AMES Conference 2004

May 16- 19, 2004
Holiday Inn
Peterborough, Ontario

Steppin' Out!

That's the theme for our conference this year and we truly hope you have a wonderful time Steppin' Out in Peterborough with us!

This theme was selected for a number of reasons however, the one that comes to mind is that in our jobs we step out every day. In order to serve our participants well we step out of the box, step into someone else's shoes and help participants rebuild their life step by step.

Over the past number of years as Ontario Works has grown into itself, a main transition has been the shift of emphasis from strictly providing income support to providing employment assistance.

During the next few days, step out to share ideas, knowledge and have some fun!! Welcome to Peterborough!

Patricia Knapp
Director of Social Services
City of Peterborough

Sunday May 16, 2004

4:00 - 7:00 pm Registration 6:00 - midnight Hospitality Room

Join us in the Hospitality Room for an evening of networking and refreshments.

A donation is requested and appreciated for alcoholic beverages.

Monday May 17, 2004

7:30 - 8:45 a.m. Breakfast and Registration 9:00 - 9:45 a.m. Welcoming Remarks 9:45 - 10:00 a.m Break 10:00 - 12:00 p.m. Keynote Speaker

Dr. Ruby Payne

Economic realities create ways of thinking and behaving. The closer one is to merely "surviving" the less time there is for the pursuit of learning. Hidden rules of behaviour, language registers, resources, interventions and creating relationships are the major topics to be discussed in understanding the impact of generational poverty.

12:00 - 1:00 p.m. Lunch 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. (Break 2:30 p.m.)

1.1 Team Building (maximum 27 people)

Nancy Fisher

Step into a boat and learn about team building on the Otonabee River. You've been to team building sessions before, but you were not likely paddling upstream with 8 strangers hoping to stay afloat as you learn the basics of rowing. As part of an 8 member crew, you will learn what it means to be a true team player. No rowing experience required. This session will run rain or shine, so come prepared!

1.2 Serving the Immigrant Population

Julie Dotsch and Tyson Bonisteel

Delegates will gain insights into the world of new immigrants, their barriers to employment, and strategies for helping clients overcome these obstacles. Are your clients ready for employment? Do they know how to have a successful interview? Is their communication style of language preventing them from gaining employment? How can you communicate more effectively across cultures? How can you step outside your role to best help clients? Practical methods will be demonstrated and practiced to help the audience improve their cross cultural communication skills. By sharing tips, delegates can learn from each other.

1.3 Open Forum

Kelly O'Brien

Municipal best practices regarding Community Placements, Employment Placements and Self-Employment will be discussed. Presentations will be made by various municipalities on successes, challenges and marketing tips. Be prepared to ask questions and share ideas!

Evening Activities "Fine Dine and Solve Crime"

Teams of conference delegates will experience a variety of Peterborough's best restaurants while gathering clues to solve a crime. Moving from restaurant to restaurant in downtown Peterborough, you will enjoy hor'deurves, an entrée, and dessert. But be careful - do not lose track of your mission! You must gather clues at each destination to solve a heinous crime within our midst. For some, the enticing delicacies and the temptation of sweets will be too much. Others will succeed in the mission, solve the crime and return to the Holiday Inn both satiated and satisfied at a job well done. To register as a detective, you will be required to pay $30.00 which includes meal and taxes.

St. Veronus - Belgian cuisine is loosely related to French cuisine in terms of preparation methods and appreciation for the culinary skills required to produce those dishes. They offer something out-of-the ordinary in a unique environment.

Elements - Experience the delights of the four elements-Earth, Wind, Fire and Water-in this tranquil setting located directly across from Peterborough's Millennium Walkway. A cosmopolitan menu of regional cuisine featuring fresh fish and game with every part of your meal made to order.

Fusion - A delicious blend of European cooking with an Asian flare. Experience the fusion of tastes within a relaxed, intimate contemporary cuisine. Fusion offers a trendy setting that meets the expectations of both adventurous and traditional diners.

Peterborough Slots

Kawartha Racetrack is just a short distance away. The ponies won't be running, but with over 375 slot machines, bar and a players lounge/café with buffet and a la carte menu, those feeling lucky will find "slots" to entertain themselves. Transportation will be arranged if numbers warrant. (A shuttle service is available) The slots are open until 3:00 a.m. Why not plan on taking in both Fine Dine Event and a run at the slots?

Step up to the Bar - in the Hospitality Room

Plan on joining us in our Hospitality Room at the Holiday Inn to meet other conference delegates. The Hospitality Room will be open on Monday evening from 4:30 p.m. to midnight.

Tuesday May 18, 2004

8:00 - 8:45 a.m. Breakfast and Registration

9:00 - 11:45 a.m. Morning Sessions (Break 10:30 a.m.)

12:00 - 1:00 p.m. Lunch

1:00 - 4:00 p.m. Afternoon Sessions (Break 2:30 p.m.)

** Please select 2 workshops. One session for the morning and one for the afternoon **

2.1 How to Complain Effectively

Judith Klie, Ombudsman

"How to Complain Effectively" is a how to, hands on participatory workshop to increase skills and confidence in complaining effectively. We look at why the right to complain is important. We develop a complaints continuum and have an exercise to identify your complaining style.

2.2 Living in the Margin

Patricia Knapp

In 2003 Social Services in Peterborough presented a report to council about the challenges of families who "Live in the Margin". This report presented information regarding the growing number families who live in a tenuous margin of survival, constantly balancing between living independently and depending on social assistance. This session will focus on the challenges facing many of those who we help make the transition into employment; earning low incomes and facing poverty every working day.

2.3 Guilt-free Time Management

Ian Armitage

An unorthodox approach to time management looks beyond list making and filling in your agenda, to some of the real reasons time management is difficult. Ian identifies 4 key styles, how each works, and why you may be feeling guilty about your strategy for managing your time.

2.4 Creative Problem Solving Approach to Case Management

Julie Fulford

Building highly effective relationships requires that you are able to assess the needs of every client, one at a time. Julie Fulford will walk you through the world of personality type and help you understand how your style impacts others.

Banquet

After spending two days building your professional portfolio, recharge your batteries with excellent food, music and dancing. You are invited to join us at the Holiday Inn for cocktails with dinner to follow. Then put on your dancing shoes and enjoy Peterborough's Terry Guiel who is known as "The Human Jukebox". Terry and the fabulous Weber Brothers (from the Ronnie Hawkins Band) will provide us with high-energy entertainment. Enjoy all the hits from artists like Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly, the Bee Gees and the Beatles. You will dance and sing along to every song!

Dress is casual.

Holiday Inn - Banquet Room
6:00 - 7:00 p.m. Cocktails
7:00 - 8:00 p.m. Dinner
8:00 - 12:00 a.m. Dance

Wednesday May 19, 2004

8:30 a.m. Registration and Breakfast

9:00 - 10:00 a.m. Annual General Meeting - with elections

10:15 a.m. Break

10:15 - 11:15 a.m. Closing Speaker

Michael Tudor

"Life is a succession of lessons that need to be lived to be understood".

Referring to his personal story, Michael Tudor will give you specific strategies for supporting your clients and will inspire you to continue the valuable work that you do.

11:15 - 11:30 a.m. Closing Remarks

Anthony Haynes - AMES, President

AMES Conference 2004 Guest Speakers

Dr. Ruby Payne

Dr. Payne has been involved with education since 1972 as a teacher, principal, consultant and administrator. Her first book A Framework for Understanding Poverty is a powerful tool for educators to use when dealing with children from poverty.

Nancy Fisher

Nancy is the Manager of the Peterborough Ontario Works office and an experienced rower. As an active member of the Girl Guides of Canada, Nancy has developed superior team building skills on and off land!

Julie Dotsch and Tyson Bonisteel

Your facilitators for "Serving the Immigrant Population" are Tyson Bonisteel from the Peterborough New Canadian Center and Julie Dotsch, from the Community Race Relations Committee. Together, Julie and Tyson have a broad range of experience and insight. Julie also operates her own business, "One World". Peterborough staff have attended Julie and Tyson's workshop and report a lively, enlightening and practical approach to serving our immigrant population.

Kelly O'Brien

Kelly is employed with the Region of Durham as the Employment Placement and Self-Employment Coordinator. Kelly has been in the social service field since 1986. She is the Chairperson for the Central East Placement Round Table.

Judith Klie

Judith is with Ombudsman Ontario through the Community Education Program in Queens Park Toronto, On.

Patricia Knapp

Patricia is the Director of Social Services for the City and County of Peterborough. With a background in health care and community service, Patricia is committed to developing the potential of social services as a key partner in building community capacity. Patricia views success as action based on attitude: be what we believe! Everything is possible for one who believes.

Ian Armitage

With a focus on organizational change and human development, Ian Armitage has been facilitating, training, and teaching for over twenty years. As a consultant with the Ontario Skills Development Office, Ian has worked with a large and diverse group of public and private sector clients, offering a full range of consulting services.

Julie Fulford

Julie is a professional, results-oriented Career Management Coach who Inspires others to define and achieve their goals. With over 20 years experience as a counsellor, career consultant, coach and adult educator, Julie has coached hundreds of people across North America to increase their self-awareness, create a personal vision and foster easy and cooperative relationships.

Michael Tudor

Michael is an experienced and practical facilitator, educator and published writer in Toronto, Ontario. With his combination of teaching and facilitating experience, workshop participants comment that his presentations are not only concrete and realistic, but they involve an efficient balance of group and independent work. Michael will motivate and inform in a participatory manner.

Additional Conference Information

Hotel Information
Holiday Inn
150 George St. N.
Peterborough, Ontario
(705) 743-1144
Toll Free 1-800-HOLIDAY
* Rooms for the conference will be reserved until April 16, 2004 at a rate of $104.99 - $119.99 a night.

How to Get Active at the Holiday Inn

7:30 - 8:15 a.m. Aqua Fit Class

Ready to start your day with 45 minutes of water exercise? This FREE high-energy aqua fit class incorporates cardiovascular and muscle conditioning. You do not have to know how to swim to take part! Instructor Terri Lynn has been teaching the energy aqua fit at the Peterborough YMCA for 4 years. All you need is a bathing suit and towel. Participants will meet in the pool for this refreshing and energizing class.

12:15 - 12:45 p.m. Walking Tours

Walk off your lunch on a guided tour of downtown Peterborough. Enjoy Millennium Park or a hike over the waterfront rail bridge to East City. Tours will be lead by local staff on Monday and Tuesday. Check with the registration table for more details.

Site-seeing Options in Peterborough

Peterborough Lift Lock

Billed as the world's highest hydraulic lift lock, this engineering wonder is essential to the Trent-Severn Waterways pleasure boat traffic. Working as a water elevator, the lift lock heaves the equivalent of two football fields full of water up and down, thus join two water paths. An interpretive centre is located a short amble from the lock. The Peterbourgh Lift Lock is one of the National Historic Sites of Canada. Tel: 1(705) 750-4900

Art Gallery of Peterborough

The collection at this public gallery exceeds 1000 in number. Created by local, national and nternational artists, the mediums range from sculpture and canvass to paper. Art sales and rentals are available. Tel: 1 (705) 743-9179

Whetung Ojibwa Centre

This arts and crafts gallery is located north of Peterborough, in the Curve Lake Indian Reserve. The elaborate collection of items includes jewelry, books, masks, sculptures and fine art. The contributing artists reside in the area as well as from other Canadian destinations.

Tel: 1 (705) 657-3661

Otonabee River

Short in length (55 kms/34 miles), the Otonobee River is actually two very different rivers. The upper portion runs from Katchiwanooka Lake to Peterborough's Little Lake, and is surrounded by limestone and cedar lined shores. The lower level travels through woody areas to Rice Lake.

The Otonobee River is part of the Trent-Severn Waterway system.

The AMES Board would like to thank the Peterborough Ontario Works staff for all of their hard work and assistance in making this conference a success.

Message from the Mayor of Peterborough

"On behalf of City Council and the citizens of Peterborough, I extend a warm welcome to those attending the 2004 AMES Conference on May 16 through 19, 2004 at the Holiday Inn. I am very pleased the City of Peterborough has been selected as the site of this important conference. I know there are many important issues to discuss and hopefully resolve, as well as opportunities to socialize, renew friendships and develop new contacts.

I know our visitors will enjoy the hospitality of our community. The month of May is a lovely time of year to visit Peterborough and The Kawarthas, with their beautiful parks, waterways, and interesting tourist attractions, including the Peterborough Lift Lock, which is celebrating its 100th Anniversary this year. Best wishes for a most successful, enjoyable and memorable Conference."

Sincerely,
Sylvia Sutherland
Mayor, City of Peterborough

Past Conferences:
2003 Conference Archive