"International Institute For Human Empowerment: On the Move!"

August 1, 2010-- 2010 marks the 10th anniversary of the International Institute For Human Empowerment, Inc. It is important to see how far we have come, and what we still hope to accomplish.

As of 2010, we are still a completely all-volunteer organization. Membership is by philosophy alone. We work with others "going in the same direction." Numerous professionals, including family and friends, donate their expertise, time, and resources to accomplish mutual goals. When an organization truly cares about serving others, giving is an expression of that concern.

We have been truly blessed. While we are known locally in the Capital District of New York State for our work in Fibromyalgia, our efforts to promote unity across all human characteristics have not gone unnoticed. A measure of our credibility is the number of people who respond to our efforts, and to our calls for volunteers. From putting on conferences and seminars, to publishing and retreats, our network of caring professionals is our best asset!

We work by collaborating with other individuals and organizations. Medical professionals not only support, but lead, our efforts. Our outreach is expanding. Currently we are especially active with Lions Clubs, hospitals, patient support groups, medical teaching staff, physicians, traditional and complementary healthcare providers, patient advocates, business, governmental leaders, legislative staff, attorneys, and human rights organizations.

Our work in Fibromyalgia has been recognized on the Floor of the New York State Assembly and the New York State Senate. A Resolution for Fibromyalgia Awareness Week in New York State includes a description of the Institute’s Fibromyalgia work and publishing.

We began with a DBA in 1993 doing weekend workshops and some initial limited publishing. In 2000 we were incorporated as a not-for-profit corporation. In 2002, we gained tax-exempt status. We are registered as a charity with the New York State Office of the Attorney General.

Our website is visited regularly by over 100 countries including Australia, Canada, South Africa, India, and Russian Federation, while more recently added countries include Bangladesh, Estonia, Botswana, Latvia, and Tanzania. Our newsletter is sent to approximately 1000 e-mail addresses. Approximately 100 people participated in each of our two free local conferences on Fibromyalgia. Cities, Schenectady County Legislature, and Lions Clubs including the District 20Y2 in New York State, have adopted our Proclamation and Unity Pledge for International Unity Day.

We donate to other not-for-profit organizations with similar missions of Empowerment. Over the past 10 years, some of those recipients have included: Lions Clubs International Foundation, Lions Eye Institute, Lions local projects, Thomas Patrick Morrison Foundation for children with rare diseases, Habitat for Humanity, Barton Camp for Children with Diabetes, Dudley Observatory, Gilda’s Club (in kind,) Fibromyalgia Support Group (in kind), and human rights organizations.

We have given Empowerment retreats and published in the areas of School-Community Leadership. Our published works continue to expand and include International Peace Meditations on Empowerment topics, held monthly over 14 years and original poetry and prose read by this author AND available for download. We are currently planning our 10th International Unity Day, which began originally on Jan. 1, 2000, but in 2001 changed permanently to September 11 annually.

Where are we going? More publishing. More outreach. More education. More support for those less fortunate or less able. More Fibromyalgia education. More leadership toward celebrating our diversity, while building peace, and unity. More donations to help others. More retreats. More messages about freedom. More visioning. More leadership. Our mission has no foreseeable end, so we have no intention of stopping!

Join us. Join the Human Empowerment Movement! Be part of something so important that we will never understand our impact. We will only know what we need to do, and do it! May our Journey together be blessed!

This Meditation is dedicated with gratitude to all who are a part of the International Institute For Human Empowerment. You are the Movement. You are the energy and wisdom. You are the inspiration. You are the hands and feet. Because you care, you are the reason for our success!