Going to the Big D...

Last week we had a rocking good time at the International Headquarters of CAMPUSPEAK Inc located in beautiful Denver. We cannot thank the gang enough for making it a wonderful learning experience.

The interns especially know how to bring the noise.

Which reminds me...if you are fabulous and looking for real world experience that is second to none. Intern at CAMPUSPEAK (details at www.CAMPUSPEAK.com).

myspace safety 411

Social Networking sites have taken society by storm. They have afforded us opportunities to reconnect with old friends, loves and in some cases, missed chances at love but these mediums are also alive and well with internet predators. Not to burst any bubbles all these sites such as Facebook, myspace and Friendster are all safe when used well, safely.

Ok, starting with the basics. Never give out your complete name, address, phone number or credit card numbers to anyone. This all seems obvious but you might be surprised how many predators can coax this information out of someone. I would never share that information with a stranger but someone I regarded as a friend, well that may be a different story. Truth be told, we are all very comfortable behind the computer as it seems to establish a wall of protection but if not administered properly it can make you an easy target.

So before we get in too deep, I want you to log in to your myspace account, Friendster or otherwise and set this puppy to safe mode. Or if you want to be searchable then simply clean up your profile. Now I am 100% a fan of these social mediums. I have found dear friends from college and high school as well as been able to see how that hot guy from back in the day turned out (still fabulous). But, I have learned to proceed with caution and you my friend, can too. For example, let’s say you decide to blog about a pretty rough day at work. Clients making you crazy, your boss even (I know that would never be the case with you all but suspend disbelief for but a moment) and your loving and sympathetic friends, comment on your blog about how your law firm should get a grip. How just because William’s name is on the marquee does not make him king and you are so talented as a young family law attorney if they don’t watch it- you will walk.
Now to a non-stalker type you and your posse are holding your cards pretty close to the chest, keeping it nice and vague. However if a stalker really wanted to find you at this point they have more than enough information.

Ok, killers, stalkers and perverts aside, let’s talk about who else may be reading all about your girls gone wild Friday night or how a night with the boys got a little out of hand. Your boss, your future dream boss, your professor or even you own family. None of whom need to know about that table-dancing scene that seemed so right at the time. So be smart and aware and take precautions to protect yourself and your future.

However if you fall prey to a predator, (which is frighteningly easy to do) perhaps you simply accepted a stranger, as your friend who will not leave you alone then you need to take this threat seriously. Follow these steps to stop the harassment. Keep everything! I know your inclination when a creeper will not back off is to rid yourself of everything that reminds you of them but for your safety- DON’T! Do not delete messages, chat logs, comments or otherwise. Store them on a disk and print out hard copies. Then call the police and ask for the Computer Crimes unit or for an officer who addresses online incidents. Most experts say if you have received a direct death threat or threats of physical harm call the FBI Computer Crimes unit. When calling in a crime make sure you stay calm, know your facts (who, when, where ETC) and let them know you have your documents for review. If you feel you need additional resources then visit www.i-safe.org, www.haltabuse.org, www.cyberangels.org or feel free to contact me directly at Becca@KellyandBecca.com as I would be happy to walk you through this process. The internet is an incredible source of knowledge and information but it is also a bit of a danger zone when explored recklessly. So proceed with caution but by all means proceed.

Becca and Kelly are I-SAFE certified, to learn more visit www.KellyandBecca.com

T.E.A.R. Teens Experiencing Abusive Relationships

I love me some Tyra Banks! For those of you who have not had an opportunity to tune into her daytime talk show, in addition to great make-up tricks, positive body image motivation and fabulous hair tips, she shares her incredible passion for women's issues. Many of her shows focus on helping young women to be strong, confident and empowered. You go Tyra!
I caught a few minutes of today's show and it reminded me how important it is to believe in ourselves; if we do that, anything is possible. Some of the guests on her show today were young women in their teens that have been in abusive relationships. These former victims of abuse decided to take action and started a support group for teen girls who need help getting out of abusive situations. The organization is based in Brunswick, NJ and has blossomed into an incredible non-profit organization with the mission to prevent dating abuse through education. Their goal is to one day provide services nationally.
This is the perfect example of what a strong, confident, impassioned group of women can do when they come together and support each another. Congratulations ladies! Thank you for all you have done and will continue to do!
For more information about TEAR and to learn how to help teens experiencing dating violence please visit: http://www.teensagainstabuse.org/index.php

Staying safe on-line

In a world where cyber stalking and cyber predators appear to be everywhere I would like to share a tool with you to help you protect any kids in your life (your own, your students, extended family and even employees). Today's "kids" often speak in a on-line code known as leetspeak.

Leetspeak is almost impossible to discern with the naked eye. However if you visit the site http://www.learnleetspeak.com you can translate any messages your loved ones may be sending or receiving. I hope this helps keep you and your loved ones safe.

Happy and safe surfing. If you have any more questions, let us know.

Always-
Becca
Let's Talk About "IT"
Meet me on myspace www.myspace.com/beccatalksaboutit
www.Kellyand Becca.com
Life is best if lived without fear but with awareness.

Finally Cool Part Deux

Myspace is absolutely everywhere and now, I too am a proud member. I don’t know why, but I have been feeling somewhat hesitant and unusually cautious about the whole cutting edge technology based communication thing. Man, I sound old! For months, (okay maybe weeks, I tend to exaggerate) I have been avoiding the inevitable. It's not that I don’t want to be ultra cyber hip, and technologically savvy as all get out; really I do! It's just that I want to commit to these sorts of critical life changing moments on my own terms. The time has come, as I knew it would. Today, the commitment has been made. Myspace is no longer your space, it’s my space too, or how about our space, yeah that's nice.
Feel free to check out my amateur myspace page at-http://www.myspace.com/kellytalksaboutit

Actively recruiting myspace friends,
Kelly

Violent crime rises with one exception

Nationally violent crime is rising according to the FBI with one exception, rape. Reports indicate rape is showing a decline. Now this data remains heavily disputed as well as celebrated depending on where you stand. From where I sit, I am just glad we are talking about it. Regardless of trends rape is so devastating when it occurs, even one is too many.
The good news?
Many times it is preventable. Start a dialogue with your campus police, local police, Women's Centers and motivated peers to impact your community and therefore making this a better world to live in.
You can change the world.
Need help?
Contact us at www.kellyandbecca.com and we will gladly assist in anyway we can. In addition, go to www.girlsfightback.com and buy the newly released sure to be a best seller, Girls Fight Back! The College Girl's Guide to Protecting Herself.
No matter what action you take, make sure you take action. Because until we all declare violence unacceptable it will continue to rise.

Wishing you a safe and empowered day.

To read the news article on this topic visit http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13389272/

Becca is finally cool!

So after spending a week in Virginia learning all about Cyber Safety, I decided to explore myspace. I knew all the cool kids were doing it and so I decided to move in on the action. I have to say it has turned out to be a great experience. I have reconnected with some friends from long ago and far away as well as several students we have met while traveling. It is an interesting tool to learn more about musicians and artists as well as that hot kid in English. There are a lot of safety things to consider and we would be happy to help with that (just write to us at info@kellyandbecca.com).

All and all I am glad to have arrived to hip communication land and now I see what the hype is all about. If you want to help me on my quest of cool, hit a sister up at

http://www.myspace.com/beccatalksaboutit

Always-

Becca

My new mantra.

There are moments which strike each of us, I am personally deeply affected by words that are sung or written. Tonight I stumbled across this quote-I am my message- M. Gandhi. I felt it beautifully summed up my life and my own mission. Thank you Gandhi for yet another flash of magnificence, your words and your legacy are immortal.

Kelly in the DR

Court & Kelly enjoying the mountain views

Miles and miles of beautiful white sand beaches and crystal blue water

My husband and I recently returned from vacation in the Dominican Republic. This was our first time in the DR and we had a fabulous time. We were spoiled at the absolutely beautiful all inclusive resort we stayed at and spent much of our time enjoying the endless food and beverage! Probably a litte too much, but hey we were on vacation! Lots of relaxing, eating, exploring and napping. The perfect vacation.

Panelists discuss Duke rape accusations - News

Click here to read about it- Panelists discuss Duke rape accusations - News

Water Heater a Go Go

This week has been intense and a little off. After the best Easter ever (being Jewish the bar was low), I returned home to a water heater gone caput. Following a unpleasant clean up we finally went to bed. Monday I got the run around and ultimately no one could help me. Yet, my loved ones showered me with empathy. Friends and family were like, "oh no" and "that is just awful". People called to see how we were and if there was any progress, they all really cared and rallied around us. It was all incredibly nice and much appreciated but all I could think was, it is just a water heater. It could be much, much worse. I thought a lot about the amazing survivors we have met on our journey and how they would take a busted water heater any day. I guess that is another perk to the work we do, we see pain and survival everyday. I have seen the human spirit flourish in difficult situations and it makes for a tempered perspective. Sometimes that very perspective saves us from ourselves.

It is Wednesday and the hunt for a water heater and install marches on. Today, I have had the worst customer service experiences of my life. I was frazzled, mad and frustrated but then I remembered it is just a water heater.

What we do does define us.

Experience is not what happens to a woman.
It is what she does with what happens to her.
-Aldous Huxley

Wonderful quote, the only thing I would add is that I am always amazed by women and men. That within each of us is the power to change the world.

We miss Bill

We're in Little Rock, Arkansas this week and had some extra time to check out the Presidential Library of our friend and yours, President Bill Clinton. It's an awesome library/ museum and we highly recommend you take a few hours to check it out if you're ever in Little Rock. A gig at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock is what brought us to the quaint, all-american town. A special thanks to Sarah at UALR for being so great to us and for introducing us to the tastiest spinach dip we've ever had!
Missing Bill,
Kelly and Becca

Hip New Resources created by RAINN

An article from RAINN's recent newsletter that's worth sharing...
RAINN Prepares to Launch the Web's First Secure Online Hotline
Twelve years after creating the nation's first decentralized national hotline, RAINN is once again about to redefine just how hotlines work. This fall, RAINN will launch the National Sexual Assault Online Hotline, which will be the web's first secure hotline service, offering live help 24 hours a day.
We're creating the Online Hotline in response to user demand for a new way to access services. While calls to the national telephone hotline continue to increase (the hotline provided free, confidential help to 137,039 people in 2005, up 44% in the last three years), research and observation are finding an increased reluctance among young people to use the phone.
Because nearly half of all rape victims are under 18, and fully 80% are under 30, we have no choice but to respond to the growing desire to communicate online instead of by phone. It's the natural — and necessary — evolution of hotline services.
One click will take users from rainn.org to the Online Hotline. There, they will anonymously request help and be connected to a trained volunteer for live, one-on-one support. While there's lots of advanced technology at work behind the scenes, the user's screen will be as clear and intuitive as instant messaging, so there's no learning curve.
The pilot launch of the Online Hotline will begin in May, with a national launch expected in September. For more info, visit rainn.org/programs/online-hotline/.

Warm Southern Charm

GIG'EM AGS! Kelly's husband is so proud!


We recently had an opportunity to spend some time at the South Eastern Panhellenic Conference in Atlanta. This conference is always fun for us as we're southern sorority women ourselves and enjoy spending time with our peeps. We had a chance to meet several remarkable ladies at our break out session on Friday morning (you know who you are). The women who came to our session, came for many different reasons- they wanted to learn more about sexual assault, the program sounded fun, they're concerned about date rape on their campus, they are a survivor, they want to help a friend who is going through this, they're ready to break the silence on their campus and start talking about "IT". Whatever the reason, we thank you for coming and we hope that the session was all you wanted it to be.

Being at Greek leadership conferences is a constant reminder of the important role Greek students play on campus. It's up to each of us to make our Greek experience count. Meeting so many wonderfully talented, energetic, intelligent and fun folks in one place is confirmation that we (all Greeks) have the passion, integrity and power to make our campuses the safest and best place to spend some of the best years of our lives.

Your sisters,
K & B