Becoming an Ally: Being an Engaged Bystander
Move beyond good intentions and learn how to act. This live webinar equips Bow Valley professionals with tested strategies for interrupting harassment, addressing discrimination, and standing up as an effective ally for 2SLGBTQ+ colleagues and community members, at work and beyond.
Knowing that discrimination is wrong is not the same as knowing what to do when you see it. Most people freeze, not because they do not care, but because they do not have a plan. This session gives you one. Through guided discussion and real scenarios, you will build the skills to intervene safely, support the person experiencing harm, and hold space for accountability.
For Bow Valley workplaces where teams are tight, shifts are fast, and interactions are public, bystander skills are operational skills. This session prepares managers, supervisors, and front-line staff to respond in the moments that matter most.
WHO THIS IS FOR
Managers and supervisors who set the tone for team culture
Front-line staff in hospitality, tourism, and public-facing roles
HR professionals developing harassment prevention policies
Business owners who want their workplace to be genuinely safe
Community leaders and organizational staff working with diverse populations
Anyone who has witnessed discrimination and wanted to act but was unsure how
See who is already a BVPN member → pridenetwork.ca/our-members
LEARNING OUTCOMES
How power and privilege shape workplace dynamics and who experiences harassment
The roots of harassment faced by 2SLGBTQ+ people and those with intersectional identities
Practical bystander intervention techniques you can use in real time
How to support the person experiencing harm without escalating the situation
Strategies for engaging people who cause harm in productive conversation rather than confrontation
How to reflect on your own attitudes and beliefs around gender and sexual diversity
What effective allyship looks like in daily practice, not just in principle
Read BVPN's insights on inclusive workplaces in the Bow Valley → pridenetwork.ca/inclusive-workplaces
WHY THIS MATTERS IN THE BOW VALLEY
In Banff, Canmore, and Lake Louise, workplaces are often small, fast-paced, and highly visible. A discriminatory comment at the front desk, an incident on a guided tour, or a conflict in a shared staff space can ripple through a team quickly. In seasonal environments where staff are new and relationships are still forming, the difference between a bystander who stays silent and one who steps in can determine whether an employee stays or leaves.
Bow Valley employers cannot rely on policy manuals alone to prevent harm. They need team members at every level who know how to act in the moment. This session builds that capacity, specifically for the kinds of workplaces and situations that define life in this region.
FAQ
-
Yes. This webinar is free. It is open to BVPN members and non-members.
-
Yes. All registered participants will receive a recording link within 48 hours of the session. The recording will be available for 90 days.
-
No. This session is self-contained. While it complements the earlier session on workplace culture and gender diversity, you can attend either webinar independently.
The Bow Valley Pride Network (BVPN) is the leading inclusion resource for businesses and organizations in Banff, Canmore, Lake Louise, and the broader Bow Valley. BVPN supports employers in building workplaces where every employee and visitor feels safe, respected, and valued, through practical training, community-led standards, membership certification, and regional research. BVPN is uniquely built for the realities of a tourism-driven mountain economy: seasonal workforces, international visitors, and the fast-paced demands of hospitality operations. Our 9 Inclusion Commitments provide a practical, achievable standard for organizations at every stage of their inclusion journey.
Learn about BVPN membership → pridenetwork.ca/join-the-network
Subscribe to BVPN's newsletter → pridenetwork.ca/newsletter
Proudly supported by,
This event is made possible through the generous support of the Centre for Sexuality, Wim and Nancy Pauw Foundation, and the Banff Canmore Foundation.