Professional Development

Welcome to AmeriCorps

Wednesday, September 25th, 2024: 3:30-5pm PDT // REGISTER HERE

Welcome aboard! AmeriCorps service is different from anything you have done before. In this workshop you will learn more about the history of AmeriCorps, the expectations of all AmeriCorps members, and a few key tips to ensure that you have a successful term of service.

September 2024 Professional Development PDF

Here is a collection of professional development events offered during the month of September in all focus areas.

Creating Connections & a Community of Practice

Thursday, October 17th, 2024: 5-6pm PDT // REGISTER HERE

A Community of Practice is a group of people who share a common concern or a set of problems who come together to fulfill group and individual goals. Come connect with other AmeriCorps members and fellows across the state and experience a design clinic to brainstorm problem-solving as a group! This session is a great opportunity to establish a community of support as our program year kicks off.

Oct 17th Workshop Recording

October 2024 Professional Development PDF

Here is a collection of professional development events offered during the month of October in all focus areas.

Understanding Emotional Intelligence & Equity

Tuesday, November 12th, 2024: 5-6pm PDT // REGISTER HERE

What is emotional intelligence? Why is it important and how does it overlap with equity work? How can it help you navigate your service project and in the future? Learn how emotional intelligence is vital to successful equitable workspaces and projects.

November 12th Workshop Recording

FALL SYMPOSIUM: Cultivating Inclusive Communities

Thursday, November 21st, 2024: 5-7pm PDT // REGISTER HERE

Join our first symposium to reflect on what it means to be inclusive in your service, and how to foster mutual respect and trust to establish a strong foundation for community bonds. After hearing from several speakers about their experiences cultivating inclusive communities, we will discuss barriers to inclusivity and potential solutions in small groups. There will be time for sharing out and Q & A.

Speakers: Dr. Sislena Ledbetter, Laural Ballew, and Amy Salinas Westmoreland

Fall Symposium Workshop Recording

Validate, Appreciate, Refer: Mental Health Workshop

Monday, November 25th, 2024: 5-6pm PDT // REGISTER HERE

This presentation led by Cody Mears (Certified Peer Counselor, St. Martin's University student and CLEC AmeriCorps alumni) is centered around how to have a conversation with someone who is struggling — with anything from academics to physical or mental health. The acronym VAR (validate, appreciate, refer) is a guide to help individuals feel more comfortable engaging in these difficult conversations. This workshop aims to provide guidance on how to be more effective, sensitive, and trauma-informed in our interactions with others who are having a hard time. All are welcome!

November 25th Workshop Recording

November 2024 Professional Development PDF

Here is a collection of professional development events offered during the month of November in all focus areas.

Collaborating Across Disciplines to Solve Community Problems

Thursday, December 5th, 2024: 5-6pm PDT // REGISTER HERE

Do you want to solve community problems, but worry that you don’t have all the expertise you need to get your ideas off the ground? Now more than ever, solving urgent community problems requires working across academic and professional disciplines. This session will explore some examples of cross-disciplinary collaboration, what some challenges might be, and the benefits of pursuing an interdisciplinary approach.

December 5th Workshop Recording

December 2024 Professional Development PDF

Here is a collection of professional development events offered during the month of December in all focus areas.

How to Start a Grassroots Organization

Tuesday, January 14th, 2025: 5-6pm PDT // REGISTER HERE

What is a grassroots organization and what does it take to start one? Learn how to inspire collective action from the local level to implement concrete change in your community. This session will dive into what it takes to set up a grassroots organization from a legal standpoint, how to secure funding, how to garner community support, and more.

January 14th Workshop Recording

January 2025 Professional Development PDF

Workshop: How to Promote Community Needs with Elected Officials

Thursday, February 6th,5-6pm PDT // REGISTER HERE

There are many different steps we can take to create change in our communities. One is to become civically engaged – without holding office! We will explore how to reach out to your elected officials and learn tips for how you can effectively champion your community’s needs.   

Note for AmeriCorps Members: This session is not about attempting to influence legislation or engaging in partisan political activities. See the Prohibited Activities section in your Member Service Agreement for more information. 

February 6th Workshop Recording

WINTER SYMPOSIUM: Advocating for Change - Social Justice in Action

Saturday, February 22nd, 2025: 10am-12pm PDT // REGISTER HERE

This symposium will feature influential speakers and their personal experiences confronting social injustices in their communities. We will learn what it takes to push through adversity and make real-world differences. This session will inspire and empower you to recognize the power you hold in your personal and professional networks, education, and lived experiences, all of which contribute to your ability to create lasting change.

February 2025 Professional Development PDF

Here is a collection of professional development events offered during the month of February in all focus areas.

Learn Harm Reduction Methodology and Mental Health Support

Wednesday, March 10th, 2025: 5-6pm PDT// REGISTER HERE

This is an evidence-based presentation regarding harm reduction in terms of psychoactive substance use and misuse. We will also engage in a brief presentation about mental health and how to connect, validate, show appreciation for, and refer someone who is struggling with either mental health and/or challenges related to Substance Use Disorder. This will be done through the utilization of an evidence-based, trauma, and culturally informed lens. This knowledge will be applied through engaging in roleplaying exercises and other activities as a way to help us feel comfortable utilizing these skills in our own lives.  

Prior knowledge of the topic or attendance in the last workshop "Validate, Appreciate, Refer: How to Have a Conversation with Someone who is Struggling" is not necessary to attend. Participants should come prepared to engage with the content as they are able, because we will be engaging in exercises that include roleplaying and painting a collective picture of what validate, appreciate, and refer means.

March 10th Workshop Recording

Networking - More Than LinkedIn 

Tuesday, March 11th, 2025: 5-6pm PDT// REGISTER HERE

Want to learn how to make connections in your field but don’t know where to start? This interactive workshop aims to help prepare AmeriCorps members and Student Civic Fellows for the Continuums of Service Conference later this month, or whatever networking opportunities come your way. We will practice networking skills and tactics to help you connect with the contacts you want – and the ones you didn’t know you needed!  

March 11th Workshop Recording

CONTINUUMS OF SERVICE CONFERENCE 

Wednesday–Friday, March 26th-28th, 2025, Seattle University // REGISTER HERE

Join us for the 2025 Continuums of Service Conference! The theme of this IN-PERSON regional event is “Higher Education: Honoring our Connections to Place and Indigenous Communities.” In this gathering, we will seek to explore ways that higher education honors place and Indigenous history, builds partnerships, values diverse knowledge, and creates more welcoming environments for Indigenous and other diverse students, faculty, and staff. Space is limited. Financial assistance will be available to WACC-member campuses to support student or AmeriCorps member attendance. Application for financial assistance will be available in November. 

March 2025 Professional Development PDF

How to Stay Passionate Without Wearing Yourself Out - The Essence of Project Management 

Thursday, April 17th, 2025: 5-6pm PDT // REGISTER HERE

Feeling stressed and burned out, but still feeling the pull to serve your community? In this workshop, we will break down the basics of sustainably planning projects, staying within time and budget constraints, maintaining self-care, and how to scale up your projects – when you have capacity. 

April 17th Workshop Recording

April 2025 Professional Development PDF

Communicating for the Public Good - Making the Case for Social Change

Tuesday, May 20th, 2025: 5-6pm PDT // REGISTER HERE

What’s your elevator pitch about your service project and the issues that most concern you? Can you concisely explain to someone what you’re working on and why you’re so passionate about it? Effective communication doesn’t have to be complicated! This session aims to demystify how to communicate complex information and build support for the issues you care about. It will also help prepare members to present at the Student Success Panel at the end of May. Please plan to attend if you would like to present on your service project.

SPRING SYMPOSIUM: Student Success Panel

Thursday, May 29th, 2025: 4-6pm PDT

VIEW RECORDING.

Come celebrate your success and present your service project to our AmeriCorps and Student Civic Fellows community! Our final symposium will feature student presentations to share the incredible service that has been completed over the past year and offers AmeriCorps members and fellows an opportunity to practice their public speaking skills in a supportive space. We will select a panel of students or members to present, so please contact us if you are interested. All community members are invited!