Looking back at 2022: hosting long-term emergence
How'd we do?
Looking back to assess: principles and directions for 2022
We guide and assess our work through a set of principles (is our work having its intended impact?) and directions (are we making progress in the direction we intend to travel?). This annual review—the first we’ve published publicly—summarizes evidence and stories to respond to the question, “How’d we do?”
PREVIEW
Principles we sought to apply in our work
- Work to increase relatedness
- Work to empower others
- Make joyful gifts
- Host spaces of becoming
Directions (vectors) we sought to move along
- More long-term engagements
- Explore new models for engagement
- More diverse collaborators
- Practice culture-shifting
“We’re adding ”equity” as a new goal in our strategic plan, and the entire organization believed it mattered and had ideas to contribute, naming how they see the work expressed in their colleagues.” -Nonprofit leader
“You could see the alignment between fifty people. As one group presented, many others perked up and said, ‘Yes! Us too!’ It came through vividly that we are on the same page. We were doing serious work and we’re having fun. We are living the culture we long for.” -Institutional staff member
Fit Associates’ reports
The work of social design and participating in long-term, lasting positive change is difficult, uncertain, and evolving. This is one of a series of reports which Fit Associates creates for its internal use, and which we sometimes choose to share publicly. We do so in hope that some may benefit leaders and groups who share our determination to participate in creating an equitable thriving society.
A glimpse into planning, doing, and assessing the work of social pattern-shifting
Some reports are about learning communities, some are about projects. We won’t say they are rigorous, but they are at least rigorish. They give a glimpse into what it looks like when we evaluate our work by principle and direction (rather than destination).
Report: Deepen Lead Now
How'd we do?
Report: Deepen Lead Now
The pandemic disrupted annual leadership training for a Pittsburgh foundation. They asked us to help.
PREVIEW
Burnout, stress, and desire for community
We started by listening to the cohort of regional nonprofit leaders, and heard several themes of need: people wanted support in better handling stress and burnout, and people felt alone in their challenges. They felt hungry for a supportive community of like-minded and like-situated peers.
Sessions designed to develop connections and practice personal skills
Though it lasted only nine weeks, the community of practice that developed was intensely supportive and generously open. After time dedicated to creating a group culture, we worked with themes of adaptive strategies, refuge, noticing needs, home, and self-care.
“What I thought was a hardworking nature is a complying strategy. I put my personal needs aside, because I want them to think I’m worthy.”
“Learning to listen to myself and create balance in my professional life is completely new to me.”
Fit Associates’ reports
The work of social design and participating in long-term, lasting positive change is difficult, uncertain, and evolving. This is one of a series of reports which Fit Associates creates for its internal use, and which we sometimes choose to share publicly. We do so in hope that some may benefit leaders and groups who share our determination to participate in creating an equitable thriving society.
A glimpse into planning, doing, and assessing the work of social pattern-shifting
Some reports are about learning communities, some are about projects. We won’t say they are rigorous, but they are at least rigorish. They give a glimpse into what it looks like when we evaluate our work by principle and direction (rather than destination).