2017 Regional Training in Kelowna

 

Regional Gathering – Interior
November 21 and 22 , 2017

 

Day 2: Ignite talk with Kim Kinakin of Living Positive Resource Centre

Pacific AIDS Network was thrilled to work in partnership with the Interior Health Authority to host a two-day regional gathering to learn, share wisdom and network. Participants working in the Interior Health region came from Cranbrook, Nelson, Vernon, Kamloops, Williams Lake and Kelowna.

We met on the traditional territory of the Syilx (Okanagan) people, who started off the training. The first day was led by Vikki Reynolds with a focus on grief and loss in the workplace and how to build resiliency in the face of the ongoing opioid crisis in BC. Vikki spoke about the complexity of the crisis, and challenged participants to think about what brings them and keeps them in the work they do. She worked with the group on becoming aware of what puts people at risk for burnout and how to build what she calls a “zone of fabulousness” with connection, dignity and respect.

 

Some takeaway points:

“Self care does not do anything about the social determinants of health” but it sets you up to make changes. Looking after yourself means you arrive at work balanced and ready to respond, not react

Connection is the key to resilience. Build yourself a circle of solidarity: people who respect what you do, and won’t distance themselves with comments like “I could never do what you do; it must be so hard.”

What are you and your organization doing to sustain people? Sustainability gives hope.

What is your organization’s “zone of fabulousness”? Consider how do people work together in terms of ethics, compassion and efficiency.

Suggested reading

Holding on with Letting Go – Vikki Reyolds

“Leaning In” as Imperfect Allies in Community Work – Vikki Reynolds

Resisting Burnout  – Vikki Reynolds

Explore more of Vikki Reynold’s Writing page

 

Day two featured a morning with the Kelowna chapter of the Canadian Mental Health Association on building peer engagement. In the afternoon, PAN member groups shared highlights of their programs and organizations.

 

Get to Know Interior Health groups

Canadian Mental Health Association, Kelowna

PAN member groups in the Interior Health region

 

 

 

For more information about Regional training events, contact:
Stacy Leblanc
Director of Program Development
Pacific AIDS Network
Tel: 604.968.3160
Email: [email protected]

Janet Madsen
Capacity Building and Knowledge Translation Coordinator
Pacific AIDS Network
Tel: 604.725.5897
Email: [email protected]

 

 

We greatly appreciate the vision of our government funders and their ongoing commitment to supporting the work of the Pacific AIDS Network. In particular we gratefully acknowledge the Public Health Agency of Canada – HIV and Hepatitis C Community Action Fund. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the views of the Public Health Agency of Canada.