Reposted from Abigail Manning

Dear Thriver,

Last month we talked about "Finding purpose in the next chapter." It resonated with many of you so I'm adding to the conversation.

Purpose is individually motivated and driven. That's why purpose is not a competition with others. On your journey of purpose, it is not fair (or wise!) to compare your path and progress to people you know or people you see from afar. Out of some of the hardest chapters in my life came my deep sense of purpose ... to help others develop their courage, strength, and confidence.
My journey eventually led me to moments I never imagined ... being a speaker at the Pentagon, Air Force National Symposiums and soon to be a two time keynote speaker for The Crisis Center’s Gala.
My message is a reminder that our purpose often grows from the very places we once felt broken, defeated or discouraged.
If you’re in a season of change or searching for deeper meaning, take heart ... you’re not alone. Look with curiosity at what is challenging you right now. Your strength is there, waiting to be discovered.

Let’s grow together!
Abigail

Purpose

Your Purpose isn’t a Competition
Your purpose is not a race, a ranking, or a scoreboard.

 It’s not meant to look like anyone else’s and comparing your journey to someone else’s highlight reel only steals your peace.
We all have different paths, different seasons, and different timelines for growth. What matters is not how fast you move, but how aligned you are with what truly matters to you.
When you stop measuring your purpose against others, you free yourself to fully live it, authentically, wholeheartedly, and at your own pace. You learn to live unapologetically with courage, strength and confidence.

Purple Thread tip: Dig down to your purpose by asking…

"When do I feel most alive, useful and aligned with who I truly am?"
"What activities or hobbies do I enjoy and I can lose track of time?"
"What do I want my legacy to be? My family to say about me?"
Write your answers down. Talk them over with a trusted friend. Patterns will appear and that's where your unique purpose takes shape and shines through.

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Reposted from NSCC

NORTHERN STATES CONSERVATION CENTER
COLLECTIONS CARETAKER E-NEWSLETTER

INVENTORIES
By Peggy Schaller

Who will do the Inventory?

Only those persons authorized to be in the collection areas should be in charge of doing a Collection Inventory. All helpers during this process must be trusted Collection Staff, another staff member or background checked volunteers. All volunteers must be paired with a staff member and should never be allowed to work in the collection unaccompanied.

Collection Inventories, at their most efficient, are done with teams of two–one person to handle and describe, the other to record the information on the Inventory sheet. One member of this team should be a collection staff member, the other may be a volunteer or other staff member.

Before beginning an inventory, each person involved should go through a short training session on proper handling of collections and how to describe artifacts. Remember, the descriptions required during an inventory are NOT cataloging descriptions, but short, concise descriptions that will allow you to tell one artifact from others of a similar nature.

So how do you go about doing an inventory?

To avoid having your inventory turn into an exercise in frustration, you must have a systematic plan. Do not hop from one shelf to another, or one room or another, you will tend to forget where you have been and will surely miss something. Do one room or section of the museum at a time. Choose a starting point within that room or section and proceed in a logical manner one shelf or case at a time. Always finish each section/shelf/cabinet/drawer before moving on to the next.

Peggy Schaller became Publications Manager at Northern States Conservation Center in 2012; Certificate Program Coordinator in early 2013; and Newsletter Editor for the Collection Caretaker e-newsletter in the fall of 2013. In 2014 she was asked to become the course monitor for all the online courses offered by Museum Classes Online and has been known to lurk in the background of various class chats. She has been an instructor for Museums Classes Online since 2004 teaching collection management courses. 

Ms. Schaller founded Collections Research for Museums in 1991 to provide cataloging, collection-management training and services. She has worked with a large variety of museums and collections for more than 30 years. She provides workshops and project services to museums and historical societies all across the country. The mission of Collections Research for Museums is to inspire museums to improve their professional standards, collections stewardship and service to their constituency through training in, and assistance with, documenting, preserving, protecting and managing their collections. For more information visit her web site Collections Research for Museums

To learn more about how to prepare for and complete a collection inventory join Peggy for MS218 Collections Inventories beginning November 4, 2025.

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from Robert A Carotenuto

A huge thank you to Bill Powers, who helped launch my ASIS International volunteer leadership journey back in 2013.

When I first joined ASIS International in 2008, I tried several times to join the ASIS Cultural Properties Community (then called "council") but wasn't accepted. The feedback then was that they needed to be cautious of people "padding their resume."

Fast forward to GSX 2013-I was serving as AVP of Security at the New York Botanical Garden (without any council membership on my resume) when I met Bill, then Chair of the Cultural Properties Council. Bill was passionate about growing membership through diversity of talent and skills. He welcomed me in, and that moment changed everything.

Three years later, I was honored to be named ASIS International Council Chair of the Year. The best part? The incredible friendships I made with professionals who are the best in the field of cultural property protection.

Thank you, Bill, for taking a chance on me-and to the leaders who followed thanks to your vision, including our dear friends who have passed:Leslie Norman Cole and Gary Miville.

Grateful to have "padded my resume" with the names of these outstanding ASIS Cultural Properties Community professionals:

Andy Davis (MSc., CSyP, FSyI, CPP), Doug Beaver, CPP, Ricardo Sanz Marcos, Todd Lacy, Glenn Dowd, CPP, Ibrahim Bulut, James Clark, Dr. Declan Garrett D.SyRM, GRCP, GRCA, CBCI, F.ISRM, M.Sec.II, Daryll Marshall (in memoriam), James McGuffey, CPP, PCI, PSP, Paula Ratliff-and the others who will remind me in the comments!

Reposted from Readywhen.org

READYWHEN

A New Model for Disaster Readiness

Harnessing the Skills of Mass Gatherings Experts to Build Community Preparedness

Disasters are testing the strength of America. But we can be #ReadyWhen it matters most.

Weather disasters now strike every four days on average, causing $182 billion in damages and displacing 11 million Americans every year. Over 95% of Americans live in counties that have experienced major disasters in the last 15 years. Traditional emergency systems are overwhelmed and understaffed.

But there’s a solution hiding in plain sight…

Disaster response starts with neighbors, not strangers. When professional help can take 72 hours or longer to arrive, communities with robust social networks make better evacuation decisions, conduct faster search and rescue, and provide more effective immediate relief. The people who know your neighborhood, run your local venues, and organize community events already have the trust, communication channels, and many of the skills to support coordinated action when disaster strikes, especially when those networks are already prepared and connected with local emergency management.

Time is running out to build these connections before the next crisis

In 2024, the U.S. experienced one Major Disaster declaration every four days, with 267 out of 366 days having at least one active disaster somewhere in the country. Over one-third of Americans lived under a disaster declaration at some point last year.

The question isn’t whether your community will face an emergency—it’s whether you’ll be #ReadyWhen it happens.

Read more at: https://readywhen.org/

IFCPP is proud to share a bit about this important new initiative in advance of the role that ReadyWhen will play at the IFCPP 27^th Annual Conference in New Orleans on April 18 & 19, during pre-conference educational activities and workshops…

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By Tim Fang

November 3, 2025 / 3:50 PM PST / CBS San Francisco

Authorities released surveillance footage as they search for two people suspected of stealing priceless artifacts from the Oakland Museum of California last month.

On Monday, the San Francisco office of the FBI and Oakland Police released photos and video of the suspects. The pair are accused of breaking into the museum's off-site storage facility around 3:30 a.m. on Oct. 15.

According to an FBI statement, the first suspect is described as a male with a thin build, wearing a black beanie, white face mask, plaid long-sleeve shirt, blue jeans and black shoes.

Surveillance footage of two people suspected of stealing items from the Oakland Museum of California during a burglary at an off-site warehouse on Oct. 15, 2025. Oakland Police Department

Meanwhile, the second suspect is described as having a heavy build, wearing a blue hoodie with white letters on the chest, blue pants, white shoes with black detailing and black gloves.

Lori Fogarty, the museum's director, told CBS News Bay Area on Oct. 29 that the stolen objects are priceless in terms of historical value, but not something that would be incredibly valuable in terms of selling on the black market.

"We have one of the greatest holdings of California history anywhere," Fogerty said, adding that the museum's collection includes more than 2,000,000 items, only a handful of which can be on display at any given time.

Purpose

To ensure a safe, lawful, and coordinated response if U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrive at a venue for enforcement actions:

1. Preparation & Designation

- Designate a Response Team: Identify and train key personnel (e.g., security, legal, HR) to respond to ICE actions.

- Establish Points of Contact: Assign a primary and backup contact for ICE interactions.

- Know Your Layout: Clearly define public vs. private areas of the venue.

2. Initial Response

- Stay Calm and Professional: Do not panic or confront agents.

- Verify Credentials: Request identification and documentation from ICE agents.

- Do Not Consent to Searches: Politely decline any request to search without a judicial warrant.

  Suggested response: “You must speak with our designated representatives who are being alerted.”

3. Legal Considerations

- Request a Judicial Warrant: Only judicial warrants (signed by a judge) grant access to non-public areas.

- Distinguish Between Warrant Types:

  • Judicial Warrant: Required for private areas.

  • Administrative Warrant: Does not grant access to non-public areas.

- Do Not Accept Warrants on Behalf of Others: If the warrant is for a third party (e.g., tenant or vendor), notify them immediately.

4. Communication Protocol

- Notify Internal Teams:

  • Security
  • Legal Counsel
  • Senior Management

- Alert External Stakeholders:

  • Visitors, contractors, concessionaires, or tenants (if applicable)
  • Other partners

- Document the Encounter: Politely record agent names, badge numbers, and actions taken.

5. Access Control

- Public Areas: ICE agents may access lobbies, waiting areas, and other unrestricted zones.

- Non-Public Areas: Require a judicial warrant for access.

  Response: “This is a private area. You cannot enter without a judicial warrant signed by a judge.”

6. Conduct Guidelines

- Do Not Interfere: Avoid obstructing agents or destroying documents.

- Do Not Leave Agents Unattended: Ensure trained/designated staff members are present, and accompany agents in non-public areas at all times.

- Minimize Interaction: Be courteous but avoid unnecessary conversation.

- Do Not Speak to Media: Refer all inquiries to your communications team.

7. Post-Incident Actions

- Debrief and Report: Conduct an internal review and document all details.

- Legal Follow-Up: Consult legal counsel for any implications or next steps.

- Staff Support: Provide guidance or counseling to affected employees.

ZeroEyes-

Learning From the Past to Protect the Future

When violence reaches churches, lives are changed forever—and vital lessons emerge. In this 60-minute webinar, experts Simon Osamoh and Brent Tsuda will analyze real-world case studies of gun violence in churches to reveal practical, actionable security insights.

Together, we’ll explore: 

Patterns behind targeted church violence and the warning signs often missed
Why reactive-only security models fall short
How AI-powered gun detection can silently add a layer of protection, without disrupting worship or creating fear

Date- October 23, 2025
Time- 1:00 pm EST

Reserve your spot today

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Reposted from CNN

Spanish police are investigating the disappearance of a painting by Pablo Picasso after it apparently vanished on the way to an exhibition.

The 1919 gouache work “Still Life with Guitar,” which measures just 12.7 centimeters by 9.8 centimeters (5 inches x 3.9 inches), was supposed go on display from October 9, as part of a temporary exhibition at CajaGranada Cultural Center in the southern Spanish city of Granada.

The work is owned by a private collector and was insured for an estimated 600,000 euros ($700,000), the CajaGranada Foundation, which owns the cultural center, confirmed to Reuters Friday.

The Friday before the exhibition was due to open, a van belonging to a transportation company arrived at the cultural center as scheduled to deliver works from Madrid, CajaGranada Foundation said in a press statement Thursday. All the works were moved in a single, continuous movement from the van to a freight elevator that took all the transportation company employees at once from floor -1 to floor 1, the center said. The items were then transferred from the elevator to the exhibition hall under video surveillance, according to the statement.

After verifying the origins of the different packages, the exhibition manager agreed with the transportation company that the delivery would be signed for, ahead of the unpackaging of the pieces the following Monday.

The packages remained under video surveillance at all time over the weekend, and the unpacking began at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, according to the center. The recordings have been checked and no incidents occurred over the weekend, it said. By mid-morning, the CajaGranada Foundation staff had finished unpacking the works and had positioned them in the room. This is when the exhibition curator and head of exhibitions realized Picasso’s “Still Life with Guitar,” known by its Spanish title as “Naturaleza muerta con guitarra,” was missing. The foundation then reported the missing work to the police, according to the statement.

The video recordings from the weekend were checked and no incidents had occurred, it said. The police said the missing work has been added to the international database of stolen artworks but noted that there is no international police cooperation currently being carried out from Granada. Thieves have often targeted Picasso’s paintings, which have fetched up to $179 million at auction.

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Reposted from CNN

Thieves stole “priceless” jewelry from the Louvre in Paris in an audacious seven-minute raid that took place just after the world’s most-visited museum opened on Sunday.

In what appeared to be a professional heist, the robbers used a truck-mounted ladder to gain access to the Apollo Gallery, one of the most ornate rooms in the Louvre, and made off with artefacts from the French Crown Jewels, dating from the Napoleonic era. Two high-security display cases were targeted, and eight of the nine items taken remain unaccounted for, including a tiara and necklace worn by Queen Marie-Amélie and Queen Hortense, the French culture ministry said in a statement. 

The thieves forced open a window using an angle grinder and stole jewelry that has “sentimental value and is priceless,” French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said. Four perpetrators appear to have been involved in the theft, who were unarmed, but threatened the guards with the angle grinders, Paris Prosecutor Laure Beccuau said.

Beccuau said that investigators have not ruled out foreign interference as a possible line of inquiry into the theft; but were keeping all leads open. The thieves dropped or left behind one item – the crown of Empress Eugénie, the wife of Napoleon III.  The ornate gold piece, which features 1,354 diamonds and 56 emeralds, was damaged in the heist, prosecutors said. “Beyond their market value, the items have inestimable heritage and historical value,” the interior ministry said in a statement.  French President Emmanuel Macron said that “everything is being done” to catch the suspects. “The theft committed at the Louvre is an attack on a heritage we cherish because it is part of our history,” Macron said on X, “ We will recover the works, and the perpetrators will be brought to justice.”

A detailed list of the stolen items released by the culture ministry revealed a single earring from the sapphire parure of Queen Marie-Amélie and Queen Hortense, an emerald necklace and pair of emerald earrings from the parure of Empress Marie-Louise, the “reliquary brooch,” and the tiara and large corsage bow brooch of Empress Eugénie were stolen in the heist. An attempt to set fire to the truck used to carry out the raid was foiled by a Louvre security officer, according to the culture ministry’s statement.

The robbery took only seven minutes, with the suspects fleeing on motorcycles, Nuñez told France Inter radio. “Clearly, a team had been scouting the location. It was obviously a very experienced team that acted very, very quickly,” he aid.

“I am confident that we will very quickly find the perpetrators and, above all, recover the stolen goods,” he added.

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Reposted from Tim Richardson

When is the last time you gave a truly important speech? One that you pondered, developed, and hoped would make a lasting impact?

I just gave one last week. I like to think all my speeches are important – I want every one of them to leave the audience inspired, informed, and ready to act. But last week’s speech felt different. It was deeply personal.

It was my wedding toast – for my daughter and her new husband.

I wanted it to be memorable, so I fretted over it for several weeks. My goal was to make it resonate with everyone in attendance, even though it was primarily directed toward two people.

While I felt this short speech was one of the most meaningful I’ve ever given, I’m not entirely sure it landed the way I hoped. It’s not their fault. There were a lot of distractions—other speeches, the cake cutting, pictures, greeting guests, anticipation for their upcoming honeymoon to Mexico, and of course, dancing. A lot of dancing!

Sadly, if you asked the wedding guests what they remembered from my toast that evening, the list might not be very long.

That experience got me thinking about how important it is to make sure your message sticks, especially in today’s distraction-filled world.

Whether you’re giving a presentation to a community organization, speaking at an industry conference, leading an office meeting, motivating a youth sports team, or addressing a committee at your place of worship – you want your message to stick.

And there will always be distractions.

Here are a few thoughts that may help you deliver a sticky presentation, thoughtful speech, memorable report, or inspiring keynote:

1. Prepare. I started writing my toast shortly after my daughter got engaged. I let the content roll around in my head for several weeks before rewriting and revising the first draft.

2. Practice. During my early morning exercise time, I rehearsed what I planned to say – over and over – until I felt completely comfortable with my content.

3. Use humor. I knew the speech might get emotional, so I wanted to lighten it with humor. I came up with the idea to give my new son-in-law a “marriage book” with a funny, made-up title.

4. Use visuals. Instead of just talking about the book, I brought a large, oversized book as a prop when I shared my “secrets to a long and successful marriage.”

5. Ask for input. I’m fortunate to have speaking colleagues all over the world whose experience I can draw upon. When I developed the book idea, I called a speaker friend—who’s also a former stand-up comic—for feedback. He suggested that I not only show the book title but also share a few “chapter titles.” We brainstormed several funny ideas together.

6. Offer a call to action. Although my remarks were directed at two people, I wanted my message to apply to everyone—especially other married or engaged couples in the room.

7. Provide a takeaway. I knew the couple might not fully absorb my words that night, so I made a note to share my speech in writing with them later.

Giving a memorable speech—whether it’s to an audience of hundreds or just a few family members—requires more than preparation. It takes intention, clarity, and connection. No matter the setting, when your words come from the heart and are crafted with care, they have the power to stick long after the music stops and the lights dim.

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