“COMING Together” Diversity Education DVD
Background Information on the DVD:
“COMINGTogether,”an educational 7-minute DVD produced by SMDC Organizational Learning and Development and funded by the Miller-Dwan Foundation, is designed support initial or ongoing explorations of diversity. The intent of the DVD and discussion guide is to inspire appreciation, provoke thoughtful discussion and encourage personal responsibility in dealing with our human differences. The comprehensive discussion guide includes detailed lesson plans for 2-30 minute sessions, a 1 or 2 hour session, as well as additional questions for ongoing discussions that may be held in any organizational or school setting.
COMINGTogether was designed in response to a request from the SMDC Physician Values and Culture Committee, who requested that a tool be developed to be used in thoughtful discussions with all SMDC employees (physicians and staff) about appreciating and respecting our differences. An important component of the DVD is to show the diversity that we represent as an organization and as a community. The team that headed this project included Mary Engels (writer/ producer of COMINGTogether), Karen Alseth and Arlene Anderson, who worked together to obtain funding for the project and format the accompanying discussion guide. In April, a $12, 500 grant was awarded from the Miller Dwan Foundation to support the production and distribution of the DVD on a local and regional level, as well as to fund the services of an external consultant to offer guidance for launching this effort within our organization. An internal and external version of the DVD has been produced (both versions with optional subtitles).
National Debut of COMINGTogether: 2008 DiversityRx Conference - Quality Health Care for Culturally Diverse Populations(September 21-24, 2008 -- Minneapolis, MN)
COMING Together will debut nationally at this conference at the end of September. We plan on participating in the conference film festival and as an exhibitor to showcase this product to other organizations who may interested in supporting initial or ongoing explorations of diversity.
Regional Debut of COMINGTogether: 2008 St. Louis County Health and Human Service Conference (10/08)
The 2008 St. Louis County Health and Human Service Conference “Every One Of Us: Right Here, Right Now” represents a unique “COMING Together.” (Conference Dates Oct 23-24, 2008) COMINGTogether has been selected to open the conference prior to the keynote presentation by Dr. Deborah Plummer from the Cleveland Clinic. With additional financial support provided by the St. Louis County Health and Human Service Conference Fund, SMDC and the Miller Dwan Foundation are partnering with theSt. Louis County Public Health and Human ServicesDepartment to kick off a region-wide diversity education initiative at this conference.
It is our vision that conference participantswill bring a copy of “COMING Together” back to their workplaces, schools, homes, places of worship and community organizations to support initial or ongoing discussions on how to create a more inclusive environment for all people. With this combined effort we have the opportunity to ignite change in our neighborhoods, our businesses, our city and in our entire region. This change starts with every one of us – right here, right now.
For additional information on “COMING Together” please contact usat OL& or (218) 786-4430.
“COMING Together”
Funded by the
Produced by
Organizational Learning and Development
SMDC Health System
Duluth, Minnesota 55805
OL&
218.786.4430