Community Calendar

Learn how to identify scams/fraud, protect yourself against identity theft, & understand the importance of securing your personal information in this class taught by a representative from the office of the Illinois Comptroller.

This event is presented by the Belonging Task Force with generous support from Collins Aerospace, Rockford Park District, United Way of Rock River Valley, Rockford Public Schools District #205, the Rockford Chamber of Commerce, and NICNE.

Event Schedule:

8:00 a.m. Doors Open

8:45 a.m. Welcome & Introduction from Pam Clark Reidenbach, Executive Director, NICNE

9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Keynote from john a. powell

10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Panel Discussion moderated by Mayor Thomas McNamara

Social Belonging is a fundamental human need, hardwired into our DNA. And yet, 40% of people say that they feel isolated at work. Belonging is the top human capital issue employers face today: A sense of belonging is one of the top five key factors in an employee’s decision to stay with an employer (HBR, Deloitte). Employee Belonging impacts wellness and happiness, but it also affects commitment, engagement, motivation, and retention. The evidence is clear: Belonging is good for business.

Keynote speaker, john a. powell, Director of the Othering and Belonging Institute at University of California, Berkeley, will share a keynote address on the imperative of Belonging as it relates to the workplace and the science behind his work on Othering and Belonging. Given the increasing diversity of our teams, we cannot take a sense of Belonging for granted. That is why we, as leaders, colleagues, and team members, must be purposeful and deliberate in cultivating a sense of Belonging for all, across all differences, to harness the benefits of Belonging for us as individuals, for highest-performing teams, and for our organizations, businesses, and institutions. The only viable solution to the problem of othering is one involving inclusion and Belonging.

Mr. Thomas McNamara, Mayor of Rockford, will lead a panel discussion with area employers who are working to build a culture of Belonging in their workplaces where everyone is seen, heard, and valued. Collins Aerospace, Rockford Park District, Rockford Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Rockford Area Habitat for Humanity will share their progress made and lessons learned to help other businesses chart a course to build a culture of Belonging in workplaces across our community.

Belonging leads to better engagement, collaboration, retention, and performance.

Employers can foster diverse, equitable, and inclusive communities by being intentional about Belonging in the workplace creating opportunities for employees to use their strengths to contribute to meaningful shared outcomes aligned with employer goals.

Panelists:

Collins Aerospace – Eric Cunningham, MBA, Vice President, Electric Power Systems
Rockford Park District – Matthew Worley, MS, Director: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
Rockford Area Convention and Visitors Bureau – John Groh, CDME, President/CEO
Rockford Area Habitat for Humanity – Keri Asevedo, Executive Director
About john a. powell: john is the Director of the Othering & Belonging Institute at the University of California, Berkeley, a research institute bringing people together to identify and eliminate the barriers to an inclusive, just, and sustainable society and to create transformative change toward a more equitable world. john is an internationally recognized expert and thought leader on civil rights, civil liberties, structural racism, fair housing, poverty, and democracy. He is well-known for his work on “targeted universalism” and “othering and Belonging” and is the author of several books, including his most recent work, Racing to Justice: Transforming our Concepts of Self and Other to Build an Inclusive Society.

Physical Accessibility: Easy access parking with 10 accessible parking stalls, fully accessible main entrance with power door openers, 40” doorway clearances on all doors, 11 accessible restroom stalls.

Accommodations: Live ASL interpreter provided by RAMP. Accessible seating areas provided for wheelchair users. For additional accommodation requests, please contact Milton Phillips, Jr., Facility Supervisor at UW Health Sports Factory at 815.966.8771 or miltonphillips@rockfordparkdistrict.org.

Parking: Ample free parking in lower (133 spaces) and upper (318 spaces) parking lots

Other Details: There will be local food trucks on site following the event for your dining pleasure.

Health and Safety: Masks are optional at the Rockford Park District in all areas for customers, employees, volunteers, and visitors. Individuals who are currently exhibiting signs or symptoms of COVID-19 should remain home and not attend programming. For a full list of COVID-19 symptoms, please click here. The Park District reserves the right to deny entry or send participants home from programs if ANY symptoms are present. For full details regarding symptomatic individuals, please click here. This policy is subject to change based on local, state, and federal guidelines.

Studies tell us that people, on average, remember 10% of whatever they’re told, 20% of whatever they read, but as much as 80% of whatever they actually see. That’s because we respond to images more intensely – and less guardedly – than to any spoken or written word.

This fall, we’ll cull through images from the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s, revisiting some of the key news events of those times. Many of these photos will light up our own recollections of long-ago headlines and help us recall what mattered most to us all those years ago.

Convener: Joe Gastiger was pastor at the First Congregational Church, UCC, in DeKalb for almost twenty years before retiring in 2020. Prior to ministry, he taught English classes at NIU and coordinated the University Honors Program. These days he chairs the city’s Human Relations Commission. Joe has led about a dozen study groups for LLI and has published three books of poetry.

The NIU Lifelong Learning Institute (LLI), established in 2000, is a member-directed group of individuals primarily age 50 plus who enjoy learning in informal, flexible, non-competitive groups and like connecting with peers who share their interests. No grades, no tests – just Learning for the Fun of It. This class occurs on October 11, 18, 25, and November 1.

A close look at Nobel Prize-winning Bob Dylan’s life and artistry through five of his albums:
The Times They Are a-Changin’, Blonde on Blonde, John Wesley Harding, Blood on the Tracks,
and Rough and Rowdy Ways.

Convener: John Bradley was an English professor for many years at NIU. He is the author of ten books of poetry, the most recent Hotel Montparnasse: Letters to Cesar Vallejo. He’s currently a poetry editor for Cider Press Review.

The NIU Lifelong Learning Institute (LLI), established in 2000, is a member-directed group of individuals primarily age 50 plus who enjoy learning in informal, flexible, non-competitive groups and like connecting with peers who share their interests. No grades, no tests – just Learning for the Fun of It. This class occurs on September 14, 21, 28, October 5 and 12.

Decomposition is nature's way of recycling materials and energy. We'll get up close and personal with rotting logs and hopefully witness some creepy crawlies as we go. Cost $10/member, $15/general admission.

Decomposition is nature's way of recycling materials and energy. We'll get up close and personal with rotting logs and hopefully witness some creepy crawlies as we go. Cost $10/member, $15/general admission.

Studies tell us that people, on average, remember 10% of whatever they’re told, 20% of whatever they read, but as much as 80% of whatever they actually see. That’s because we respond to images more intensely – and less guardedly – than to any spoken or written word.

This fall, we’ll cull through images from the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s, revisiting some of the key news events of those times. Many of these photos will light up our own recollections of long-ago headlines and help us recall what mattered most to us all those years ago.

Convener: Joe Gastiger was pastor at the First Congregational Church, UCC, in DeKalb for almost twenty years before retiring in 2020. Prior to ministry, he taught English classes at NIU and coordinated the University Honors Program. These days he chairs the city’s Human Relations Commission. Joe has led about a dozen study groups for LLI and has published three books of poetry.

The NIU Lifelong Learning Institute (LLI), established in 2000, is a member-directed group of individuals primarily age 50 plus who enjoy learning in informal, flexible, non-competitive groups and like connecting with peers who share their interests. No grades, no tests – just Learning for the Fun of It. This class occurs on October 11, 18, 25, and November 1.

Sicily has some of Italy’s most spectacular scenery and towns whose history goes back, not hundreds, but thousands of years. Greek, Arab, Norman, French and Spanish conquerors have all left their mark on the art and architecture of this beautiful island. We will visit some of Sicily’s most interesting places and briefly examine the history of each town, its art, architecture and museums.

Convener: Before her retirement, Judith Testa taught history of art at NIU and received five excellence in teaching awards, including a Presidential Teaching Professorship. She spends part of each year in Rome, which she calls “the city of my soul.” Two of her three books are about Italy: Roma Amor: Rome is Love Spelled Backwards and An Art Lover’s Guide to Florence.

The NIU Lifelong Learning Institute (LLI), established in 2000, is a member-directed group of individuals primarily age 50 plus who enjoy learning in informal, flexible, non-competitive groups and like connecting with peers who share their interests. No grades, no tests – just Learning for the Fun of It. This class occurs on September 14, 21 and 28.

A close look at Nobel Prize-winning Bob Dylan’s life and artistry through five of his albums:
The Times They Are a-Changin’, Blonde on Blonde, John Wesley Harding, Blood on the Tracks,
and Rough and Rowdy Ways.

Convener: John Bradley was an English professor for many years at NIU. He is the author of ten books of poetry, the most recent Hotel Montparnasse: Letters to Cesar Vallejo. He’s currently a poetry editor for Cider Press Review.

The NIU Lifelong Learning Institute (LLI), established in 2000, is a member-directed group of individuals primarily age 50 plus who enjoy learning in informal, flexible, non-competitive groups and like connecting with peers who share their interests. No grades, no tests – just Learning for the Fun of It. This class occurs on September 14, 21, 28, October 5 and 12.

“Goober Peas” during the Civil War. “When the Boys Come Home” in World War I. “I’ll Be Seeing You” during WWII. And, “What’s Goin’ On?” during the Vietnam War.
Music had much to do with these conflicts. Jerry Smith and Dick Dowen will do a tandem presentation of a variety of music and relate its importance to the war occurring at the time, from Bing Crosby to The Doors. Take a musical trip as we review the trials of war.

Conveners: Jerry Smith has convened many LLI classes dealing with music. Jerry has a varied background, most recently serving a term as DeKalb’s mayor from 2017-2021.
Dick Dowen has convened many LLI sessions on a variety of topics, especially war and history. He is a Professor Emeritus in the NIU Department of Finance.

The NIU Lifelong Learning Institute (LLI), established in 2000, is a member-directed group of individuals primarily age 50 plus who enjoy learning in informal, flexible, non-competitive groups and like connecting with peers who share their interests. No grades, no tests – just Learning for the Fun of It. This class occurs on September 15, 22, 29, October 6, 13 and 20.