Helpful Resources
This page contains resources that can improve the quality of your efforts. Each is in PDF form and can be downloaded from this page. Most of these materials were created by me for an earlier nonprofit program. Note: These materials are free for participants, but other people who adapt or use them in other programs need to give credit at the start of the document, along with our giftofbeing.org web address.
Buddy Support Basics -- This is a 2-page overview of how to be a good support person. It's general, so it applies to supporting people on their Heartbeat efforts, or supporting people who are working on personal goals.
Goal and Growth Group Format -- The group's purpose is to help people achieve their goals. Since it's usually offered for free, participants are asked to set one stretch goal to help others. A group usually has three to six participants. The meeting is usually once a week and lasts 45 to 60 minutes. It can be done during a meal, or over coffee, or online, in a video chat.
Listening Well -- One page on how to do active listening and communication empathy.
80 Strategies To Do Good -- This is merely a list of actions generated by AI of possible good actions. I created it to help people brainstorm for possible Heartbeat actions. Often when you draw from a longer list, you come up with better options. (3.5 pages)
The Helping Inventory -- A way to assess the many ways you're already helping others (4 pages)
Choices Regarding the Empowerment of Others -- One day I decided to think about how we empower others. After a lot of thought I realized that consciously or unconsciously we make 18 sets of choices about who to empower and how. This seven-page worksheet will greatly help a lot of people who seriously want to make the best, most loving use of their time.
Integrating Communication Skills -- This is essentially a 15-page mini-course in communication skills. It covers Attending, Active Listening, Communication Empathy and Encountering (gently sharing when you see things differently.) It comes with exercises and a review schedule to help you really learn.
The CLEAR Meeting Format and Weekly CLEAR Worksheet -- You may not want to do a group, but you may want to use the five CLEAR areas to make more balanced efforts towards personal growth and helping others. (2 pages and one page respectively.)