Breakout Session 3
Below you find information for the sessions that wereheld during Breakout Session 3 on Thursday, Oct. 17 from 2:00-3:00 p.m.
Create Inclusive and Affirming Spaces for LGBTQIA+ Youth
Rachel Puckett, Diane Wisnewski
LGBTQIA+ youth deserve to feel safe, respected, and celebrated in every part of their lives. Yet too often, they face discrimination, isolation, and a lack of understanding. It's time to change that. This session is for everyone who wants to create safe, supportive spaces for LGBTQIA+ youth. We will discuss how to address pushback, promote understanding, and identify inclusive practices. Let’s empower the next generation to live authentically and with pride.
Empowering Volunteers: Effective Training and Support Strategies (PART 1)
Christine Heverly, Kristy Oosterhouse
This session will enhance participants' understanding of the critical importance of training and supporting volunteers. Attendees will gain practical experience for on-going volunteer training ideas, the importance of setting boundaries for volunteer management, and ideas of ongoing support of volunteers.
Attendees should also plan to attend Part 2 during Breakout Session #4 from 3:15-4:15 p.m.
Fostering Cross-Institute Collaboration Concerning Water Quality in Michigan
Erica Clites, Erick Elgin, Sarah Fronczak, Brad Neumann
The quality of Michigan’s ground and surface water affects quality of life statewide. It isn't only about clean drinking water, it's also fisheries and recreational water, it's irrigation water, and water for livestock. This presentation will introduce the audience to what efforts are being made by Extension concerning water quality in the state of Michigan, from rural and farming landscapes to urban watersheds. Speakers from both AABI and CEFI will provide examples of programs ranging from stormwater to algae to farm nutrient management. There will be time for panel questions at the end. Water ties us together and our programs too! Come discuss how we can work together for cleaner water.
Literacy Ally Training (PART 1)
Shea Ross
This interactive workshop is focused on strengthening your capacity to broaden your reach to include all levels of adult readers. Anyone serving the public can benefit from this discussion about adult literacy and will leave with ideas of how to make any service and promotional material more accessible, effective and impactful.
Attendees should also plan to attend Part 2 during Breakout Session #4 from 3:15-4:15 p.m.
Michigan Natural Features Inventory: Which natural feature is best?
Tyler Bassett, Ashley Cole-Wick, Dan Earl, Rachel Hackett, Aaron Kortenhoven, Jesse Lincoln, Yu Man Lee, Scott Warner, Clay Wilton. Moderated by Courtney Ross and Becca RogersZoologists, Botanists, and Ecologists from Michigan Natural Features Inventory will engage in a friendly competition to convince attendees which natural feature is the "best" in speed presentations. Each scientist will convince you which plant, animal, or natural community Michigan natural feature is the best by sharing their unique life history, ecological services, and other factoids.
MSU Retirement Benefits
Sherry Van Kampen, Andrea Kirby
The session will highlight the different retirement plan contribution options for new and mid-career employees, along with retiree benefit information for those thinking about retiring from MSU.
Navigating the Election with Mindfulness
The Power of Facilitation: An innovative new program from LeadNet and the Facilitative Leadership Team
Will Cronin, Lindsey Gardner, Bethany Prykucki
The Facilitative Leadership program has served over 1,400 participants since its inception in 2008. The program is intensive, typically held two-to-three times per year, including a 90-minute webinar and a 3-day in-person workshop, during which each participant facilitates a 10-minute small group discussion and a 45-minute facilitation using process tools, giving and receiving extensive feedback on their facilitations. As partner needs have evolved in an era of tight budgets and staffing, LeadNet and the Facilitative Leadership Team have heard the requests of program alumni and stakeholders and have created "The Power of Facilitation," a short-form introduction to facilitation strategies and techniques. This new program enables participants to gain a basic understanding of group facilitation best practices without the major financial and time commitment of the full Facilitative Leadership program, can be delivered as needed in diverse venues, and will generate interest in the full suite of LeadNet programs, including Facilitative Leadership, Advanced Facilitative Leadership, Communicating Through Conflict, and The Great Lakes Leadership Academy. Participants in this session will have the opportunity to be among the first to experience this new program and provide valuable collegial feedback to the LeadNet team as it is rolled out.
Reconnection with Extension: The role Extension plays in addressing the Loneliness Crisis (PART 1)
In this session we will critically examine the underpinnings of the current loneliness crisis and discuss how we can leverage a better conceptual understanding of loneliness to enhance our work at Extension. The World Health Organization has recently declared loneliness a “global public health concern,” while others, including the U.S. Surgeon General, have declared loneliness an “epidemic” due to its increasing prevalence and wide-ranging health effects. Despite renewed interest in this topic, however, there seems to be a lack of consensus on how to confront the crisis. Before we can discuss solutions, we must first develop a foundational etymology, ontology, and epistemology of loneliness. The first portion of this session will provide a brief history of the study of loneliness and highlight multiple loneliness frameworks. We will then discuss how these conceptions of loneliness can inform modern solutions. Finally, we will conclude by discussing how Extension plays a unique and critical role in addressing the loneliness crisis.
Attendees should also plan to attend Part 2 during Breakout Session #4 from 3:15-4:15 p.m.
Removing the Noise and Telling a Story with Data Visualization
In this session, we will explore how to transform evaluation results into compelling visual narratives that resonate with your audience. Through a strategic approach, you’ll learn how to create high-quality graphs, charts, and infographics using tools. Our focus will be on simplifying complex data to highlight key insights, making your visuals not just informative but impactful. By the end of the training, you’ll have the skills to produce visual displays that effectively communicate your message to partners and stakeholders.
Together We Can: Co-Parenting (Part 1)
Raising children is a team effort! The adults in a child’s life need to consider the child’s needs as they parent together. Build upon your knowledge and skills to promote healthy family and parenting relationships and discuss healthy communication strategies. This workshop is for all primary caregivers and parents (married, divorced, single, step, etc.)
Attendees should also plan to attend Part 2 during Breakout Session #4 from 3:15-4:15 p.m.
Using Innovative Programming to Reach a Diverse Audience
Learn and be challenged in ways to expand your outreach efforts. This session will provide insight into how an international agriculture trip to Ghana provided a DEI educational opportunity focusing on the Deaf population in a 3rd world country.