Diversity & MultiCultural Workshops

A. Training Of Trainers I: Developing Introductory Diversity Workshops

(Introductory)
Thursday, November 8 – Sunday, November 11, 2007
Juan José Callejas, PhD and Sue Brotherton, PhD

The purpose of this workshop is to enable participants to design and deliver a basic, one-day Exploring Our Cultural Assumptions workshop for the workplace. After an introduction to fundamental workshop components (including exercises, lecturettes, simulations, videos, and handout materials), participants will work in teams to design a full, one-day workshop. They then will walk through the entire design, present one module in detail and receive feedback from the group. Participants will be introduced to the challenges of working in a multicultural team, examine their own "hot buttons," and learn to facilitate possible workshop predicaments such as heated discussions, anger, denial, and inappropriate comments.

PREREQUISITE: Participants should have experience in facilitating workshops in the workplace, and must have participated in personal cultural awareness training.

Juan José Callejas, PhD

Dr. Callejas, a senior associate with NMCI, is a consultant and trainer with expertise in human resources, organizational development, and research and evaluation. His clients include NASA, the U.S. Department of State and Freddie Mac. He specializes in cultural diversity, sexual harassment prevention, conflict resolution, and the prevention of violence against women. He has helped organizations with issues related to cross-cultural conflicts and communication and facilitates meetings and retreats related to strategic and action planning.

Sue Brotherton, PhD

Dr. Brotherton is a Professor of Educational Psychology and Counseling at California State University, San Bernardino with extensive experience as a diversity and ethics trainer. She teaches courses on Multicultural Counseling Issues, Legal and Ethical Issues, and Multicultural Counseling Fieldwork. She is the Diversity Leadership Forum Ethics Chair and is active on her campus and community promoting social justice. Her most recent book is entitled, Counselor Education for the 21st Century.

B. Training Of Trainers II: Developing Cultural Competency and Facilitation Skills

(Intermediate)
Thursday, November 8 – Sunday, November 11, 2007
Steven Rivelis, MSW and Karyn Trader-Leigh, PhD

This session is designed to enable individuals to develop and deliver a workshop in Building Cultural Competency. It will provide individuals with exercises, lecturettes, simulations, and experience in delivering workshops that address many of the skills necessary for working effectively in today's diverse workplace. The areas of skill development include cross-cultural communication, conflict resolution, facilitation, and team building. Participants will work in small groups to develop a workshop and present one module in detail. The session will include a trainer development component and participants will also be introduced to the principles of selecting different training techniques and practice dealing with difficult situations.

PREREQUISITE: Individuals must have participated in Workshop A, Developing Introductory Diversity Workshops, or its equivalent and should have experience facilitating introductory diversity awareness workshops in the corporate, education, government or non-profit sectors.

Ruth Littlejohn, MS

Ms. Littlejohn is founder and president of Working Life & Teams, Inc., a consulting firm that helps organizations navigate change. She has extensive leadership experience in pharmaceuticals, insurance and education. Ms. Littlejohn works with Fortune 500 companies, non-profit organizations and individuals and is the author of the article, "Diversity Practitioner, Heal Thyself," in OD Practitioner.

Steven Rivelis, MSW

Mr. Rivelis is CEO of Campaign Consultation, Inc., which has as its goal to advance community development, fund raising, diversity utilization, issue advocacy, and media and marketing. His clients have included NASA, the Supreme Court of Virginia and ChevronTexaco, Inc. He serves as adjunct faculty at Johns Hopkins University and University of Maryland School of Social Work.

C. Developing Strategic Diversity Initiatives

(Advanced)
Thursday, November 8 – Sunday, November 11, 2007
Manny Brandt and Dolores H. Fridge, MS

In this workshop, participants will explore models and tools of a diversity initiative including organizational assessments, diversity councils, recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce, staff orientation and training, community outreach, mentoring, and cross-cultural conflict resolution. Participants will have the opportunity to design or enhance an initiative for their own workplace, learn how to form and implement a Diversity Council, design and implement a communication plan, access resources that are relevant to their field and obtain feedback from presenters and participants on their plan. They will also discuss approaches to overcoming roadblocks and resistance to diversity initiatives, and develop strategies to obtain "buy in" from senior management.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND: Individuals who have the responsibility for developing, assisting or overseeing the design and development of an organizational/institutional strategy to address diversity related issues.

Manny Brandt

Mr. Brandt, Lead Trainer for NMCI, has worked extensively on NMCI’s projects with international organizations, colleges and universities, school systems, health care organizations, corporations and associations. He has many years experience helping organizations develop diversity councils and creating strategic plans for their diversity initiative. Recent clients include Sodexho, Valdosta State University, Lynchburg City Schools, and Georgia Power.

Dolores H. Fridge, MS

Ms. Fridge is serving as the Chief Resolution Officer for Medtronic, Inc. at their headquarters in Minnesota. She is the former Associate Vice Chancellor of Equal Opportunity and Diversity in the Office of the Chancellor for the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System. She assisted Presidents, Diversity Specialists and faculty to design and implement institutional plans and workshops addressing diversity. She is also the former Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Human Rights.

D. From Culture Clash to Reconciliation: Transforming Cross-Cultural Conflict through Sustained Dialogue

(Intermediate)
Thursday, November 8 – Sunday, November 11, 2007
Reena Bernards, MPA and Shahanna McKinney-Baldon, MA

Dialogue is an important way to bridge the gap between groups who need to work together but may not share the same life experiences, cultural values, needs or expectations.

In this workshop participants will learn a spectrum of facilitation and conflict resolution techniques, including the five stage Sustained Dialogue Process.  Participants will learn how to initiate, organize and facilitate dialogues across cultural, racial and ideological boundaries. Experiential exercises, model dialogues and other methods will be used to explore the goals of dialogue, ways to sustain dialogue beyond the initial phases, how to overcome obstacles, and move from dialogue to action. Participants will develop an individual action plan that will be relevant to their community or workplace.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND: Managers, human resources professionals, conflict resolution practitioners, educators, community leaders and others who wish to enhance their ability to resolve cross-cultural conflicts.

Reena Bernards, MPA

Ms. Bernards is a conflict resolution and diversity trainer. Through grants from the U.S. Department of State, she has trained women non-governmental leaders in Middle Eastern countries, including Syria and Morocco. She conducts peace dialogues between different ethnic groups in North America including Jews and Palestinians, and African Americans and European Americans.  

101. Exploring Our Cultural Assumptions: The Journey To Becoming Effective Cultural Allies

(Introductory)
Thursday, November 8 – Friday, November 9, 2007
Amber Mayes, MS and Emilio Williams, MHS

We view the world through individually constructed and societally imposed cultural lenses. Becoming aware of the presence and impact of these lenses constitutes the first step toward successful interaction with people whose lenses are different from our own. Through experiential exercises, videos, and group discussions, participants will develop an understanding of how pre-judgments and fears affect our perceptions and interactions with one another. Participants will begin to explore ways to become active allies to others and interrupt inappropriate speech and behavior by increasing awareness of stereotypes, dysfunctional group dynamics and privilege.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND: Individuals in all fields who are concerned with diversity issues, who want to become strong allies to those who have experienced prejudice and racism, but who have not had extensive personal cultural awareness training.

Emilio Williams, MHS

Mr. Williams is a diversity consultant and trainer with extensive experience in curriculum development, outreach, human resource management, and program development. His clients have included the Environmental Protection Agency, Prudential Insurance Company, Amtrak, and the Corporation for National and Community Service.

Amber Mayes

Ms. Mayes is an independent organizational development consultant specializing in diversity consultation, strategic planning, team development and leadership coaching. Her clients have included Verizon, Children's Fund, The Trust for Public Land, Bentley College and the District of Columbia Office of Planning.

102. Strategies for Engaging New Audiences in the Arts

(Inttroductory)
Thursday, November 8 – Friday, November 9, 2007(Cancelled)
Diana Hossack and Eva Young, MS

Many arts and cultural organizations have recognized that to remain vital and viable, they must appeal to and be able to engage diverse audiences.  This interactive and experiential workshop is designed to provide participants with tools and strategies for cultivating, engaging and retaining new and diverse audiences.

The workshop will address such issues as:  how individual beliefs, values, traditions and other dimensions of diversity impact participation in the arts; transforming organizational culture, systems and programs to support a diverse and inclusive environment for staff and visitors; strengthening relationships and actively engaging diverse communities and stakeholders; and attracting and retaining diverse candidates for positions at all levels of the organization (board/trustees, senior leadership, staff, volunteers).

WHO SHOULD ATTEND: Senior managers and other individuals who have responsibility for or are interested in creating and sustaining a more inclusive environment in arts and cultural organizations.

Eva Young, MS

Ms. Young is a Senior Associate with the National MultiCultural Institute and an Organizational Development Practitioner who works with a variety of organizations interested in creating productive, inclusive and culturally effective workplaces. Her clients have included the United Nations, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Community Partnership Training Program, InterAction, International Institute of Finance, Texaco, Sodexho, and the Centers for Disease Control and Preventi on.

Diana Hossack

Ms. Hossack has developed numerous national initiatives for artists, administrators, and audiences over her twenty-year career in opera. She created the Pittsburgh Opera Center, OPERA America’s Singer Career Network, and has worked for the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Pittsburgh Opera, the Pavarotti International Voice Competition, and OPERA America, the national service organization for opera, where she most recently served as Managing Director. Currently she is an MBA candidate at Arizona State University’s W.P. Carey Executive Education Program.

103. Diversity as a Springboard for Innovation

(Introductory)
Thursday, November 8 – Friday, November 9, 2007 (Cancelled)
Stephanie Pollock, MA and Julio Rodriguez

Innovation is often spawned in environments where diversity thrives.  Generational, ethnic, gender, religious and other differences are all present in today’s workplace. The varied experiences and world views of such a diverse staff can either be a boost to creativity and innovation in or a source of chaos and tension. 

This workshop will provide skills and tools for harnessing the power of workplace diversity to generate innovation.  Through a variety of methods including lecturettes, experiential exercises and group discussion, the participants will learn how to manage and leverage diversity to achieve positive organizational and group results.  Participants will also learn techniques for building and nurturing a creative environment with diverse talent, how to create a system for capturing and taking action on good ideas, and gain tools that help them become catalysts for innovation.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND: Senior managers, diversity managers and leaders, human resources professionals, community leaders and other individuals who wish to strengthen team and organizational innovation.

Stephanie Pollack, MA

Ms. Pollack  is founder of Creative Facilitations, a consulting firm specializing in experiential education, intercultural communication, and the arts. For 15 years she has developed and led innovative trainings and educational programs around the globe. Her clients include The International Partnership for Service-Learning and Leadership, Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, Institute of American Indian Arts and Center for Contemporary Arts of Santa Fe.

Julio Rodriguez

Mr. Rodriguez is the Director of Program Services in the Bureau of Workforce Development at the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. He is a national and international lecturer and trainer on cultural competency, team building and organizational development. He has done work for the U.S. Department of State, other government agencies and national and international organizations, such as Amnesty International.

104. Engaging Resistance

(Intermediate)
Thursday, November 8 – Friday, November 9, 2007
David Hunt, JD and Karyn Trader-Leigh, PhD

Resistance to any type of change, including efforts to create a diverse and inclusive workplace, is not unusual.   If ignored, it can be an obstacle to progress but, when valued as a source of feedback, resistance can help strengthen workplace diversity initiatives.

In this experiential workshop, participants will explore ways of leveraging the energy behind resistance to build commitment to a diverse and inclusive workplace.  Participants will learn to recognize and understand the cognitive, emotional and behavioral aspects of resistance. They will also develop effective approaches and strategies for managing resistance; and gain skills for identifying allies and building critical alliances.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND: Senior managers, diversity managers and leaders, human resources professionals and other individuals with responsibility for planning or implementing diversity initiatives.

Karyn Trader-Leigh, PhD

Dr. Trader-Leigh, a senior associate with NMCI, has over twenty five years experience working in NGO, and public and private sector organizations. She has held positions as the Director of Human Resources for Network Solutions and served with TRW as Director of Organization Development and Training. Her clients have included IBM, AT&T, NASA, United Nations, U.S. State Department, Save the Children and the Rockefeller and Knight Foundations.

105. Learning Style as a Dimension of Diversity

(Introductory)
Thursday, November 8 – Friday, November 9, 2007
Andrea Honigsfeld, EdD and Susan Rundle

Learning styles will be explored as a dimension of cultural diversity and as a tool to empower all learners. The workshop will utilize the Dunn and Dunn Model as a catalyst to examine diverse learning-style preferences and patterns of similarities and differences by age, gender, academic achievement level, and culture. This experiential workshop will explore how one’s environmental, emotional, psychological, and physiological learning-style preferences may impact the learning process. Extensive resources will be provided. Prior to the workshop, participants will take an online learning-style inventory designed for adults.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND: Classroom teachers, staff developers, teacher educators, diversity trainers, school administrators.

Andrea Honigsfeld, EdD

Dr. Honigsfeld teaches graduate education courses related to cultural and linguistic diversity at Molloy College, Rockville Centre, NY. During a Fulbright semester at Iceland University of Education, she assisted with starting a postgraduate program in multicultural education and lectured on diversity, second language acquisition, and learning styles.

Susan Rundle

Ms. Rundle is CEO and President of Performance Concepts International (PCI).  She is also Director of Adult Learning and Corporate Training at the Center for the Study of Learning and Teaching Styles, St. John’s University, Jamaica, N.Y.  She is the coauthor of the Building Excellence Survey.

201. Building Cultural Competency

(Intermediate)
Saturday, November 10 – Sunday, November 11, 2007
Amber Mayes, MS and Emilio Williams, MHS

The goal of this experiential workshop is to increase participants' knowledge and skills to deal effectively with cultural differences. Building upon a basic foundation of cultural awareness, this workshop will increase participants' effectiveness as cultural allies and provide skills that enhance their ability to1) communicate effectively across cultures; 2) clarify conflicting distinctions between cultural patterns and stereotypes; 3) resolve cross-cultural conflict constructively; 4) intervene in culturally offensive situations; and 5) develop the flexibility needed to function competently in culturally diverse environments.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND: Individuals in all fields who have previously taken part in basic cultural awareness training.

Emilio Williams, MHS

Mr. Williams is a diversity consultant and trainer with extensive experience in curriculum development, outreach, human resource management, and program development. His clients have included the Environmental Protection Agency, Prudential Insurance Company, Amtrak, and the Corporation for National and Community Service.

Amber Mayes, MS

Ms. Mayes is an independent organizational development consultant specializing in diversity consultation, strategic planning, team development and leadership coaching. Her clients have included Verizon, Children's Fund, The Trust for Public Land, Bentley College and the District of Columbia Office of Planning.

202. Debunking Deficit Theory and Other Education Myths: Strategies for Systemic Change

(Intermediate)
Saturday, November 10 – Sunday, November 11, 2007 (Cancelled)
Michael Sean Funk, MA and Paul Gorski, PhD

Deficit theory and other similar doctrines blame students’ disadvantaged circumstances for the lack of academic achievement too often found in poor schools and school districts. Such concepts ignore the impact of larger issues such as classism, racism, unearned privilege and systemic inequities that create and sustain the disadvantaged circumstances faced by some members of society.

This workshop will examine how education policies, practices and structural inequities disproportionately impact disadvantaged students; explore avenues for moving beyond deficit theory; and offer strategies for creating models of inclusive education by focusing on structural and systemic transformation.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND: Classroom teachers, staff developers, teacher educators, diversity trainers, school administrators, education consultants.

Michael Sean Funk

Mr. Funk is pursuing his doctoral degree in Social Justice Education at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Previously, he directed New York University’s academic enhancement program for undergraduate students of color, was co-Director of the Martin Luther King Jr. Scholars program, and created and trained facilitators for NYU’s College of Arts and Sciences freshman orientation diversity workshops.

Paul Gorski, PhD

Dr. Gorski is an assistant professor in the Graduate School of Education at Hamline University. He is the founder of EdChange, a collective of scholars, activists, and consultants who conduct workshops and develop social justice resources for educators. He serves on the Board of Directors of the National Association for Multicultural Education and has published extensively on multicultural curriculum transformation and other issues.

203. Cultural Considerations in Assisting Victims of Trafficking

(Introductory)
Saturday, November 10 – Sunday, November 11, 2007 (Cancelled)
Laura Shipler Chico, MSW and Eva Young, MS

There are an estimated 200,000 victims of trafficking in the U.S. and more enter each year. Identifying these victims and assisting them to obtain services is a difficult and complex process. It is important for professionals to understand the cultural context of the survivor's life experiences and world view in order to help them access services, recover from their trauma and build a new life. This workshop will increase participants' effectiveness in working with survivors of human trafficking by providing:

• Increased knowledge and skills for working with diverse communities;
• Enhanced awareness of the role of cultural competence in the identification of and service to victims;
• Greater understanding of the cultural barriers that victims and providers face; and
• Strategies to work more effectively across cultural differences.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND: Service providers, law enforcement personnel, and victims 'advocates who are working to identify and assist survivors of human trafficking.

Laura Chico

Ms. Chico is a social worker and trainer specializing in cross-cultural communication, peace building and trauma recovery. She has provided counseling and case management in the United States for refugees, immigrants, victims of human trafficking, and survivors of torture. She has lived and worked extensively in Rwanda bringing together survivors and perpetrators of the genocide for intensive dialogue and joint community recovery projects. Before moving to Rwanda, she worked on the Thai-Burma border with exiled women from Burma.

Eva Young, MS

Ms. Young is a Senior Associate with the National MultiCultural Institute and an organizational development practitioner who works with a variety of organizations interested in creating productive, inclusive and culturally effective workplaces. Her clients have included the United Nations, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Community Partnership Training Program, InterAction, International Institute of Finance, Texaco, Sodexho, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.