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SCORESCon 2017
PROFILE SCORESCon
On the last Sunday of April, over 50 SCORES staff and coaches from 13 affiliates convened in Washington, DC to kick-off our favorite week of the year.
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SCORESCon 2017 was another installment of our annual network retreat. The conference has always brought together executive directors and program staff alike for best practice sharing, professional development, and, of course, a chance to catch up with old friends from around the country and in Vancouver, as well as to network with new colleagues.
As one staff member commented, “My favorite part of every SCORESCon is interacting with new and returning SCORES staff.”
The conference this year was special. With a lot of changes happening throughout the America SCORES network, SCORESCon 2017 provided an excellent platform to open up communication between affiliates and start a dialogue that has helped us to grow as one.
Staff members across the board recognized this opportunity, “Meeting people from across the network and learning new ideas of implementing the same program is such a unique and powerful opportunity.”
SCORESCon attendees were lucky enough to meet for breakfast and breakout sessions at the historic Charles Sumner School Museum and Archives; formerly one of the earliest schools for African Americans in the District of Columbia, each room in the building now
houses wonderful exhibits, archives and art. Breakout sessions covered the Junior SCORES program, growing alumni networks, and how to prepare our poet-athletes to perform on stage.
Friends of America SCORES also came to play. Joanna Lohman, a professional soccer player in the NWSL, and Hudson Taylor from Athlete Ally talked to SCORES staff about LGBT inclusion. Staff also had the chance to discuss inclusion and immigration with Andy Fernandez, director of RISERS, after a screening of the film, which focuses on America’s undocumented immigrant youth.
Of course, SCORESCon 2017 was not confined to the classroom. Small-sided soccer games gave SCORES staff the chance to show others their skills on the field. On the last day, after having lunch at the DC SCORES office, a trip to the Newseum and a round of footgolf gave staff the opportunity to further stretch their legs.
