{"id":172743,"date":"2023-05-31T13:21:52","date_gmt":"2023-05-31T17:21:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/?p=172743"},"modified":"2023-07-11T15:42:47","modified_gmt":"2023-07-11T19:42:47","slug":"international-programs-march-2023-newsletter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/international\/international-programs-march-2023-newsletter\/","title":{"rendered":"International Programs: March 2023 Newsletter"},"content":{"rendered":"
MARCH 2023<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”166034″ img_size=”full”][vc_column_text]\n When James Martin was born, doctors told his parents that he might never speak. However, he did not only learn to speak, but 31 years later, on his birthday, he walked on Hollywood\u2019s biggest stage to collect his Oscar for Best Live Action Short Film, An Irish Goodbye. James became the first actor with Down syndrome to win an Academy Award. And, as icing on the cake, the entire audience sang \u201cHappy Birthday\u201d to him.<\/p>\n James Martin never let his condition hold him back. James Martin\u2019s father, Ivan Martin, is very proud of his son and revealed that he does everything with great gusto, and he\u2019s very glad that his efforts have paid off. \u201cHe has spent his life pushing the envelope. People are very good at saying, \u2019You can\u2019t do this, and you can\u2019t do that\u2019… He\u2019s done it, and he does it consistently,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Martin is the first person with Down syndrome to win not just a BAFTA but an Oscar too, and he\u2019s very proud of himself. \u201cIt doesn\u2019t matter if you have Down syndrome, as long as you\u2019re doing what you do. I do what I can to be funny,\u201d he said. His girlfriend also supports him and says the win was a magical moment. \u201cIt shows to everyone that it\u2019s changing your mindset on how people with disabilities can achieve as much as everyone else can,\u201d she declared.<\/p>\n For the past 10 years, Martin has been working at Starbucks. His co-workers and manager at Starbucks are very proud of Martin and his acting success, and to support him, good-luck posters were placed in the coffee chain\u2019s city stores. However, Martin\u2019s dad revealed that despite the fame, he doesn\u2019t see his son quitting his job as a barista anytime soon.<\/p>\n Martin caught the acting bug after he joined the Belfast-based Babosh theatre company for children with learning disabilities. There, Martin did all types of shows, and he enjoyed every moment spent there. This was a stepping stone for him, as he later managed to land the lead role in Ups and Downs, starring alongside actress Susan Lynch. Martin then went on to land a role in the series, Marcella, but his role in An Irish Goodbye, which won him both a BAFTA and an Oscar, is his most high-profile role to date.[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”166034″ img_size=”full” css=”.vc_custom_1685552691157{padding-top: 5px !important;}”][vc_column_text]\n 2023 BBLC Registration Now Open<\/strong><\/span> Registration Fee: $750 USD<\/strong> International Programs Registration Deadline: Thursday, June 1st, 2023<\/p>\n Attendance is limited to 60 attendees, so be sure to register soon and save your space at LC!<\/p>\n BBLC Market Resources<\/strong><\/span> Regional Meeting: Best Buddies Africa<\/strong><\/span> Regional Meeting: Best Buddies Latin America & the Caribbean<\/strong><\/span> Regional Meeting: Best Buddies MENA<\/strong><\/span> Regional Meeting: Canada and Dominica<\/strong><\/span> Regional Meeting: Europe<\/strong><\/span> Best Buddies Spain is to re-launch this Spring. Due to challenges from the pandemic, Best Buddies Spain paused programming but will now relaunch with new energy this Spring in Madrid. They will focus on the Best Buddies Elementary School program and monthly group events that include families. We are very excited to see what’s in store for Best Buddies Spain![\/vc_column_text] Students from Hong Kong Metropolitan University and the Buddies of Ngai Shun Home joined the one-to-one friendship activity. They enjoyed the palms drawing merrily at the first acquaintance.[\/vc_column_text] Pascale Khalil, Country Director for Best Buddies Lebanon!<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n This month’s Bestie Award goes to Pascale Khalil, Country Director of Best Buddies Lebanon. For over ten years, Pascale has organized inclusive events for individuals with IDD nationwide. She is also the Best Buddies Lebanon Board of Directors president and has tapped into different networks to produce innovative fundraising campaigns. Despite her country’s recent struggles, she continues to fight for a more inclusive Lebanon. Thank you for your hard work, Pascale![\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”166034″ img_size=”full” css=”.vc_custom_1685553352088{padding-top: 5px !important;}”][vc_column_text]\n It\u2019s no secret that there\u2019s a shortage in the workforce. As nonprofits see a revolving door of employees coming and going, more and more organizations feel the repercussions of short staff. To remedy this, focus on finding ways to retain staff through internal team building and professional development for example. Providing professional development for staff members will showcase your organization\u2019s investment in your team. When the professional grows, the nonprofit can grow.[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]\n Tomatoes are the most eaten fruit in the world.[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”166034″ img_size=”full” css=”.vc_custom_1685553764792{padding-top: 5px !important;}”][vc_column_text]\n Global Staff Webinar: Best Buddies Online Library<\/a><\/strong> (3\/15\/2023)<\/em><\/p>\n Global Staff Webinar: Corporate Citizens<\/a><\/strong> (2\/15\/2023)<\/em><\/p>\n Global Staff Webinar: Digital Marketing<\/a><\/strong> (10\/26\/2022)<\/em><\/p>\n Global Staff Webinar: Jobs Program<\/a><\/strong> (8\/4\/2022)<\/em><\/p>\n Global Staff Webinar: Strategic Planning<\/a><\/strong> (9\/28\/2022)<\/em><\/p>\n For more staff resources, please visit our Programs Staff Library<\/strong><\/a>[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”166034″ img_size=”full” css=”.vc_custom_1685553770684{padding-top: 5px !important;}”][vc_column_text]If you have an event, story, or Bestie nomination to share in our next International Programs Newsletter<\/em><\/span>, please send it to international@bestbuddies.org<\/a>.<\/p>\nCelebrating Inclusion Figures<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
HQ Announcements<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
\nRegistration for the 2023 Best Buddies Leadership Conference (BBLC) is now open! The 2023 Best Buddies Leadership Conference will be held from 21 – 24 July 2023 in Bloomington, Indiana. Please see below for important registration information and dates:<\/p>\n
\nParticipant Registration Link<\/a>
\nStaff Registration Link<\/a><\/p>\n
\nBelow you will find marketing resources including the BBLC 2023 logos, social media resources and fundraising guide.
\n2023 BBLC Marketing Resources<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”166034″ img_size=”full” css=”.vc_custom_1685552698033{padding-top: 5px !important;}”][vc_column_text]\nMonthly Events<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
\nWednesday, April 19, 2023<\/strong>
\n10:00 a.m. EST: Register Here<\/a><\/p>\n
\nWednesday, April 26, 2023<\/strong>
\n11:00 a.m. EST: Register Here<\/a><\/p>\n
\nTuesday, May 2, 2023<\/strong>
\n9:00 a.m. EST: Register Here<\/a><\/p>\n
\nTuesday, May 9, 2023<\/strong>
\n10:00 a.m. EST: Register Here<\/a><\/p>\n
\nTuesday, May 16, 2023<\/strong>
\n10:00 a.m. EST: Register Here<\/a>
\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”166034″ img_size=”full” css=”.vc_custom_1679960907797{padding-top: 5px !important;}”][vc_column_text]\nWelcome Best Buddies Spain!<\/span><\/h2>\n
Best Buddies in Social Media<\/span><\/h2>\n
And the Bestie of the month goes to\u2026<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Tip of the month!<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
Fun Fact of the month<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
Recorded Trainings on Google Drive<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n