PASSING Workshop

Introductory PASSING Workshop

Co-sponsored by: Southern Ontario Training Group (SOTG), Brockville and District Association for Community Involvement (BDACI), and Mary Centre 

To register click here!

Dates and times: Starting, Sunday, May 5, 2024, at 7:30 p.m. Ending, Friday, May 10, 2024 at approximately 1:30 p.m. 

Location: Residence and Conference Center -Toronto (at Seneca College, Newnham Campus) 1760 Finch Ave E, North York, ON M2J 5G3 (reservation info below)

Fees: $640.00 (until March 25, 2024) $690.00 (after March 25, 2024) plus PASSING Manual $85

Who this workshop is intended for: PASSING workshops are designed to enabled participants who have previously attended a four-day Social Role Valorization (SRV) workshop to gain a deeper understanding of devaluation and of how the promotion of valued social roles may enable people who are disabled and/or devalued to experience "the good thing of life". The workshop is directed at anyone who is interested in bringing about change in the lives of devalued people, including human service workers and managers, service users, family members, students, advocates, board members, and others. (Note: Details regarding attendance at a four-day SRV workshop will be requested upon registration.) 

Workshop format: There are plenary sessions at the beginning and end of the workshop - at the beginning to provide introductory remarks and an overview of the PASSING process, and at the very end, to share and reflect upon what we have all learned. In between, participants are organized into teams of about six people plus a Team Leader (who has had previous PASSING experience). The teams visit two different human service programs (e.g., a group residence, school program, adult day support program, etc.). Each study visit includes a lengthy interview with the program managers, spending time with the service users, and observing the program. Following each visit, the team uses the PASSING manual to analyze how the program contributes (or impedes) the development of valued social roles. The first plenary session begins on Sunday evening at 7:30 p.m. Teamwork begins Monday at 8:00 a.m. The final plenary session concludes on Friday at approximately 1:30 pm. 

Important note: PASSING workshops require an intense commitment of time and energy. Participants should arrive well rested and plan to forego all outside involvement during the workshop. Participants are expected to review the PASSING Manual prior to the workshop. Participants must be fully present and participate throughout the entire workshop, including all evening sessions. It should be noted that while past PASSING participants report that these are among the most demanding workshops they have attended, they rarely express dissatisfaction and, in fact, appreciate the workshop's rigor and high level of engagement. 

ACCOMODATION

We will be staying at the Residence and Conference Center - Toronto, at Seneca College. Each recently refurbished suite includes two separate bedrooms along with a shared kitchenette (with refrigerator and microwave) and bathroom, at a rate of $119.95 + tax per night (i.e. $59.98+ tax, per person, if two people share a suite). Parking is free, provided you bring in your parking slip before you pay. There is a convenience store, Subway restaurant, and Tim Horton's on site. Remember, a PASSING workshop is very intensive with early mornings and late nights. Unless you live very, very close by, you are encouraged to stay at the RCC. For more information or to reserve a room, https://stayrcc.com/locations/toronto/ or call 416-491-8811. Mention that you are making a reservation under the Southern Ontario Training Group and they will try to book you all on the same floor. Use the code "DIRECT" when making your room reservation and you will receive 10% off

The workshop leadership: 

• Judith Sandys (Senior Trainer): Judith's 40+ years of experience with SRV have included human service management, teaching, research, writing, consulting, and advocating. She is a founding member of the SOTG and a long standing member of the North American SRV Council. Now retired from Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University), she continues to lead PASSING workshops and to apply her knowledge of SRV to advocating for changes in how elders are perceived and treated in our society. 
• Peg Jenner (Floater): Peg is a member of the Southern Ontario Training Group and has played a leadership role in planning and teaching Social Role Valorization (SRV) and PASSING workshops for many years. Peg's human service work roles have included Direct Supporter, and Manager in different human services and Professor and Program Coordinator at Centennial College. Peg is a member of the North American SRV Council. 
• Erica Baker-Tinsley (Floater): Erica Baker-Tinsley is a Professor and Coordinator of the Developmental Services Worker Program at Loyalist College. Over the past 25 years, she has been involved in teaching SRV to service workers, administrators, families, and students at both high school and post-secondary levels. She is a member of the Southern Ontario Training Group, and the North American SRV Council.

For more information, contact Erica Baker-Tinsley (ebakertinsley@gmail.com).