My Blogs and Profile :: Table of Contents
With great joy, I've discovered my minister has begun recording her sermons.
How strange to type that sentence! With a lifelong instinct to recoil against the notion of being "religious," the idea of not only attending a church sermon, but also regretting any day I miss a sermon just seems surreal.
After more than two years, I still feel like I am a strange fit with this church. If atheists in my region organized and met frequently to talk about how to make the world a better place, I would gladly be a part of that community. * But, despite the many atheists who will join volunteer groups with nonprofits, a mentality seems to exist that holds back many atheists from gathering to discuss ethics in a community setting. This type of venue has a solid association with places of worship.
So, after learning to get by without any sort of community, I stumbled, at age twenty-nine, across this church called Unitarian Universalist that encompasses beliefs ranging from "God is Love," to "I don't know what God is," to "there are many gods," to "we are daughters of the Goddess." Instead of following rules about belief, UU's follow a covenant, which is based on how we treat one another. While God, or a version thereof, still plays an important part in many of the central ideas of the church, in sermons God often is spoken of in an undefined way, or represented by an anthropomorphized tortoise, the warming mother sun, or something similar.
The assumption by most who hear that I attend church (including many other UU's) is that I am "religious" and/or have faith in some sort of God. I suppose no matter how open a group of people is, the instinct both to label and to assume everyone follows the majority beliefs of the group is too ingrained to be removed. I contemplate what it would be like to live somewhere populous enough for atheists to get together. The fantasy is, well, fantastic. I imagine a group of people, all with a sense of purpose, coming together to make the world a better place for everyone now, because it's all we have, and all they have. (And verging on breaking into songs by John Lennon.)
But of course, I know that's a fantasy: I know in any group, no matter on what our foundation is based, will disagree with some details and/or methods of implementation. So instead of trying to find a group that exactly fits my values, I look for one with my core values in common and a good "people feel." Because I found the minister and the congregation to be so casually accepting, I felt a sense of belonging in a group that, in the past, would have sent me running for the hills as soon as I saw the steeple.
As I've become more and more involved with my Parish, I've, of course, run across issues of disagreement between me and the majority, or me and a particular individual. However, instead of the issue turning into a point of contention between us, we both were easily able to accept the difference of opinion and listen to the different point of view. I can be honest about how I feel without being pressured or "preached to". Because of this, my "faith" in my community grew stronger after finding an issue in dispute.
I don't feel pressured by the sermons because, to me, they feel more like attending a guest collegiate lecture than a sermon. They lack the "do this or else," or "if you're doing this, you're going to burn" feeling that I associate with church. Instead, the church reminds me a lot of the positive aspects I experienced during college: sermons are like attending a class and hearing wonderful ideas from my professor, and the groups are like the student organizations and social groups (minus frat/sorority parties).
Obviously I'm simplifying this a lot; there are many more aspects and depths to the church which I haven't experienced. I'm translating my experience into a simile I can understand in secular terms in order to avoid the confusion of having an ever growing presence in a faith-based community. I seize every opportunity to be involved with church programs for fundraisers, working to help those in need, and so on.
Ironically, the outcome of me being more involved with church is that I care ever more about the sermons, yet I miss more sermons while volunteering for church services than I did before I cared as much. I try to look at the larger picture and be glad that I'm living the principals, but I still regret not hearing Reverend Hepler and Intern Minister Hall share their inspiring sermons.
The end result is me some evening, lounging on my EZ-chair, with headphones plugged into my laptop, listening to Reverend Hepler's sermons. The scene seems apropos of an atheist-humanist-Unitarian-Universalist. So yes, I can rejoice at the availability of sermons, and smile ironically, or genuinely, at my distanced intimacy with this community.
* note: yes, there is an atheist/secular humanism group in Boston, but one of the problems with living in the suburbs is you don't get to go to all the great things that happen in Boston, despite the 184,000 people who live here which should be enough to have our own events.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Surviving Unemployment in Massachusetts
My Blogs and Profile :: Table of Contents
This section is about finding ways to cut costs and access free products and services. I wrote this with survival during unemployment on my mind, but most of the ideas discussed are useful at any point of life. For information on filing for unemployment, check out my Unemployed in Massachusetts post, and for information on getting and staying employed, check out my Employment post.
Note that this content is fluid, as I research to add new, improve existing, and remove outdated information. Because of this, if you reference my blog, please be sure to include the update date in your source. If your document is important, it's recommended to print out the blog as it is at the moment you access it, and keep in handy in case it is needed for your sources.
Unemployment has tremendous impact on lifestyle. Adjusting can be difficult and many fall into the trap of using a credit card to maintain their current lifestyle. A few months of debt can take years to pay off even after one regains income. When unemployed, the solutions need to start with free, move to cheap, then go into debt only for living essentials. This article acts as a guide to meet the majority of needs through free resources.
There are three vital resources to anyone unemployed or underemployed: the library, giveaway websites, and community farms or a personal garden.
First Resource: Libraries
Many think of libraries as the place they had to go flip through card catalogs to find musty old books for reports in high school. Many great opportunities are missed due to this stereotype. A local library now can fill many needs, including job seeking, internet access, and classes. Instead of spending money on a book about resumes or job hunting, ask the reference librarian. He or she not only will show you the best books on the subject, but also may be able to guide you to additional community or internet resources. Most libraries now have free internet for patrons, so one can save a lot of money on paying for internet by utilizing this resource. Cancelling internet and cable saves a huge chunk of funds, and libraries carry DVDs for free, so you don’t even have to give up entertainment!
Second Resource: Giveaway Websites
Free websites, such as Freecycle and the free section of Craigslist, often are severely underutilized by people who would most benefit from their use. This often is because when one tries to minimize expenses, the internet is one of the first things to go; as mentioned above, using the free internet at the library will save you that money while still allowing access to such a vital resource. Many people post items they wish to give away on Freecycle. The majority of the items are in great condition, posted either because someone is looking to clear up space, or because they inherited unwanted items, or other reasons that have no effect on quality. Checking Freecycle once per day for needed items and posting a “wanted” message for needs before buying them will conserve a large amount of money. One of the first things to look for is something to help cook your own food cheaper. For example, one could ask if anyone has a rice cooker or slow cooker they no longer need. (Note: one must resist the temptation to ask for every interesting item. Excessive clutter can impede efforts to accomplish money saving tasks, such as cooking meals from scratch.)
Third Resource: Community Farm or Personal Garden.
To reduce expenses while unemployed, one may grow one’s own food or get a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) share. Many farms offer the choice of paying for an entire summer of food up front or working for a share. The work often is minimal, only a few hours per week, and the return is vast. I was fortunate enough to benefit from this program at Hanson's Farm while I was unemployed. Alternately, if the living situation is appropriate, home gardening while using free compost is a fantastic way to get free, fresh food. Many garden clubs meet at libraries and are happy to offer a few extra plants as they thin them out. Freecycle, again, is a great resource which one may use to request specific plants from anyone who has extra to give. To grow a garden, one must either have a plot of land in which to plant or must use garden boxes, but utilizing freecycle helps porch-gardening significantly, as one can get compost, plants, and containers that others view as trash but can be repurposed as gardening boxes, a compost bin, or hanging planters.
Following these three simple tips will dramatically ease the financial burden while unemployed, as well as providing great resources to continue to use for improved standard of living after employment is achieved.
This section is about finding ways to cut costs and access free products and services. I wrote this with survival during unemployment on my mind, but most of the ideas discussed are useful at any point of life. For information on filing for unemployment, check out my Unemployed in Massachusetts post, and for information on getting and staying employed, check out my Employment post.
Note that this content is fluid, as I research to add new, improve existing, and remove outdated information. Because of this, if you reference my blog, please be sure to include the update date in your source. If your document is important, it's recommended to print out the blog as it is at the moment you access it, and keep in handy in case it is needed for your sources.
Unemployment has tremendous impact on lifestyle. Adjusting can be difficult and many fall into the trap of using a credit card to maintain their current lifestyle. A few months of debt can take years to pay off even after one regains income. When unemployed, the solutions need to start with free, move to cheap, then go into debt only for living essentials. This article acts as a guide to meet the majority of needs through free resources.
There are three vital resources to anyone unemployed or underemployed: the library, giveaway websites, and community farms or a personal garden.
First Resource: Libraries
Many think of libraries as the place they had to go flip through card catalogs to find musty old books for reports in high school. Many great opportunities are missed due to this stereotype. A local library now can fill many needs, including job seeking, internet access, and classes. Instead of spending money on a book about resumes or job hunting, ask the reference librarian. He or she not only will show you the best books on the subject, but also may be able to guide you to additional community or internet resources. Most libraries now have free internet for patrons, so one can save a lot of money on paying for internet by utilizing this resource. Cancelling internet and cable saves a huge chunk of funds, and libraries carry DVDs for free, so you don’t even have to give up entertainment!
Second Resource: Giveaway Websites
Free websites, such as Freecycle and the free section of Craigslist, often are severely underutilized by people who would most benefit from their use. This often is because when one tries to minimize expenses, the internet is one of the first things to go; as mentioned above, using the free internet at the library will save you that money while still allowing access to such a vital resource. Many people post items they wish to give away on Freecycle. The majority of the items are in great condition, posted either because someone is looking to clear up space, or because they inherited unwanted items, or other reasons that have no effect on quality. Checking Freecycle once per day for needed items and posting a “wanted” message for needs before buying them will conserve a large amount of money. One of the first things to look for is something to help cook your own food cheaper. For example, one could ask if anyone has a rice cooker or slow cooker they no longer need. (Note: one must resist the temptation to ask for every interesting item. Excessive clutter can impede efforts to accomplish money saving tasks, such as cooking meals from scratch.)
Third Resource: Community Farm or Personal Garden.
To reduce expenses while unemployed, one may grow one’s own food or get a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) share. Many farms offer the choice of paying for an entire summer of food up front or working for a share. The work often is minimal, only a few hours per week, and the return is vast. I was fortunate enough to benefit from this program at Hanson's Farm while I was unemployed. Alternately, if the living situation is appropriate, home gardening while using free compost is a fantastic way to get free, fresh food. Many garden clubs meet at libraries and are happy to offer a few extra plants as they thin them out. Freecycle, again, is a great resource which one may use to request specific plants from anyone who has extra to give. To grow a garden, one must either have a plot of land in which to plant or must use garden boxes, but utilizing freecycle helps porch-gardening significantly, as one can get compost, plants, and containers that others view as trash but can be repurposed as gardening boxes, a compost bin, or hanging planters.
Following these three simple tips will dramatically ease the financial burden while unemployed, as well as providing great resources to continue to use for improved standard of living after employment is achieved.
Last updated: 21 Feb. 2012.
Filing for Unemployment
My Blogs and Profile :: Table of Contents
I'm dedicating this part of my blog to unemployment insurance. This is listed under Step Eight in my Employment blog. Since I live in MA, most of what I've been able to find about this concern specifically is related to the bay state.
Note that this content is fluid, as I research to add new, improve existing, and remove outdated information. Because of this, if you reference my blog, please be sure to include the update date in your source. If your document is important, it's recommended to print out the blog as it is at the moment you access it, and keep in handy in case it is needed for your sources.
A lot of people find themselves in desperate situations because it is so frickin' difficult to get unemployment pay. I don't even mean the many, sneaky loopholes that are designed in the system to disqualify people who should get it (for example, if your employer refuses to give you a day off to see a doctor, then refuses to make any accommodations for a chronic without a doctor's note, you really should be allowed to quit, see a doctor, and get unemployment pay, but usually you'll be automatically disqualified under these circumstances). I mean even finding out who to call or where you can go just to find out if you could be considered.
Whether or not you think you'll be accepted for unemployment, if you're out of work, file immediately. The worst that can happen is they'll say, "sorry, no." If you wait, thinking you'll get another job quick enough not to worry, you could end up in a bad situation. The office takes several weeks to pass your information along to a case worker, who then takes several weeks to contemplate whether or not to review it, eventually looks it over and, if approved, issues unemployment pay backdated to the date you filed. Since it takes so long for approval, if you wait until you realize you aren't going to be hired immediately, you could run out of money before you finally get pay.
First: Applying For Unemployment in Massachusetts
Second: Information Needed to File a Claim
Third: Where to Go For In-Person Assistance
Surviving While Unemployed
1.
Applying for Unemployment in Massachusetts
When you become unemployed, even if you think you don't qualify, call the Office of Labor and Workforce Development / Department of Unemployment Assistance. I found out, much later than would have been ideal, that leaving a job due to a medical condition that could not be accommodated at the workplace means that you aren't disqualified from unemployment assistance. There may be other conditions that urban legend says are disqualifying but aren't: if you don't know, call and ask.
How to call:
From area codes 617 or 781 call 617-626-6800
All other area codes toll free 1-877-626-6800
2.
Information Needed to File a Claim
-Your Social Security Number
-The year you were born
-Your home address and telephone number
-Whether you have filed an unemployment insurance claim in Massachusetts or in any other state during the past 12 months
-Your last day of employment
-The names and addresses of all the employers you have worked for during the 15 months prior to filing your claim and the dates you worked for each of these employers. If you are reopening a claim, be ready with the same information for the past 8 weeks.
-The reason that you are no longer working or that your hours have been reduced.
-The names, dates of birth and social security numbers for any dependent children, if you are going to apply for dependency allowance.
-Your alien registration number if you are not a U.S. citizen
------ If you are not a United States Citizen: You must provide verification that you were legally eligible to work in Massachusetts and that you are currently eligible to begin a new job. Please be prepared with this verification.
Note: do NOT give any of this information to anyone OTHER than officials with the Department of Unemployment Assistance. If there is anything of which you're unsure, confirm at the phone number and/or at the official mass.gov DoUA website.
3.
Where to Go For In-Person Unemployment Assistance
MARLBOROUGH
508-786-0928
Fax 617-727-0676
201 Boston Post Road West, Fl2, Ste 200
Marlborough, MA 01752
(Across from Panera Bread)
Hours: Mon-Thurs 8am-5pm, Fri 9:30am-5pm
NEWTON
617-928-0530
Fax 617-964-0929
449 Newtonville Avenue, Ste 130
Newtonville, MA 02460
(Corner of Walnut St and Newtonville Ave)
Hours: Mon-Thurs 8am-5pm, Fri 9:30-5pm
NORWOOD
781-769-4120
Fax 781-551-9648
275 Prospect St, Ste 24 / P.O.Box 740
Norwood, MA 02062
(In the former Junior High North)
Hours: Mon-Thurs 8am-5pm, Fri 9:30-5pm
NOTE: Most of these locations have unemployment filing on certain days and can patch you through to the phone help number on other days. The rest of the hours are for help with employment resources.
I'm dedicating this part of my blog to unemployment insurance. This is listed under Step Eight in my Employment blog. Since I live in MA, most of what I've been able to find about this concern specifically is related to the bay state.
Note that this content is fluid, as I research to add new, improve existing, and remove outdated information. Because of this, if you reference my blog, please be sure to include the update date in your source. If your document is important, it's recommended to print out the blog as it is at the moment you access it, and keep in handy in case it is needed for your sources.
A lot of people find themselves in desperate situations because it is so frickin' difficult to get unemployment pay. I don't even mean the many, sneaky loopholes that are designed in the system to disqualify people who should get it (for example, if your employer refuses to give you a day off to see a doctor, then refuses to make any accommodations for a chronic without a doctor's note, you really should be allowed to quit, see a doctor, and get unemployment pay, but usually you'll be automatically disqualified under these circumstances). I mean even finding out who to call or where you can go just to find out if you could be considered.
Whether or not you think you'll be accepted for unemployment, if you're out of work, file immediately. The worst that can happen is they'll say, "sorry, no." If you wait, thinking you'll get another job quick enough not to worry, you could end up in a bad situation. The office takes several weeks to pass your information along to a case worker, who then takes several weeks to contemplate whether or not to review it, eventually looks it over and, if approved, issues unemployment pay backdated to the date you filed. Since it takes so long for approval, if you wait until you realize you aren't going to be hired immediately, you could run out of money before you finally get pay.
First: Applying For Unemployment in Massachusetts
Second: Information Needed to File a Claim
Third: Where to Go For In-Person Assistance
Surviving While Unemployed
1.
Applying for Unemployment in Massachusetts
When you become unemployed, even if you think you don't qualify, call the Office of Labor and Workforce Development / Department of Unemployment Assistance. I found out, much later than would have been ideal, that leaving a job due to a medical condition that could not be accommodated at the workplace means that you aren't disqualified from unemployment assistance. There may be other conditions that urban legend says are disqualifying but aren't: if you don't know, call and ask.
How to call:
From area codes 617 or 781 call 617-626-6800
All other area codes toll free 1-877-626-6800
2.
Information Needed to File a Claim
-Your Social Security Number
-The year you were born
-Your home address and telephone number
-Whether you have filed an unemployment insurance claim in Massachusetts or in any other state during the past 12 months
-Your last day of employment
-The names and addresses of all the employers you have worked for during the 15 months prior to filing your claim and the dates you worked for each of these employers. If you are reopening a claim, be ready with the same information for the past 8 weeks.
-The reason that you are no longer working or that your hours have been reduced.
-The names, dates of birth and social security numbers for any dependent children, if you are going to apply for dependency allowance.
-Your alien registration number if you are not a U.S. citizen
------ If you are not a United States Citizen: You must provide verification that you were legally eligible to work in Massachusetts and that you are currently eligible to begin a new job. Please be prepared with this verification.
Note: do NOT give any of this information to anyone OTHER than officials with the Department of Unemployment Assistance. If there is anything of which you're unsure, confirm at the phone number and/or at the official mass.gov DoUA website.
3.
Where to Go For In-Person Unemployment Assistance
MARLBOROUGH
508-786-0928
Fax 617-727-0676
201 Boston Post Road West, Fl2, Ste 200
Marlborough, MA 01752
(Across from Panera Bread)
Hours: Mon-Thurs 8am-5pm, Fri 9:30am-5pm
NEWTON
617-928-0530
Fax 617-964-0929
449 Newtonville Avenue, Ste 130
Newtonville, MA 02460
(Corner of Walnut St and Newtonville Ave)
Hours: Mon-Thurs 8am-5pm, Fri 9:30-5pm
NORWOOD
781-769-4120
Fax 781-551-9648
275 Prospect St, Ste 24 / P.O.Box 740
Norwood, MA 02062
(In the former Junior High North)
Hours: Mon-Thurs 8am-5pm, Fri 9:30-5pm
NOTE: Most of these locations have unemployment filing on certain days and can patch you through to the phone help number on other days. The rest of the hours are for help with employment resources.
Last updated: 21 Feb. 2012
Volunteerism
My Blogs and Profile :: Table of Contents
I'm dedicating this part of my blog to volunteerism. This is Step Seven in my Employment blog.
Note that this content is fluid, as I research to add new, improve existing, and remove outdated information. Because of this, if you reference my blog, please be sure to include the update date in your source. If your document is important, it's recommended to print out the blog as it is at the moment you access it, and keep in handy in case it is needed for your sources.
Volunteering gives you great opportunities to try out different kinds of work without making a long term commitment, learn new skills, and make connections, while doing good for worthy organizations. Additionally, if you discover during volunteering that you love the work and the organization, you already have a connection and informal training, which will increase likelihood of you getting hired.
I'm dedicating this part of my blog to volunteerism. This is Step Seven in my Employment blog.
Note that this content is fluid, as I research to add new, improve existing, and remove outdated information. Because of this, if you reference my blog, please be sure to include the update date in your source. If your document is important, it's recommended to print out the blog as it is at the moment you access it, and keep in handy in case it is needed for your sources.
Volunteering gives you great opportunities to try out different kinds of work without making a long term commitment, learn new skills, and make connections, while doing good for worthy organizations. Additionally, if you discover during volunteering that you love the work and the organization, you already have a connection and informal training, which will increase likelihood of you getting hired.
- My top recommended organizations:
- National
- American Cancer Society
- American Diabetes Association
- American Heart Association
- American Red Cross
- American Red Cross Blood Services
- Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
- Boston area
- Learning Center for the Deaf: Framingham, MA
- New England Center for Children: Southborough, MA
- Peace Abbey: Sherborn, MA
- Perkins School for the Blind: Watertown, MA
- Volunteer Search Options
Last updated: 21 Feb. 2012
Public Career Assistance Locations
My Blogs and Profile :: Table of Contents
I'm dedicating this part of my blog to career search resource locations. This is Step Six in my Employment blog.
Note that this content is fluid, as I research to add new, improve existing, and remove outdated information. Because of this, if you reference my blog, please be sure to include the update date in your source. If your document is important, it's recommended to print out the blog as it is at the moment you access it, and keep in handy in case it is needed for your sources.
in progress
Public Career Assistance Locations
I'm dedicating this part of my blog to career search resource locations. This is Step Six in my Employment blog.
Note that this content is fluid, as I research to add new, improve existing, and remove outdated information. Because of this, if you reference my blog, please be sure to include the update date in your source. If your document is important, it's recommended to print out the blog as it is at the moment you access it, and keep in handy in case it is needed for your sources.
in progress
Public Career Assistance Locations
- Massachusetts
- State Wide:
- Local:
- FPL (Framingham Public Library) Job Search Discussion Group
Currently scheduled: Thursday Feb. 16, Mar. 1, 15 & 29, 7:00pm
49 Lexington Street, Framingham, MA 01702 - SMOC (South Middlesex Opportunity Council)
300 Howard Street, Framingham, MA 01702 - Littleton Job Seekers
Thursdays, 2pm-4pm, Reuben Hoar Library, Couper Room,
41 Shattuck Street, Littleton, MA 01460-1263.
Last updated: 21 Feb. 2012.
Do Who You Are
My Blogs and Profile :: Table of Contents
I'm dedicating this part of my blog to career compatibility analysis. This is Step Five in my Employment blog.
Note that this content is fluid, as I research to add new, improve existing, and remove outdated information. Because of this, if you reference my blog, please be sure to include the update date in your source. If your document is important, it's recommended to print out the blog as it is at the moment you access it, and keep in handy in case it is needed for your sources.
in progress
Do Who You Are
I'm dedicating this part of my blog to career compatibility analysis. This is Step Five in my Employment blog.
Note that this content is fluid, as I research to add new, improve existing, and remove outdated information. Because of this, if you reference my blog, please be sure to include the update date in your source. If your document is important, it's recommended to print out the blog as it is at the moment you access it, and keep in handy in case it is needed for your sources.
in progress
Do Who You Are
- Free Online Personality Tests:
- Jungian:
- Myers Briggs:
Last updated: 21 Feb. 2012.
Improving Skills
My Blogs and Profile :: Table of Contents
I'm dedicating this part of my blog to free resources for skill improvement to help you find a job, or get that promotion in your current job. This is Step Four in my Employment blog.
Note that this content is fluid, as I research to add new, improve existing, and remove outdated information. Because of this, if you reference my blog, please be sure to include the update date in your source. If your document is important, it's recommended to print out the blog as it is at the moment you access it, and keep in handy in case it is needed for your sources.
I'm dedicating this part of my blog to free resources for skill improvement to help you find a job, or get that promotion in your current job. This is Step Four in my Employment blog.
Note that this content is fluid, as I research to add new, improve existing, and remove outdated information. Because of this, if you reference my blog, please be sure to include the update date in your source. If your document is important, it's recommended to print out the blog as it is at the moment you access it, and keep in handy in case it is needed for your sources.
- Public Speaking.
I'm addressing public speaking first because it is both one of the most used skills, if not the most used, in today's careers, and because it's one that is least commonly pursued. We use this skill in everything from speaking before assemblies to going over stats with two supervisors. Skills gained from public speaking practice help you present clearly and confidently in matters big and small, in front of large audiences or in one-on-one sessions.
Unfortunately, public speaking is one of the most common phobias (Das), so many of us avoid speaking in public, which makes us worse at speaking publicly when necessary, which makes us even more afraid, which starts a vicious cycle.
The best way to improve public speaking is through practice. Take opportunities to speak when there isn't so much riding on it. Toastmasters is an excellent resource. They have a small annual membership fee and there are even public meetings you can attend without membership. - Computer Skills.
You absolutely must know how to use a computer. There's almost no career anymore that doesn't rely on computers. At the minimum, you should know how to use email, Microsoft Word, and Excel. Goodwill Community Foundation Learning is an excellent resource with free online learning for, among other things, basic computer skills, Excel, Office, and how to use Google.
The more you improve your computer skills, the more options for good careers open up to you. I recommend improving typing speed and accuracy to a minimum of 50 WPM (words per minute). You can find tons of practice programs by Googling "free online typing practice" or "free online typing test." It's nice to know your score: you can include it in the Skills section of your résumé.
Last updated: 21 Feb. 2012.
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