BRASS TACKS Episode 1 – GETTING UNDER RACE
Ok, we've got Trump – So, where do white allies go from here? What does it mean for white folks to work with other white folks on race? That's just part of the questions we explore this month on Brass Tacks.
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After you listen to Episode 1, check out these resources we mentioned that we wanted to share with you in the pursuit of stronger power building ties across race:

The heart of my insights for this episode came from a great talk by @JillisBlack (Thanks Julisa D.) https://vimeo.com/196017944

This letter crystallized an example of the types of tough, and loving conversations we need to be having more of: http://www.aaihs.org/an-open-letter-to-white-liberal-feminists/ 

I'm excited by the the grassroots organizing of Showing Up For Racial Justice (SURJ) all over the country - check them out here: http://www.showingupforracialjustice.org/why_is_it_showing_up_for_racial_justice 

Ally bill of responsibilities:
http://www.lynngehl.com/uploads/5/0/0/4/5004954/ally_bill_of_responsibilities_poster.pdf

A guide to allyship from Oberlin College: https://new.oberlin.edu/dotAsset/2012201.pdf 

Guidelines for being strong white allies: http://www.racialequitytools.org/resourcefiles/kivel3.pdf 

Debby Irving's 21day racial equity habit building challenge: http://www.racialequitytools.org/resourcefiles/kivel3.pdf

Why "I'm not your racial confessor" from Gene Demby and others: http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2016/12/the_black_person_s_burden_of_managing_white_emotions_in_the_age_of_trump.html

Thanks again to Shanna Cox of Project Tipping Point for submitting a great question!  Don't miss her great work here :
https://gotippingpoint.com/

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Want to get your question answered? 

Send us your questions, ideas, and challenges in putting your ideas into action. Text, email, or tweet us.  nicola@upwithcommunity.org  or  @nicolamchin  

BRASS TACKS by Nicola Chin with audio production by Caroline Losneck

Episode 1 BrassTacks

BRASS TACKS Episode 2 VOLUNTEERING FOR IMPACT 

This month, we discuss Charles Urquhart's question: "In this great time of need, how do I find the right/most impactful place to volunteer and make a difference?" I deeply wrestled with this question for several months in 2016, and I share my learning from that struggle. 

If you are an individual, seeking to connect for more brainstorming - email me at nicola@upwithcommunity.org. 

If you are an organization trying to create more compelling and impactful volunteer opportunities let's talk! - drop me a line.
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DO YOU have a burning question you wanna ask Brass Tacks? 

Send your questions, ideas, and challenges in putting your ideas into action. Text, email, or tweet us!  nicola@upwithcommunity.org or @nicolamchin

BRASS TACKS by Nicola Chin with audio production by Caroline Losneck

Episode 2 BrassTacks

Oh hi there. Still listening? 

In this extra audio for Episode 2, Nicola gets into how she hopes to build more relational and impactful volunteer opportunities.   

Give it a listen and then drop Nicola a line nicola@upwithcommunity.org

EXTRA EXTRA Episode 2 BrassTacks

BRASS TACKS Episode 3 BUILDING REAL RELATIONSHIPS WITH COMMUNITIES ACROSS LINES OF DIFFERENCE 

Let's dive in this month to Carol Wishcamper's question: "What skills or tools can help teams and organizations seeking to engage new communities in their work?" 

My response to this question depends on how much alignment the organization has had the opportunity to do on living their values. 

Here are some skills/resources I suggest for those that are ready to dive in more deeply:
On dialogue: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/233406.Dialogue
On empathy: https://www.sharonsalzberg.com/lovingkindness/
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Let's connect to find the right tool for you - contact me at nicola@upwithcommunity.org

BRASS TACKS by Nicola Chin with audio production by Caroline Losneck

Episode 3 BrassTacks

BRASS TACKS Episode 4 MIND THE GAPS  

Around 80% of all diversity, equity and inclusion efforts fail. https://hbr.org/2016/07/why-diversity-programs-fail  Many times, our best laid plans for change on equity or inclusion fail because we bring the wrong frameworks, benchmarks and metrics for change to these projects. We treat Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) projects like other more "technical" projects. 

But DEI  projects are different than other types of projects your team will take on, and they need different organizational development tools and skills to be successful. Noemi's question this month asks us to consider - How do we mind the gaps? How do we get one step closer to achieving our big dreams by being aware of what special considerations your organization needs to consider in designing a diversity, equity and inclusion project - outside of just making sure you've got great content on race, equity inclusion. etc.

For more on change management, check-out Managing Transitions by William Bridges as a helpful start.

EXTRA: There was one aspect of Noemi's question we didn't get to explore in depth in the recording: "How do we make the case for change, while still honoring the work that has come before?" Change management can help us do this, but I wanted to share a little more detail here on this idea. Many of us have only experienced racial justice or diversity/inclusion conversation steeped in shame or guilt. When that's our approach - we are "calling out" people and undermining what has come before. While it is certainly important to name and own mistakes, transgressions, oppressions that have come before, it is equally important to acknowledge our humanity, intention, and desire for growth. We don't want to gloss over the failures that have made us realize we need change, and we also don't want to ignore the strength and courage of our past that has led us to this moment of change - we need time in the start of a project to own and understand the complexity of our current context.
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As always, thanks for listening and feel free to find me at: nicola@upwithcommunity.org

BRASS TACKS by Nicola Chin with audio production by Caroline Losneck

Episode 4 BrassTacks

BrassTacks EPISODE 5 - MOMMALIFE & SOCIAL JUSTICE WORK
Do they mix? And if yes, then how? 

This month, we are switching things up and sharing a more personal side of change work - motherhood! Enjoy my conversation with our Audio Editor, Carrie Losneck (http://www.carolinelosneck.com/) on the intersection of Mommalife and Social Justice Work.  Settle in for this one, it's longer than normal-about 20 minutes or so.   (PS, Carrie here. Nico uses the fancy word "titrated" which I had to look up and maybe you will too?!)

We'll be on hiatus for a few months while our family settles into new routines, new relationships, and telling the difference between "hands" and "feet". We'll see you in the fall and hope you enjoy our previous episodes.
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As always, thanks for listening and feel free to find me at: nicola@upwithcommunity.org

BRASS TACKS by Nicola Chin with audio production by Caroline Losneck

Episode 5- BrassTacks

Brass Tacks is a conversation about the nuts and bolts of how to move individuals and communities to collective action. By Nicola Chin from Up With Community.

Each month we answer your toughest questions on putting your big ideas into action.  Send your questions to nicola@upwithcommunity.org. Connect to our monthly newsletter at www.upwithcommunity.org