Center for Civic Engagement Retreat5 January 2010
AM SESSION
It was good to see everyone at Diane's palatial estate: Cathy, Michael D., Lena, Jennifer B-K., Diane, and Greg.
Campus Climate
Us v. Them
Negative vibe (mistrust, budget cuts)
Measurable outcomes = the bottom line
Holes left from JR-T's departure
Assumptions and Possibilities
Personal
Seeking/Finding balance
Nurturing relationships
Self-care
Transition
Creating structures (rather than personalities) that sustain the work
Other Issues
"Good organizing is reorganizing."
Partnerships and grants
While the personnel within the CCE has morphed over time, our numbers have not grown significantly.
I'd love to hear what happened in the afternoon session.
It was good to see everyone at Diane's palatial estate: Cathy, Michael D., Lena, Jennifer B-K., Diane, and Greg.
We spent the morning session participating in "The World As It Is, The World As It Should Be" training. It was great conversation, and in recap, we identified certain elements in the world as it is that the Center needs to recognize and address.
Photo by JVConti
Flickr Creative Commons
Flickr Creative Commons
Politics
pressure on accountability/measurable outcomes
new possibilities
partisan/ideological division
tough economic times
young people are engaged, but they are tired of the "old ways"
Hope <---> Impatience
pressure on accountability/measurable outcomes
new possibilities
partisan/ideological division
tough economic times
young people are engaged, but they are tired of the "old ways"
Hope <---> Impatience
Campus Climate
Us v. Them
Negative vibe (mistrust, budget cuts)
Measurable outcomes = the bottom line
Holes left from JR-T's departure
Assumptions and Possibilities
Personal
Seeking/Finding balance
Nurturing relationships
Self-care
Transition
Creating structures (rather than personalities) that sustain the work
Other Issues
"Good organizing is reorganizing."
Partnerships and grants
While the personnel within the CCE has morphed over time, our numbers have not grown significantly.
I'd love to hear what happened in the afternoon session.
PM SESSION
Purpose of the CCE
Foster internal relationships
Develop external partnerships
Train faculty/staff/students
Connect students with community-based learning/research/action opportunities
What have we done (fall semester)?
Community Conversation on homelessness, housing and hunger
Development of Master Academic Plan goals 7-10
Convened bi-weekly CCE meetings
Strengthened our relationship with CLPC
What should we focus on for Spring 2010?
Continue work with Social Responsibility Caucus to define Civic Engagement in the context of MCTC
Develop activities and outcomes for MAP goals 7-10
1 to 1 campaign with administrators and others
Visits to department and division meetings
Establish web presence and enhance communications
Explore partnership opportunities with the CTL
Community Events: sustainability fair, CCE block party, HPHP & WAY, Public Agenda Collaboration events (1/21/10 3:30-5:30 and 1/22/10 2:00-4:00)
Next Year
Continue to define Civic Engagement at MCTC
Build CCE identity
Participate in organizer training
Offer leadership and organizer training for students
Participate in conflict resolution skills training
Regain institutional support for faculty role in CCE
Organize/host/facilitate public fairs and events
3-5 Years
Accountability and assessment activities
Increase number of participants in CCE and corresponding support for involvement
Establish steady funding stream/institutional support
Establish a physical space/home for the CCE
Provide a range of community organizing services both internally and externally
Provide conflict resolution services internally and externally
Thanks to Greg for posting the PM session notes. A couple of thoughts: given the focus of our administrative colleagues, I wonder if it would be better to list "Connect students with community-based learning/research/action opportunities" as our first priority (and I am not sure if this list was in priority order or not). Also, I am really pleased that the 1:1 campaign is a piece of the work to be done this spring. I would love to be a part of the strategy session for this. Will we do an abbreviated training and power mapping prior to initiating the campaign? Finally, I was a bit surprised to see the Civic Engagement Block Party on the list of things to do this spring. My surprise is rooted in our experiences with it in the past (the amount of time it takes to organize and work turnout, primarily). Just surprised, folks - not opposed.
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