Call to Action Day

Question: Explain your participation in Call to Action Day. In what ways did the activity reflect any of the themes we have explored so far this semester? In what ways did it reflect any of the values expressed in the Hallmarks of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur?


On Thursday, March 31st, I participated in Notre Dame de Namur's Call to Action Day which was a wonderful and inspiring experience. I signed up to be a facilitator and was trained by Lakiba who is the Director of the Office of Campus Diversity. During the hour long training, she discussed the puropse of Call to Action and the fall event, Day of Action. As a college institution that is dedicated to service and community engagement, it is important to reflect that in the day to day workings of the university and set an example for the community's we would like to impact. This activity was very much related to the ideas we have been discussing in the State and Local Government course with Professor Andrews. What I found the most interesting is that State and Local Governments are just macrocosms of the individuals who live in them. Each city has different needs, issues, and systems which are dependent on the needs and issues of the people in the community. As a leader of a community, it is crucial to understand what is exactly taking place in your city or county or even state. It is important to have many people from different backgrounds and situations, come together to discuss how problems can be solved and what the best plan of action should be. Many of us in the groups were surprised at the experiences which others had been subjected to including, racial profiling, bullying, harassment, and most of all judgement and assumptions about who they really were. It was so interesting to learn about different peoples life experiences and how these were similar or completely different from another or my own experiences. At the end of the day we all felt a little more open and I feel that it was a good discussion which covered not only racial topics but financial and political issues. The whole day was a reflection on the community and definitely brought the Hallmarks of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur into the conversations. All of us were open listeners and embraced the gift of diversity by providing support to our group members as they shared their story and we honored the dignity and sacredness of each person by giving their feelings and experiences validity.We educated ourselves to act on behalf of justice and peace in the world by learning about the different experiences people have and how that related to our own lives and place in the community. We learned a lot more about not only the members of our group, but the general NDNU community. and Finally we helped and committed ourselves to develop holistic learning communities which educate for life as we had pledged to do our part in creating better and more understanding environment in NDNU and beyond.

The vision/purpose for the day was: to take pause as our NDNU Community provides discussion and learning that can help inform and provide context for students who will be going out into diverse communities in the fall for Day of Action Day. It was also looking to engage students, staff, faculty, observers in meaningful and authentic conversations around a national current issue (Black Lives Matters) and what that brings up in terms of how that relates to their reality and the NDNU reality and experience.  Participants were encouraged to share their own experience of when they felt left out, not included, not accepted, etc.  opening the dialogue to a range of subjects relevant to each participant. The point was to listen to people who may have had a different experience than yourself and come to realize they are “Just Like Me.”

It is hoped that students, staff and faculty have connected, voiced their concerns, shared their stories, developed understanding and/or empathy for the concerns of others, created themes and a vision and by the end of the day are able to make a proclamation about a positive vision of who and what we can be and what NDNU can be – here on campus and as we move out and serve the broader community.

Below are some points that were provided to Facilitators to help manage the day and groups. I had a few other facilitators in my group which helped to keep the conversation going.

Agenda for the day:

·         Opening – Lakiba – go over agenda, explain the purpose, the schedule, guests, facilitators – describe the day. Sr. Teresita Weind SNDdeN will do an invocation by SKYPE. Unveiling of art – artist speak.

·         Keynote – Dr. Bobby Vaughn

·         Breakout to assigned rooms: Scheduled from 11:15 – 12:30 – lunch on the lawn from 12:30 – 1 Back in the Library from.  (You have the choice of continuing to meet with your group during lunch, or not.)

·         1-2:30 – Report outs from breakout groups, speakers, conclusion

Break Out Groups

Introduction:  ~11:15-11:30 am

Logistics:

Identify a timekeeper (alert ~ 12:15 to assess where you are in the process) – Identify a reporter.  Have 3x5 cards and markers or pens ready. Write ground rules on the board (or use power point slide).  Feel free to add to the ground rules.

Opening:

First, introduce yourself and then say (something like)

Today we’re taking time to reflect on the current issues of the day – as discussed by Dr. Bobby Vaughn and to see what we can share and learn from each other about our own experiences.

Ground Rules:

·         Be respectful of others who may have a different opinion that you

·         Be aware that some of these issues are triggering and may bring up different types of emotions

·         Know that this is a safe space and when we share with the broader group we will only share main themes, but not anyone’s individual sharing in particular – unless agreed upon

·         Something may come up for you that you don’t feel comfortable sharing in the group

·         These are sensitive subjects but ones that we can discuss – especially in an institution of higher learning. 

·         We’re not talking about these issues to make anyone purposely uncomfortable, yet we realize that often we don’t talk about these issues so they remain unresolved.

o    If you would like to discuss your issue privately, please contact the hosts of the day:  Jim McGarry, Lakiba Pittman, Dr. Bobby Vaughn, your R.A., Student Services or Counseling.

Moment of Reflection

Begin my having them close their eyes for a few minutes of reflection.  For example:

·         I’d like you to get comfortable in your chair and close your eyes.  Breathe naturally and normally and just take a few moments to reflect on the purpose of the day and everything you’ve already heard.  See what comes up for you and just allow your thoughts to come up with no criticism.  Just be mindful of what your thoughts and feelings are.  Okay… Open your eyes.  Give them a moment.

Facilitator Shares:

·         Now you should begin the session with your own statement – connecting to the theme of the day – or something you just heard in the opening or in Dr. Vaughn’s keynote first.

·         Share your own personal story

Encourage Others to Share: ~ 11:30-12:30 pm

·         Going around the room, encourage others to share

o    As you listened to Dr. Vaughn, what came up for you?  If no one says anything, be prepared to ask questions to get the comments going – or feel free to call on someone.

o    Possible questions:

§  Who could identify with what he was saying? (raise hands)

§  Is one of you open to sharing what came up for you?

o    What did you hear that was familiar – or unfamiliar?

o    Why do you think it’s so difficult to talk about issues about inclusion or race?

o    How do you think we can get better understanding between people of different cultures?

o    Can anyone share anything that has happened in the community you grew up in?

Share and discuss the climate survey results – See Page 3.

After the discussion - decide what you will share with the larger group

·         Identify major themes

·         Get suggestions on how we can really live out NDNU’s hallmarks and make NDNU a school where everyone feels included and has an equal opportunity to self actualize and realize their goals

·         Think about how the learnings of the day can help students be more connective and effective when they go out into the community in the fall – for Day of Action Day.

Proclamation exercise. 

Have students close their eyes and take a moment to reflect on the breakout session – what they heard, what they felt, what they learned.  Have students create a vision, make a commitment, make a proclamation, make a pledge… say I will … Participants will write their vision on a 3x5 card and bring it with them to the meet-up in the library. For example – “I will be the change I want to see.” “I’m starting with the man in the mirror.” “I will do more to reach out and connect with people I do not know.” “I commit to participating in the Day of Action in the fall.” Etc.

CAMPUS CLIMATE SURVEY RESULTS

% who have had a personal experience of exclusionary behavior at NDNU:

28% of undergraduates said yes

35% were freshman

40% were sophomores

27% were juniors

18% were seniors

12% of graduates said yes

Who behaved that way toward you?

51% - student I knew

29% - student I did not know

19% - faculty I knew

What was the location of the exclusionary behavior?

32% classroom

27% residence hall/apartment

20% dining hall

12% parking lot

11% library

Percent that felt NDNU was free of racism:                Percent that felt NDNU was free of sexism:

White 85%                                                                                                            White 70%

Asian 86%                                                                                                            Asian 75%

Latino/Hispanic 56%                                                                                         Latino/Hispanic 63%

Black 44%                                                                                                            Black 56%

Discuss – Possible questions

·         What comes up for you when you see or hear these results?

·         Can you describe a time that you felt excluded at NDNU

·         Why do you think there is such a difference in the results about racism?

·         Are you aware of things happening on campus that might create these different views?

Hallmarks of a Notre Dame de Namur Learning Community

The Hallmarks of a Notre Dame de Namur Learning Community, developed by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur in collaboration with SND learning communities, are:

1. We proclaim by our lives even more than by our words that God is good.
2. We honor the dignity and sacredness of each person.
3. We educate for and act on behalf of justice and peace in the world.
4. We commit ourselves to community service.
5. We embrace the gift of diversity.
6. We create community among those with whom we work and with those we serve.
7. We develop holistic learning communities which educate for life.

- Time Sheet Status - 

Total Time Invested: 16 hours

Time with CP: 5.5 hours (CTA day participation+Training)