MPIPP Newsletter
Vol. 2, Issue 2
BUILDING
CONNECTIONS: MPIPP'S
2010 CONFERENCE
We
all know that building
connections between
people and organizations
is an effective strategy
for moving forward on
goals of common
interest. MPIPP's annual
conference, to be held
on Saturday, January 23,
2010 in the Lansing area
is focused on connecting
mental health and LGBT
public policy.
"Building Connections: Expertise and Advocacy" will feature a variety of speakers, panelists, and experts on using mental health and social science data to support LGBT advocacy for improved public policy.
The highlight of the conference will be a presentation on MPIPP's new collaborative program, the "Know Us Project" (KUP). Building a supportive base of informed citizens is seen as critical to effect change in public policy. KUP is designed to train mental health professionals to facilitate LGBT people and allies sharing their experiences of LGBT discrimination with those whose opinions can be changed.
The development of the "Know Us Project" (KUP) is based on Gordon Allport's classic "contact" theory that illustrates how personal stories can change the opinions of others.
A key component of the KUP is to develop a number of skilled professionals who can conduct training to help people not only tell their stories but also to deal with the anxiety, negative emotions, and stress that this experience can produce.
The conference discussion will include the experiences of people who have conducted KUP training in Kalamazoo, the site of the biggest LGBT public policy victory in Michigan this year.
Because the KUP training program is in its infancy, you will have the opportunity to directly influence development of the program.
COMMUNICATIONS
There was a high level of interest at last year's conference in how to improve communication skills so we're bringing back the topic this year. There will be a panel of communication experts who bring a variety of experiences to the table. The panel will discuss what kinds of communications are most effective in different situations and how to build a communication plan that includes collaboration among experts and advocates.
The discussion will include examples and reference materials will be provided.
KALAMAZOO: LEARNING FROM SUCCESS
November's affirmative vote in Kalamazoo to support non-discrimination in housing and employment was celebrated across the nation.
This year's MPIPP conference will include many of those who were a part of that effort. This panel will help everyone to understand what happened, how building connections among individual experts and LGBT organizations was a key to success, and what has happened since the election. It promises to be a great learning session for everyone.
REGIONAL CONNECTIONS
If you were among those attending the conference last year, you may have had a sense of "now what?" This year's MPIPP conference will help you answer that question. There will be a time to build stronger regional alliances that include offering the "Know Us Project" at a local level.
CONFERENCE LOCATION
MPIPP's conference on "Building Connections: Advocacy and Expertise" will be held just east of Lansing at Country House Catering/Golden Rose in Mason, Michigan.
Country House Catering is located about ¼ mile south of I-96 at the Okemos exit on the east side of Okemos Road.
Lunch will be provided.
REGISTRATION
The conference is open to mental health professionals and LGBT advocates. To preview the conference agenda, click here. Another specific goal this year is to develop a diversity task force within our group of volunteers. Please extend our conference invitation to professionals you know that are reflective of the ethnic/racial diversity within the LGBT and allied community.
The take-away from this year's conference is a better sense of what is working and why as well as some tools to help you succeed in professional, personal, and local programs. As last year, there is no cost to attendees since the conference is part of the grant from the Arcus Foundation.
The conference date is Saturday, January 23 to permit people to attend without amending their work schedules. Registration takes place from 9:30-10:00 and the conference will end at 3:30 p.m.
To register for the conference online, please click here. The registration deadline is Wednesday, January 20, 2010.
The conference is limited to 80 people so early registration is advised.