Dane County Service Clubs Speakers Bank

Roger Gregory Backes, M.S. 5804 Ledgemont Court, Fitchburg, WI 53711. Phone: (608) 276-4002. Fax: Call first. E-Mail: rbackes@tds.net See website at: http://www.coachbackes.com/

Subjects: 1. Personal Coaching, 2. Vietnam Gunship Experiences, 3. Men's Issues

1. "Personal Coaching -- A New Profession and a Cultural Revolution." The profession of Personal Coaching (aka Life Coaching) is developing rapidly. Since the early '90's, non-sport coaching has broadened from the business world out to virtually every aspect of life. From a professional membership of about 10,000 in 2000, coaches now number over 100,000.

What accounts for this spectacular growth? Effectiveness. This new approach quickly helps people improve their lives by refining goals, and creating and supporting action plans for achievements. Coaches come in many specialties, and all are focused on strengths and results. It is a cultural revolution because it breaks with the stigmatizing medical model focus on sickness or problems.

Coaching makes "the pursuit of happiness" a practical activity. Could you or someone you know benefit from coaching? Yes, says Roger, and he will provide current information from reliable sources in this interesting presentation.

Expertise: With over 30 years experience as a counselor and director of Yahara House, a psychiatric vocational rehabilitation agency, he is presently a full-time, self-employed Personal Coach and owner of Coaching by Roger Backes.

2. "Xin Loi Vietnam" (So Sorry Vietnam) The experiences of a Vietnam War helicopter gunship crewchief during the year of Tet.

Ever wonder what it was really like in combat in Vietnam? Ever wonder how to deal with the subject matter with a combat veteran?

Roger Backes shares his personal story (and optional videos) of his gunship in action during Tet and other intense combat action. He also suggests reasons for Vietnam Veteran's difficulty post-service, ways to bring up the subject, and ideas on how to best support any veteran.

Roger is a U.S. Army Vietnam War combat veteran during 1968 & 1969. He was awarded the Air Medal for Valor for heroism during combat actions between Saigon and Cambodia. Roger's combat leadership is highlighted in the recent popular book called Xin Loi, Vietnam, written by Al Sever. Questions are welcomed.

3. Men's Issues: What you don't know is hurting you (and those around you).

While going through a divorce in 1988, Roger Backes decided to seek support in men's groups. Roger discovered that there were several "streams" in the nascent men's movement, though each is the subject of ridicule in our popular culture. From the "I love you man" beer ads, to the mocking references to men drumming naked in the woods, Madison Avenue teaches us that only wimps join men's groups.

Roger joined the ManKind Project (MKP), which was formerly known as the New Warriors, starting with the "New Warrior Training Adventure" weekend, and he has participated in MKP Integration Groups since August of 1988. (See http://www.mkp.org/)

Besides leadership roles in MKP, Roger also started and led multiple men's groups at the First Unitarian Society for over sixteen years.

Most men are not aware of how their socialization has impaired their ability to experience the full range of joy as a human. In fact, they may even react to such an observation as somehow unmanly. Ask women, and they are profoundly aware of men's deficits, but do not understand them beyond the simplistic "can't live with them, can't live without them" or the more angry reference to men as having excessive "privileges" relative to women.

Which perspectives are true? None of the above. In fact, men have been socialized to lose the essence of their humanity, that is, men are trained to not be emotional. While men may have some privileges in the business world, and even at home, they have a very shallow emotional life. Yet, emotionality is the essence of our humanity.

Did you ever wonder why women have many intimate friends while men, beyond about age thirty, have none? On the other hand, why is it that the only emotion men are good at is anger? It is, sadly, a profile lacking in joy.

In this presentation, Roger Backes offers hope to men who wish to recover their lost humanity, and rediscover the joy some recall only as a distant and faint memory of childhood. In addition, Roger will help women understand men, and understand why boys in our culture are at their greatest risk ever.

Men must wake up - to save themselves, to save their relationships, to save the younger generation of males, who are literally dying from machismo. Moreover, men must wake up to their humanity to save our world from self-destruction by machismo.

Expertise: Roger has over thirty years experience with direct service and management of non-profit social services and psychiatric rehabilitation programming. He has a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology from Southern Illinois University, and Master's Degree in Counseling and Vocational Rehabilitation from the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago. He also has nearly 20 years of experience in men's issues and men's groups.

Roger is a member of the Madison Downtown Rotary, Toastmasters, First Unitarian Society, the Mankind Project, the International Coach Federation, and the Coachville Professional Coach Association, among others.

Roger is a Wisconsin State Certified Professional Counselor and a Certified Advanced Social Worker. He is the former Director of Madison's Yahara House, and, since 2000, he is self-employed as a professional Personal/Life Coach with Coaching by Roger Backes.

Updated 4/09

(Contact John Kanvik @ 608-245-1868 or email: jkanvik@att.net for questions, suggestions, additions.)