15th ANNUAL ONTARIO HEALTH PROMOTION SUMMER SCHOOL

The Ontario Health Promotion Summer School consists of many kinds of classes and presentations. We begin the week on Monday at 9:00 a.m. (following registration - which begins at 8:00 a.m.) with a warm welcome for all participants including a special audio-visual presentation highlighting Francophone culture and diversity as well as a First Peoples' Opening Ceremony led by two Elders.

During this week participants will separate by Series --those registered for Series 1 workshops (The First Peoples' curriculum). Those registered for Series 2 workshops (French-language curriculum) will meet each other in a 'small group' session. And those registered for Series 3, will meet and work together for their first Core Session.

Each Series has five (5) sessions offered throughout the week - these sessions are called 'Core Sessions'. Each participant will have a schedule for the Series that they have registered for, to guide them throughout the Summer School.

Participants in Series 1 and 3 will work in smaller groups twice during the week - once on Monday and again on Tuesday (See description below: Small Groups)

All participants will attend two Toolbox Sessions; one set is offered on Monday and another on Tuesday. (See description below: Toolbox Sessions). Pre-registration is mandatory.

Participants CAN attend the First Peoples' Banquet and Personal Development Workshops but they are NOT mandatory. Pre-registration is mandatory, however.

PRESCHOOL CLASSES (offered on Sunday preceding Summer School) ARE AN OPTIONAL ADDITION FOR PARTICIPANTS AT SUMMER SCHOOL. Pre-registration is mandatory. (See description below: Preschool).

The theme for this HPSS 2008 will be the focus of opening and closing plenary sessions, core sessions and toolbox presentations. Below is a description of this theme.

Preschool sessions provide an overview of health promotion concepts and principles.
There are two sessions for newcomers or for those whom require a refresher. There is one afternoon session that is for those experienced in the field.

Preschool A: Health Promotion 101 (10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.)
This workshop is designed for newcomers to the field and those who require a refresher, providing an introduction to general concepts in health promotion.

Fee: $50 per participant (course materials and snacks included)
Instructor: Suzanne Jackson

Preschool B: Health Promotion and Evaluation (1:30 to 5:00 p.m.)
This workshop is designed for newcomers to the field and those who require a refresher, providing an introduction to general concepts in evaluation in health promotion.

Fee: $100 per participant (course materials, lunch and snacks included)
Instructor: Robb Macdonald

Preschool C: Speaking Truth to Power: The Art and Science of Advocating for Healthy Public Policies (1:30 to 5:00 p.m.)

Fee: $100 per participant, course materials, lunch and snacks included)
Instructor: Brian Hyndman

REGISTRATION MANDATORY: Please indicate your choices on the registration form.

1. PLENARY SESSION

An inspirational keynote presentation will be offered at the closing of the Summer School - Wednesday June 25, 1:30-3:00 p.m. - to help bring participants from all curriculum areas together for learning and reflection. This Closing Session will be bilingual, and reflect the needs and experiences of diverse communities of Ontario, including First Peoples and Francophone.

SUMMARY: This presentation is not only a call for a fierce defense of the complex issues affecting the health of Canadians, but also a plea to change the language that will fit on a bumper sticker or a seven-second sound bite.

The Opening and Closing Ceremony is done in a traditional Anishnawbek manner. It is ceremony. At both ceremonies the four sacred medicines will be burned: tobacco, cedar, sage and sweet grass.

This particular ceremony is as old as time. All original Nations have their own ways to do this. It is not acceptable to consider one ‘way’ better than another. Instead, all ceremonies are highly regarded and respected for their sacred nature.

Anishnawbek Way brings a holistic approach that integrates spiritual, physical, mental and emotional aspects of ourselves and the world around us. Through the process of opening and closing, we literally explore what surrounds us and what is inside us. We want to ensure that we are gathering everything we need to carry out the tasks ahead. It is to help bring the body, mind and spirit of each of us together. Ceremony also reminds of us how we are to behave in a balanced manner for the benefit of ourselves and generations that will follow.

We welcome everyone to join in ceremony as we open and close the Health Promotion Summer School.

Participants are asked to select one of three Series offered (when registering). The participant will attend five (5) Core Sessions within their Series, offered throughout the week.

An integrated set of workshops and lectures will be offered within each series. Participants are advised NOT to consider attending workshops within different series.

Two Small Group sessions are part of Series 1 and 3, designed to deepen learning and practical application. (see Small Group Sessions description below)

4. SMALL GROUP SESSIONS

Small Group sessions will be available in both English and in French. These sessions offer a greater in-depth and more interactive exploration of material presented in the larger group series.

Participants will attend Small Group sessions associated with the Series that they have chosen.

Each Small Group will stay together and meet two (2) times (except those participating in Series 2 (French-language sessions), who will meet once only.

A range of 90-minute Toolbox sessions (practical hands-on workshops) will be open to all participants. Participants must choose two (2) different Toolbox sessions when they register.

6. PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS

Personal development workshops are a time-out session for participants at the Summer School. Focused on offering ways of handling stress and improving self-care, a variety of hands-on workshops will be offered on Tuesday evening from 7:30-9:00 p.m.

7. COMMUNITY NETWORKING AND EXCHANGE

The Ontario Health Promotion Summer School is an excellent venue for professional networking. Participants bring a wide variety of backgrounds, expertise and cultural experience.

We provide many opportunities for exchange and dialogue, in an informal setting and in classes and presentations. Information about informal networking opportunities will be posted at the Summer School.

PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS
Non-profit organizations with a health-promotion related mission are entitled to put materials out for participants, provided they are not for sale. There is no charge for this. The Centre for Health Promotion reserves the right to refuse display of materials if deemed inappropriate.

The following guidelines must be followed:

a) All materials that are shipped to the hotel in advance must be marked to the attention of 'HPSS 2008', and labelled 'Box 1 of 3', 'Box 2 of 3' etc. THE HOTEL CHARGES FOR STORAGE OF MATERIALS THAT ARRIVE PRIOR TO THE 18TH OF JUNE. ALL COSTS FOR THESE WILL BE BILLED TO THE AGENCY SHIPPING THESE MATERIALS. Any boxes weighing more than 75 pounds will be refused by the hotel.

b) Those who are bringing their materials with them can bring them any time from Sunday at 11 a.m. IT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED THAT MATERIALS BE SET UP FOR DISPLAY ON SUNDAY.

c) Agencies must ensure that ALL materials on their display table are removed on Wednesday, no later than 12:30 p.m.

d) It is NOT necessary to have an individual 'staffing' the display table (most interest in display tables takes place during breaks and lunchtime); agencies cannot send an individual to HPSS to staff the table, unless they are registered as a participant.

e) Contact Coordinator for more information, if required.

CONTACT LIST
Please let us know on your registration form if you would like your name and coordinates to be added.