Newark Inclusion Activism Workshop

Friends:

We still have seats available for the Inclusion Activism workshop that will
be held May 9-10 at the Diocese of Newark's office building in Newark, NJ.
The workshop will begin at noon on Friday and end around noon on Saturday.
If would like to attend, please contact Jan ASAP at jan@integrityusa.org or
415-378-2050.

Thanks!

John Clinton Bradley

------------------------

WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION

Claiming the Blessing [CTB] and Integrity are co-sponsoring a series of five
regional workshops to provide local Episcopalians with the information and
tools to be more effective advocates for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and
transgender [LGBT] equality at the diocesan level. Workshops will run from
about noon on Friday to about noon on Saturday to enable both clergy and
laity to attend without undue conflict with their workweek. Participants
will learn about the status of LGBT issues in the Episcopal Church, the
polity of the Episcopal Church at all levels, how to elect and lobby bishops
and General Convention deputies, how to submit and pass diocesan convention
resolutions, and how to communicate effectively with a variety of target
audiences and the media.

TARGET AUDIENCE

This workshop is intended for progressive Episcopalians [clergy and laity,
gay and straight] who want to work at the diocesan level to advance LGBT
equality within the Episcopal Church. It is NOT intended for bishops or
General Convention deputies. The goal is to include at least one participant
from every domestic diocese of the Episcopal Church.

WORKSHOP FACILITATORS

Each workshop will be led by two facilitators who experts in church polity
and in communications--the Rev. Cynthia Black of Kalamazoo, MI, and Katie
Sherrod from Fort Worth, TX.

The CTB Field Organizer will also be at each workshop to handle logistics
and to ensure that the training plan is followed.

COST

There is no registration fee for the workshop. However, participants are
expected to pay for their own travel, lodging, and any meals not provided as
part of the workshop. Friday evening dinner, Saturday breakfast snacks and a
Saturday box lunch will be provided. A limited number of scholarships for
travel and per diem expenses will be available. Contact the CTB organizer.

LODGING

Contact the CTB Field Organizer for suggestions.

WORKSHOP GOAL

To provide progressive Episcopalians with the knowledge and skills they need
to positively and effectively influence their diocesan conventions and other
diocesan decision makers on LGBT issues.

WORKSHOP OBJECTIVES

By the end of the workshop participants will be able to...

Describe the current status of LGBT equality within the Episcopal Church.
Summarize the polity of the Episcopal Church at the parish, diocesan,
provincial, and national levels.
Explain Integrity/Claiming the Blessing's strategy for advancing LGBT
equality during the current triennium.
Organize with other local, progressive Episcopalians
Network with non-LGBT's struggling for inclusion within the Episcopal Church
List resources for promoting LGBT equality within the church.
Elect and influence General Convention deputies, bishops, and other key
diocesan leadership.
Submit and pass diocesan convention resolutions to General Convention.
Develop and effectively communicate messages to your target audience.
Use local print and broadcast media.

WORKSHOP AGENDA [subject to change]

Friday Afternoon
12:00 pm Registration
1:00 pm Noon Devotion
1:15 pm Welcome, and Introductions
1:45 pm The State of LGBT Equality Within the Episcopal Church
2:15 pm How the Episcopal Church Works
2:45 pm A Strategy for Advancing LGBT Equality Within the Episcopal Church
3:00 pm Break
3:15 pm Organizing at the Diocesan Level
3:45 pm Electing and Lobbying General Convention Deputies, Bishops, and
Other Key Diocesan Leaders
4:15 pm Submitting and Passing Diocesan Convention Resolutions
5:00 pm Sunset Devotion
5:15 pm Reception

Friday Evening
6:00 pm Dinner
7:00 pm LGBT Episcopal Film Festival [local activists may be invited]
-Voices of Witness [44 min]
-For the Bible Tells Me So [95 min]
9:30 pm Bedtime Devotion

Saturday Morning
8:00 am Continental Breakfast
8:30 am Morning Devotion
8:45 am Allies-LGBT's Are Not Alone
9:15 am Developing and Communicating Your Message
10:00 am Break
10:15 am Using Print and Broadcast Media
11:00 am Action Planning & Evaluation
11:30 am Closing Eucharist
12:15 pm Box Luncheon

MEALS PROVIDED

Friday evening-dinner brought in by local food providers/caterers
Saturday morning-coffee and breakfast snacks
Saturday lunch-box lunches

FUNDING

These workshops are made possible through a generous grant from the Arcus
Gay and Lesbian Fund.