I just read Donna's email. I've not figured out yet how I get into the list serve but Donna made it easy by including it in her email.

Spiritual leadership and what WTC has to offer is very much in the "education" field. I do believe we need to put energy into "younger" people. Here in Over-the-Rhine many folks are always asking those of us in the progressive movement, what are you doing to involve more young people. We have seen young as being from 18-30 range. I think if the training was to go to younger than that age, we'd have to rewrite it. I think we have not done well with that generation of people. The voter turnout in that range was not as big as expected.

It's exciting to know all the work you've been doing.

Thanks for your note, Marjorie. I miss seeing you!

I don't think I'm clear yet when I say "young people". As you may know, the spiritual leadership work started to get more concrete when WTC did a collaboration with the Massachusetts School Age Coalition called "Spirit in Leadership" that was designed to support and develop the leadership of people of color in the after school field. It was not designed for youth specifically but focused on those who "worked with' young people-- adults and youth peer leaders were the desired target group although in fact, it was just about all adults.

We also had a fledgling program called Taking Wing that tried to do similar work with women and peer leaders of African descent who work with children and youth of African descent. Again that has been put on hold in a big way but I think it contributed greatly to the development of this work.

So--- we could continue in that direction. Attempting to target educators--adult and peer--of young people as a way to impact the field of education by supporting spiritual leadership development in that field.

Another way to go is to focus on young people (say 13-30) in their spiritual leadership development as a way to impact the youth development field.

Another focus we could have is some sort of cross-generational work that looks at say "education for a sustainable future for humanity"--really targeting developing the spiritual leadership of U.S. people (we need it!) as a way of impacting the blue-red divide.

There are so many possiblities and I welcome others. It's totally in the air and the sooner we can come to some agreement the sooner we can start writing grants to get this off the ground which is crucial for WTC's immediate survival.

I hope you'll all start to weigh in on this. It'd be great to have something in time to start seeking support before the end of the year.

Donna

P.S. I'm sending this on the list-serve and on emai. Please let's start using the list serve (though we may change it at some point to get one that does more things!)

Hi everyone --

As you can tell from the comments by participants of last weekend's Leading from Spirit training, the training was well received and went very well. It also taught Donna and me LOTS more about what needs to be held in consciousness and tended as we proceed. The curriculum itself is strong. Attending to the process of delivering it is ongoing deep work. I hope partners who were there this time will share how they experienced it, what they saw as needing to be adapted, what they learned, etc. Just a reminder to all of you that it would be great for there to be discussion on this I notice that Marjorie just posted some questions and comments -- lets activate conversations there.

There are 12 people signed up for this weekend's training. Please keep Gladys, the group and me in your thoughts and prayers this weekend as we engage in LFS 3! The reports about last weekend's training are so far all glowing. People are very happy with the information and the affirmation that the training provides them. It resonates with people's hearts, minds, and souls.

And there are at least 10 people signed up for the December weekend! But keep spreading the word.

LFS (OVERVIEW) TRAININGS IN 2005
As Jacqui has already suggested, we need schedule trainings beyond December. Donna and I propose the following. Your feedback and indication of availability as trainers would be appreciated:

LFS - 5 - on the MLK weekend -- specifically Sunday night the 16th from 7 to 9 and Monday of the holiday from 9 to 5. This may not be a good idea. Please consider and let us know your thoughts about scheduling a training then.

LFS - 6 - this one would be co-sponsored with the Girls' Coalition (GC) and be offered (though not limited to) women/men who serve girls. We're looking at Thursday, February 10 (3 to 5) and Friday, 11 (9 to 5). That makes it possible for those who can't do weekend work to come during the week. We'll hear back soon from Katie Wheeler at the GC about whether or not those dates seem good for them.

LFS - 7 - Friday April 1 (7 to 9) and Saturday April 2 (9 to 5)

Twell as the trainings yet to be developed -- eg. the one on each dimension -- is a piece of work that is going to require some planning and thought. However, perhaps the place to begin is with choosing a date for the next three -- let's say one a month: January, February, March. To do that, we need to know what YOUR schedules are like. Any thoughts about whether we figure that out face-to-face or just use email?

LFS (DIMENSIONS) TRAININGS
As soon as we can, we need to develop the trainings for the four dimensions of spiritual leadership. So far, we have a very strong beginning to a training for the INTERNAL and another for the INTERPERSONAL. We need help developing all of these and plans need to be made for doing this work -- as well as scheduling trainings.

LFS OUT-OF-BOSTON
We also want to begin taking the training to other cities as soon as we can begin doing that. We would begin that process by speaking to WTC members in other parts of the country and developing those networks and relationships. We need help there as well.

Obviously, there's plenty to do. LET'S MEET. Please let me know ALL of the following dates for which you are available to meet with the partners' group:

Tuesday, November 30 - 3 to 6 PM
Tuesday, November 30 - 6 to 9 PM
Wednesday, December 8 - 6 to 9 PM
Tuesday, December 21 - 3 to 6 PM
Tuesday, December 21- 6 to 9 PM
Wednesday, December 22 - 3 to 6 PM
Wednesday, December 22 - 6 to 9 PM

I'm going to post this on the message board as well.

Meck

Hello all. Just some questions about recent posts. The term "young people" has now been used a few times, so I'd like to ask those who have used it to clarify who you're talking about. In thinking of how young people can be involved in this training or linked work, it makes a big difference if we're talking about people under 12, people under 18, people in their early 20s, etc. Wanting to understand people's visions a bit better . . .

Also, the new evaluation questions are good; thank you to the writers. Writers- I'm wondering what your thoughts were about throwing out most of the parallel structures found in the original version. It seems like a big change, I'm just wondering how you all came to it.

Happy posting,
Marjorie

Hi again!

I'm trying to do two things--have a conversation AND learn to use this discussion space.

First, I want to thank Lisa for her message. (can't wait to see you, Lisa!)

Secondly, I want to say I agree with Claudia on the possible focus but I'm not sure how it gets framed as an area/field. And I think the connection to young people and education is atill important--can they be combined? Today I went to a good talk by a woman who was talking about the "achievement/oopportunity gap" (or whatever!) and Latino youth. In the discussion following her talk fascinating concerns about their ( the youth's) sense of belonging and the values that keep mainstream U.S. from seeing their well-being as important were raised. I thought there was a lot we (WTC/S.L.) could do to affect that struggle. There ended up what I've recently come to see as a polarization among "progressive people" between the call for personal responsibility and the demand to addressing systemic racism and other systemic oppression. I think the spiritual leadership model can help remind people that these need not be at odds and should in fact to work together.

Did you have a chance to read the Pharr articleI sent? What do you think?

My last question is about how you use this discussion tool. I wanted to start a new topic called Focus and Impact (or something like that) to continue this conversation that Claudia and I have started. Can this program do that? Can it eventually thread everything under that topic? Not sure of the uses of this. Help!

Donna

P.S. Would love to hear from more people on this topic!!

Hi all,

Jacqui reminded me that I had volunteered to start a discussion on the "target audiences" or focus of the
WTC/partners' future work. What we have discussed is
that we could make a more effective impact, and also
have more opportunities for funding, if we have a specific
population or arena where we direct our work. For example,
we could focus on young people,women of color, or
low-income families; or the national political agenda (ahem!), day care, education, etc.

My own take on this since the recent elections would be
that given the WTC's/our orientation to values and purpose,
we could link spiritual leadership to political empowerment among under-represented/disenfranchised populations, and to influencing the national conversation. Why
should the Right have the franchise on moral values?

Before now, I would not have gone in this direction in
a million years. But I feel the need to act - in a non-reactive way, but still to act.

Claudia

Hi, Everyone,

I've been thinking a lot since the election about the question Jacqui's been asking us "what field should WTC focus on and try to impact". I really have a sense that the election is going to have a huge impact on how the rest of my little life goes and I know that whatever we do should be grounded in young people. We need to be a part of " the values and meaning" discussion as it is being communicated for and by them. I think we should focus on education for transformation---and come to deeper understandings of what that means for us. I suggest we start where we did with the Spirit in Leadership program--with adults and youth committed to education. I think the work on transformation is right on target.

Margo Adair --who has is part of our sister organization Tools for Change--sent me this article

http://www.cwsworkshop.org/pdfs/CARA/AOYP/...oral_Imperative.PDF

I'd love to know your thoughts on this article and any ideas about how we might take Leading from Spirit to the education field.

Love,
Donna

Hi all,

A thought on the numbering system for the self-inventory
(used to be self-assessment):

1- never
2- infrequently
3- sometimes
4- frequently
5- consistently

This gives people an opportunity to consider the number
score as a matter of frequency rather than absolutes.
The "marking" can still be an addition of points, but if
we add the total and divide by the number of questions in
that section (internal, etc.), then there's an overall
number that corresponds to the frequency of a way of being or behavior, rather than just an absolute number. The questions would have to be phrased accordingly...

Hope that makes sense.

Claudia

Hello all, here's the self-assessment/reflection statements. If you are reworking one of them, please leave a trail for others (e.g. "to re-word Cultural #3 ..."), thanks! And keep that advertising going! Make sure everyone that should be attending a training knows about it!

GIFTS OF THE INTERNAL
1. I love and accept myself as I am
2. I know what I am feeling and what my feelings are telling me
3. I investigate my own assumptions
4. I am aware of the rank and/or power I have within the various contexts I find myself
5. I know what my purpose is
6. I stay centered through chaos and upheaval
7. I know that who I am is not determined by something or someone outside me
8. I approach the world with a spirit of abundance knowing that I always have what I need
9. I know what my gifts are
10. I know that I am not separate from anything
GIFTS OF THE INTERPERSONAL
1. I love and accept others as they are
2. I know when to encourage others to change and when to step back
3. I am not invested in how or when others change
4. I am able to put myself in someone else's shoes
5. I am able to stand up for myself without putting others down
6. I encourage and inspire others to identify and share their gifts
7. I am able to help others find ways to explore their situation for meaning, learning and growth
8. I am willing to engage in conflict creatively
9. I ask questions rather than interpret others' behaviors
10. I use my rank purposefully and beneficially
GIFTS OF THE INSTITUTIONAL / STRUCTURAL
1. I am aware of how policies and procedures effect all members of organizations and institutions I am part of
2. I do whatever I can to help make the values of organizations and institution apparent to themselves
3. I help create environments within organizations and institutions where people can learn, grow, and receive what they need to flourish and succeed
4. I create environments that support individuals within organizations and institutions to offer their gifts
5. I help create environments within organizations and institutions in which each individuals' gifts can be received, embraced, and put in the service of the mission of the organization / institution
6. I use my power, resources and gifts to help the organizations and institutions I am part of clarify and stay focused on their mission
7. I am able to assess what barriers stand in the way of organizations and institutions living out their mission
8. I am able to assess whether policies and practices within organizations and institutions serve to support the Spiritual Leadership of the organization / institution and its stakeholders
9. I accept things within organizations and institutions as they are and understand that every situation is a gift that contains the possibility for growth and transformation
10. I use my power, resources, and gifts within organizations and institutions to lift up the gifts that present themselves within differences of culture, class, ability, etc.
GIFTS OF THE CULTURAL
1. I love my People and accept us as we are
2. I do whatever I am able to raise awareness among my People of our connection to other Peoples
3. I connect with others despite our differences
4. I am committed and able to increase the voice and participation of diverse and sometimes conflicting individuals or collaborators
5. I work for the liberation of both the oppressed and the oppressor
6. I honor those whose shoulders I and my accomplishments stand on
7. I act in consideration of the well being of future generations
8. I do not project onto other cultures either what I particularly like or dislike about them. Rather, I claim these aspects in my own culture and seek either to cultivate or transform them.
9. I am able to discern when it is necessary to risk (sacrifice) my own well being for something greater than myself
10. I stay conscious of the contradictions within and across different perceptions of reality and I work for their co-existence

This message board is great! I really feel like WTC is "moving on up"! About the training scholarship, I think my co-worker who wants to come to the training could use a full or partial scholarship. Should I ask her to call you?

Topic: Photos

Oops -- I forgot to mention something about Photos. We would love to post your photo with your bio -- but that means we need a photo. If you already have a digital photo that you can send as an email attachment, please do. If not, please send us a photo that we can scan and drop in (we will give you the photo back). Thanks!!!

Topic: registration

I believe you already know, that we didn't get enough people signed up for the November 4 and 5 offering of LFS.

At the moment, registration for the others is as follows:
LFS 2 - Nov 12/13 - 7 registrants
LFS 3 - Nov 20/21 - 8 registrants
LFS 4 - Dec 10/11 - 2 registrants

A WTC member just offered to send $225 as a scholarship toward a non-member coming who can't afford the cost. If you know of someone who would love to come but can't pay for it, let us know. Perhaps we can split this amount up and offer a reduction to more than one person.

Topic: Bios and Photos

We have not yet received a bio from most of you -- that is a 75 word blurb about yourself.

We recognize that some guidance here might be helpful. Emily swung by yesterday to pick up some postcards and flyers and asked about what she should include in her bio. Should we include educational credentials, for example, and how might that play out in terms of the rank accorded to different "credentials" in dominant culture?

Does it make sense for us each to decide what it is we want others to know about us that would help them understand why we are doing this work with WTC? What inspires us, what experience do we bring to it, what about who we are -- our purpose -- leads us to this work at this time?

Please jump in with your own questions and comments. This message is meant to spark conversation on this topic -- not to limit possibility.

Meck

Hi everyone!
Topic: revising the curriculum

Just wanted you to know that Judy Tso has done an amazing job of writing up a first draft of a trainers' manual for LFS. Thank you Judy!

Donna, Claudia and I have gone through the curriculum making revisions -- Judy's manual was really helpful for anchoring the changes. It has been an enlivening process.

Claudia and I are also going to try to pull together two Power Point presentations that can be used to walk people through the presentations about Spiritual Leadership and about states of consciousness. We are hoping to have them be visually beautiful as well as aid the participants in taking in the information in more of a step-at-a-time approach. The handouts give the whole picture at once -- which can be hard to follow. So we're breaking it down.

Of course, this means we'll need computers and projectors -- but I believe we have access to what we need.

Claudia will be incorporating changes to Judy's draft of the trainers' manual. Hopefully, it will be in shape to share with you all soon.

You're most welcome!

Claudia

You wrote:

> From: QuickTopic daily digest <qtopic+27-yMYqZNNXb8t@quicktopic.com>
> To: claudia@thewtc.org
> Date: 18 Oct 2004 04:06:10 -0000
> Subject: WTC Partners
>
>
< replied-to message removed by QT >

Thank you, Claudia, for preparing this meeting place.