Participant Logistics and Preparation:
2022 Organizing Institute (OI)


Welcome to our 2022 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 2022 Organizing Institute (Monday, May 2nd - Friday, May 6th), and the three virtual pre-Institute Learning & Action Circles (Monday, January 31st; Monday, February 28th; and Monday, March 28th).

Please note: 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 unexpected events come up so that we can plan accordingly.
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​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.

2022 Community Organizing & Popular Education Institute​

click on the tab items to access the information
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  • Eaton House
    1203 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20005 (Google Map)
    K Street NW, between 12th St. NW and 13th St. NW
    (202) 900-8501
    4th Floor Lounge and Creators Room

    Please note that the Eaton House (next to the hotel) is a co-working space. We ask our Organizing Institute participants to be mindful of the other groups that share the co-working space.
  • We take the opening and teaching of our weeklong Organizing Institute very seriously given the safety concerns of organizers and their families/loved-ones, and as we move through another winter/spring filled with uncertainty for them, for our communities, and for the change work we are all trying to achieve.

    This comprehensive training will follow strict COVID-safe policies: our own as well as the DC Eaton's. We are closely following 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 to facilitate the creation of a safe space for everyone. We will inform you and your organization immediately if anything changes. 

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

    Safety & Wellbeing
    We have secured a designated ballroom/large meeting space, the terrace (large semi-covered outdoor space), and a separate meeting room for refreshments (all with upgraded ventilation systems and elevated cleaning procedures) to allow us to accommodate all participants in a safe and distanced way. We ask that you carefully read the DC Eaton's COVID-19 policies.

    MM Policies
    1. We are requiring that all participants remain fully masked while in the training space.

    2. MM trainers will follow all of the COVID-19 policies. MM trainers will unmask as necessary so that they are easy to hear and understand. 

    3. We anticipate that not all of our training participants will be fully vaccinated.

    For fully vaccinated participants, we will be requiring:
    • Proof of vaccinations (and boosters, if applicable) prior to the Organizing Institute.
    • Negative results from a rapid at-home test administered the morning of the first day of the OI: Monday, May 2nd.
    • Negative results from an additional rapid at-home test administered the morning of the third day of the OI: Wednesday, May 4th.
    • A commitment to keep exposure to other groups/individuals as limited and as safe as possible the week before the OI and during the week of the Organizing Institute.
    • Use of a new/unworn N95, KN95, or KF94 mask every morning of the OI. Change to a new/unworn N95, KN95, or KF94 mask, after the lunch break, every afternoon of the OI.

    For non-vaccinated or not fully vaccinated participants, we will be requiring:
    • If applicable, proof of partial vaccination prior to the Organizing Institute.
    • Negative results from a rapid at-home test administered the morning of the first day of the OI: Monday, May 2nd.
    • Negative results from a rapid at-home test administered each subsequent morning of the Organizing Institute.
    • A commitment to keep exposure to other groups/individuals as limited and as safe as possible the week before the OI and during the week of the Organizing Institute.
    • Use of a new/unworn N95, KN95, or KF94 mask every morning of the OI. Change to a new/unworn N95, KN95, or KF94 mask, after the lunch break, every afternoon of the OI.

    ​*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 2022 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. ​
    ​​
  • Monday, May 2nd - Friday, May 6th
    ​9:30AM - 5:00PM

    We will open the space every morning at 9:00AM. Institute trainers will be available for any questions. 

    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.

    ​Inform us ASAP if unexpected events come up so that we can plan accordingly.
  • WMATA Metro
    ​Metrorail: 
    Mt Vernon Square/7th St.-Convention Center     (11 minute walk),  Metro Center Station (7 minute walk), and McPherson Sq. Station (7 minute walk). Please check the WMATA website to plan your trip.

    Metrobus: 
    Many bus lines are 1+ blocks away.     Please check the WMATA website to plan your trip.

    Other
    Bicycles: 
    There are bicycle racks available in front of the Eaton House.
    ​
    Car Parking: 
    ​Parking is difficult downtown. We recommend finding an all-day parking garage. Some of them may offer a lower rate for the day if you arrive early.
  • OI 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: 2022 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 each participant 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 play, being silly, and will be using “non-traditional” techniques to create a space for individual and collective growth; we need you to show up open to the process and prepared to contribute for the benefit of all.

    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.

    Lastly, we will incorporate somatics-based activities throughout the OI to support everyone's physical-emotional-imaginal well-being. We hope these activities also provide you with examples to use with your own members and communities to cultivate healing, trust development and community building.

    Space creation is an integral part of 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 OI so we can answer your questions and support you.
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  • ​We will be practicing our moving meditation (from the February LAC), gently stretching from time to time, sitting in a circle on the floor/chairs, moving around, practicing our "4 anchors" (from the March LAC), etc. throughout the week.

    Items We Recommend:
    • You can bring your own, favorite yoga mat. We will also have some clean, new-ish yoga mats available for use at the training.
    • Wear comfortable/movement-friendly clothing or bring comfortable/movement-friendly clothing to change into at the Eaton.
    • A light jacket and/or sweater may also be helpful as hotels can get cold.
    • Since we will be using the terrace/outdoor space, remember to bring non-drowsy allergy support and special tissues if you are affected by seasonal allergies.
    • Bring your favorite water bottle and/or coffee/tea travel container as staying hydrated is important for your body.
    • Bring your favorite pens, work and/or personal journal, and anything else that will help you integrate the learning.
    • Lastly, anything that brings you comfort (special chair cushions, etc.) will also facilitate your learning.
  •  Snacks, Refreshments and Daily Breaks
    ​    Light snacks and refreshments will be set-up each day beginning at 8:30AM in a separate room. 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 go to the snacks/refreshments room and 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) masks fully on at all times (including on the terrace) 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 do our best to ensure that your needs are met.

    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. Below is a list of nearby delis, cafes, and restaurants that may be of interest to you.

    1. Sunrise Deli (2 min walk)
    1220 L St NW #1,
    Washington, DC 20005
    202-371-9810
    7AM - 5PM
    Google Maps Link

    2. Dua Coffee (6 min walk)
    923 15th St NW,
    Washington, DC 20005
    202-347-4404
    8:00AM - 2PM
    Menu
    Google Maps Link

    3.  Corner Bakery (5 min walk)
    1425 K St NW,
    Washington, DC 20005
    202-898-5704
    7AM - 3PM
    Menu
    Google Maps Link

    4. Potbelly Sandwich Shop (3 min walk)
    1050 K St NW,
    Washington, DC 20001
    202-347-1266
    10AM - 5PM
    Menu
    Google Maps Link

    5. Sakina Halal Grill (1 min walk)
    1108 K St NW,
    Washington, DC 20005
    202-637-9770
    11:55AM - 9:30PM
    Menu
    Google Maps Link

    6. Taylor Gourmet (5 min walk)
    1400 K St NW,
    Washington, DC 20005
    202-962-0147
    ​11:00AM - 7:00PM
    Menu
    Google Maps Link

  • To continue the momentum for the 2022 Organizing Institute despite the COVID delays, we have decided to provide three virtual pre-Institute Learning & Action Circles (LACs) to OI participants free of charge.

    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. All LACs will be 2.5 hours long.

    • The first virtual LAC for our 2022 OI will take place on Monday, January 31st from 10:00AM - 12:30PM. LAC Focus: Understanding the DC Organizing Context. 
     
    • The second virtual LAC for our 2022 OI will take place on Monday, February 28th from 10:00AM - 12:30PM. LAC Focus: Understanding Organizing—​Approaches to Community Engagement. 
     
    • The third virtual LAC for our 2022 OI will take place on Monday, March 28th from 10:00AM - 12:30PM. LAC Focus: Strategic Relationship Building. 

    ​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: 2022 OI Participant Folder. In the folder you will also find the participant roster in case you would like to get to know your peers.

    LACs Recordings
    If you missed any of the LACs you should have received an email from us with the recording link and password. 

    Connect with us if you have any difficulties accessing the shared Google Participant Folder or if you would like to access an LAC recording.
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  • *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)
    nawal@movementmatters.net

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