Tapping the Potential of Community Engagement: A 4-part Introduction to the Field of Community Engagement

Dates: March 1, March 8, March 22, March 29

Time: 9:00 am – 12 Noon

Where: MCN, 2314 University Ave W #20, St Paul, MN 55114 - River Room

Description: This workshop series is designed to deepen your knowledge, broaden your perspective, and sharpen your skills as you explore the potential for community engagement to create equitable, healthy, and sustainable communities. The sessions are for anyone who is interested in learning more about community engagement, or for those who wish to deepen their work with community.

Session Topics:

• Session 1: What is Community Engagement?

• Session 2: Shifting Power: Moving from Service to Engagement
  

• Session 3: Healing through Community Engagement
  

• Session 4: Moving Forward: Integrating Community Engagement Practices and Shifting Work Culture

Learning Goals:

• Understand the principles and values of community engagement and how it differs from other practices, such as outreach and the traditional social service model.

• Learn how community engagement can make your work more effective.

• Utilize community engagement tools for building relationships, leadership, and ownership.

• Explore how community engagement leads to equity and how understanding equity is essential for effective community engagement.

• Assess your organization’s readiness and capacity to incorporate community engagement as an approach in your work.

*PRE-WORK OPTION: Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) Cultural Exploration: Culture, healing and relationships are central to authentic and sustainable community engagement. Thus, we are offering the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) as an optional pre-work add-on for participants who are interested in more deeply exploring culture and identity, challenges and opportunities connecting across difference and commonality, and how to navigate those differences in community engagement work. Your confirmation email upon registration will have more information and next steps for opting into the IDI pre-work component, which will take place in February 2019 prior to the beginning of the workshop series.*

Fee: Scholarships are available to ensure anyone can participate, no one will be turned away. Contact Angie for details (see below).

• Philanthropy/Corporate Rate: $1000 for all four sessions

• Nonprofit/Government Rate: $600 for all four sessions

• *Additional IDI Pre-Work Option: additional $250 per person for IDI group session and individual feedback session in February 2019 - registration is separate and will come with your confirmation email from one of the above selections*

NOTE: Attendance at all four sessions is required, as this is a cohort experience and each session builds upon previous sessions.

**Please do not register for more than 5 participants from one organization** - this is to ensure a mix of participants from various sectors and backgrounds for a rich, dynamic experience. Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns about this requirement.

Feedback from Previous “Tapping the Potential of Community Engagement” Participants:

• “The series is a challenging, inspiring experience that anyone and everyone can learn and grow from.”

• “I would recommend this workshop series….the conversations, connections, and knowledge learned will help them go from outreach to engagement; from equality to equitable approaches.”

• “It’s very helpful both as an introduction to CE as well as providing more in-depth training for people already working in CE.”

• “Prepare to be challenged and accept that what you’ve been doing needs a new perspective.”

About Nexus Community Engagement Institute: Nexus Community Engagement Institute (NCEI) advances and strengthens communities through equity-based community engagement, both locally and nationally. NCEI is continuing the work of the Building the Field of Community Engagement collaborative. Click here to learn more about our work.

Facilitators and Presenters: The presenters and facilitators are staff and partners of Nexus Community Partners and Nexus Community Engagement Institute.

Contact Angie Brown at abrown@nexuscp.org with questions or for more information about scholarships.