Spring 2020 Whee Lead Proposal

Presenter Name / Title: Alexis Rutishauser / M.Ed. Candidate Higher Education Student
Affairs
Presenter Pronouns: she/her/hers
Presenter Email Address: arrutishauser1@catamount.wcu.edu

Presentation Title (8-word limit): Inclusive Leadership: A Bag of Tricks

Please select which conference competencies will you be covering in your messaging:
COGITION: Open-mindedness towards new ideas, behaviors, and belief, and the skills to
strategize actions for different contexts.

Please select which Developmental Level your program will be geared towards:
MASTERING: Participants are ready to focus on developing leadership capacity in others and to
practice authentically perceiving and behaving in cross-cultural ways

Presentation Abstract (100 words that will be used as the description in the conference
program): It is essential that inclusive leaders embrace, value, and provide a sense of belonging
for others. During this session, you will participate in a hands-on activity that examines working
with others who have different levels of ability. We will address a leaders’ responsibility to
affirm each other’s successes as well as our and each other’s identities in order to be more
mindful and inclusive as we achieve goals together.

Program Outline:
Program goals: (1) Introduce students to the importance of open-mindedness towards new ideas,
behaviors, and belief, and the skills to strategize actions for different contexts. (2) Introduce
students to the importance of authentically perceiving and behaving in cross-cultural ways.
Session breakdown:
0-5 mins: Introduce myself and give directions for learning activity
5-10 mins: Students will be split into groups and given 15 minutes to complete the learning
activity
10-20 mins: Students will be provided with reflection questions for small group discussion
20-50 mins: As facilitator, I will guide a large group discussion about how this activity can
inform our practices as future leaders
Program’s importance & relevance: This experiential learning activity will introduce students to
working with other with different levels of ability. Students will participate in discussion that is
meant to (1) show a common theme that historically underrepresented students tend to not ask
for help and we must help each other, and (2) empower student leaders to consider being more
inclusive by promoting ally ship to those who have different levels of ability.
My goal as facilitator is to get the participants to realize that while all groups were given the
same bag of tricks/instructions there were many differences that could make it more challenging
for them to achieve the goal.

Presentation type: Experiential Interaction / Round Table Discussion

Presentation needs: Flipchart / Markers, Projector, Mac Adapter

Please select when you prefer to present: Morning or Afternoon

Do you plan to eat meals at the conference? ONLY LUNCH

Activity: “Bag of Inclusion, Diversity, and Empathy”
Instructions/Activity

Prep/Pre-Activity Instructions:
I. Read the entire instructions for the facilitator and materials list
II.Purchase and organize supplies Note: each bag should be for a group of 3-6 people. These
materials below are the for “complete/privilege” bag as it has all the materials and instructions
in English, there should only be about 1-2 of the completed bags in the activity and the rest should
have a few things missing to simulate inequity
o 1 Gallon Size Freezer Bag
o 1 Set of instructions (see instructions sheet)
o 1 Safety scissors
o ½ sheet of blue construction paper
o ¼ sheet of yellow construction paper
o 1 Glue stick or adhesive
o Sharpie marker or pen
o Optional: Smarties (to represent positive messages people receive in life about their
identities)
o Optional: Dum Dums (to represent negative messages people receive in life about
their identities)

Activity Instructions:
Divide participants into groups and pass out bags with materials to each group.

Facilitator: Please do not open the bag until I say when. The goal for this activity is to complete
this task under 5 minutes using the instructions provided. I will not have any helping role in this
activity so please do not ask me any questions.

Facilitator: Now, open your box and read the instructions first before touching anything. Again,
you will not be given any additional instructions beyond what is on this paper. After you read the
instructions, you can begin the activity
Note: (some groups may express that it’s not fair. Allow them to vent, but do not help them
or provide any additional information/instructions)

Facilitator: If you have a limitation follow through with it until your team completes the task. The
timer begins now! *start timer for 5 minutes
Note: After a few minutes the team with no limitations usually finishes first and the
facilitator needs to enthusiastically ask for the class to give that group a round of
applause. Say things like-you are so smart to shine like this. Usually, other groups will
speak up about the obvious that some groups had it harder and with limitations. Allow
them to talk about the limitations. The facilitator’s goal in this activity is to get the
participants to realize that while all groups were given the same instructions there were
many differences that make it more challenging for them to achieve the goal.

Facilitator’s Discussion Questions (15-20+ minutes)

• What came up for you during the activity?
 • How does this activity relate to people who have limitations?
• Was the winning group the best group? Why or why not?
• Optional: For those who won or who had an advantage, why did you not assist those who
did not have the same advantages? (Good discussion question that is meant to empower us
to consider being more inclusive and promote ally ship to those who do not have the same
advantages/privileges as we do)
• Optional: For those who did not have an advantage, why did you not ask those who had an
advantage for help? (Good discussion question that frames a common theme that
historically underrepresented students tend to not ask for help and that we must help each
other to be better)
• How has this activity influenced you going forward?

Facilitator: In our organizations and in our workplaces we come in many different sizes, races
and ability levels but we have a great task ahead of us to honor our and each other’s identities,
affirm each other’s successes, and to be more mindful and inclusive as we go forward together.
 INSTRUCTIONS SHEETS (cut into strips and place one set into each bag)

Note: All of your team members fully participate in the activity and follow the directions
given

Instructions:
Take the blue piece of paper and fold it in half. (Team Member 2)
Take the yellow paper and cut a circle out of it. (Team Member 3)
Glue this circle onto the blue paper. (Team Member 4)
Use the sharpie to write “School is Awesome!” on the circle. (Team Member 2)
Put your names on the back side of the card. (All Team Members)

Note: All of your team members fully participate in the activity and follow the directions
given

Instructions:
1. Tomar la pieza azul de papel y doblar por la mitad.
2. Tomar el papel amarillo y cortar un círculo fuera de él
3. Pegue este círculo en el papel azul.
4. Utilice el lápiz para escribir en marrón "Yo amo la escuela." dentro del círculo.
5. Poner su nombres en la parte posterior de la tarjeta.

Note: All of your team members must follow the directions with all eyes closed

Instructions: With your eyes closed:

1.Take the blue piece of paper and fold it in half.
2. Take the yellow paper and cut a circle out of it
3. Glue this circle onto the blue paper.
4. Use the sharpie to write “I love School” on the circle.
5. Put your names on the back side of the card.
Note: All of your team members must follow the directions with each member having on of
their hands behind their back

Instructions: With one hand behind your backs:

1.Take the blue piece of paper and fold it in half.
2. Take the yellow paper and cut a circle out of it
3. Glue this circle onto the blue paper.
4. Use the sharpie to write “I love School” on the circle.
5. Put your names on the back side of the card.

Note: Only two people on the team can give instructions to one person and they must have
their eyes closed at all times.

Instructions: With two people guiding the other person who has their eyes closed:
Take the blue piece of paper and fold it in half.
Take the yellow paper and cut a circle out of it
Glue this circle onto the blue paper.
Use the sharpie to write “I love School” on the circle.
Put your names on the back side of the card.

Note: No one can talk

Instructions: Without talking:

Take the blue piece of paper and fold it in half.
Take the yellow paper and cut a circle out of it
Glue this circle onto the blue paper.
Use the sharpie to write “I love School” on the circle.
Put your names on the back side of the card.