Holly (& Amy)

April 15/2010 - Reaching Out

Hello again.

Today was a day of mixed emotions. On the one hand we have a strong volunteer base for our cause, on the other hand we have outside persons who are; to put it one way' "a fly in the ointment". I contacted the Alberta Champions Cup 2010 Hockey tournament committee organizer (by email - no phone # provided) and asked for their support in allowing myself and Amy to gather signatures from parents during the tournament. I thought this was a great way to get support, especially since there are 240 teams at the Calgary & area tournament which comes out to 2400 players (aged 8-16 girls & boys) and then another 2400+ adults. Here is the response I received taken from email....

--------------------------------

I am really sorry but we just cannot allow that at this time. I personally believe in this cause and would gladly sign the petition but would prefer not to have our athletes and their families approached during our event. There will be many families there altogether with young children and I just feel that it just would not be the time or place for something like this.

I hope that you understand.

---------------------------------

My initial thought was WTF? "you believe in the cause, and would sign the petition" but you don't want me there WITH the petition... how exactly would you be signing it???

"families there all together with young children... not the time or place" uh... isn't that the PERFECT time and place?

I wonder how many of the 2400 kids there have a coach who molested them, or are being coached during that very tournament by a Pardoned, Sex offender and their parents don't even know it? Looking at all the stats, I'm assuming the chances are pretty darn good. My question back to her was "well, do you think it's fair for you to decide whether or not these parents want to support the petition? Isn't it their right to be given the information and make their choice?" I mean hellooooo, lady.... you're not even giving these parents the choice you're deciding for them.

So, in an effort to continue on with obtaining signatures at that particular event, I was advised to speak to the "big cheese" at the City who is in charge of the arena. If we have his approval to do this inside the facility, we don't need the tournament committee approval. I have been given a nod that it will probably go well, but one can never tell. In the event that the city says no, we can still go outside. So regardless, I will be there, I will have it signed, and then I will send my petition to the MP, approval or not.

Well, it's been a long day for me and as much as I'm sure you love to hear me yak... well I guess "read' me yak, I will depart from my blogging.

Have a wonderful night, and thank you for reading. (an even BIGGER thank you if you're helping the cause!) :o)

April 14/2010 - Petition Time

Hello again.

I apologize for not getting a post up yesterday, geez here I start it and don't even continue, what a flake. Well I am doing it now so I guess it's better late than never.

Yesterday was eventful. Amy, myself (Holly) and Betty all met to go over and discuss how to successfully get the petitions out, and to make sure they weren't rejected once they were ready to proceed to parliament. First step was to go over all the "rule and regulations" associated with this type of petition. I can honestly say I was a little shocked when I found out that all those online petitions I have participated in over the years were not even admissible by government standards. Not to mention a list of other "restrictions/regulations", but they all made sense and once we went over them and a checklist was compiled to provide to everyone gathering signatures, it wasn't so bad. I would much rather make sure everyone has the correct info, than have to throw away hundreds of signatures due to a technicality. Yikes!

So once the checklist was made, Amy sent out a few emails and posted on the facebook group that it was ready... honestly within minutes her inbox was flooding with responses. She was so happy, and completely caught off guard (but in a good way). She told me that her faith in the decency of Canadian citizens is definitely being restored after the response she's gotten from all of this, and I have to agree with her. I don't know how late she was up emailing and organizing lists, and even calling people, but I know her and there's no way she will stop until she's satisfied. Amy is determined to contact people herself, because as she puts it "they know that they matter, when they get a call from me. I'm the one who started it, I don't want anyone to feel like they are being passed off to someone else because I don't have time for them". That's one of the reasons that she is my best friend. She is so caring of other people, and concerned with how other people are being treated, and how they feel that she will always put someone ahead of herself. - Can I just add on a personal note, she is one hell of a great role model for her children and for my child.

As of last night when I left the group it said we had 3,034 people, and I am so proud of every one of those people for joining and for their support, it means so much.

Thank you to everyone.

Making a change - April 13/10 day 8

Hello out there in blog-land.

Well if you don't already know, you're probably wondering what this is all about. On April 5, 2010 the news broke about a pardon being granted to convicted Sex Offender Graham James back in 2007 without public knowledge. If you don't know who that is, well he was a former Junior hockey coach in Manitoba, WHL coach for the Swift Current Broncos back in the 1980's & early 90's and coached the Calgary Hitmen WHL team during their opening year. In 1996/1997 he was charged and convicted of Sexual Offences, after Sheldon Kennedy (former Boston Bruin & Calgary Flame) as well as another unknown player came forward. However he was sentanced to 3-1/2 years in prison but was released and received a pardon and now coaches hockey to young boys once again. So now that you're up to speed I'll tell you what we're all about.

My best friend Amy heard the news, and like many Canadians felt immediate disgust, rage and disbelief at this news. She decided she had to "do something" and started a facebook group called "Convicted Sex Offenders should NOT get pardoned". ( http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=116081668405491 )

Well, let me tell you that little spitfire of a woman is very determined when she wants to be, especially when kids are involved. And within that one day she had 400 people, local news caught interest, and it has been growing since! As of this moment there is now 2,736 members. The even better part is that in an effort to truly make a change in the system for which these creeps are issued pardons, she went to the MLA, and the MP, and with perseverance and determination a formal petition was created. Now our MP Blake Richards is on board, and when we have all the signed petitions we can, he is going to collect them, and take them to Ottawa. Straight up those parliament steps, onward in hopes of justice.

That's right, this is not one of those fly by night, I'm angry at this but I'll get over it kind of group on facebook, no no... this is legit. There are people from all over this beautiful country of ours wanting to sign it, get signatures and help any way they can. Why you might ask? Because they care! Some are survivors, some are parents of child survivors, some are friends, and some are there because it's a worthy cause, but they are all willing to help fight this war.

So I guess now you're up to speed. The petition is on the MP's website if anyone wants to help out (when you get all the signatures you can, it's free postage to the MP). ( http://www.blakerichards.ca/ )

I don't know how far we will get, but I know that Amy is hell bent on getting this accomplished and I have every faith she can do it. I don't know how many people will help us, or how many will sign the petition, but I do know that the people who matter and the people who care will do whatever they can.

So I'll leave you with this thought...

If you knew that one day a child/person you cared about would be Sexually abused/assaulted by a daycare provider, school teacher, sports coach, church personnel, scout leader, neighbor, friend or relative, would you have helped prevent it if you could?

Because you CAN!