November 2024 Newsletter: Recapping “Our Crisis of Belief”; Harwood School 2025 Offerings
“There is a way to meet the moment and deal with our crisis of belief: We need to get on a new civic path.” - Rich Harwood
Recapping “Our Crisis of Belief” Virtual Convening
“What is happening in Logan County is special. But I do not believe it is unique or out of reach for other communities. We are proving that practical, intentional action on things that matter to people really do add up.” - Annette Deao, Grants and Specialized Docket Administrator for the Logan County Court of Common Pleas
No matter who you voted for, the recent presidential election revealed a crisis of belief in our nation. Belief in our institutions, in each other, and in ourselves is flagging. Meeting this moment demands something more than a political response. It demands that we forge a new civic path, starting in our local communities.
This was the focus of our most recent virtual event, where we unpacked what this new civic path looks like through the lens of two communities that are on the move against the odds: Reading, PA, and Logan County, OH. As Migdalia Garcia, the Regional Director of Operations for Communities in Schools of Eastern Pennsylvania, said:
“I don’t want Reading to be known as a political battleground. That’s not the real story here. The real story is the work we have been doing—and will continue to do—every day to forge a new civic path. It’s taking us places we never thought we could go.”
The new civic path starts in our local communities, but that’s just the beginning. Rich told participants from around the country, “We need to sow the seeds. Our work is not to solve all the problems. Our work is not to change the direction of the country overnight. We all know that’s not possible. But what we can do, is that each of us in our own way, and each of us with others, can sow more seeds. And we can grow those and spread the harvest of them all across the country.”
You can watch the full recording of our virtual event “Our Crisis of Belief: Reclaiming a Shared Path After the Election” on our Youtube channel.
Post-Election Statement Featured at Beyond Intractability
Beyond Intractability, an online platform focused on helping people address seemingly intractable conflicts in society, recently featured Rich’s post-election statement in a newsletter. Rich’s statement was posted alongside a message from Kristin Hansen, Executive Director of the Civic Health Project.
“America is facing a crisis of belief—belief in our institutions, in each other, and in ourselves. People of all political persuasions feel left out and left behind. While so many Americans yearn deeply to contribute to moving this country forward, they feel powerless and don’t know where to begin. That leaves us with a critical question: ‘How do we meet this moment?’”
You can read Rich and Kristin’s full thoughts at Beyond Intractability.
The Harwood School Offerings in 2025
Ready to transform your professional life and deepen your impact in your community work? Consider building one of The Harwood School’s upcoming offerings into your 2025 plans.
Getting Started Virtual Lab - April 2025
Our upcoming Getting Started Virtual Lab will equip you with the mindset, tools, and practices you need to create change in your community. Across five weekly 2-hour interactive sessions with our team of Certified Harwood Coaches, this Lab provides the fundamentals you need to Turn Outward, discover what matters to people, and begin taking action in your community.
Harwood Catalytic Guide Program - March-May 2025
The Harwood Catalytic Guide Program is the deepest immersion into The Harwood Institute’s road-tested approach. This program equips you to guide and lead organizational and community efforts that create lasting impact. Held across 13 weekly 2-hour interactive sessions, this is your path to becoming a highly-effective catalyst for change in your community.
Interested in holding an in-person Lab in your community? Send an email to management@theharwoodinstitute.org.
Upcoming Events
Harwood Summit | December 12-14, 2024
Three days. 50 civic leaders. One shared purpose: to come together to wrestle with the challenges we face, to think deeply about who we are and how we’re called to step forward, and to renew our commitment to building a new trajectory of hope in our communities. Learn more about this year’s Summit.
Rejuvenating Ourselves & Making a Real Difference: A Safe Haven for Funders | January 16-17, 2025
Many of our communities are simply stuck or not making the progress we need. We hear repeatedly among philanthropic leaders: What’s the path forward? In response, we’re creating a safe haven for catalytic funders seeking to make a difference in tough times. This funders-only event is scheduled for January 16-17 in Sarasota, FL, and is designed to refresh, reground, and re-energize you as you begin the new year. Learn more.
The Harwood Institute in the News
DeSoto Catalytic Guide Spotlight: Sophia Antoine via The Patterson Foundation
Make sure you follow Rich on LinkedIn to be nourished and supported as we go together.
