June 2008 Achievements
Workshops and Presentations
Diversity Council staff presented a workshop to the Mayo Clinic Human Resources
Department using the film The World According to Sesame Street as a
springboard for discussion on conflict resolution.
New Workshop Piloted
In June we piloted a new workshop on mindset
development. Drawing on research from the field of psychology,
this workshop explores how experiences form our perception of the
world, and how that mindset then colors how we perceive future
experiences. Understanding how the human mind works makes it easier
for us to understand and break down our own stereotypes and prejudices.
New Facilitator Training
The Diversity Council’s 36-hour facilitator training course
concluded in early July, adding 6 new community members to our
team that leads workshops in local schools. A new class begins
soon. Contact Education Director James Robertson at 282-9951 if
you’re interested.
Town Meeting Initiative Progresses
The Diversity Council has been chosen by
the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) to coordinate
a community coalition to evaluate community assets and needs and
create an action plan addressing the coalition’s findings. The Rochester Town
Meeting Initiative will focus on immigrants and the assets they
bring to the workplace. The core leadership team met in June
to receive training from SMIF and to explore our community’s
assets and vision.
2007 Achievements
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Collaborated with the Girl Scouts to develop curriculum and
present training for troop leaders as well as for an all day
event for girls.
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Consulted with area school districts to develop plans and
programs to meet the state mandated Desegregation Rule.
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Partnered with the United Way to develop and present after
school programming for at risk middle school students, challenging
them to become aware of the limiting influence of prejudice
and stereotypes and to break out of those limits in their daily
choices.
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Delivered Prejudice Reduction Workshops to 13,717 students.
Trained 11 new workshop facilitators in a comprehensive 30-hour
course. Developed new curriculum modules on classism, sizism,
and religious freedom.
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Reached about 2000 adults with workshops and presentations
on a variety of diversity-related issues, from race to disability
to using unbiased language to speaking out against prejudice
in the workplace.
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Added new content to the Diversity Toolkit on intercultural
communication, refugees, Somali culture, Sudanese culture,
and Southeast Asian cultures. Launched a web-based version
of the toolkit.
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Analyzed the results of the 2006 Racial Attitudes and Actions
Survey and presented the results to the community. Collaborated
with the mayor and other city leaders to form a task force
to address issues raised by the survey.
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Received national recognition when the NBC Today Show came
to film a story on the Diversity Council’s Prejudice
Reduction Workshops.
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Executive Director Kay Hocker invited to give the keynote
address at the Diversity Consortium of Tompkins County Community
Roundtable in Ithaca, New York.
2007
Annual Report
2008 Goals
- Promote inclusiveness by educating individuals
in Olmsted County across the human life span.
- Increase effectiveness of the Board of Directors.
- Proactively seek knowledge and information
about the attitudes, actions, and demographics of Olmsted County
residents about human difference and utilize that knowledge to
inform program design.
- Increase community involvement through membership.
- Ensure adequate resources to accomplish mission.
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Responses to the Diversity Council's training at the
Adult Detention Center:
We feel this is a very positive class to provide
to detainees and look forward to the first opportunity we have to
invite you back again. (deputy)
I didn't know what diversity counseling was
about, but within the hour I was there I learn (sic) a lot and I
shall always look at my fellow man in a different way. (detainee) |
