2024 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 16 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 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, check-ins, or socials).
Application Dates
April 30: 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 2024 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
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
Come early, at 5pm, for additional casual hangout time!
Connection Sessions
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
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
At least four meetings, scheduled whenever works for you. About once per month, virtual or in person.
Institute Socials
Mentors and mentees invited, not required
Hybrid minimally-facilitated space for mentees and mentors to get together, build community, and share learnings from the program. More info TBD.
Mid-Program Check-in
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 institute events, based on attendance.
DoorDash gift cards for Weekly Workshops, General Meeting, and Connection Sessions.
Program Timeline
Saturday, July 6, 1 - 4 p.m.
Institute Kick-Off (Hybrid)
Thursday, July 11, 5:30 - 8 p.m.
Weekly Workshop
Thursday, July 18, 5:30 - 8 p.m.
Weekly Workshop
Saturday, July 27, 1 - 4 p.m.
General Membership Meeting (Hybrid)
Thursday, August 1, 5:30 - 8 p.m.
Weekly Workshop
Saturday, August 10, 1 - 4 p.m.
Connection Session (Hybrid)
Thursday, August 15, 5:30 - 8 p.m.
Weekly Workshop
Saturday, August 24, 1 - 4 p.m.
Connection Session - Pairing Party (Hybrid)
Thursday September 5, 5:30 - 8 p.m.
Weekly Workshop
Thursday September 12, 5:30 - 8 p.m.
Weekly Workshop
Saturday September 21, 1 - 4 p.m.
Connection Session: Summer Closing (Hybrid)
August - December:
Meeting with your Mentor/Mentee
October 12, November 16:
Institute Socials (Hybrid)
October:
Mid-Program Check-in
December 7, 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.
Locations
All workshops will be hosted online, and Connection Sessions will be available via zoom as well. The August and September Connection Sessions will have in-person options in the Judkins Park neighborhood. We are still finalizing physical locations for the July Connection Sessions, but will do our best to maintain accessibility. We plan to host the Institute Socials in South King County.
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.
Early social time: during the workshops, attendees can come early (at 5 p.m.) for casual social time.
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
photo credit: @lulunation206
Please take an at-home covid test prior to arrival, and be sure to swab both nose and throat. Check out this guide on how to get a more accurate sample. You can order free tests through USPS here, or if you are unable to get one we may have some available - let us know in the form below. Email us results screenshots to karissa@alphabetalliance.org or bring a photo to the event.
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: Our primary 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. Once we know about the second location we will update participants, but there will definitely be at least one air purifier in the space.
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.
Optionally, consider using a nasal spray and CPC mouthwash before and after the event to reduce potential viral load. For more information about Covid prevention and treatment, check out this guide.
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