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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 provides a range of content and activities aimed at creating a welcoming environment and cultivating a sense of belonging.

 

Course Objectives:

  • *Embrace the power of vulnerability and recognize the value of emotionally safe spaces.
  • *Engage in self-reflective practices and community-building activities to foster deeper, more resilient relationships.
  • *Use a systems-thinking approach to identify problems before implementing solutions.
  • *Uncover the root causes to pinpoint areas for meaningful improvement.
  • *Explore adaptive leadership and reflect on your own leadership identity.
  • *Deepen your understanding of culture to create a more welcoming space for your community.

 

Course Goals:

  • *Recognize your ability to help drive cultural change within your organization and community.
  • *Create a more welcoming and belonging space for all humans while honoring the ecosystems of the Adirondacks.

 

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.

The cost of the course is $360. If the cost of registration is a barrier to your attendance please reach out to Tamara Jolly at [email protected].

 

Register Here