The Home for Humor & Laughter Professionals May 2017

Save The Date!

AATH Annual HumorConference & Humor Academy

April 12-15, 2018San Diego, California

This complimentary Humor Connection newsletter is one of the many ways thatAATH fulfills our mission to study, practice and promote healthy humor. Youcan join our efforts by joining AATH at www.aath.org

Letter from the AATH President - Nila Nielsen

I'm still smiling from ear-to-ear with happiness from the recent AATHConference in Orlando! I'm sure those sitting next to me on the planewondered what made me so happy. I didn't wait for them to ask. I told themthat I had just been with my 'AATH family' and that I already miss them!

The 2017 AATH Conference may be over, but the smile remains on my face!What fun it was connecting with first time attendees and re-connecting withthose who returned to help celebrate the 30th Anniversary Year of theAssociation for Applied and Therapeutic Humor. As your new President, Ithank you for your faith and support in me. I am so honored to be able to serveyou in this capacity.

As we are an international association, the opportunity to see each other oftenis difficult. However, each member knows that we are there to support oneanother throughout the year. When we do come together for our AnnualConference, it is undisputable that we are serious about packing tons ofLAUGHTER, LEARNING, and PLAY into our time together. It is one of the fewconferences offered where attendees can actively explore the therapeuticbenefits of applied humor.

Mark your calendar now to attend and connect at the 2018 AATH Conference.April 12-15, San Diego, CA at the Holiday Inn-Bayside.

Come get your smile on!Nila Nielsen, Ed.D., CHPAATH Presidentninielsen@me.com

Congratulations to our AATH2017 DFL Award Recipient

Book Review

Find Your Funny: The HumorSurvival Guide for Teens

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Willibald Ruch

The Doug Fletcher LifetimeAchievement Award is presented toeither a member or non-member inrecognition of: Dedication andservice to AATH, and/or a significantcontribution to the understanding andapplication of humor and/or laughterover an entire career with a definablebody of work through one or more ofthe following: speaking, teaching/training, research, publications, orprofessional practice.

Willibald Ruch, Ph.D. (Universityof Zürich, Switzerland)

Willibald Ruch is a Full Professor ofPsychology at the University ofZürich, Switzerland. His researchinterests are humor and laughter,cheerfulness and smiling. Hedeveloped a taxonomy of jokes andcartoons and its relation topersonality. Together with his team inZurich his research includes humorfrom the perspective of positivepsychology, the effectiveness ofhumor training programs and clowninterventions, the ability to laugh atoneself, the fear of being laughed at(i.e., gelotophobia), and bringinggelotophobe-savy laughter toavatars. He developed severalhumor assessment instruments andpublished about 180 researcharticles or book chapters and fivebooks. He served as a ConsultingEditor of Humor: InternationalJournal of Humor Research, on theExecutive Board and has been thepresident of ISHS in 2002. He is

by Barb Best, Joanne Jackal(Reviewed by Florence Ditlow, RN)

Authors Barb Best and JoanneJackal believe the power of humorcan be employed to balance thechanging, sometimes chaotic yetpotentially superior teen energy. Thebook is well described by anotherhumor advocate:

"Find Your Funny: The Survival Guidefor Teens is packed with laughterfun-facts and practical tips on how toflex your humor muscles. One of themost important aspects of this bookis the support the authors provide tohelp teens cope with and managenegative emotions." - Christa ScaliesFounder, Giggle On ®, Advocate forlaughter as a wellness tool forimproved mental, spiritual, physicaland emotional health and author ofSuicide Sucks.

The authors created a primer foryoung people in order to interestthem in their own sense of humor;then allow that humor to build theindividuals' health and self esteem.Theory and research are supportedby quotes, yet the tone of the work isengagingly conversational.

Clear and useful tips include:

Expose yourself to all types and1.

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coeditor (with Victor Raskin) of theHumor Research book series. In2001, he founded the annualInternational Summer School onhumor and laughter.

Past Presidents Honored atthe 2017 AATH Conference

Sporty King appointed Deb Hart asProgram Facilitator to honor pastAATH presidents. Each pastpresident was honored with a lapelwith a special key attached. Deb hadinvited the past presidents to sharetheir memories and advice. Thanksto Deb for an inspiring programhonoring these folks who havecontributed so much to AATH.

Deb Hart with Past President, SteveSultanoff

AATH HumorAcademy News

Our Humor Academy luncheon waskeynoted by the amazing Jill Knoxwho had us dancing and singing atthe end of her wonderful message onpeace.

The Humor Academy graduation wasan amazing celebration for thegraduates this year. Singing anddancing have become a tradition inthe celebration for the grads. Thisyear was no exception and the music

styles of humor. Laugh at other people's jokes andattempts at humor.

2.

Collect cartoons, jokes, comicstrips, funny pictures and stickersand put them where you'll see themoften.

3.

Memorize funny and insightful linesand use them to help you keepthings in perspective when timesare tough.

4.

Hang out with funny people. 5. Wear t-shirts, buttons or hats thatmake you laugh.

6.

Teens learn here that negativity isoften normal and to be expected.What about the sullen teen whowants to stay negative? She willread, "How not to be happy" andgiggle with recognition.

Research tips include laughing for 15minutes can burn off about 52calories (for sure). They support thevalue of humor cultivation byincluding facts such as "Chimps tickleeach other and even laugh whenanother chimp pretends to ticklethem." We can learn- even fromdistant relatives!

The authors included valued moviesas humor tools. Many of thesemovies are loved for their comedicpower and ability to take you to ahigher place. For example,"Anchorman," has pompous quoteswritten by Will Ferrell: "Mmm. I lookgood. I mean, really good. Hey,everyone! Come and see how good Ilook!"

"You know how to cut to the core ofme, Baxter. You're so wise. You'relike a miniature Buddha covered inhair" (addressing his dog).

"Don't act like you're not impressed."

Relaxation after laughter is a truebenefit which often paves the waytoward social bonding. The relaxationof post hearty laughter is a boon toease health, as well as mental clarity.Humor is linked to happiness. I wishevery library had "Find Your Funny,"

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and excitement rocked the house.

Congratulations to the Level IIgrads who presented their HumorAcademy projects at theconference this year.

Debbie Derflinger, Beth Slazak, KyleEdgell, Yvonne Brehan, ColleenCooke, Megan Werner, Cyn Keelerand Connie Pino (Not pictured).

Congratulations to the New AATHHumor Academy Certified HumorProfessionals

We will be highlighting a 2017 CHPgraduate in each of this comingyear's issues.

Congratulations 2017 CHP Grads:L-R: Guy Girard, Monnie Kinlaw,Sporty King, Heidi Hanna, PaulMoore, Harald Ellingsen, NilaNielsen.

Certified HumorProfessional (CHP)Recognition

The Positive Purpose of Humor -Harald Ellingsen

and I feel it needs to be on schoolrequired reading lists.

Finally, here's a quote which sums upall the good intent of Barb andJoanne: "Humor is not a trick, notjokes. Humor is a presence in theworld, like grace, and shines oneveryone." - Garrison Keillor

Members who would like their bookto be considered for an upcomingHumor Connection book review,should contact info@aath.org. Pleaseuse Book Review Submission in thesubject line.

RenownedNEW AATH Members

Did you know that we have two newLevel I Humor Academy studentswho are featured TED X Speakers? Itis awesome to have thesedistinguished new members in theAATH Humor Academy:

Paul OsincupAmy Oestreicher

Members - Let UsKnow Where You AreGoing!

Are you speaking somewhere soonor meeting with a group that may bea good fit for attending ourconference? Let the AATH officeknow in advance and we'll be happyto send flyers, brochures, materials toshare with the group. We may alsoconsider hosting an exhibit booth,where appropriate.

LaughBox

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My project is to develop and performa presentation/keynote about thebenefits of humor & laughter andwhy you should always choose apositive attitude. My goal is to makepeople both laugh and think. As Ifirmly believe humor enhancesinterest and learning, I will in mypresentation/ keynote includestandup comedy that underlines thetheories of humor. Some of thetopics to be covered:

Definitions of humorHumor and healthAppropriate vs. inappropriatehumorChoosing to laughThe power of attitude

The presentation will be presented inboth Norwegian and English. Notnecessarily at the same time.

~ Harald Eide Ellingsen is ourNorwegian board member. Harald isa standup comedian and publicspeaker about humor. His day job iswithin politics, but his heart is inhumor. Harald brightens the day withhis 'seriously funny' stories, leavinghis audience craving more.

Harald is pictured with Humor

Episode 2: Improv and Life with JulieOstrow.

Episode 3: What's So FunnyAbout...with Karyn Buxman, MSN,CSP, CPAE.

Sunshine News

Update on Julie Ann Sullivan - Thathad to be the best send-off ever forsomone going to the hospital. JulieAnn got so into her dance routine thatone of her amazing dance moves puther in the hospital. Julie Ann isrecovering and appreciates all thewell wishes.

Julie Ann Sullivan

2017 Conference

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Academy Founder, Mary KayMorrison and Humor AcademyDirector, Melissa Mork.

Member News

Beth Usher, CHP

Beth Usher was filmed by aHollywood Studies film crew at theAATH 2017 conference! As manyof you who were at the conferenceknow, our very own Beth Usher willbe featured in a documentaryabout Mr. Rogers. The film crewarrived on Saturday to documentBeth interacting with AATHmembers. They also filmed herpresentation on Sunday.Congratulations to Beth and herfamily.

Beth is also featured in the newbook, "If Our Bodies Could Talk" byJames Hamblin, Health Editor ofthe Atlantic. Here is link to thereview of his book in theWashington Post. It details theinterview for the book that he didwith Beth and her family includingthe role of Mr. Rogers and the storyof her brain surgery. AATH is alsofeatured in this book including aninterview with past-president, MaryKay Morrison. Click for interview.

Melissa Mork is highlighted in thisarticle in The Northwest Examinerthat mentions her incredible work asan AATH Humor Academy director,as well as her service on the AATHboard of directors.

Cheryl Oberg, CHP was featured inCalgary CBC News story about herwork as "Sparkle the Clown" atAlberta Children's Hospital.Congratulations Cheryl!

Dr. Bill Andress has startedprograms in therapeutic laughter attwo universities. One is at OaklandUniversity in Rochester Hills, MIwhere it is still being offered and hasbecome one of the most popular

Research Updates

2017 Research poster sessionsincluded Gurinder Bains, AssistantProfessor for the School of AlliedHealth at Loma Linda University,California. His topic was MirthfulLaughter vs Distress in theModulation of Inflammation (CRP)and Heart Rate.

Peter Ludovice Ph.D. from M.I.T.and post-doctoral studies at IGM,NASA and the EidgenossischeTechnische Hochschule-Zurichpresented his research at the 2017conference. Humor in EngineeringEducation.

Linda Seaman Ed.D in EducationLeadership, Northcentral Universitypresented her research at the AATH2017 conference in Orlando. Hertopic was An Exploration of StudentEngagement and Middle SchoolStudents' Perception of Humor Usedas a Teaching Tool.

Humor Conferences

Our "sister" organization is having aconference in Montreal on July10-14, 2017. Some of our AATHmembers will be presenting. Pleasevisit the ISHS site for moreinformation.

Our Lifetime Achievement AwardRecipient, Willibald Ruch invites youto attend the 17th Annual

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courses in the Wellness, HealthPromotion, and Injury Preventionprogram. He also teaches a laughtercourse at La Sierra University inCalifornia.

Willibald Ruch just did aninteresting you-tube clip for a healthinsurance company. Check it outhere.

Did you know that a good belly laughcan lower blood pressure? Dr.Michael Miller, our keynote speakerfrom our 2016 Arizona conference isfeatured in this article titled RXLaughter.

Send us Your Member News byfilling out our new form below:

AATH Humor Connection MemberNews Form

International Summer School andSymposium on Humour andLaughter at Purdue University inWest Lafayette, July 17-22, 2017.

DONATIONS TO AATH ARE TAXDEDUCTIBLE: Thank you for yourcontinued support of AATH!

You can write a check to AATH andsend to the office or you can:

1. AATH 2017 CONFERENCESPONSORSHIP: There are manyways that you can be a sponsor forour AATH conference for as little as$50.

2. SCHOLARSHIP DONATION: Youcan designate your gift to the WilliamFry, Patty Wooten or Ed Dunkelblauscholarship fund.

To make a tax-deductible gift toAATH, you may send checkdonations to the AATH office at:220 East State St., Floor GRockford, IL 61104

MEMBER ASSISTANCE: If you needhelp with renewing your membership,or if you have questions, reach out toMichele St. Clair and her team at815-708-6587.

REMINDER: AATH is officially recognized as a 501c3 and has been vetted by UNITED WAY. If you or anyone you knowmakes donations through United Way, please consider designating a portion of your generous gift to AATH and please

let others know of this opportunity.

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