Shout Out to 2019 IMPACT Chicago Volunteers

Thank you to all the volunteers who contribute to IMPACT Chicago: Admin Team, Board Members, Class Assistants, Instructor out-of-class time, Social Media, What is IMPACT facilitators, and so much more! Below are the many people who have volunteered for IMPACT in 2019. If we have inadvertently left you off the list, please let us know.

Admin Team

Lisa Amoroso

Tara Brinkman*

AC Christensen

Laura Dini*

Kathleen Williamsen*

Amy Harmon*

Mindy Hilt*

Rehana Manejwala

Katie Skibbe

Martha Thompson

Board
Janette Scott, outgoing chair

Lisa Amoroso

Bruce Brio

Sheila Hickey

Deb Mier

Robin Mina

Katie Skibbe

Martha Thompson

Incoming board members

Tara Brinkman

Denise Loyd

Class Assistants

Allison O'Neill

Amy E. Harmon

Bianka Hardin

Cameron Schwartz

Courtney Henderson

Dana Dunham

Deb Mier

Elizabeth West

Janette Scott

Kristen Reid

Madison Rieck

Maureen D. Barradas

Meghan Hammond

Michelle Trudel

Priya Nelson

Rehana Manejwala

Robin Mina

Tania Schusler

Veronica Silva

Instructors

Rob Babcock*

Joe Bianco

Bruce Brio (retired)

AC Christensen*

Dominic Conti

Katie Skibbe*

Rachel Marro*

Mark Nessel*

Ben Ruiz*

Martha Thompson*

Margaret Vimont*

Nat Wilson*

Social Media

Arden Austin

Dana Dunham

Rachel Marro

Kim Ruhana

Maple Walker

Martha Thompson

What is IMPACT & Other

Araida Servellon

Becky Tupper

Chloe Pooler

Claire Anderson-Ramos

Ellyn Bank

Emilia Donenberg Smith

Hayley Beck

Maple Walker

Sarah Steinbach

Website

Amy Harmon*

Lisa Amoroso

Nate Tracy-Amoroso

Workshop Leaders

Lisa Amoroso

Tara Brinkman*

Amy Harmon

Rachel Marro*

Deb Mier*

Priya Nelson

Katie Skibbe*

Martha Thompson, Trainer*

Michele Trudel

Margaret Vimont*

*Paid part-time staff who also volunteer

IMPACT Chicago Board Meetings: Building Community

In the potluck line at the
December 2019 board meeting

At the December 2019 Board Meeting, Janette Scott, outgoing IMPACT Chicago board chair, thanked everyone for coming, made some final remarks and then turned to the person sitting next to her, offering her hand to start the closing circle. As each person spoke, some smiled, others chuckled, and a few shed some tears.  IMPACT board meetings have always been this way--board members doing the work of the organization while also expressing their passion about ending violence, working for empowerment for all, and appreciating the contributions of each person sitting in the circle and all those who are not present but who are also dedicated to the IMPACT Chicago mission. 

Janette Scott, Outgoing Board Chair

Until December 2019, IMPACT Chicago Board meetings have been attended only by board members, with an occasional volunteer visiting to share or gather information for a project. Admin Team Co-Leader Lisa Amoroso came up with an idea for a new board format which board members enthusiastically embraced: invite other members of the IMPACT community--graduates, supporters, instructors, class assistants and other volunteers--to a potluck dinner preceding the board meeting and to the board meeting itself. In addition to board business, Lisa also suggested that we add an educational component to our meeting. At the last board meeting, newly elected board member Tara Brinkman did a short presentation on empowerment self-defense, created small groups for focused discussion, and then lead a whole group discussion. It was an engaging discussion (and the potluck was fantastic, too)! We have exciting ideas down the road: a discussion of bystander intervention, gender inclusiveness, and more. 

 Maple Joy and Martha Thompson

#IMPACTChicago #IMPACTBoardMeetings #IMPACTBoardMembers #IMPACTVolunteers #SelfDefense #IMPACTChicagoBoardMeetings #IMPACTChicagoBoardMembers #IMPACTChicagoVolunteers 

Shout out to 2018 IMPACT Chicago Volunteers

Class Assistants and What is IMPACT Facilitators

Thank you to all the ways that volunteers  keep IMPACT Chicago going--Admin Team, Class Assistants, Instructor out-of-class time, Social Media, What is IMPACT facilitators, and so much more! Below are the many people who have volunteered for IMPACT in 2018. If we have inadvertently left you off the list, please let us know.

Alexandra Sandin

AC Christensen

Aine Rock

Alissa Rotblatt

Amy E. Harmon

Anne Yellick

Apoorva Changedia

Arden Austin

Ben Ruiz

Bianka Hardin

Bruce Brio

Cameron Schwartz

Caroline Villa

Chloe Pooler

Courtney Henderson

Dana Dunham

Deb Mier

Dominic Conti

Elizabeth West

Ellenkate Finley

Emma Baker

Janette Scott

Jill Armstrong

Jim Lucas

Kathleen Williamsen

Katie Skibbe

Kayla Chapa

Kim Ruhana

Kristen Reid

Laura Dini

Lisa Amoroso

Madison Rieck

Margaret Vimont

Mark Nessel

Martha Thompson

Meghan Hammond

Michelle Trudel

Nat Wilson

Nate Tracy-Amoroso

Priya Nelson

Rachel Marro

Rehana Manejwala

Robert Babcock

Robin Mina

Sheila Hickey Stephanie Paredes

Tania Schusler

Tara Brinkman

Tracy Koppel

Ursula Wagner

Veronica Silva

Shout out to 2017-2018 IMPACT Chicago Volunteers

Administrative Team

Lisa Amoroso

Katie Skibbe

Martha Thompson

Administrative Support

Stephanie Paredes
Nate Tracy-Amoroso

Board

Lisa Amoroso

Bruce Brio

Courtney Henderson

Sheila Hickey

Deb Mier

Robin Mina

Shelley Schaaf

Janette Scott

Katie Skibbe

Martha Thompson

Class Assistants

Jill Armstrong

Emma Baker

Mary Jo Boldic

Tara Brinkman

Apoorva Changedia

Kayla Chapa

Dana Dunham

Ellenkate Finley

Alissa Goldblatt

Meghan Hammond

Bianka Hardin

Amy Harmon

Diana Hay

Courtney Henderson

Jesse Holzman

Stephanie Kilper

Rehana Manejwala

Amaya Mensinger

Deb Mier

Robin Mina

Priya Nelson

Chloe Pooler

Kristen Reid

Lexy Sandin

Veronica Silva

Christi Trombino Tonzi

Michelle Trudel

Carrie Villa

Ursula Wagner

Laura Weiss

Elizabeth West

Anne Yellick

Fundraising

Aaron Christensen

Kathleen Williamsen

Amy Harmon

Allie Katz

Instructor Out-of-Class Time

Rob Babcock

Bruce Brio

Aaron Christensen (also in-class training)

Rachel Marro (also in-class training)

Mark Nessel

Molly Norris-Van Eaton

Ben Ruiz

Katie Skibbe

Martha Thompson

Margaret Vimont

Nat Wilson

30th Anniversary

Lisa Amoroso

Tara Brinkman

Laura Dini

Tess Given

Kathleen Williamsen 

Ken Gruberman

Sheila Hickey

Laura Lamb

Deb Mier

Willow Naeco
Molly Norris-Van Eaton

Janette Scott

Ellen Snortland

Luci Ballet Stanley

Martha Thompson

Yudit Sidikman

Photography

Laura Dini

Ken Gruberman

Daran Redenbaugh

Sandy Sullivan

Martha Thompson

Kathleen Williamsen

Social Media

Arden Austin
Dana Dunham

Kim Ruhana

Martha Thompson

What is IMPACT

Lisa Amoroso

Emma Baker

Bruce Brio

Tara Brinkman

Kayla Chapa

Carrie Czech
Laura Dini

Dana Dunham

Meghan Hammond

Amy Harmon

Courtney Henderson

Sheila Hickey

Rehana Manejwala

Deb Mier

Chloe Pooler

Kristen Reid

Shelley Schaaf

Tania Schusler

Janette Scott

Veronica Silva

Martha Thompson

Michelle Trudel

Ursula Wagner

Anne Yellick

If we have inadvertently not included your name where it belongs, please let us know.

IMPACT Chicago Beginnings

IMPACT Chicago dates its beginnings from when the first course was offered in August 1987.

Founding the Self-Empowerment Group, August 1986-November 1988

Key people and groups:

Joe Connelly—Founder of Self-Empowerment Group

• Joe heard about Model Mugging from friends in California and read an article in Black Belt Magazine.
• Negotiated with Matt Thomas of Model Mugging and the Personal Empowerment Center and met the requirement of having a business plan, identifying two candidates for instructor training (Joe and Lonna Brooks), and having an outreach person (Connie Conroy)
• Provided funds for the first instructor candidates and for the fledging organization

Business Advisory Group: 
Norm Axelrod, Dennis Detzel, Elliot Rubenstein, and Dennis Conroy

Board of Directors: 
President: Lonna Brooks, Vice-President Joe Connelly, Members Dennis Conroy and Laurie Haight

Others: After August 1987: Dianne Costanzo (first certified lead instructor), Theo Pintzuk, and Carole Isaacs; After July 1988: Martha Thompson

Main Activities in Founding

Negotiated with Matt Thomas and Personal Empowerment Center

Sent people for training

Offered first class August 1987 at Hillcrest Community Center, 13 women 

            Offered 4 other courses

            Total of 50 women trained during the founding period

Key Decisions

Established a nonprofit rather than for profit

Didn’t sign a royalty agreement with Matt Thomas

Main issue

How to create an effective, efficient organization with a commitment to offering programs to as many women as possible?

Building the Self-Empowerment Group, November 1988-November 1990

Key People and Groups

Martha Thompson—coordinated the creation of an infrastructure to support programming and coordinated the instructor team

Core Group of Volunteers: Martha (coordinator), Susan Andrews, Dianne Costanzo, Debborah Harp, Anne Mason, Theo Pintzuk, Becky Yane

Long Range Planning Committee: Martha (coordinator), Joe Connelly, Dianne Costanzo, Anne Mason, Theo Pintzuk, Becky Yane

Interim Board (all the people above) plus Linda Jedrzejek

Main Activities

     Building an instructor team—regular meetings, in-service training, ongoing instructor training

     Building a volunteer organization

     Offering a regular and expanded schedule

21 basics courses, over 200 women trained

Review course

Defense against an armed assailant (DAAR) instructor training in Boston (Joe and Martha)

Training rest of instructors in DAAR

Offering DAAR

Boundaries workshop

Key Decisions

Established the organization on principles of the program: empowerment and personal growth

Created a joint committee of volunteers and instructors to lead the organization

Moved to a membership-based Board of Directors

Main Issues

How to build an organization consistent with the principles of the program?

      Related: decision-making, division of labor, accountability, communication, language, and 
      problem-solving           

What kind of leadership model did we want to support?

      Related: recognizing invisible work and the people who do it; preventing burnout; what role will         instructors play; how to transform instructor-student relationship to a peer relationship?

How do we determine/evaluate our success?

Focus on process or product?

Focus on program/women served or organizational (office, # of paid people, career lines)?

Notes from a 1990 Interview of Joe Connelly by Martha Thompson and her organizational notes.

Thank you to 2016 IMPACT Chicago Volunteers

Volunteers Cheer Mal Malme at the Chicago Marathon

Lisa Amoroso

Rob Babcock

Tara Brinkman

Bruce Brio

Carrie Czech

Megan Daly

Laura M. Dini

Dana Dunham

Ann Gerbin

Kathleen Grant

Vesna Havran Mueller

Debborah Harp

Sheila Hickey

Jennifer Hill

Laura, Kathleen, & Tara: 3 PT staff who also volunteer
Lisa & Martha: Volunteer Co-Chairs of Admin Team

Chris King

Mal Malme

Rachel Marro

Deb Mier

Robin Mina

Mark Nessel

Molly Norris

Daran Redenbaugh

Kim Ruhana

Ben Ruiz

Shelly Schaff

Janette Scott

Val Scott

Deb, Katie, Martha, Sheila, & Janette:
IMPACT Chicago 2016 Volunteer Board of Directors

Katie Skibbe
Meg Stone

Sandra Sullivan

Luci Stanley

Cameron Swartz

Martha Thompson

Nate Tracey-Amoroso

Christi Trombino-Tonzi

Margaret Vimont

Nat Wilson

Sharlene Young

Lisa, Rachel, Deb, & Molly prepare for Free December Workshop
Photo Credit: Kathleen Grant

I Want Everyone to Know About IMPACT: Janette Scott

Janette Scott, IMPACT Chicago Board 

Janette Scott, new IMPACT Chicago Board member, is a Project Architect at Wheeler Kearns Architects where she works with residential clients and non-profit organizations, including schools and religious groups. Recently her office completed Lakeview Pantry on Sheridan Road. She and other staff will volunteer there, sorting supplies and stocking shelves. Janette will also be volunteering with Habitat for Humanity in November. On a personal note, Janette loves to make things. She crochets and always has at least one sewing project going. Mostly she make gifts for babies, birthdays, and holidays.

September 2016 IMPACT Chicago Board

Janette was motivated to volunteer for IMPACT as a way to give thanks for her own IMPACT

experience and then her commitment grew into supporting other women by serving on the Board. She wants everyone to know about IMPACT and finds making it possible for others to take IMPACT extremely rewarding. Her first project as a Board member was to coordinate IMPACT Chicago support for IMPACT Boston grad Mal Malme who was running the Chicago Marathon to raise money for IMPACT Chicago instructors to receive training to teach IMPACT:Ability, a program for people with disabilities. A lively group of volunteers cheered on Mal with the signs that Janette created.

IMPACT Volunteers Cheer on Mal

Thank you to 2015 IMPACT Chicago Volunteers

Thank you to all the volunteers who keep IMPACT going! 

Lisa Amoroso                                   Rob Babcock                   

Tara Brinkman                                 Ann Botz

Bruce Brio                                       Natalie DeMariobus         

Laura M. Dini                                  Tess Given

Kathleen Grant                                Debborah Harp                 

Vesna Havran Mueller                      Courtney (Childs) Henderson

Sheila Hickey                                  Jesse Holzman

Katie Kramer                                   Naomi Love

Jim Lucas                                        Shannon Mahoney

Rachel Marro                                   Carol Middleton

Deb Mier                                          Mark Nessel

Molly Norris                                     Kim Ruhana

Ben Ruiz                                          Arden Schuman

Katie Skibbe                                    Daniel Teafoe

Martha Thompson                            Nate Tracy-Amoroso

Margaret Vimont                             Janean Watkins

Laura Weiss                                     Nat Wilson
Shu-Ju Yang

We invite you to volunteer  in 2016! 

Please e-mail us if we have inadvertently left your name off the list!