Mykee & On Common Ground:

Introduction:

Tens of thousands have been moved by Dr. Michael Fowlin’s, “You Don’t Know Me ‘til You Know Me” performance. For many schools this unique performance by Dr. Fowlin, better known as Mykee, represents an awakening and a beginning. These schools realize that creating true equity in diversity involves long-term systemic intervention. On Common Ground (Youth Empowerment Strategies) has worked with Mykee since 1995 to assist schools in developing effective and comprehensive bias prevention strategies.

While all On Common Ground programs are customized to meet the exact needs of each school we work with, three training models have evolved in recent years that complement Mykee’s performance. These three models are:

Model I: Human Relations Council Development and Training

Program Description:

Students are a vastly underutilized resource in dealing with bias and bigotry in schools. Model I trains approximately 25 to 30 students to become ambassadors of inter-group understanding and respect. The primary job of Human Relations Council members is to facilitate discussion groups on diversity-related topics.

Within Model I, students are trained as group facilitators prior to Mykee’s performance. Then Mykee’s performance serves as a kick-off event. Then Human Relations Council members facilitate voluntary discussion groups following Mykee’s performance. Once the initial event is complete, Human Relations Council members develop and facilitate ongoing diversity-related groups.

Goal Summary:

Outcome goals focus specifically on diversity awareness and bias prevention. This program can provide a solid bias prevention and prejudice reduction resource within the school while positively impacting school climate.

Program Goals:

1. Prepare a core group of students to act as group facilitators discussing diversity-related issues with the broader school community.
2. Create a school climate that goes beyond tolerance to understanding, collaboration and respect.

Program Overview:

These facilitators can serve several functions at the school:

• When diversity focused performers are brought to the school, these trained students will facilitate discussion groups as a follow-up to the performances.
• The facilitators can run ongoing discussion groups on bias-related topics.

Program Fees:

• In NJ the On Common Ground fee per trainer is $750.00 per day.
• Outside NJ the On Common Ground fee per trainer is $950.00 per day plus all travel expenses.

On Common Ground maintains 1:15 maximum trainer to student ratio and requires that a minimum of two trainers to facilitate each training.

Fee includes training curriculum and materials development; training materials; training facilitation; program coordination and administration.

Program and/or evaluation consultation fees are separate.

This fee does not include Dr. Fowlin’s performance fee.

Model II: Human Relations Council One–day Workshop

Workshop Goals:

There are several goals for this first day of training for the Human Relations Council participants, including:

1. Utilize Mykee Fowlin’s performance as a catalyst for starting a comprehensive Human Relations Council.
2. To increase awareness and understanding of the training participants (students and program advisors) related to diversity.
3. Begin to develop group norms and fundamental skills necessary for doing human relations work.
4. Assess student needs related to diversity issues at your school.

Workshop Description:

Thirty pre-selected students and three to five program advisors will participate in a variety of experiential activities that will flow through three separate phases during the full day workshop following Mykee’s performance:

• Participants will have the opportunity to process Mykee’s workshop immediately following his performance.
• Students will establish norms and identify skills necessary for talking about diversity issues
• Participants will identify existing needs related to diversity issues, as well as brainstorm possible solutions for enhancing the climate at your school

One-day Workshop Fee:

• In NJ the On Common Ground fee per trainer is $750.00 per day.
• Outside NJ the On Common Ground fee per trainer is $950.00 per day plus all travel expenses.

On Common Ground maintains 1:15 maximum trainer to student ratio and requires that a minimum of two trainers facilitate each training.

Fee includes training curriculum and materials development; training materials; training facilitation; program coordination and administration.

Program planning and/or evaluation consultation services are available on a separate fee for service basis.

On Common Ground fees do not include Dr. Fowlin’s performance fee.

Model III: Staff In-service Workshop

Workshop Goals:

There are several goals for this staff in-service training, including:

1. To increase staff awareness and understanding related to diversity issues that effect the classroom.
2. Begin to develop group norms and fundamental skills necessary for having productive ongoing dialogue related to school-based diversity issues.
3. Assess staff perceptions of diversity-related needs at your school.

Workshop Description:

It is crucial that only staff members who volunteer to participate in this workshop attend. Requiring staff members to attend will undermine the goals of the training.

Staff members will participate in a variety of experiential activities that will flow through three separate phases during the full day workshop following Mykee’s performance:

• Process staff reactions to Mykee’s show.
• Staff will establish norms and identify skills necessary for having productive diversity-related discussions
• Participants will identify existing needs related to diversity issues as well as brainstorm possible solutions for enhancing the climate at your school

One-day Workshop Fee:

• In NJ the On Common Ground fee per trainer is $750.00 per day.
• Outside NJ the On Common Ground fee per trainer is $950.00 per day plus all travel expenses.

On Common Ground maintains 1:15 maximum trainer to particpant ratio and requires that a minimum of two trainers facilitate each training.

Fee includes training curriculum and materials development; training materials; training facilitation; program coordination and administration.

Program planning and/or evaluation consultation services and fees are separate.

This fee does not include Dr. Fowlin’s performance fee.

For additional information or to arrange a training, contact:

Chris Miller, Co-director of On Common Ground at:
Phone - (973) 359-9855
E-mail: info@y-e-s-online.com