Writer: Kay Ledbetter, 806-677-5608, skledbetter@ag.tamu.edu
Contact: Andy Crocker, 806-677-5600, abcrocker@ag.tamu.edu
Rachel Brauner, 979-845-1553, rbrauner@ag.tamu.edu
AMARILLO – The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and Military Families Learning Network military caregiving team will provide a four-day “Leading Through Change” virtual learning event for veteran-assisting professionals Sept. 26-29.
The 2017 Military Families Learning Network Virtual Conference provides a unique opportunity to obtain professional development and interactive resources for end users who may not be able to leave their homes for training, said Andy Crocker, principal investigator and AgriLife Extension gerontology and health program specialist in Amarillo.
The MFLN virtual conference will be a valuable, informative and engaging experience for professionals in any discipline, Crocker said.
The conference is a free learning and networking experience for professionals, said Rachel Brauner, co-principal investigator and program coordinator with AgriLife Extension’s Military Program in College Station. Each day there will be a variety of speakers and topics surrounding the theory of change and how to apply the information.
Keynotes and sessions will be offered in two tracks: professional change and organizational change. Ongoing and scheduled social media activities will be available to enhance the learning experience, foster conversation and support professional networking, Brauner said.
“Change is hard,” Brauner said. “Do you feel change accelerating in your professional or personal life? Do you thrive on workplace change?”
She said these are good reasons to join the Military Families Learning Network Virtual Conference to learn strategies for managing change, grow in understanding and capacity for change and “begin to thrive as you connect with colleagues facing similar challenges.”
“Each session will provide an opportunity for in-depth engaged learning through instruction, discussion and introspection,” Brauner said.
Conference keynotes and interactive sessions and activities will explore professional and organizational change from multiple angles, including:
– How do we respond to change as individuals, and what do these responses mean for our professional selves?
– How can we nurture our own professional development in times of uncertainty?
– How can we lead effectively through change?
– How can we contribute to positive organizational change within the military service context?
– What is the impact of an intergenerational workforce on change management?
The event is free and open to anyone who would like to learn more. This four-day event is in addition to the monthly webinars hosted by AgriLife Extension’s Military Program.
For more information on this upcoming event and to register, please go to: https://militaryfamilies.extension.org/2017virtualconference/.
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