Been mulling over things after coming back from facilitating the Bangkok convening of more than 40 executive directors from different socio-civic movements. What I am taking from the conversations are the following: 1. We are moving towards global shifts around philanthropy and aid- what we knew as funding for socio-civic organizations no longer exists. 2. What makes it worse is that the trillions of funding for these amazing organisations are redirected to far right movements who are desperately trying to keep their power and status quo. 3. In the two loops model, we know that this phase needs people who can hold the “composting” - what needs to die and how can these systems die gracefully? 4. We also know that we need people who can bridge people from the old to the new systems - bridge builders need the capacity to stir people in the possibilities while they are immersed in a sea (if not a tsunami) of change. 5. We also need the walk outs who are dreaming and setting up new systems and for them to be resourced enough to do their work. This means giving them the collective capacities, resources, and connections needed. This entails finding other walk-outs and not working in silos 6. It also means that those holding on to power need people who can mirror the system for them. This is a difficult task yet there needs to be people who can sit with the discomforts of listening and holding space for those in power to understand their needs. It also means holding the mirror for them to see their privileges and what shifts are necessary in their mindsets and practices. This is a difficult task yet there are people who are amassed with so much power and resources who are just “not in the know”. 7. We need to take inspiration from those who have withered the storms and have collectively held these spaces. There are organisations and groups who have been facing a lot of challenges yet continue to build and work on their advocacies and care for their causes. How can we lean into their lives experiences and wisdom so we don’t have to keep on reinventing the wheel?
Thank you for this post Lana Kristine Jelenjev - so much resonates from our conversations with others who are working to support the nonprofit sector during this challenging time. Love the language of "composters" and "bridge builders". I am personally quite drawn to #5 - The Walk Outs. We are hopeful and excited for the possibility of supporting those who want to rethink how the social sector works and set up new systems and organizations. The recommendation for "walkouts" l is spot on - to build something new - we must find each other, break down false silos and work together in new ways.
Aleks P.
1mo
Discussion of systems change, composting the old and what it can look like to foster new more beneficial systems. Connecting people to one another is what I'm working on right now. Tagging folks who could find this info useful: Anubhav Jain Sam Shugart Eric Sliter, MBA Beth Fuller Nivi Achanta Sudha Nandagopal
Great thoughts Lana Kristine Jelenjev, and so true. Knowing when to stop and to part consciously is such an important element of change. In my experience, the education programs of Philippe Bailleur and Leanne Steeghs on organization constellations contain a lot of knowledge on this matter. They are also surrounded by a network of educated and thoroughly experienced professionals. Might be wise talking to each other!
Thank you so much for this! I'm going to let this sink in and I'm sure I'll be coming back to it in the future. It was very generous of you to share your thoughts in this way!
Robyn WHITTAKER
1mo
Lana Kristine Jelenjev clearly this conversation is alive right now!! (Or my linkedin algorithm is working extremely well 🤣🤣🤣). 5th member of my beloved community of practitioners posting on the same topic....!
Kel Dylla
1mo
In the US, so many organizations try to remain apolitical - hoping that this strategy will allow them to retain funders and donors “on both sides”. Right wing organizations are not subtle about their intentions. It’s time for any organization that is trying to hold on to democracy to be loud.
Zairah Khan
1mo
Very valuable insights Lana Kristine Jelenjev and I really love the different roles in this dynamic playing field; bridge building, composting, dreaming, mirroring, holding space and accepting discomfort.
Powerful framing and thinking about how we move from where we are into the future! Thank you for sharing Lana Kristine Jelenjev. Check this out Gillian Marcelle, PhD
Abby Anderson
1mo
So much to sit with and integrate here Lana Kristine Jelenjev Thank you!
Yes - and: to your point, we need the doers and changemakera to be front and center, and the enablers to build some “builder” muscle. The old development architecture has mostly rewarded intermediaries, thinkers, enablers, and the development intelligentsia. We are at risk of repeating these patterns IMHO. These are wonderful insights. And I would ask: what, concretely, will come out of it that will benefit the work on the ground? Who will do it? Who will pay for it? What is being put into place to help emerge the “new” and replace the old?