The Problem
There is a definite lack of knowledge about moral injury within the veteran and clergy community. Some chaplains have no idea how much women veterans are truly suffering and how little support they receive. Many chaplains think of moral injury as something that only happens to combat soldiers. For
Women veterans are widely spread throughout the U.S. and civilian clergy represent a source of support for these veterans. However, many of them don’t know what to do to help women veterans. Many women veterans have a low level of financial and transportation resources.
The Research
Much of the moral injury research that has been conducted to this point has centered on the experiences of men in combat. Moral injury in women often happens due to other circumstances, such as military sexual trauma and disrespect from military men. To develop a theory of moral injury for women veterans, we are interviewing women who served in the U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, or Coast Guard. To find out more, go to: https://misns.org/projects/.
The Conferences
Besides conducting cutting edge research, Moral Injury Support Network for Servicewomen, Inc. (MISNS, pronounced “missions”) has teamed up with the Women Veterans Social Justice Network to host
The Women Veterans Military Moral Injury Conferences take a diversity approach to spirituality and faith. Clergy and practitioners from a wide variety of faiths, disciplines, and religions are welcome. The conferences will include healing and mind/body events.
Dates
The first two conferences will take place this spring, March 26-27, 2020 and May 14-15, 2020. Stay tuned to the announcements page, or contact Dr. Daniel Roberts at droberts@chaplainconsultants.com, 910-690-4964 for more information.
Register for Either Conference
If you register at least 10 days before an event, your investment is only $50 and includes the program book and a great event of professional speakers, roundtables, and workshops. Within 10 days of an event (after March 15th or May 5th), your portion is $75. Even at that rate, it will be well worth it. The conferences are open to people of all genders. To register, click here: Registration.
Purchase Sponsorship or Ad Space
To make the conference affordable for veterans who are on limited budgets, there is no charge to attend. Sponsors, exhibitors, and donations are needed to defray the cost of the event and provide travel scholarships for those veterans who are short on funds. There are many levels of sponsorship, from $10,000 to $500. Non-profit organizations, government agencies, and faith communities pay half price for exhibitor space and ads. Sponsorship benefits include exhibitor space, company logo in program books, advertising on web pages, luncheon tickets, and opportunities to present your organization at the conference.
We also accept donations. Moral Injury Support Network for Servicewomen, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that accepts tax-free cash and in-kind donations. Consider donating cash for veteran travel scholarships or in memory of a woman veteran or chaplain. In-kind donations may include food, beverages, paper goods, hotel rooms for veterans or speakers, technology assistance for disabled veterans, program printing, welcome bags and other items.
Downloadable Documents:
To find out more, contact:
Dr. Dan Roberts, Conference Chair/Coordinator
Moral Injury Support Network for Servicewomen, Inc.
droberts@chaplainconsultants.com 910-690-5964
or
Dr. Christiane O’Hara
WVSJ Network
christianeohara@wvsjnetwork.org or christianeohara@gmail.com
404-538-4470
Conference Advisor:
Women Veteran Social Justice Network (non-profit) https://www.facebook.com/4wvsj/
EIN 45-5296843
WVSJ Network is the lead advising agency on this project and provides leadership on program and event development, cultural competency, and other important aspects. WVSJ is an outreach and community based non-profit working to bring together national and local resources available to women veterans in a single, easy to understand and navigable resource. The online social network organization started with peer support groups that utilized social media and education, to inform, support and advocates on behalf of women veterans. It focuses on issues of Military Sexual Trauma (MST), Moral Injury, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), homelessness, suicide awareness and prevention, and VA and community based services and benefits available to women veterans and their families.
WVSJ continues their primary mission of providing information, education, encouragement, and support to women veterans, regardless of the era in which they served, as well as support tools and resources to the veteran’s families and the community at large. It supports and partners with others in the academic, military, faith, and other communities in joint programs of benefit to women veterans.
Moral Injury Support Network for Servicewomen, Inc., EIN 84-3369740 https://misns.org
Moral Injury Support Network for Servicewomen, Inc. specializes in education, research, and advocacy in military chaplaincy and soldier care. RRC’s research focus is on pastoral support to female service members. Women are an underserved population when it comes to spiritual leadership and support. By conducting studies with female service members as the primary population, MISNS is able to develop theories and practices that will enhance the lives of women in the military.
