Thank you to our Sponsors!
Education Day 2024 Opening Keynote, Paul Born
Paul holds an M.A. in Leadership and in 2020 was selected as the Arts Alumni Achievement Award recipient at the University of Waterloo Canada's top innovation university. He is a global faculty member of the Asset-Based Community Development Institute (ABCD) and a senior fellow of Ashoka, the world's largest network of social innovators. Paul was appointed to the Order of Canada in 2019.
As an award-winning author on issues of community engagement and change, Paul is the Co-founder of Tamarack Institute and for 20 years was the CEO/Co-CEO. He is the founder and was the director of Vibrant Communities a national network of nearly 500 cities and communities ending poverty, deepening community, building youth futures and advancing climate transitions. Prior to that Paul founded and served as the CEO of Community Opportunities Development Association (CODA). CODA was awarded the distinguished United Nations Best Practices (Top 40) award for their community economic development work in the Waterloo Region of Canada. Paul’s newest venture is founding BE Community Ltd., a consulting company whose mission is to support communities to discover and realize breakthrough community change.
Paul is the author of five books including two best sellers (Deepening Community and Community Conversations). His latest book Breakthrough Community Change is a practical guide to whole community change and will be available April 2023.
Paul grew up as the son of refugees that worked together to survive and thrive. This experience is what made him deeply curious about and engaged in ideas that cause people to work together for the common good.
Breakout Session on Values Conflicts at End-of-Life
In this workshop, participants will reflect on values involved in end-of-life care, including individual, professional and societal level values.
Participants will also reflect on the meaning and dimensions of suffering at end-of-life and learn skills to help negotiate emerging values conflicts at end of life
Breakout Session on Trauma Informed Palliative Care
Over 75% of Canadian adults report having traumatic exposure in their lifetime. The session encourages participants to reflect on where trauma might be showing up in their work, how to recognize it, and what to do to care for themselves and for the people they support. Participants will be invited to engage in several experiential exercises.
Breakout Session on Care at the Time of Death
Join Melanie and her home-care nurse colleague Zena Reoch as they provide attendees with the “Top 10” practical hard and soft-skills for the care, communication with, and navigation, of patients and families who are in their final days and hours.
Drawing on both evidence based and experiential practice, we are hoping to build up our community of care providers by sharing our knowledge from community palliative care.
Breakout Session on Deprescribing in Palliative Care
The workshop aims to help participants feel more comfortable with medication deprescribing in patients undergoing a palliative approach to care; specifically looking at considerations towards end-of-life care.
Participants will work through example cases to apply and discuss deprescribing concepts.
Breakout Session on Deepening Community
Engage with Paul after his keynote in this facilitated conversation exploring the role of community in palliative care.
The three “sisters” of community engagement are: Inform - Consult - Involve. When people have good information, they feel empowered to join in. When people are consulted they know their ideas are valued. When people are involved they take ownership and are committed to the outcome. Come build community with us!
We will discuss the challenges and opportunities for community building in the care we receive as care givers and the care we provide. This is a practical and collective workshop where you will hear and share stories of the power of community in palliative care.
Excursion session "Book Club" – Drop in - Ongoing
Join us for an engaging and relaxed 'Book Club' session at this year's Education Day! Whether you're a voracious reader or simply looking for some new literary inspiration, this is the perfect opportunity to share your favorite reads, discuss books that have challenged your perspectives, and explore titles that have influenced your professional practice.
Expect a friendly atmosphere where you can connect with colleagues, exchange recommendations, and delve into meaningful conversations about the power of literature to shape our understanding of healthcare and enrich our lives. Whether it's a gripping novel that offers insight into patient experiences, a thought-provoking non-fiction book that challenges conventional wisdom, or a practical guide that has transformed the way you approach your work, we want to hear about it!
No pressure, no formalities – just an informal gathering of fellow care providers passionate about books and their impact. So grab your favorite beverage, bring along your book recommendations, and join us for an enjoyable session of literary exploration and camaraderie. We can't wait to hear about the books that have made a difference in your life and practice!
Excursion session on Zen Doodling: Drawing Together – A Calm Connection
In this 25 minute excursion, learn about the incredible mind, body, and spirit benefits of Zen Doodling. Zen Doodle is a style of drawing that uses structured patterns and creates a sense of calm, mindfulness, and connection.
In this session, we will create a Neurographic doodle. These are designed to capture how our body responds to certain circumstances and can transform feelings of fear, worry, or frustration into something more calming and peaceful. Past participants of this session report meditative responses and a sense of connection when creating with others.
Excursion session on Evoke The Joy from the Heart of Your Tune! Jazz Lounge Drop in
“We are illuminating playfulness together through our music. Such a practice requires devotion and attention while also giving us such a sense of wonder and awe. Ultimately building communities that value kindness and authenticity."
Excursion session on Crystal Bowl Sound Journey
Sound healing fosters deep relaxation and helps people create a sense of calmness and wellbeing.
Excursion session on Embodied Connection: Reigniting the relevance of the body-mind in witnessing ourselves and others
When was the last time you let the innate wisdom of your body be your guide? Why is this even relevant to our work in palliative care?
Join us as we practice the art of unconditional compassionate presence through self-initiated movement and imagery. Attune to yourself and explore how our relationship to our Self impacts how we are present with others.
Closing Keynote, Julia Sneyd
TRUST: The foundation of perspective
BREATH: The importance of presence
COMMUNITY: The power of expression, support & compassion
