Breakout Sessions

The 2019 Leadership Conference is scheduled for Saturday, December 7 at the Seattle Program Center in Magnuson Park.  

• Click here to read our presenter bios.
• Click here for a printable version of the 2019 Leadership Conference schedule.

The theme for this year's conference is Vision Forward. A series of interactive sessions will explore the many facets of leadership and how they relate to the three core tenets of our Vision 2022 strategic plan - leading innovation in outdoor education, engaging future Mountaineers, and advocating for wild places - plus a core track for the sessions that are central to who we are and what we do. New this year, we'll also offer an outdoor skills track for folks who are looking for something different throughout the day.

Keynote Presentations

Vision Forward

LORNA CORRIGAN & TOM VOGL

8:30-9:00 | Goodman Auditorium

Driven by the vision of our Board and the power of our volunteers, The Mountaineers is in an exciting period of growth. As a part of our Welcome  Session, join Board President Lorna Corrigan and CEO Tom Vogl for an update of where we are now, where we’re going, and how you as a leader can continue to shape the future of our organization.

Performing Under Pressure

DEB AJANGO

4:00-5:00 | Goodman Auditorium

How do our brains deal with stress? In this keynote session, we’ll explore how the brain does and doesn’t work in highly stressful situations, specifically in regard to how the brain’s automated responses affect decision-making. Attendees will also learn methods for improving performance under pressure, with the goal of reducing negative stress responses during an emergency.

Deb Ajango will be available to sign copies of her book Lessons Learned II during the social hour from 5:00-6:00. Copies are available for sale in The Mountaineers Bookstore, which will be open throughout the day. As a reminder, Mountaineers members receive a 20% savings on all maps, apparel, and Mountaineers Books publications, and a 10% savings on non-Mountaineers publications.

Lead Track

Followership, Awareness & Feedback: Grow Your Skills in Communication

DEBBEE LYNN

9:15-10:30 | Cascade A/B

What is followership? We’ll discuss this leadership theory to develop a foundational philosophy in strong leadership and team dynamics. From there, we’ll focus specifically on awareness of self and others in regard to communication and feedback, including how it connects people to a stronger sense of belonging, community, purpose, and goals. The activities will be interactive and attendees will take away knowledge to use in your everyday life, work, and outdoor pursuits.

THROUGH THE CRUX: MASTERING DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS

VIK SAHNEY

10:45-12:00 | Goodman A

Back by popular demand! Have you ever shied away from having a difficult conversation? Have you ever had a blow-up occur on a trip? If so, you are not alone - most of us have. In this session, we will discuss a model to help you through difficult conversations and then practice it in small group real-time scenarios. You should leave the session feeling more confident in how to work through all of the tough interpersonal situations we can encounter in a thoughtful and productive way. This session is recommended for all types of leaders.

Providing High-Quality Feedback for Improved Performance

DEB AJANGO

1:00-2:15 | Goodman A

What is good feedback, and how do we know if our feedback is effective? In this workshop, we’ll explore how the science behind expertise can be used to improve performance in the outdoors. Attendees will learn how to apply already existing methods - used by chess masters, elite athletes, world-class musicians, and military, medical, and aviation professionals - to the outdoor industry to provide better feedback and help people improve performance.

The Body Doesn’t Lie: Managing Risk Through Somatic-Based Learning

TRACY REKART

2:30-3:45 | Goodman A

The body doesn’t lie. In high-risk situations, our body will do what it has practiced. Understand your baseline reactions, learn new ways to manage your response, and practice what you need to successfully navigate high-risk situations calmly and effectively. Join Tracy in this experiential conversation to learn about cutting-edge brain science, body-based practices for students and instructors, and the challenges of being in and leading groups.

Engage Track

Building a DEI Toolbox: How the AMGA is helping their guides and instructors create more inclusive practice

Lyra Pierotti & Monserrat Alvarez Matehuala

9:15-10:30 | Goodman B

Join members of the American Mountain Guides Association’s DEI Committee, Lyra and Monserrat, as they share how their association is having conversations regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion. They will discuss two common practices, pronouns and land acknowledgments, and common scenarios they’ve seen play out as instructors and guides. The workshop will end with a short visioning session to brainstorm what tools you need to foster a more equitable and inclusive Mountaineers community.

Safe Zone: LGBTQ Basics for Inclusive Leadership

MONICA FISK

10:45-12:00 | Goodman C

Are there things you "know you should know", but aren't quite there yet? No worries! Come build your LGBTQ knowledge so you can be the inclusive leader you want to be. This workshop will cover LGBTQ vocabulary, help you understand the spectrum of identities in the queer community, and briefly explore ways you can help create a better environment for all Mountaineers!

How Not to be a Terrible Ally

BAM MENDIOLA

1:00-2:15 | Goodman B

This space is for people who make mistakes. It is intended for those of us who understand that we hold positions and privilege in our community and are interested in doing better. Bam will be using humor, story telling, and the occasional hair-flip to share the mistakes they have made and the lessons they are learning (and also un-learning) as a diversity consultant and climber. The goal of this workshop is to develop tools, learn language, and better understand the role we can play to make the outdoors more equitable and accessible.

These are not "soft skills"! Facilitating Emotional Safety:
A Foundational Risk Management Skill

Steve Smith

2:30-3:45 | Goodman B

Not all injuries are physical ones. This workshop will explore the importance of emotional safety, the connections between physical and emotional safety, and case studies that illustrate these connections. Finally, we will offer tools and strategies to foster a foundation of emotional safety for your trips, classes, and adventures.

Advocate Track

Building Effective Stewardship Programs Through Partnership

Panel: DELOA DALBY, JIM FRENCH, TOR BELL, and JEN GRADISHER; Moderator: KATHERINE HOLLIS

10:45-12:00 | Cascade A/B

In this session, panelists will discuss ways volunteers can incorporate more stewardship opportunities – trail work or otherwise – into their programs. We’ll hear from volunteers with the Foothills and Olympia branches about their existing (and growing!) programs, and from staff members at Washington Trails Association and Mountains to Sound Greenway about how our members can continue to foster those partnerships. The goal of this session is to give branches more tools to increase our positive impact on the natural world.

Climate Change in the PNW: What’s happening, what’s going to happen, and what to do about it

Jason Vogel

1:00-2:15 | Cascade A/B

Climate change is an issue on many people’s minds, yet it can feel complex to talk about. What does the most up-to-date science tell us about what will happen to the landscapes, ecosystems, and recreational resources we love in the PNW? And do I even want to hear about it? In this session, we’ll have an honest discussion about climate change and what it means for outdoor recreation and the places we love. We'll also discuss why this is an issue important as an outdoor leader and brainstorm practical suggestions for how to do something meaningful about climate change as a Mountaineers member.

Current Initiatives and Challenges at Mount Rainier

MOUNT RAINIER NATIONAL PARK Staff

2:30-3:45 | Cascade A/B

Join several staff members from Mount Rainier National Park for a unique opportunity to discuss the state of this beloved park. This session will include a panel presentation, as well as ample time for questions and discussion. It is recommended for any leaders who spend significant time recreating in the park and/or are wanting to work with park staff in support of mutual initiatives.

Core Track

LIABILITY TRAPS IN THE VOLUNTEER-BASED RECREATION ARENA

RICHARD JOLLEY

9:15-10:30 | Goodman A

Back by popular demand! As a volunteer leader, what do you need to know to be prepared for that worst-case scenario of an accident that might lead to a lawsuit? Learn about the tools and training to keep you in the mountains and away from the courthouse. This session will include a discussion of liability releases and duty of care, and what that means for you as a volunteer leader pertaining to volunteer statutes, standards, and best practices.

THE BIG 3: PLANNING, IMPLEMENTiNG, AND EVALUATING FOR EFFECTIVE INSTRUCTION

BEN BROWN, JOE HARPER KOWALCZYK, and MICHELLE HARPER KOWALCZYK

10:45-12:00 | Goodman B

Back by popular demand! In this session, experienced teachers and volunteer instructors will work with participants to develop skills which they can put into practice right away when developing their next lecture, workshop, or field trip. The session will focus on the three main components of effective instruction: planning it, implementing it, and then evaluating how well it worked... or didn't (and what to do in that case!). Participants are asked to please bring a piece of curriculum that they have taught or will teach, or something they're working on with other instructors; if participants don't have something, Mountaineers-specific examples will be provided for all content areas.

Adding to Your Quiver: NOLS LEADERSHIP MODEL

ANDY BASSETT

1:00-2:15 | Goodman C

What are the leadership tools in your quiver? Continue building upon effective leadership tactics by examining the roles, skills, and styles that make up the NOLS expeditionary leadership model. Join Andy Bassett, a former Senior Field Instructor with NOLS and current Mountaineers Youth Programs Manager, as we look to expand upon and improve our capacity to lead both in the field and beyond.

Culture Eats Strategy for Breakfast...and so does a 113-year-old legacy 

Natalia Martinez-Paz

2:30-3:45 | Goodman C

Interested in how culture is developed in an organization? What happens when we direct cultural change in a club with a 113-year-old legacy? Come learn about the experience of the Tacoma Basic Climbing Course and the interventions we've implemented over the last 4 years to encourage and develop active student participation for the safety and empowerment of all.

Outdoor Skills Track

New this year! Looking for a break or something different? Visit our Outdoor Skills track for a hands-on session. Sessions in the Basement will be limited to 30 attendees per session.

Up Your Trip Planning Game with Digital Tools

Travis Prescott

9:15-10:30 | Goodman C

Better trip planning leads to better trip outcomes. Geared toward current and future trip leaders, in this session you'll learn how to use tools like CalTopo and GaiaGPS to develop reusable on-and-off-trail route plans and maps to truly communicate with your participants. As a bonus, you'll also learn how to use Windy to answer the key question: where is it NOT raining in Washington this weekend!? No tech is required - all demos will be provided via video to participants for review after the session.

Soft-Tissue Injuries: Assessment & Care

SEAN GOMBASY

10:45-12:00 | BASEMENT

Without expensive and fancy cameras, it can be challenging to assess an injured limb, especially after being lowered into a crevasse or on pitch 9 of 15. Practicing a thorough orthopedic assessment gives any care provider the foundation to make a medically informed decision, no matter the provider's baseline knowledge. We will break down how the musculoskeletal system functions and how 5 simple rules should be followed for every single splint; whether it is a simple "tweaked knee" or a positive finding on an anterior drawer test making you suspect an ACL tear. This session is intended to be a deeper dive into medical care for leaders already WFA or WFR certified.

Injury Prevention & Overuse

Josh Breger

1:00-2:15 | BASEMENT

Have you or one of your students ever had an injury limiting you from achieving your outdoor goals? Has someone asked you what to do about this nagging discomfort or this pain with activity? This course on injury prevention and overuse is for you! We will spend time talking about common injuries you will come across, exercises, and preventative measures. Participants will also learn how to do a functional screen that can be used on athletic individuals. This will be an active session.

Lunchtime Activities

Lunch will be a “build your own” bagged meal to give attendees the flexibility to move around, mingle, and learn from the vendors and sessions that we’ll have available.

Open seating for lunch will be available in the Goodman Auditorium.

Vendor & Partner Tables

Lobby | 12:00-1:00

Visit with our vendors and partner organizations to learn more about their products and programs! We’ll have tables from Petzl, Ascent Outdoors, Remote Medical Training, Select Physical Therapy, Climbers of Color, Washington Trails Association, and Mountains to Sound Greenway.

Dried Food & Meal Preparation

FELICIA WIBOWO, DIANE GELOTTE, and SALLY ANDERSON

12:00-1:00 | Summit Room (Upstairs)

Easy, economical, and nutritious, drying is a natural, great-tasting alternative to expensive freeze dried food. Check out the varieties of dried fruits, vegetables, meats, condiments, and prepared meals that these leaders have created. Stop by to ask questions and taste the re-hydrated food and meals prepared using a variety of dried ingredients, then bring home some of the recipes for your next trip.

Retro Rewind: Movie Screening from the Archives!

Cascade A/B | 12:10-12:50

Looking for something different over lunch? New this year, we’re excited to offer a short selection of films from the Mountaineers Archives! Special thanks to Lowell Skoog of the History Committee for sharing these fun blasts from the past.

• The Boys on the Cliff - This is a short newsreel-style film about mountain safety, filmed by Bob and Ira Spring. The film was produced as a companion piece to an August 1961 story by the same name in Reader's Digest magazine.
• Skiing Cascade Wilderness - This 30 minute film illustrates skiing in the Lyman Lake area above Holden near Lake Chelan in 1956. Chuck Hessey and friends visited this area many times in the 1940s and 1950s, staying for weeks at a time in a snow survey cabin that stood near the lake.
• This is Self Arrest - This short film was made on Mt. Rainier, above the east side of Nisqually Glacier, in 1967. It was produced by Al Stenson and narrated by Jim Whittaker.