NASPA 2012 - Program update

A quick note from Dr. Larry Roper related to the planning for the 2012 Conference in Phoenix in response to my inquiry about concerns expressed by our regional members.

The committee is clear on one point, we want our conference to be organized around what we want to promote about what NASPA represents for its members, not about what we oppose regarding Arizona’s legislative history.  For us the distinction between these two foci is very important.  We do not want to have a conference that is focused on negative, eliminative energy.  Instead, we want a conference based on the future we are trying to achieve and the values we want to promote.  

Some of the specific things we have lined up in this regard are: we are working with community-based organizations in the Phoenix area to allow our members to be involved in grassroots activism (these opportunities will be available for advance registration); we will have an art display by Claudia Ramirez that will be exhibited throughout the conference, we will also give members the opportunity to interact with Claudia; we will have a venue available for members to express their belief on issues that matter to them (this will be done in a format similar to TED Talks or “This I Believe” presentations; we are still working on attracting speakers who will directly address issues related to the impact of SB 1050 and other legislations that affects social and educational dynamics in the state (we have invitations out and are balancing the risks of how long we can wait for commitments), we have already secured Consuelo Kickbush who will directly address  issues related to providing support and justice for Latino youth; the Program Committee meets in October.  

At this time we will put together our invited sessions, which will be the place where we will integrate educational sessions that can provide new perspectives to our members and engage them in exploring issues related to Arizona and its impact on individuals and communities.  When the program is unfolded it will be clear that we have dedicated space to explore issues related to the climate in Arizona; and because the conference is being held in the convention center, which is built on sacred ground, we will involve members of the local indigenous community in acknowledging the significance of the space.