Our #1 Rated
Literature Circle
With back to school on September 5, 2023 in Ontario, Canada, and World Teachers' Day on October 5, 2023, we are honouring all of the educators who have participated in, or are currently participating in, our 'Savvy Ally' Literature Circles.
Your commitment to furthering your education and acting to create more equitable schools is an inspiration to all. We thank you for being the change!
100% of the royalties from the first year of sales of the Second Edition will be donated to nonprofit organizations working to build a safer and more inclusive world for LGBTQ+ people!
Like our Ontario educators, The author of The Savvy Ally: A Guide for Becoming a Skilled LGBTQ+ Advocate, Jeannie Gainsburg (Pronouns: she/her/hers), is committed to education toward action! Jeannie is an Author, Educational Trainer, and Consultant. She worked at the LGBTQ+ center in Rochester, NY, the Out Alliance (formerly the Gay Alliance), as the Education and Outreach Coordinator and later as the Education Director. As the Education Director her responsibilities included crafting the agency’s workshops, training the agency’s presenters, and writing the agency’s educational curriculum, professional manuals, and handouts. Jeannie has personally facilitated and co-facilitated more than 500 trainings and workshops. In 2018, Jeannie founded Savvy Ally Action, a small business that offers fun, accessible, and encouraging workshops, videos, and handouts on how to be an ally to the LGBTQ+ communities.
On November 8, 2021, Chapters4Change had the honour of interviewing Jeannie about the first edition of her book which was published in 2020, by Rowman & Littlefield. The second edition launched on March 31, 2023. Jeannie is donating 100% of the royalties from the first year of sales to nonprofit organizations working to build a safer and more inclusive world for LGBTQ+ people! It is this updated version that is used for our current and upcoming literature circles!
To access amazing workshops, videos, podcasts, and handouts created by Jeannie, visit her website:
Our Interview with Jeannie Gainsburg, November 8, 2021
Getting Active: The Savvy Ally Literature Circle
Are you committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI)? Are you motivated to educate yourself further in a collaborative environment to discover how to become actively involved in creating safe spaces for everyone? If you answered yes to these two questions, 'The Savvy Ally Literature Circle' might be a perfect fit for you!
Chapters4Change offered its very first 'The Savvy Ally Literature Circle' during the months of October-November, 2021 in partnership with Georgian College. Due to its success, Chapters4Change is currently collaborating with other schools to get more people involved in active learning and change! If you are dedicated to EDI, you could lead your own 'The Savvy Ally Literature Circle'!
All you need is a copy of the book, the attached educational resources if using the first edition of the book, a willingness to Read to Learn & Learn to Change (and Act), and an open mind. As Jeannie states, referencing The Reverend Dr. Andrea Ayvazian, “You will do badly. Do it anyway. Do not let your fear be bigger than your commitment.” Therefore, all that is required is your commitment to the promotion of inclusive spaces for all, along with a willingness to continue to do the work even when it gets difficult. The literature circle is designed to provide opportunities to give and receive support, hold each other accountable to read to learn and learn to change, and in the words of Jeannie, “enjoy the ride.”
Educational Resources
Check out our Educational Resources specifically designed for educators to utilize within a literature circle or book club format. These resources accompany the first edition of the book.
Check out Jeannie Gainsburg's savvyallyaction.com/blank-page free stuff, including The Savvy Ally Book Club Discussion Guides. Thanks for allowing us to share these here Jeannie!
To watch videos where Jeannie Gainsburg Shares tips on effective allyship and advice on how to create 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusive spaces, visit https://www.savvyallyaction.com/programs
Making Workspaces More Inclusive
Make staff training on 2SLGBTQIA+ identities mandatory and ongoing.
Make 2SLGBTQIA+ workshops a part of your workplace mandatory and ongoing.
Update policies to ensure they are inclusive to ensure you are providing a safe work environment to everyone.
Add 2SLGBTQIA+ awareness and inclusion as part of all new staff orientations and trainings.
Update database categories and forms to reflect all identities.
Create educational opportunities, including learning circles, task forces, focus groups, and initiatives to collaborate and educate employees.
Encourage your workplace to become actively involved in acknowledging and celebrating Pride Month every June!
Add your pronouns after your name on emails.
If they do not already exist in your workplace, advocate for all-gender restrooms. For a free downloadable sign, go to https://www.pngitem.com/middle/iJoxRoh_restroom-sign-png-restroom-symbol-transparent-png/
Put up a sign with a rainbow image to show that your space is a safe zone. For a free downloadable sign, go to https://truecolorsunited.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Safe-Space-Sign.pdf
