Move Community Conference is coming

MOVE Portland*
September 10 - 11, 2010

Crystal Ballroom
1332 W. Burnside Street
Portland, OR
97209

Email move@twloha.com for a conference application.
Conference cost is $125.

*UChapters breakout sessions will be available at this conference.

What is MOVE?
Taken from: http://www.twloha.com/move/move-conference/

MOVE is our way of equipping and educating communities about the topics we focus on at To Write Love on Her Arms: depression and anxiety, addiction, self-injury, suicide, brokenness, hope and community.

MOVE is for people looking for a way to engage others in conversations about these topics we believe matter very much. The conference stems from the idea that uniting our resources helps take people from places of pain to places of hope and healing. MOVE is for students, mentors, parents, friends, pastors and professionals -- for someone new to these topics entirely and someone who has worked in a clinical setting for years.

This two day in-depth, engaging workshop is an effort to begin a conversation about issues often left in the dark. Our aim is to battle stigma and shame with honesty and compassion. In a discussion led by professional counselors, we explore what is behind these struggles, what drives them, what recovery looks like, and how we can make a difference. Each of us has a different story, and this conference is a place where we can learn from licensed professionals and from each other. Our hope is that you leave encouraged, inspired, and informed.

FAQ from: http://www.twloha.com/move/move-conference/move-faq/

Q: How old do I have to be?

A: Participants must be 18 or older to attend. People ages 16 or 17 years of age may attend, but must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Q: Why can’t I be younger than 16?

A: Some of the discussions held during MOVE can be somewhat intense, so for the well being of attendees, we have placed an age limit on who can attend. We hope that those eager to attend who are below the age limit would wait until they were old enough and then apply!

Q: Can move come to my area?

A: Thanks for wanting us to come to where you are! For this upcoming year, we have already booked seven events spaced across the United States so everyone would have a chance to attend. However, we are always open to booking more! Please email move@twloha.com if you have an interest in bringing MOVE to your area, either as a hosting venue, or for a specific community you are a part of. Our team is also available to come teach on individual topics in a shorter or more specific format as well. Feel free to email booking@twloha.com for more information on booking speakers.

Q: Is MOVE only for people who deal with depression, addiction, self-injury, etc.?

A: No. MOVE is for anyone. We believe that the reason these topics stay saturated in stigma is because people don’t feel like they are allowed to talk about them where they live. Our dream is to see communities working together to unify resources, support those struggling, and have an understanding of the topics we deal with so the fear of speaking up doesn’t stop us from trying to help in the first place.

Q: If I’ve struggled, or am currently struggling, with one of these topics, is it healthy for me to be attending this conference right now?

A: Great question. We value your struggle and your recovery. Your health is very, very important to us, and it should be your first concern. We ask that you do not attend a conference if you are currently struggling heavily with any subject matter we will be teaching on. We do not want this information to become triggering for you, and be more uncomfortable than helpful. Always email move@twloha.com for more advice on this issue.

Q: Who leads these conferences?

A: MOVE conferences are led by Licensed Mental Health Counselors Aaron and Michelle Moore, along with members of the TWLOHA staff, Kaitlyn Suveg, Rich Sullivan and Denny Kolsch. Aaron and Michelle both have Masters of Arts in Counseling degrees, are licensed (LMHC), and run Solace Counseling in downtown Orlando, FL. Kaitlyn, Rich and Denny all have college degrees, along with long-term, hands-on experiences with TWLOHA and community living. We have assembled this team with attendee experience in mind, and we believe that each of the speakers has a wealth of knowledge to share, both on and off the stage.

Q: Will I receive any sort of certification after I attend this conference?

A: You will not be trained “officially” in any sort of crisis intervention. Conference attendees do have the opportunity to learn skills in suicide prevention, but you are not legally receiving any certifications for doing so.
If you are interested in receiving training to become a crisis responder, please visit our IMAlive page for more information.

Q: What’s the difference between MOVE and MOVE?

A: Glad you asked. On our website, you’ll find a tab on the homepage called “MOVE” that links you to the area on our website with programs and opportunities to get more involved. The MOVE on our website implies a place to “get active” and become more involved. The MOVE Community Conferences came from the phrase Love is the Movement. MOVE conferences also imply an active participation, but because our website already had certain names and layouts, we just went with it. Confusing? A little. But, we like the idea of movement.