April2017ThousandCurrentsAcademyEvaluationReport

THOUSANDCURRENTS

2120UniversityAvenueBerkeley,CA94704U.S.A.

+1.415.824.8384thousandcurrents.org

2

TableofContentsA. AbouttheApril2017ThousandCurrentsAcademy…………...………….3

B. AcademyEvaluation……………………………………………………………….……..4C. LessonsLearned………………………………………………………………………….12

D. Conclusions…………………………………………………………………………………14E. Appendix–Open-endedParticipantFeedback….………………………..15

3

A.AbouttheApril2017ThousandCurrentsAcademyTheThousandCurrentsAcademyisaweeklonghigh-impacttrainingcourseforanyonewhodeploysresourcestowardssocialchange.Itisdesignedtopromotesocialjusticephilanthropybyeducatingparticipantsintransformative,culturallycompetenthuman-rights-basedapproachestoworkingwithgrassrootscommunitiesandgranteepartners.Academyparticipantsareencouragedtobuildcollectivestrength,tolearn,grow,andactwithinacommunityofphilanthropicpartnerstowards,inthewordsofDr.MartinLutherKing,Jr.,“atruerevolutionofvalues.”ThefifthThousandCurrentsAcademytookplacefromApril2—7,2017,attheWesterbekeRanchinSonoma,California.ThisAcademyconvened23participants,15facultymembers,and12mentorsfromaroundtheworld.TheAcademygraduates,alsoknownasImpactInfluencers,representeddiversephilanthropicbackgroundsincludingfoundationstaff,individualphilanthropists,trustees,andimpactinvestors.Participantswerewide-ranginginageandperspectivesincludingyoung,mid-career,andestablishedprofessionals;women;peopleofvariousgenderidentitiesandethnicities.Allfacultywerepractitionerswitharangeofexpertiseandexperienceasacademics,artists,organizers,philanthropists,ecologists,indigenouselders,andsocialjusticeleaders.Over50%oftheAcademyfacultywerepeopleofcolororfromtheGlobalSouth.AswithpreviousAcademies,theApril2017participantsengagedinarich,learning-oriented,self-reflective,andparticipatoryprogramthatunfoldedoverthecourseoftheweek.Theformatincludedacombinationofdiscussions,groupactivities,creativeexercisesinvolvingartandperformance,naturewalks,presentations,individualprojects,physicalmovement,andteambuildingexercises.Post-Academy,participantsweregroupedintriadswithmentorsfromthegrassrootsandphilanthropyfieldsforasix-monthmentorshiptosupporttheirlearningandgrowth.Additionally,incorporatingsuggestionsfrompastparticipants,thisiterationoftheAcademyexperimentedwithanewmentorshipmodel,whichincludedpairingamentorwithtwoparticipantsintriadsforpeeraccountabilityandlearning.TheThousandCurrentsTheoryofChangeformedthebasisoftheAcademycurriculum,equippingparticipantswiththefollowingtools:

● Abetterunderstandingofthetrajectoryofphilanthropyandthesocialsector;● Theabilitytoconductdeepself-inquiryandexaminationaroundtheirowncultural

assumptions;● Knowledgeofhowtosituatethemselvesintheirownwisdomandrecognizetraditional

knowledgesystemsasasourceofpower,resilience,resistance,andtransformation;● Knowledgeofhowtoworkinauthenticpartnershipwithcommunity-based

organizations;● Theabilitytopracticegivingwithasocialjusticeframework;and● Themotivationandaccesstoformnetworksoflearning,support,andsolidaritywith

peersandsector-leadermentors.TheApril2017ThousandCurrentsAcademyworkedtowardsthefollowinggoals:

1. Totrainthenextgenerationofleadersinresourcemobilizationandphilanthropyinculturalandecologicalcompetence,conductingself-assessment,andmanagingthedynamicsofdifference;

2. Toinspirealearningbehaviorbasedonreflection,dialogue,andconnectionandencourageImpactInfluencerstoadopttransformativepracticestodismantleinjusticeandinequity;

4

3. Togroundlearningingrassroots-ledpractices,pedagogiesofcommunityorganizing,andparticipatoryappraisaltowardsprincipledaction;

4. Tochangeattitudes,language,skills,andknowledgetomobilizeresourcesinfavorofsocialjusticephilanthropy;and

5. Tobuildamovementofempoweredandcollaborativechangeagents,influencers,andleadersattheintersectionofgrassrootsdevelopmentandphilanthropy.

EvaluationMethodologyTheApril2017ThousandCurrentsAcademywasevaluatedusingpre-andpost-surveymethod.Eachparticipantwasgivenahardcopyofthesurveyandaskedtocompleteitanonymously(thethreeThousandCurrentsstaffwhoparticipatedwereexcludedfromthesurvey).Thepre-surveywascompletedduringthefirstdayoftheAcademyandthepost-surveywascompletedonthelastdayoftheAcademy.EvaluationsurveytoolsweresimilartothoseadministeredinpriorAcademies,withafewchangesmadetostreamlinepre-postcomparisonanalysis.Incaseswhererespondentsselectedtwoormoreanswersonafive-pointratingscale,anaverageoftheratingwasusedforanalysispurposes.Whenparticipantsdidnotansweraquestion,oransweredN/Aor“Notsure,”theiranswerswerenotincludedinquantitativeevaluation.B.AcademySurveyResults

A. ParticipantProfilebyGrassrootsGiving

TheAcademypre-surveyasked,“Howmuchdoyou(ortheorganizationyourepresent)currentlygranttograssrootsgroupsannually?”Participants’responsesareencapsulatedinFigure1.

Figure1–Participatingorganizations’grantamountstograssrootspartnersinthepastyearTheseresultsrevealthatthisAcademycohortincludeddiversestakeholdersrepresentingorganizationscarryingoutdifferentlevelsofgrantmakingactivities.65percentofparticipantsworkedinorganizationsthatdisbursedsomegrantstograssrootsgroups.Theyincludedeight“largegrantstograssrootsorganizations”($250,000andmore),five“smalltomedium

grantstograssrootsorganizations”($1,000to$249,999),andseven“non-granters”thatdidnotfinanciallysupportgrassrootsgroups.Afewofthesenon-grantersincludednon-fundingorganizations.

5

B. GrassrootsEngagementPre-AcademyParticipantswereaskedaboutthenatureanddepthoftheirengagementwithgrassrootsorganizations.Figure2summarizestheproportionofparticipantswhoresponded“yes”toeightdifferentengagementquestions.BeforetheAcademy,allparticipantsexceptonehadengagedwithgrassrootsorganizationsand/orleadersonatleastoneoftheeightactivitiesaskedinthesurvey.Thetopthreewaysofengagementincluded:‘formedrelationshipswithagrassrootsleader,’‘invitedfeedbackfromagrassrootsleader,’and‘developedlearningresourceshighlightinginnovationsfromgrassrootsorganizations.’

Figure2–Thepercentageofparticipantspreviouslyengagingwithgrassrootsorganizations.

Whileasignificantmajorityofparticipatingorganizationsindicatedthattheyalreadysupportgrassrootspartners,theydemonstratedastrongneedforincreasedengagementwithgrassrootspartnersandopeninguptrulyinfluentialopportunities.Thethreeresponseswiththelowestscoreswere:“participatedinaconferencepanelwithagrassrootscommunityleader,”“co-authoredanarticleorablogwithagrassrootscommunityleader,”and“invitedagrassrootsleadertoserveonyourorganization’sboard.”

6

C. Post-AcademyChangesParticipantswereaskedsimilarquestionspre-andpost-Academytoassessshiftsinmindsetandintendedbehaviors.ResultsinTable1comparepre-andpost-averageresponseshighlightingthe‘change’separately.Therewasmarkedimprovementinallquestionsandaverageratingsacrossallmeasuressawincreasesfrom4%to50%.Thethreeareaswiththegreatestimprovementincludedparticipants’abilityto‘accessnetworksandresourcestosupportgrassrootsorganizations,’betterunderstandingtheirresponsibilityassocialjusticefunders,andlearningaboutthesocio-politicalcontextofgrassrootsorganizations.TheseresultsshowthattheAcademyhelpedparticipantsbecomebetterequippedtochampiongrassroots-levelchangeacrosstheboard.Participantsalsoreportedanincreaseintheircapacitytoadoptattitudesandactivitiesthatholisticallysupportgrassrootsorganizations.

Table1–Preandpost-Academyscoresonbehavior/mindsetquestions.OnecorestrategyputforthintheAcademyforaffectingsystemicistochannelresourcestograssrootsgroupsthatareimplementinglocalsolutions.Figure3showsanincreasedlikelihoodofparticipantsfundinggrassrootsorganizationsandadvocatingforgrassrootsfundingamongstpeergrantmakers.

7

Figure 3 - Participants’ likelihood of funding and advocating for grassroots organizations

Thepercentageofparticipantsstatingtheywill“likely”or“verylikely”fundgrassrootsorganizationsjumpedfrom81%to100%followingtheAcademy,whilethepercentagewhomarked“likely”or“verylikely”to‘influenceoradvocateforpeerfunderstofundgrassrootsgroupsgrewfrom83%to100%.Figure4showstheextentofchangereportedbyparticipantsregardinginvitinggrassrootsleaderstoserveontheirorganization’sboard.Comparedtootherpost-Academyratings,itisstillthelowestratingatparwithco-authoringarticlesorblogswithgrassrootsleaders.However,ofalltheimpactindicators,thismetricbeganatthelowestaverageof2.7onalikelihoodscaleof1to5,androseto3.7.Thepercentageofparticipantsthatwerelikelyorverylikelyto‘inviteorseektoinviteagrassrootsleadertoserveontheirorganization’sboard’jumpedfrom33%to58%.ThisisasignificantoutcomefortheApril2017Academy.BoardsofDirectorsatgrant-makingorganizationsarethehighestauthoritiesinvolvedindeterminingwhereresourcesareallocated.

8

Figure4-Howlikelyareyouto,orseekto,inviteagrassrootsleadertoserveonyourorganization’sboard?

Someparticipantsdid,however,expressdoubtabouttheirabilitiestoaddgrassrootsleaderstotheirBoardofDirectors.Somestatedthattheydidnothavetheauthoritytomakechangestotheirorganization’sboard,whileothersthoughtthattheywouldrequirereflectionandhardworktogettosuchapoint.Somestatedthat

theirorganizationsdidnothaveaBoardofDirectorsatall.Thesefactorsmayexplaintheoveralllowerratingforthiscategory.Post-Academy,participantsreportamuchdeeperunderstandingoftheirroleinthenonprofitsector,andhowtheycanbettermobilizeresourcestomakeadifference.Thisisdemonstratedinthefollowingfigures.

9

Figure6-Howmuchdoyouagreewiththefollowingstatement:Iunderstandwhatasocialjusticefunderisanddoes.

Figure5demonstratesparticipants’averageratingsoftheirabilitytoaccessnetworksandresourcestosupportgrassrootsworkrosefrom2.9to4.9.Figure6showsparticipants’averageresponsesregardingunderstandingoftheirrolesassocialjusticefundersrisingfrom3.3to4.6.

Figure5-Howmuchdoyouagreewiththefollowingstatement:Iknowhowtoaccessthenetworksandresourcesavailabletosupportgrassrootswork.

10

Figure7–Participants’ratingsofAcademycomponents.D.AcademyComponentsParticipantswereaskedtoratesixdifferentcomponentsoftheirexperienceona5-pointratingscale.ResponsesareshowninFigure7.Overall,participantsgaveextremelyfavorablereviewsofallcomponentsoftheirexperience.Noneoftheparticipantsselectedaratingbelow“Satisfactory.”Thecomponentwiththehighestnumberof“Excellent”ratingswas“Faculty/Facilitators.”Averagescoresforthecomponentsranged

between4.7and4.9,andratingsof“Excellent”weregivenforeachcomponentbyasizeablemajorityofparticipants.Whenaskedtoelaborateupontheirratingselections,participantsparticularlyappreciatedthecontent,facilitators,andvenue.FollowingareselecttestimonialsaboutAcademyfacilitators:

“Thefacilitatorswereawesome,andvery

givingoftheirexperienceandexpertise”

“Facilitatorshaveinvitedwithoutforcing,challengedwithoutabandoning,andbeen

presentwithoutmanaging”

“Thislocationwassobeautiful,whatagiftto

gettospendalmostaweekhere.Ineverwanttoleave!”

“(Themoduleswere)unanticipatedlyhelpful…modeledathoughtful,

focusedapproach”

Participants’ratingsandopen-endedfeedbackregardingAcademycomponents

11

illustratethatthefifthThousandCurrentsAcademywaswellorganized,engaging,andinspiring.

D. Organizationswithsmalltomediumgrantsforgrassrootsorganizations

Participantswereaskedaseriesofquestionstobetterunderstandtheirthinkingandbehaviorstowardsgrassrootsorganizations.Thesequestionsincludedyes/nopromptsaswellasfive-pointscaleratings.Segmentingtheseresponsesbyorganizationsthatgiverelativelysmallergrantstograssrootsorganizations,Table2showsthattheseorganizationshavelesserknowledgeofgrassrootsorganizationsandtheircontextsandhaveweakerengagementswiththesegroups.

Table2–Comparingorganizationsthatgivesmalltomediumgrantstograssrootsorganizations.

Overall,theprofileofparticipatingorganizationsrevealedanopportunitytoinspireparticipantstogodeeperintheirgrassrootsengagementandcommitment.C.LessonsLearnedWeatThousandCurrentsarecommittedtoexcellenceandlearning,andaimtouseeveryopportunitytoimproveourimpact.Thefindingsofthissection,obtainedfromopen-endedparticipantfeedback,

12

highlightsAcademystrengthsandareasforimprovement.AcademyStrengthsParticipantsreportedtoenjoymanyaspectsoftheAcademy;thestrongestthemebeinghowtransformationaltheAcademywasformanyparticipantsinthinkingabouttheirworkintheworld.TheyappreciatedtheAcademy’scontent,facilitatorsandvenue.Thissectionwillbrieflyoverviewsomeadditionalstrongpoints.1)Participantsreportedthattheacademywasdeeplytransformationalandimpactful.Theystated:

“IfeellikeIhaveafamilytobegintounpackissueswithandearstolistendeeply.”

“Ifillednearlyanentirejournalwithnotesthisweek.That’salotoflearning!”

“IamleavingwithsomuchmorethanIcould’veexpected.Iamchanged.Thiswasabeautifuland(itisamuch)neededexperiencethatIwisheveryonecouldhave.”

2)TheAcademyFacultywereawe-inspiringandledsessionsexceptionally.Reflectionsfromparticipantsbelow:

“Ienjoyedeverysinglemodule,butwasparticularlystruckbyMattandTwoTrees!”

“Faculty,facilitatorsandfacilitationwereallincredible,verymoving,pushing,holding.”

“Facilitatorshaveinvitedwithoutforcing,challengedwithoutabandoningandbeenpresentwithout

managing.”

“OmiandSharonledmethroughsomeofthedeepest,mostcreativeandthoughtfulexercisesI’veeverexperienced.”

3)TheAcademyallowedparticipantsthespace,time,andsettingtomakeconnectionsandlearnfromoneanother.Participantsattestedthat:

“Itwasgreat–sorarelyareweblessedwiththisamountoftimeandspaceforreflectionandbuildingwithothers.IfeellikeIhavecreatedreal,mutual,vibrantrelationshipsthatwillserve

ourmovement.”

“Itisgreattonowhaveanewcommunitytopracticemyvaluesandvisionwith.”Theconnectionsparticipantsmadewitheachother,theirmentors,andfacultyarekeyinmanifestingthelearningsandintentionsintoapathwayforaction.Peerlearningandnetworksupportwillallow

13

themtogainabetterunderstandingoftheirroleinthenonprofitsector,aswellfosterpotentialnewopportunitiesandconnectionsfortheirfuturework.4)ParticipantsappreciatedhowtheAcademywasclearlyathoughtfullyandwell-preparedexperience,stating:

“Carefullycraftedexperience”…“Curated”…“Incrediblyintentional.”

“Everythingwasdonewithpurpose…seldomhaveIbeenthroughanintensive(workshop)thatwassoskillfullydelivered.”

TheThousandCurrentsAcademyisastrategicallycultivatedexperiencecenteredonself-reflection.Itisdesignedtochallengeparticipants’preconceptionsandtaskthemwithapplyingthelearningstoreachtheirownconclusions.ParticipantsnotedtheAcademysucceededincreatingimpactbyplacingparticipantsintherightsetting,andaskingthemtherightquestions.5)ParticipantsappreciatedhowtheAcademywasscheduledtoallowspaceandtimetodigesteachmodule’scontent,stating:

“Iappreciatedthatthepace,content,andsessionsdidnotfeeloverwhelming.IappreciatedhavingshorterdaysandlongerdaysandbreaksinbetweensothatIwantedtobeinsessionpretty

mucheachmomentthatIwas.”

“(I)lovedthespaciousness.”AnimportantaspectoftheAcademy’scuratedflowwashowparticipantsweretakenoutofaWesternized,fast-pacedsettingandintoonewherereflectionandprocesswereemphasized.Participantsenjoyedthis,astheybelieveditallowedthemtotrulydigestandembracetheAcademy’simportantlessons.ThesestrengthspaintapictureofwhatThousandCurrentsAcademywas,aswellaswhyitwassoenjoyable,transformative,andimpactful.WewilltakecaretocontinueincludingthesestrongpointsinplanningfutureAcademies,soitssuccesscontinues.AreastoImproveInadditiontopositivefeedback,afewparticipantsgaveconstructivefeedbacktoimprovefutureAcademies.SomeparticipantswishedtheAcademygavethemmoreinstructiononhowtocreateimpactwiththeiractivities.Forexample,participantsoffered:

14

“Iwanted…abitmorepush.PerhapsifIwereafunder/donorwhodidn’thaveaverycleanpictureofwhatwasatstake,Imaynothavegottenallthewaytheremyself.”

“Iwouldhavelikedtotalkabouthowwecanhelpeachotherorexamplesofhowfolkshave

collaboratedinthepast.”

AnotherparticipantstatedthattheywantedtoknowmoreabouthowThousandCurrentsconductsourowngrantmakingactivities.Thisfeedbacksuggestswemetourgoaltogroundingrassroots-ledpracticesoffundingandaction,andcouldgofartherinsharingconcreteexamples.Participantsalsocommentedtheywouldappreciatemoreparticipationandfacilitateddiscussion,declaring:

“(I)Lovehearingwhatpeopledo–butIalsowouldlovetohearmoreatadeeperlevel.”

“Idowishwehadmorediscussiontimewithfellowparticipants.Wedidalotoutsideofscheduledtime,butIwouldhavelikedmorebackandforth.”

Participantsappreciatedtheopportunitytotalkamongstthemselvesandafewexpressedtheywouldhaveappreciatedmoretimetodoso.Networkingisapowerfultoolandparticipantswhocamefromdiversebackgroundscouldgainfromadditionalexchange.Oneparticipantsuggestedthatweofferdiscussionpromptsforparticipantsduringbreakstofurtherfacilitatemeaningfulexchanges.D.ConclusionsOverall,thiscohortofImpactInfluencerscamefromadiversearrayoforganizations,bigandsmall,newandold,focusingonawidearrayofactivities.Regardlessoftheirbackgroundsandresources,allparticipantsreportedbehaviorandmindsetchangethatwillpositivelyinfluencetheirworkinthesocialsector.OuranalysisshowsthattheApril2017ThousandCurrentsAcademywashighlyimpactful,well-organized,inspiring,andeducational.Participantscommittedtodeployingresourcestograssrootsorganizations,createstrongerpartnershipswithgrassrootsorganizations,andgainamuchbetterunderstandingoftheirownroleasgrassrootsphilanthropists.ParticipantsalsoratedtheAcademyfavorablyonallcomponents:content,faculty/facilitators,venue,materials,organization,andlogistics.Intheirwrittenfeedbackfromsurveys,someparticipantstestifiedthefollowing:

“(TheAcademywas)transformativeinadeepway.Ifeelconnectedtomyself,community,mydeepdesireforsocialchangeonanewlevel…Ihopetocarryitforward,likemany,manythings

thisweek.”

“Iamwalkingawaytrulytransformed,andfeelingmorealignedwithmypurposeandmywork.”

15

“Iamleavingwithdeeperinsightsintomymissionandvision,andmybarrierstolivinginthem.”

16

E.Appendix–Open-endedParticipantFeedbackThisappendixcontainsparticipants’open-endedresponsesinthepost-Academysurvey,organizedbytheme.

AcademyStrengthsImpactfulandTransformative“Iamwalkingawaytrulytransformed,andfeelingmorealignedwithmypurposeandmywork!”“Iamleavingwithdeeperinsightsintomymissionandvision,andmybarrierstolivinginthem.”“Transformativeinadeepway.Ifeelconnectedtomyself,community,mydeepdesireforsocialchange–onanewlevel…Ihopetocarryitforward,likemany,manythingsthisweek.”“Lifechanging.Seriously.Inagoodway!”“Transformative.Onsomanylevels”“Veryimportantandresonantandaffirming.”BuildingCommunity“Itwasgreat–sorarelyareweblessedwiththisamountoftime&spaceforreflection&buildingwithothers.IfeellikeIhavecreatedreal,mutual,vibrantrelationshipsthatwillserveourmovementaswellasmyselfandtheotherperson.”“Itisgreattonowhaveanewcommunitytopracticemyvaluesandvisionwith.”“Somanygoodthingsdonetohelpusconnectaspeople.”“Itwasintense,butinareallygoodway.Inoursociety,youseldomgettoconnectwithpeopleinsuchanauthenticway.”AcademyContentandExperience“Everythingconvergedbeautifullytotakethebestoutoftheparticipants.”“Ifoundalloftheworkshopandmodulestobeextremelyuseful.”“Ienjoyedeverysinglemodule.”“Unanticipatedlyhelpful…modeledathoughtful,focused,approach.”“Carefullycraftedexperience.”“Curated.”

17

“Incrediblyintentional.”“Everythingwasdonewithpurpose…seldomhaveIbeenthroughanintensive(workshop)thatwassoskillfullydelivered.”“Toomanysmallmagicalmomentsthatwereeffectiveandsealedthemoment&learninginanimportantway.”“Awe-inspiringcontentandpeople…thoughtfulandcomplexandloving.”“Excellent.”“Iappreciatedthatthepace,content,andsessionsdidnotfeeloverwhelming.Iappreciatedhavingshorterdays&longerdaysandbreaksinbetweensothatIwantedtobeinsessionprettymucheachmomentthatIwas.”“Lovedthespaciousness.”FacilitationandFaculty“Thefacultyaresuchbeautifulspirits-Ifelthonoredtobeinyourpresenceforsuchaspaciousamountoftime.”“Thefacilitatorswereawesome,andverygivingoftheirexperienceandexpertise.”“Wewerehelpedandsupportedbeautifully.Thefacilitatorswereknowledgeableandheart-centered.”“Ireallyappreciatedhowthestaffmodeledwelcoming&calmanddemonstratinganxietyandhecticnessarecontagious.”“ThefirstdayofgroundinginourbodiesandourselveswithSharonandOmi!Itsetthetone.”“Ienjoyedallofthefacilitators,butIparticularlyenjoyedSharon&Omi.”“SharonandOmiweresogreat.”“Ienjoyedeverysinglemodule,butwasparticularlystruckbyMattandTwoTrees!”“TheprotocolwithTwoTreesandMattwasINCREDIBLE.”“LovedMattandTwoTrees’moduleinthenature.”Venue“Lovetheaccesstonature,freshairandopenspace.”“Beautifulplace!Greattohavethenaturalenvironmentsopresent.”“Venuehelpedfacilitateeaseandcomfortwhichallowedformybodyandspirittorelaxinto

18

acceptanceofthenourishment.”“Resourcesforgettingaway.”“Thislocationwassobeautiful,whatagifttogettospendalmostaweekhere.Ineverwanttoleave!”

FeedbackfromParticipantsTranslateideasintoimpact“Iwanted…abitmorepush.PerhapsifIwereafunder/donorwhodidn’thaveaverycleanpictureofwhatwasatstake,Imaynothavegottenallthewaytheremyself.”“Iwouldhavelikedtotalkabouthowwecanhelpeachotherorexamplesofhowfolkshavecollaboratedinthepast.”MoreTimefordiscussion“Lovehearingwhatpeopledo–butIalsowouldlovetohearmoreatadeeperlevel.”“Idowishwehadmorediscussiontimewithfellowparticipants.Wedidalotoutsideofscheduledtime,butIwouldhavelikedmorebackandforth.”Pre-readings“Wouldhaveliked…discussionaroundthepre-readings.”“Itwouldhavebeennicetohavereceivedthewelcomepacketearlierforbetterpreparation.”MentorExercise“Ididnotlovethe‘mentor’bit…Iwouldhaveratherhaveformedatriadwithfaculty&participants.”“Ithinktheremaybemoretothinkthroughabouthowthementorsareintroducedintothewholegroup.”Organizationofmodules“Organizationofmoduleshadanunderstandablearc–maybecouldhavebeentweakedhereortherewithtiming.”“Theorderofmodules…feltlikeitdidnotofferthedeepspacerequiredtofeelintothedecolonizationconversation.Iworrythatrushingintothenextmodulemightleadfolkstonotdelveintotheirownsettlercolonialmindsets.”“Ancestors->Wealth->Visionfeltlikereallyroughtransitions.”“ItwouldbegreattopositionMatt&TwoTrees’exerciseevenearlierintheprogram.”“Cantherebeapart2?!”

19

VenueandLogistics“Pleasebecleareraboutwhenweshouldarrive.Noentrybefore3?”“Gratuityshouldbeincludedintotalcostofacademy,orletpeopleknowtheyneedcashforhotelstaff.”“Thevenueisalittleconfusingformebecauseitfeelslikeit’ssituatedinawhitewesternmodalitythatisalittlecontrastingtomyidentificationofIDEX.”“Mexicansareweirdedoutbythevenue’sdécor.”FeedbackonParticularExercises“Someoftheexercisescouldhavebeenrefinedabittoarriveattheplaceweweregoing.”“Feltthequestionaboutbeingimplicatedlandedinajudgmentalway.”“Ihadmixedfeelingsaboutsomeofthequestionsaskedduringreflection,talkingtothe‘child’whosesongwesentearlier.Didn’treallyresonatewithme.My‘blessings’forthatchilddidn’tfeelauthentic.Ialsostruggledwiththestatureexercise,notsurethatresonatedwithme.NotsureIneededa‘certificateceremony.Itmademefeelalittlecondescendedto,butIcanseehowitwouldhavevalueforsomefolks.”