Eligibility Requirements
Qualified organizations will have a social justice-oriented mission, and will commit the organization to an exploration and integration of Council practice. Each organization must designate three to six representatives to complete a two-day Council Training Workshop, offered in the fall of 2019. Dates currently identified for the two-day workshops are September 21 and 22 and October 11 and 18.
Organizations selected to participate must be able to commit the personnel and time required to implement the project and also recognize and believe in the value of bringing Council practice into the organization.
In most cases, active participation of members of leadership is key to enduring success of this program, so we request that leadership be directly involved or, at minimum, committed to supporting the project throughout.
Organizations selected to participate must be able to commit the personnel and time required to implement the project and also recognize and believe in the value of bringing Council practice into the organization.
In most cases, active participation of members of leadership is key to enduring success of this program, so we request that leadership be directly involved or, at minimum, committed to supporting the project throughout.
Frequently Asked Questions
HOW MUCH DOES THIS COST?
There is no charge for the Organizational Wellness Project. All expenses for the project are provided through a generous grant from the Angell Foundation.
WHAT DO WE RECEIVE?
The Organizational Wellness Project provides a six month program consisting of an experiential introduction of Council practice in 10 hours of community building sessions for the organization, a 16-hour training workshop in the practice of Council for 3-6 designees from your organization, follow-up sessions, and additional individualized consulting.
The project includes budget for refreshments for the community building sessions.
A final networking event scheduled for spring of 2020 will provide an opportunity to engage with other current and previous project participant organizations.
The project includes budget for refreshments for the community building sessions.
A final networking event scheduled for spring of 2020 will provide an opportunity to engage with other current and previous project participant organizations.
WHERE ARE THE SESSIONS HELD?
The 10 hours of community building Council sessions will be held at your organization site. The 16-hour Council training will be hosted locally at a site to be determined.
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE IN THE PROJECT?
Participant groups will be primarily staff members of the organization, but may also include board members, volunteers and other key community members and stakeholders. Designees to the Council Training should in most cases be staff members, to be identified during the community-building sessions.
WHAT DO WE NEED TO PROVIDE?
We ask Organizational Wellness Project organizations for the time commitment needed to successfully bring Council to your organization. Participation in this project will require that staff participants are released from their other duties, and in some cases the organization may need to make special arrangements to ensure this can happen.
WHAT WILL THE PROGRAM DO FOR US?
The impact of the Organizational Wellness Project is unique to each organization. The project is tailored to each participating site. Participants have reported a greater sense of connectedness and mutual understanding, and a heightened ability to listen deeply to one another and to others, including clients and colleagues.
Individually, Council is a practice that fosters greater mindfulness, enhances communication skills, builds more productive relationships and reduces burnout.
For an organization, integrating Council can contribute to greater community resilience and renewed and deepened commitment to the organization’s mission. Council practice can enhance organizational culture and lead to a more engaged, motivated and creative environment. The flexible and non-hierarchical format of Council enables individuals within an organization to create opportunities to voice their story without judgement or critique, making the practice inclusive and equitable to all who participate. Previous organizational participants in this project have reported an increase in cross-departmental collaboration, deepened interest in colleagues’ well-being, and view Council as a way to help manage work-related stressors.
Individually, Council is a practice that fosters greater mindfulness, enhances communication skills, builds more productive relationships and reduces burnout.
For an organization, integrating Council can contribute to greater community resilience and renewed and deepened commitment to the organization’s mission. Council practice can enhance organizational culture and lead to a more engaged, motivated and creative environment. The flexible and non-hierarchical format of Council enables individuals within an organization to create opportunities to voice their story without judgement or critique, making the practice inclusive and equitable to all who participate. Previous organizational participants in this project have reported an increase in cross-departmental collaboration, deepened interest in colleagues’ well-being, and view Council as a way to help manage work-related stressors.
HOW DO I TELL OTHERS IN MY ORGANIZATION WHAT THIS PROJECT IS ABOUT?
Refer them to this website, as well as the application page. Lise Ransdell is available for any questions you may have by completing the form below. If your organization is selected to participate, the first community building Council session can also serve as an orientation meeting to introduce the project and its objectives to your staff. You can also download and share this program overview.
