2023 Alphabet Institute
Leadership, community connection, learning, and transformational support for queer, trans, Black, Indigenous and People of Color.
Art: Kalu
Program Requirements
Be queer and/or trans.
Be Black, Indigenous, or a Person of Color.
Live and/or work in the Puget Sound region.
People of all ages are welcome. Most participants are adults, but teens 15 and older are welcome to apply.
Commit to being fully present: Relationship building is central to the institute.
Attendance expectations: Participants are expected to attend (in person or remotely) all events, so that everyone can learn from each other. Missing part or all of up to two sessions is acceptable, with prior notice. Please communicate about emergencies that will impact your attendance. Mentors are welcome, but not expected, to attend the five Weekly Workshops. Mentors are expected at all other events. Mentors and mentees will receive stipends for participation, based on attendance. Participants will receive DoorDash Gift cards for workshops and sessions (not 1-on-1 meetings with mentors).
Application Dates
April 21: Applications due
May 1 - June 1: Review process, calling references
June 1: Decisions and announcement email, including bios for all mentors and mentees.
Applications for 2023 Institute
Apply to be a Mentor
Offer guidance and support to mentees, while growing and developing your leadership skills as a mentor.
Apply to be a Mentee
Build community in workshops with other mentees and receive ongoing support from a mentor.
Not sure?
If you’re not sure whether you want to apply as a mentor or a mentee, apply as a General Leader and we will see which role suits you for this year.
What to Expect
Weekly Workshops
*Mentees required, mentors welcome but not required
Virtual, content-focused spaces exploring a range of topics:
Implementing Disability Justice and Making Spaces Accessible
Unpacking Imposter Syndrome
Conflict Mediation
How to Handle Burnout
Advocacy
Embodied Leadership
Connection Sessions
Both mentors and mentees required
Hybrid time for mentors and mentees to get to know each other. Use this time to connect, debrief workshop material, and meet your pairs!
General Membership Meeting
Both mentors and mentees required
Hybrid meeting with the general membership of AAoC.
Learn how we share resources and collaborate across QTBIPOC communities. After attending the July meeting, participants can attend all other meetings on 4th Wednesdays of each month.
Meeting with Mentors/Mentees
Both mentors and mentees required
At least four meetings, scheduled whenever works for you. About once per month, virtual or in person.
Monthly Mentor Circles
Mentors only, optional
Virtual space for mentors to support each other. Unpack the role of mentorship in a non-heirarchical relationship, imposter syndrome, and offer/receive advice.
Mid-Program Check-in
Both mentors and mentees required
15-20 minute virtual check-in with an AAoC staff person about how your mentorship relationship is going. Scheduled at a time that works for you.
Stipends & Gift Cards
All participants will receive:
Stipends for participation in required events, based on attendance.
DoorDash gift cards for Weekly Workshops and Connection Sessions.
Program Timeline
Thursday, June 29, 6 - 9 p.m.
Institute Kick-Off (Hybrid)
Thursday, July 6, 5:30 - 8 p.m.
Weekly Workshop*
Thursday, July 13, 5:30 - 8 p.m.
Connection Session
Thursday, July 20, 5:30 - 8 p.m.
Weekly Workshop*
Wednesday, July 26, 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.
General Membership Meeting (Hybrid)
Thursday, August 3, 5:30 - 8 p.m.
Weekly Workshop*
Thursday, August 10, 6 - 8 p.m.
Connection Session (Hybrid)
Thursday, August 17, 5:30 - 8 p.m.
Weekly Workshop*
Thursday August 24, 6 - 8 p.m.
Connection Session - Pairing Party (Hybrid)
Thursday September 7, 5:30 - 8 p.m.
Weekly Workshop
August - December:
Meeting with your Mentor/Mentee
August 15, September 15, October 16, November 16:
Optional Mentor Circles
October:
Mid-Program Check-in
December 2, Time TBD
Closing Ceremony (Hybrid)
Art: Eileen Jimenez
Hybrid Protocols and Access
We have a strong commitment to disability justice at AAoC.
For us, that includes recognizing that the COVID-19 pandemic is still ongoing and impacting our communities, in particular those who are immunocompromised and their loved ones. We know that folks are (and want to be) gathering in person, and that those kinds of connections keep us alive and well, too. Based on feedback from our communities, we have crafted a hybrid protocol and plan for the Alphabet Institute for the first time this year. We are trying this out, and know there may be hiccups in the process, and appreciate your ongoing support and feedback as we do so.
We plan to include:
Both completely virtual and hybrid events, to ensure that participants who will only be participating virtually have the opportunity to build relationships and belonging. This also keeps our program accessible for those who live further away in the Puget Sound region.
Food will be provided at the event for in person attendees, while virtual attendees will receive food gift cards.
Computers on-site so that in-person and remote attendees are equally distributed and participating in breakout rooms and pairs.
Accommodation for transportation time: virtual only events begin at 5:30 p.m., but hybrid events begin at 6 p.m.
Captioning available virtually and in person. ASL interpretation available upon request.
Limited use of fragrances. As much as you are able, please refrain from using scented clothing detergent, perfumes and other heavily scented products.
In Person Participation Protocol
At-home rapid test the day before the event. Rapid tests are available upon request to those who need them. PCR tests are no longer required due to access changes/associated costs to begin in May 2023.
Day-of rapid tests at the beginning of each event. AAoC staff will be checking rapid tests upon entry.
Complete the Symptoms and Exposure Checklist on the day of the event. Please do not attend in person if you are experiencing symptoms or have been exposed, as defined in the checklist.
Facilities: The meeting location has a built-in, hospital-grade filtration system (100% fresh air supplied through ERVs and high-efficiency MERV 13 filters). Windows cannot be opened. Both covered and uncovered outdoors paces are available for breakout rooms. Eating will be outside.
Universal masking with well-fitting, high-filtration masks (KN 95/ N95/KF94). Some high quality masks will be available.
Contact Tracing. Notify AAoC if you develop symptoms or test positive within 5 days following the event.
Mentee and Mentor Relationship
1-on-1 meetings begin after summer sessions
1-on-1s can look like a lot of different things, from walks in the park to grabbing food, zoom calls and book clubbing together, sky’s the limit! We want folks to connect in ways that feel fulfilling and makes sense for them.
Peer-to-peer mentorship
The Alphabet Institute is based on peer-to-peer mentorship, meaning that we don’t have strict requirements for what it means to be a mentor or a mentee. We want to encourage growth, learning, evolution and connection, and know that can look and feel a lot of different ways. We understand this definition of mentorship veers from the traditional sense of someone with a lot of experience passing down knowledge to someone with less experience. We moved away from this model because QTBIPOC are so often denied opportunities in traditional settings to share the knowledge gained through their lived experience. We all have things to share and we all have things to learn.
Mentorship Workbook
Participants will be given a workbook containing questions for paired and individual reflection.
Art: Jiéyì 周杰意