IFYC Training on Dialogue & Service

The Women of Excellence Giving Circle Grant

The Interfaith Club was the proud recipient of a Giving Circle Grant from the Women of Excellence alumnae group during the grant program's inaugural year. The grant gives the club funding to bring two Outreach Education and Training associates from the Interfaith Youth Core to campus in the coming fall. Details of the grant can be read here.

The IFYC offers a variety of programming options and other resources, all lead and supported by their diverse staff of training associates. With funding from the Giving Circle Grant, IFYC associates will facilitate programs over two days, leading presentations, seminars, dialogues, and other activities. These events will be specifically tailored to address the needs of Xavier’s unique environment, with strong input from multiple offices and departments. Information on the IFYC's model of service-based interfaith dialogue can be read here.

More information coming soon, as plans are made over the summer.

OET Associate Program Possibilities

Details on programs to follow, which can include but are not limited to:

• Extensive trainings on the theory and praxis of interfaith service work and the interfaith movement
• Dialogue facilitation trainings focusing on IFYC’s unique methodology of storytelling, shared values and service-learning
• Guided brainstorming sessions around creative next steps for building sustainable interfaith service work on campus
• Guest lectures in classes relevant to interfaith work, social justice and religious pluralism
• Lunch discussions, roundtables and Q&A sessions with relevant student groups including religious groups, interfaith organizations, service learning groups, diversity groups, etc.
• In-depth campus assessments to analyze the current strengths and weaknesses regarding religious pluralism at an institutional level
• Meetings to discuss religious pluralism with interested departments including religious life staff, diversity staff, service-learning staff, chaplains, dean of students, etc.
• Problem-solving with faculty and staff around particular campus issues such as: embracing religious diversity while being denominationally affiliated, developing a new policy for observing religious holidays, responding to incidents of religious discrimination or religious hate crimes on campus and resolving tensions or conflict between campus religious groups
• Visioning and planning with faculty and staff around new programming, curricula and opportunities to build religious pluralism on campus

Ideas for Potential Activities & Programs

• Visits to classes to discuss interfaith work: Theological Foundations (THEO 111), Dialogue Among World Religions (THEO 343), Faith and Justice (THEO 311), Contemporary Ethical Issues (THEO 315), E Pluribus Unum (UNST 100).
• Attend an Interfaith Club weekly meeting (joined by IFCE's Leadership Panel if available)
• Keynote speech regarding the visiting "Children of Abraham" Exhibit
• ...

OET Associate Schedule

Day One

Day Two