As we face decreasing performance in education, inaccessible mental health services for those in need, and a widening achievement gap between low-income and affluent children, it is clear that something must be done. This year’s conference explores how we can cultivate two characteristics in all children that are inextricably linked to success: perseverance and resilience.
(from the conference web site)

——————-

Can I make a suggestion?  I suggest that you attend the Changing the Odds Conference in September.

2013 Changing the Odds Conference:
Cultivating Perseverance and Resilience in Children
September 26-27, 2013 – In Dallas.

(This is kind of a long endorsement of a conference for a blog post.  But, please read to the end…).

The September First Friday Book Synopsis is sponsored by the 2013 Changing the Odds Conference.  But I would be strongly recommending the conference whether they sponsored our event or not.  You will see a button on this web page (over on the right).  Please click on over and learn about this conference.

Let’s start here:  the odds are stacked against too many in our society.  Sub-par performance in too many schools; difficult economic circumstances in too many neighborhoods; difficult family circumstances in too many families.  The odds against too many children are stacked so very high against them.

This conference addresses this.  It will focus on developing and cultivating perseverance and resilience in our children.  These are not just words.  These are life-survival traits in this “against-the-odds” era.

Now, as with any good conference, there are some obvious reasons to attend.  Here are four.

Reason #1 – you’ve got to get away – I mean, really get away — to think about stuff every now and then.  We all need to pull away from the daily demands, and just reflect with a guided-set-of-conversations kind of way. A good conference can help.  And, it can really help if you will turn your phone to silent, and leave it alone for big chunks of the time while you are at the conference.  (unless, of course you are live tweeting…  but that’s another story).

Reason #2 – great input.  This conference is filled with good speakers – important speakers, with important and possibly life-changing things to teach us.  The list of speakers is long, and I don’t know enough about all of the speakers.  But let me highlight three:

Paul Tough is speaking.  He is worth hearing.  The author of Whatever It Takes and How Children Succeed:  Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character (this book kind of gave shape to the very idea of this conference), Paul Tough tells the stories of important people and ideas in helping children succeed.  Mr. Tough is one of these modern story-telling writers that are so valuable.  His books are wonderful.  He will be worth hearing.

And, can I ask – is there any question more important than “how do we help our children succeed?”  I don’t think so…

Carol Dweck is speaking.  She is worth hearing.  Her work, highlighted especially in her book Mindset, helps point the way to a critical understanding:  the mindset teachers and parents take about the possibilities for genuine growth and development for their students/children is beyond critical.

And Michelle Kinder is speaking.  She is worth hearing.  I speak a lot.  I listen to speakers constantly.  There are these rare times when I see an audience stopped in their tracks by a speaker.  I recently watched a room full of folks brought to absolute silence and something close to awe by this woman.  And among those folks so affected, you can include me.

Michelle Kinder is the Executive Director of the Salesmanship Club Youth and Family Centers, the sponsor of the conference.  She leads a remarkable effort, and an accomplished and remarkable team, to change the odds in the lives of students and families.  They take a comprehensive approach.  Their work is worthy of studying and emulating.  I can’t imagine any speaker being more valuable than Michelle could be.

(And, just a word – The Salesmanship Club of Dallas has raised more than $127 million to support the programs of SCYFC, placing it at the top of the list of all-time charity contributors on the PGA TOUR.  The sponsor of the Byron Nelson Golf Tournament, this long term commitment and effort by a far-sighted group has changed the odds for countless children and students.  Great organization!)

Reason #3 – great conversations will be happening all around you.  Join in.  There will be countless people standing right around you, with so much to offer as you think about the implications of what you are learning, and as you share the challenges of changing the odds in your circle of influence.  These conversations are critical to moving you forward toward more meaningful action.

Reason #4 – great conversations will be happening within your own heart and soul.  This is the big one.  I am convinced that all persuasion is “self-persuasion.”  My bet is that you will experience a little self-persuasion these two days.  You will be challenged, and you will have an internal conversation that goes something like this:

“OK, I see the challenges more clearly.  Now, what shall I start doing to make a greater impact?  What shall I quit doing that is not working?  Who can I collaborate with to increase my impact?  How can I keep learning, and changing, for the better?”

These are the kinds of internal conversations that are sparked by a good conference.  And this promises to be a very good conference!

The odds really are stacked against so many.  The odds seem to be stacked against our very efforts to change the odds.  But we do not despair.  The odds can be changed!  It’s time to change the odds.  This conference can really help.

Who could be helped by this conference?  You could.  I could.  And, any parent (grandparent) of young-through-not-so-young children, and any educator, and mental health professional or community leader or volunteer dealing with children or parents or teachers could be helped.

Do your community a favor.  Find an educator, or other professional — or a parent — and pay their way.  The ripple effects could be wonderful.

And let’s all hope for the best possible ripple effects to come from this conference.  Our communities really do need to change the odds for the better, don’t you think?

——————–

You can purchase my synopsis of How Children Succeed, with my multi-page comprehensive handout plus the audio recording of my presentation, at our companion web site, 15minutebusinessbooks.com.