The following comes from Grand Rapids' "SpankOut Day Organizing Committee:"

"If society brings peace to the children, the children will bring peace to society."

April 30, 2008, will be Grand Rapids' first "SpankOut Day". Parents and caregivers are being asked to use any of the various approaches to effective, positive, and non-violent disciplinary practices during that day. There are many effective, non-hurtful approaches to child discipline and these techniques will be highlighted through several planned community events and on-going resources.

Spank Out day hopes to reduce the amount and severity of corporal punishment in West Michigan, and to facilitate the beginning of a substantial community dialogue on childrearing practices and their short and long term effects on generations of children.

These events, all in Grand Rapids, are free and open to the public:

* March 1, Saturday, 10am-2pm: Table at Peace Festival, at Gerald R. Ford Middle School, 845 Madison Av. SE. The yearly Peace Festival empowers children, parents, and others to create peace in their homes, schools, and neighborhoods;

* April 3, Thursday, 7pm, 1118 Wealthy SE: "IGE Talks" open discussion on spanking, aired on public access TV;

* April 16: SEE-TV show (on public access television): Panel discussion. "Peaceful Parenting, Peaceful World". Panelists: Richa (moderator), peace activist; Rosalynn Bliss, child welfare worker and City Commissioner; Savator Selden-Johnson, Department of Human Services, and Sarah Scott-Brandt, artist and parent of a young child;

* April 17: Panel discussion "Peaceful Parenting" at Trinity United Methodist Church, 1100 Lake Dr. SE, GR; 6:30-8:30pm. Panelists: Maria Alvarez de Lopez, of Los Ninos Bien Educados; Bev Crandall, of Child and Family Resource Council; Randy Flood, Men's Resource Center; Jill Urbane, "The Mentor Mom", Parenting with Love and Logic;

* April 23, Wednesday, 5pm: Presentation on nonviolent parenting at Hard Times Cafe of Grand Rapids, 47 Jefferson Av. SE;

* April 28, Monday, 7-9pm: Panel discussion "Peaceful Parenting, Peaceful Community" at Eastern Av. Christian Reformed Church, 514 Eastern Av. SE. Panelists: Bonita Agee, Effective Black Parenting teacher; Elias Lumpkins, retired educator and present City Commissioner; Mary Beth Swanson, child welfare worker; Jake Terpstra, retired child welfare worker;

* April 30th, professionals will be available to support and educate parents and caregivers on the various approaches to positive, non-violent, and effective discipline techniques. From 8:30am-5:00pm call the Child and Family Resource Council: (616) 454-HOPE (4673); from 5-9pm call Institute for Global Education, 454-1642.

For information on nonviolent approaches to child discipline, contact the Child and Family Resource Council any weekday between 8:30am and 5pm: (616) 454-HOPE (4673) or visit www.childresource.cc or access material at www.stophitting.com

For more information on events, contact Richa at richa[-@-]dod.net or 245-8633