sw 2013 civic reflection as a practice

7/27/2019 SW 2013 Civic Reflection as a Practice

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At your tables, spend time talkingwith others about the following

question:

What does reflection mean to you?


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Welcome

Civic Reflection as a PracticeAmy Salinas


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Session DescriptionThis 75-minute session will introduce state commission, AmeriCorps

program, Senior Corps staff, and other participants to civic reflection: a

member, staff, and stakeholder development practice of reflective

discussion for organizations that are using service and volunteerism to

make change.

The session will include a brief taste of a civic reflection discussion;

describe the elements of a civic reflection discussion; talk about how it

can used as a critical tool to build individual, organization and

community capacity; identify the growing number of programs and

organizations that have implemented civic reflection; point to the

demonstrated impacts of civic reflection; and lay out ways in which new

organizations can take advantage of it.

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Session Outcomes

Engage in a Civic Reflection experience that demonstrates

the potential for deep dialogue and reflection;

Focus the attention of participants on key areas of the

CNCS Strategic Plan and Edward M. Kennedy Serve

America Act for which civic reflection can play an integralrole;

Understand the key elements of a civic reflection practice;

Showcase states and/or programs that have implemented

civic reflection in various ways, with a key focus on thewhy and impact; and

Access resources that can support participants in civic

reflection implementation.


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AGENDA

Building the Learning Environment

What is Civic Reflection

Getting a Taste

What We Did

The Bottom Line

Keeping the End in Mind

Now What?

Wrap Up

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What is Civic Reflection?

Group of participants engaged in shared civicactivity

A highly participatory discussion, anchored by a

short, thought-provoking reading Jumping point for discussing values, beliefs,

relationships

Trained facilitator leads the discussion

Series of questions - why and what does itmean? (instead of how and what)

Service, Community, Leadership, and Other KeyThemes


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Why a Reading?

Anchors the discussion - a shared, commonobject

Creates a safe spaceits neutral and can be

disagreed and argued with Adds depth and complexity

Connects people to new ideas and diverseperspectives


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TRIANGLE

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CIVIC

LIFEREADING

SHARED ACTIVITY/EXPERIENCE


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Impact of CR

CLARITY

beliefs, values,assumptions, and

choices.

COMMUNITY

relationships withothers, sense of

connection

COMMITMENT

Renews a sense ofpurpose, increases

morale, sustains

commitment


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Essential Questions

Should we keep a distance from the people we

serve?

Is my service making an impact on people and

community or only on myself? How do service participants talk across

difference?

How do we make authentic connections bothwith the people we serve and the people we

serve with?

Is service simple?10
http://civicreflection.org/partners/category/service-volunteerism/state-service-commissions-national-servicehttp://civicreflection.org/partners/category/service-volunteerism/state-service-commissions-national-service


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Opening Question

Think about a time when you were a stranger.

What was happening? How did you feel? What,

if anything, happened that helped move you out

of that stranger mode? Turn to a neighbor and discuss

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4 Key Elements

1. Opening Activity or Exercise

gets participants relaxed, breaks the ice, opens them

to the reading and larger ideas

2. Clarification Questions gets people looking at the text, breaking it apart so

that everyone has a better understanding

3. Significance Questions

questions that focus on meaning what is the point,

message, larger lesson we are trying to understand

4. Implication Questions

typically focused on now what what we want to takeaway from the reading and do differently12


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Preparing the Discussion Series

Consider themes like giving, leadership,

diversity, etc.

Search readings, movies, etc that touch on

those theme areas

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Preparing the Discussion

Read the text all the way through a few times

Consider themes

Identify 3-4 areas of the text you want to explore

further with your group

Identify potential challenges with text and how

you might overcome them

Prepare many questions and be flexible forwhere group might take you

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Bottom Line National Service

Higher rates of retention

Increase in renewal of service

Improved relationships between and among

program staff and service members/participants

Development and satisfaction with 70% of

participants saying that civic reflection increased

their commitment to serve. A fresh perspective for program staff and

participants on their day-to-day work and a

newfound ability to see the big picture.15
http://civicreflection.org/partners/category/service-volunteerism/state-service-commissions-national-servicehttp://civicreflection.org/partners/category/service-volunteerism/state-service-commissions-national-service


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Bottom Line All Spectrums

Skill-Building

Civic Engagement

Leadership Development

Dialogue Across Differences

Community Development

Retention and Sustainability

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Intermediate Outcomes

Supports retention and job satisfaction Improves individual morale Impacts civic identity Increases team cohesion and

collaboration Builds skills listening, communication,

articulation, critical thinking, strategicthinking, ability to discuss acrossdifferences


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AmeriCorps

Founding PrinciplesGetting Things DoneStrengthening Communities

Participant DevelopmentEncouraging ResponsibilityExpanding Opportunity

INTENTIONALITY


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CNCS Connection

CNCS VISION - connect individuals with

organizationsSO THAT communities are best

positioned to solve problems.

President Obama set forth guiding principles fornational service: Promote sustained civic

engagement and Reward innovation

CNCS Strategic Priorities: Service as a Solution;

Build Enduring Capacity; and Embrace

Innovation

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Question to Ponder

Are we really making a significant difference

one that has the ability to create fundamental

change in the lives of people, communities,

states, and our country, so that when ourparticipants leave they and the community they

were in are in a better position to address

challenges they see as important?

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Why do Civic Reflection?

Talking across differences is crucial

Service (and solving problems it seeks)is value-laden and complex work -

engages our deepest values and beliefs Effective action requires reflection -

understanding whywe do what we doimpacts howwell we do it and how long

we will do it.


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Center for Civic Reflection

Founded in 1998 atValparaiso University

Locally and nationally

42 states

700 facilitators

Engaged thousandspeople in civicreflection discussions


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Values

Participation, for everyone.

Connection between people and between what

we do and who we are.

The expression and recognition of difference.

Questions, especially those that lead to more

questions.

Fresh thinking and robust community. Justice and the attempt to find it.

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Resources for Civic Reflection

Web site - www.civicreflection.org

Newsletter

Resource Library and Facilitators Forum Publications
http://www.civicreflection.org/http://www.civicreflection.org/


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Thank You!

Amy Salinas

[email protected]

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mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]

sw 2013 civic reflection as a practice

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