December 1, 2018

25 budding leaders from a diverse number of Tri-Cities civic organizations gathered together in November 2018 to learn how to work together for the common good.

The content of this Leadership Institute for Public Life was based on the philosophy and practices developed by the Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF) in over 75 years of organizing experience.

Participants came away with expanded knowledge of these topics:

• Why organize?– Participants examined the history, traditions, and values of our labor, faith, community and educational organizations.
  
  
• Fundamental organizing skills– Participants learned tools to conduct individual relational meetings, listening sessions, research, negotiations and action to help obtain a concrete, winnable outcome.
  
  
• Strengthening our institutions – Participants learned how to engage people systematically in a culture that is relational, action-oriented and reflective.
  
  
• Problems vs. issues – Participants learned how to focus from general problems to concrete, winnable issues by using relational power in the public arena to negotiate for the common good.

There was good energy and enthusiasm from the participants.  Our sister affiliate, the Spokane Alliance, partnered with us, sending a professional organizer to train the group.