In this workshop, participants will explore the intersection between their personal identities and their work at their volunteer sites. Participants will consider how their personal characteristics and values may create challenges or sociocultural barriers for building trust and meaningful relationships with the populations they interact with in their Bonner work. This workshop will include both personal reflection and an opportunity to collaboratively propose solutions to the challenges identity may cause in volunteer work, in order to engage these differences for the mutual benefit of the community and individual growth.

1. Breaking Barriers:
Acknowledging Differences With
Populations we serve
KELSEY MAGLIO & AIYANNA MACIEL

2. Why are we here?
Introductions
Kelsey & Aiyanna’s experience
Creating dialogue about differences we face

3. Revisiting Our Identities
Who am I?
If someone one asked who you were, how would you describe yourself in three
sentences?
Name several things that you most value.
Describe several of your proudest moments or greatest achievements thus far.
Describe the most challenging experience or time of your life.
How would other people describe their perceptions of you? How does this compare to
your perception of yourself?
What are your strengths as a leader? As a Bonner? As a student, friend, family
member?
How did you find your service site? What drew you in to become a part of the work
you’re doing? Does this topic still impact you?

4. Assessing Our Differences
Next, take time to consider the populations you serve, the
staff you work with, and other volunteers that make up the
environment of your site.

5. Assessing Our Differences
In pairs of two, we will give you one minute per question
to talk about your experiences
Again, be prepared to share out!
Consider: Why is it important for us to have this dialogue
among fellow Bonners?

6. Assessing our Differences
What differences do you perceive between you and the populations you
interact with at your site?
Have you ever felt uncomfortable while volunteering because of your
identity?
Have you ever felt the need to conceal any aspect of your identity or life
while volunteering?
What is the biggest conflict you have experienced while volunteering?
Have you ever felt that your identity would prevent you from making the
most impact at your site?
Have you ever felt disconnected from the people you work with at your
site?
Have you ever disagreed with something you overheard or witnessed at
your site?

7. Reflection
How can we overcome the differences we just talked
about?
What are some strategies to help us continue our work
as Bonners without getting bogged down by these
issues?
Who else should we share this type of dialogue with?
Have you discussed these barriers with your sites
before?
What can we do as Bonners to help others overcome
differences such as these?