Participant Logistics and Preparation:
2023 Organizing Institute (OI)

Monday, May 1st - Friday, May 5th, 2023
​10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
​*Pre-Institute LAC: Thursday, April 13th, 2023
*Post-Institute LAC: Thursday, May 25th, 2023

Welcome to our 2023 Community Organizing and Popular Education Institute! We are excited to work with all of you—another group of dynamic popular educators, organizers, and community leaders sustaining and strengthening change in our communities. 

We are coming together for five days of learning, reflection, and planning so that we can:
  • deepen our values;
  • root our knowledge;
  • expand our creativity;
  • develop relationships of trust and action;
  • strategically create, build, and grow; and 
  • strengthen movements for change in our communities.

​Below you will find logistics and details about the in-person 2023 Organizing Institute and the two virtual Learning & Action Circles.

We expect that all participants will attend the OI and the LACs in their entirety. Each session has been planned thoroughly in sections that build on each other. Limited participation will affect individual learning, organizational learning, and the learning of the group as a whole. Inform us ASAP if you are unable to attend so that we can plan accordingly.
​
​We will do our best to support you, your well-being, and your learning. We are here for you. 
Connect with us if you have any questions.

2023 Community Organizing & Popular Education Institute​ (OI)

click on the tab items to access the information
​
  • ORGANIZING INSTITUTE:
    Monday, May 1st - Friday, May 5th
    ​10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
    ​
    LEARNING & ACTION CIRCLES (LACs):
    Thursday, April 13th;
    1:00 PM - 3:30 PM (*EST)
    Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9184162715

    Thursday, May 25th;
    ​1:00 PM - 3:30 PM (*EST)
    Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9184162715
    ​
    We will open the Organizing Insitute space every morning at 9:30AM. Institute trainers will be available for any questions. 

    ​Inform us ASAP if unexpected events come up so that we can plan accordingly. ​If personal logistics (childcare, health issues, etc.) begin to limit your participation, talk to us. We will do our best to support you and your learning.
  • Organizing Institute Location
    Friends Meeting of Washington
    ​    Assembly Room
    2111 Decatur Place NW (off Florida Ave)
    Washington DC 20008-1912
    (202) 483-3310
    ​Google Map

    ​Dupont Circle Neighborhood:
    There are restaurants, coffee houses and convenience stores less than a 5 minute walk from the Friends Meeting of Washington. There are busy and quiet tree-lined streets in the neighborhood with small "park" areas/gathering places. There are also a few galleries and museums that open daily.

    Neighborhoods nearby include Adams Morgan, Woodley Park, and Georgetown. Not too far are U Street, Mt. Pleasant and Columbia Heights.

    Hotels: 
    ​We put together a list of hotels for your convenience (in your OI Participant Folder). The rates are estimates only. Check directly with the hotel for the rate during the specific dates of the 2023 OI as well as the cost for parking, if that is a need. 

    Transportation
    ​WMATA Metro
    ​Metrorail: 
    Dupont Circle Station: North/Q Street Exit     (7 minute walk).
    Check the WMATA website to plan your trip.

    Metrobus: 
    Bus lines are 1+ blocks away. 
    ​C    heck the WMATA website to plan your trip.

    Other
    Bicycles: 
    There are bicycle racks available in front of the building.
    ​
    Car Parking: 
    ​Parking is difficult. We recommend finding an all-day parking garage. Check for special weekly or daily rates. Try these recommendations (scroll down).
    ​
  • Participant Google Drive Folder
    ​    We have created a Google drive folder where we will add the materials and resources we will be using during the entire OI: 2023 OI Participant Folder. There you will also find the participant roster in case you would like to get to know your peers.

    Training Manual
    We will provide a Movement Matters workbook/training manual at the beginning of the Organizing Institute that will be used in its entirety. Make it your own!

    Space Creation
    We ask all participants to come ready to share, to create community, to learn from each other, to energize each other in positive ways, and to laugh.

    ​We also ask that you come prepared to examine and move past discomforts and challenges in participating in liberatory, creative/arts-based, and non-linear transformational spaces. We will be engaging in movement, play, being silly, and will be using “non-traditional” techniques to create a space for individual and collective growth; we need everyone to show up open to the process and prepared to contribute for the benefit of all. Willingness is the first step towards visioning and molding the space that we want to create together; we appreciate your trust.

    We will have a large assortment of (sanitized) games and art-making materials available to support both learning and comfort. These games and materials have also been carefully selected to provide solid ideas to apply to your own popular education and cultural organizing work.

    Please note that we will be taking photos, screenshots, and brief videos during the weeklong training and the LACs that will be used to create slide shows for OI participants. We may also use a few group and individual photos and/or videos on our website. Let us know if you have any preferences that we should keep in mind.

    The creation of a learning space is an integral part of popular education and community organizing and we at Movement Matters take this element very seriously and joyfully. ​If you have any hesitations about this, connect with us before the 2023 OI so we can answer your questions.

    Somatics & Movement-Based Activities
    We will incorporate somatics and movement-based practices throughout the week to support everyone's physical-emotional-imaginal well-being, as well as integration of the learning. We will also share and review an "Aftercare Support Menu" with techniques to help your body relax and move through discomfort and possible activation. These activities will also provide you with examples to use with your own members and communities to cultivate trust and relationship building practices as well as self-regulation and healing.

    We will also incorporate theater-based activities throughout the week to support skills-development and learning. 

    Be aware of your body's limits as you take part in these activities. Movement Matters facilitators are aware of your mobility needs and will adapt movement-based activities. With your leadership we will support you as necessary. 

    ​Connect with us if you have any questions.
    ​
  • The Assembly Room is large, bright, sunlit space with hard wood floors and access to a kitchenette, a large outdoor deck, and a small garden area. 

    Items We Recommend:
    • Your favorite seat cushion and/or yoga mat. We will also have some clean, new-ish yoga mats available for use at the training.
    • Wear comfortable/movement-friendly clothing and footwear or bring clothing and footwear to change into at the training.
    • A light jacket and/or sweater for moments your body gets cold.
    • Non-drowsy allergy support and special tissues if you are affected by seasonal allergies.
    • Your favorite water bottle and/or coffee/tea travel container as staying hydrated is important for your body.
    • Your favorite pens and journals, and anything else that will help you feel good and spark your creativity as you take notes and process what you are learning.

    Lastly, something(s) that brings you comfort as this is key to keeping you curious/in a space of inquiry, relaxed and more open to integrating what you learn.
  • Snacks, Refreshments and Daily Breaks
    ​Light snacks and refreshments will be set up each day beginning at 9:30 AM. Granola bars, nuts, fresh fruit, herbal and caffeinated teas, and coffee will be available. 

    We will be taking a couple of breaks during the day. You are welcome to serve yourself as necessary.

    In the training room, we ask that you distance yourself from your fellow participants and trainers if you need to have a drink during any session. We also ask that you keep your (N95, KN95 or KF94) mask fully on at all times for your safety and the safety of everyone in the room.

    We will be following dietary requests from the submitted registration forms. With your leadership we will support you as necessary.

    Lunch Break
    We will break every day for 1 hour and 15 minutes for lunch. We strongly recommend that you decide on your lunch location before we break as the time passes by fast. A restful lunch break is important for your well-being and for the retention of information. Participants are welcome to bring their own lunch and can use the kitchenette to store it. 

    There are great places to eat in Dupont Circle! Below is a list of nearby delis, cafes, and restaurants that may be of interest to you and that we know well. They may get busy during lunch hours. Call ahead/order ahead if necessary.

    * Dawson's Market
    4 min walk;     Google Maps Link
    Cafe, juices, smoothies, hot bar, sandwiches, pizza, groceries.
    Hot Bar Menu
    Drinks Menu
    (202) 588-5698

    * Starbucks
    8 minute walk; Google Maps Link
    Coffee, light fare.
    Menu
    (202) 588-1280

    * Firehook Bakery
    7 minute walk; Google Maps Link
    Bakery offering artisanal breads, rolls, pastries, cookies, cupcakes, light fare, and coffee.
    Menu
    (202) 588-9296

    * Teaism
    4 min walk; Google Maps Link
    Loose leaf tea teahouse and fast-casual restaurant offering curries, bento boxes, and other healthy Asian-inspired meals. Accommodates some vegan and gluten free needs; check their menu. (No coffee.)
    Menu
    (202) 667-3827

    * Thaiphoon
    Thai restaurant. Accommodates vegan and gluten free needs.
    3 min walk; Google Maps Link
    Menu
    (202) 667-3505

    * Zorba's Cafe
    5 min walk: Google Maps Link
    Order at counter, fast-food style. Indoor and outdoor tables. All the Greek favorites can be found here.
    Menu
    (202) 387-8555

    * Pizzeria Paradiso
    8 min walk; Google Maps Link
    Pizzeria Paradiso has become an institution for wood-fired Neapolitan-style pizza in the Washington DC area since 1991.
    Menu
    (202) 223-1245
    ​
  • We take our weeklong Organizing Institute very seriously given the concerns of COVID infections and will follow safety policies: our own as well as the Friends Meeting of Washington's. We are keeping watch on all variants and viruses and their impact on vaccinated and unvaccinated peoples. We will be making adjustments as needed as the date of the Organizing Institute grows closer. We will inform you and your organization immediately if anything changes. 

    Connect with us if you have any difficulties in meeting these policies the week before and/or the week of the 2023 Organizing Institute (OI). 

    2023 OI COVID Policy
    1. MM team members will follow the COVID-19 policies. Team members will unmask as necessary in the training room so that they are easy to hear and understand;

    2. All participants will fully mask in the training room and while indoors in the Friends Meeting of Washington facilities. Participants will use a new (N95, KN95, or KF94) mask in the morning, and use a new (N95, KN95, or KF94) mask in the afternoon);

    3. All participants will rapid test the morning of DAY 1 (Monday, May 1st) and the morning of DAY 3 (Wednesday, May 3rd); and

    4. All participants will take precautions to avoid possible exposure to COVID and other viruses the week before and during the week of the Organizing Institute.​


    ​*We strongly encourage organizations to provide at least ten N95, KN95, or KF94 masks and the necessary number of at-home rapid tests to their staff members participating in the 2023 OI so they can easily follow the COVID-safe policies.*  

    ​Connect with us     if you have any difficulties in meeting the policies the week before and/or the week of the Organizing Institute. ​
    ​​
  • Movement Matters' LACs are carefully curated spaces for organizers to build and hone our skills and apply what we learn on an ongoing basis. To find out more about our LACs, visit: Learning & Action Circles. LACs will be 2.5 hours long.

    • The pre-Institute virtual LAC for our 2023 OI will take place on Thursday, April 13th from 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM (*EST).
     
    • The post-Institute virtual LAC for our 2023 OI will take place on Thursday, May 25th from 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM (*EST). 
    ​
    ​LACs Materials
    Here is the link for the shared Google folder where you will find the materials and resources we will be using during the entire OI: 2023 OI Participant Folder.

    LACs Recordings
    We will be recording the LACs to ensure that anyone who cannot attend is able to catch up and rejoin the training flow.​

    You will receive an email from us with the recording link and password. However, please remember that your absence will be felt by the entire group, and that it will keep you from fully integrating and processing what we learn together.

    Connect with us if you have any questions or need to access the LACs recordings.
    ​
  • *Staff members on-call. Text or call us if you need to get in touch.

    Marta Vizueta Bohorquez (she-they)
    202-425-2325 (text or call)*
    marta@movementmatters.net

    Asha Carter (she-her)
    asha.carter@gmail.com

    David S Haiman (he-him)
    202-361-1561 (text or call)*
    ​david@movementmatters.net

    David V. Hunt (he-him)
    david@davidvhunt.com​

    Nawal Rajeh (she-her)
    202-255-9500 (text or call)*
    nawal@movementmatters.net

    Juan Carlos Vega (he-they-she)
    ​​juancarlos@movementmatters.net
    ​
Connect with us if you have any questions.
​
​Movement Matters is based in Washington, DC. ​
We work regionally with various communities and with national partners.
​