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Welcoming & Belonging Micro-credential

Our Welcoming & Belonging Micro-credential Course offers local businesses, chambers of commerce, and community groups essential knowledge and best practices for creating inclusive and welcoming spaces for all staff and clientele. This program, provided by North Country Community College (NCCC), was initiated by ANCA’s Adirondack Diversity Initiative in collaboration with the Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce. It was developed with input from local businesses, BIPOC and LGBTQ+ community members, DEI professionals, educators, and organizations that participated in a pilot program in 2021.

This self-paced, asynchronous course will engage participants in a journey of self-reflection and discovery while providing tools for problem-solving and effecting change. Upon completion, participants will receive a micro-credential badge that can be shared on their website or social media platforms, along with an optional paper certificate of completion.

To register for this course, please complete the NCCC Registration Request Form:

 

Register Here

 

Learning Outcomes:

Adirondack Mountain Club staff create a fishbone diagram during a 2021 microcredential pilot of the program.

This course will guide learners through a variety of activities that explore issues of welcoming and belonging, as well as methods for problem-solving and implementing change. By participating in this course you will:

  • * Realize the power of vulnerability and the importance of creating emotionally safe spaces.
  • * Learn Nonviolent Communication techniques and apply them effectively to reduce conflict.
  • * Apply a systems approach to identifying problems before attempting interventions.
  • * Use a fishbone diagram to identify root causes and areas for improvement.
  • * Facilitate a Plan-Do-Study-Act learning cycle for improvement.
  • * Utilize Photo-Voice projects to conduct intervention and create visually driven data.
  • * Understand adaptive leadership and assess your personal leadership identity.
  • * Recognize your ability to help drive cultural change within your organization and community.
  • * Deepen your understanding of culture to create a more welcoming space for your community.

 

The Modules:

This micro-credential course consists of five core modules and a bonus module featuring an additional interview. Each module builds on the knowledge and skills learned in previous modules, gradually weaving these components together in more complex ways. Participants will engage in journaling and reflection activities, interviews with experts, discussion forums, and applied learning activities.

Module topics include:

  • * Module One: Exploring Vulnerability
  • * Module Two: Building Trust & Relationships
  • * Module Three: Identifying Problems
  • * Module Four: Making Interventions
  • * Module Five: Building Culture and Community


Schedule and Timing:

Each module’s content is expected to take approximately 2-3 hours to complete, though the actual time may vary for each learner. Additionally, the group facilitation exercises in each module may require an extra 1-2 hours, depending on how in-depth you choose to engage with these activities. We recognize that time is valuable, particularly for those participating in this course. However, we encourage you to develop a plan that truly benefits your organization. This timeline serves as a general guideline for pacing, and we encourage your feedback as you progress through the learning process.

We hope you will consider engaging in this important work for yourself and your community, helping us create a welcoming environment for all while honoring and respecting the ecosystems of the Adirondacks.

 

Register Here