BSPPA Events
BSPPA organizes social and informational gatherings throughout the year. These range from informal meet-ups at local parks to invited speakers on campus to day-long excursions.
We are always welcoming new members, so please stop by our monthly Board Meeting if you want to contribute to the BSPPA community. Check the calendar for the location and time.
Upcoming events:
International transition support group for postdoc spouses. Mondays 8/6, 8/13 and 8/20 from 2 pm to 4 pm. Please contact xue.jiang@post.harvard.edu to register and receive meeting details and location.
Did you recently move to the US with your spouse and do not have any plan? You are welcome to come to the support group, where you will learn about how to adapt to changes, and lead a happy and meaningful life in a foreign country. During each meeting, there is a presentation followed by group discussion about the following topics: adapting to a new culture, designing a meaningful and balanced life, well-being, behavioral change coaching, networking and the job search.
Speaker Bio: Xue Jiang is an international transition coach. She is passionate about helping people adapt to change, learn and grow. Xue has coached hundreds of international students and expat families in the US, Canada and Sweden during the last 15 years. She has lived in Asia, Europe and North America and made many global transtions as an international student, spouse and parent for over 20 years. She believes that although global relocation can be challenging, it is also a great opportunity for us to understand ourselves better and develop new capacity. Xue has a master's degree in Adult Development and Psychology from Harvard University, a MBA degree, and a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering.
BSPPA summer playgroup. Fridays 8/3, 8/10, 8/17 and 8/24 from 10 am to 11:30. Please contact xue.jiang@post.harvard.edu to register and receive meeting details and location (we are still experimenting to find a location that works best for the community)
You and your children (ages 0 to 5) are welcome to join us for the BSPPA summer playgroup. We will talk about parenting experiences, share information about children's activities in the region, and spend quality time reading and playing with our children.
Past events:
A great time was had by all at Live Oak Park for our annual Spring Potluck Picnic!
BSPPA Networking Meeting, Thursday April 5th, 2018
Bay Area Scientists in Schools (BASIS) joined with BSPPA for a special kids program. BASIS is a campus organization that connects graduate students and postdocs with elementary school students through fun and engaging hands-on STEM activities. Kids created chromatography butterflies, took an aluminum boat challenge, and made a cloud in a bottle.
BSPPA Networking Meeting, Thursday March 8th, 2018
The BSPPA Board discussed adult educational and volunteer opportunities in the East Bay. Topics included courses at the Berkeley Adult School, Berkeley Community College, and the public library and how to get involved in area community projects and at local schools. Please find all the resources about volunteering and adult education in our area here!
BSPPA Networking Meeting, Thursday February 8th, 2018
Jessica Lee gave an overview of your legal rights as a parent and services that UC Berkeley. Jessica is a Staff Attorney at the Center for WorkLife Law at the University of California, Hastings College of the Law and leads The Pregnant Scholar initiative, developing and implementing best practices to ensure Title IX’s mandate prohibiting pregnancy discrimination in higher education.
BSPPA Networking Meeting, Thursday January 18th
Rita Brown led a dicussion on understanding the American culture and taugh steps on how to minimize culture shock. Her workshop provided practical tips and resources to more creatively engage in your new life here supporting your partner and children.
Holiday Craft and Dessert Party, Thursday December 14th
We celebrated the diversity of the BSPPA community with special treats, desserts and a lot of good conversations.
Berkeley Postdoctoral Association Holiday Party, Wednesday December 6th
Once again, a wonderful event hosted by the BPA with plenty of food, drinks, and general merryment. For the little ones, there were glow bracelets, ballon animals, art activities, and a some cartoons playing on the big screen.
BSPPA Networking Meeting, Thursday November 9th
Marion Song lead a great discussion on career advice for the international community. Her workshop was a hands-on opportunity to go through the key elements of your job search and addressed some of the challenges you might face when starting exploring the U.S. market place. She led several short exercises on topics such as: how to start a job search, tips on how to prepare, importance of creating connections, and how to give an elevator pitch.
BSPPA Excursion to Discovery Day at AT&T Park, Saturday November 11th
An exciting day with colleagues and their families. Official information can be found here.
BSPPA Potluck, Sunday November 12th
Everyone had a fun day at Tilden Regional Park with a potluck lunch and walking tour of the Botanical Garden.
BSPPA Networking Meeting, Thursday October 12th
Steve Johnson from Garnett & Powers was presenting. We navigated through the UC Berkeley health care system. We went through a few real life situations when you need health care. Steve talked about emergency situations, your primary care physician, urgent care procedures for after hours, referrals, and reimbursements. Here is his presentation and summary sheet.
BSPPA Mini Excursion to the Berkeley Art Museum & Pacific Film Archive , Sunday September 17th,
Five families meet up for a day at BAMPFA. As you can tell, they had a lot of fun.
BSPPA Networking Meeting, Thursday September 14th
Our guest speaker was Dr. Traci Grzymala from the berkeley-based Community Resources for Science (CRS). She discussed local family-friendly science and engineering events and explored ways to become involved with local elementary science teaching. Please see these handouts on local science events and organizations.
BSPPA Networking Meeting, Thursday August 17th
Our guest speaker was Dinorah Meyer from the UC Berkeley Career Center. Dinorah provided guidance for exploring career options via informational interviewing and for networking in a job search. She also facilitated an activity that gave participants an opportunity to practice with each other and gain confidence using these skills. Please click here, here, and here for the handouts.
Family Excursion to the Lawrence Hall of Science, July 22, 2017
Sixty postdocs, visiting scholars, and their families spent a day at the Lawrence Hall of Science. Everybody had a great time and many new friends were made! We look forward to planning more events like this in the future.
BSPPA Networking Meeting, Thursday, July 20, 2017
We discussed the role of the Chancellor's Advisory Committee on Work and Family (CACWF) as an advocate for postdocs with dependents and solicited input on shaping the priorities of the CACWF moving forward (presentation).
BSPPA Networking Meeting, Thursday, June 8, 2017
Guest speakers Abby Kroken and Anke Schennink from the Postdoc Union led an information session on insurance (see handout here).
BSPPA Networking Meeting, Thursday, May 11, 2017
Guest speakers Veronica Ufoegbune, Executive Director of the Early Childhood Education Program at UCB (ECEP); Megan Burmeister, ECEP Admin Assistant; and Marina Moreida, ECEP Subsidized Enrollment discussed on- and off-campus resources for childcare. (see handout here).
Spring Potluck Picnic, Saturday April 29, 2017 at Live Oak Park.
Co-sponsored with the Berkeley Postdoc Association
BSPPA Networking Meeting, Thursday, April 13, 2017
The BSPPA board led a discussion on inexpensive local activities for children (see the Leisure Activities section on the Resources page)
BSPPA Networking Meeting, Thursday, March 7, 2017
BSPPA Launch!
Berkeley Spouses, Partners & Parents Association
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