The Diversity Projekt
Empowerment for All People of Color
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Archive of "Conferences" Category
Latina? Who, me?
I was recently invited to speak at at a conference to discuss the ways in which I live and “navigate multiple, sometimes conflicting identities” – as queer, femme, mixed race, transnational, and how said identities influence how I see “life on the margins.” The interesting part….I was invited as the “Latina” on the panel. I needed that part repeated. Me, as the resident Latina.Growing up I thought that I was half German half African American. The Latin aspect only emerged recently when I found my birth father and began talking with his older brother and my half brother. I can’t say that I even have a Latina-consciousness or that I have even really contemplated what that means to me.
I comprehend my gender identity – femme – so much better than my ethnic/cultural identity. I understand it and feel it in every fiber of my being. Being femme is just….its me, my center. I feel profoundly liberated by my femme-ness, precisely because it feels natural and innate without needing to be juxtaposed against something else – butch comes to mind or anything else along the spectrum for that matter. Now, the butch/femme community and the greater LGBT community…that is a bigger can of worms. Nevertheless on a micro level I make complete sense to myself, and really, that’s all that matters. Now, I should back up and qualify that – I didn’t always feel that way. There was a time when I didn’t posses the vocabulary or understanding that described me - ok I am going to leave that train of thought for another day. I digress. Point is I make sense of some of my various identities – femme – and others not so much.
Culturally, I understand and can process being mixed. The individual components rarely ever make sense though. And, honestly…I rarely ever force them to. I know where I belong in the mixed experience. In many ways “home” is far less complicated within the mixed community than any of the other communities that I am a part of.
So, what does it mean for me to be Latina?
Half the time I think that I know very little about what it means to be African American. I do understand the mixed experience – the hybridity. Since ethnic identities are societal/social constructs, can I really claim to be something that I know nothing about? Can culture really be reduced to cuisine, music, and cultural and artistic traditions mixed with a little geographic positioning? If that’s the case, anyone can learn to be any ethnicity of their choosing. I think not! I do think that ethnicity is something that begins as a communal experience that finds expression in individual identity. Hmm….I think I just figured out what I am going to talk about…..
I still have a bit of time to consider since the conference is in November. Nevertheless, I should probably get back to the program committee by mid-February since paper/panel submissions are due March 3rd.
IdeaCamp Here I Come
After heading out to Philly Sips with ABC Pastor otherwise known as LT, I decided that I would make an appearance at IdeaCamp DC. IdeaCamp is one of several unconferences that have ignited throughout the country – a grass roots movement if you will. The DC edition will focus on cultivating relationships, providing technical assistance and developing partnerships within the social justice community.I don’t have any concrete expectations, but am looking forward to meeting some new people outside of my immediate network. Make some new connections, learn something new……perhaps even set the stage for some new collaborations.
I’ve connected with a few other queer Christians who are going, so I can’t wait to touch base Saturday night. Plans are to go out in DC. I am interested in forming more queer-positive spaces throughout Christendom.
Either way, it should be a good time. I am staying Fri – Sun, so if any of my DC folk want to get together for brunch on Sunday, let me know.
Coming Up For Air…….
I am already back in the thick of it at work. As if BlogHer09 never happened. Grateful I have a really good memory because I had a better time than I even imagined. Met awesome people, learned a few new things, shared ideas, and then some.So without further delay….
I have never really been plugged into the BlogHer community. I joined s few years ago because I thought that connecting with other women bloggers would be enriching, both personally and professionally. But…as always, life got in the way and I never took the time to see what the network had to offer. Thus, I was stunned when Elisa sent me an email (enter twitter ID) inviting me to participate in the Leadership: Hope and Change in Action panel discussion at this year’s conference in Chicago. I didn’t even know that I was on their radar.
My first reaction – apprehension! I have a bit of stage fright that often affects my decisions whether or not to accept speaking engagements (I have gotten better over the years). But…after some consideration I jumped at the chance to meet other community activists who use their blogs (and other social media tools) to affect change in their communities. Good stuff, right?!
So, connect I did! I met so many awe-inspiring women this weekend! I was especially excited to meet some people I have had considerable online contact with over the last couple years.
So here are my Top 5s of BlogHer09! What were yours?
(no particular order)
Top 5 Memorable Moments
1. Birds of a Feather LGBTQ Style
2. Finally meeting @MoreThanMommy @FunkyBrownChick and @NYCityMama
3. QueerBrunch at West Egg with @lesbiandad @LizaWasHere and @msbri
4. Ilene Chaiken proclaiming the buying power of the lesbian community from center stage (advertisers get with the program)
5. Queerosphere Party at Crimson Lounge (cough cough)
Top 5 Flops
1. Walking out on Ilene Chaiken to speak on Hope and Change panel
2. MommyBlogger hijack (non-MB) LifeBlogging Session
3. Dial Up…err, I mean Hotel WiFi
4. Not enough time to chat with everyone I wanted to – quality time and conferences do not mesh well
5. Double Booking of Hope and Change in Action AND Women of Color and Marketing panels
Top 5 Kleenex SOS
1. QueerBloggers Panel – the very best of what it means to be a part of our community
2. DaddyBlogger Keynote…not a dry eye in the house
3. International Activist Scholarship Winners – real women real change
4. Bubbles at the L Room Party
5. the practically orgasmic massage at the Friday night cocktail party
Top 5 Parties
1. Queersphere @ Crimson (Hotel Sax)
2. Seaman Party in Room L
3. Friday Night Cocktail Reception (massages were divine)
4. Blogalicious (so I heard….but never made it)
5. EA @ House of Blues
Top 5 Laughing Til It Hurts
1. quote – “It’s ok if you are straight, but if you don’t twitter…i’ve got to go!”
2. Mommy’s partying 80s style (what a flashback)
3. Deb on the Rocks @ Humor Panel
4. The vibrator heist (thought someone was going to get trampled to death)
5. Smackdown at BowlHer @ Lucky Strikes
On a sidenote: I have never been so pampered in my life! Pedicures, massages, fantastic food, open bar, ….and the list goes on! The BlogHer team went above and beyond in making this event exciting and accessible. Personally, they helped me get there – way above the call of duty! My roommate was able to secure a sponsor for the room, so my only real expense was the kennel for Samson and a little bit of spending money.
The conference was such a goldmine for new post ideas and projects. Despite the three-day whirlwind, I did have some time to reflect on the nature and status of The Diversity Projekt. I am no longer taking on new clients and have referred most of my old clients to trusted consultants in my network. Therefore, how will TDP adapt to my new life circumstances? Stay tuned for that post! I can say though that I am finally going to try out some new tools – particularly video. I am also re-launching Philadelphia Speaks and am working out the specifics of a monthly forum for activists in developing nations – I met four amazing women this weekend and want to lend a spot on TDP for them to be heard. Their stories are inspiring and humbling!
Thoughts for next year – There needs to be more balance to help represent and speak to the diversity of women who attend. This year’s conference lacked balance. I realize that many conferences are driven my supply and demand, particularly when it comes to sponsorships. Nevertheless, the conference was overwhelmingly dominated by the “MommyBlogger” (MBs) contingent – panels, company’s at expo, parties, etc. The vast majority of swag speaks to this niche – not any of those I often find myself in. Most breakout sessions had two panels for MBs, while the social change and women of color panels conflicted on the schedule. Mind you all three of us on the social justice panel were women of color. There were no exhibitors who really spoke to me as a lesbian or as a woman of color. Yes, we do laundry, use hair and skin care products, but there are also a host of other products applicable that may be outside of the MB frame of reference.
Also, the panel discussions that were not specifically geared towards MB’s were still dominated by topics most relevant to their niche – sponsors, monetization, etc. Even the one discussion that was specifically geared towards non-MBs was hijacked. Several MB apologists dominated the discussion and prevented us from having some discussions on how we, as Non-MBs, could support each other better. At times I really wondered where and how I as a queer woman of color really fit into the conference format.
If diversity and inclusion are the desired and intended goals, we need to be more mindful to speak to women and women’s issues, concerns, desires, etc. across the entire spectrum. Focusing almost exclusively on one niche to the exclusion of another, sends the wrong message. It makes assumptions about value that I am not entirely comfortable with. Is that really the messsage we want to send? Is alienating each other really the router we want to take?
So, I guess what I am trying to say is:
1. tone down the swag
2. work towards more diversity and balance
3. can’t wait to go to NYC!
Just some thoughts…….
Enlightened Men Empowering Women
The Women’s Way “Women of Influence” Conference turned out to be a great opportunity to network with various amazing women focused on improving education and providing better economic opportunities for members of their communities. I was most moved by the enlightened men who chose to attend the conference. The first of these enlightened men was Mayor Michael Nutter, who relayed an inspiring message as part of his opening remarks, that set the tone for the entire conference. While I take issue with several of his recent decisions (particularly the approval of the recent casino permit), I applaud his strong and unwavering commitment to fighting community crime and violence against women and children.
His challenge for men become engaged in finding solutions not only to violence throughout the city of Philadelphia but also to play a role the restoration of hope, dignity and civility within their communities was quite inspiring. His message was a call to action for men, particullary as their presence is required at the table in order to win the war against violence – “The issue of violence, specifically as it relates to women is a MALE issue and a MALE problem.” He went on to state, “Let me be clear, as a man, husband and father there is never any reason for a man to put his hands on a woman or child in any circumstance. It is not right or manly to engage in that kind of behavior.”
One of the most impressive and dynamic panelists was Edwin Desamour, Program Director of Today’s Boys Tomorrow’s Men P@ WOAR (Women Organizing Against Rape). Today’s Boys Tomorrow’s Men is an example of a program that does so much yet remains invisible within a city where the more recent shooting is the model for the hottest news stories. Nevertheless, this program is front and center in engaging boys and young men in taking an active part in their communities by building strong relationships with themselves and the world around them. The primary focus of this program is mentoring and motivation through action for good. “This is not Today’s Thug, Tomorrow’s Inmate!”
TBTM is a leadership program designed foster positive development and growth for today’s young males.
Module 1 focuses on attitudes and abilities necessary for positive self-awareness and personal development.
Module 2 focuses on skills and abilities needed to effectively plan for the future. Focus is also given to the development of relationships with peers, adults and employers.
Educating and empowering young women is an essential component to combating violence in our communities. Young men are equally essential in achieving this goal. Panelists continually turned to the need to regain a sense of civility in the ways in which we engage with each other. Mayor Nutter and Edwin both pointed out that violence of the street is often a direct reflection and reenactment of the violence many young men and women witness and experience in their homes. Providing sustainable alternatives and providing opportunity and investment in community are crucial in breaking this chain.
I participated in Philadelphia Futures for several years. I have been unable to participate during my time at Villanova University. However, now that I am done with school, I hope to once again volunteer my time as a mentor. I encourage you to check out the Philadelphia Futures mentoring program as well as these other great programs throughout the Philadelphia area:
AMACHI - Mentoring Children of Prisoners in Philadelphia
NGen Claiming Space at Independent Sector
I attended Craigslist BootCamp NYC in early October. It was an exciting coming together of the young movers and shakers in the Public Good community. While the feel of the Independent Sector conference is extremely different than that of Craigslist Bootcamp, I am excited to see that NGens are claiming their space among established Non Profit Leaders. We are contributing our ideas, talent, passion and initiative as we bring a fresh look, feel and perspective to the Non Profit community. Also, we are not shy about doing so.
I am honored to be among an impressive blogger presence at this year’s Independent Sector Conference:
Trista Harris — New Voices of Philanthropy
Tera Wozinak — Social Citizen
Rosetta Thurman — Perspectives from the Pipleline
Katya Andresen — Robin Hood MarketingIt was also a privilege to meet Heather Carpenter at NonProfit Leadership 601. I also met a prospective new blogger, Monica. She is a prominent member of Philadelphia’s rising non profit leaders and the Director of Development and Publicity at the Green School in the Mount Airy section of Philadelphia, a school for autistic children. We will be setting up her blog within the next couple of weeks. She has a lot to say!!
I am so thrilled that the Chronicles of Philanthropy picked up our presence and gave a shout out to our efforts.
After the closing of this year’s IS Plenary, many NGens gathered for a post-conference brainstorming session. While we initially broke discussed our reaction to the conference in smaller groups, we came together in the end to discuss several topics important to both NGens and the IS conference as a whole:
Value
- many felt that the orange “NGen” tags were value on several fronts. They provided visibility of emerging leaders to both other NGens and to more established members of the IS community.
- The larger presence of NGens at the conference allowed us to share our concerns and issues of the future of the IS and the non profit world as well as a way in which we can contribute to its growth
Why Did you Come
- to meet and network with other NGens and more established members of the IS and Non Profit community
- several suggestions were shared about how to better facilitate interactions between NGens and established IS members 1) mentoring and coaching opportunities 2) speed networking between NGens and established members 3) collaboration on plenary planning committees 4) IS board membership program
- NGen investment in the sector through mission based development
Where Do We Go
- while many appreciated the seperate NGen track of workshops this morning, others thought that it separated us from the rest of the conference
- many advocated for more NGen participation in the planning of the IS conference, as presenters and speakers, and on the Board of Directors. Several individuals argued that if IS was truly committed to including NGen’s into IS, it would provide a way for NGen’s to actively participate in the planning and execution of furture conferences and initiatives
- several individuals expressed the need for a greater presence of new media at the conference, particularly more Net Cafe stations and better access to power sources for those who have their own equipment. Also, the incorporation of sessions on the usefulness of new media to non profits and foundations should be established.
- fostering of more scholarship opportunities for NGens who cant afford to attend on their own accord (encouragement to send thank you letters to all contributors to 2008 scholarship fund)
- establish opportunities for NGens to interact in the local level, particularly through engaging local organizations such as PYNL (Philadelphia Young NonProfit Leaders) and YNPN (Young Non Profit Network)
- creation of a listserv to share ideas
- establishment of regional breakout sessions at next year’s IS conference
- more NGen participation as moderators and speakers
- NGen panel discussion or presentation at Plenary Meetings at next year’s conference
Independent Sector – Closing Plenary Luncheon – “A New Look at Race and Gender in Americ”
Round-table Discussion: Beyond Election 2008: A New Look at Race and Gender in America
Moderator: Kalvin Taketa, IS Board Member and President/CEO, Hawai’i Community Foundation
Panelists:
Randall L. Kennedy, Michael R. Klein Professor of Law, Harvard Law School, Harvard University
Sterling Speirn, President, W.K. Kellogg Foundation
Luz Vega-Marquis, Secretary, Independent Sector and President/CEO Marguerite Casey Foundation
Maria Wilson, President/Founder, The White House ProjektWhile I had limited power, I was able to jot down some thoughts that jumped out at me:
Speirn: “While the glass ceiling was smashed, there are millions trapped in the basement.”
Kennedy: Why is there a “who’d have thunk it” idea that Obama could be elected, that people could have pulled the lever to vote for him.
We need soon however to be thinking about what next” and I hope that we are not so entranced by what happened last week, that we fumble an opportunity to push the agenda for social justice.
Wilson: Two conversations got invoked in this election:
1) race
2) gender
3) class – Obama class upwards and Clinton class downwardsThe changing of the conversation is a major milestone in this country.
“You can’t be what you can’t see.” – What happened all over America, is that there are children from all races and gender that they can be president of the United States.
I know that I cannot celebrate very long, but it is great!
Vega: “The real America showed up at the poles.” In response to the idea that Palin spoke for the “real America.”
The real America finally got included. The fact that she is proud that Latinos voted the right way in this election.
Taketa: Obama as a transcended of all aspects of our population. Is Obama unique?
Kennedy: Obama is an extraordinary politician. Yet, Obama had a hard fought campaign for the Democratic nominee on gender. Gender and racial lines are moving. They are still there but they are moving. Obama still had to overcome his race. There are a variety of politicians of a variety of racial politicians and women politicians. Obama is the person of the hour but he is the tip of the iceberg. In a way this is the most hopeful thing of the election. There is more coming.
Speirn: If the issues are not central nothing will change. Education system is bankrupting our nation. Health status and economic status which is linked to education. The social determinants of education far outweigh all other issues.
Vega: Expectations of Obama are high. He also talked to us about us and what responsibility we take as members of this society to take active part in our future. We need to be responsible for the kinds of things we want to see. We need to begin shaping agendas in our communities. We expect miracles, but we need to hope in what we really can change. It is the collection of our efforts to build a better society.
Wilson: Obama did something transcendent – The major ways AA leaders have made progress is through challenge. Some questioned that AA could not make progress without bargaining. Obama assumed good will which is the third way – not challenge or bargaining. No negative stories about the campaign staff – mission of being respectful and doing good.
Wilson: about Clinton’s campaign – when it comes to gender, gender will always trump gender. But if you only have one person who is different, you look at what they have different. Gender is central. It meant that Clinton had to walk all fine lines about being tough enough and maintain appeal. At end of campaign she felt she had nothing to lose, and she was more authentic.
Wilson: We learned about the continuing way gender continues to be reported in the media. There was an enormous amount of sexism in this election.
The movement – Civic engagement of young people, women and African Americans:
Kennedy: the horizons have been widened traumatically. The sense of possibility – young women, people of color – frankly regardless that everyone’s horizons were opened and that has something to do with extraordinary moment we are in. Even people who did not vote for Obama, even his rivals, many of them have been changed and moved to opening their horizons.
Wilson: inspiring but what do we do next? If they are not engaged – if it is just about their votes – we will lose them again. Obama has a plan, but we all need a plan too for the energy.
(ran out of battery)
This conversation derailed within the first five minutes of comments. The panelists began discussion the ways in which the 2008 Election redefined discussions of Race and Gender in America, particularly the ways in which these new discussions influence the non profit sector and the ways in which the non profit sector can contribute to these discussions. A great topic, particularly since a “what now?” theme ran through the entire conference. However, the conversation quickly jumped to the failures of the Clinton campaign, policy reform and eventually the prison system. Once again, a fruitful discussion on race and gender derailed! Is it that we don’t know how to have a meaningful discussion on race or that it’s just to complicated and uncomfortable?
LiveBlog – Independent Sector, Public Policy, Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Public Policy and the New Administration Q&A
Not hopeful for an effective lame duck session. Some have said that we need to ban the idea of the first 100 days with the issues this country is facing. Can you speak to this?
Nicholas Giordano: This transition is unprecedented – economic situation, two wars and general economic problems.
300 executive branch positions need to be filled. The top cabinet positions will be filled quickly so that when Congress goes back into session, the nomination proceedings will go pretty quickly.
Do you think the Bush Admin right now is ready to step aside? What indications?
Nicholas: Pretty positive. President Bush has gone forward and made sure money was put aside to for a seamless transition. Named internally those who will be responsible for policy transition. They seem to have all pieces in place. There will be some bumps, but the prospects are good.
What is the best way to get ideas into the transition team?
Nicholas: All transition team personnel have been announced so there are great access points. The change.gov platform is great for people to get information and jobs. However, getting information directly to the people responsible is the best way.
What changes can we expect with the House leadership?
Nicholas: This leadership has shown the ability to control the agenda to a great degree. Not much will change with the pickup of the 20+ seats. This will further embolden them. Pelosi and the team has been good in controlling the agenda. I would expect more of that. Leadership change will occur since Rahm Emanuel going to the white house. The ratio in the committees will change a bit. The democrats will have more flexibility in the caucus
in general. There is less a concern for the need of republicans to push things through.SHIFT
Some questions about defining the non profit community there have been some discussions about whether charities engaging with the poor are the only effective non profits, but public policy non profits are essential in that process.
Nicholas: Mr. Rangel has talked a lot of time taking about the corporate tax code and reform. This will be essential. Also the Ways and Means committee will be influential in the fiscal policies.
Senate Finance Committee: Sen Grassly has been proponent of more regulation of charitable organizations. Rised questions about university endowments and whether hospitals are providing sufficient community benefit, but he has also had a close colleague in Sen. Boccas who has shared concerns but has great interest in the share of non profits.
Efforts in creating an increase in Philanthropy. What is the outlook for further investigations and what will be Mr. Grassly’s role going forward?
Over the last two years the issues, the chairman Boccas and Sen. Grassly has not been aligned. Chairman Boccas in the caucas is looking make an effort to be bipartisan. The will also be responsible for the tax issues and health care reform issues so from his standpoint there will be several important priorities.
LiveBlog – Independent Sector, Advancing Your Career – Tuesday, November 11, 2008
This Session has been a spit fire Q&A session rather than a presentation based session. The session was hosted by CommnonCareers.
Bridgestar.org – information about Non Prof Executive development.
What if you find yourself in a position different than what you were hired from?
Create your own opportunities. Be strategic in managing your duties and be clear about your job expectations. Be open and honest in dialogue with employer. If position will never embody what you are looking for, you need to start thinking strategically of looking beyond to a new position.
Bait and Switch is often used to trap young capable employees.
If you have identified where you want to go and the skills, how do you develop skills in a practical way in a job that does not need those skills?
Join board of small non profit without much staff so that you can pitch in on day to day operations. How do you find board opportunities? Check board websites such as Board Source. There are link programs in many cities across the country.
Conferences are great ways to build skills. Engaging in your non profit associations and other business associations who have programs for skill building.
Look at network to see how consulting can a resource for consulting to build practice. Look into Tap Root Foundation as they help siphon people into non profit from business sector.
Reach out to your network and people who are doing what you want to do for informational interviews and mentoring programs.
If you love the mission of your organization yet the culture of your department is not aligned with the way you are comfortable with doing work. How do you function with the disconnect between the culture of the org and your personal culture?
Look for other departments that fit your personal culture. Try to incorporate tools that help clarify people’s position and roles. Think about managing up through open dialogue.
How important or essential is a graduate degree?
Grad degrees are essential. It is more important about where you went and the culture of the institution. Some organizations are threatened by MBA degrees but that is an “old” non profit culture. For Exe Directors an MBA is high on the list for a “must have”.
What do you do if you happen to be in one content area but want to transfer to another content area? Changing mission focus.
Volunteer in the area that you want to transition to. Create your own volunteer initiative within your existing organization or your community.
Job Transition Components:
1) geography
2) type of org
3) type of role
Easy to change one. Hard to change two, Difficult to change all.
Informational interviews are essential for transitions. Who knows who and how you can network.
Facebook and InkedIn is the new wave of of job transtion.
LiveBlog – Independent Sector, Leading Today’s Social Movements – Monday, November 10, 2008
Panelist:
Richard Burns, Executive Director, NYC GLBT Community Center – mental health and social services, cultural programs, public policy and social activities. Founder of NY State health and human servicesnetwork
Alan Khazei, Founder and CEO, Be the Change, Inc. – dedicated to strengthening democracy. Driving force of Service Nation. CoFounder of CityYear.
James Koshiba, Director, Kanu Hawaii – community organizer, culture and environmentalism. Prior Principal Consultant Three Point Consulting.
Moderator:
Ann Mosle, Vice President of Programs, W.K. Kellogg Foundation
—–
Ann: Engagement is the name of the game! New strategies and new approaches! It is important to highlight today and tomorrow, the importance of civic engagement. Firm committment to racial equity.
What is civic engagement 3.0??
Richard: Where it came from and how it evolved….early gay movement in the 1950s with an org call the Madison Society and Daughters of Alidus. Movement divided along gender – parallel but came together when needed. Exploded in 1969 – Stonewall riots. These riots have taken on symbolic role of beginning of gay rights movement globally. What happened in 1969 to radicalize the movement? The foundation that was layed by the black civil rights movement, the anti war movement and the feminist movement – ideology, media coverage and the methods influential. Glash of sexual liberation and feminism became fierce ideology in the late 60s and early 70s. Movement a series of local movements around the country. It was national only in name. Local movements in local contexts against local oppression. In 1979 – convention of first national march on washington gave the movement a national perspective.
Transition point from local to national when militant black lesnians met white gay democrats from San Diego to hammer out a charter.
AIDS happened and transformed gay liberation movement into a national movement! It became imperative to come out of the closet. Their friends and lovers were dying. They were dying. This created a large influx of people and money into the movement.
1987 – ACT Up founded. Were able to play the media and create attention. The birth of front page news of gay and AIDS activism. Movement became more mainstream and became less radical. It became assimilation.
How does our movement needs to change? Gay movement has changed on its issues while reproductive rights and anti death penalty movements were working in isolation without much synergy. We must create natural allies because our movement rest on similar legal grounds.
Causes in Common – 135 national and local LGBT and repro rights groups get together for conferences. Gay Center in Palm Beach Florida does escorting to abortion clinics. Coalitions are necessary for building social capital.
Role of money in grass roots activism!
Allen: Talking about overall context of social movements in the 21st century!! We elected the first president in US history who got elected because of a grass roots social movement. Unprecedented tech resources at our disposal. Power of Web 2.0. in terms of empowering citizens. It is a free tool. Author Schlesinger famous about cycles of history – country moves in cycles of public purpose to private interests – conservative action, entrenchment, corruption and the cycle began again! Prop 13 in Cali began this recent cycle and Reagan ran on “are you better off?” End of Reagan era was Katrina!!
End came just this fall with the economic collapse! THE REAGAN ERA IS OVER!
What do we do next? We have the opportunity for new social change! Crisis for the Chinese is a time of opportunity amidst danger! Need for transformational change and creativity to deal with crisis and the US is ready due to the level of the crisis. The transformation MUST come from citizen movements.
Social movements in history have supported visionary political leadership. Citizen soldiers made visionaries of the founders possible….suffragists made Wilson accept 19th Amendment. Civil rights leaders and students spearheaded the civil rights movement.
Transformational change requires us all and a stronger social movement.
Turning Point – Save Americorps budget was wiped out overnight. Perfect Storm due to partisan politics. Launch of grass roots campaign (Mr. Smith Goes to Washington) on citizen’s movement bringing the movements to DC for round the clock testimony. Received 1/2 budget back from that year.
Be the Change, Inc. – Service Nation and CityYear…coalition of 125 organizations of 100 million people to engage in service throughout the country.
Lessons:
- have to build coalitions to focus on what you can agree on versus differences. Legislative leaders are attracted to coalitions. Bring in national allies who care about issues but aren’t directly involved. AARP, Amer Jewish Community, UNCF, Red Cross etc. Once you have an agenda to share with allies and friends.
- Grass Tops and Grass Roots combination. Platform for leaders from the top and bottom to engage in platformm. National day of action in conjunction with national conference to put talk into action.
- Take advantage of technology.
- stay active until you succeed. Persistance wins out.
The moment we have now is a moment for a new progressive era or a new progressive movement. This will only happen if we build coalitions to work together based on common ground for an agenda for our country. The movement wont just depend on our new president but will be sustainable!
James: Wonderful Presentation!
Aloha (share my space) – airline stuarts come together and touch each other’s foreheads and take a breath to share each other’s space. WOW HOW BEAUTIFUL!!!
Kanu Hawaii (literally to plant)
Island thinking – island perspective is valuabel for local and global communities
- compassion because we cannot run away from each other. we must get along. rich diversity on Hawaii.
- sustainability is at the root of the movement from the environmental movement. Respect of natural resources and that resources are limited – land, water, etc. Being a stuart is the ethic of island life
- resilience economically and the danger of reliance on distant lands for sustainability of life.
These principles are important globally! “The world is becoming more island like day by day.”
Site tools:
- first thing people are asked to do is to declare a personal commitment to change
-articulating a measurable result
- articulating impact
- translate impacts into qualtifiable data, the idea that data will inspire
- the importance of declaring a commitment publicly
- focus on energy, waste and savings
- important of partnerships
Lessons:
- diff between movement and a cause.
- movements are defined by ends and means–ETHIC
- movements tap into themes that are spiritual and universal
- technology can complement organizing and relationships but is not a substitute
- making personal change social can make social change person
Question and Answers
Lessons’s Learned
Clearly at a place of opportunity to work across issues and look at our history and freedom to think about “what if”!
Richard: we can’t do it alone. The early days of our movement were separatist days. When we came together we saw each other as diff from straight people in diff world. Saw the struggle for lgbt rights one we would fight alone. IN the last decade – realized that is insane! We have to envision lgbt movement as part of a larger progressive movement for social change as a full justice and equality movement for everyone!
Changes evident in NYC with the lgbt alignment with labor and unions. The teamsters are signed on to marriage equality and full trans equality. Alignment with corporate foundations- Employee Afinity Groups focused on broader training on diversity. Fortune 500/1000 groups ahead with the idea of a diverse workplace is productive.
Allen: Set visionary and measurable goals. Set attainable goals. Build a coalition and take the time to get agreement on the agenda. Focus on what can be agreed upon. Stick with it and look at the long term. Maintain core principles and be flexible with the tactics.
James: Importance of managing the brand of movement. Investment in field work and field organizing. Building relationships between members and members & the organization. Face to face time. Campaign activities. Feel collective power. Importance of one or a few iconic leaders in the movement.
Trebian – Knight Foundation
James’ presentation fundamental and very insightful and fresh – 1) importance spirituality 2) collective passion 3) identify identity and movement 4) differentiating movement and cause
Do you see this took going beyond environmental movement? Should an organization become a movement?
A movement is bigger than ONE organization. The movement is bigger than one person or organization. Coalition building is essential.
The movement is bigger than environmental. They are already there and are working on spinning it off for other causes and movements while maintaining his movement.
Ben – Case Foundation
Question for Allen. Where is the Stonewall movement in the Service movement? Are we too nice and not radical enough?
“You attract more bees with honey than vinegar.” The moment is here and now. Obama and Binden to Service Nation event over summer. The summer is ready for a new calling. The moment is influenced by top down and bottom up.
Even if we have a President and First Lady committed to service, the challenge will be up to us. The responsibility is ours to spearhead the movement.
Being open to natural allies even if they weren’t initially a part of the cause.
Affiliation with Charlie Rangel (Draft to Service) When it comes to civilian service it is a constitutional issue. It is impossible to implement it. It would require giving up the quality of service.
Kathleen – Californian Endowment
What’s the role of foundations in all of this movement building type activity? Is it funding or funding-minded or is there activist role in connecting groups and mini movements together?
Richard – oh the reproductive side foundations have been great in introducing donors and other allies for repro and lgbt rights. Ford has been great on the micro level. Foundations critical since there was little federal support for service groups. Foundations have the power to ceize the moment. Foundations have to be willing to get behind advocacy if we dont want it to be about top down decision making. Foundations can ensure broader citizen participation on a wide array of issues. There is massive leverage.
James – word of caution is that depending on who the message come from can be disempowering i.e. message coming from CEO of a company versus a non powerful employee. Funders need to become accustomed to funding movement building efforts that have unconventional outcomes. Empowering cannot be quantified on some level but the results can often be profound. It is difficult to raise money for that. We need opportunities to get together with other movement builders.
Anne – different period of engagement for philanthropy. We moved beyond move the money out and its done. How do we engage? Challenging for foundations is a changing point of view. New way of thinking about engagement and point of view. Working with grantees in partnership and listening and engaging in the new power dynamics. i.e. creating learning community focused on diff issues and demographics in civic engagement.
GT Grown – Community Org out of Chicago
This moment is important to address the institutional racism and disparities in our communities. It is important to set the message that things are still not OK! Focus on Purpose and Direction! Respect for identity in social change. Working together in an atmosphere for justice and cooperation!
Non Profit Congress and Non Profit Work Force Coalition
Creating new leadership but the challenge we have our own issues and missions individually how do we balance the collective within the sector.
Allen: “Social Entrepreneurs Trap” – the pressure of taking care of your organization. Bring practitioners to the table to share knowledge and resources. Pooling resources is the key.
James: every meeting ask every participate to make some kind of commitment and plot the trajectory of those commitment to see where peoples energies are.
Bill – The League
The movement to what purpose? What is the end-game? If everything comes together that we are working towards, how do you measure that?
James – diff for every movement. you want communities to be energy and food secure and embracing diversity.
Richard – lgbt movement full equality and justice. place where the world is safe for lgbt people. but the lgbt movement as part of a larger civil rights movement other larger humanity goals come into play.
Allen – ethic of service become a common expectation from Kgarden to senior living to address pressing problems in society – environment, education, justice, etc. Service reflect the “democracy of the people”
Opposition to movements – strategies for building movements and overcoming effectiveness of oppressive politics.
President who ran on platform of service. Have you approached the new administration? If not, why? What do you do with the millions of volunteers who have been mobilized and what do you do with them? How do you keep momentum of mobilization challenges?
How you best grow movements from small to big? Purposefully or organically or both?
Did any important movement of the history of mankind get any benefit in foundation support?
How have you tapped into social sevices agencies for communtiy building?
Richard – Overcoming opposition and growing is important in lbgt movement. The movement grows with increased opposition. The death of Matthew Shepard resulted in largest gay demonstrations nationally. Supreme Court Boy Scout could discriminate resulted in massive influx of volutneers and money. Prop 8 resulted in small amount of donations across the country creating a national database of donors. We need to overcome opposition from militant right and we have seeded spirituality to the religious right. We need to engage religious allies in order for our movement to grow.
James: Thinking with the new administration into movements on the local levels. Engaging the mobilized volunteers to go into service. The danger is that the movement dies and Obama becomes president and stops acting like an organizer. The energy is in danger of dying.
Allen: This is a moment where everyone needs to weigh in. Harness the opportunity. Don’t wait for the Obama Administration to call for an engagement. Another movement that is necessary is the commitment to ending poverty in the United States. Poverty is being created in this economic crisis and we have an opportunity to affect change!
Check out Rosetta Thurman at Perspectives From The Pipeline who is also at the IS conference!
LiveBlog – Independent Sector, NonProfit Warrior Renewal – Monday, November 10, 2008
Speaker: Stewart D. Friedman, practice professor of management and director, Wharton Work/Life Integration Project, Center for Human Resources, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania
Panelists:
Kathleen E. Christensen, Program Director, Alfred P. Sloan Foundation
Karen K. Narasaki, president and executive director, Asian American Justice Center
Rand Wentworth, president, Land Trust Alliance, LLC
Moderator: John Gompert, chief executive officer, Experience Corps; president Civic Ventures
—–
Comments from Dr. Friedman:
“Total Leadership” way you can integrate all aspects of ourselves to be high functioning human being – leadership from the position of the whole person in order to move from a position of balance to a position of integration.
How do we think about these various aspects of our lives and how do we see them as either enriching or depleting?
Work
Home
Community
Private Self – mind body spiritRate these aspects from 1-10 (1 being totally rotten to 10 totally awesome). Rate how other people would rate your meeting expectations in these categories.
What small steps can you take to better align your work with the rest of your life? How can you improve your overall aspect of your life?
We are breaking out into pairs to discuss these four aspects of our life, where we are and where we want to be, as well as what we can do to move in the direction.
Sidenote: over half of the people in attendance at this presentation are not on Facebook. What does this say about the demographics of this conference?
Observations from exercise:
- put a lot of time to work than to family or ourselves
- work and community are interconnected and there is little division (particularly in the nonprofit world)
- the interpretation of the categories and how they are important vary
- didn’t find any solutions but felt good to talk about the issues
Improvement performance is about being a better leader and the steps necess:
- being real
- telling critical story about what events shaped the person that you are
- telling a critical story of what you think will make you a better person in the world
- being hole, acting with integrity with the whole you
- what are your expectations of yourself in your various rolls and how does that reflection of yourself match up to how other people reflect your expectation
We often have higher expectations of ourselves and we perceive that others have higher expectations of us than is reflected in reality.E
Evaluation of these domains results in people refocusing time and attention so that alignment is more as you like or want it (actions and values shift away from work to other parts of life).
Aligning our actions with our values results in an increase in satisfaction throughout all aspects of our life. (common sense, no? even though we tend to overfocus on work to the point where work becomes the center of our life)
Panel Discussion:
Kathleen: Middle class privileged in the sense that they enjoyed their work. They also loved their families and the refuge. Yet there was not enough time to do everything. Until recently this was seen as a private problem needing a private solution. What was overlooked was the changing dynamics of the workforce – a lot of women and a lot of older people, as well as NGen populations.
Workplace structure not changing with the changing demographics of the workforce. People wanted flexibility not only with the hours that they worked, but where they worked and how they worked.
Effective implementation of flexible workforce practices: Increase retention. Enhance recruitment. Reduced absenteeism. Increased productivity.
Is flexibility an excuse to work all the time? How can we make flexibility a good convenient team for managing our complicated time, but actually also to get some balance in our life?
Kathleen: not a fan of balance since she is not sure if we can ever achieve it. Flexibility a dual edged sword. Flexibility should not be seen as just a change in schedule. It should be seen as a reexamination of work practices – creating boundaries between family and work. Creating a new work culture i.e. no email or travel on weekends. Time is not infinitely expanding and that boundaries need to be placed on time.
Rand Wentworth: Life as a constant practice in resurrection? Rising above the life burnout. How to we renew or restore ourselves? How do we make small choices throughout our lives to make healthier and better choices? How do we balance this in a suffering world?
Confession: early years I worked out 9-10 at night. Dinner was Doritos or pepperidge farm cookies. I get up early. I would get 5-6 hours of sleep. You can do this at 20 or something but not 50s. I wake up early and reserve the first 2 hours of my day for personal and family. The first thing I do in the morning is 20 min of yoga and contemplative practices. I then do something fun and exuberant – bike or swim to clear my head and give me energy. As long as I am at home, I have breakfast with my kids. I am rarely home for dinner, btu I always have breakfast with my kids. The three nights a week I am home we always sit down for dinner.
Remember to renew throughout the day and remember to breathe. Reschedule your life with YOU in mind.
The practice of rushing: If I am doing more faster I must be more efficient in practicing my mission.
Learn how to use technology not let the technology use you. Learning how to turn it off. He ever does email at home.
“No Screen Time” – During the weekend, creating a time where all screens are turned off. Honoring the personal sabbath!
Sundays in the Wentworth household – visiting with friends, sharing meals, reading, going for walks, and spending time with each other., Nervous system is profoundly relaxed.
Talk Daily
Talk Weekly
Annual basis – honorable birthright as servant leaders to do some kind of retreat for yourself. Yoga or nature retreat. Some time when you deeply relax and reflect on how your life is going and how you want your life.
The culture of his organization: All administrative staff are eligible for 3 month sabbatical after 7 years of work. Adopted practicing no scheduled meetings on Fridays and no sending of emails to subordinates on weekends.
Karen: “Hi I am Karen and I am a workaholic.”
Working for clients whose lives are more desperate than ours. Nevertheless, you are only as good as the energy that you can bring to your job.
As we look as diversity – thank god there are a lot of minorities being leaders – we need to make sure that we do not take on the responsibility of representing our communities to the point of burnout.
The power of no!
Disciplined about number of boards you choose to be on and the amount of projects you choose to engage in. Creating an ebb and flow and accept that imperfection is perfect.
Importance of coaching – even though we know the things we need to do, to create balance sometimes we don’t know how to achieve balance.
- Need to write down boundaries.
- Need to vocalize goals to be accountable
Sabbaticals allowed us to strengthen the cohesiveness of the organization. Allows for a strong foundation for the organization and group relationships. Better delegation and group effectiveness.
Question and Answer
Suggestions for Millennials, young leaders who are trying to prove themselves to their organization and maintain balance
Opportunity to teach elders to live right and alter the culture of our organizations. Allowing space for people who are productive in their work space yet allow us to have a personal life.
Agreement with staff about production schedules that are reasonable and checking in to evaluate realistic parameters.
Importance of policing our performance expectations of ourselves and other people – the differential between our perception and reality.
Kathleen: The current environment there will be more fear and anxiety and more sense insecurity and power will be shifting to feeling less empowered. Anything that we say will be set in that context. Within the next 1-2 yrs people will be feeling the sand shift underneath their feed.
Ending questions and comments:
How do you reconcile pressures of the job and the desire to have a life?
Flextime – option of a three day weekend every other week.
No meetings on Mondays or Fridays
Do people really change? Do you see a true transformative sense in your life?
When you are trying to make the changes how do you deal with pressure from people around you to revert to old behaviors and attitudes?
Kathleen – Issues about employers to motivate to adopt 80/20 work weeks. People have a hard time to imagine beyond “what is”. Encouraging organizations to put boundaries around projects and time in order to create more manageability.
Rand – yes, there is hope. Addiction of overworking isn’t true to who we really are. Any addiction requires new habits of being that claim each day. Each day needs to be started anew. Structured approach of setting goals is necessary for change.
Karen -not knowing if she was truly able to change, but had staff around her who were committed to helping her change. Also, accepting the idea that change is gradual. Having expectations of overnight change is unrealistic. You tend to make more mistakes when burned out. Change requires commitment.
Stew – Be a better leader and have a richer life. Putting on a lens that puts your life together that is mutually enriching and is valuable to key people in your life. Take small steps – YES WE CAN! Create sustainable change not just for you but for the people around you. What do the people around you really need and what can you do to achieve balance for the two.
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