9:00AM
SO Lounge : SO Program - Overview and Welcome Message (no session)
SO Program - Overview and Welcome Message (no session)
Presenter: Dotti Berry
SO Lounge, on Monday May 11 at 9:00AM
Presenter Info
Dotti Berry, CEO of Training2Transform Global Communications, was truly “Born to Coach.” This year marks her 23rd year as the facilitator of the Esprit SO/ Couples Program, where she works with both Significant Others and Couples in a journey of understanding, growth, and connection.
As a Consultant, Coach, Trainer/Facilitator, Speaker, and Certified Positive Intelligence Coach, Dotti brings a wealth of experience and heart to her work. She pursued her doctorate in Human Sexuality and studied with Brian McNaught — called the “Godfather of Gay Sensitivity Training” by The New York Times — at the Thornfield Annual Conference on Sexuality, where she completed a specialized track on corporate diversity and LGBTQ+ issues in the workplace. Dotti is a passionate advocate for the acceptance and inclusion of transgender, gender-diverse, gender- questioning and gender queer individuals, often saying: “Not only should they not be left behind — we must invite them to lead the way and take a place at the head of the table.”
In 2017, Dotti and Brian McNaught co-created “Talk With America”, a series of live hangouts designed to foster authentic, transformative conversations across divides. Their mission was to:
• Create a space for meaningful dialogue rooted in wisdom, grace, and humor.
• Compassionately listen and engage with those who hold differing attitudes and opinions.
• Respond vs. react, taking actions that reflect our deepest values. • Embrace transformation over adversarial interactions.
Dotti often reflects on the connection between Talk With America and the work done at Esprit, highlighting the importance of listening, understanding, and building bridges.
Throughout her career, Dotti has coached individuals across the expansive spectrum of gender diversity and has served as a keynote speaker at conferences. She’s facilitated groups for SOs and couples at major events like Fantasia Fair, Southern Comfort, and the International Foundation for Gender Education (IFGE), in addition to her long-standing commitment to Esprit.
An accomplished author and facilitator, Dotti has worked with both youth and adults since 1985 — leading seminars and workshops for organizations, universities, corporations, religious institutions, and leadership programs. Some of the diverse groups she’s collaborated with include Sodexo, Info Quest Clinical, the Girl Scouts, NCCJ (National Conference of Community and Justice), the University of Kentucky, Women Out Front, and Soulforce. Her areas of expertise range from executive coaching, Positive Intelligence, and personal transformation to LGBTQ+ issues, diversity, team-building, and non- violent communication.
I
n 2005/06 Dotti, her spouse Robynne Sapp, and their beloved standard poodle Rylee Joy embarked on a year-long journey called Gay Into Straight America, dedicated to engaging hearts and minds, creating authentic connections, and transcending the differences that separate us. In 2012, they traveled throughout Washington state, speaking about the importance of the Freedom to Marry for ALL. Though they lost Rylee Joy in 2016, their family grew again with the addition of Baylee Joy, a red standard poodle who made her Esprit debut in 2017, and Willow, Baylee Joy’s mother, who joined their family in 2018. The four of them continue to bring love and joy to every adventure — including Esprit!
10:00AM
Elk's Pickleball Courts : Pickleball Beginners Class
Pickleball Beginners Class
Presenter: Cindi Berry
Elk's Pickleball Courts, on Monday May 11 at 10:00AM
What's pickleball? This fast-moving court sport is rapidly becoming a fad all across the nation! Take a badminton-style court, slightly overgrown ping-pong paddles, two or four maniacal players, throw in a whiffle ball and watch the action start!
Don't know how to play? Then this introductory beginners session is for you! We'll have a couple of experienced players to teach you the rules and some basic techniques so you'll be ready for the tournament that follows.
Esprit is organizing an in-house tournament this year (usually we play with the locals of Port Angeles). We'll have more details as they become available.
12:00PM
Elk's Pickleball Courts : Pickleball Tournament
Pickleball Tournament
Presenter: Cindi Berry
Elk's Pickleball Courts, on Monday May 11 at 12:00PM
What's pickleball? This fast-moving court sport is rapidly becoming a fad all across the nation! Take a badminton-style court, slightly overgrown ping-pong paddles, two or four maniacal players, throw in a whiffle ball and watch the action start!
Esprit is organizing an in-house tournament this year (usually we play with the locals of Port Angeles). We'll have more details as they become available.
6:00PM
Elks Pool Room : Stephanie Avion Chix w Stix Pool Tournament
Stephanie Avion Chix w Stix Pool Tournament
Organizer: Jan Jefferies
Elks Pool Room, on Monday May 11 at 6:00PM
Registration: 6pm
Play starts: 7pm
Pool tables have always gone hand in hand with adventure, vice, and women of mystery. Usually it's the men who own the room, but at Esprit things are a bit different.
Imagine a roomful of short-skirted hoochies competing fiercely for the prized title of Esprit Pool Tournament Champion. A 20's gangster moll here, a film noir femme fatale there, and a biker chick over by the bar...drop them all into a small pool hall, and you have the Annual Esprit Pool Tournament.
The Naval Elks Lodge hosts the tournament in their private pool room. There will be assistants to help run the tournament. The Elks has a no-host bar and will provide a taco bar for about $17.00.
This is a friendly tournament and everyone has plenty of opportunities to play regardless of skill level. We will follow the Official Rules of the BCA Pool League (with a few changes to better accommodate recreational play) and contact the pool tournament coordinator, if you have other questions.
Back at the Red Lion, many attendees also enjoy hanging out in the hotel bar which truly becomes one of the hottest and most interesting places in town during the week of Esprit.
The tournament was renamed in 2020/2021 in honour of Stephanie Avion, who served for many years on the Esprit Committee.
The Jewel of the Pacific, The Empress is one of Victoria's highlights. Cresting the city's Inner Harbour, this 460-room hotel was built in the Edwardian style and recently restored to its original grandeur, with antique furniture and luxurious decor. Considered to be the most photographed attraction on Vancouver Island, The Empress was originally designed by Francis Rattenbury, and opened in 1908.
Join Esprit's own Sandra Finlay on Wednesday morning for an enjoyable round of golf at the beautiful Dungeness Golf Club in Sequim. Please note that this is NOT a course for inexperienced golfers!
Please note - this is a signup option only so we can gauge interest and numbers.
Suzanne has extensive past and current experience in law enforcement. She will teach you about awareness, avoiding risky situations, moving safely through different surroundings, a variety of self-defense moves, and how to handle interactions with the public and the police. Although this is a self defense course, movement is kept to a minimum and "dressing down" is not necessary.