Program
THE MAGIC OF AVP
Embedded Files
PROGRAM SCHEDULE
PROGRAM SCHEDULE
Opening and Community Building
Opening and Community Building
Friday May 26th 7:00PM - 8:45PM ET
Friday May 26th 7:00PM - 8:45PM ET
Presented by: AVP-USA Conference Committee 7:00-7:45pm
Presented by: AVP-USA Conference Committee 7:00-7:45pm
Also Presented by: The Baltimore Improv Group 7:45-8:45pm
Also Presented by: The Baltimore Improv Group 7:45-8:45pm
What will we be doing?
What will we be doing?
COMMUNITY BUILDING/COLLABORATION
Being fun and silly with each other
Pulling down barriers so everyone feels comfortable being silly with each other
Learning how to create and foster an environment that honors each individual
Learning how to create a judgment free environment where people feel safe to contribute their ideas to the team
Creating a Yes And! Environment for meeting and projects
Build connection with peers by allowing them to be themselves
COMMUNICATION SKILLS
A key facet of improv, we learn how to listen so people feel seen and heard
Listening with your eyes as well as your ears
Clearly stating what you want
Confidently communicating your ideas
How to use language effectively
Breakout Sessions
Breakout Sessions
Saturday May 27th 12:00PM - 1:45PM ET
Saturday May 27th 12:00PM - 1:45PM ET
Peace Fellow Forum
Peace Fellow Forum
The purpose of this is to connect with others and share how AVP has affected you. We will also practice how to be assertive in a Carefronting way. We hope to spread news about the new AVP Forum and present an exercise on Carefronting with open discussion about diversity.
Facilitators: Lakesha Allen, Jose Velez, AJ Naseem, and Sean Bell
Where is the Bias in This Room?
Where is the Bias in This Room?
This virtual interactive session will involve participants' exposure to a brief implicit bias assessment, a short video concerning bias, discussion in full group, as well as participation in break-out rooms.
Objectives:
1.Describe various forms of implicit bias
2. Detail the difference between implicit and explicit
3. Explore and reflect on their own implicit biases
4. Identify how one recognizes implicit bias
5. Review how biases might show up in an AVP workshop
6. Examine how one could possibly overcome their biases
Facilitator: Joseph Anastasio
Facilitator: Joseph Anastasio
LCSW – psychotherapist (working with adults, couples, children & families), trained community mediator and adjunct professor at Wilmington University (conflict resolution, mediation and trauma-informed approaches). Joseph is also a former teacher of children with disabilities. Joseph has worked with AVP as a facilitator since 2016. He was on the national AVP Board 2021 through 2022.
LCSW – psychotherapist (working with adults, couples, children & families), trained community mediator and adjunct professor at Wilmington University (conflict resolution, mediation and trauma-informed approaches). Joseph is also a former teacher of children with disabilities. Joseph has worked with AVP as a facilitator since 2016. He was on the national AVP Board 2021 through 2022.
Facilitators: Rick Grier-Reynodls
Facilitators: Rick Grier-Reynodls
Retired “Distinguished” teacher and administrator at the Wilmington Friends School. Has presented numerous workshops on the teaching of Peace Studies, International Relations, and Economics to college and secondary teacher education organizations. Currently, a consultant for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme; Delaware Co-coordinator for the Alternatives to Violence Project; Board member: Wilmington Friends School; Latino Initiative for Restorative Justice; substitute teacher at the Sussex Consortium (Autism) and teacher at the Osher/Lewes Academy of Lifelong Learning.
Retired “Distinguished” teacher and administrator at the Wilmington Friends School. Has presented numerous workshops on the teaching of Peace Studies, International Relations, and Economics to college and secondary teacher education organizations. Currently, a consultant for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme; Delaware Co-coordinator for the Alternatives to Violence Project; Board member: Wilmington Friends School; Latino Initiative for Restorative Justice; substitute teacher at the Sussex Consortium (Autism) and teacher at the Osher/Lewes Academy of Lifelong Learning.
Affinity Healing Space (for BIPOC)
Affinity Healing Space (for BIPOC)
The Affinity Healing Space is for people of color who feel oppression, discrimination, racism, to be uplifted, affirmed, and empowered to keep going towards building transformative power in their communities through AVP. This session will provide dialogue and affirmations to BIPOC affinity groups navigating racism to increase transformative resilience.
Objectives: Validate their experience and feelings and provide takeaways for them to take care of themselves. Provide a space of reflection regarding their experience with AVP.
Facilitators: Sarah Davenport, Monica Knight, Chad Pendarves, Dionne Davis
Facilitators: Sarah Davenport, Monica Knight, Chad Pendarves, Dionne Davis
Sarah Davenport is currently the chair of the Peace, Justice,and Social Committee and co-chair of the Peace and Conciliation Project Board. The Peace and Conciliation Project's mission is to heal the wounds of racial injustice through restorative practices. She has done local and international peace work and is currently a member of the Alternatives to Violence Project.
Sarah Davenport is currently the chair of the Peace, Justice,and Social Committee and co-chair of the Peace and Conciliation Project Board. The Peace and Conciliation Project's mission is to heal the wounds of racial injustice through restorative practices. She has done local and international peace work and is currently a member of the Alternatives to Violence Project.
White Identity Caucus
White Identity Caucus
A facilitated open-discussion for white-identified facilitators. A space where facilitators can express feelings, thoughts, or questions, perhaps even those that are harmful, without harming people of color in the process. A place where white facilitators take the lead and burden on to aid other white facilitators in the journey. This would be a judgment free zone where facilitators can learn without shame or guilt.
Facilitators: Miriam Bunner, Eleanor Novek, Rae Axelbank, Aaron Nell
Facilitators: Miriam Bunner, Eleanor Novek, Rae Axelbank, Aaron Nell
Youth Empowerment: Data 2.0
Youth Empowerment: Data 2.0
AVP Santa Barbara has utilized data to make the case for why AVP is a good resource for youth to partner with school districts and to show the impact AVP has on youth in the program. Come learn from a previous youth facilitator now staff member on:
What data can AVP groups can collect to understand the unique situations impacting the youth in their area and where to find it
How to turn that data into a story to bring to school board, PTA/O, school administration to make a case for AVP to be a program for the youth
Once a program is started what data to be collecting to evaluate and tell the story of AVP’s impact
The call will end with a Q&A discussion and sharing of resources.
Facilitators: JP Herrada, Ramiro Detrinidad
Facilitators: JP Herrada, Ramiro Detrinidad
Saturday May 27th 2:45-4:30 PM ET
Saturday May 27th 2:45-4:30 PM ET
Global Majority Hang-Out Space
Global Majority Hang-Out Space
The session will include sharing, reflection, healing movement and breathing and music. The goals of the session are to build community within the Affinity Group, to open dialogue about problems that members of the Affinity Group experience within AVP-USA, and to explore how we might begin to resolve these problems.
Facilitator: Sabrina McCarthy. Sabrina has been in AVP-USA since 2020, working with AVP-MD in a men's prison and a women's prison and working with AVP-AV on Zoom workshops for the community.
Facilitator: Sabrina McCarthy. Sabrina has been in AVP-USA since 2020, working with AVP-MD in a men's prison and a women's prison and working with AVP-AV on Zoom workshops for the community.
AVP and Money
AVP and Money
AVP need no longer be a volunteer effort. The bylaws allow facilitators to be compensated. We'll discuss what compensating facilitators looks like, what it means, and ideas for where to find funding and what the implications and considerations arise from paying facilitators; and possible models for paid AVP programming.
Facilitators: Pat Hardy
Facilitators: Pat Hardy
Education and Manuals
Education and Manuals
Our purposes are to (1) inform facilitators about the work and goals of education in manual development (Basic and Advance), and best practices in in-person and online AVP training; (2) to guide participants in using the Blue and Red Libraries for agenda development, and (3) to get participants' input and feedback regarding all of the above.
Facilitators: Betty McEady & Katherine Smith
AVP Education Committee Co-chairs and facilitators
Facilitators: Betty McEady & Katherine Smith
AVP Education Committee Co-chairs and facilitators
It Starts with Respect
It Starts with Respect
The purpose of this 2-part session will be to talk intentionally about respect and what that means for ourselves and others, and to assess our role and our relationship to anti-racism work. Participants will explore the word Respect and discuss the many ways it shows up in our lives, workplaces, organizations, and institutions. Using this as a basis for the second activity, we will consider our personal journeys in planting the seeds of racial justice.
The purpose of this 2-part session will be to talk intentionally about respect and what that means for ourselves and others, and to assess our role and our relationship to anti-racism work. Participants will explore the word Respect and discuss the many ways it shows up in our lives, workplaces, organizations, and institutions. Using this as a basis for the second activity, we will consider our personal journeys in planting the seeds of racial justice.
Facilitators: Sheila Gaskins – Facilitator at Maryland Correctional Institution for Women for over 20 years, Baltimore Youth Detention Center 2 years, community workshops 2 years.
Facilitators: Sheila Gaskins – Facilitator at Maryland Correctional Institution for Women for over 20 years, Baltimore Youth Detention Center 2 years, community workshops 2 years.
Eleanor Novek - State coordinator of AVP-New Jersey 14 years. Facilitator at Garden State Youth Correctional Facility, Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women, FCI Fort Dix, New Jersey State Prison, and community workshops.
Eleanor Novek - State coordinator of AVP-New Jersey 14 years. Facilitator at Garden State Youth Correctional Facility, Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women, FCI Fort Dix, New Jersey State Prison, and community workshops.
AVP Research
AVP Research
Research Committee will be presenting and discussing the new evaluation form created by International Research that we hope to be used internationally to document the success of AVP.
Research Committee will be presenting and discussing the new evaluation form created by International Research that we hope to be used internationally to document the success of AVP.
Facilitators: Jackie Labatt-Simon
Facilitators: Jackie Labatt-Simon
The Magic of AVP
Regardless of race, age, education, we are all able to contribute to the greater good not only of AVP and expect to be heard and included. I am so excited that AVPUSA is truly becoming diverse and hope that we will all be able to listen to and hear one another as AVP moves in to the future.
-Pat Hardy
Plenary - Essential Conceptions
Plenary - Essential Conceptions
Saturday May 27th 5:30-7:15 PM ET
Saturday May 27th 5:30-7:15 PM ET
Marissa Saunders and Essential Connections
Marissa Saunders and Essential Connections
Inclusive Leadership Coaching/DEIJ & Cultural Awareness Training/ NonProfit LifeCycles & Capacity Building/Board Development
Inclusive Leadership Coaching/DEIJ & Cultural Awareness Training/ NonProfit LifeCycles & Capacity Building/Board Development
Link to Marissa Saunders' Full Bio!
Facilitators: Marissa Saunders – Marissa Saunders is originally from Berkeley, Ca where she began her career with IBM as the Northern Ca. Region Event Coordinator; went on to work at MCI Telecommunications and Atlanta Gas Light in leadership roles. Marrisa Saunders founded Essential Conceptions.
Facilitators: Marissa Saunders – Marissa Saunders is originally from Berkeley, Ca where she began her career with IBM as the Northern Ca. Region Event Coordinator; went on to work at MCI Telecommunications and Atlanta Gas Light in leadership roles. Marrisa Saunders founded Essential Conceptions.
Planting a Tree of Diversity:
What You Need to Know
Planting a Tree of Diversity:
What You Need to Know
Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Understand and identify Unconscious Bias
Understand and identify Bystander Behavior
Understand how to interrupt Bystander Behavior
Develop skills, language and courage for accountability
Lead and sustain your personal journey of identifying Unconscious Bias and Bystander Behavior
Learning Outcomes
Learning Outcomes
How to create safe and brave spaces with one another.
How to hold one another accountable to the changes they have committed themselves to in the work towards dismantling structural ‘isms’.
Develop an understanding of the impact of Bystander Behavior and Unconscious Biases have to the services delivered to the community.
Business Meeting
Business Meeting
Sunday May 28th 2:45PM - 4:30PM ET
Sunday May 28th 2:45PM - 4:30PM ET
Bylaws
Bylaws
New and Returning Officers
New and Returning Officers
Although no changes to our Bylaws are being proposed this year, we would love your opinion and insights!
Although no changes to our Bylaws are being proposed this year, we would love your opinion and insights!
Interested in learning more about the Bylaws? You can click on the link below to view the unofficial proposed changes from the Bylaws Committee. These changes will be up for discussion through the next year. It's our job as the body of AVP to come to consensus on these proposed changes and/or send Bylaws Committee back to the drawing board.
Interested in learning more about the Bylaws? You can click on the link below to view the unofficial proposed changes from the Bylaws Committee. These changes will be up for discussion through the next year. It's our job as the body of AVP to come to consensus on these proposed changes and/or send Bylaws Committee back to the drawing board.
Bylaws Committee Members: Archer Bunner, Anika Flagg, Jackie Labatt-Simon, and Joseph Anastasio
How can I learn more?
How can I learn more?
Reachout to bylaws@avpusa.org if you have questions, comments, or concerns!
President Nominee:
Alisha Kohn
President Nominee:
Alisha Kohn
Alisha stated that: "AVP paved the pathway for me to get a second chance on life everyday I wake up making the second chance worth it. I do that by being in AVP, because we can all work together and we all deserve a second chance." And also that "Having ongoing conversation about the things that make us feel uncomfortable" is one way to increase inclusivity.
Adventurous Alisha is from Mid-Hudson NY AVP.
Vice President Nominee: Jonathon Jones
Vice President Nominee: Jonathon Jones
Jonathon states: "I feel my first year on the AVP-USA Board was tied down reacting to issues and concerns. I wasn't proactive with why I continue to give my time and energy to AVP. This year I want to build community with the AVP-USA Board, talk more about transforming powers , nonviolence and conflict."
Jonathon states: "I feel my first year on the AVP-USA Board was tied down reacting to issues and concerns. I wasn't proactive with why I continue to give my time and energy to AVP. This year I want to build community with the AVP-USA Board, talk more about transforming powers , nonviolence and conflict."
Journeying Jonathon is from AVP NY.
Secretary Nominee:
Anika Flagg
Secretary Nominee:
Anika Flagg
Anika stated: "My ideas are to have more commUNITY building within our local chapters, then state and the national level. The change must begin within ourselves first, then spread outward and upward. We all must look at what our biases, blocks, lived experiences or unhealed traumas are that create disconnects within our interpersonal relationships that can affect our work whether we are community and/or inside facilitators."
Anika stated: "My ideas are to have more commUNITY building within our local chapters, then state and the national level. The change must begin within ourselves first, then spread outward and upward. We all must look at what our biases, blocks, lived experiences or unhealed traumas are that create disconnects within our interpersonal relationships that can affect our work whether we are community and/or inside facilitators."
Anointed Anika is from AVP NY
At Large Nominee:
Emilio "Elmo" Reyna
At Large Nominee:
Emilio "Elmo" Reyna
I've been involved with avp since 2010 I have over 1k hours of volunteer work with avp my local chapter has actually lost count. I been not only a help in my local chapter but also some one that they rely on. I love avp I wanna help make it better place to volunteer and take it to another level being a former incarcerated volunteer.
At Large Nominee:
Leonarda Luna
At Large Nominee:
Leonarda Luna
My AVP journey began in 2014 while serving a 7-year sentence in a New Jersey Correctional facility. I learned very quickly that I wasn't alone. On every step of my journey I have met more people that I can count that have positively impacted my life. And in more ways than I can say, they have shown me that they weren't going anywhere and that AVP is family.
At Large Nominee:
Radical Rae Lieff Axelbank
At Large Nominee:
Radical Rae Lieff Axelbank
I first came into contact with AVP in New York, in 2017, at a friend's suggestion for how to broaden my conflict transformation activities. Since then, I have participated in a number of AVP-NY community workshops as a learner and then a facilitator, in person and online. Having recently settled in the DC-Maryland-Virginia area, I've connected with AVP-Maryland and am looking forward to beginning inside facilitation as well as community workshops here! Rae uses she/her or they/them pronouns.
Treasurer Nominee:
William Zuck Jr.
Treasurer Nominee:
William Zuck Jr.
Bill stated that: "I enjoy the great work that AVP does to help people overcome trauma and seek a non-violent path in life." And also that "Open honest communication between all persons involved," is one way to make AVP more inclusive.
Big Bill is from AVP Nebraska
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