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Selfadvocatenet.com Recap of the 23rd Annual Self Advocacy Leadership Institute 2024 at Camp Luther in Mission B.C.

A group of adults, some of whom are proud self advocates, pose for a photo on wooden steps outside a green building. Casually dressed and smiling, they seem to be enjoying a joyous gathering. Hanging plants and signs add charm to the background.

 

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Selfadvocatenet.com Recap of the 23rd annual Self Advocacy Leadership Institute 2024

at Camp Luther in Mission BC

A group of adults, some of whom are proud self advocates, pose for a photo on wooden steps outside a green building. Casually dressed and smiling, they seem to be enjoying a joyous gathering. Hanging plants and signs add charm to the background.

Welcome Everyone

Friday November 1,2024

 

Day 1 The 23rd Annual Self Advocacy Institute began at Camp Luther which started at 5:00 p.m. Everyone arrives at Camp Luther

Gregg Schiller and Arlene Schouten went over the Ground Rules and how Self-Advocates can all live and work together that was on Nov 1st to Nov 3rd ,2024 weekend was to make this a strong supportive community for that weekend

 

A group of people stands at the front of a room. One man is smiling and wearing a hoodie and sweatpants, another in a denim jacket, and a woman in glasses and a white hoodie. As an advocate for DiversAbility, they engage the audience. The room has a clock and a speaker. 

 

Acting Mayor for the City of Mission, Councillor was going to come but could not Mark Davies but Ken Harar came in his place to officially welcome everyone to the 23rd Annual Self Advocacy Conference being held in Mission B.C.

A person stands as an advocate, reading from a paper in a room equipped for presentations. A laptop rests on a wooden table beside a projector, while a banner promoting DiversAbility with text and logos graces the background. The room features beige carpet and walls.

 

 Then we had a Community Dinner which was at 5:30pm

Then at 7:00 p.m.    Workshop #1: “SPARKLES”:  SECRET SURPRISE GUEST
Magic Presentation

Surprise Guest speaker came Valerie Jensen did lead a workshop to kick off the weekend with some surprises, magic and “SPARKLES”. 

A person stands behind a table adorned with balloon sculptures, embodying self-advocacy through their vibrant creations. Nearby, someone wearing a rainbow hat sits proudly in the foreground. The room features a blank projection screen, ready for showcasing diversability narratives.

 

8:30p.m. BONFIRE/MARSHMALLOW ROAST Join us for a Bonfire. Sing by the campfire and roast marshmallows with all your friends.   Which had been cancelled due to weather raining that night     

We watched movie Ghostbusters that Self Advocate brought for us to watch. Also watched Pluto TV watched The A Team.

WE Relaxed inside and hanged out with fellow Self Advocates friends.

11:00 p.m.  QUIET TIME

 

Saturday, November 2nd, 2024

 

9:00 a.m.     Breakfast Buffet was available. Lined up and been served by Camp Luther staff

People are serving themselves food from a buffet table. Trays with sliced fruits like cantaloupe, honeydew, and oranges sit alongside baked goods. A woman in a hoodie inspects the spread as others line up, embodying the spirit of a self-advocate in choosing her own meal preferences.

 

9:00 a.m.      Morning Arlene and Gregg Gathered everyone and welcomed everyone

9:15 am. –   Workshop #2:  Plain Language 

10:00 am Members of the BC Self Advocacy  Leadership Network Society did discuss and got  input to their Plain Language Project

Two individuals are standing before an audience in a room. The woman on the left, an advocate, is speaking passionately while the man on the right sports a Flames Hockey sweatshirt. Behind them, a screen displays web content as attendees sit, listening intently to their engaging presentation.

 

 11:00 am    Workshop #3:  Being Aware and Caring for our Environment

Kimberly Hewitt of the Mission Environmental Stewardship Project  came and discuss the concerns and issues related to our Environment in Mission

A person stands in a room beside a projected slide titled How Our Community Benefits from Stewardship. The presentation highlights beautification, conservation, and community-building, while inspiring sustainable practices. As a self-advocate, this individual champions awareness and inclusivity.

 

11:15 am    Then had BREAK

 12:30 pm    Workshop #4: Toastmasters

Members Came from the |Mission Toastmasters Society Did showed us how to feel confident to speak up in public

A person points at a projected slide titled How is your stress level today? featuring a Feeling Thermometer with stress levels from calm to angry. This tool is a great resource for self-advocates in the DiversAbility community to express and manage their emotions effectively.

 

12:30 p.m.  COMMUNITY LUNCH

 1:45 p.m.    Workshop #5: Parents with Disabilities Project

Guest Speaker Michelle Goos the Strategic Initiative Advisor for CLBC, participated  over zoom and then talked to us on and discussed and got input from us on her Project dealing with supports and issues related to Parents with Disabilities

Slide presentation on a screen titled Its okay to say you are a parent with a disability! Features illustrations of diverse people, including those using wheelchairs and canes. A video call participant is visible in the top corner, championing self-advocacy for parents with disabilities.

 

3:00 pm      Workshop #5:  How our Mental Health effects our Friendships, Self Advocacy and Trauma

Guest Speaker came Counsellor Dorothy Hyslop and talked with us about the effects of mental health on: Friendships, Relationships, Self Advocacy and dealing with Trauma/PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder).  Dorothy was available to talk to each of Self Advocates privately about their personal issues.

 

 5:15 p.m.      BREAK.

 5:30 p.m.    Community Dinner  

 

 7:30 p.m.    Workshop #7:  The SELF ADVOCACY GAME SHOW: SURPRISE EDITION / HALLOWEEN COSTUME PARTY

 Join the surprise guest hosts that was a special version of THE SELF ADVOCACY GAME SHOW.

Ended up being Willie Wonka Edition OF THE GAME SHOW

 

This requires full audience participation. Halloween costumes some dressed up some did not.

 

 8:45 p.m.    BONFIRE/MARSHALLOW ROAST

The Bonfire did go on Sat night no rain that night. Self-Advocates did sang by the campfire and roasted marshmallows with all of our Self-Advocates friends

 

Relaxed inside with our Self Advocates that are new friends

11:00 p.m.  QUIET TIME

                                    Sunday, November 3rd 2024

 

9:00 a.m. Breakfast buffet was available to serve

9:00 a.m.       Workshop #8: EXPRESS YOURSELF THROUGH MUSIC

 9:30 a.m.           

Gregg Schiller  played the piano while participants listened and drawed to the music and shared their thoughts about the music and the weekend Retreat.

 

10:45 am      Workshop # 9: SELFADVOCATENET.com

Guest speaker came Webmaster Bryce Schaufelberger and Computer Lab Manager for Home Society  updated everyone on the latest developments with our #1 Website on Self Advocacy and got some input from Self Advocates like see on website for new ideas

 

-12:00 pm       Workshop #10: INSPIRATION: How to keep your Goals no matter the roadblocks    

 Guest speaker Sachin Latti Came and did inspire Self Advocates as he talked about the hardships of keeping his goals showed us ways to learn to keep our Goals and how mental health is NOT a roadblock to our success

 

12:00 pm     Then the event was over all went home

 

                  

 

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Red text on a transparent background reads A BIG Thanks to our Sponsors! in a bold, cursive font.
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