REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED!
The Virginia Victim Assistance Network's
36th Annual Crime Victims' Issues Conference
November 13-15, 2018
Sheraton Virginia Beach
The full conference agenda is now available.
Pre-Conference Institute: What Slaveholders Think
Austin Choi-Fitzpatrick is a writer and professor, with most of his work exploring culture, politics, and social change. He teaches at the Kroc School of Peace Studies at the University of San Diego.
Program:
Drawing on fifteen years of work in the antislavery movement, Austin Choi-Fitzpatrick examines the systematic oppression of men, women, and children in rural India and asks: How do contemporary slaveholders rationalize the subjugation of other human beings, and how do they respond when their power is threatened? More than a billion dollars have been spent on antislavery efforts, yet the practice persists. Why? Unpacking what slaveholders think about emancipation is critical for scholars, policy makers, activists, and advocates who want to understand the broader context, especially as seen by perpetrators. Insight into those moments when the powerful either double down or back off provides a sobering counterbalance to current assumptions about slaveholders and traffickers.
Opening Plenary: Diversity Violence, Inclusion, Bias and Social Change
Jeffrey S. Bucholtz, Plenary Speaker, is director of We End Violence, and outgoing president of the San Diego Domestic Violence Council. Jeff is also an award-winning instructor at Southwestern College where he teaches Oral Communication, Interpersonal Communication, TELA Communication (part of an African-American learning community), Public Speaking, Interpersonal Communication, and Small Group Facilitation. In addition, Jeff works as a public speaking consultant with Speak for Success, and teaches courses on Violence Against Women and Popular Culture and Identity at San Diego State University.
For the past sixteen years, Jeff has worked as an activist, organizer, and public speaker, providing consultation, presentations, and performances in the fields of sexual violence, masculinity, relationship violence, gender normativity, popular culture, violence prevention, stalking, bullying, working in alliances, feminist thought, collaboration, and the intersectionality of oppression.
Program:
#MeToo - Changing Social Norms - Black Lives Matter - Social Media - Sex -Popular Culture & Pornography - Sexual Assault - Harassment & Discrimination -“Illegals” - All Lives Matter - Inclusion - Consent - Equality - #TimesUp - Diversity -Bigotry & Bias…There’s a lot to think about in our world.
In one way or another, these issues are a huge part of our daily lives. Our experiences with, and understanding of these realities drastically affect everything from how we engage in our personal relationships to how professional and inclusive our work environments can be. In this engaging presentation, participants will spend time exploring the biases, social norms, stereotypes and habits that shape our perception and our environment. We will learn how to be more inclusive, maximize group potential, enhance relationships, be more effective, and create more meaningful interactions with communities we serve.
Closing Plenary: Do it Well, Make it Fun.
Bio:
With a master’s degree in social work, Ron Culberson spent the first part of his career working in a large hospice organization as a clinical social worker, middle manager, and senior leader. As a speaker, humorist, and author of four books including, Do it Well. Make it Fun.The Key to Success in Life, Death, and Almost Everything in Between, his mission is to change the workplace culture so that organizations are more productive and staff are more content. He was the 2012-2013 president of the National Speakers Association and is a recognized expert on the benefits of humor and laughter.
Program:
If you’ve ever had a boss who was really good at what he or she did but was also fun to be around, you didn’t mind arriving early or working late. In fact, you probably loved your job. That’s the power of "Do it Well, Make it Fun." It’s about seeking excellence but making the process of life and work more fun.
Based on Ron Culberson’s book by the same name, this hilarious presentation shows staff and leaders how to create a less stressful work environment where people want to work. It also helps them understand that excellence combined with fun and humor can improve productivity, create better working relationships, enhance creativity, change the workplace culture, and lead to the delivery of better products and services.
HOTEL INFORMATION
The Sheraton Virginia Beach Oceanfront, located at 3501 Atlantic Avenue, is on the boardwalk and minutes from Pacific Place and Hillier Ignite Fitness Park. This beach hotel is within close proximity of Neptune's Park and Neptune Statue. All rooms have private furnished balconies, complimentary wired and wireless Internet access, iPod docking stations and cable programming. Additional amenities include 2 hotel restaurants, 2 spa tubs, a 24-hour fitness center and bicycles to rent.
A block of rooms has been reserved for conference participants at the rate of $79-$99 or the prevailing government per diem and are available 3 days prior and after the event. The cut-off date for making reserving rooms in the room block is 5 PM on Tuesday, October 16th.
Guests may make reservations by calling the hotel at 1-800-325-3535 or visiting the Sheraton's website for the event at: Virginia Victim Assistance Network 36th Annual Conference (OR copy and paste the following link into a web browser) https://www.starwoodmeeting.com/events/start.action?id=1803090195&key=295A6C5F.
For questions about online registration, contact Mindy Stell at mstell@dinwiddieva.us or (804) 469-5384. For all other questions, contact Laurie Crawford at Laurie.Crawford@dss.virginia.gov. or (804) 726-7773.
CONFERENCE REGISTRATION CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICY Requests for conference registration cancellations and refunds must be submitted in writing to Mindy Stell at mstell@dinwiddieva.us or to the payment address by October 29, 2018. (A $10.00 Processing fee will be assessed.) After this date, NO REFUNDS WILL BE CONSIDERED OR ISSUED.
Payment must be received prior to attending the conference!