School of Social Work Faith-Based Community Collaborative Visual Notes

5/21/15

Introducing Consultant:Richard Rivera

The Collaborative Engages in Circle Practice

Members in Attendance:• Mayra Humphreys –Nyack College• Blanche Centeno – Federation

Protestant Welfare Agencies• Kwi Yun – Nyack College• DeVonne Allen – Nyack College• Antonia Clemente – Healing Center• Joel Gibson – Federation

Protestant Welfare Agencies• Steven Stoops – The Salvation

Army Greater New York• Rosanne Placensia – Community

Connections for Youth• Onleilove Alston – Faith in New

York• Abe Emile – Nyack College

Collaborative Success Factors

“If there is no congruence, you are not a collaborative, but a bi-monthly group exploring the idea of a collaborative.”- Richard Rivera

• Success of the collaborative depends on a set of agreements that define commitment.

• Having roles clearly defined sets expectations and accountability.

• Having a bias for action in order to deconstruct them to build trust.

Opening Question:What is an unanswered question that

you have about the collaborative?

• Antonia - How do we become different from other collaborations? How do we insist the values to the work for the larger community?

• Blanche - What are potential projects and opportunities? What are examples of the work of the collaborative?

• Joel - Will the collaborative be able to become a full & active partner in the network of faith-based and community advocates to work to enhance the lives of those in need in NYC?

• Onleilove - Will we collaborate with secular organizations?• Mayra - How can we add value to a student's education? Does what we

do in this room trickle down to the students?• Devonne - What are concrete goals?• Kwi - What will be the first project that we can work on together?• Abe - What will be the process for integrating coursework curriculum to

central faith-based practice?• Rosanne - Is there a timeline for tracking list of goals/milestones and if

so, where are we on the timeline?• Steve - Antonia - How do we become different from other

collaborations?

Following Question:What agreements will hold us in this precious

work we do together?Rosanne: Work together on agendas. Pull together our resources for the success of our collaboration. Abe: Respect for one another's strengths and weaknesses. Time sensitivity for projects. Information sharing. "Knowing, understanding and appreciating the missions and vision of one another's organizations." Vulnerability about struggles.Kwi: Trust. Transparency. Respect each other.Devonne: Communication in open transparency and no hidden agendas. Respectful/Order/Structure. Process for disagreements/conflicts. Prioritize.Mayra: To consistently share resources and actively contribute to collaborative goals. To make room for and honor and leverage the skills knowledge of all collaborative members. To be present and express value for the process. Onleilove: "Dedicate to building a collaborative that reflects the racial diversity of our city."Blanche: Giving it regular attention between meetings. Committing time and resources to the work. Being honest with our hopes and fears. "Remain centered in our faith."Joel: Commitment to the process from beginning to end. Actionable plans/goals. Measurable results. Antonia: Agree to remember what is the purpose that we are doing this for. Agree to show respect and open to opinions that are different from yours.Steve: Always be focused on "the least" of New York City as our constituents/consumers. Focus on our commonality. Speak as if the challenges are opportunities. Leave as friends.

Following Question: What are the “things, projects, results” that most energize us to

movement?

The general consensus for the collaborative was a focus on

internships, professional development and other

student-centered programs.

A Conversation About Measurement:How can we use data to inform our work strategies?

• Richard: What is a potential goal or potential placement for the internship movement?

• Rosanne: student training • DeVonne: using interns as a part of

the process• Mayra: symposium is an outcome

and defining what "faith-based" means for each organization.

• Antonia: defining faith-based practice for students

• Kwi: measuring student competencies

• Onleilove: have a mix of advocacy practice and organizing

• Antonia: interns are treated as employees

• Steve: location of placement must be key

• DeVonne: focus on student learning

Next Steps

• Richard - every collaboration needs a small work group to fine tune the focus in between the larger meetings.

• Are there any volunteers who would help in that workgroup?

• Kwi, Blanche, Mayra, Richard and a volunteer from CCFY will distill today's discussion in preparation for September’s meeting.

Meeting Adjourned