News from Australia’s CEO Challenge

Well what a busy couple of month’s it has been! In between the start of the RACE and Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month during May, we were pleased to receive an unexpected visit from Jim Hardeman.
Jim is the founder of Workplace Violence Interventions and Strategies, Massachusetts, USA. Jim spoke at a Breakfast hosted by the Brisbane City Council, on the issues surrounding family violence and workplace violence prevention and safety. If you would like to listen to Jim’s brilliant speech please go to our website: www.ceochallengeaustralia.org
As promised in our April news, all members and supporters were sent a new membership form for 2007/2008. A big thanks for returning these forms and for those who also made a tax deductible donation. Your support is important and greatly appreciated! Our other fabulous news is the recent confirmation from the Queensland Government who will contribute $95,000 to assist in the coordination of White Ribbon Day for 2007 and 2008.

Until next time! Dianne Jeans Chair, Australia’s CEO Challenge

A Message from the Chair

Jim Hardeman is the founder of Workplace Violence Interventions and Strategies, a Massachusetts based consulting firm, which specialises in awareness, education and advanced training in workplace violence prevention. By training large and small businesses and human service agencies to develop model practices, Workplace Violence Interventions and Strategies encourages trained participants to return to their places of employment and train key personnel on workplace violence prevention. Prior to founding Workplace Violence Interventions and Strategies, Jim worked for 15 years as manager of Polaroid Corporation’s Employee Assistance Program.

Jim Hardeman was the principal designer of Polaroid’s workplace violence procedures, protocols and guidelines. His knowledge and skills in the field of family violence and workplace violence prevention have made Polaroid Corporation internationally known for its workplace safety practices. He also has a wealth of experience in the field of sexual harassment, substance abuse, training and stress reduction. Jim Hardeman served as deputy superintendent of a medium security prison facility and superintendent of a pre-release correctional facility for youthful offenders.

He was also appointed to the position of deputy director of Planning for Social Services at the Executive Office of Human Services, State House, Boston, Massachusetts. As deputy director, Jim monitored the state human service agency’s service delivery and agency operations. He has also been employed for more than 12 years at the psychological counselling centre at Brandeis University. Jim has experience in community mental health and has taught social work courses at both the under-graduate and graduate level. He is currently on the staff of Boston College Graduate School of Social Work and has taught at the school for the past 10 years. Jim is a frequent lecturer and speaker on family violence and sexual assault. He is also a survivor of child abuse and founder of a battered women’s shelter and a batterer’s treatment program. Mr Hardeman is a member of the Massachusetts Governor’s Commission on Domestic Violence and on the Massachusetts based Crime and Justice Foundation. He has received numerous awards and achievements throughout his career, including the Greatest Contribution to Social Work from the National Association of Social Work, Massachusetts Chapter, invitation to the Oprah Winfrey Show, The Justice File, NBC evening news, personal meeting with President Clinton and 60 Minutes.

Source- Australia’s CEO Challenge- links are in the links column on the right of the blog