Workshop Offered to Cultivate Connection and Belonging

Published on Aug 20, 2024

A Learning Opportunity for Those Seeking to Foster a Sense of Belonging in Their Workplaces

Our businesses, employees, and community will thrive when people feel welcomed and accepted in their workplaces and daily lives. To this end, the BendNEXT Foundation (the philanthropic arm of the Bend Chamber) and Central Oregon Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) have partnered with Bend-based Diana Cutaia of Coaching Peace Consulting to help address this need with a two-day workshop, Cultivating Connection and Belonging in the Workplace.

“Knowing that we belong in our world is a fundamental human need, and yet many people feel isolated at work. The result is harmful to our ability to thrive as individuals, as organizations, and as a community. This workshop will help employers create workspaces where each team member feels a true sense of belonging. When we achieve this, it also pays real dividends hrough employee retention and organizational success,” shared Talena Barker, VP of Leadership Development, BendNEXT Foundation.

This opportunity is offered at a highly reduced cost, with sliding scale pricing from $100 to $200 per person, and full scholarships available. This was made possible by Title Sponsor, Meta, and with support from the City of Bend, Central Oregon Employers Council, and PIQue Coaching and Strategy Group.

The workshop will be held on October 10 and 11, from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, at WorldMark Bend Seventh Mountain Resort in Bend. This learning opportunity includes recertification credits for certified SHRM professionals.

Participation will empower business leaders, HR professionals, and others in a position to implement or influence connection and belonging practices in the workplace with the knowledge, skills, and resources necessary to help foster a culture of belonging within their organizations. It aims to instill a sense of excitement and opportunity in leaders, emphasizing this work as a strategic imperative for organizational success.

Learning will cover mindset shift, skillset expansion, and toolset development. Participants will each craft a tailored roadmap that provides actionable steps and measurable goals for sparking change and creating an environment where every employee feels valued, heard, and connected.

A 2023 Surgeon General Advisory called attention to the growing issues of loneliness, isolation, and severe lack of connection in the US, describing it as an “underappreciated public health crisis that has harmed individual and societal health.” Workplaces have a critical role in addressing this issue; report recommendations include to “train, resource, and empower leaders and managers to promote connection in the workplace and implement programs that foster connection.”

According to Gallup, when employees are thriving, they’re 32 percent less likely to be seeking another job. A 2023 Envision Bend survey identified the need for intentional work in Central Oregon to create a culture “where all residents belong regardless of their race, ethnicity, language, age, gender, sexual identity, income, or whether they live in an urban or rural setting.”

“Given the increasing uncertainties and stressors in our workplaces, it is crucial for our community leaders and organizations to foster connection and a sense of belonging within our organizations. This is why Central Oregon SHRM, in collaboration with the Bend Chamber, is leading the effort to bring you this essential two-day workshop,” said Cindy Bene’, President, Central Oregon SHRM.

Central Oregon SHRM’s DEI Committee worked with Bend Chamber staff and Diana Cutaia to help plan this learning opportunity. The committee, composed of representatives from nine organizations, meets monthly to review SHRM DEI Initiatives and plan programming for members.