Questions about or problems with registering for the retreat may be directed to
Kathy Pierce at (434) 979-9002 or info@....
---------------------------
dignity: the seeds of human rights
16th annual spring training/retreat
June 16-18, 2009
Sweet Briar College Amherst, Virginia

registration deadline: June 1, 2009
The Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance invites you to attend
our 16th annual spring training/retreat! This year's conference will focus on
basic human rights as stated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. We
will explore our work from a human rights perspective and reflect on what it
would mean to locate the Violence Against Women Movement under the human rights
umbrella. An essential component of understanding and discussing human rights is
first understanding the concept of "dignity"--an essential element of human
rights. In addition to offering workshops on human rights, this year's
conference workshops will focus on prevention, self-care, and effective
advocacy.

Who should attend: Sexual Assault Crisis Center staff, Domestic Violence Program
staff, college/university representatives, Victim/Witness professionals, mental
health professionals, criminal justice professionals, and others working to
respond to and prevent sexual and domestic violence.

All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are
endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a
spirit of brotherhood. Article 1, Universal Declaration of Human Rights

featured speaker:
Loretta Ross
SisterSong Reproductive Justice Collaborative, Atlanta
Keynote address
Tuesday, June 16 1:00pm

Examining Our Work Through A Human Rights Framework
Loretta is a founder and the National Coordinator of SisterSong, composed of 70
women of color organizations across the country. She was also the founder and
former Executive Director of the National Center for Human Rights Education
(NCHRE), a training and resource center for grassroots activists on using human
rights education to address social injustices in the United States, and was one
of the fi rst African American women to direct the first rape crisis center in
the United States in the 1970s. Loretta will be delivering a keynote to provide
basic human rights education and facilitating a process workshop to explore how
the human rights framework can be applied to sexual and domestic violence work.

preliminary schedule
tuesday, June 16
Registration 8:30 am
Caucus/FreeTime 10:30 am
Vigil 11:00 am
Please join members of the Women of Color Caucus in remembering and honoring
through song and dance.
Lunch 11:30 - 1:00 pm
Keynote: Loretta Ross 1:00 - 2:00 pm
World Café - Group Process Activity on Human Rights 2:30 - 5:00 pm
Catalyst Awards 7:00 pm
Catalyst Award - celebrating individuals and organizations in your communities
who work to create a Virginia free from sexual and domestic violence. Dinner
will be served.
Please note: Chair Massages available on the 16th and 17th, 15 minute chair
massages will be available for $1.00/min. Please sign up at the Retreat at the
registration table.
preliminary schedule
wednesday, June 17
Facilitated Round Table Discussions: 4 topic areas 9:00 - 10:15 am
* Survivor Empowerment! What does that mean? * What's working in your program?
* Wait 'til Next Year - SB1429 - Funds for Children and Youth Services * Sex at
9AM
Workshops 10:30 - 12:00 noon
Rethinking Advocacy Nancy Fowler, Ruth Micklem
Investigate and identify opportunities for providing community-based services.
A Question of Dignity: Implementing SARTs in Your Community Erin Osborne,
Kristine Hall
Gain a better understanding of SART Legislation and review the new Model SART
protocol for successful implementation.
What the Heck Does LGBTQ Really Mean Anyway? Quillin Drew
Develop basic skills in preparation to understand barriers for transgender
victims.
Suggested pre-requisite to "How Do We Honor Transgender Survivors' Human
Rights."
Journey Butterflies Stephanie Baldwin
Explore using "Shrinky Dinks" as a tool toward growth and transformation in
meeting the needs of children exposed to violence.
Guidelines for Primary Prevention Brad Perry
Learn how Virginia's Sexual Violence guidelines will assist Sexual and Domestic
Violence Agencies in improving and
developing effective primary prevention initiatives.
Workshops 1:30 - 3:00 pm
Cross Cultural Competence:
What YOU PERSONALLY Can Do to Help your Immigrant Clients Susheela Varky
Gain a better understanding of practices, techniques and resources for working
with immigrant clients.
Trauma-Informed Treatment Beth Parker
Explore strategies to assist victims based on the latest research.
The Art of Schmooze Jeannie Smoot
Learn the art of effective small talk.
The Personal Journal Barbara Shine
Discover the role of journaling in healing and self-care.
How Do We Honor Transgender Survivors' Human Rights Ted Heck, Quillin Drew
Gain a better understanding of issues and social barriers related to people who
are transgender.
Workshops 3:30 - 5:00 pm
The Black Woman, PTSD and Substance Abuse Wanda Brown-Ramseur
Learn about coping mechanisms associated with trauma.
Rape as a Weapon of War Janett Forte
Explore the connections between violence against women in a local and global
context.
Making the Dream a Reality Panel (Brad Perry, moderator)
Presenting overview, successes and challenges in implementing primary prevention
projects at three local programs.
Advocacy from a Feminist Perspective Kathleen Demro, Deb Downing, Quillin Drew
Explore our feminists' roots and translate feminist advocacy principles in our
everyday work.
Reception & Silent/Live Auction 5: 00 pm
Reception sponsored by the Wild Women of Wisdom Task Force. Auction sponsored by
Survivor Caucus
to benefit Camp Mabon.
Carnival & Fun Night (featuring Talent Show!) 7:00 pm
Task Forces, Caucus, Committees spread the word of the work they are

preliminary schedule
thursday, June 18
Lessons from the Land - Hike with Deb Downing 8:00 am - 12:00 pm
This year's hike will be dedicated to the Monacan tribe, the original residents
of the area, and to the enslaved
African people who toiled to develop the land.
Workshops 9:00 - 10:30 am
Assessing the Unmet Needs of African-American Victims Brenda Smith-Braam
Learn about the root causes and underlying issues surrounding domestic violence
for African American men and women.
Don't Wait: Everyday Actions to Keep Kids Safe from Child Sexual Abuse Rebecca
Odor
The most effective prevention happens before a child is harmed. Learn concrete
ways to prevent child sexual abuse.
Planting the Seeds in the Faith Community Mary McNutt
Learn proven methods for assisting Christian, Jewish and Muslim faith
communities to respond to victims in their midst.
Cross Cultural Competence: Working with Native Persons Chief Anne Richardson,
Rappahannock Tribe
Chief Richardson will present on the history of the tribes and best approaches
to working with Native American women.
Through the Eyes of Children Lindy Swimm
Explore tools to support families with children in safety planning, during
visitation, and while going to court.
Workshops 10:45 - 12:00 pm
Unearthing Inner Strength with Yoga Diane Gregory
Discover ways to use breathing to refocus and regenerate.
Violence in the Family: Child Abuse or Not Dennis Gilbert
We will examine children's rights when exposed to sexual/and or domestic
violence.
Sowing Seeds of Synergy: Collaboration with Your Local CSB Brinn Willis
Learn how one program developed a collaborative relationship with it CSB in
order to preserve the dignity of survivors with disabilities.
Men Can Change Violence Brian Hawkins
Learn about on-going interventions based on the premise that violence can be
unlearned.
Let's Talk About Race, Baby! VSDVAA staff
Come explore dialogue as an approach to anti-racism work.
Lunch & Closing Program 12:00 pm
Stay to cheer on the Kids Camp campers' puppet parade and for your chance to win
door prizes!

registration
deadline to register is June 1, 2009
Cost: There are several cost packages available for the retreat, starting with
the 3-day retreat and Catalyst Awards registration ($250 for Action Alliance
members/$300for non-members), which includes meals and lodging...to a 1-day
retreat registration ($75 members/$95 non-members). Please see more details
about packages online at www.vsdvalliance.org.
Scholarships: The scholarship application form is available for download from
the Action Alliance website at www.vsdvalliance.org (look under Register for
training/ Action Alliance Retreat /Scholarship application). Scholarships of up
to $200 will be awarded. The deadline is May 11, 2009.
Lodging: There are two lodging options for those staying on-site. The Florence
Elston Inn has a limited number of double-occupancy hotel-style rooms; most
retreat participants stay in single-occupancy dorm rooms (with a shared hall
bathroom). Off-campus lodging options are also available for registrants to
reserve themselves.
To register: In an effort to streamline registration (and be more
earth-friendly!), we are using a paperless online registration process.
You may register online at www.vsdvalliance.org. Questions about or problems
with registering for the retreat may be directed to
Kathy Pierce at (434) 979-9002 or info@....
Deadline: Registration deadline is June 1, 2009.

Virginia Sexual & Domestic Violence Action Alliance
5008 Monument Avenue, Suite A
Richmond, VA 23230
804.377.0335
info@...
www.vsdvalliance.org