The latest from Listen4Good
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March 2022
The Quarterly Word
Themes of growth and rootedness continue to be timely and powerful for us at Listen4Good.
As we get deeper into 2022, we are excited to build out a range of supplementary programming for organizational participants. This includes subscription offerings for those that want to stay engaged with Listen4Good to advance feedback from a programmatic to an organization-wide practice. We are also developing network level offerings that support groups of organizations, or organizations and funders, who wish to learn together as a collective. And finally, we are kicking off a design process to develop next-level programming focused on using feedback to advance equity and shift power to those at the center of our work.
When organizations are able to listen authentically, repeatedly, and consistently with an equity commitment, it changes them culturally and creates new engagement opportunities.
The roots of our programming development are grounded in our belief that feedback can and should be a core component of broader equity strategies. We explicate our thinking about this in our inaugural blog post on Listen4Good Insights noted below. As we describe in our piece:
"When organizations are able to listen authentically, repeatedly, and consistently with an equity commitment, it changes them culturally and creates new engagement opportunities.
While many organizations want to embrace equity, they still struggle with how to operationalize these concepts, as the reality is that our sector has operated in opposition to power-sharing norms for years. So, for us to genuinely and effectively shift practice, we need multiple tools in our toolbox, particularly those tools that give us structure in areas where we’re weak.
To be truly equity-advancing, a feedback practice needs to be more than just technically strong or even action-oriented. Rather, it must:
Collect feedback in a way that prioritizes accessibility and inclusivity;
Prioritize feedback from those who’ve been historically marginalized by prevailing systems; and
Create habitual practices and cultural norms that celebrate questioning and don’t let those with more positional power dictate how things are done. "
It’s easy to say all this but we know it takes ongoing concerted effort. Read on for our thoughts on how to live out these commitments.
And stay tuned for more updates on our new seedlings and programs later this year!
Introducing Our New Blog: Listen4Good Insights
Yes, it’s true! Listen4Good launched a blog, Listen4Good Insights, and we’re excited to share it with you.
In the inaugural post, we dig into feedback as a must-have tool in the toolbox for advancing organizational equity. Grab a cup of tea or coffee and settle in to read it here.
We were honored to cross-post this piece with the blog of the Center for Effective Philanthropy, which consistently features some of the best thought leadership in the social sector.
Bookmark our new blog site on our Resources page and be sure to check back regularly!
Please Welcome New Coaches
As we continue to serve more organizations across the country, our team also continues to grow! Please join us in welcoming two of our new coaches.
First, let's meet Erica Allen, who answers a few fun questions.
What is your favorite season, and why? Summertime, because it's sunny, warm, and you can spend all day vacationing on a beach somewhere.
What are you reading right now? I don't have much time to read with my 3 kids right now...does Wordle count?
What inspires you about working in the feedback space? Meeting organizations that are doing amazing work and so deeply committed to listening to the voices of the people they serve.
And now, introducing Alison Hamburg.
Erica Allen
What is your favorite season, and why? Well, I'm from the Bay Area in California, so we don't really have seasons :) But I would say my favorite is spring because I enjoy sunny weather and watching trees and flowers bloom.
What are you reading right now? See No Stranger by Valarie Kaur
- What inspires you about working in the feedback space? I feel inspired by the opportunity to integrate equity and justice into the feedback space, flipping power structures so that client and community voices are leading the development of new programs and policies.
To learn more about Erica and Alison, along with the rest of the coaching team, please visit our coach’s corner.
Alison Hamburg
Announcing the 2022 Feedback Champions!
Feedback Labs, with the support of the Fund for Shared Insight, has announced nine emerging leaders as this year’s Feedback Champions. This one year fellowship provides support and funding to help leaders further develop their communications skills, including public speaking and writing opportunities, while creating connections with other feedback practitioners.
Each champion receives a grant of $10,000 for their organization to cover their time and participate in the fellowship. Click through to meet this year’s cohort - you’ll see a few friends of Listen4Good in there!
Another LinkedIn Live with Survey Monkey
Last September, Listen4Good partnered with Survey Monkey to produce our first ever LinkedIn Live event together.
Zachary Nunn, the Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging at Survey Monkey, engaged in a lively conversation with me about the various ways that surveys can be used to address inequities in organizations.
We had so much fun that we’re doing it again next month! Please keep an eye on our social media feeds and your inbox - we’ll be sure to announce it so you can mark your calendars to tune in live.
Join us (virtually) in Massachusetts
We’re looking forward to greeting nonprofits in Massachusetts this spring in a virtual informational session, "Using Feedback to Advance Equity Across The Region." We'll co-present with a local organization about their feedback experience and best practices. It's a great way for nonprofits to learn from each other and from Listen4Good, and we're looking forward to meeting new organizations who want to learn more about feedback and equity.
We're still confirming the date and time. To learn more and to be included in this meeting, please contact Sachi Takahashi-Rial.
Next Listen4Good registration deadline: May 15
It’s far, but near…yes, it’s our next registration deadline! Be sure to fill out your registration form no later than May 15 to enter our June cohort of feedback programs.
Each 18-month program includes:
Expert 1:1 feedback coaching
Robust survey design and analytical tools
In-depth resources and technical support
If you are a funder and you are interested in learning more about sponsoring your grantees, please schedule a time for a 30 minute conversation with us.
Organizations can learn more about our programs in any of our free informational webinars. To find a webinar that works for your schedule, please check the schedule here.
Want to chat first?
Check our webinar schedule to find a time right for you
Ready to jump in? Fill out your registration form here by May 15
And that's a wrap! As we say farewell to winter, we're looking forward to another year of growth as we continue on this journey with all of you.
Stay tuned for more from Listen4Good and happy spring!
All my best,
Valerie Threlfall, Managing Director, Listen4Good
valerie@listen4good.org
(617) 283-5915
