IMPACT Chicago Board Meetings: Building Community

In the potluck line at the
December 2019 board meeting

At the December 2019 Board Meeting, Janette Scott, outgoing IMPACT Chicago board chair, thanked everyone for coming, made some final remarks and then turned to the person sitting next to her, offering her hand to start the closing circle. As each person spoke, some smiled, others chuckled, and a few shed some tears.  IMPACT board meetings have always been this way--board members doing the work of the organization while also expressing their passion about ending violence, working for empowerment for all, and appreciating the contributions of each person sitting in the circle and all those who are not present but who are also dedicated to the IMPACT Chicago mission. 

Janette Scott, Outgoing Board Chair

Until December 2019, IMPACT Chicago Board meetings have been attended only by board members, with an occasional volunteer visiting to share or gather information for a project. Admin Team Co-Leader Lisa Amoroso came up with an idea for a new board format which board members enthusiastically embraced: invite other members of the IMPACT community--graduates, supporters, instructors, class assistants and other volunteers--to a potluck dinner preceding the board meeting and to the board meeting itself. In addition to board business, Lisa also suggested that we add an educational component to our meeting. At the last board meeting, newly elected board member Tara Brinkman did a short presentation on empowerment self-defense, created small groups for focused discussion, and then lead a whole group discussion. It was an engaging discussion (and the potluck was fantastic, too)! We have exciting ideas down the road: a discussion of bystander intervention, gender inclusiveness, and more. 

 Maple Joy and Martha Thompson

#IMPACTChicago #IMPACTBoardMeetings #IMPACTBoardMembers #IMPACTVolunteers #SelfDefense #IMPACTChicagoBoardMeetings #IMPACTChicagoBoardMembers #IMPACTChicagoVolunteers