9/25/2019 - 9/25/2019
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

The Oklahoma Restaurant Association and Oklahoma Hotel & Lodging Association have been hard at work preparing to launch a new program called HospitAbilities. HospitAbilities is a skills-based certification for students of all abilities. Through this certification program, we will be assisting in training and certifying students of all levels of ability across our state. With these new students entering the workforce, we need to prepare our managers and supervisors on how to work with these employees.

Presenters
Kari Bailey, instructor for Service Careers at Francis Tuttle, will introduce strategies to help hospitality professionals provide a positive, productive and professional work environment for students hired through the program. Kari serves as the Instructor of Service Careers and Culinary Assistant program for Francis Tuttle Technology Center in Oklahoma City. She provides students with technical training and experience in a variety of service occupations. Prior to Francis Tuttle, Kari taught 17 years in public schools working with students who have special needs. Kari attended the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond where she earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Education. Kari has Oklahoma teaching certifications in the areas of: Learning Disabilities, Mild Moderate Disabilities and Family and Consumer Sciences. She also received training through the Oklahoma State Department of Education in the areas of Autism and Other Health Impairments.

Michael W. Bowling, J.D., SPHR, Labor & Employment Attorney, will also present the practical ways we can make this relationship work. Michael focusing his practice upon labor and employment law and human resources compliance. Prior to becoming an attorney, he spent thirteen years at Integris Health in legal and human resources roles, most recently as its Vice President of Human Resources. Michael received his A.B. in Russian and political science from Duke University and his J.D. from the University of Michigan. Michael and his wife, Dr. Ursula Bowling, make their home in Oklahoma City with their four children, Ephraim, Joy, Lydia and Miriam.

Chandy Rice, Director of Education for the Oklahoma Restaurant Association and Oklahoma Hotel & Lodging Association, will speak about the HospitAbilities program and the volunteer opportunities that are available. She recently received her Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation, the highest professional credential in the association industry, and is also a graduated of the U.S. Chamber Institute for Organizational Management. Chandy is responsible for managing all student programs including the Oklahoma ProStart® program and HospitAbilities. She provides opportunities for students to get the most out of their culinary education, including scholarships, internships as well as mentorships with some of the best chefs in Oklahoma.

More About the HospitAbilities Student Essentials
We know that not all students display their gifts and talents in the same way. For some, a paper test just isn’t a good fit. This certification allows students to test by demonstrating! The hospitality industry in Oklahoma has worked together with educators across the state to identify 18 essential service skills. In order to pass the certification, a student will need to choose 7 that they can complete. There are a variety of choices from hand-washing or rolling silverware to dicing an onion or making a bed. 

After practice and study, the Oklahoma Restaurant Association and Oklahoma Hotel & Lodging Association bring industry evaluators to the classroom to score students and sign off on their skills. All students who are able to pass 7 skills will be issued a Hospitalities Certification. 

One of the definitions of hospitality is a friendly and generous welcome. We, as the Hospitality Industry in Oklahoma, welcome students with this certification into our workforce and want to encourage them on their journey to be hospitality superstars!