Summit on WE Schedule

This session will identify how individuals on a personal and professional level can create safe spaces/zones as one navigates through their own DEI journey. Creating safe spaces means allowing individuals to bring their full selves to “the table” without having to filter what they say, how they say it, or how they truly feel. Creating this environment ensures mutual learning is possible and that all participants feel protected from risk or harm. A Safe Zone Conversation © (SZC) is defined as dialogue amongst a group of people purposely engineered to discuss human topics that can be deemed sensitive, uncomfortable, or complex in nature. It is an environment of mutual respect and inclusivity, a safe place for people to speak their minds and be brave.

• Develop an understanding of safe spaces.
• Learn the components necessary to create safe spaces.
• Learn about a Safe Zone Conversation © and how to be an active participant as a professional.

It is imperative for organizations to create safe, inclusive cultures where people see, appreciate, and respect each other’s humanity. That requires open, honest conversation and accountability. It also requires a genuine commitment from leadership to integrate diversity, equity, belonging, inclusion, and safety into the fabric of the organization. What doesn’t get measured, doesn’t count. What isn’t seen as having a direct correlation to your bottom line, doesn’t matter.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify practical strategies to uncover hidden biases and facilitate inclusive interactions
• Analyze the tangible and intangible impact of unconscious bias
• Explore the “PER”fect Framework for Courageous Conversations
• Discover the 4 Cs to move from being a bystander to an ally and advocate

Associations are on DEI journeys. So you've developed your DEI strategic plan or you've added language to your organization's strategic plan that specifically relates to DEI. Now what? This session will provide you with 7 operational steps that you can implement to move your DEI strategy forward.

During this session, you will -

• Learn new and innovative ways to implement DEI throughout all areas of your association
• Reflect on your association's progress and experience what other associations are doing to enhance their progress along their DEI journey
• Develop an understanding of how different industries define and communicate DEI value to its membership

Black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) colleagues, leaders, members, and employees face obstacles, injustice, and racism daily. Participants in this session will discuss approaches to effective allyship including how to use privilege to empower others, becoming a better ally to marginalized individuals and groups, and how to act and apply what you have learned. This session is designed to engage participants in conversation and to share ideas regarding the creation of resources, education, and engagement opportunities for association professionals, their members, and other key partners. All are welcomed and encouraged to share ideas, stories, experiences, and questions, with other association leaders seeking to elevate DEI within their organization.

Objectives:

• Understand the difference between being an ally and an accomplice
• Identify opportunities and challenges associated with being an anti-racist
• Discover valuable resources and ideas from other association colleagues
• Consider what you’ll do now or next as an ally within your organization

Change happened suddenly. You didn’t plan for major disruption. The pandemic turned your world upside down and thrust you right out of your comfort zone, big time. Nevertheless, over the past two years you adapted to a different way of working, communicating, and interacting. However, now a cultural disruption is occurring and are you prepared to leave your comfort zone one more time or is fear standing in the way? Fear of leaving your comfort zone stifles growth, halts progress, and negatively impacts behavior leading to an overwhelming sensation of not in control. Instead of being comfortable doing your work, you find change discomforting, intrusive, and limiting your overall performance. This session unravels the mystery of the comfort zone, unmasks the fears that hold you captive, and provides simple strategies to eliminate fear and create an adaptable work environment for successful change now and in the future.

Learning objectives:

• Reflect upon the impact of change on professional performance.
• Recognize the stages of discomfort in relation to personal experience with change.
• Create an adaptable work environment for ongoing change.

In this session, members of the Association Forum Welcoming Environment (WE) Committee will reflect on the past, present, and future of Association Forum’s Welcoming Environment Initiative. They will roll out the committee’s new charge and share the new direction of WE and get feedback from attendees about what you want to see with WE moving forward. Together we will create a stronger sense of community for all members of Association Forum!