Orientation: Week 1

Goals

1. To introduce and clarify workshop history, format, agenda, principles, and expectations so that participants fully understand the process and their commitment to it.
2. To provide the space and basis for introductions among participants so that familiarity is established and a foundation for working together in solidarity can occur.
3. To introduce guidelines for respectful behavior that participants will use in the workshop, and that can be used in their grassroots political work.
4. To nourish participants' visions of an anti-racist, social justice society which can strengthen their commitment to doing anti-racist organizing in grassroots political movements for the long haul.

Agenda

• Welcome; Introduction of Workshop Leadership
• Herstories of the Institute for MultiRacial Justice and CWS
• Introduction of Participants
• Workshop Guidelines
• CWS Workshop Goals
• What is the CWS Workshop? Agenda, format, homework, community work, next week's homework Questions

  Break

• Hold on to Your Visions
• Workshop as a Laboratory
• Introducing Practice and Model Respectful Behavior

  Break

  Small Groups:

• Framing purposes of small groups of white activists
• Telling our Stories of how we became grassroots activists
• Frame and Practice "Active Listening"
• Introduce "Pair n' Share" for Active Listening
• Discussion and Questions
• Evaluation: Constructive Criticism is an Act of Love