Invitation ::: Keynote Speakers ::: Workshops ::: Registration ::: Details/Logistics ::: Sponsors ::: Brochure (pdf)

Workshops/Institutes/Keynoter Details ::: Sunday ::: Monday ::: Tuesday

2005 Conference Keynote Speakers

::: Sunday :::

Bill and David Mettler (aka Quiet Riot)
Bill and David have had a most unusual amalgam of life experiences to inspire the ideas for their repertoire. They have done all of the following: circled the globe, led climbing expeditions, harvested cotton in Israel, commanded USAF satellites, worked on off-shore oil rigs, directed a wilderness school, built a courthouse in Australia, flown airplanes, escaped indoctrination in the “Moonie’s”, worked with addicts, the homeless, the CIA and taught 2nd grade. Along the way, after earning degrees in aerospace engineering and natural resource management, they have studied and applied to their work the following disciplines: acting, mime, jazz/modern dance, ballet, NLP, motivational psychology, and Continuous Quality Improvement. Their clients have included: IBM, Bell Atlantic, the Lincoln Center, 3M, Social Security Administration, Department of the Navy, Duke University Medical College, and the Goddard Space Center. Bill and David live in Montgomery County, near Philadelphia, PA.

Community Building Wherever You Are
Hold on to your chairs and get ready for a contained theatrical explosion of flying meteors and molten planets, thunder and lightning, a giraffe, a raging typhoon, revved-up chain saws, the Flintstones, a fast food hamburger and an imaginary ballpoint pen! The keynote themes of “belonging”, “fun”, “choice” and “respect” will set the tone of the conference by reminding us that community building is more about what is going on inside of us, not necessarily where we live.

::: Monday :::

Jimmy Rivera
Jimmy is the founder and Senior Pastor of City Limits Assembly of God in Allentown, PA, a flourishing multicultural church since 1994. Jimmy has an innate ability to speak to youth and inspire them to heights of achievement that they may never have imagined. Noted for his passion for urban community outreach/development and drug rehabilitation, he founded the Reach Home Community Services, an agency dedicated to community revitalization and economic empowerment. Overcoming a fourteen-year heroin addiction, he exemplifies a life of resiliency and how to focus on one’s strengths. Learning how to navigate multiple roadblocks and barriers, he became an addictions counselor and vocational administrator at an internationally known drug rehabilitation facility. Ultimately his desire to help people became a call to ministry and after attending Berean University to study theology; he began the latest chapter of his life’s work. Jimmy lives in Allentown, PA.

Discovering Your Own Key to Unlock Your Potential
The key to releasing one’s potential involves the process of self-discovery, recovery and renewal. Before releasing an action or behavior, first there must be realizing that outcome. Many young people today stumble on their way to self-discovery and learning how to realize their potential because of many distractions in popular culture. Their dreams and desires become dull and they conform to the status quo. This keynote will challenge participants to part with the past, navigate the present and confront the future with boldness, courage and excitement.

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Dr. Adolph Brown III
Adolph is one of the country’s most sought after speakers to address the topic of positive youth development. Since 1990 he has traveled over two million miles encouraging thousands of people to develop positive character traits while motivating them to set high standards. He was the Youth Co-Chair for the President’s Summit for America’s Promise: Alliance for Youth held in Philadelphia with Colin Powell. One of his most influential educational experiences occurred very early in his life at the Southeastern Tidewater Opportunity Project Head Start Program. From there he was “shaped and molded” to learn one’s potential is only limited by the degree one allows dreams to become actualized. He earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in Psychology from William and Mary College and later earned his Ph.D. from the Virginia Consortium for Professional Psychology. He and his wife Marla operate the Child and Family Wellness Centers in various locations throughout Virginia. He lives in Virginia Beach, VA.

Excellence is About Vocabulary
This keynote will stress the importance of developing strong language and critical thinking skills for young people. After all, the words we chose to use are often a determinant of our behavior. By exploring the verbal dynamics among today's youth through language, articulations, music and mannerisms, participants will be enlightened to the many varied ways youth have today to connect and relate.

::: Tuesday :::

Rev. Dr. Eileen Lindner
Eileen is the Deputy General Secretary of Research and Planning of the National Council of Churches USA (NCC). NCC is the nation’s largest ecumenical agency consisting of thirty-six Protestant and Orthodox communions. In her capacity as Deputy General Secretary, she serves, as Editor of the Yearbook of American and Canadian Churches, is responsible to conduct extensive research concerning the American religious landscape and works with all component parts of the Council in developing program initiatives. She carries particular responsibility to serve as liaison with various child advocacy agencies. Eileen resides in New York, NY.

Living the Lives for Which We Were Created
This keynote will focus on the big picture – why we do what we do and what is at stake? Eileen will draw from thirty years of child and youth advocacy to address the question of “Why does it matter?” Locating our efforts within the context of 21st century American life and the global realities this keynote will offer some “take home” observations to sustain our spirits and renew our passions.

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Dr. Peter Benson
Peter has been President of Search Institute, creators of the 40 developmental assets™, since 1985. Peter is credited with spearheading the national movement known as “Healthy Communities Healthy Youth®” which was launched in 1995 and is now underway in over 600 communities in North America. He leads and guides a staff of 45 people employed at Search Institute who are dedicated to the science and practice of creating developmentally–attentive communities. He is a social psychologist, and he received his Ph.D. from the University of Denver in 1973. Peter is the author of twelve books on the contexts and community dynamics that inform the development of children and adolescents. His major contributions to theory and research are in the areas of developmental assets, community change, thriving and adolescent spiritual development. He lives in Minneapolis, MN.

Creating Communities With and For Youth:
"Our Mission, Should We Choose to Accept It."
While talk about building strong communities abounds, it is the combined power of a common language and a common vision engaging the creativity each community brings to their efforts that helps sustain and nurture this work over the long haul. Changing communities is not for the faint-hearted. It is work that takes courage, particularly in the face of all the rationalizations of it “seems too hard” and “takes too long”. And yet- there are sparks of hope in the work happening on the ground that ignite the authentic engagement of young people as partners in this work, and in the greater awareness of this work in policy settings, and other venues.

Invitation ::: Keynote Speakers ::: Workshops ::: Registration ::: Details/Logistics ::: Sponsors ::: Brochure (pdf)

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