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Strategic Inclusion Plan–Drinking and Diving in
By Kelly Orehovec | September 20, 2007
A group of people gathered last night at Pyramid Breweries’, MacTarnahan’s Taproom last night for great beer, food and fantastic conversation. We were together to discuss the next steps in ASTD-Cascadia’s Strategic Inclusion plan. At first glance, I stumbled over the words “strategic inclusion plan”. I was not entirely sure what that meant. Simply put, ASTD Cascadia is focusing on creating a more inclusive professional association. What does that mean for me I wondered? Last night, I got a glimpse and I know I want more of what I got last night. I got to sit with people who were different ages, different colors, had different backgrounds and different perspectives.
Why is this important to me? Like many of you, I LOVE learning. I am a life long learner that seeks out new and different ideas. Which I think is sometimes hard in Portland. It takes energy. It takes time. It takes breaking out of my normal routine. In Portland, people seem to stick with people who are similar to them. This is not unique to Portland. However, it is safe. I am tired of being safe and last night, gathering with people who are different from me to talk about how we can contribute to ASTD-Cascadia’s Strategic Inclusion plan, I felt excited to make new friends—friends who do not have the same color of skin that I do, are a different age than I am and that have different life stories than I do. It was incredibly exciting and I came home, sat down to have dinner with my husband and wondered when I would get to experience this feeling again.
Fall seems to be here. It is cooler in the mornings when I bike into work. When I watched the Vaux swifts on Tuesday night this week at Wallace Park in NW Portland, the crowd was bundled up with their hands wrapped around thermoses filled with hot drinks. I was lucky to have peppermint tea. It seems the perfect time of year to wrap a blanket around me and cozy up with a good book. Before I get too cozy, I am going to remember what last night’s meeting was like. I am going to put my book down and go find something different to experience, someone that is different than me to meet and I am going to hopefully help ASTD Cascadia figure out ways to be a more inclusive professional organization. And, it is going to be really different—how perfectly exhilarating for a crisp fall day.
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Topics: - Diversity |
September 20th, 2007 at 9:34 am
I was also fortunate to attend last evening’s Strategic Inclusion discussion. Like Kelly, I am a life-long learner…much like a sponge, eager to soak in new information and hear about diverse experiences. And there was much to soak up last night! Two powerful take-aways from our time together:1) Meeting a new neighbor, Tonia. We shook hands and both stated, “You look familiar.” But why? We could have stopped there and not figured out what we had in common. For even though we may look different on the outside, once we got to chatting, we recognized that we live blocks apart and have a true passion for the neighborhood and the local school. Yet another valuable reminder that you need to break down the external barriers to identify the similarities in people. I look forward to walking past Tanya’s home to say hello, and to spotting her girls on the local playground.2)Defining a Culturally Competent Organization via the VisualsSpeak images. Thomas selected a patchwork hot air balloon, noting the clustering of similar colors and patterns, and the overall beauty of the image. He also mentioned the driver (do hot air balloons actually have drivers? Hmmm), and the extensive work to guide the balloon. He then compared that to the natural growth and flow of two magnificent sunflowers. The chapter (Strategic Inclusion committee, as well) is currently in the hot air phase – ideally, we will reach that natural development of the sunflower. I followed his robust description with my own bead image, and noted the importance of connections, both within the chapter and community. A baseball field, a walk on the beach, a boy learning to swim all were described. What a powerful way for the committee to kick-off its first meeting! Thanks to all for a successful start to the chapter’s Strategic Inclusion work, especially to Christine for gathering us together and setting the stage.
September 20th, 2007 at 10:07 am
Wasn’t it amazing to watch people discover how they were connected? It was happening all over the group.
I was moved by the passion each person had for the work, why we came to the table. How we have discovered the richness that emerges from diverse voices, and the commitment to share it with others.
September 20th, 2007 at 4:02 pm
It was so wonderful to observe, share, and enjoy good people, food,and converstation. Learning and wanting to make a difference appeared to be the common thread that held us together. I am accustomed to having the level of conversation exchanged during the meeting with friends and family, where I fill safe. I was safe! I am eager to begin this journey.
September 22nd, 2007 at 11:23 am
I’m thrilled you felt comfortable at the meeting, especially as a newcomer. I do look forward to getting to know you even better as we embark on this journey together.
September 30th, 2007 at 10:00 pm
Yes, so many ways and opportunities to see how different we are. And isn’t it nice to be able to scratch the surface to see all of the similarities also? There are real differences between people. Differences that need to be honored, respected, and embraced. The challenge is not to see the differences. That’s easy and comes naturally. The real challenge is to find the common ground. It’s there. You just have to do a little digging.
Kelly glad you were excited by the meeting. And yes Liza hot air balloons do have “drivers”. Although all of the ones I’ve met are full of hot…. Did I really say that?