The 43rd annual Huether Lasallian Conference kicked off Thursday, November 17 with the stage being set to examine the theme “The Good Samaritan: Confronting New Poverties in the 21st Century.”
Nearly 300 participants, including more than 80 first-time attendees, are gathered together for three days of insightful and inspiring speakers, breakout sessions and networking designed to deepen their understanding of how Lasallians are called to confront new poverties in the 21st century.
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Brother Timothy Coldwell, FSC, and the panelists set the stage for this year’s theme.
The conference opened Thursday with remarks by General Councilor Brother Timothy Coldwell, FSC, who put the theme into context for participants. Following his remarks, a panel of educators shared their experiences related to the theme. Panelists included: Michael Anderer, vice president for mission advancement, De Marillac Academy, San Francisco, California; Gregg DeMaria, coordinator of the Academic Resource Center, La Salle Academy, Providence, Rhode Island; James Logan, executive director, St. Francis – St. Vincent Homes, Bensalem, Pennsylvania; Alisa Macksey, executive director of the First Generation Initiative, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, Winona, Minnesota; and Cindy Nava, sixth grade teacher, San Miguel School, Chicago, Illinois.
“It was very good. A good discussion. Good opening. Good panel,” said Chris Shea, vice principal at Ocean Tides School in Narragansett, Rhode Island. “It got everybody thinking and that thinking led to some good discussions at the table.”
New this year, the more than 80 educators attending Huether for the first time were welcomed with a first-time attendee social. Each first-time attendee was matched with a veteran Huether attendee to help them get the most out of their experience.
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Kenenna Amuzie, first-time attendee, interacts with participants at the opening social.
First-time attendee Kenenna Amuzie, director of Young Lasallians for the District of San Francisco New Orleans, appreciated not only being paired with someone who has attended Huether before, but also having a chance to meet others new to the experience.
“It was a great opportunity to slowly enter into the Huether experience,” said Amuzie. “There was something affirming in being around other people who are sharing this as a first-time experience as well.”
Also new this year, an extensive pre-conference session for advancement professionals, which started Wednesday with a welcome reception and continued Thursday with breakout sessions and a networking lunch. Read more about the advancement track >
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Sarah Laitinen, director of programs for the Office for Lasallian Education, listens in on casa discussions.
For a second year, Lasallians have been assigned to “casa” communities, which are small groups designed to allow participants time to discuss and reflect upon what they learn at the gathering. They will gather in their casas at various times throughout the conference to discuss their experiences.
Participants will have plenty to process as Friday and Saturday are filled with speakers and breakout sessions to unpack the theme.
Caroline Aldrich, theology department chair at Saint Raphael Academy in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, is attending her third Huether Conference and called the experience invigorating. In the days ahead, she is looking forward to visiting the exhibits and taking notes in the sessions to bring back to her school.
“When we go back, we will share with our faculty at one of our faculty meetings some of the sessions that we attended and the things that struck us,” said Aldrich. “When they send us here, it’s not just for me … You go back to your school and you bring back to your school the things that you learned and you share it with others.”
Friday will start with prayer and a keynote address, entitled “I Believe in Zero,” by Dr. Caryl M. Stern, president and CEO, US Fund for UNICEF. Participants will attend three rounds of breakout sessions during the day. They will then gather by District for dinner.
The Honorable Susan D. Page, who most recently served as the Chargé d’affaires for the United States to the African Union, will give the keynote address, “The Ambassadors Within: Bringing Faith to Everyday Life,” on Saturday morning. The conference will wrap up Saturday morning with final casa discussions and reporting. After free time in the afternoon, participants will gather once more for an evening Mass and banquet to honor the Distinguished Lasallian Educators in the Region.
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Jim Lindsay, director of administration for Christian Brothers Conference, and Mari Irby, Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School, attend the first-time attendee social.
Participants include teachers, advancement personnel, campus ministers, administrators and others representing many types of Lasallian educational ministries – elementary through higher education, as well as youth and family services.
Huether is taking place for the third consecutive year at the Holiday Inn Chicago Mart Plaza River North. Huether, hosted by Christian Brothers Conference, is an opportunity for educators to not only learn new techniques and find inspiration, it also allows them to interact, share best practices, and grow more deeply committed to their vocation of providing students with transformative, holistic experiences.
Follow highlights from Huether on Facebook and Twitter with #Huether2016. Also, check this page for new stories throughout the conference.
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