News
Networking a City: A Case Study of the Barr Fellows Network
We are delighted to share an article with you (link below) that was just published in the Summer 2012 issue of the Stanford Social Innovation Review. The article, Networking a City, tells the story of the evolution of the Barr Fellows Network, launched by the Barr Foundation, and its impact on the City of Boston. Read more
IISC has been honored to partner with Barr since the inception of the idea and in the building of the network. The original title of the article when submitted to SSIR – What’s Love Got to Do With It? – more accurately captured the creative and provocative approach taken to make fundamental and sustainable change in the city and beyond.
You will see that the story speaks for itself with regard to the power that disruption, authentic relationships, and ongoing learning have on a group of social sector leaders. These are the elements we at IISC believe are essential to developing leaders capable of creating a positive future.
"Ancestors in Training:" An interview with IISC Senior Associate Gibrán Rivera
Check it out in the May 2012 issue of Transform: Vision and practice for transformative social change. Gibrán talks extensively about his own thinking and approach to the work of social change. He also lifts up the work of IISC in this way:
IISC seeks to make the invisible visible. When we are successful, people find themselves working in ways that are life-giving, generative, and unlike most of their experiences of working together.
We achieve this by paying close attention to process. Process works best when everyone knows what it is and where we are [in] it. But process is not enough. We seek to create spaces and conditions that foster connectivity at the level of authentic relationship. When we are working in authentic relationship with one another, when we learn to connect to each other in the place where our shared purpose meets, then it can feel like the work is happening all by itself. But these spaces have to be designed; they have to be held and they have to be tended to. This is where we come in. And this is how interconnectedness becomes palpable.
Fundamentals of Faciitation for Racial Justice Work: May 8-9
Exploring ways to bring clarity, respect and even joy to dialogues and work for racial justice.
Are you looking for new ways to facilitate dialogue and action to deal with racism and pursue racial justice?
Do you find it challenging to work with folks who have different understandings of the issues, different lived experiences and different notions about what to do?
Have you ever been stopped in your tracks by a meeting participant’s comment?
You ask yourself, “What’s the best way to handle this?! Should I answer the question? Get the person to talk more? Get the group to handle the issue? Something else entirely?”
In this two‐day learning laboratory, learn the “how,” “what” and “who” of facilitation for racial justice work:
HOW: Collaborative process skills to design and facilitate conversations and meetings that foster engagement, nurture authentic connections, generate deeper understanding, and build solid agreements
WHAT: Racial justice concepts and content that can guide meeting design and facilitation
WHO: Ways to maintain grace and presence while facilitating and to use our ourselves as tools to advance the work
This workshop is designed for participants who have a strong working familiarity with racial justice concepts such as institutional and structural racism, racial justice framing and privilege.
Stand Against Racism at IISC!
IISC joins the YWCA in taking a Stand Against Racism on Friday, April 27, 2012 from 10:00 – Noon. We will meet in our offices for a free and interactive session led by one of our Senior Associates as we take a stand for peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. If you’d like to participate, call us at 617-535-7152 as space is limited. For more information visit Stand Against Racism