Dear Friends,
Merry and I had an awesome time at the Fox & Hounds on Saturday!
It was wonderful to re-connect with some old friends and make a few
new ones! I want to express my gratitude to our hosts – Bill & Tracey
– and to Jessica who kept our glasses full and served our food hot! A
reporter from the Tampa Tribune also showed up to take some pictures
during my sound check which blended into my first set. When the story
appears, I will send it on to you! I am looking forward to our next
appearance at the Fox, so mark your calendars for Friday, August 26!
I have my marching orders from some of the patrons who want me to
add a few tunes to my repertoire. I am already working on “Wreck of
the Edmund Fitzgerald”, along with a couple of other Gordon Lightfoot
songs. “Locomotive Breath” triggered a request for “Skating on the
Thin Ice of a New Day”. This will be a bit challenging, but I am up
for that challenge! I need to find one more Tull song to make it a
“threebie”!
Another exciting tidbit is that Robert Hunt, my partner in “Grass
Roots Project”, will be joining me on the 26th for a set or two. If
you haven’t heard us do “Lela”, our Jim Croce threebie, or our
rendition of Cat Stevens’ “Father & Son”, this will be your chance to
experience our unique blend! A couple of other musician friends also
said they might stop in, so there might be a few other surprises, as
well!Nark your calendars for August 26 and invite your friends out for
a special night in the intimate setting of the Fox & Hounds, the
oldest pub in Brandon! Merry & I hope to see you there!
Let me also take this opportunity to remind you that I do a
costumed holiday program and am beginning to book appearances for
that. If you or someone you know is looking for a unique musical
experience for a holiday party, please keep me in mind. I have
attached a publicity photo and a sample of my holiday music to this
message. My contact information is below my signature. Thanks for all
your support and I hope to see you soon!
Peace!
Marion Gwizdala
“Marion & Martin”
813-626-2789
SwampFox1833@Verizon.net
Out & Equal Brings Diversity Training to Tampa Bay
July 31, 2011
Tampa, FL – Registration is open for Out & Equal Tampa Bay’s diversity training for senior management, human resources professionals, employee resource groups and individual employees to promote Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) workplace equality on September 13 and 14, 2011 sponsored by Raymond James & Associates, 880 Carillon Parkway, St. Petersburg, Florida.
The programs will be offered with two different levels of participation: “Train the Trainer” is on Tuesday, September 13th from 8 am to 4 pm, and “Building Bridges toward LGBT Diversity in the Workplace” is on September 14th from 8 a.m. to 12:30 pm. Register at http://rsvp.outandequaltampabay.org.
Out & Equal uses the LGBT Diversity Leadership training program to break down barriers and foster communication and alliances between LGBT and their co-workers by opening up communication and developing a healthier workplace. Employees, diversity and affinity group leaders and human resources professionals can be certified to present the 60-90 minute LGBT Diversity Leadership discussions in the workplace through the Train the Trainer course. Both sessions are designed and tailored for a wide variety of audiences including corporations, mid/small businesses, educational institutions, faith communities, governmental agencies, community groups and nonprofit organizations.
“Train the Trainer” is an all day workshop that includes the LGBT Diversity Leadership course, concepts, terminology, and the business case regarding LGBT employees. Information about Out & Equal’s mission, training, and how to tell your own story to support the learning objectives will also be covered.
By the end of “Train the Trainer,” participants will be certified for a period of two years from course completion to teach the LGBT Diversity Leadership Class in their workplace. Graduates will receive course materials, which include an editable slide deck and an invitation to join the online Trainer’s Network for continued support after the course. Many trainers volunteer and are selected to assist Out & Equal training staff to present other Out & Equal courses at other locations.
“Train the Trainer” starts at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, September 13 and ends at 4:30 p.m. with continental breakfast and lunch included. The cost is $125 for corporate attendees and $95 for non-profit, government, or academic attendees. This course certifies the registrants to teach the “Building Bridges toward LGBT Diversity in the Workplace.” Register at http:// rsvp.outandequaltampabay.org.
“Building Bridges toward LGBT Diversity in the Workplace” training is a three-four-hour workshop conducted by two certified Out & Equal trainers to target senior executives, managers, human resources, diversity professionals, customer service representatives, and the general employee population. Unique perspectives of the corporate/business, social services, faith communities, governmental and educational settings are included in the various courses.
The course is designed to help employers get the most from all employees, LGBT and non-LGBT. This training fosters increased awareness to develop a healthier and safer workplace where all employees are engaged in the mission of the organization, increasing the level of comfort for all and improving communication between LGBT and straight employees and the customers they serve.
By the end of the training, participants will be able to:
· State the significance of LGBT identity in the context of broader diversity issues
· Evaluate myths and stereotypes about people who identify LGBT
· Discuss the impact of homophobia, biphobia, transphobia and heterosexism on workplace and customer relationships
· Be familiar with the steps to becoming an ally to the LGBT community and workplace equality
“Building Bridges toward LGBT Diversity” starts at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, September 14 and ends at 12:30 p.m. with continental breakfast included. The cost is $90 for corporate attendees and $70 for non-profit, government, or academic attendees. Register at http:// rsvp.outandequaltampabay.org.
Media Contact: Anthony Chuchman, 813-925-6110 ext 202; Anthony.chuchman@outandequaltampabay.org