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Tell us more about the theme, Back to Basics: The FUNdamentals of AAWCC.
The theme is about getting back to basics. Our association has basic tenets we’re known for: – elevating women and their roles within community colleges. We’re going to show there’s more to it and we’ll explore timely topics. We’ll have sessions that will make us more well-rounded individuals, partners, friends, and coworkers. The conference is centered around professional and personal wellness, and wholeness and shows that improvement can be not only rewarding, it can also be fun. It’s important that we all make the time, not only to give but to receive. The conference provides space for attendees to do just that.
What do you hope attendees take away from the conference?
I hope they leave with an expanded view of themselves and that they realize there is more to their lives than just their job, their family, or their community. Our speakers will be sharing from their hearts and have honest, practical discussions about what it means to be a woman in the community college system.
Who are this year’s speakers?
Our Day 1 keynote is Celia Núñez, HECC deputy director of Community Colleges and Workforce Development. She’ll speak about her career path and provide insights into what’s made her successful and highlight the basics that led to her professional path.
On Day 2, Ineda Adesanya, university chaplain and director of spiritual and religious life at Willamette University, will talk about self-care and what we can do in these changing times to ensure we’re taking care of ourselves, and how to develop caring relationships and find work/life balance. We planned this talk because we heard from previous conference attendees that they wanted to learn more about self-care, so we’ve asked Ineda to share timely principles about self-care and why and how self-care is not selfish care.
What excites you about planning Fall Conference?
What I like is being able to create an experience where the members are changed as a result of it. It’s about adding value to other people's lives. I hope the women who attend leave better than when they came, through the connections they make and what they’ve learned from our keynote speakers, workshops and each other.
How can members learn more and register?
Look for more information later this month on our website and via email. Meanwhile, if anyone is interested in volunteering for Fall Conference or if they have an idea for a conference workshop, they can contact me at Adrienne.OCHS@state.or.us.
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