Sustaining Inclusion and Belonging in Today's Shifting Political Climate (a Leadership Ecosystem Webinar)

Where: Webinar/Virtual

When: Thursday, February 15, 2024
12:00pm - 1:30pm EST

Note: Zoom login instructions will be sent the day prior. If you have not received login instructions by 4:00 pm the day before the webinar, please check your spam folder, if you still have not received the login details please email nercomp@nercomp.org.

Workshop Organizers:
Michael Cato, Senior VP & CIO Bowdoin College and member of the Leadership Ecosystem Working Group

Event Overview:
After a few years of intense focus and broad support, there is a movement to dismantle efforts that seek to increase representation and focus on inclusion. From the Supreme Court decision on Affirmative Action to states outright banning these efforts, to vocal celebrities, this resistance appears to be gaining traction in several areas, and many are finding themselves having to defend this work.

This session seeks to dialogue on these issues and explore strategies to sustain and advance inclusion and belonging initiatives, even in the face of growing resistance in the current political and cultural landscape. The session will be a conversation between inclusion and belonging professionals as well as leaders who have successfully navigated these challenges in various sectors. They will share their insights, experiences, and practical advice to help you and your organization stay committed to the critical work of fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment for all.

Participants will:
 - Understand the Resistance - consider the origins, motivations, and manifestations of this resistance.
 - Learn best Practices for Advocacy – gain insights into successful tactics and approaches that can promote inclusion and belonging.
 - Develop Communication Strategies - discover how to effectively communicate the value and importance of inclusion and belonging initiatives to diverse audiences, including those who may be skeptical or opposed.
 - Build Alliances - learn the importance of building alliances across different sectors and communities to strengthen the impact of inclusion efforts.
 - Learn Self-Care and Resilience - explore strategies for maintaining your own well-being and resilience while doing this challenging and often emotionally taxing work.

Panelists:  
Michael Cato,  Senior VP and CIO, Bowdoin College 
Anita Davis, Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Trinity College
Benje Douglas, Senior VP for Inclusion and Diversity, Bowdoin College

Registration Fee:
NERCOMP Member: Free
Non-Member: Free

This session will not be recorded.

This session is for individuals employed by higher education institutions only. No vendors, please.

Accessibility
NERCOMP strives to make its online offerings and In-person workshops accessible for all registrants.  Please contact us should you have an accessibility need. We've worked to provide resources that are accessible to as many people as possible, and if you encounter any issues while attending our events, please contact us at accessibility@nercomp.org or at 860-345-2081 to request assistance.