Cultural Diversity Workshop: Waterloo Region
Table of Contents
1. Abstract
2. Introduction
3. Workshop Participants
4. Determining Training Needs
5. Training Objectives
6. Workshop Audience
7. Venue
8. Materials
9. Possible Obstacles
10. Budget
11. Budget Pitch Strategy
12. Schedule
13. Knowledge Content
14. Media Enhanced Presentation
15. Workshop Activities
16. Link Between Workshop and Workplace
17. Workshop Advertising
18. Post-Workshop Follow-Up
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Cultural Diversity Workshop: Waterloo Region
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Abstract
The following is an outline for a Cultural Diversity Workshop. It is scheduled to
take place during a morning to teach employees that work for The Region of
Waterloo. The goal of the workshop is to create an open environment for
communication between different cultures present in the region. These cultures
include United Kingdom, Portugal, Poland, and Germany. This report will outline
the specific details of the workshop including logistics, information on the broader
topic, and budgeting for the event.
Cultural Diversity Workshop: Waterloo Region
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Introduction
This workshop is for employees of the Region of Waterloo. The goal of the
workshop is to teach employees about cultural diversity within the workplace as
well as the community as a whole. It will teach about the value of diversity and
understanding each other through communication.
Workshop Participants
 Human Library participants, Natasha Hall-Brodie and Karlee Slattery.
Determining Training Needs
We are not targeting specific training needs, but rather sharing values and
the importance of these values. We are working from the core of the region in an
effort to send a message outwards to the rest of the community. The value we are
working hard to reinforce is the importance of a diverse community. Having a
community that consists of people from all different walks of life makes for a richer
learning experience.
Training Objectives
To create an open atmosphere for sharing and getting to know one another
and being aware of the diversity in the Waterloo Region. We want to encourage
sharing between members and shared understanding of what makes each of us
unique. If we understand each other, we can work better together.
Workshop Audience
Region of Waterloo employees
Regional council [4 representatives]
Corporate Resources [2 representatives]
Finance, Human Resources [2 representatives]
Planning, Housing, and Community Services [2 representatives]
Public Health [2 reps]
Social Services [2 reps]
Transportation and Environmental [2 reps]
*These representatives will learn from this workshop and report back to their
sector and teach them the valuable lessons
Venue
Zehrs Community Room- Stanley Park Mall
1005 Ottawa Street North, Kitchener, ON N2A 1H2
This meeting space is offered free of charge which will help keep on budget.
Cultural Diversity Workshop: Waterloo Region
Materials
Material
Chairs
Tables
Food [Zehrs]
Signs
Paper sheets
Laptop
Projector
Screen
Amount/Details
25
3
Sandwiches
Veggies
Fruits
Drinks
Cookies
2 signs to point participants in the right direction
1 sign for the entry to the workshop
*Signs have sponsor’s logos across the bottom
25
1
1
1
Possible Obstacles
Getting these people to open up and share personal stories may be a
challenge. A way to overcome this is by being open as a leader and encouraging
openness. This will help ensure the participants that it is a safe environment for
sharing.
There is a possibility that an issue may occur in regards to ensuring
everyone gets a chance to share and ask questions when participating in the
Human Library. By having the workshop leaders circulate during the sessions, we
can encourage everyone to ask what they want.
A possible issue may have to do with language barriers or understanding
accents. Throughout the whole workshop we want to encourage communication.
Further encouragement to ask questions and ask for clarification will help to solve
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Cultural Diversity Workshop: Waterloo Region
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this possible problem.
Budget
Cultural Diversity Budget
Venue
Food
Honoraria
Travel for speakers
Supplies for activity 1
Signage
Ads/recruitment
Tech Equipment
$0
$150
$50/speaker
$10/speaker
$20
$50
$0
$100
Venue:
Food:
Since we get free use of
the venue, we chose to
purchase the food trays
from Zehrs Grocery
Zehrs offers this venue for free
Sandwich Platter
Fruit Trays
Veggie Trays
Beverages
Dessert cookies
Food TOTAL
6 Speakers X $50
6 Speakers X $10
Printed Paper [25 sheet X
.15]
Pens
Supplies TOTAL
3 signs at $9.99 [rounded up]
done through email created
by us
Projector
Tripod Screen
Tech TOTAL
TOTAL
Honoraria:
Travel:
Supplies:
Signage:
Ads/ Recruitment:
Tech Equipment:
[rented from Nightlife Entertainment]
*www.nightlifeinc.com
Budget Pitch Strategy
Sponsors from Various Businesses in the Region of Waterloo will allow us to
fund the majority of the workshop.
Sponsors
Premier Focus Inc.
Address: 573 Windjammer Way, Waterloo, Ontario, N2K 3Z5
Phone Number: 519-591-8802
$0
$50
$30
$30
$20
$20
$150
$300
$60
$3.75
$2
$5.75
$30
$0
$75
$25
$100
$646
Cultural Diversity Workshop: Waterloo Region
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Toll-Free Number: 1-866-893-6287
Email Address: Translations@PremierFocus.com
Website: http://www.PremierFocus.com/
[Full-service translation agency offering translation & localization, editing &
proofreading, glossary development and other services. Founded in 1995 and
member of the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce.]
Three Kretans
Address: 151 Frederick St. Kitchener, Ontario, N2H2M2
Phone Number: 519-576-9091
Email Address: threekretans@yahoo.ca
[A favourite Authentic Greek restaurant in the Kitchener/Waterloo area. They
offer dine in, take out, and catering]
Chris Krmpotic - Investors Group
Address: 201-80 King St. S., Waterloo, Ontario, N2J1P5
Phone Number: 519-886-2360
Toll-Free Number: 888-886-2360
Fax Number: 519-746-5396
Email Address: chris.krmpotic@investorsgroup.com
Website:
http://www.investorsgroup.com/consult/chris.krmpotic/english/default.htm
[Investors Group provides personal financial planning services. They have a
network of consultants that can help Registered Retirement Savings Plans,
Registered Retirement Income Funds, Deferred Profit Sharing Plans, life and
disability insurance, Guaranteed Investment Certificates and mortgages.]
Fast Plumbing and Heating
Address: 55 St-Jerome Cresent, Kitchener, Ontario, N2C 2K9
Phone Number: 519-893-5800
Email Address: mikeb@fastplumbingandheating.com
Website: http://www.fastplumbingandheating.com/
[Have provided trusted plumbing and heating business serving Kitchener,
Waterloo, Cambridge and Guelph since 1984. They specialize in service repair to
plumbing and hot water heating, video camera work on drains, backflow
installation and testing, high pressure drain jetting.]
If we receive $150 from each sponsor we will have a total of $600 for the
workshop. The budget shows that $646 is necessary for the workshop to run
efficiently. This means there is a need for $46 more. This cost along with a bit of
money [$54] for unexpected costs/flex room is reasonable to ask for from the
Region of Waterloo.
Cultural Diversity Workshop: Waterloo Region
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Request for Donation to Potential Sponsors
Dear ______:
The Region of Waterloo values the work you do for the community.
The quality services you provide are noted and appreciated.
The Region of Waterloo likes to see the diverse members of the
community work together. We are currently working on an initiative to
encourage further acceptance of diversity and the work we do for a common
goal.
We are requesting your financial support to put this initiative into
action. There is an employee workshop that will teach representatives from
different sectors the value of diversity. We are requesting a donation of
$150. To show our thankfulness, your business’ logo will be displayed in
email advertisements sent out to participants and put on the signs on the
day of the workshop.
We look forward to hearing from you and to your involvement in the Region
of Waterloo Cultural Diversity Workshop 2012.
Karlee Slattery
Natasha Hall-Brodie
Region of Waterloo
Schedule
9:00am Introduction/Welcome
9:05am Video
9:08am Introduction to Activity 1: What’s in a Name? [Including example]
9:10am Creation of individual name stories
9:25am Begin sharing stories
9:50am Intro to Activity 2: Human Library
10:00am Human Library Session 1
10:20am Break [drinks, fruit, and vegetables brought out]
10:30am Human Library Session 2
10:45am Human Library Session 3
11:00am Lunch Break [Opportunity to get to know one another better]
[Bring out sandwiches, cookies, and drinks]
11:30am Human Library Session 4
11:45am Wrap up/Thank you/Video clip recordings
Knowledge Content
Human Library Profile One
Hello, my name is Gunhild Lischke and I am currently a sales manager at Sunlife
Financial Institution in Waterloo, Ontario. I was born and raised in Berlin,
Germany and moved to Canada when I was twenty five years old. Growing up in
Cultural Diversity Workshop: Waterloo Region
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Berlin, as a young child you are taught the social
and cultural “norms” in which you are to abide by.
As well, as a German child you are instilled the
values of education and the impact a good
education can have on your life. Following highschool I worked full-time as a customer service
representative where I learnt proper business
etiquette in the German society. One very
important aspect of business etiquette in the
German culture is that you need to strictly
organize, plan and follow any and all regulations
so you can plan your life accordingly.
Furthermore, as a working professional you need
to be able to keep your business and personal lives separate in order to fulfill
your full potential. When participating in a business meeting in Germany, there
are multiple cultural norms you must abide by. Firstly, when entering a room you
must allow the eldest or highest ranking person to enter first, followed by any
men attending the meeting and then lastly the women. Once you have entered
the room, you must wait until you are asked to sit from the eldest or highest
ranking person attending as this is a sign of respect. In practice all meetings take
place in a formal setting where communication is direct and to the point. As well,
when communicating with another professional you must maintain direct eye
contact and give them your full attention. One must also keep in mind when
attending a business meeting you must also dress the part. For example, men
attending the meeting should wear a dark coloured business suit and for all
women they must dress in either a professional business suit or a conservative
dress. My professional and personal life in Canada has many similarities to my
old life in Germany. In my place of work you are required to dress professionally,
yet every Friday we have dress down days to feel comfortable throughout the
day. In regards to organizing, planning and following rule and regulations, I still
have to abide by those cultural norms I was taught in Germany here in Canada,
especially in my place of work. (“German Business Etiquette,” 2012)
(Executiveplanet.com, 2012)
Human Library Profile Two
Good-day everyone, my name is Michael
Thomas and I am a proud small business owner
in Waterloo Region. I was born and raised in
London, England and moved to Canada when I
was sixteen years old with my family. Our
reasoning behind moving to Canada was the
exception of an irresistible job offer my father
received and ultimately accepted. In all honesty I
was not thrilled about the move but in the end I
can now say I am a proud Canadian. In the short
amount of time I spent growing up in London,
Cultural Diversity Workshop: Waterloo Region
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England I learnt many valuable lessons and cultural values that still play a role in
my life in Canada today. In England when meeting and communicating with
another person, you must always greet them with a handshake as this is a sign
of respect. One thing to make sure to avoid when communicating is to not have
prolonged and direct eye contact with the person you are speaking with as this
will make them feel uncomfortable. Growing up my parents also taught me how
punctuality is key and you must always properly address people when speaking
to them. In comparison to the business etiquette and business meeting norms in
England to that of Canada there are a few minor differences. There is a large mix
of communication styles in England along with the large multicultural society the
language is based out of. Formal communication is a communication style most
commonly used by the societal “upper class” or business people. My father told
me back in England at his old place of work, meetings were conducted and
structured in a specific way. Meetings were conducted by determining who the
people were that were attending, if everyone was at the same level business
wise, there would be a free flowing of ideas and opinion. In contrast, if there was
a higher-ranking person attending the meeting, that person will be shown the
utmost respect and would be looked at to do all of the speaking. Now owning my
own small business in Canada, I apply what my family and my home country has
taught me in regards to communicating in the business world. (“Business
Etiquette In Britain,” 2012) (“United Kingdom, British, English . . .,” 2012)
Human Library Profile Three
Hello, my name is Sylvester Abadesso
and I was born in Lisbon, Portugal. My
current profession is working as a
financial planner at the Bank of
Montreal in Kitchener, Ontario. I
moved to Canada when I was twentyfive years old in the hope of pursuing
my dreams of becoming a financial
planner and attending post-secondary
education. Growing up in Lisbon,
Portugal was very enriching culturally
but also emotionally and
educationally. When I finished highschool, I worked as a bank teller in our local town center. My father had a very
influential job working in the government system where he taught me some of the
most important business customs and norms I still practice to this day. In the
business sector in Portugal, power and authority generally resides in one person
who makes the final decision with little to no concern about their colleague’s
opinions. Ultimately, Portuguese people have a more relaxed sense of time and
do not view deadlines as crucial; rather they put a great importance on
relationship building. Punctuality is also very important as you do not want to
disrespect the person you have waiting for you, especially if it is a senior or
higher-ranking figure. In regards to meetings, face to face communication is
Cultural Diversity Workshop: Waterloo Region
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most definitely preferred compared to written or telephonic communication, as
those means are seen as too impersonal. When I moved to Canada I have to
admit that I was somewhat culture shocked when it came to the way Canadian’s
communicated with one another. In Portugal, people are not very emotive when
they speak and do not use broad hand-gestures, while in Canada hand-gestures
are used a large part of the time to help express and add to conversations. I am
proud of my culture and especially proud to be a Canadian. (“Portugal-Cultural
Etiquette,” 2012) (“About Portuguese Business…,” 2012)
Human Library Profile Four
Good-morning everyone, my name is Marta
Jagielska and I am a customer service
representative at The Water’s Spa in
Waterloo, Ontario. I am twenty-four years old
and I was born in Warsaw, Poland where I
lived there with my family until the age of four
when we decided to come to Canada in hopes
of a better living situation. My family means
the world to me and I was raised with the
cultural norm that in Poland your family is the
center of your social structure. Polish people
generally have an inner and outer circle in
regards to the way they structure their lives.
The inner circle refers to the people in your life
that you trust such as family members or close
friends, whereas the outer circle refers to
fellow employees, acquaintances or new
friendships. Even though I was young when
we moved from Poland to Canada, my family
still practiced the traditional Polish way’s to raise a family and instill cultural
values in their children. I have learnt a lot from my parents and cannot thank
them enough for sharing some of their personal stories regarding business in
Poland, as this has helped me solidify what I would like to pursue as a
profession. My parents taught me that Polish business people take a formal
approach to everything in regards to oral and written communication. When
attending a business meeting, the person with the most seniority must
individually shake everyone’s hands showing them appreciation for coming to the
meeting as well as portraying the acceptance of free-flowing communication. In
regards to woman attending the meeting, older business men may kiss a
woman’s hand to welcome her. Following the welcome, the most senior business
person opens the meeting and sets the schedule for what is to be discussed that
day. Furthermore, titles are also very important and prestigious in Poland
whether they are academic or professional, so you must be sure when
communicating to address one with the correct title as this is a sign of respect.
My parents have always instilled the value of honesty and that is especially
Cultural Diversity Workshop: Waterloo Region
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important and highly valued in Poland as well. Coming to Canada was a big
decision for my family but it is one that we most definitely do not regret. (“Polish
Business Etiquette,” 2012) (“Doing Business in Poland,” 2012)
Media Enhanced Presentation
There is a video just over a minute long for the workshop participants to view
at the beginning of the day. It is short but the message is delivered effectively. The
message is that we cannot function as a community without individualism and
diversity. The video is a way to welcome the participants and give them an idea of
what the core message is that will be shared throughout the workshop.
Link to Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SN4mvTp5Q8
Video: Text
Region of Waterloo
Who are we?
We are diverse
We are different
We have goals
We work hard
But do we understand each other?
Do we value our unique backgrounds?
Our unique goals?
How can we work towards the same goal of providing services for our community
efficiently?
How can we use our diversity to make this community the best?
How can we celebrate it?
Be aware, Understand, Open up.
To attain our goals, we must understand and celebrate the diversity within the
Region of Waterloo.
Let us celebrate!
Workshop Activities
Activity 1: What’s in a Name?
We will start with an opportunity for everyone to share who they are and where
they come from.
Objective: Ease conversation between participants with a core focus on
personal origins.
Activity: Participants will write a short story about their names. [Type of writing is
up to them. Creativity is encouraged] Let participants know they will be sharing
with the group.
Have participants include the following questions in their writing:
 Who gave you this name? Why?
 What is the ethnic origin of your name?
 If you have a nickname, what are they?
Cultural Diversity Workshop: Waterloo Region
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 What do you prefer to be called?
Activity will be done in small groups to encourage meaningful discussion. It is
important that each person gets a chance to share his or her story.
Discussion Questions:
 How did it feel to share these stories?
 Did you learn anything new about someone in your group? What did you
find interesting?
 Why was this activity important?
 What did you learn? [Deeper than facts on participants]
Sample
My name is Karlee Anne Slattery. The name Karlee comes from the aunt I
never met, Rhonda Lee. Years after Rhonda Lee’s tragic and fatal accident, my
mom had me and named me after her. The middle name Anne comes from my
grandmother. I am born just a few days before her, her birthday being February
11th and mine the 9th. My parents thought that since I was almost like a birthday
present to her, they’d name me after her.
My last name is Slattery, but if fate were different, it would be Kisilak. My
dad’s mother died when he was six and his grandparents adopted him. He then
took on their last name. The last name Kisilak is Yugoslavian and is from the
northern part, which is now Slovenia.
I’ve had many nicknames including, Karlee Barley Corns, Karkar, Karkey,
and K.Slat. The first few were from when I was little and not many people call me
those names anymore. There are a few family members that still call me Kar
regularly. As I got older, the nickname K.Slat began to be used a lot more. Many
of my peers in high school, and now in college call me this name.
Of all my names, Kar is what I like best. Only certain people can get away
with calling me it, but it has always been an endearing name to me.
Activity 2: Human Library
Participants meet the ‘Books’ and hear a brief introduction from each of
them. After the introduction, participants are split up and go to a corner of the room
to get to know the ‘Book’ better and each ask questions. This is done in small
groups, 1 Book and 4 participants. The two workshop leaders will move from group
to group throughout the sessions. Participants will not be in a group with another
member from their sector in order to allow participants to be around people they
aren’t usually. Each session will take about 15 minutes and the participants will
switch to the right every session. There is a total of four sessions, one session per
book.
The books have been chosen and the stories are about the journeys of four
diverse people. We chose four outstanding people that have immigrated from UK,
Portugal, Germany, and Poland. These countries were chosen because a large
amount of our community’s population is from these places. Questions participants
can ask to get started include:
 When did you move to Canada?
 Why did you move here?
Cultural Diversity Workshop: Waterloo Region

13
Have you ever experienced stereotyping because of your
culture/ethnicity?
Link Between Workshop and Workplace
We will have made a point of encouraging communication throughout the
activities. Often in life people get stuck in their ways and communication is not as
effective as it could be. It is extremely important to practise open communication in
the workplace. Through this workshop we will teach about the value of diversity and
understanding that through communication.
Workshop Advertising
The most effective way to advertise for this workshop is through email. Since
the workshop is for specific people chosen from the various sectors of the Waterloo
Region, email will be the best way to get the message across. It will keep those in
need of information informed and in the loop in regards to the half-day workshop. It
is an invite only workshop that encourages knowledge building and teaching for the
participants to share with the other employees they are representing.
Post-Workshop Follow-up
We will record a video clip of each participant explaining what they learned
at the end of the workshop. These clips will be put together and distributed online to
the other members of their sector along with the initial video shown at the
workshop. A month after the workshop we will go out and do a follow-up video
asking how the workshop effected them and what they have noticed in regards to
cultural diversity in the region and their workplace since attending.
Cultural Diversity Workshop: Waterloo Region
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