The Tenderness Team

TENDERNESS NETWORK PARTNERS

Founder/Director: Richard Propes

Volunteer Coordinator: Sarah Kennedy

Minnesota Coordinator: Naomi Baker

Indpls Community Members: Susie Cherne', Laura Cherne',

CURRENT TENDERNESS TEAM MEMBERS

*The Tenderness Team is comprised of those individuals and organizations who support the Tenderness Tour's national events. Individuals and organizations listed serve as volunteers, professional support, media reps, healthcare practitioners, donors, consultants, confidantes, guides, hosts, etc.

Naomi Baker

Susie Cherne'

Laura Cherne'

Victor Smith

Elizabeth Aldora

Gloria Thornburg

Lydia Thornburg

Amy Beery

Dave Beery

Dave Felix

Katie Felix

Caryn Burton

Amy Merritt

Harriet Clare

Cindy Lanane

Laura Berry

Northview COB Youth Group

Michie Sebree

Kris Polega

Barb Dickason

Dawn Wood & Family

Paul & Sally Schrock

Valerie Lambert

The Kain Family

Anne Burget

PCA Indiana

PCA Minnesota

ICADV

Bikers Against Child Abuse

Northview Church of the Brethren

Phil & Louise Rieman

Melissa Webber

and the list is growing everyday!

CURRENT VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES!

The following volunteer opportunities are available for the "Tenderness Tour" as I prepare for an increased schedule beginning this Summer and a focus on preparation for more endurance oriented events.

Nutritionist/Dietitian

Are you experienced in both sports/weight loss nutrition. A glance at my recent photo with the Pacers can't hide the fact that I'm out of shape (mostly due to the winter months and my period of lesser employment). I'm looking for someone to assist with this issue as my training intensifies. I prefer someone in Central Indiana, though a distance opportunity may very well work.

Massage Therapist

This has been a long-standing tour opportunity as I've long experienced great benefit from massage. We had a steady tour massage therapist for over two years, however, this person has had to move on due to life circumstances. This volunteer should be quite comfy with physical disability and knowledgeable in both energy work and sports massage (while also being sensitive enough to handle survivor issues). I'd prefer someone who is willing to donate a minimum of one massage monthly in the evening hours (or weekend). For obvious reasons, this volunteer opportunity is limited to Central Indiana volunteers...however, I am constantly updating my list for willing road therapists as I do tour nationally (for example, I'll be touring it looks like in Cleveland, OH this July).

Medical Director

Minimally, this person should be an RN. They should be comfortable with physical disability and either knowledgeable of and/or willing to learn about spina bifida. This person (or team of persons) should be willing/able to provide solid medical advice and back-up support for training and tour events. Again, until recent tour changes, we did have a medical director. (Can you tell there's lots of wonderful changes going on here?) This, again, should be a Central Indiana person in terms of the "director," however, I'd very much like to establish contacts in other cities.

Tenderness Trail Coordinators

Many of you are aware that the Tenderness Tour website includes the largest online memorial to child victims of violence (and it's growing everyday). I am very actively seeking individuals in each state and country to help me keep the memorial up-to-date by monitoring their local news for names/dates of children who are killed as a result of violence. This volunteer or team of volunteers may also be a local liaison as I begin working on turning the online memorial into a living memorial. Volunteers are needed worldwide (each state and each nation of the world). This person also assists me by keeping track of state leadership and relevant issues of concern.

Tenderness Tour Board/Advisory Board

We have a growing advisory board, but I continue to explore this issue and accept referrals for advisory board members....especially those in the area of education, religion, social work and media (TV, Film, Music, News, Publishing). These spots are limited and we are selective. Current advisory board members include Tara Cardinal (our spokesperson), Katie Rego (radio), Aisha Castro (publishing) and others...

Hosts

I am always seeking opportunities to speak to schools, churches, youth groups, civic groups, etc...I have a wide array of experience from small groups to auditorium-sized audiences. I can get down into the nitty gritty of child abuse issues and/or provide a highly entertaining and inspirational speech. I work by love offering only (no set fees), however, I do ask for mileage if it's outside Central Indiana and assistance in locating a wheelchair accessible place to stay. Prefer weekends. I also love speaking at memorial/prayer vigils and am more than willing to organize memorial walks in your city.

Possible Internship

I am exploring the idea of a residential internship availability as much of the tour work is out of my 3-bedroom home. This internship would include free rent in exchange for a certain amount of volunteer hours weekly to include both Tenderness Tour and potential assistance with disability related issues. If this sounds like something you'd enjoy, contact me and we can discuss it more fully.