2 and half languages bounced across the table in every direction; sometimes smashing into each other begging translation, sometimes communicating more with tone than content, and almost always adding to a growing sense of appreciation, respect and trust for the other voices and stories at the table. Unfortunately, the fervent exchange among the "sister leaders" had yet to arrive at a clear and measurable objective.
We had all come, some thousands of miles, taking a plane for the first time; some a train ride, leaving behind full-time jobs in underserved communities and graduate school homework assignments, to a small conference room in downtown Chicago to join in this "open space dialogue". This meeting was just one of many. We were taken to site visits to see successful Chicago NGO's, trained by skilled consultants and taught the basics of fundraising, but this seemed to be the pinnacle; our opportunity to develop a vision, a goal and a plan. Together, as leaders and sisters of "the struggle", we would create a group project (or two) that actually made a difference. If only we could get started...
Finally, I went into meeting facilitator mode,
"We have two groups at this table with two different topics and project ideas. We have people who are interested in both and resources that we can share. I think it would be helpful if we can each say what it is that we, individually, want to get out of these projects."
An invisible microphone began rotating clockwise around the circle, amplifying each voice of conviction as we each expressed our own visions for the two projects (not yet named), how they might collaborate and how we might share resources within the group, I scribbled summaries and sound bites.
"fundraising, advocacy, social media.... workshops"
"I think we can tie our projects together... networking."
"I work with 800 families in my community. My ladies need to see results. I can't send my mothers to school and dey are worried about how dey are going to feed der babies."
"I am very passionate about all of these topics. We need to do curriculum development on all workshops on all of the topics."
"Estoy con Tiffanie tambien. She can work between the groups."
For those of you who have been asking where's Tiff... or what's that exchange program all about... below a brief synopsis of the program and the organization that is responsible for making it possible. Soon, I hope to tell you more about the projects I am helping to develop and the phenomenal women I am working with.
About Heartland:
Heartland International is a non-profit organization based in Chicago, Illinois. Heartland International's programs target participants from a wide range of professions such as government officials, education administrators, NGO workers and leaders from diverse Sectors. Programs provide a forum for the exchange of ideas and best practices that empower participants to pursue their common goal - changing their communities one step at a time.
About this exchange program:
Emerging Grassroots Leaders: Development of Grassroots Organizations for Women (An exchange program for Emerging Leaders in Nicaragua, Belize and the U.S.)
The participants will partake in substantive training on key topics that form the foundation of effective nonprofits through workshops and site visits; they will learn from each others’ experiences, share and adapt best practices to meet their needs, and grow together through the development of joint community-based projects. This theme addressing the programmatic areas of women’s empowerment, trafficking of women, women’s rights and domestic violence reduction which helps support just and stable societies is critical for the women in Nicaragua and Belize.
Chicago Exchange Program: Oct 29-Nov 19, 2011
Nicaragua and Belize Exchange Program: spring 2012
Currently, I am participating in the Chicago portion of the program along with 28 other grassroots women leaders. 8 of the women are from Nicaragua, 10 are from Belize, and 10 from the US.
We have just begun to develop our projects that we impliment in Nicaragua and Belize next spring. Using a process called open space technology we divided into 5 or 6 groups based on our passions and project ideas. I couldn't committ to just one topic so I will be splitting my time between the leadership development group and the economic empowerment group. I am extremely excited about the opportunity to put my ideas and leadership skills to use in helping develop projects around topics about which I am so passionate. But even more engaging than the content so far, has been the amazing women I have met and the cross-cultural experiences I have already be exposed to.
I am looking forward to introducing you all to these women and the work that we are doing together! Stay tuned!
