Welcome to the 2021 AmeriCorps Member Conference. Each October, Serve Colorado brings together members throughout the state to participate in workshops, webinars, and peer-facilitated discussion groups. Some sessions will support you in service to your organizations and communities, while others focus on your professional development.
Each session will use Zoom and have a unique registration link. Some sessions are strongly encouraged for all AmeriCorps members, particularly those in their first term. Please register for other sessions if they interest you and could support your future endeavors.
Using Your Segal Education Award
Tuesday, October 12th, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Workshop Leaders: Cheryl Secorski and Justin Nyetrae, Serve Colorado
Join AmeriCorps alumni Cheryl Secorski and Justin Nyetrae as they discuss traditional and creative ways to use the Segal Education Award. They will provide updated technical slides to address the practical steps that alumni will take to access awards. They will also share their stories and answer questions from participants.
Pursuing a Career in Government
Wednesday, October 13th, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Workshop Leader: Danny Fisher, Serve Colorado
Join Danny Fisher to learn about various pathways into government, with an emphasis on federal opportunities. We will discuss hiring processes; career positions and political appointments; internships and fellowships; background checks and security clearances; and more.
Understanding Reasonable Accommodations
Wednesday, October 13th, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Workshop Leader: Kyla Mittal, Serve Colorado
Serve Colorado's Kyla Mittal will lead this session on reasonable accommodation requests, with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion. This workshop will provide members information on how to request accommodations during their service term, and also what their rights are. Participants will engage in peer conversation and have a Q&A session.
Unpacking White Saviorism
Thursday, October 14th, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Workshop Leaders: Alayna Shaw and Cassie Dubov, Colorado Youth for a Change
This session will give participants an understanding of how white saviorism operates on multiple levels (i.e. internally, interpersonally, ideologically and institutionally) and how this may impact AmeriCorps programming. Participants will reflect on the ways in which they can interrupt these forms of oppression within their organizations.
Slides to come.
Curious About Pursuing a Colorado Teaching License? TEACH Colorado Wants to Help!
Tuesday, October 19th, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Workshop Leader: Annette Konoske-Graf, TEACH Colorado
If you like a challenge and the daily satisfaction of knowing that what you're doing matters, teaching could be your calling. You bring your unique skills and experience to any job you take - and leading a classroom takes full advantage of both. TEACH Colorado provides free support to anyone considering becoming a Colorado educator, including one-on-one licensure coaching, profiles of Colorado prep programs, application fee reimbursements, and licensure. We look forward to supporting you on your path to the classroom!
AmeriCorps Alumni Panel
Wednesday, October 20th, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Moderator: To be determined
Panelists:
- Jessica Kramer served in 2020-2021 with Colorado Reading Corps in Greeley. She is now Access Coordinator with Colorado State University - Pueblo.
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Kenny Nguyen served in 2017 with "I Have a Dream" Foundation in Boulder. He is now Executive Assistant to Colorado Lieutenant Governor Dianne Primavera.
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Matt Brady was a Peace Corps volunteer in 2011-2013 in Ukraine, after which he served in AmeriCorps NCCC in 2013-2014 in Denver. He is now Grants Officer with Great Outdoors Colorado.
Identity, Power, Privilege, and Marginalization
Thursday, October 28th, 3:00pm - 6:00pm
Workshop Leader: Regan Byrd, Founder and Principal Consultant, Regan Byrd Consulting LLC
Building on her impactful workshop in 2020, Regan Byrd will lead this session on power, privilege, oppression, marginalization, and social identity. Working through an activity called the "Social Identity Wheel," participants will think of all the major areas of identity they possess, and whether these identities have been privileged or marginalized within the context of the U.S.
The 4 I's of Oppression
Wednesday, November 3rd, 11:00am - 2:00pm
Workshop Leader: Regan Byrd, Founder and Principal Consultant, Regan Byrd Consulting LLC
As a second session this year, Regan Byrd will lead this workshop on how oppression operates on a structural level, using the 4 I's of Oppression as a theory. She will focus on racism as a foundational example of a system of oppression in the U.S. and will present a deeper examination of anti-black racism specifically. Regan will also present participants with a model for understanding intersectionality and applying that model to their understanding of identity and oppression.
Resources from Previous Member Conferences
Supporting People with Disabilities: A Panel Discussion (2020)
This is a recording from last year's member conference.
Panelists:
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Caitlin Adams - State Advisor on Disability Employment with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Colorado Department of Labor and Employment
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Jessica Kramer - AmeriCorps member with Colorado Reading Corps; now Access Coordinator with Colorado State University - Pueblo
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Josh Winkler - Disability Funding Committee Coordinator and Policy Advisor with the Office of Lt. Governor Dianne Primavera