How the pandemic concentrated pressures on small churches—and how the body of Christ is stepping up to help, one $3,000 grant at a time.

Philadelphia pastor Kevin Cropper’s heart sank last month when he saw a message asking for food among the prayer requests emailed to his church.

“It was a request for something tangible, and we didn’t have it,” Cropper said.

His congregation, Ark of Safety Christian Church, had canceled its weekly food distribution since it ran out of donations when it stopped gathering in March. “It makes you feel bad because isn’t that what our mission is? We want to be able to help in this type of crisis, but we need the resources to do it.”

That’s the problem with being a small, inner-city black church during a pandemic. Black adults are more than twice as likely as whites or Hispanic Americans to know someone who has been hospitalized or died due to COVID-19. Their communities are afraid, grieving, and suffering from the virus themselves; and they are far less likely to have the staff, budgets, or space to help as much as they feel called.

“We are in the city. We don’t have acres, we stay close to each other, and it’s very easy to spread the virus,” said Kato Hart Jr., pastor of Hold the Light Ministries, a Church of God in Christ (COGIC) congregation in Detroit.

American counties with a higher-than-average proportion of black residents now account for half of coronavirus cases and 60 percent of deaths. Even in a church of 50, word keeps spreading of which members have lost relatives to the virus: aunties, uncles, grandparents. Hart has lost fellow brothers in ministry, citing a letter from denominational leadership saying 30 COGIC bishops have fallen to COVID-19—including a dozen in Michigan alone.

“We’re in a fight, and we need help. These megachurches, ...

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How politicians and leaders on both the Left and Right fail to adequately aid mothers.

Every election cycle, women’s issues are a flashpoint in the public square. This year is no exception: Candidates on both sides are debating abortion, equal pay, family leave, and maternal mortality.

These political clashes often hinge on deeply held views about who women are, how they’re wired, and what they need. One of the most salient aspects of female identity is our maternal nature—the inclination (broadly speaking) to foster enduring ties with our offspring. Gender essentialism is fraught with land mines and dangerous generalities, and not all women experience the maternal pull. Nonetheless, most of us would agree that women’s biology is in fact distinctive, and the innate potential to bear children and bond with them not only carries great weight for the family but also shapes our commonwealth.

The political Left and Right mishandle these maternal instincts in different ways. For hard-line progressives, female “nature” is a social construct to embrace or escape—it doesn’t serve a normative purpose. We see this view play out legislatively. Liberal Democrats rightly pride themselves on defending family-friendly policies. But they concurrently promote pro-abortion policies that treat a woman’s bond with her child as entirely voluntary and even arbitrary—severed here, supported there. “To Planned Parenthood, an undesired life is no life at all,” writes Russell Moore in National Review.

Those on the Right have a nearly inverse enigma. Both center-right and far-right Republicans tend to value a woman’s distinct maternal nature and the children who come with it. But that helping hand comes up short in other arenas, as mothers are too often left to ...

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For every payroll practitioner's library, PaySource newsletter provides solutions and advice on the numerous issues facing the payroll community. It gives you how-to columns, hot news items, need-to-know information, questions and answers, case notes, and more. It takes you from day-to-day functions such as statutory deductions, calculating taxable benefits, and completing the ROE through to successful completion of year-end reporting.

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Updated monthly. Available in print and PDF format.

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PaySource® The One And Only
Fast, reliable answers to your payroll questions.

PaySource® is continuously updated with the latest in payroll news, statutes, and legislation. Canada’s #1 expert source for payroll information.  Be the first to know about breaking news stories in the payroll industry, as they happen throughout the day. Updates to your research library are delivered immediately from the editor's desktop to yours.

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PaySource® does the background work for you by providing you with: 

• A “What's new?” section with changes dated so that you know when the latest changes occurred
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• Payroll forms and guides available with fifillable forms
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Smart Charts:  This tool saves you time and effort. We first launched Smart Charts for Personal Tax Credits divided by jurisdiction. The charts also include commentaries and forms.  >Click here for how to use smart charts.

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Legalese with Ease – Legal Terms for Human Resources Professionals is the most comprehensive source available for finding clear definitions for over 400 legal terms used within the human resources profession. It is the only book of its kind to offer human resources professionals plain-language information regarding all areas of human resources law.

Today's human resources professionals are required to understand, and keep up-to-date with complex and ever-changing legal definitions and legislative requirements. Legalese with Ease – Legal Terms for Human Resources Professionals provides easy-to-understand definitions, along with practical examples, for all of the most important legal terms in the areas of employment, labour relations, human resources, and occupational health and safety.

Topics covered:

• Absenteeism
• Accommodation
• Accreditation of employer's organization
• Adoption leave
• Adverse effects discrimination
• Advisory council (BC)
• Affiliated companies/unions
• Affirmative action
• Age
• Assignment employees
• Averaging agreement
• Benefits
• Bereavement leave
• Burden of proof
• Certiorari
• Check off
• Commission salesperson
• Common law
• Control and use in workplace
• Controlled products
• Corporation
• Designated substance
• Domestic worker
• Employer duties
• Employment, labour, and human rights laws
• Enforcement
• Ex post facto
• Homeworker
• No union choice
• Occupational health and safety

About the Authors
Malcolm MacKillop, BA, LLB, is the author of a column on employment law in the Globe & Mail: Report on Business, a contributing columnist for HR Professional, and a member of the Editorial Board for Canadian Lawyer Magazine. He has also developed employment law videos with Canada Law Book, is a former lecturer in employment law at the University of Western Ontario, and has appeared in TV news coverages as a human rights specialist.

Adrian Miedema, BMath, LLB, is a senior associate at the Toronto office of Fraser Milner Casgrain LLP and has extensive experience in employment law and civil litigation. He regularly appears in the courts and before various tribunals, on the full range of employment-related matters, and provides strategic employment advice to both public and private sector employers.

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Internet Solutions for HR Managers sets the standard for the Canadian HR professional. It is the only guide you will need to conduct free Internet research on critical Canadian HR topics. In addition, it provides you with a strategic and practical approach to address key issues. National in scope, it also offers cost-effective solutions for your organization to help you in your day-to-day decision-making process.

The Internet is creating a revolution in HR management, including recruitment, benchmarking, networking, and information gathering. Internet Solutions for HR Managers provides practical, immediately useful information on how to adapt to these new challenges and opportunities and realize the time and cost savings that the new technology brings.

Features include:

• Comprehensive listing of the top HR-related website facilitates basic Internet research and saves time
• Internet recruiting case study gives readers a realistic and salient understanding of how organizations can benefit from Internet recruiting
• Links to valuable sample forms and policies save time for HR Managers in creating their own forms and policies where the information is easy to customize
• Benchmarking information assists HR Managers in calculating their bottom line HR administration costs in an effort to become more strategic and cost effective

About the Authors
Edward B. Harvey, PhD, is a well-known specialist in the fields of valuing diversity, program development, and designing innovative strategies for effective HR management. Harvey is also currently a Professor at the University of Toronto.

John H. Blakely, MIR, is a specialist in HR policy and planning, compensation, pay equity, equal opportunities and managing diversity. Blakely presently works as a Compensation Advisor for a large organization in British Columbia and has co-authored two other titles for CCH Canadian.

Katherine A. Lee, MIR, is a Senior Researcher and Analyst for the leading HR web information portal, www.hr.com, and is a specialist in analyzing product development and industry trends within the eHR space.

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Implementing Best Practices in Human Resources Management will help you to realize the full potential of your department's role in your organization and maximize the positive impact on your business. It ensures that employees and managers understand your organization's expectations, policies, and practices. It helps you become the internal organizational expert, drawing senior management to your proactive approach to HR strategies and confirming how HR is instrumental in helping the organization flourish. It also develops methods for implementing successful HR strategies that will impact the organization's culture, business objectives, and overall success.

Features include:

• Concise discussions of major HR terms and concepts
• Current trends and benefits
• Discussion on definitions
• Procedures for implementation
• Role of HR practitioners and any barriers or pitfalls they might face
• Sample policies
• "Best practice" information
• Over 400 pages of value

Topics covered:

• Alcohol and drug addiction
• Attendance management
• Auditing the HR function
• Benchmarking
• Ethics
• Career management
• Change management
• Coaching
• Competency
• Conflict management
• Employee involvement
• Employee opinion surveys
• Employee testing
• Employee turnover
• Employment contracts
• Employment cycle
• Flexible work practices
• HR Metrics
• Intellectual capital
• Learning organization
• Management development
• Mission statements
• Organizational design
• Performance management process
• Recruitment and selection
• Redundancy/downsizing
• Reward Management/compensation policies
• Stress management
• Terminations
• Virtual organization

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This handy, pocket-sized reference guide is an ideal resource for managers in both union and non-union environments. Basic Supervisory Management and Labour Relations provides practical advice on how to effectively handle day-to-day supervisory issues.

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This webcast was recorded on May 15, 2007

Do you manage one or more employees? Do you require the skills to actually resolve performance issues and effectively manage difficult situations? Are you looking for practical, hands-on tools and techniques to help you implement a performance management system that works? If you've answered yes to any of these questions, you need to purchase Resolve Employee Performance Issues: How to Implement a Management Process That Works!

Agenda

• Accurately identify sources of performance issues
• Implement an effective performance management process
• Develop performance objectives and goals for individual employees
• Conduct successful performance reviews
• Create personal development plans
• Respond effectively to difficult situations

Format  
Participate right from your desk or office. All you need is an Internet connection and a sound card.

This archived webinar will include:

• PowerPoint presentation with slides
• Speaker and facilitator voice-over presenting the slides and answering pre-recorded questions

The Speaker  
Michelle Chambers, MEd, CHRP, CTDP, has over 18 years of proven and successful management, leadership and consulting experience, including work with three of Canada's top 50 employers. Prior to establishing her organizational learning and development practice, she was responsible nationally for leadership and management development for Telus Mobility/Clearnet Communications. She has also held senior consulting and management roles with Royal Bank of Canada, Parke-Davis Pharmaceuticals and General Motors of Canada.

Michelle works collaboratively with her clients to create sustainable change and to inspire and ultimately increase individual and an organization's effectiveness. Her work with clients has resulted in increased sales revenue; increased employee retention; decreased turnover of staff; increased work satisfaction and performance; decreased operating-costs; and enhanced capabilities for individuals, teams, and organizations. Furthermore, communication skills have been enhanced, leadership has become more focused, and employees have become more engaged.

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What's an eBook?

An eBook is a digital version of a conventional printed book. Perfect for your PC desktop, you’ll be able to access answers to tough HR issues quickly and easily. Portable, bring them with you on a laptop wherever your business may take you.

Adobe Digital Editions is a highly recommended free download eBook program designed to view and keep your eBooks organized and centralized.

Summary of this eBook

Implementing Best Practices in Human Resources Management will help you to realize the full potential of your department's role in your organization and maximize the positive impact on your business. It ensures that employees and managers understand your organization's expectations, policies, and practices. It helps you become the internal organizational expert, drawing senior management to your proactive approach to HR strategies and confirming how HR is instrumental in helping the organization flourish. It also develops methods for implementing successful HR strategies that will impact the organization's culture, business objectives, and overall success.

What's New in the 2nd edition:

• Accommodation in Employment
• Discipline
• Diversity
• Due Diligence
• Orientation Programs
• Outsourcing
• Privacy
• Recognition Programs
• Retention Strategies
• Succession Planning
• Training

About the Author

Hugh Secord is a graduate of the University of Toronto (Honours B.A. in Sociology/Economics) and York University (M.B.A. - Finance). He also holds the CHRP designation and is a candidate to receive the Senior Human Resources Professional designation recently introduced in Canada.

Hugh has over 28 years of experience in Human Resource Management and Labour Relations in virtually every industrial sector. He held several CHRO positions before entering the consulting field in 2005. Hugh has acted as chief spokesman in over 130 collective agreements, and has been involved in resolving hundreds of grievances and other employment disputes. Hugh has proactively promoted alternative dispute resolution methods, and his innovative approaches led to one of the fir

If you would like more details about this product, or would like to order a copy online, please click here.

"Lauren Bernardi is an excellent speaker who presented a point of view that was believable with real life scenarios."

Bonus: An article on "Nine Steps to Effective Discipline", a copy of the supporting paper and a complete Question and Answer (Q&A) document prepared by the speaker will be provided in this archived webinar.

Key Learning Objectives:

• Be aware of the impact of recessionary times on employee performance
• Recognize the difference between performance issues and disciplinary problems and why it matters
• Understand how to enhance employee performance by setting goals and expectations, and providing meaningful feedback and support
• Recognize the importance of effective disciplinary measures in maintaining efficient operations
• Be capable of handling problem employees: learn how to determine the cause and correct the problem through performance improvement plans, progressive discipline and other management tools

Speaker

Lauren Bernardi

Lauren has been practisin

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"Mike and Alex did a fantastic job of presenting the information, it was extremely informative, well planned and easy to navigate through! Very satisfied"

Bonus: A copy of the supporting paper and a complete Question and Answer (Q&A) document prepared by the speakers will be provided in this archived webinar.

Webinar information current as of November 10, 2009

A discussion of best practices in human resources based upon leading research and the client-focused consulting experience of our session leaders. The program will focus on three best practice areas:

• Employee Engagement
• Change Management
• The competencies HR professionals need to lead the evolution of HR in their organization

Key Learning Objectives:

• Identify and discuss 8 key drivers of employee engagement
• Develop employee engagement ideas, strategies and plans
• Develop and execute highly effective change management plans
• Explain the role of HR professionals in achieving organizational balance and optimization through implementation of best practice policies and programs
• Identify and discuss the competencies and skill sets required of HR professionals to develop aligned HR strategies and influence senior management

Speakers

Michael Bennett, CHRP
Michael has almost 20 years Human Resources experience as a Leader, Generalist and Specialist and is a co-founder and Managing Director of ENGAGE Human Resources Solutions Inc. and EHRSearch. His experience prior to forming ENGAGE and EHRSearch spanned Financial Services, Manufacturing, Industrial Sales, Distribution and Executive Search.

He has worked with all levels of management and employees during his professional career and has developed an enviable reputation as a Business Partner in identifying and implementing innovative and successful human resources strategies, solutions and programs.

At ENGAGE, Michael has led projects in organizational design, change management, compensation, recruitment, employee feedback, reward & recognition and policy &

If you would like more details about this product, or would like to order a copy online, please click here.

"Today's session was extremely informative and useful in the workplace."

Webinar information current as of June 18, 2009

In a difficult economic climate when organizations are forced to make the most of limited resources, innovative and productive thinking become important elements of a company’s success. The individual nature of each problem makes it a challenge to re-create a decision making process that has proven successful. There are, however, important strategic elements that cannot be overlooked when approaching a problem. This archived webinar will introduce you to a less subjective approach to problem solving that creates a solid framework for the execution of consistently sound business solutions.

Learn how to:

• Understand a valuable approach to accurately defining and assessing the right problem to be solved
• Use an effective balance of creative and critical thinking skills in generating meaningful ideas
• Use the necessary tools needed to establish useful decision making criteria for any problem
• Understand the importance of considering all possible solutions and avoiding binary thinking patterns
• Be able to determine which ideas or courses of action should be considered for implementation, while remaining mindful of important resource requirements

Speaker

Tim Hurson
Author of “Think Better” (Mcgraw Hill, NY), named one of the Ten Best Business Books of 2008 by the Globe & Mail; Tim Hurson is an international pioneer in developing and presenting the principles of productive thinking. He has worked, lectured, and coached clients in 29 countries on six continents. He has spent over 30 years transforming products, workplaces and marketing programs. Now he helps to transform minds and companie

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Jaroneski, Laura A., author

Torres, Lillian S

Pagana, Kathleen Deska, 1952- author

Barr, Donald A., author

Williamson, Peggie, author

Ritter, James, author

Senger, P. L. (Phillip L.), author

Henderson, Amanda, author

Barrett, Kim E., author

Storz, Jay F., author

Harriott, Melphine, author

Barrett, David, 1972- author

Abbas, Abul K., author

Samuelsson, Tore, 1951- author

Australia. Parliament. House of Representatives. Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport

Niles, Nancy J., author

Drake, Richard L. (Richard Lee), 1950- author