Lessions Learned: Frustating Foods

Food has been my best friend for many and plenty of years as seen by my increasing waist size. I have the privilege of eating whatever I want, whenever I want, however I want due to the fact that I don't have any dietary constraints that require me to take special precautions when eating nor any other health problems (that I know of) that stop me from eating this way. I'm allowed to be extremely picky whenever for absolutely no reason, which brings me to my biggest point:

Ordering food is hard!

First hand experience has allowed me to see what happens when you order food for masses without taking into count dietary concerns or allergies. This evidenced by seeing someone have an allergic reaction to nuts in the room at the MLK event and PAC preparing 3/4 of the main items for Tim Wise with meat, although he's vegetarian.  And I can easily place blame and say, well why don't you just ask folks? It's easy to know what to prepare for! And that's the easy part... Asking. Following through takes massive amounts of planning, prepping and effort in execution.

Never will I be this excited to pick foods.

Honestly, of all the tasks I've completed in my two years of facilitation, ordering food has been the most frustrating and hardest to manage. Maybe I'm just whining or complaining about something simple. But no, I'm not. And I know why it's hard. Whoever said inclusion was easy? No one in social justice has, that's for sure. So as I head into future work of coordinating and organizing, I have to remember, to cover bases, and don't exclude people just because their needs are different than my own.

Lessons Learned is a RAPP Blog initiative intended for folks who hold formal leadership positions in RAPP programs to share what they're learning through their process

Lesson Learned: Peer Leadership

At this point in the year, I am reminded of how much I rely on the other leaders around me. Though everyone in RAPP is a leader, I am thinking specifically of our peer leaders. RAPP's peer leaders play pivotal roles both as mentors and friends.
This year Jalisa, Nate, and Siva have been amazing! They show up to everything, they contribute real and valuable insights to conversations, and they make me feel comfortable in the work I do with RAPP.

Nate, Siva, & Jalisa on their way to retreat!

There are many things I find inspiring about our peer leaders, but these are just some of the examples. They set their own learning goals, but I have found that they are indispensable at helping me achieve my own. 

Lessons Learned is a RAPP Blog initiative intended for folks who hold formal leadership positions in RAPP programs to share what they're learning through their process

Quiet Offices: SALD Annual Staff Retreat

The offices related to all programming areas of Student Activities & Leadership Development - RAPP included - are going to be mostly dark & quiet the next few days (Thursday, 20 June & Friday, 21 June).  We're off on retreat!

The SALD staff does a multi-day retreat at least once per year for professional development, team-building, strategic planning, and other fun and less-fun tasks.  Please wish us well and be sure to stop by next week (starting Monday, June 24th).

Snapshots from RAPP XXVIII Winter Retreat

This past weekend the RAPP XXVIII group spent time at YMCA Camp Ernst exploring issues of racism, sexism, and cissexism.  Here are some pictures from the time together:

A group snapshot - the flu epidemic made us smaller than usual.

A popular amenity of Camp Ernst is their delicious chocolate chip cookies!

Reclaim loaned us the simulation In Her Shoes, through which we explored intersections of gender, race, socioeconomic status, and sexuality in the issue of intimate partner violence.

Reclaim loaned us the simulation In Her Shoes, through which we explored intersections of gender, race, socioeconomic status, and sexuality in the issue of intimate partner violence.

After riding an emotional rollercoaster, we rode a "real" one together!

A group presents their interpretation of the Social Change Model.

Another group presents their interpretation of the Oppression Action Continuum.

Annual RAPPORT Retreat Happening Now!

This evening through tomorrow, alumni of RAPP intensives come together for our annual RAPPORT retreat!

The annual RAPPORT retreat was emerged in its current form in 2009 under the leadership of Diversity Education Program Coordinator Un Kyong Ho, Diversity Education Graduate Assistant Jen Rush, and RAPP Program Coordinator Rebecca Lehman.

This year we have nearly two dozen alumni registered for an intensive retreat that explores issues of ability & ableism as well as the role and limits empathy in social justice work.

Group shot from the 2012 RAPPORT Retreat!

Snapshots and Lessons from the RAPP XXVIII Fall Retreat

Friday, November 9th through Saturday, November 10th, RAPP XXVIII was on their first of three retreats for the year!  We spent the time at Graillville - home to so many RAPP memories - discussing issues of race and racism.

Part of the new RAPP XXVIII hand sign

It's part of a game, by Farooq enjoyed having a roomful of people salute him

RAPPers having fun Saturday afternoon

Small group discussion

End-of-retreat group shot - we're "Bearcating" because we're proud Bearcats!

At the meeting following the retreat, members each shared one thing they learned over retreat weekend.  Here's what folks shared:

UC Student Sustainability Summit - Oct 12th-14th!

From UC Sustainability:
University of Cincinnati Sustainability Summit 2012

The Student Sustainability Summit at the University of Cincinnati (UC) began in the spring of 2011. Its ever-evolving aim is to train the next generation of students to become competent and confident leaders in sustainable initiatives on campus and in our community. The beauty of each Summit is that it simultaneously connects many sustainable student groups on campus, while also improving each individual's capacity to lead new projects and engage even more students to continue the cause. The Summit is a microcosm of sustainability in that it has become self-sustaining by training new students to lead it each year.

This year's Summit will take place at General Butler State Park in Carroll, Kentucky. Students will arrive Friday, October 12th at 4PM and stay until Sunday, October 14th at Noon. All food and housing will be provided for the entire weekend. There is a $20 deposit required for all Summit attendees that will be returned at the end of the weekend. Choices for the skill sessions and professional speaker series are first come first serve. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact the co-directors of Sustainability Mark Schutte or Ron Gillespie.

Mark Schutte (513.258.7426) schuttmp@mail.uc.edu

Ron Gillespie (937.475.6581) gillesrp@mail.uc.edu

RAPP Summer Intensive: Accelerating Racial Justice - Aug 13th-17th!

Accelerating Racial Justice is RAPP's newest intensive, premiering summer 2012!  Developed collaboratively by students and staff from throughout UC, this leadership program is an excellent option for Bearcats interested in social justice but who can't do the year-long commitment RAPP requires.
Please help us spread the word on our newest program out of RAPP!  Applications for Accelerating Racial Justice are due by 5PM on Friday, June 15th!


Program Overview
Through the Office of Student Activities & Leadership Development, RAPP will offer the five-day Accelerating Racial Justice intensive for students to build their awareness, knowledge, and skills related to racial justice and inclusive leadership.

Through full participation in the 5-day program, participants:

• Develop relationships with 20+ other Bearcats from all over the university
• Enhance their understanding of racial justice and inclusive leadership
• Build a personal foundation and a supportive community to continue building racial justice and an inclusive leadership community at UC

Accelerating Racial Justice’s curriculum is based in best practices in the realms of social justice education, intergroup dialogue, and inclusive leadership development.

2012 will be the pilot year for Accelerating Racial Justice.  Participants will have the unique opportunity to shape the program through their participation and feedback throughout the program and after.

After the intensive is completed, participants will be welcomed into the RAPPORT community and will be eligible for the RAPP Social Justice Peer Educator Certificate program.

How to Apply
There are two steps to apply for this life-changing program:

1. Read the Information for Potential Applicants.  This piece is designed to cover the common questions people may have about Accelerating Racial Justice to help you decide if it's what you're looking for.
2. Complete a written application.  This application gathers basic information from candidates.  Information on how to access the application is available in the Information for Potential Applicants, which you are expected to read before completing a written application.

Please contact Rebecca Lehman at lehmanrl@uc.edu or 513.556.6119 with any questions you may have.

The inaugural Accelerating Racial Justice intensive will be held at Grailville Retreat Center - just like the first RAPP retreat in 1986!

RAPP XXVII T-Shirt Revealed!

When RAPP started putting quotes on the back of t-shirts, it remained "Give a little of yourself before you expect others to give" - a wise and telling quote about the RAPP process.

Since a few years before I became involved with RAPP (I joined in 2006), RAPP groups selected a quote for the back of the shirt.  We've done this, at least since 2005, through voting.

The RAPP XXVII t-shirt was dropped at the joint spring retreat - where both halves of RAPP XXVII spent 24 hours exploring sexuality, gender, and race.  Here, finally, is their selected quote!

Quote: We declare our right on this earth to be a human being, to be respected as a human being, to be given the rights of a human being, in this society, on this earth, in this day, which we intend to bring into existence by any means necessary. Malcolm X

By the Time You Read This, Fall Retreats Have Started!

The two RAPP XXVII groups have started their RAPP journey, having already participated in two meetings.  This weekend marks what many consider to be the full immersion into the RAPP process: Fall retreat!

Since we have two groups - one that meets on Tuesday and one that meets on Wednesday - we have two back-to-back retreats.  The Tuesday group will be retreating Friday-Saturday and the Wednesday group Saturday-Sunday.

This year's fall retreats will take place at YMCA Camp Ernst.  We're looking forward to seeing how this new-to-RAPP space works out!

One of the "traditions" of retreat prep is snack shopping.  Marjorie and I ventured out on Wednesday to Kroger and fill two cartfuls of snacks and drinks that supplement the meals provided by the retreat center.  

Many thanks to Marjorie's family's food business Marvelous Munchies for letting us use their food truck to store all our goodies until retreat time!

About 90% of the snacks and drinks sorted and bagged.  Seriously, this picture doesn't do the volume of food justice!

Friday Fun: Planking RAPPers?

While I was digging through RAPP photos looking for ones of the old WorldFest Parade, I stumbled upon the below gem.

Back when these RAPP XV members were hanging out outside of Hodie in Grailville, we probably would've said "Oh, how neat - they're balancing gymnastically."

RAPP XV members on retreat at Grailville, kicking off a new craze (that didn't catch on for 11 years or so)

Now, though, some might say they're planking.

UPDATE:

One of the best parts of being a part of RAPP is people providing thoughtful, dialogue-provoking feedback.

Right after posting this, a friend directed me to a much less covered conversation happening about race and this current trend.  Here's an post she linked me from The Grio called "Is 'planking' harmless fun or fundamentally offensive?"

A quick Google search also brought up a Louisville WHAS11 news broadcast with musician/activist D Maul's commentary on the fad.  Also high in the search results was speaker Ressurection Graves' recent blog post on the topic.

I think this is a great topic for discussion and thank the friend for the tip that deepens the discussion and challenges us to consider historical context in discussing current pop culture trends.

-Rebecca

Snapshots from RAPP XXVI Spring Retreat

This past weekend was the final retreat for RAPP XXVI.  It was an exciting one as we brought together both halves for one joint retreat that explored issues around sexuality and sexual orientation.  We spent the retreat on the 13th floor of Calhoun Hall and enjoyed meals from Venice on Vine, Bagel Brothers, and Melt Eclectic Deli.

Some snapshots of our group from the weekend:

Elsa, Rachel, Andrew, Kyle, Rod, Adolphe, Allison, and Chris discuss advice they gave themselves at winter retreat.

Shy & Kaila share their group's wisdom with the rest of RAPP XXVI

Ali & Brice are old friend reunited through RAPP!

Kyle, Andrew, Jay, Jasmine, and Alexis try their hand at "Guess My Sexual Orientation"

Jennifer & Jas:  Separate groups, same love of purple!  RAPP Retreat Buddies!

Siva & Ali:  Another happy pair of RAPP Retreat Buddies!

Dan & Matt:  RAPP Retreat Buddies at work!

The group kept their spirits up despite the long hours and challenging topics!

Jojo & the unofficial retreat mascot - Justin Beaver

Thanks to the many RAPPers who made the retreat amazing!  Thanks also to Proforma Albrecht for our great RAPP XXVI shirts!

Snapshots from RAPPORT 2011 Retreat

The annual RAPPORT Retreat was held February 18th-19th in Daniels Hall.  The retreat had 15 participants and one facilitator and explored issues of immigration, peer education, and social justice education.  We enjoyed meals from Melt Eclectic Deli and Habanero.  RAPPs XXII, XXIV, and XXV were represented, including both halves of XXIV and XXV.

Here are some snapshots from the retreat!

Folks got to know each other through the "Wagon Wheel Remixx!"

RAPPORT members teamed up to explore an immigration timeline.

The group worked in teams to make "infomercials" (video to come soon).

We ended the retreat with some team shots - this "silly pose" one is my favorite!

RAPPORT Retreat This Weekend!

After RAPPORT was recreated in 2007, we've hosted an annual retreat for RAPPORT members each winter or spring.

This weekend is the annual RAPPORT retreat!  Friday, February 18th to Saturday, February 19th, RAPPORT members will be spending their time together exploring issues in U.S. immigration, the concepts of peer education and social justice education, and make a zine.

This is anticipated to be our biggest retreat yet!  Our previous retreats had 6-9 participants and 2-3 facilitators.  This year's retreat has 15 students RSVPed to participate along with 2 facilitators!  RAPPs XXII through XXV will be represented.

Snapshot from RAPPORT Retreat 2010 - Mia (XXII), Rebecca (XXII), Isaiah (XXIV), Krystal (XXIV), Eddie (XXIV), Jen (Div. Ed GA), Jojo (XXIV), and Nicole (XXIV).

RAPP Working with Local Universities

RAPP will be spending the weekend of February 12th-13th with students from Thomas More College and the College of Mt. St. Joseph at their inaugural Diversity Retreat!  Twenty-four students representing both universities are participating in an intensive two-day retreat with the theme Reflect. Understand. Value.

Social Justice League member Marjorie B (XXV) and RAPP Program Coordinator Rebecca (XXII) have been working with the leaders at the respective colleges to prepare and co-lead the retreat.

Throughout the weekend, participants will reflect on themselves in terms of their identity and values, develop understanding of their assumptions around difference, and reflect on the challenge to create inclusive communities.  They will explore and apply social justice theory as well as identify how to make a positive difference on their campuses.

Snapshots from RAPP XXVI Winter Retreats

February 28th-30th marked the annual winter retreats for the RAPP XXVI group.  This year's retreats were held in Calhoun Hall and food was provided by Venice on Vine, Bagel Brothers, and Habanero.

Here are some snapshots from the retreats!

The retreat space gave our groups the opportunity to spread out in the sunshine!

The retreat included time for reflection along with a lot of discussion.

The big circle - what could be more RAPP than that?! :)

The folks who completed the RAPP XXVI Tuesday Group winter retreat!

The folks who completed the RAPP XXVI Wednesday Group winter retreat!

Snapshots of Fall RAPP XXVI Retreats

November 5th-7th marked the annual "rite of passage" that is the fall RAPP retreat!  Our Tuesday RAPP XXVI group spent November 5th through 6th at Grailville and our Wednesday group the 6th through 7th.

The first retreat of the year is full of fun, friendship-building, and exploration.  On topic were how we define race and the concept of unearned privilege - as well as the fun+frustrating game of STAR Power.

Some snapshots from the weekend:

Tiara & Jay smile during STAR Power trading.

A mixed-emotions group of Triangles during STAR Power. 

A group photo of the Tuesday group members waiting on the bus!

Wednesday group members mid-dinner on Saturday night.

A friendly, peaceful, happy dinner table with Eddy, Jojo, Chris, and Jas.

AJ and Lance in the middle of trading during STAR Power.

Grailville Bound!

Our groups go on fall retreat this weekend!  Tomorrow afternoon, the Tuesday group "heads home" to Grailville retreat center in Loveland, Ohio.

Grailville provides delicious, nutritious eco-friendly food - so we supplement it for folks with sweet tooths with vast amounts of snack food.  We also do this to keep people's energy up and stay awake during the sessions on this full on 24-hour retreat.

As I've posted before, the amount of food we bring is a bit staggering.  That said, it'll pretty much be gone before the second day ends.  Not shown in here are the "back up" meals we bring in case allergies and/or preferences don't work out with the kitchen.

Buried in those piles of junk food are, of course, the "official" RAPP retreat food.

Snapshots from Spring Retreat

Some snapshots from the joint RAPP XXV Spring Retreat! The weekend was a productive one full of new friends and thought-provoking conversation. We enjoyed the view from Calhoun Hall's 13th floor and got stuffed on meals from Coffee Emporium, Bagel Brothers, and Habañero.

The snack table pre-retreat -- while the food did make it through the night, it did so just barely. Hungry, hungry RAPPers! :)

Great smiles from XXVers Angelica, Danielle, Ivy, Chelsea, and Jazz!

On Saturday night the group watched excerpts from the Sundance Channel series TransGeneration.

Like some of the people in TransGeneration, we wrote coming out letters. Jay took a break from writing to say hi!

Jotalé and Jessica work on their letters.

I promised Jay I'd post this picture of us looking tough.

Craig and Ricardo kick off the overnight free socializing time with some hearty laughs. What are they laughing at?

I believe it was this comedy routine by RAPPORT member Jojo and RAPP XXVer Jotalé.

Morning discussion on sexuality. This group included (clockwise from left) Chelsea, Ivy, Courtney F, Bethel, and Tiffany.

Another morning-time discussion group: Angelica, Trisha, Bridnee, Jazz, and Simón.
Tired RAPPers just woken from a lunchtime nap. From left, Alyssa, Lauren, Lane, & Tiffany.

Many, many, countless thanks to all the RAPP XXV members who made this retreat what it was. Thanks also to our RAPPORT volunteers Kinsey & Jojo for their help throughout the retreat. Much gratitude is owed to our photographer Mia for creative and beautiful group photo taking. Our Peer Leaders - Tad, Krystal, DeVorah, and Kimmins - were also indispensible in making this retreat run smoothly. Finally, thanks to our amazing facilitators Sarvani and Tara for putting together a great retreat outline that helped our groups come together in meaningful ways.