The Change Network is a robust program with deep pedagogical foundations, grounding in a legacy of social justice and community organizing movement work, led by experienced community organizers, and also distilled in a way that makes all of this knowledge actionable, replicable, and sustainable. This slow, iterative, and intentional process can be applied to virtually any organization’s particular context, history, and unique needs. BUT… there’s still a lot of questions and concerns that many organizations have about how all this could apply to them and what this could look like for your organization. It is normal and understandable to have questions and concerns, maybe even doubts and hesitancies. Every organization we speak to, and every organization we’ve ever worked with has had similar concerns.
Here are some common questions we get about the program from organizations who want to get started in this work, but are hesitant to take the first step.
1. Do you need to already have experience with DEI work to get started with the program?
One question we often get is about prior experience in diversity, equity, and inclusion. Many organizations hesitate to get started because they assume they need some level of past education or training in DEI. But no experience in DEI is required for our program. Our members have varying levels of knowledge in DEI, and we're here to support them across that spectrum with a healthy balance of compassion and accountability. All you need is to know WHY you want and need to do this work, a team, and some level of leadership buy-in. Our motto is that you bring your WHY, and we'll give you the HOW.
2. What is the time commitment?
Our next commonly asked question is about time. We know that organizations are busy! Every single one of us on the OF/BY/FOR ALL team has been in your shoes at some point in our careers. There is always much to do and organizational capacity ebbs and flows. Fortunately, our program is designed to be SELF-PACED. That means you move at whatever speed is needed to support your team, accommodate your organization's other priorities, and foster meaningful relationships with your community. What you do, where you go, and how fast you go is up to you and your community partners—and our team is here to help if you get stuck.
3. What if we don't know what community we want to work with yet?
If you don’t know what community you want to focus on this year, no worries. That's all part of our process. Our curriculum provides structured activities with detailed facilitation guides that will support your team in deciding which community to focus on building a deeper relationship with. You won't need to select your community of focus until Stage 2 of the program. Our team will offer feedback to ensure your decision is aligned with your goals around equity and inclusion. Stage 1 will focus on the internal aspects of your work which will help you gain greater clarity on your goals, your vision, and your ways of working together, making decisions, etc… all of this will build the foundations that will support you to have the deep conversations around selecting a Community of Interest. On average, organizations will not reach that point until 1-3 months into the program, so you have time to make that decision. And remember… this is not the only community you will work with in this way… it’s just the first. So there really is no pressure to make the “right decision.” It’s just about being willing to engage in the process with curiosity and openness.
4. What if we we’re not sure about our team yet?
If you meet the criteria to join the program, we’d still encourage you to apply. You don't need to have a team set at the time you apply, but we’d recommend having some kind of team together in time for the start of the onboarding period (the first month of the cohort you hope to start in). The size and makeup of your team depends on the size of your organization, but for most mid-sized organizations, 3-5 people is perfectly sufficient. Your team may also shift and grow as you move through the program and start to determine what needs, skills, or areas of influence may be necessary to be effective. So also know that it’s very normal and ok to change up your team even after you’ve started the program. The main thing we recommend is maintaining a consistent team champion. If you need assistance in figuring out who should be on your team, check out our article on How to Build a Strong Team. We can also talk with you more in a one on one meeting to help you through any specific questions or concerns you may have.
5. Funding is tight. What kind of payment arrangements can be made?
Funding is usually a common concern for every single organization. And rightly so. We all want to make fiscally responsible decisions for our organization. We also argue that one of the most fiscally responsible decisions any organization can make is to invest in equity. And investment doesn’t just look like time and staff… it also looks like tangible resources: money! What would it look like for your organization to make equity work a non-negotiable budget item and to treat it with the same amount of seriousness as we would our fixed overhead costs? When we treat our equity work like an expendable option to be tacked onto our budgets, it inevitably falls to the back-burner year after year because the truth is funds will always be scarce for whatever we don’t make a priority. Something that always inspires me about this topic is our founding story about the MAH when our Founder Nina Simon became the Executive Director. And alongside Lauren who was our founding Community Catalyst, they committed to this work when the organization was in total financial crisis, weeks away from closing its doors forever. And engaging in the kind of process that the Change Network guides you through, they actually turned the organization around from financial ruin. We need to start seeing these investments in diversity, equity and inclusion as not a drain in our budgets, but as an abundant resource which will give back tenfold when invested in properly. That being said, we do offer flexibility and options when it comes to paying the member fee. The fee is sliding scale to accommodate a range of budgets, we offer a discount for organizations with BIPOC leadership or located in the Global South, and we also offer the option to split up payments to land in different fiscal years. So basically… talk to us! Let us know your financial concerns, and more than likely we will be able to work with you.
6. We’re not sure if we’re ready. Is this the right time to get started?
Truthfully, when it comes to equity and inclusion, you either get started or you don't. And, sadly, many organizations never get started: because they are anxious, are overwhelmed, are experiencing "analysis paralysis", are scared to make mistakes, or for lots of other very valid reasons. But our perspective is once you get going, you'll get better! You'll learn how to ask better questions, see through different lenses, recognize shortcomings and gaps, and much more. The key is to get started. Our program provides small, actionable, feasible steps toward bigger change. We break down the change so that getting started is DOABLE. And you'll be supported through it all with community, accountability, and coaching. You got this! All you have to do is jump in.
7. We’re concerned about capacity. Do we really have the capacity to do this right?
Capacity is something that comes up a lot for organizations. It’s something that keeps them from jumping in and honestly is something organizations continue to navigate as they move through the program. The truth is It’s hard work no matter what… the structure, coaching, and community helps this hard work feel more connected, easeful, and supported, which helps your team keep going even when, and especially when, the work gets hard. When you’re a member with the Change Network, we and your fellow members are here beside you to help you not make excuses… because we believe in you and in your capacity to make the needed changes that will transform the way you work with communities. And even the smallest changes amount to even bigger ones down the road. There’s always going to be a reason to not get started. We challenge you to consider that there is every reason to get started now, exactly where you are at, with the resources you have available to you. You can do it. And we can help.
We're still unsure...
We get it. This work is hard. We see the place of intention organizations are coming from in wanting to have every piece of the puzzle together before getting started in this work. Organization's want to do it "right." They deeply want to change, but this is uncharted territory and the idea of making the wrong choice or making mistakes is scary. It's normal to feel this way... it means that you care.
We also believe fully in being urgent in showing up to our commitments to equity... oftentimes that means imperfectly so. Sometimes it means showing up unready. Sometimes it means investing in the unknown, stepping into the process, and being willing to see what emerges. We can't tell you what will happen if you start. But we can tell you that every time you delay starting, the changes needed to work toward the beautiful, revolutionary future we long for will not happen. Typically what we see is that the longer you wait, the less likely you are to actually start making the concrete changes you say you want to make. If you feel strongly that the Change Network’s tools, frameworks, coaching, and structure can support you to make those changes, we encourage you to jump in now and begin learning, surfacing, and building relationships and see where it takes you. It's going to be hard no matter when you start... but know that we've got your back. We know you're going to do beautiful things with your communities. All you need to do is get started.
If you want to learn more about the program, or need materials to share with colleagues, check out these resources:
