Gather for a Purpose Coalition and Community Leaders
coalition meeting
Not sure about you, but I find I can squeeze in more book time by listening to audible or podcasts when I drive. The Art of Gathering, a book authored by Priya Parker, was recently recommended to me by a new friend, Amy Ard, CEO of Motherhood Beyond Bars . (Amy will join me in a few weeks on Community Possibilities so be on the lookout for the episode when it drops).
I love this book. Whether you are someone like me who facilitates meetings all of the time, or a community coalition leader, or a nonprofit leader, or an evaluator, you can get something from the book.
Priya reminds us to ask ourselves - What is the purpose of this gathering? She cautions us that although most meetings have a worthy and respectful purpose, but they are boring and bland. She pushes all of us to go deeper, to take a stand on our purpose, to have a meeting worth gathering about.
The purpose of your gathering should align how you gather. The venue, the structure, the timing, the process, all of it should align with the meeting’s purpose. There are so many great gems here that I can't include in this short blog. Like the time she had people tell stories to help them get connected. If you know me, you know I love storytelling. Imagine if you asked your group to tell a story from their life that led them to your coalition, your meeting, your workshop? If you read the book, write back and tell me what you learned.
Speaking of stories...................
Sam Gill, President and CEO of the Doris Duke Foundation joined me on the latest episode of the podcast to share the work of the Foundation. I was touched by his origin story (it's one of my favorite questions I ask of my guests) and wowed by his thoughtfulness. He talks about why this is a hard time to be an institutionalist, but that the answers to some of our hard questions means questioning institutions. Funding and thinking about the margins of social problems may help us find creative solutions. He also has some practical advice for people working in communities to address social and health inequities.
I have one more story for you before I let you go.
My book with Susan Wolfe will be released sooner than we thought. We got the word yesterday our book will be published simultaneously in the UK/Europe and in the US/Canada on 23rd March 2023. If you order directly through Cambridge, you will get 20% off. For information and to order, click here and enter code GTCC2023 at checkout.
Take care!
Ann