Diversity & Inclusion Awards Nomination Coaching Sessions
These prestigious awards are given to recognize businesses and organizations in the Pikes Peak Region that demonstrate and promote diversity and inclusion in both their internal operations and external civic engagement. Standards of excellence will include highly inclusive organizational policies and benefits, as well as commitment to diversity training, education, and volunteerism on all levels of operation.  

June 25^th COACHING SESSION

Information covered:

• Best practices and how to include them in a great diversity program; 
• Determine if you have a program that is worthy of nomination; 
• Learn how/if you can make changes to improve your program
• Find out what and how to include information in your nomination 
• Learn from past Award Winners about their diversity and inclusion programs and how they show-cased their programs to earn the award; 
• Hear what the judges are looking for in their assessments and how you can demonstrate the work you do;
• Ask questions and get feedback!

Participate in conversations among people from a variety of backgrounds and experience shared over dinner! Topics which tend to generate a variety of opinions are discussed with the support of ground rules and a neutral facilitator. Several groups are formed each quarter and will commit to meeting 5 times in the following 6 months to engage in respectful dialog. Next session begins in October, 2013. Applications currently being accepted.

Here is what people who have been in a Food for Thought group have to say about their experiences in the program:

"The Food For Thought is the best hidden event in this community. I had asked my God for some opportunity to talk and share with others and the door was opened. How cool was that. The folks that I met were wonderful people to hang out with. The issues were fruitful with a sweet and sometimes bitter taste. But most of all having an opportunity to safely share your opinions and still feel good to know that you've been heard was nice." Belenda Cornelius, Food for Thought participant.

"I've really enjoyed my participation in Food for Thought both as a facilitator and a participant.  Even when people have very different points of view I found that everyone, including myself, has to dig a little deeper to understand the issues and the various points of view."  said Dee Hiatt, participant and facilitator in numerous Food for Thought discussion groups, "Engaging in these discussion remind me that I have I don't always have the answers or know the subject as well as I thought.  I quickly found out that I can learn from someone else, even if I don't' agree with his/her opinion. Food for thought has introduced to some wonderful people that live in Colorado Springs that I probably never would have met otherwise.  Along the way I've also gotten to know myself better and have a deeper understanding of the various issues that face our community and our country."

"Food for Thought has allowed complete strangers with very little in common to meet and learn from each other. We are no longer strangers and have more in common than we originally thought." Ada Torres, MA

"Nothing we talked about changed my mind," remarked Dale Comyford, a self-identified conservative."But, I started to understand why other people think in ways that I don¹t necessarily agree with. And, I think, vice versa ­ the reverse happened. We could talk with one another and find that we made sense to each other even if we didn't always agree." 

"It was all I thought it would be and more. It tested our comfort zone because of people from different walks of life, hearing their perspectives and offering your own perspectives with no concern for someone getting offended" said Vic Tise, Food for Thought participant "By all means, if you want to be able to freely share your perspectives on issues about the community and enjoy dialogue with people very much different from you I would encourage you to go!" 

Food for Thought Breaking Bread Building Bridges FAQ's and Application

*Please save a copy of your application in case of error