We offer training on such issues as:
Diversity
Homophobia
Racism
Ableism

Honoring Our Common Differences:
Creating An Inclusive Organization
A One-Day or Two-Day Workshop

Is diversity something to be “managed” in the workplace? Do you have “diversity issues” if, for example, your workforce is predominantly white? Even if at first glance your workers appear to be quite similar, there are many differences that exist and often tensions related to those differences. Diversity not only includes race, ethnicity and gender, but also ability/disability, education, age, class and many other differences. By clearly understanding our commonalities and our differences we can support each others’ efforts to create healthy, inclusive organizations where people of different social and cultural groups, all people, feel welcomed, included, and respected so they can contribute their best work to the organization.

Participants will:

1. Experience a safe forum to engage in self reflection and dialogue with others about diversity issues.
2. Learn how prejudice and oppression is taught and perpetuated.
3. Examine the dynamics of power and privilege.
4. Discover the connections between different forms of oppression and the similarities and differences in people's experiences.
5. Gain an understanding of how oppression effects both members of groups targeted by oppression as well as non-target group members.
6. Learn a non-violent method for confronting prejudice.
7. Identify strategies for becoming effective allies.
8. Examine the personal and institutional benefits of creating inclusive organizations.
9. Learn a framework and identify concrete steps to begin diversity efforts in their organization.

© 2002 Kathy Germann Consulting and Denise Jess Consulting.

[See when this workshop is offered through UW-Madison]

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How Homophobia Hurts Everyone and What To Do About It
A One-Day or Two-Day Workshop

What does it mean when a community or an organization confronts racist or sexist behaviors but tolerates anti-gay behaviors? What messages does this give to young people, especially gay/lesbian/bisexual youth? How does homophobia hurt heterosexuals too?

The impact of homophobia is multi-faceted. It divides families. It affects relationships in the workplace, in schools, and our houses of worship. And it leads to fear and violence throughout our society. As individuals and organizations we can promote positive change in this area.

Participants will:

1. Experience a safe forum to engage in self reflection and dialogue with others about homophobia.
2. Gain an understanding of how homophobia effects everyone.
3. Explore their attitudes about homosexuality and discover how homophobia is perpetuated.
4. Learn accurate information about sexual orientation and specific stressors for gay, lesbian and bisexual people.
5. Examine the benefits and costs of heterosexual privilege.
6. Identify strategies for becoming effective allies and creating supportive, inclusive organizations for gay, lesbian and bisexual people.

© 2002 Kathy Germann Consulting and Denise Jess Consulting.

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Unlearning Racism: Creating Inclusive Organizations and Communities
A Two-Day Workshop

In spite of decades of action, racism continues to be pervasive in our society. Yet many people wouldn’t consider themselves to be racist. How is racism perpetuated then? What can we as individuals and organizations do to promote positive change in this area?

When given opportunities for true dialogue we can enhance our understanding, find the courage to move through our fear, guilt, and anger, heal old wounds, and find ways to join together as allies to dismantle interpersonal and institutional racism.

Participants will:

1. Experience a safe environment to engage in self reflection and dialogue with others about racism.
2. Examine the concept of “race” and how they’ve come to define themselves.
3. Discover the adaptations they’ve learned that may unwittingly support and reinforce racism.
4. Explore how racism effects them on personal and institutional levels.
5. Examine the benefits and costs of white skin privilege.
6. Learn a non-violent method for confronting racism.
7. Identify strategies for becoming effective allies and creating inclusive organizations.

© 2002 Kathy Germann Consulting.

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Beyond ADA: Creating Inclusive Workplaces for People with Disabilities
A One-Day Workshop

With the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act, workplaces have begun to provide appropriate accommodations for people with disabilities. And yet, like other civil rights legislation, laws do not change attitudes or teach us how to comfortably be with one another. This workshop is to support people in creating work environments that go beyond merely accommodating people with disabilities to ones where all people are treated with dignity and therefore they are able to contribute their best work to the organization.

Participants will:

1. Experience a safe forum to engage in self reflection and dialogue with others about disability issues.
2. Explore what we’ve been taught about people with disabilities and how we’ve internalized those teachings.
3. Examine how those early lessons are reinforced and negatively affect everyone.
4. Learn how to transform our thought/actions and become effective agents of change in creating inclusive workplaces.

© 2002 Kathy Germann Consulting and Denise Jess Consulting.

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