Saturday Dialogue Success! AND Volunteer Dialogue: Saturday 10/22 1-4PM

[Jeb Middlebrook]

Hi AWARE folks,

1) SATURDAY DIALOGUE SUCCESS

Great to see so many people at Saturday Dialogue yesterday for our 8-year celebration! And our gratefulness to Jason and Sarah for collectively 15 years of service to AWARE! A big thank you also to many of you for volunteering to support AWARE as we move forward - from offering to host or facilitate a Saturday Dialogue, to planning or facilitating the Summer Institute, to recruiting new members to AWARE, to supporting outreach and coordination of AWARE's amazing work. Good news: we plan to meet as an AWARE community in the same space next month: Saturday, November 5th 1-4PM at the Metropolitan Community Church (4953 Franklin Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90027). Mark your calendars now! :)

A special shout out to the following AWARE members who stepped up to volunteer or continue to volunteer to support and grow AWARE's work:

Saturday Dialogue Facilitators: Tanya, Lisa, Hope, Michelle, Shelly
Workshop Planning Group: Shelly, Michelle, Debbie, Lisa
Summer Institute: Shelly, Fara, Michelle, Debbie, Jason, Sarah
Active Resistance: Brian, Matt, Tanya, and Jeb
Orientation Facilitators: Tanya and Jeb
Community Contacts and Responders: Darcy, Jason, Vitaly, and Jeb
Community Events Calendar: Ariana
Social Media Outreach: Brian
Regional Location Coordinator of Saturday Dialogue: Valerie
Primary Coordinator of Saturday Dialogue: Jeb

Please forgive me if I missed anyone!

2) VOLUNTEER DIALOGUE

In the spirit of my new role as Primary Coordinator of Saturday Dialogue, in response to AWARE members' requests, and in preparation for the November 5th Saturday Dialogue, I would like to host a gathering this month for all current and new AWARE volunteers so we might meet, and support one another's work - a Volunteer Dialogue! :) Anyone interested in volunteering to support AWARE's work in any way is welcome! If this format works, perhaps it's something we can continue monthly. I would like to propose Saturday, October 22 from 1-4PM (three weeks from now, and two weeks before the next Saturday Dialogue) at my home. Please RSVP to: jebmidd...@gmail.com for the address and so we can know how many people to expect.

Based on reflections and ideas from yesterday's Saturday Dialogue, here is a proposed agenda for the meeting (please send any thoughts or suggestions to jebmidd...@gmail.com):

1:00-1:15PM Volunteer check-ins / New volunteer orientation
- this month, I volunteered for, and/or did, my experiences...

1:15-1:30PM Introductions
- names, guidelines for communication
- workgroup descriptions
- new volunteers: I came to this meeting because...

1:30-1:40PM Workgroup Check-Ins
- this month we are working on, requests for volunteers, questions for other workgroups, how can each workgroup support the work of the others

1:40-3:40PM Workgroup Support / Breakouts
- which workgroups need support this month? what new workgroups are needed? what support is needed? offer support and planning. 
AND/OR
- breakouts / collaborations among and between workgroups: Active Resistance, Saturday Dialogue, Workshop Planning Group, and any other workgroups

3:40-3:50PM Workgroup Check-Outs
- this is our action plan moving forward, questions for other workgroups, how can each workgroup support the work of the others

3:50-4:00PM Individual Check-outs
- group check-out: pluses, changes for next time, insights
- go around the room, this month as a volunteer I will...
- grassroots fundraising

Also based on yesterday's discussion, a proposal for a Saturday Dialogue structure that asks volunteers from each AWARE workgroup to offer a portion of Saturday Dialogue (please send any thoughts or suggestions to jebmidd...@gmail.com):

1:00-1:15PM Small group check-ins / Orientation for new people
- this month, in terms of race and white privilege, I experienced…

1:15-1:30PM Introductions
- have people go around and say their name and preferred gender pronoun
- review guidelines for communication - Ask for 2 volunteers to alternate
- new people complete this sentence: I came to this meeting because…

1:30-2:15PM Personal Dialogue and Support led by Saturday Dialogue Facilitators
- what is white antiracist identity and community? how to nurture and sustain it?
- discussion of, and support for, personal experiences with race, racism, and privilege

2:15PM-3:00PM Consciousness-Raising and Personal Skill Building led by Workshop Planning Group
- what is white antiracist practice? how to nurture and sustain it?
- sharing of antiracist education and practice implementing antiracist thinking and dialogue

3:00PM-3:45PM Community Activism and Organizing led by Active Resistance
- what is white antiracist movement-building and community organizing? how to nurture and sustain it?
- discussion and planning of involvement in current antiracist and racial justice efforts in Los Angeles and beyond

3:45PM-4:00PM
- group check-out: pluses, changes for next time, insights
- go around the room, how was today for you in one word.
- grassroots fundraising
- announcements