Special Announcements

~Browse WISR’s Inaugural WISR Newsletter: Summer 2020

~Until further notice, due to COVID-19, all WISR seminars and events are online only

~All of the following events, WISR sponsored or that the WISR Community is invited to join, count as hours of collaboration for WISR students in their coursework.

INTERDISCIPLINARY SEMINAR(S)  are a way for WISR students to learn about core subjects of social change, writing, multiculturalism, adult/higher education, community leadership and social action-research. Community members are welcome to participate as well.  Students are strongly requested to participate in at least one seminar each month, unless they have an unavoidable conflict.  Students also have the option of creating seminars on topics of interest, of forming their own peer discussion groups, and developing regular collaborations with other WISR students. 

DIALOGUE WITH AUTHOR JAKE SLOAN:  CHALLENGES WITH RACISM & INSIGHTS FOR OUR TIMES

Saturday, September 19th, 10am-12pm
Join us in conversation with Jake Sloan, author of a history of a collective action and challenges with racial justice. Participants are encouraged to read or begin reading their books before the seminar.
author of a history of a collective action and challenges with racial justice.

Mark Corbett Wilson – Moderator

Jake Sloan, MA, WISR Alumnus, is the author of Standing Tall: Willie Long and the Mare Island Original 21ers, A Legacy of Courage, Activism, and Social Justice, has spent most of his adult life working in the areas of civil rights, affirmative action and the problem of income inequality of African Americans. After serving in the military, Mr. Sloan started his working career as a pipefitter, mainly on the construction of nuclear submarines. He now owns Davillier-Sloan, Inc., one of California’s largest labor-management consulting firms, with a focus on the construction industry.  His participation in the Mare Island 21ers Complaint in Vallejo, CA, coincided with the Civil Rights movement in the South, starting in the early 1960s.

Available to order through https://mareislandoriginal21.com/ and many booksellers.

Video/phone conferencing Zoom
link  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89996828646 ; 
Phone# 669-900-6833 with ID# 899 9682 8646. To RSVP or for help with technical difficulties call 510-655-2830 or email johnb@wisr.edu and provide a phone# in case of technical difficulties.

HUMAN DIGNITY AND HUMILIATION
QUARTERLY DIALOGUE
MFT & Interdisciplinary Seminar
Saturday, September 26th, 10am-12pm 
Rosa Reinikainen, MFT, WISR Adjunct Faculty, Facilitator

We are so fortunate at WISR to be linked in with the global network of Human Dignity and Humiliation Studies.  Evelyn Lindner and Linda Hartling have dedicated their lives to the important study of these dynamics.  Understanding the dynamics of humiliation is critical to healing from these cycles and restoring our innate dignity.

We live in a highly interconnected world. Humiliation cycles happen in a social, political, environmental, relational and interpersonal level, as well as an internal level.  It is important to look at our participation in these systems. There is escalating social instability, political unrest, violent conflict, economic injustice, and climate change and now a pandemic, which is already increasing and exacerbating existing inequality. There are massive issues with Police murdering back and brown people. We are having increasing climate disruption leading to floods, wildfires, earthquakes, and hurricanes. In looking at these dynamics we can create the impetus to design innovative, sustainable, and mutually dignifying solutions to these problems. We will discuss how we can create systems that ensure equal dignity for all.

This seminar is a discussion about Human Dignity and Humiliation.  It is a ‘come-as-you-are’ discussion, meaning you do not need to have a deep understanding of these ideas.   We have all had experiences that are relevant to the discussion.   These dialogues can help create change. Come discuss human dignity and humiliation with me.  

MARRIAGE FAMILY THERAPY (MFT) SEMINARS are for WISR students pursuing an MFT and/or LPCC license. Other interested persons are welcome to attend (on site or by video conference) and receive CEU credit for MFTs and LPCCs, but you must RSVP the faculty member (see email contact info below) in advance. *WISR students not in the MFT program may get CEU credit for no additional charge, others pay $40.  These seminars are typically held at WISR from 10am to 12 or 1pm (as listed) with a short break; often students bring a snack. MFT students must participate in a total of 48 such seminars in order to graduate. These required seminars for our MS program lead to the State of California MFT and LPCC licenses and are now available by telephone conference call and video webinar.  

PRACTICUM PROCESS GROUP
Saturday, September 5th, October 3rd
Monthly, the first Saturdays of each month unless otherwise notified. 
10am-12pm

Rosa Reinikainen, MFT, WISR Adjunct Faculty  leads this group for those MFT and LPCC students and alumni who are pre-practicum, those who are in practicum, and those who have already done their practicum.  We will be discussing issues around therapy practices, including treatment plans, assessments, modalities etc.  This is a place for students, interns and associates to discuss their experiences, hopes and ideas and to discuss the world of therapy in a group setting.  This is a monthly seminar where we can discuss any thoughts, ideas or concerns you might have surrounding practicum and therapy practices. Everyone is welcome regardless of where you are at in your learning.

Video/phone conferencing Zoom link
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85388008924 ;
Phone# 669-900-6833 with ID# 853 8800 8924. Please RSVP rosa.reinikainen@wisr.edu or  call 510-655-2830 and provide a phone# in case of technical difficulties. 

DISASTERSHOCK is a valuable Resource on Dealing with Stress During a Major Disaster, Co-authored by WISR Faculty Member, and Chief Academic Officer, Brian Gerrard, PhD: Disastershock: How to Cope with the Stress of a Major Disaster provides explicit instructions on how to lower stress using 20 different practical techniques. The majority of these are cognitive-behavioral and evidence-based techniques known to reduce stress and reduce the effects of trauma. The manual is in 3 sections. Part 1 provides adults with techniques to lower stress. Part 2 is written for parents, teachers, and anyone working with children and contains techniques for helping children to lower their stress. Part 3 contains additional books, videos, and internet resources. Since 1989 Disastershock (now in its 4th edition and available as an ebook on Amazon and Apple iBook) has been distributed free to countries around the world where there have been disasters. A 92 person Disastershock team representing 26 countries is currently translating Disastershock into 20 different languages for global distribution. Free copies of Disastershock may be downloaded from https://www.disastershock.com/ . If you are willing to volunteer some time to assist us with helping our global family, please contact Brian (brian.gerrard@wisr.edu).

WISR’S STATEMENT AND ACTIONS ON RACIAL JUSTICE

The Current Voices and Actions in Support of Racial Justice Must Not Be a Moment, but Must Be a Continuing Movement Toward Racial Justice. We believe in Dr. King’s famous statement that “We shall overcome because the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.”

It is the responsibility of all of us to make Dr. King’s statement true, and not to be bystanders at this important time. The current and long overdue attention must be sustained beyond a brief moment of outrage in time, especially, given that the United States’ founding history was significantly based on the slavery of African Americans and the genocide of Native Americans.

Since WISR’s founding, its mission and educational programs have been committed in practice, not just in words, to multiculturalism, inclusive diversity and social justice.

Members of the WISR learning community remain committed to these principles, although each member may demonstrate their commitments in different ways, through their own individual voices as well as through their collaborative actions at WISR and beyond.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND DISCLOSURES 

ABOUT WISR SEMINARS AND EVENTS

• For those who are new to WISR, here are some important things to know about WISR seminars and events.

• All WISR seminars and events are accessible online through the use of Zoom, and they are also concurrently held on site at WISR’s facility in Berkeley, CA, which is on unceded, traditional Ohlone territory.

• At WISR, we intend to create a learning environment that is safe, and supportive of mutually respectful dialogue and collaboration, and curiosity and openness in learning. [see WISR’s Statement of Non-Discrimination and Affirmation of Diversity Values: https://www.wisr.edu/wisr-statement-of-affirmation-of-diversity-values/ –and a portion a portion of which is found under “WISR Core Values Include” below ]

• At WISR, we welcome people from all walks of life and of many, varied values and political beliefs, who share WISR’s commitment to our affirmation of diversity values.

• At the beginning of each seminar, we give each participant a minute to introduce themselves, and if they wish, to share a bit about themselves. Those wishing to inform others of the personal pronoun they wish to have used for themselves, are encouraged to do so, when introducing themselves.

• DISCLOSURE ABOUT RECORDING EVENTS AT WISR, AND WISR’s USE OF THE PHOTOS AND VIDEOS OF WISR’s PUBLIC EVENTS: All WISR seminars and events are recorded, and photos and video clips, and sometimes entire videos, of WISR seminars may be posted on WISR’s website, on WISR’s Facebook Page, or on WISR’s You Tube Channel. We publicly share some videos and clips to promote WISR’s educational content to the wider public. In addition, the entire video of each seminar is, with some exceptions, accessible to WISR students, faculty and staff through WISR’s online courses. By participating in a WISR seminar or other event, you are giving WISR permission to use photos or videos of your participation in these seminars and events. However, if you have strong concerns about a particular portion of the seminar in which you made comments, you may, within 24 hours, request that we remove that portion of your comments. In addition, if you want us to edit out your image and entire participation from one, or even all videos, or photos, of WISR seminars we will honor such requests.

WISR CORE VALUES INCLUDE

Developing a multicultural, inclusive perspective. This means developing and using multicultural perspectives to inform one’s purposes, and one’s views of social issues and challenges and opportunities in one’s chosen fields or arenas of endeavor—profession, workplace, community.

• Developing a sense of empathy, compassion and community toward, and with others.

• Appreciating and understanding the broad spectrum of perspectives and consciousness, and how those arise out of people’s culture, gender, economic background, religious and sexual orientation.

• A culture of learning that respects and promotes the dignity of every person.

• The belief that no individual or group may rightfully prosper at the expense of others.

• The use of language that conveys respect for persons whose gender identity, culture, religion, sexual orientation, economic background, or political interests may differ from our own.

Prospective students and Community Learners are invited to attend these seminars. Contact WISR if you need a ride from the BART or want to carpool.