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Keb’ Mo’ Opens International Bullying Prevention Assoc. Nashville Meeting

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Creating Compassionate Schools and Communities

Organizers expect more than 800 school and community agency staff members to attend the International Bullying Prevention Association (IBPA) two-day conference this year, scheduled for November 10-12 at the Sheraton Hotel Downtown. Participants work with pre-school through university students and all have the same mission to stop bullying.

Rodger Dinwiddie, CEO of STARS Nashville and President of IBPA, has announced that the 8:00 am opening keynote on Monday will kick off with a performance by Keb’ Mo’, a three-time Grammy Award winner for Best Contemporary Blues Album.

Keb’ Mo’ joined Vince Gill for a STARS benefit & opens up the IBPA conference on Nov. 11, 2013. (Photo by Peyton Hoge)

“From the schoolyard to the workplace, and to NFL locker rooms, bullying has been in the news nearly each day. Individuals from across the world will gather in Nashville to hear from outstanding leaders who will provide research, strategies and solutions for schools, communities and the workplace in best practices for bullying prevention and intervention,” Dinwiddie said. “A focus of this year’s conference will include the importance of adult, youth partnerships which are critical to our collective efforts with different student led sessions offered throughout the conference. The conference will strengthen those on the frontlines with new knowledge, research and practices which will inspire, invigorate, challenge and renew our collective courage to act collaboratively to stop bullying.”

The conference features exhibits from veteran and emerging companies providing services and products in the field. Participants come to learn the latest research findings about effective programs and share successful strategies they are using in the communities they work and live in. Over 50 workshops featuring experts in the field include; Cyber Bullying, Trends in Bullying, Why and How We Change to Improve School Climate, Strategies to Reduce Bullying and Best Practices to Develop Your Bullying Prevention & Response.

The mission of the International Bullying Prevention Association is to support and enhance quality research based bullying prevention principles and best practices in order to achieve a safe school climate, healthy work environment, good citizenship and civic responsibility.

The Tennessee Department of Education, Office of Safe and Supportive Schools has provided scholarships for professionals in schools across Tennessee to attend the conference at a reduced rate. Additionally, a gift provided by the HCA Foundation on behalf of TriStar Women and Children’s Hospital, has made it possible for many Tennessee school counselors to receive scholarships to attend this important event.

Other organizations that have made bullying prevention a priority and supported this conference include: Cable in the Classroom, Facebook, Hazelden, Family Empowerment Network, Zaner-Bloser, Cartoon Network and Sprigeo.