BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//ChamberMaster//Event Calendar 2.0//EN METHOD:PUBLISH X-PUBLISHED-TTL:P1H REFRESH-INTERVAL:P1H CALSCALE:GREGORIAN BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/Chicago BEGIN:DAYLIGHT RRULE:FREQ=YEARLY;BYMONTH=3;BYDAY=2SU DTSTART:20070101T000000 TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:Central Daylight Time END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD RRULE:FREQ=YEARLY;BYMONTH=11;BYDAY=1SU DTSTART:20070101T000000 TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:Central Standard Time END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260616T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260616T150000 X-MICROSOFT-CDO-ALLDAYEVENT:FALSE SUMMARY:Safe Zone Conversation: Pride\, Inclusion & the Realities of LGBTQ+ Belonging DESCRIPTION:You are invited to participate in IPRA's second member-wide Safe Zone Conversation of 2026\, on the topic of Diversity\, Equity\, Inclusion\, and Belonging (DEIB). A Safe Zone Conversation (SZC) is a rare opportunity to engage in civil dialogue across a collection of parks\, recreation\, and conservation professionals\, honoring our unique life experiences by discussing those sensitive or uncomfortable topics in a safe\, brave space. All voices and questions are welcome -- no matter where you are on your DEIB journey\, there is NO JUDGEMENT here!\nThis June session will especially focus on LGBTQ+ identities\, discussing allyship beyond tokenism\, and increasing understanding for methods of organizational protection. Unpack these changes to connect authentically with your community members\, to embrace identities often under-recognized\, and to support your team by championing this change.\nIf you're looking for an opportunity to start or continue the DEI discussion\, or simply be part of the movement for a more inclusive future\, you are encouraged to join us as we bring together professionals from all regions of Illinois to talk DEIB in a non-threatening environment. \nWho Should Attend: Anyone seeking to improve their leadership skills in emotional intelligence and communication for managing their team or department. Anyone seeking to better understand their constituents for elevating community connectivity.Registration is limited to 40 attendees. \n How to ParticipateThe event will take place via Zoom and a virtual join link will be emailed to registrants. Registration closes on Wednesday\, June 10.\nWhat to ExpectParticipants can expect a full 90-120 minutes of engaging dialogue that is expertly facilitated by trained volunteers (IPRA members)\, an interactive format with time for reflection and sharing\, and identification of resources to assist participants on their individual DEIB journeys. Additionally\, participants will learn how to become a volunteer facilitator and host a Safe Zone Conversation exclusively for their agency.\nWhat Topics are DiscussedAll Safe Zone Conversations focus on fostering understanding and open dialogue around diversity\, equity\, inclusion\, and belonging (DEIB) topics such as\, but not limited to\, political pushback\, belonging\, racism\, LGBTQ+\, Latinx\, disability\, and mental health. \nFor this specific session\, we will discuss : What makes an environment feel truly welcoming for LGBTQ+ people?How do we navigate conversations when beliefs\, identities\, or values differ?Which organizational practices help us protect LGBTQ+ youth\, families\, and staff?CEUsThis event is not approved for CEUs. X-ALT-DESC;FMTTYPE=text/html:

You are invited to participate in IPRA'\;s second member-wide Safe Zone Conversation of 2026\, on the topic of Diversity\, Equity\, Inclusion\, and Belonging (DEIB). A Safe Zone Conversation (SZC) is a rare opportunity to engage in civil dialogue across a collection of parks\, recreation\, and conservation professionals\, honoring our unique life experiences by discussing those sensitive or uncomfortable topics in a safe\, brave space. All voices and questions are welcome -- no matter where you are on your DEIB journey\, there is NO JUDGEMENT here!


This June session will especially focus on LGBTQ+ identities\, discussing allyship beyond tokenism\, and increasing understanding for methods of organizational protection. Unpack these changes to connect authentically with your community members\, to embrace identities often under-recognized\, and to support your team by championing this change.


If you&rsquo\;re looking for an opportunity to start or continue the DEI discussion\, or simply be part of the movement for a more inclusive future\, you are encouraged to join us as we bring together professionals from all regions of Illinois to talk DEIB in a non-threatening environment. \;


Who Should Attend: \;Anyone seeking to improve their leadership skills in emotional intelligence and communication for managing their team or department. Anyone seeking to better understand their constituents for elevating community connectivity.

Registration is limited to 40 attendees.

 \;

How to Participate

The event will take place via Zoom and a virtual join link will be emailed to registrants. \;

Registration closes on Wednesday\, June 10.


What to Expect

Participants can expect a full 90-120 minutes of engaging dialogue that is expertly facilitated by trained volunteers (IPRA members)\, an interactive format with time for reflection and sharing\, and identification of resources to assist participants on their individual DEIB journeys. \;Additionally\, participants will learn how to become a volunteer facilitator and host a Safe Zone Conversation exclusively for their agency.


What Topics are Discussed

All Safe Zone Conversations focus on fostering understanding and open dialogue around diversity\, equity\, inclusion\, and belonging (DEIB) topics such as\, but not limited to\, political pushback\, belonging\, racism\, LGBTQ+\, Latinx\, disability\, and mental health. \;


For this specific session\, we will discuss : \;

CEUs

This event is not approved for CEUs.

LOCATION: UID:e.3289.1418911 SEQUENCE:3 DTSTAMP:20260513T101406Z URL:https://members.ilipra.org/affiliate-calendar/Details/safe-zone-conversation-pride-inclusion-the-realities-of-lgbtq-belonging-1677089?sourceTypeId=Hub END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR