Carol Wick, CEO, Sharity
Last week: PROTESTS: Across the nation, unrest, anger and hatred are spilling out of our homes onto the streets. People are protesting all across the country, and they are being met with different responses and sending very mixed messages. While all protests are usually sparked when one feels they need to be heard, some seek to intimidate; others cry out for change. What is clear is that our country has come to a breaking point. We need leaders who seek not to divide but to heal with empathy and lead us forward together as a nation.
Looking ahead: PREPARING FOR AFTERMATH: More than 100,000 Americans have tragically died from COVID-19 in less than four months. Like a hurricane that blows through and destroys homes, businesses and communities, we are just now starting to emerge and assess the damage. We as Floridians know the real work begins after the storm has passed. We also see the danger and aftermath can continue to take lives for months to come. Our state, our communities, know how to do this more than most. It’s time to come together, reach out to a neighbor, and begin the healing process.
Powering Nonprofit Success Through Participatory Processes:
Did you know that organizations prioritizing participatory processes and deliberately decreasing barriers see a significant increase in program effectiveness? This Fall, I’m excited to delve into how this framework powers real-world success through our three-part webinar series, Insights for Impact!
On September 18th, Dr. Inderjit Vicky Basra, President and CEO of the Delores Barr Weaver Policy Center, and Jessica Raymond, former Chief of Staff of the YWCA, joined Sharity Global Expert Anne Miskey to offer real-world examples of ways participatory processes elevated their organizations’ mission and impact. Dr. Basra emphasized the importance of including direct and indirect experts in decision-making conversations. She noted, “…layered communication makes the change.” When those in the community who experience the challenges your organization strives to address work alongside those with academic or professional experience in key areas, your organization can begin to affect systemic change. Jessica added, “When we talk about advocating for people and engaging their voices…here is the mic! You sit at this table, you tell me what you need from us, you make the decision…”
Key takeaways from the conversation included:
- Write equity into your policies and procedures.
- Avoid “tokenizing” the community you serve. Ensure that if you ask something of your community members, such as asking them to share their stories, you are developing and strengthening a mutually beneficial relationship with them.
- Identify ways your organization may connect direct experts, those with lived experience, with donors, elected officials, and other community leaders and influencers.
- Engaging all voices allows you to review and evaluate the impact of your programming with an open mind and heart.
- Give credit to all the experts helping you execute your mission. Whenever possible, compensate and recognize direct experts, those with lived experiences, for their work on behalf of your organization, just as you would an indirect expert with academic or professional experience.
Dr. Basra summed up the importance of engaging all voices when she described the success her organization has had with connecting survivor mentors with the recently rescued. “[Survivor’s] concepts around hope look very different because they’re sitting across from somebody, that at some point, was in the same space that they are in…Their survivor-mentor becomes a beacon of hope!” Anne added, “The little ways you can connect your donors in real ways to people” will bring about transformation.
