Finding the Center 2011:

The Fifth Annual Action-Oriented Human Rights Conference

“Forging Alliances and Strategies for Action”

Saturday, April 9, 2011 • 8am-5pm:
University of Idaho, Moscow • Student Union Building

Funded in part by the Inland Northwest Community Foundation in partnership with CHEER, City of Moscow Human Rights Commission, Latah County Human Rights Task Force and the University of Idaho
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University of Idaho
Office of Human Rights, Access, and Inclusion
Administration Building Rm 104
PO Box 443160
Moscow, ID 83844-3160
(208) 885-4285

Finding the Center is a one-day conference promoting the protection of human rights through community-based change. The 2011 theme, Forging Alliances and Strategies for Action, encourages participants to make a lasting contribution to human rights work in the Inland Northwest. Participants will learn techniques, tools, and programming to implement in their home communities, schools, and workplaces. Projects instigated by conference attendees will contribute to Finding the Center’s long-term goal of creating an Inland Northwest Human Rights Alliance.

Conference Overview

  • Four unique workshop tracks are planned for 1) K-12 and higher education instructors, 2) high school and college students, 3) law enforcement and government personnel, and 4) business, organization & community representatives interested in human rights.
  • Participation includes two workshops for each track, morning and lunchtime plenaries, and strategy session.
Featured Presenters

Paul Wesselmann, aka the Ripples Guy.
 Photo of Paul Wesselmann
  • Morning plenary: Opening Hearts, Opening Minds: Finding the Center Without Losing Your Edge
  • Educator workshop: Using Social Media Tools For Social Justice Work
  • Student workshop: Veggies, Delusions & Gifts Oh My: A Different Approach to Interpersonal Effectiveness
Paul Wesselmann has degrees in psychology and higher education and has worked as a student affairs practitioner, a director of volunteer services, and a support group facilitator. Over 27,000 people connect with him weekly through his inspirational email Ripples at TheRipplesGuy.com.

Cherie Buckner-­Webb
  • Workshops for human rights advocates.
Photo of Cherie Buckner-Webb Cherie Buckner-Webb is a fifth generation Idahoan and the first African American to serve on the Idaho State Legislature. Cherie is a certified professional coach and is the founder and principal of Sojourner Coaching, "supporting highly motivated women and men to navigate the waters of their lives with purpose." Her extensive international business background includes positions in program management, diversity consultation, sales and marketing, business and organizational development, operations, and e-commerce.

Kitara McClure
 Photo of Cherie Buckner-Webb
  • Lunchtime plenary: Being the Change Agent.
  • Workshops for students and educators on leadership development and community organizing.
Kitara McClure's speeches and workshops are based on her challenging youth in inner city Chicago and her formative experience as a military sergeant. Kitara now resides in Spokane, WA, where she is heavily engaged in both the K-­12 and higher education systems and serves as the Multicultural Director at Spokane Community College.

Law Enforcement Workshops
  • Hate Crimes Investigation. Law enforcement and prosecution leaders will present on the nature of hate crime laws, investigatory techniques and the elements of a successful prosecution.
  • Bias Incidence and Hate Crime Response.What is the difference between a bias incident and a hate crime? What are the statistics on the prevalence of incidents and crimes? What are the triggers that create bias incidents and how do they grow to criminal acts? How can communities and law enforcement work together on educational and other outreach activities to prevent bias incidents and hate crimes? This workshop will present information and strategies to address these questions.

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