Training Package

Equitable Community Engagement & Decision- Making

This 2-hour training will introduce you and your organization to the Community Voice Blueprint, a four-stage process for engaging with historically marginalized communities with an equitable lens.

In this training, participants will:

• Learn about the four stages of the Community Voice model of engagement: Listen, Connect, Craft, and Reflect

• Reflect on their own experiences making decisions about and engaging people in historically marginalized communities

• Consider the difference between intent vs. impact in our volunteerism, research, investments, or programming

• Learn strategies for maximizing impact and minimizing harm in decision-making and engagement

This training is offered in a virtual setting, open to the public, three times per year.

This training is also available by request, and can be customized to meet the needs of your organization.

Racial equity in community engagement

This 8-hour course starts with a brief history of systemic racism in America. Participants will learn how colonialism and white supremacy cultural norms show up in organizations, why change is vital if we truly seek equity for Black, Indigenous, and other Communities of Color, and tools for doing the personal work to dismantle harmful practices.

In this training participants will:

1. Examine the history of racial oppression in America and how it affects communities of color today

2. Talk about what it truly means to listen to people of color

3. Take a hard look at White Supremacy Culture and how it blocks equitable community engagement & inclusive decision-making

4. Hold space for people to learn, listen, and commit to building representative tables in their organizations

Equity in action: Practical Strategies for community Engagement

In this 6-hour series, VACV staff will invite participants to share their past experiences with community engagement, and suggest strategies for how those efforts can be made more effective by centering people with lived experience. 

In this training, participants will:

1. Learn how to conduct a listening process, and how to listen authentically

2. Understand the value of lived experience as a form of knowledge

3. Learn how to build representative decision-making tables within your organization and in the communities you want to engage

4. Learn how to keep people engaged for the long-term

This training package is normally $15,000. The first three organizations to sign up in 2024 will receive a $3,000 discount!!

Reach out to Florencia Fuensalida at Florencia@vacommuityvoice.org to meet and/or request more information.