Chapter Next Retreat

February 4-6, 2022

Before You Go

Please do some journaling or thinking about this "story of self" question from Marshall Ganz’ public narrative model of community organizing:

In your own life, think about the challenges you have had to face, the choices you made about how to deal with them, and the satisfactions – or frustrations - you experienced.

• What did you learn from the outcomes and how do you feel about them today?

• What did they teach you about yourself, about your family, about your peers, about your community, about your nation, about the world around you, about people—about what really matters to you?

• What about these stories was so intriguing?

• Which elements offered real perspective into your own life?

Some of the moments you recall may be painful as well as hopeful. You may have felt excluded, put down or powerless, as well as courageous, recognized, and inspired. Be sure to attend to the moments of “challenge” as well as to the moments of “hope”—and to learn to be able to articulate these moments in ways that can enable others to understand who you are. Based on these observations, what values do you care most deeply about? What are you called to do?

We'd also like to ask that you download and complete this privilege and disadvantage inventory on your own and then reflect on your answers. Be prepared to share your thoughts at the retreat.