I named this newsletter Another Isolated Incident because we don't learn from our past, sweep the present under the rug, and look to the future through rose colored glasses. We need to wake up — look under the rug — truly listen to the leaders of our past. Occupy Wall Street meet the Bonus Army following WWI. Don't know what I am talking about? That, my friend is just another isolated incident.

ATTN: Save Money and Make a Difference!

That's right — Save Money and Make a Difference! As I travel around the country I see lots of commonalities and two of them are going to be highlighted here: 1) After years of working harder and smarter with less — your budgets are still being slashed. 2) Campus programmers are tired of the same programs and are looking for something new — something that actually makes a change.

So here is your chance to save a bundle, collaborate, and create real change.

At the National Association of Campus Activities Conferences I have witnessed campus representatives block booking speakers and entertainers to save money. Just last month, I watched a Volunteer in Tennessee orange reach out to a table clad in South Carolina Gamecock garb to match up programming dates. See, when a speaker or entertainer is in your area, campus politics aside, it's a win win!!! More work for the campus outsider and less money spent for the campus. The sticking point seems to be finding out what is "in your area?" For me, a three-hour drive, 400 miles, or a regional jet distance counts as in your area. So, let's get to work!

I don't usually do self-promotiony kind of marketing pieces, or I try not to too often, but it is time to point something out. Sure, I can come in and do a 45-minute diversity program just like anyone else — although I do think that I have a unique approach — I can also bring resources, activities, and discussions that leave participants ready to make real change and actually feel good about it. I don't make people feel guilty, blame anyone for anything, sing songs, or throw out big words and complicated theories. Let's have a real conversation and do some personal reflection in a safe non-embarassing way. Notice Notes is a Reflection Journal that I wrote that is being used on a number of campuses to kick off weekly meetings, add to class curriculum, paraprofessional trainings, and even for advisors' personal use.

So — no more excuses — let's make change and save money!

I am pulling together my Spring 2012 travel schedule and I have some gaps that allow for you to do just that — save money and make change!

Below is a listing of dates and locations where these gaps exist for your benefit! Not only can you collaborate with folks "in your area" I have one more offer for each campus that books a program in your area: 10 free copies of Notice Notes to each campus to help keep the conversations going after I leave.

"In Your Area" = within 3 hours, 400 miles, a regional jet*
*a regional jet would require a campus to pay for this piece of travel – but don't want to rule out the option – as winter comes upon us – might be safer to fly than to drive.

Here are dates that I know about as of the end of October 2011. As bookings are made, I will update my calendar.

• St. Louis: December 3-4 and February 9*-12*
• Ohio: before or after Thanksgiving
• Iowa: after January 14
• Baltimore: January 25*-29* and March 24*-28*
• Dallas: before the 3rd and after the 5th of February
• Florida: President's Weekend - February 17*-24*
• North Carolina: February 24*-29*
• Northeast Kingdom: March 2*-4* (Conference in Vermont)
• LA area: March 2*-4* (Conference in Southern California) and April 12*-15*
• Bay Area: March 17
• New Mexico: March 28*-31*
• Minnesota: March 29*-April 1*

* (flexible a few days before or after)

Jessica is represented by
Kirkland Productions, Inc.
booking@kirklandproductions.com
866-769-9037
www.kirklandproductions.com

October's Go There! Call

Special thanks go to Tom Hicks for Guest Facilitating Go There in October.

About the call:
Four people called in, from: U Georgia, SUNY Cortland, NW MO St. U., and Coe.

The discussion lasted for about 50 minutes and we talked about...

How there is an Affirmative Action case gaining steam in Texas that has a white student claiming they didn't get admitted because they are white — is AA on its last legs? What conversations are our campuses having about AA?

One participant asked for some ideas of how he could help work with a large initiative on his campus to ensure all first year students are exposed to diverse experiences and essentially create a four-year social justice/diversity/multicultural competency rubric for students. Sounds like a large and fun project that has lots of support, might do campus climate stuff, figuring out how to measure gains...

Tom brought up an article from TIME about separate schools for students who have been bullied, many of whom are GLBT, talked about separate but equal and whether or not this really gets at the problem and helps bullies stop bullying, how schools like this should be a last resort once parents and schools have tried everything else, victims deserve the right to live bully-free, are they similar to HBCUs?

Finished by talking about how we've been having conversations with students/colleagues about privilege
first-year courses, safety, helping men understand their privilege...

Join in the next Go There! It's free!
November 14th 3pm EST

Standards of Care Version 7 Now Available

The World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH)

Download: Standards of Care for the Health of Transsexual, Transgender, and Gender Nonconforming People