Symposiums Phase 2
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There will be four Symposium events – one in each of the four LOM territories. Each of them will have almost identical program features that will focus on widening the welcome and inclusion for persons who are often marginalized, particularly persons of color, persons who are LGBTQ, and persons who live with disabilities. Each LOM organization will be invited to have their executive director and two program staff members participate. Additional participants will be welcomed as space at the host site allows.
For the executive director and two program staff members, all expenses for the program and room & board at the host site will be covered by the Total Inclusion! grant. The grant will also cover airfare reimbursements for those who fly.
We are aiming for a very practical, “boots on the ground” approach that will help camps assure that persons who are often marginalized will be and feel welcomed, included, and invited into a pipeline that may include future camp leadership. The focus will be expanded from the Phase 1 Symposiums of creating a climate that is welcoming and inclusive to also being proactive in reaching out to persons who are often marginalized with the invitation to be fully a part of the camp community and to know that they are safe, welcomed, and included when there.
We intend to engage the participants in ways that will help them, for each of the three demographic groups that are often marginalized, to identify practices that will improve the quality of programming and outcomes for children and youth.
In a context of sharing and dialog, these are the specific participant outcomes for which we planning:
- To become more aware of barriers to the full welcome and inclusion sometimes experienced by persons who are often marginalized.
- To begin an assessment of the programs of their own camp in regard to barriers that need to be eliminated.
- To be aware of resistance that is often encountered while working for full inclusion.
- To develop strategies for reconciling conflicts that may emerge when total inclusion strategies are implemented.
- To identify strategies for an action plan to make continued progress. There will be time for participants to work on plans so that they can return to their setting prepared to implement the initial steps in their action plans.
- To offer recommendations for helpful resources that are available for camps as Total Inclusion! moves forward.
- To expand awareness of additional Total Inclusion! strategies by hearing what other camps are doing and planning.
- Through worship, devotional opportunities, and guided reflection, to be inspired and committed to the ongoing DEI initiatives of their camp.
- To have fun and experience the joy of working together on challenging endeavors.
The team of resource persons will vary slightly from one symposium to the next, but there is a core of resource persons who have committed to all four symposiums.
Singing, worship and devotions, as well as the workshops on total inclusion for persons of color, will be led by ”Just Move”. Joe Davis and David Scherer (JUSTmove) are both artists and educators who bring 30+ years of experience between the two of them in facilitating intercultural bridge building and personal growth. They have worked with individuals and organizations across the country to “move the needle” toward cultural humility and awareness. They are both Qualified Administrators of the Intercultural Development Inventory.
Jamie Bruesehoff will be leading the workshops focused on total inclusion of persons who are LGBTQIA+. Jamie (she/they) is an award-winning writer, speaker, and advocate. She is an openly queer woman married to a Lutheran pastor and mom to three spirited children, including a fifteen year old transgender daughter. She is passionate about sharing her family’s story, because she believes our stories are bridges to understanding, compassion, and celebration. Jamie writes and speaks about LGBTQ identities, policies and practices, inclusion, advocacy, anti-bullying, parenting and faith. Jamie strives to live and lead with love, grace, and courage.
Becca Fletcher will be leading a plenary session that will focus on helping participants to be prepared for reconciling conflicts and inappropriate behavior that may emerge when total inclusion strategies are implemented.
Becca, a staff consultant with LeaderWise, is a chaplain, consultant, teacher, mentor, and companion with over 10 years of experience in the healthcare field, with a particular focus on mental health and addiction. She is passionate about working with others to help them realize their best selves. Becca enjoys accompanying people and organizations on their journeys of growth, conflict resolution, and discernment.
Leading the sessions on welcome and inclusion for persons who live with disabilities at three of the four symposiums will be Lisa Drennan. Lisa is the founder of MERGE Diverse Abilities Inclusion Consulting.
Lisa’s career is marked by a profound commitment to fostering inclusion and improving the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Her journey starts at New England Village in Pembroke, Mass, where she moved from direct support professional to designing and opening the Sollar Wellness Center, a unique facility offering aquatics, fitness, music, art, and education specifically designed for persons with disabilities.
Transitioning to the South Shore YMCA as the Association Director of Inclusion in 2014, Lisa expanded her impact by developing innovative programs and playing a crucial role in staff training, emphasizing the importance of social and recreational inclusion. Her national recognition as a leader in the field and appointment as the Co-Chairperson of Y-USA’s Diverse Abilities Working Group underscore her influence and commitment on a broader scale.
In 2018, Lisa founded MERGE Inclusion Consulting, extending her expertise beyond the YMCA to offer consultation, staff training, and systems implementation to various community entities dedicated to disability inclusion. This move exemplifies her desire to share best practices and contribute to the broader mission of creating inclusive communities.
The Total Inclusion! Symposiums are scheduled as follows –
March 4-7. Camp Agape, Fuquay-Varina, NC
Airport: Raleigh-Durham (RDU). Latest flight arrival on March 4, 1:00pm. Earliest flight departure on March 7, 11:00am
March 18-21. Spirit in the Desert, Carefree, AZ
Airport: Phoenix Sky Haven (PHX). Latest flight arrival on March 18, 1:00pm. Earliest flight departure on March 21, 11:00am.
Registration Deadline: March 1
April 8-11. Bethel Horizons, Dodgeville, WI
Airport: Dane County Regional (MSN). Latest flight arrival on April 8, 1:00pm. Earliest flight departure on April 11, 11:00am.
Registration Deadline: March 25
September 23-26. Metigoshe, Bottineau, ND.
Airport: Minot International Airport (MOT). Latest flight arrival on September 23, 1:00pm. Earliest flight departure on September 26, 11:00am.
Registration Deadline: September 6