At your tables, spend time talking with others about the following question:

What does reflection mean to you?

Welcome

Civic Reflection as a Practice

Amy Salinas

Session Description
This 75-minute session will introduce state commission, AmeriCorps program, Senior Corps staff, and other participants to civic reflection: a member, staff, and stakeholder development practice of reflective discussion for organizations that are using service and volunteerism to make change.

The session will include a brief taste of a civic reflection discussion; describe the elements of a civic reflection discussion; talk about how it can used as a critical tool to build individual, organization and community capacity; identify the growing number of programs and organizations that have implemented civic reflection; point to the demonstrated impacts of civic reflection; and lay out ways in which new organizations can take advantage of it.
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Session Outcomes

Engage in a Civic Reflection experience that demonstrates the potential for deep dialogue and reflection; Focus the attention of participants on key areas of the CNCS Strategic Plan and Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act for which civic reflection can play an integral role; Understand the key elements of a civic reflection practice; Showcase states and/or programs that have implemented civic reflection in various ways, with a key focus on the why and impact; and Access resources that can support participants in civic reflection implementation.

AGENDA

Building the Learning Environment

What is Civic Reflection

Getting a Taste What We Did The Bottom Line Keeping the End in Mind Now What? Wrap Up
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What is Civic Reflection?

Group of participants engaged in shared civic activity A highly participatory discussion, anchored by a short, thought-provoking reading

Jumping point for discussing values, beliefs, relationships

Trained facilitator leads the discussion Series of questions - why and what does it mean? (instead of how and what)

Service, Community, Leadership, and Other Key Themes

Why a Reading?
Anchors the discussion - a shared, common object Creates a safe space its neutral and can be disagreed and argued with Adds depth and complexity Connects people to new ideas and diverse perspectives

TRIANGLE
SHARED ACTIVITY/EXPERIENCE

CIVIC LIFE

READING
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Impact of CR
CLARITY
beliefs, values, assumptions, and choices.

COMMUNITY
relationships with others, sense of connection

COMMITMENT
Renews a sense of purpose, increases morale, sustains commitment

Essential Questions
Should we keep a distance from the people we serve? Is my service making an impact on people and community or only on myself? How do service participants talk across difference? How do we make authentic connections both with the people we serve and the people we serve with? Is service simple?

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Opening Question

Think about a time when you were a stranger. What was happening? How did you feel? What, if anything, happened that helped move you out of that stranger mode?

Turn to a neighbor and discuss

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4 Key Elements
1.

Opening Activity or Exercise

gets participants relaxed, breaks the ice, opens them to the reading and larger ideas gets people looking at the text, breaking it apart so that everyone has a better understanding
questions that focus on meaning what is the point, message, larger lesson we are trying to understand typically focused on now what what we want to take12 away from the reading and do differently

2.

Clarification Questions

3.

Significance Questions

4.

Implication Questions

Preparing the Discussion Series

Consider themes like giving, leadership, diversity, etc. Search readings, movies, etc that touch on those theme areas

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Preparing the Discussion

Read the text all the way through a few times Consider themes Identify 3-4 areas of the text you want to explore further with your group Identify potential challenges with text and how you might overcome them Prepare many questions and be flexible for where group might take you

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Bottom Line National Service

Higher rates of retention Increase in renewal of service Improved relationships between and among program staff and service members/participants Development and satisfaction with 70% of participants saying that civic reflection increased their commitment to serve. A fresh perspective for program staff and participants on their day-to-day work and a newfound ability to see the big picture.

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Bottom Line All Spectrums

Skill-Building Civic Engagement Leadership Development Dialogue Across Differences Community Development Retention and Sustainability

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Intermediate Outcomes
Supports retention and job satisfaction Improves individual morale Impacts civic identity Increases team cohesion and collaboration Builds skills listening, communication, articulation, critical thinking, strategic thinking, ability to discuss across differences

AmeriCorps
Founding Principles Getting Things Done Strengthening Communities Participant Development Encouraging Responsibility Expanding Opportunity

INTENTIONALITY

CNCS Connection
CNCS VISION - connect individuals with organizationsSO THAT communities are best positioned to solve problems. President Obama set forth guiding principles for national service: Promote sustained civic engagement and Reward innovation CNCS Strategic Priorities: Service as a Solution; Build Enduring Capacity; and Embrace Innovation

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Question to Ponder

Are we really making a significant difference one that has the ability to create fundamental change in the lives of people, communities, states, and our country, so that when our participants leave they and the community they were in are in a better position to address challenges they see as important?

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Why do Civic Reflection?

Talking across differences is crucial Service (and solving problems it seeks) is value-laden and complex work engages our deepest values and beliefs Effective action requires reflection understanding why we do what we do impacts how well we do it and how long we will do it.

Center for Civic Reflection

Founded in 1998 at Valparaiso University Locally and nationally 42 states 700 facilitators Engaged thousands people in civic reflection discussions

Values
Participation, for everyone. Connection between people and between what we do and who we are. The expression and recognition of difference. Questions, especially those that lead to more questions. Fresh thinking and robust community. Justice and the attempt to find it.

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Resources for Civic Reflection

Web site - www.civicreflection.org Newsletter Resource Library and Facilitators Forum Publications

Thank You!
Amy Salinas CACconsulting@hotmail.com

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