Here are a series of questions to determine how well your group or organization demonstrates that you see and value your members:
(This series of writings is an experiment—I’m writing a book and releasing it a chapter at a time on Substack, accompanied with podcasts available on Substack, Apple, Spotify, etc. This is the fifth post in the section on Value, and the seventeenth post in the series. I have now numbered the posts that are part of the book, to make them easier to find,)
Checklist:
Does your group or organization foster healthy pride in its members?
Have you established a process for supportive feedback and constructive critique? And do you use it?
Do you make an effort to see one another as full and rounded human beings, not just representatives of a particular identity or function?
Do you encourage sharing healthy pride in members’ heritages? For example, telling ancestors stories? Sharing songs, food, or cultural practices?
Do you distinguish between respectful cultural sharing and cultural appropriation? Do you have a commitment to the future of cultures that you learn from? Do you give back when you receive?
Do you avoid framing every difference or disagreement as a test of moral purity?
Do you make an effort to see everyone's contributions, and even their mistakes, in the light of their full life history?
Do you avoid shaming, blaming, and name calling?
Do you make efforts to establish friendships and full relationships that go beyond the immediate needs of the moment?
Is it the norm in your group to treat others respectfully?
Does your group or organization have a culture of appreciation? Do you thank people for their work regularly, including those whose work is behind the scenes?
Do you have concrete ways of showing appreciation, for example, on your songs, awards, certificates, or special gifts?
Do you acknowledge and celebrate victories, even partial ones?
Do you create opportunities for people to share their stories: life stories, stories of struggle, ancestor stories, movement history?
Do you make an effort to include people of varying abilities and needs? Examples might be providing childcare, ASL interpretation, scholarships, accessible meeting locations, etcetera.
Do you have a way to let newcomers know what the norms and expectations are in your group?
Do you show up for each other's celebrations, life passages, or creative endeavors?
Do you offer practical support for group members when it's needed? For example, jail support, legal support, support after a death or a natural disaster? Even something as simple as a ride home?
Do you offer emotional and trauma support in challenging situations, or advocacy to help people find the help that they need?
Are you committed to valuing the relationships you create as well as the work you get done?
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This post has been syndicated from Starhawk’s Substack, where it was published under this address.