Democratizing Work Primer

In this introductory workshop, GWI provides a window into the kinds of relational shifts that facilitate a culture of shared leadership. We touch on the tools, policies and practices that support democratic decision making, and offer a glimpse into how they can be put into action. You will emerge with a sense of how to start taking steps towards sharing power in your organization or working group.

Continue reading

Democratizing Work Primer

In this introductory workshop, GWI provides a window into the kinds of relational shifts that facilitate a culture of shared leadership. We touch on the tools, policies and practices that support democratic decision making, and offer a glimpse into how they can be put into action. You will emerge with a sense of how to start taking steps towards sharing power in your organization or working group.

Continue reading

Democratizing Work Primer

In this introductory workshop, GWI provides a window into the kinds of relational shifts that facilitate a culture of shared leadership. We touch on the tools, policies and practices that support democratic decision making, and offer a glimpse into how they can be put into action. You will emerge with a sense of how to start taking steps towards sharing power in your organization or working group.

Continue reading

Solidarity Civics

“The flood of 200+ executive orders in Trump’s first days exemplifies Naomi Klein’s “shock doctrine” – using chaos and crisis to push through radical changes while people are too disoriented to effectively resist. This isn’t just politics as usual – it’s a strategic exploitation of cognitive limits.”- Social post, sociologist Jennifer Walter

As we witness the speed and ferocity of the executive orders that have poured out of the White House in recent weeks, we might feel overwhelmed, shocked, and scared. “Project 2025”- the ruthless blueprint for dismantling civil rights and empowering the executive branch to serve the purposes of a right-wing agenda, spearheaded by The Heritage Foundation – is in full effect. The result: sweeping directives have plunged us into a bewildering sense of chaos. 

A raft of lawsuits has emerged as part of the resistance, as institutions scramble to protect programs and people, and expose the illegal nature of some of the executive orders. But still, the immediate suspension of funding, jobs, and programs across the federal government have put immigrant rights, abortion rights, LGBTQIA+ rights at risk and have started the project of rescinding commitments to social equity, racial justice, free speech, and environmental repair. Headed by an autocrat, a surveillance state that claims to be acting for efficiency’s sake is on the move.

What can we do? How can we come together to process and respond to the real and lasting damage that could result from these regressive actions? How can we build grassroots power and community-led mutual support to ensure we stand in resistance and in solidarity?

“Do not obey in advance. Most of the power of authoritarianism is freely given.” – On Tyranny, Timothy Snyder

We believe that it is more imperative than ever that we emerge from our individual attempts at staying grounded (as important as they are) and join forces. We invite you to a gathering. Our purpose is to hold space, a forum, for us to strengthen our understanding of what is happening and cultivate a collective sense of focus and action. We are joining the chorus of voices calling for local, regional, and state-wide networks to rise up to fill the gaps, to resist a narrative of helplessness, and to promote instead a tangible alternative to the chaos. We want to support and encourage a community response – with deep democracy at its core – exercising our ability to work collaboratively together, to make decisions through a lens of wisdom and care, and move into action. We will not be obeying in advance.

Take a look at the resources below to ground you in the specifics of the implications of Project 2025, if you can. But there is no homework here. You can also just come, to stand in a circle with all of us, as we process this moment and replenish our selves and minds for the work ahead.

Resources:

Rooted & Resourced: A 1-Day Retreat for Change-Agents

Are you feeling called to your Good Work but feeling depleted, disconnected, and scattered? Are you longing for a chance to recharge and renew your commitments in solidarity with others? Join GWI for a meaningful, joyful one-day retreat to find a rooted sense of belonging and to resource the important work ahead.

We have all been feeling the impacts of the accelerated pace of change and uncertainty brought about by the phalanx of challenges we face. A very incomplete list includes: federal governmental chaos, climate change, rising wealth disparities, extreme levels of inequity, all causing increasingly untenable pressure on people and ecosystems. GWI’s focus on Just Transition has positioned us to accept what is happening, understand it from a systems perspective, and focus on the solutions that will turn the system towards regenerative and just economies. At the same time, we know we are all in this together and it is a long game. It is essential that we support each other to stay focused on the Good Work, needed now more than ever, by acknowledging and tending to the potential for exhaustion and burn-out.

This one-day retreat is a chance to take intentional time away from day-to-day challenges to be in community with others who are working towards just futures and regenerative practices. We have three goals: to build relationships that bolster our access to mutual support, to refresh practices that help move us collectively towards durable and positive change, and to renew our energies in an environment crafted to open our hearts and light up our vitality.

What will we do?

GWI facilitators will offer a nourishing set of collaborative sessions, designed to balance energizing full group experiences and time to talk in smaller groups. We will invite participants in spaces that will allow everyone to share, learn and listen; we will provide time for renewing our energies; and we will offer space to practice the skills required for joyful, effective, cooperative action. 

We will be drawing from practices that include: setting working agreements; non-violent communication and empathy share; clarity on the vision that animates us; and tools for how to hold space and use equitable meeting practices in your organizing efforts or workplaces. We will end the day with a sound healing experience to calm our nervous systems and rest, before sharing dinner together at a local restaurant.

Who is this for?

There are many ways to work towards a just and regenerative future. Whether you are coming with decades of solidarity economy expertise or just starting the journey towards moving into social change work, we invite you to join us! If you are aligned with Just Transition and have been called to work towards positive, collective change, and want to spend time in reflection and discussion with allies, this retreat might be for you. We are open to all, and are particularly drawn to gathering people who are open to the concept that we are stronger together, who want to join a network of mutual support, and who are eager to connect and learn across arenas of experience. 

10Y GWI

Join us for an evening of connection, joy, and fortification to mark GWI’s tenth birthday!

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Solidarity Civics: Balancing Resistance and Resilience

“The flood of 200+ executive orders in Trump’s first days exemplifies Naomi Klein’s “shock doctrine” – using chaos and crisis to push through radical changes while people are too disoriented to effectively resist. This isn’t just politics as usual – it’s a strategic exploitation of cognitive limits.”- Social post, sociologist Jennifer Walter

As we witness the speed and ferocity of the executive orders that have poured out of the White House in recent weeks, we might feel overwhelmed, shocked, and scared. “Project 2025”- the ruthless blueprint for dismantling civil rights and empowering the executive branch to serve the purposes of a right-wing agenda, spearheaded by The Heritage Foundation – is in full effect. The result: sweeping directives have plunged us into a bewildering sense of chaos. 

A raft of lawsuits has emerged as part of the resistance, as institutions scramble to protect programs and people, and expose the illegal nature of some of the executive orders. But still, the immediate suspension of funding, jobs, and programs across the federal government have put immigrant rights, abortion rights, LGBTQIA+ rights at risk and have started the project of rescinding commitments to social equity, racial justice, free speech, and environmental repair. Headed by an autocrat, a surveillance state that claims to be acting for efficiency’s sake is on the move.

What can we do? How can we come together to process and respond to the real and lasting damage that could result from these regressive actions? How can we build grassroots power and community-led mutual support to ensure we stand in resistance and in solidarity?

“Do not obey in advance. Most of the power of authoritarianism is freely given.” – On Tyranny, Timothy Snyder

We believe that it is more imperative than ever that we emerge from our individual attempts at staying grounded (as important as they are) and join forces. We invite you to a gathering. Our purpose is to hold space, a forum, for us to strengthen our understanding of what is happening and cultivate a collective sense of focus and action. We are joining the chorus of voices calling for local, regional, and state-wide networks to rise up to fill the gaps, to resist a narrative of helplessness, and to promote instead a tangible alternative to the chaos. We want to support and encourage a community response – with deep democracy at its core – exercising our ability to work collaboratively together, to make decisions through a lens of wisdom and care, and move into action. We will not be obeying in advance.

In this second community forum, we will focus on finding the balance between resistance and resilience. We will:

  • Offer a quick review of what an executive order is, summarize the current state of responses to the executive orders that have been released, and discuss what they mean for our communities
  • Have a chance to hear from each other, voicing our feelings and insights in a facilitated circle
  • Share trusted sources of information and opportunities to move towards Good Work and solidarity

Take a look at the resources below to ground you in the specifics of the implications of Project 2025, if you can. But there is no homework here. You can also just come, to stand in a circle with all of us, as we process this moment and replenish our selves and minds for the work ahead.

Resources:

Sharing Power Community of Practice

Is your business, org, or working group facing a challenge on your journey toward sharing power, leadership and decision-making? Sign up today to connect with GWI and other orgs engaged in practicing democracy at work and ready to listen and offer feedback and support.

Good Work Institute shares and celebrates your commitment to a democratic workplace! And we know it’s not easy. There’s a lot of learning and unlearning to do along the way. Thankfully, there’s a growing community to learn from and with. Alongside other opportunities for learning and support, including weekly discovery calls focused on org-specific challenges and our annual online series of workshops focused on democratizing work, we’re excited to offer these quarterly facilitated discussions to connect, and give and receive support. Bring a challenge to share, an openness to listen to others’ struggles, and a willingness to share from your experience. Together we’ll cultivate a healthy ecosystem of democratic workplaces in our region (and farther afield). This offering is intended for those in the Mahicantuck (Hudson) Valley who are actively engaged in the practice of sharing power, leadership and decision-making, including those who have participated in our online workshop series Democratizing Work: Ways of Sharing Power, Leadership and Decision Making or Shared Leadership and Democracy in the Workplace.

Sharing Power Community of Practice

Is your business, org, or working group facing a challenge on your journey toward sharing power, leadership and decision-making? Sign up today to connect with GWI and other orgs engaged in practicing democracy at work and ready to listen and offer feedback and support.

Good Work Institute shares and celebrates your commitment to a democratic workplace! And we know it’s not easy. There’s a lot of learning and unlearning to do along the way. Thankfully, there’s a growing community to learn from and with. Alongside other opportunities for learning and support, including weekly discovery calls focused on org-specific challenges and our annual online series of workshops focused on democratizing work, we’re excited to offer these quarterly facilitated discussions to connect, and give and receive support. Bring a challenge to share, an openness to listen to others’ struggles, and a willingness to share from your experience. Together we’ll cultivate a healthy ecosystem of democratic workplaces in our region (and farther afield). This offering is intended for those in the Mahicantuck (Hudson) Valley who are actively engaged in the practice of sharing power, leadership and decision-making, including those who have participated in our online workshop series Democratizing Work: Ways of Sharing Power, Leadership and Decision Making or Shared Leadership and Democracy in the Workplace.

Sharing Power Community of Practice

Is your business, org, or working group facing a challenge on your journey toward sharing power, leadership and decision-making? Sign up today to connect with GWI and other orgs engaged in practicing democracy at work and ready to listen and offer feedback and support.

Good Work Institute shares and celebrates your commitment to a democratic workplace! And we know it’s not easy. There’s a lot of learning and unlearning to do along the way. Thankfully, there’s a growing community to learn from and with. Alongside other opportunities for learning and support, including weekly discovery calls focused on org-specific challenges and our annual online series of workshops focused on democratizing work, we’re excited to offer these quarterly facilitated discussions to connect, and give and receive support. Bring a challenge to share, an openness to listen to others’ struggles, and a willingness to share from your experience. Together we’ll cultivate a healthy ecosystem of democratic workplaces in our region (and farther afield). This offering is intended for those in the Mahicantuck (Hudson) Valley who are actively engaged in the practice of sharing power, leadership and decision-making, including those who have participated in our online workshop series Democratizing Work: Ways of Sharing Power, Leadership and Decision Making or Shared Leadership and Democracy in the Workplace.

Sharing Power Community of Practice

Is your business, org, or working group facing a challenge on your journey toward sharing power, leadership and decision-making? Sign up today to connect with GWI and other orgs engaged in practicing democracy at work and ready to listen and offer feedback and support.

Good Work Institute shares and celebrates your commitment to a democratic workplace! And we know it’s not easy. There’s a lot of learning and unlearning to do along the way. Thankfully, there’s a growing community to learn from and with. Alongside other opportunities for learning and support, including weekly discovery calls focused on org-specific challenges and our annual online series of workshops focused on democratizing work, we’re excited to offer these quarterly facilitated discussions to connect, and give and receive support. Bring a challenge to share, an openness to listen to others’ struggles, and a willingness to share from your experience. Together we’ll cultivate a healthy ecosystem of democratic workplaces in our region (and farther afield). This offering is intended for those in the Mahicantuck (Hudson) Valley who are actively engaged in the practice of sharing power, leadership and decision-making, including those who have participated in our online workshop series Democratizing Work: Ways of Sharing Power, Leadership and Decision Making or Shared Leadership and Democracy in the Workplace.