Hello members of the Social Work Interest Group,
In support of the Code of Conduct, ALA has implemented a Community of Care at the Annual Conference & Exhibition.
Our goal is to enhance a sense of community and safety by providing resources that offer conference attendees tangible support through the following measures:
- Community of Care Quiet Room, available for attendees who are looking for a calm space during the conference.
Location: San Diego Convention Center Room15 A B -- Hours: Friday thru Monday, 8:00am - 5:00pm PT
- Communicating/Reinforcing the ALA Code of Conduct: ALA will post and emphasize its Code of Conduct at conferences and in conference communications. ALA will also expect abidance to the Code of Conduct protocols at offsite programs hosted by vendors and exhibitors.
- Conference Ombudsperson and Community of Care Team: An ALA staff member will serve as a conference ombudsperson who will coordinate and support the Community of Care Team. This team will be a corps of ALA members stationed across the conference venue(s) and easily identified by a Community of Care ribbon on their badge, in the event that triage is needed.
- Mental Health and Counseling Support: ALA will engage a mental health professional who will be available throughout the conference. A communal and tranquil Quiet Room will be available for attendees looking for a calm space during the conference.
We're looking for ALA members who are willing to serve on the 'Community of Care' team at the upcoming ALA Annual Conference in San Diego. We believe members of this community have the necessary skills and demeanor to help us be successful in this endeavor.
Volunteers would go about their normal conference activities while paying attention to attendees who might be in distress. All you will be asked to do is to either direct (or if necessary, escort) them to the Community of Care quiet room.
Please contact me if you are interested in being a part of this critical team. You may email me directly at bcalvin@ala.org.
Note: We have a special activity for any licensed social workers who are willing to collaborate with the Community of Care team.
Thanks, in advance for your consideration.
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Beatrice Calvin, M. A. Counseling, CWWS, CDF
Manager, Professional Development
American Library Association, HRDR & APA
bcalvin@ala.org------------------------------