We Were Made for this Moment: Finding Your Role in Strategic Activism
In this time of polarization, growing inequality, and environmental destruction, the world needs the gifts that you were born to share. You may not be sure where to use them. You may not know how to use them to greatest effect, or even if you can make a difference at all, but you know you need to do something to work for a more just, sustainable, and loving world. You are not alone! The purpose of this online course is to help you to meet this moment.
What is unique about this course is that it will blend three types of teaching: social change theory, spiritual discernment, and personal empowerment. For example, you will learn about different social change roles and what makes them effective. Then you will practice the tools of inward listening to access the wisdom already within you about what role you are meant to play. Finally, you will explore what gets you stuck and learn tools to help you take action even when you are afraid. These three types of teaching will be woven together, accessing our hearts, minds, and spirits for the work of creating a more just and sustainable world. Recordings of the class sessions will be available in case you can’t make every one.
The next session of this course will begin Wednesday, May 16 and run four Wednesdays until June 6 from 12-1:30pm EST. The regular price for this course is $149, but 350.org is generously subsidizing its members, so you have access to a very special rate of $29, 80% off the regular registration!! A group of five or more can register for $199 (usually $499).
No one turned away for lack of funds – contact Deborah@350.org if you need additional financial support to participate.
My Story
I’ve been involved with environmental and social justice activism for nearly thirty years. During that time, I’ve explored a variety of tactics, from letter-writing and peace vigils to nonviolent campaigning that includes civil disobedience. I’ve also been a spiritual writer and teacher for twenty-three of these years, so I’ve thought a lot about how we can integrate inner and outer change.
Five years ago, a strong call to work for climate justice led me to Earth Quaker Action Team (EQAT), a group that combines smart strategy and spiritual grounding. (See my memoir Renewable: One Woman’s Search for Simplicity, Faithfulness, and Hope for the story of how I tapped my gifts more fully through this work.) As I took on leadership in EQAT, I found I had to work through some internal barriers, particularly my gender conditioning. I also watched others go through a similar process, finding more courage and confidence themselves through their work for climate justice.
Why am I offering this course now?
As board leader of EQAT for over four years, I’ve gotten an increasing number of requests from people who want to make a difference but are not sure how. After hearing the same questions and hesitations a number of times, I started imagining an online course that would combine what I have learned working with EQAT with what I learned from years of teaching “Discerning Our Calls” at Pendle Hill.
On the morning after the election, during silent prayer, the feeling came to me strongly that it was time to offer this course, with follow up available for those who want it. Since then, hundreds of people have participated. Many have told me how the course helped them find their niche, making them more hopeful and effective. If feeling more hopeful and effective sounds good to you, please join us!
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I can’t make every class?
No problem. Each class is recorded, and I usually send out the recording within 24 hours.
How does an online course work? What equipment do I need?
We will be using the Zoom platform, which is really cool and pretty simple to use. Each week I’ll send out a link, and you can join the group through a computer, tablet, or smart phone. Most devices today come with everything you need, but if you are using an older device and want to test it or your Internet connection, you can do that here. You can also call in from an old fashioned landline, but you’ll miss the class visuals.
I see you have two online classes. How do I know which class I should take?
We Were Made for this Moment is a basic introduction to how social change works and how to find your place in it while staying grounded. If you feel you need to do something, but you’re not sure what, this course was designed for you! Building a Nonviolent Direct Action Campaign is for those who have already decided that they want to use direct action tactics, as opposed to phone calls and letter writing. You do not have to take my introductory course before taking the campaign course.
How many people do we need to make a group? And how do we register as a group?
If you have seven people or more, you can use the group rate and divide the cost between you or pay out of your group budget. Have one person fill out the registration form and make one payment on behalf of the group. Then email me at eileenflanagan1 at gmail.com with the email addresses of everyone in the group so they can each receive all the course materials. If you would rather send a check, please send me a message through my site contact page to arrange that.
What does it mean to take the course as a group? Will we all be in the same room?
You can do it different ways. If it’s convenient for you to gather in person, you can watch the presentation part of the class on a screen together and then speak to each other during the small group time. If you are spread out geographically or work schedules make it difficult to meet during class time, each person can take the course from their own device, and then you all can find a time to discuss how the class content relates to your dilemmas at another time. Some have done this follow up in person, while others have set up their own Zoom call right after class to keep the conversation going. If you have questions about the pros and cons or either option, please send me a message through the contact page of this site.
For the group rate, click the faint arrow on the right of the price line of the registration form and scroll down. If you need financial aid to participate, please visit my financial aid page.
