Approach

Participatory Action Research (PAR) is the foundational theory that underscores all of our work. PAR actualizes our deeply held value that people who are impacted by change should be involved in influencing that change. PAR involves four steps:

1. Discover and Assess: The first step in our process is to gain a deeper understanding of the group’s history and current situation. With our intersectional lens as a foundation, we collect information from an array of stakeholders through a combination of sources: individual interviews, focus groups, surveys, and observation. Individual interviews provide the most in-depth information, create the most trust in us as facilitators, and build the deepest buy-in to the project, yet are also the most time consuming and, therefore, the most costly. Focus groups come next, with surveys being the least personal and most efficient. We work with clients to determine the best method of connecting with different stakeholders. In addition, we review relevant documents and utilize data already collected.
2. Plan: During structured time together, we share findings and work with the group to determine what the findings mean for them. Through a facilitated process, the team makes sense of the findings, brainstorms, and then prioritizes next steps. Having the right people in the room for those conversations is vital to success, and we work with you to safeguard an inclusive process.
   
3. Implement: Planning has no impact without implementation. For this reason, we build implementation support into our work plans. Implementation support is determined by the outcomes of the assessment and planning sessions. Implementation can include coaching, mind/body/spirit exercises, and small and large group activities.
4. Evaluate: Evaluation is critical to organizational learning and growth. We implement formal and informal evaluations throughout the project and make adjustments as needed. 

Services

We design and facilitate high impact processes that are goal focused and flexible according to the dynamics and emerging needs of the organization. Our work is grounded in helping our clients make significant, measurable shifts that result in lasting culture change. Our projects fall predominantly within these areas:

• Leadership Development and Coaching: We support board development, leadership teams, and executive transitions. We also provide individual coaching to people at all levels of the organization.
• Team Effectiveness: High performing teams increase impact, engagement, and satisfaction. We support internal teams (staff and board), as well as cross-organizational teams via coalitions and strategic partnerships.
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion:  We bring an equity lens to all of our work. When enacted, this value means that we identify, assess, and work to eradicate organizational barriers to equity so that our clients actualize their ultimate vision of social justice. Our approach encourages organizations and coalitions to become inclusive of and responsive to differences at all levels of systems.
• Strategic Planning: We ensure relevant and dynamic strategic plans by designing processes that reflect clients’ unique needs and resources. We facilitate one-time planning sessions and full-fledged strategic planning projects. Strategic planning may include organizational assessments; mission, vision, and value statements; campaign and program strategy; infrastructure development (policies and procedures); sustainability planning; implementation support; among others.
• Workshops: We provide custom designed workshop in all of the areas mentioned above and more. Ask us

A team collaborating on a project.