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Definition
Community Meetings are a basic
component of the Sanctuary Model.
All available members of a
program, clients, staff and administrators that are available gather together to
begin and end the day, creating a safe and grounding ritual for everyone and
honoring their collective responsibility in keeping the program safe and
productive.
Frequency
Frequency is twice per day,
morning and afternoon, in a residential setting. In case of a critical problem
involving safety a meeting may be called by anyone - clients or staff - on an
emergency basis.
Duration
Morning meetings should take
between 6 – 10 minutes. Afternoon meetings should last no longer than 30
minutes.
Purpose
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to
create a safe and predictable ritual within the context of the community
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to
facilitate open communication and trust between all members of the community
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to
demonstrate aspects of behavior in a setting in which it can be discussed,
reacted to, and understood
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to
allow for “on-the-spot” discussion of the effects of such behavior on the
community
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to
encourage patients to develop ways of dealing with various behaviors
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to
provide an opportunity for “corrective emotional experiences” and
empowerment through active participation
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to use staff as role models of conflict resolution and appropriate
behavior
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to introduce new members to the community
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to say good-bye to departing members
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to elect members of the community to leadership roles
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to make announcements about unit issues
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to
create a sense of collective responsibility and consistently reinforce
community norms
Example
Mission Statements
This was the
statement of purpose from the original Sanctuary program:
The Sanctuary welcomes all members
of this community. It is our hope that everyone will use this experience to
participate in a way which will be special, productive and rewarding.
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This program is based on a recognition that sanctuary, safety and respect
are basic ingredients in everyone’s life. Sanctuary is not just a place;
it’s a way of being that will involve each one of you in the treatment
process as partners, not just as clients.
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Everyone here will have to participate in ways that challenge your beliefs
about your limitations. You will have to try new things, change old
behaviors and most importantly, we hope you take this opportunity to connect
with all who are part of this program.
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Respect for oneself, each other, and a mutual regard for community
responsibilities are key elements in a person’s recovery from painful
experiences. “The Sanctuary” offers its total support in your journey
towards safety, health and happiness.
The
following mission statement was taken from a Sanctuary unit on a residential
campus for children
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We believe
SANCTUARY is a safe place for kids and the people who support them to be
together.
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We believe that in our
SANCTUARY every person has the right to a safe environment, to be listened
to and to be respected.
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We believe that SANCTUARY is
about getting stronger as individuals by helping others get stronger.
The
following mission statement was taken from a Sanctuary unit on another
residential campus for children
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We believe
that Sanctuary is a place where kids and staff work together to create a
community that is safe for all.
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We believe
that Sanctuary is a place where we all respect ourselves and others. This
includes respecting public and personal spaces.
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We believe
that at Sanctuary, we are about changing “me” thinking to “we” thinking.
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We believe
that at Sanctuary, you can say what you mean, mean what you say, and you
don’t have to be mean when you say it.
Sanctuary
Institute
Organizational consultation
Sanctuary
Model of Organizational Change
Sanctuary in Domestic Violence Shelters
Sanctuary
in Homeless Shelters
Sanctuary in Residential Childcare
Sanctuary in Substance Abuse Programs
Sanctuary in
Schools
Sanctuary in Adult Inpatient Treatment
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