Hi Spirited Leaders. I just read the message board in total. My time has been really absorbed with issues at our neighborhood center, Peaslee, in Over-the-Rhine, Cincinnati. We have hired a new director so hopefully once orientation and training get accomplished I will have more time to digest how we here can plan a spiritual leadership workshop. Peaslee has collaborated with another organization in Over-the-Rhine, Contact Center (does Welfare Rights Organizing both on local and state level) and wrote for a grant from The Women's Fund (administered through Greater Cincinnati Foundation) for $20,000. We want to design a series of workshops using popular education methods (education for transformation) for women/girls who we work with. We are feeling a strong need to build spirit, support, connection. The theme would be "Our Voice Matters". I think it would be good if one or more of our workshops could use the spiritual leadership training. I spoke with Donna the other evening. It was so good to hear from you, Donna. I think I was only half there, still drowsy from the sleep I was in. I am excited for you all and the work you are getting done to strengthen the workshop. I'm anxious to see and read and review the training manual. I have the butterfly postcard on my refrigerator. To be separated by so many miles, I have to engage spirituality in order to feel connected with you. The postcard reminds me of you and the work. I enjoy when folks suggest good articles to read. The address by Melanie Morrison that you sent to us Donna was very good and a strong reminder to us who are white need to reflect on our white priviliege and how we approach our anti-racism work. I liked reading about WHOSE BOSTON? and the organizing around making sure Boston power doesn't totally wipe out marginalized people and communities from planning efforts. The question raised about Non-Profit organizations, how do we help/hinder social justice movements. Here in Over-the-Rhine, a social justice movement created our grassroots organizations, but over time, I think it's difficult to maintain the social justice energy when our non-profits are responding to so many social service gaps, finding money for the organizing has been difficult.

I just wanted to let you all know I'm spiritually rooting for this work to blossom, and I appreciate all the work you are doing individually and collectively to bring spiritual leadership to our world. Take good care.