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Upcoming Holidays & Festivals
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April 19 YOM HASHOAH (Jewish)
April 21 RIDVAN, first day (Baha'i)
May 4 - 6 WESAK - (Northern tradition - Buddhist)
May 5 CINCO DE MAYO - celebrated in Mexico and by Mexican-Americans.
May 6 BUDDHA DAY - (Buddhist)
May 17 ASCENSION DAY - (Protestant, Roman Catholic)
May 27-29 SHAVUOT (Jewish)
May 28 MEMORIAL DAY (USA)
Visit our website to download our INTERFAITH CALENDAR, which provides 2012 holidays and festivals and their explanation.
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More than 7,000 youth and adults participated in an American Conference on Diversity program or event this past year. American Conference on Diversity programs educate and empower individuals and groups to help promote understanding and respect among diverse peoples and help create inclusive communities. Your support will help the American Conference on Diversity continue to provide programs that promote understanding and respect among all. We hope that you will continue to join us on our journey to value diversity, educate leaders and promote respect.
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April 2012
Information from IN BRIEF may be used in other publications provided that American Conference on Diversity is appropriately acknowledged
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| COMMENTARY | | |
Reflections
I write this last Commentary as I prepare to leave the American Conference on Diversity. While looking into the future toward retirement, I am also looking back and reflecting.
What will be missed; what brings feelings of pride and feelings of gratitude?
In January I announced my retirement as President & CEO of the American Conference on Diversity, after thirteen years of growth and excitement. Now, I am looking forward to the next chapter in my life but will miss the day to day challenges and exceptional highs of many successes. Mostly, too, I will miss the many colleagues and friends I have made over the years.
The American Conference on Diversity does incredibly important work in New Jersey. That work, of course, will continue with enthusiasm by our dedicated, experienced and professional staff. We now have eight chapters and one more ready to launch and more than 150 volunteers who support our programs for social justice. Last year we reached 7,100 adults and youth through our work - an all time high - and 25,000 more through expanded Actions Plans.
Along with the leadership of a wonderful and supportive Board of Trustees, I am grateful to our many donors, contributors, chapter board members and volunteers, whose consistent support during both good and these recent difficult economic times has helped us weather these storms. That generosity is immeasurably important and appreciated.
Each person involved in the organization has given their time, treasure and talent to make New Jersey the best place it can be for all of us. Those are gifts so very worthy of acknowledgment and praise.
Thank you to all of you for making my time with the American Conference on Diversity so special to me. It has been a privilege to lead this organization and to dedicate my career to a mission and cause in which I believe so strongly - valuing diversity, educating and empowering leaders and promoting respect.
Our efforts do matter. We each can make a difference. You already have done so by supporting this organization because the work of the American Conference on Diversity is to create the civil society we wish to be the legacy we leave to the next generation.
Thank you for being part of my life's journey.
Diane
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| UPCOMING PROGRAMS & EVENTS |
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April 26 JERSEY SHORE CHAPTER DINING FOR DIVERSITY AWARDS DINNER honoring Lorenzo (Bill) Dangler, President, Greater Long Branch NAACP: Rev. Dr. Henry P. Davis, Sr., Senior Pastor, St. Paul Baptist Church; Jersey Shore PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Transgenders), Abby Maisonave, President; Lakewood BlueClaws, Geoff Brown, General Manager; and Laura F. Rickards, Director, Educational & Opportunity Fund - Office of Multicultural Services, Ocean County College. Jumping Brook Country Club, Neptune at 5:30 p.m. Click here for journal ads, sponsorships and seat reservations.
May 3 HUDSON COUNTY CHAPTER BUSINESS & YOUTH LEADERSHIP LUNCHEON honoring Fidelity Investments; Hudson Community Enterprises, Maureen Walliser, President; and Ahmed Shedeed, President of the Islamic Council of Jersey City. Special Jersey City High School Poster Art contest exhibit. Puccini's Restaurant, 12:00 noon. Click here for sponsorships and seat reservations.
May 11 Educators' Institute 2011 BUILDING INCLUSIVE SCHOOLS - Bias in Motion: Breaking the Cycle of Bullying. 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., Stockton College, Campus Meeting Room 5. $65. 6 CEUs awarded. Click here to register.
May 20 DIVERSITY STRIDE WALK-A-THON, Liberty State Park, 12:00 noon Click here to register.
May 23 ESSEX COUNTY CHAPTER HUMANITARIAN AWARDS DINNER honoring South Orange/Maplewood Community Coalition on Race, Nancy Gagnier, Executive Director and Anthony Greene, Chair of the Board of Trustees; Steven J. Diner, University Professor and former Chancellor, Rutgers - Newark; and Darnell L. Moore, Director of Educational Initiatives, Hetrick-Martin Institute. Mayfair Farms, 6:00 p.m. Click here for sponsorships and seat reservations.
May 31 CENTRAL JERSEY CHAPTER BUSINESS & YOUTH AWARDS RECEPTION honoring William B. Hagaman, Jr., CPA, Managing Partner WithumSmith+Brown, PC; Elijah's Promise, Lisanne Finston, Executive Director; and Siemens Corporation. Special Central Jersey Middle School poster art exhibit and contest. Renaissance Woodbridge Hotel (Iselin), 6:00 p.m. Click here for sponsorships, ads and seats.
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EDUCATORS' INSTITUTE
MAY 11, 2012 at Stockton College
JUNE 26-29 at Fairleigh Dickinson, Madison | |
BIAS IN MOTION:
BREAKING THE CYCLE OF BULLYING
Stockton College, Meeting Room 5
Open to teachers, administrators, anti-bullying specialists or coordinators and counselors from NJ public, private, charter and independent schools. The program will provide participants with the knowledge and skill to work towards the elimination of all forms of bullying, harassment and discrimination and creation of safe, equitable and inclusive school environments. The Institute will focus on the various connections of bias and bullying (cyber-bullying) as well as promising practices to break the cycle of bullying. Participants will receive 6 CEUs upon successful completion of the full-day program. $65 registration includes all meals and resource materials. Registration deadline, April 30. Click here to register.
Educators' Institute 2012 Building Inclusive Schools Series is held in cooperation with the Peter Sammartino School of Education at Fairleigh Dickinson University and with funding from the Wells Fargo Foundation.
SUMMER EDUCATORS' INSTITUTE
CREATING MULTICULTURAL LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS - June 26 - 29, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. at Fairleigh Dickonson University (Madison Campus). 28 CEUs awarded upon successful completion of the program. Held in cooperatation with the Peter Sammartino School of Education at Fairleigh Dickinson University and with funding from the Wells Fargo Foundation, the Summer Educators' Institute is open to teachers, administrators, counselors and other individual interested in building more inclusive and affirming classrooms. The $260 fee includes training materials, breakfast and lunch. Registration deadline June 1; Click here to register.
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| DIVERSITY STRIDE - MAY 20, 2012 | |
CELEBRATE DIVERSITY IN NEW JERSEY!
May 20, 2012
Liberty State Park
The Diversity Stride is a leisurely 3 mile walk along a waterfront promenade. While you are walking, take in the picturesque views of Ellis Island, the Manhattan Skyline and the Statue of Liberty.
Enjoy refreshments and cultural entertainment before and after the walk. There will be face painting and fun games for kids.
Feel free to bring your neighbors, friends, family and even your dogs!
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| YOUR SUPPORT MAKES A DIFFERENCE! |
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"It was life changing and something I will always remember."
These are the words of an American Conference on Diversity Lead for Diversity student delegate describing her experience. You can help create more life changing experiences and create a diverse and inclusive New Jersey. DONATE NOW and help American Conference on Diversity continue to deliver programs that make an impact and change lives.
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