Pre-Conference Class Wednesday, November 6th, 2019 from Noon – 8:00 p.m. Mental Health First Aid Class is a public education program that introduces participants to risk factors and warning signs of mental illnesses, builds understanding of their impact, and overviews common supports. This 8-hour course uses role-playing and simulations to demonstrate how to offer initial help in a mental health crisis and connect persons to the appropriate professional, peer, social, and self-help care. The program also teaches the common risk factors and warning signs of specific types of illnesses, like anxiety, depression, substance use, bipolar disorder, eating disorders, and schizophrenia. Space is limited, and you must register in advance. Cost $25.
What the course provides:
- A five-step action plan to support someone developing signs and symptoms of a mental illness or in an emotional crisis.
- Information on depression, anxiety, trauma, psychosis, and substance abuse.
- Available evidence-based professional, peer, and self-help resources.
- A certificate in Adult Mental Health First Aid
On Friday, November 8th, 2019 our opening ceremonies will feature a welcome to Oregon by Lisa Hanson of the Oregon Department of Agriculture and an update on the #TimberUnity movement. Then we will have a time of round-table mini-sessions. Roundtables will include topics on Ag in the Classroom Literacy Programs, Adopt a Farmer, Farmers Ending Hunger, Leveraging LinkedIN, Cultivating Change Foundation , the Oregon Women for Agriculture Auction and more.
A networking lunch with humorist Sharon Lacey will follow the roundtables. In addition to being a sought-after keynote speaker for companies like Microsoft, Sharon is also an internationally touring headlining comedian. She performs in comedy clubs all across the USA, Canada, China and has been to Iraq twice to entertain U.S. troops. Sharon is the author of A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To Dementia: A Stand Up Comedian’s Race Against Time.
The afternoon will include breakouts with sessions on Grassroots Action, Oregon Innovations- including the success stories of Pink Shrimp and Meadowfoam, how to approach your legislators, “The Oregon Trail and Eating Ever After” and “It’s About Time” a panel featuring women holding positions on agriculture boards at all levels from community, state and national organizations. The panel discussion will range from applying for board positions to juggling school, work and family.
Saturday, November 9th, 2019 will include keynotes by science communicator Kevin Folta and author Jane Kirkpatrick.
Kevin Folta calls himself “A scientist in a scientifically illiterate nation at a time when we need science the most.” Kevin has been the interim Chair of the Horticultural Sciences Department at the University of Florida and is a Professor of Horticultural at the University of Florida. He has degrees in Biology and Molecular Biology. Kevin is a researcher specializing in strawberry genomics. He was awarded the Borlaug CAST Communication award in 2016 by the Council for Agricultural Science and Technology.
The methods that scientists, farmers and agricultural industry professionals use to share information with professional audiences fall flat with public audiences. Kevin has learned this by boots-on-the-ground science communication attempts with some success and lots of failure.
His Science Communications workshops attempt to rewire the failed strategies scientists, farmers, and industry professionals employ, turning lost messages into impactful seeds of change. Lessons from hostage negotiation, customer service and Aristotle can reshape our approach to building trust and presenting scientific content.
Jane Kirkpatrick is internationally recognized for her lively presentations and well-researched stories that encourage and inspire.
A New York Times Bestselling author, her works have appeared in more than 50 national publications including The Oregonian, Private Pilot and Daily Guideposts. With more than 1.5 million books in print, her 30 novels and non-fiction titles draw readers from all ages and genders. Most are historical novels based on the lives of actual historical women often about ordinary women who lived extraordinary lives. Her works have won numerous national awards including the WILLA Literary Award, the Carol Award, USABestBooks.com, Will Roger’s Medallion Award and in 1996, her first novel, A Sweetness to the Soul, won the prestigious Wrangler Award from the Western Heritage and National Cowboy Museum.
In 2010, after twenty-six years on the Homestead, Jane and Jerry and their dogs, Bo and Caesar moved to central Oregon and call Bend, home. The seasons on the ranch changed their lives and they left with no regrets. They continue to enjoy new adventures in writing and life.
Jane will close our convention meeting time with a talk about inspiring and enterprising women from History.
Come prepared for a lively, informative, educating and enriching time at the 2019 AAW Convention in Tigard Oregon. Register now!