In our polarized world, how can we use facilitated dialogue to increase equity and support people in working through difference? How can we use virtual facilitation to connect us across physical distancing?
REGISTER HERE BEFORE MAY 29th!
In this interactive 2-part virtual* workshop, we’ll explore and practice techniques for facilitating dialogue (in both virtual and in-person settings) that promotes social justice.
Part 1: June 4th, 2020, 9:00am-1:30pm EDT AND
Part 2: June 5th, 2020, 9:00am-1:30pm EDT
Workshop Overview: Dialogue goes far beyond just talking; this workshop will incorporate awareness of power dynamics and positionality, especially when connecting people (virtually or in-person!) from different political, cultural, national, linguistic or other backgrounds. Using role play scenarios, case studies, and discussions, we will examine the role of identity, approaches to conflict, and ways to facilitate anti-oppression dialogue. Our approach aims to move beyond “just talking,” to concrete behavior change and actions for social justice.
You will leave this workshop with a more nuanced understanding of:
The varied roles and responsibilities a facilitator holds during dialogue
How bias, identity, privilege, and power impact group dynamics
Skills to make space for challenging conversations, and avoiding dynamics that reinforce power dynamics and historic oppression
Techniques for moving people and groups from talking to action around social justice issues
Who should participate? Whether you facilitate dialogue in formal settings, are looking to strengthen your virtual facilitation practice, or are seeking ways to connect with others from different backgrounds, this workshop will expand your toolkit with techniques and skills to engage people meaningfully with an anti-oppression lens. This is the ideal workshop for anyone who engages people from diverse backgrounds in their work, either in intentional facilitated dialogue, or more informal spaces of connection and collaboration.
Ongoing Support and Accountability: After our workshops, we provide ongoing support to participants over several months, to help with your continued planning or implementation of ideas, including tangible goal-setting and accountability checks.
*What does this virtual workshop look like? The virtual workshop will take place online, using Zoom and Google Documents. It will take place in two parts over two days (with breaks!), to allow participants to come together while many of us shelter in place, and to navigate the new challenges and uncertainties of our daily work and lives. To participate you will need:
a (free) Zoom account
computer with an Internet connection, microphone, and video camera
the ability to access Google Docs throughout the workshop.
Please reach out if you have any questions about technology needs or if you’d like to schedule a quick test call with us before the workshop to make sure you’re all set up.
What have past participants said?
"This was a great workshop! It helped me to understand different ways to create more inclusive and diverse environments” — Maria McQuade, Program Associate, Tanenbaum Center for Interreligious Understanding
"These are life skills adaptive to a tremendous range of applications. This workshops is an opportunity for coalition building. Excellent and urgent work.” — Angela Kariotis, Seton Hall University
Who we are: Seachange Collective is a women-led training collective that supports groups committed to social, racial, gender, and economic justice. Our collective draws on our combined decades of expertise in the non-profit and social change sectors, including work in community organizing, education, policy and advocacy, case management, research, mediation, professional development, grant and individual giving. As facilitators, we are highly participatory, drawing on participants’ own expertise, real-life case studies, and a mix of theory and practice. We are experienced in dealing with a range of needs, and creation of safe spaces for difficult conversations.
Pricing: We run our workshops on a sliding-scale model, to ensure we remain accessible for organizers, non-profit staff, and public servants across a spectrum of roles and budgets. Limited scholarship funds are available. Please contact info@seachangecollective.org if you need financial assistance to join or if you need an invoice and prefer to pay by check.