vision. learning. integration. transformation.
The Learning and Action Circles (LACs) provide a great opportunity for our ROC DC team, including myself, to hone in on specific skills sets that are central to our work in an intimate setting led by Movement Matters, and accompanied by fellow regional organizers who understand our challenges and strengths. My favorite part is the ongoing opportunity to continue to make new connections, and grow stronger bonds with other organizers and other organizations with similar goals and missions.
Candance Cunningham,
2019 Organizing Institute and Advanced Trainings Alumni.
2019 Organizing Institute and Advanced Trainings Alumni.
Learning and Action Circles
We heard clearly from our alumni that there is a strong need for anti-oppression spaces for organizers, popular educators, and community leaders in the DC region to continue building our skills and apply what we learn on an ongoing basis. The lack of staffing capacity at our change organizations often leaves us overwhelmed and barely able to keep up with immediate demands in front of us, with no ability to reflect and improve upon our work. That is simply unsustainable, especially now.
In response, we launched the Movement Matters Learning and Action Circles (LACs). We envision these spaces as a shared workshop where each participant can bring their ongoing projects and have the opportunity to cross-pollinate ideas with peers, access resources, get support in planning and implementation, and deepen their own skills. The sessions are grounded in Movement Matters' Organizing Framework of: relationship, constituency, and power building. The LAC’s cement organizers’ capacities and skills in these areas and continue the learning from our Community Organizing and Popular Education Institute and Advanced Training Series.
In response, we launched the Movement Matters Learning and Action Circles (LACs). We envision these spaces as a shared workshop where each participant can bring their ongoing projects and have the opportunity to cross-pollinate ideas with peers, access resources, get support in planning and implementation, and deepen their own skills. The sessions are grounded in Movement Matters' Organizing Framework of: relationship, constituency, and power building. The LAC’s cement organizers’ capacities and skills in these areas and continue the learning from our Community Organizing and Popular Education Institute and Advanced Training Series.
Whenever possible, the Learning and Action Circles also incorporate additional time for healing and wellness. Using ceremony, acupuncture, somatic movement, expressive arts, meditation, and other holistic modalities, participants have the opportunity to learn, harmonize, and restore in community.
All LACs are free of charge and only open to our training or technical assistance alumni. They take place the second Tuesday of every month from 10AM - 12PM.
To the best of our abilities, we provide our alumni with tailored support including preparing for these sessions so that they can get the most out of our time together and apply the learning thoughtfully and successfully to their work.
All LACs are free of charge and only open to our training or technical assistance alumni. They take place the second Tuesday of every month from 10AM - 12PM.
To the best of our abilities, we provide our alumni with tailored support including preparing for these sessions so that they can get the most out of our time together and apply the learning thoughtfully and successfully to their work.
2020 Learning & Action Circles
Our 2020 LACs begin in March with a special online session focused on Grounding, Personal Vision, Planning, and Relationship Building. This special LAC will incorporate somatic movement, improvisation, journaling, and story sharing to give each participant—as change agents/doers in their communities and in their own lives—the space to catch up with breath, to set intentions for personal and work rooting/growth, and to plan the implementation of those intentions with focus and creativity. We will also continue to build networks of support and relationships of action among participants so we can move our change work forward. The session will incorporate activities from Karina Hurtado-Ocampo's manual: Making Time to Reflect 2019 - 2020
From April to September the LACs will focus on: Coalition and Movement Building, Evaluating Our Organizing Practice, and Cultural Organizing for Constituency Building.
From April to September the LACs will focus on: Coalition and Movement Building, Evaluating Our Organizing Practice, and Cultural Organizing for Constituency Building.
To request information about MM's Learning and Action Circles, or to request LACs in your area, connect with us.
To request information about our Learning and Action Circles, connect with us.
Movement Matters is based in Washington, DC.
We work regionally with various communities and with national partners.
We work regionally with various communities and with national partners.
