Youe message, Alethia, is reminding me of something I meant to share with partners: a description of a meeting last week held to give an overview of a report done through the Boston Foundation called Boston Unbound:

http://www.tbf.org/uploadedFiles/Citistates_final.pdf

Curdina, Judy, Deborah Finn and I were all at that meeting so partners were well represented and it was fascinating.It was about the future of Boston and it talked about the things that are standing in the way of this region's growth and prosperity. While the elephant in the room was systemic oppression-race and class particularly--which was alluded to but not explored in depth-- the report also talked about other things in this regions culture that are standing in the way transformation, most notably: inability to truly collaborate, complacency, sense of superiority and a belief that this region has nothing to learn from the rest of the country and world, and inability to address challenges systemically. The report was done with a lot of compassion by two men who obviously care about this region but it seemed like they had to scream some of their results because they were picking up that sense of complacency from so many powerbrokers in the region.

It was clear to them that the lack of a plan to (my words)draw out the gifts of huge numbers of people across diversity and to call forth and support the leadership of that diversity (especially from people of color, immigrants and those who cannot afford to live here because of the high cost of living) does not bode well for this region's future. The kind of meeting you're describing seems like just the kind of effort they were calling for. It also seems very connected to our work!

I'll try to come on the 19th. If anyone else has any information on the report I mention I'd love to hear your thoughts.

I think those of us who're meeting on the Internal and Interpersonal will get together soon, Lisa.

Great to hear from you Bonnie--hope we talk soon.

Read anything good lately (especially pertinent to spiritual leadership)? How about movies? Kinsey is fascinating. I hope to see Hotel Rwanda soon. Did anyone see it?

Love,
Donna