Making change with friends!

A post-election conversation guide

🐞 Pre-reading: Invite folks to read one thing before coming if that would feel good. This can help create a more fruitful discussion by building some context and seeds of ideas.

💬 Opening quote: Start by reading the following quote aloud:

“We begin by grounding in the wisdom of those who have come before us — our ancestors in this work.”

🎵 Welcome Song:

“There’s a Light” by Beautiful Chorus or

“Get Up Stand Up” by The Wailers

💫 Check-in: Welcome everyone. Thank them for coming together at this tender, essential time. Then, begin a round of introductions using this prompt.

🗯️ Prompt: We’ll each share our name/pronouns, and then one word that expresses how they’re feeling right now. Then “popcorn” to someone else. (Host-facilitator should go first and model this.)

🌬️ Breathe: Ask the group to take a soft gaze or close eyes. Invite them to notice the steadiness of Earth beneath us — our bodily connection to the planet we call home. Then take 3-4 slow, deep breaths together.

☀️ Share emotions: Move through these 2 generous questions, ensuring everyone has a chance to share and be witnessed in that sharing. Assure the group that tears are welcome.

  1. What grief do you need to name? Are there particular things you’re afraid of or angry about?
  2. How can we be with and for each other in the days ahead? Is there anything in particular you need support with (feeding each other, checking in, a resource, supporting a loved one)? Is there anything you're able to offer?

🌍 Ground in context: Remind everyone that they are not alone. There are organizations and people who have a vision, resources, and skills that we can learn from and be supported by. There are impactful support systems, strategies, and campaigns which could thrive with more support. There are millions of other people who care deeply, who also long for a more just world, and are awakening to the fact that we all need to help creating it. While this time may feel heavy, it could also be an opportunity for a mass movement of localized care and coordinated action — one that will create a world far better than if we had simply elected Kamala and then breathed a sigh of relief and returned to business as usual.

🌱 Discover paths to action and healing: Move through these 3 questions, perhaps by asking the group to break into pairs

  1. Is there a particular issue you feel passionate about organizing around? How can we work towards protecting our loved ones in the present moment, while also fighting for the structural and transformative change needed for a just, climate resilience, and joyful future?
  2. Are there any local groups you know about that might be worth looking into? What might’ve kept you from that in the past?
  3. Is there a certain skill or interest that could be applied to care and social change, like cooking, emotional support, graphic design, event planning, or reading?

🌙 Closing:

  1. Reflect: Invite the group to go around the circle and each share a few words of wisdom they want to offer to themselves for the uncertain path ahead.
  2. Check in: Would it be supportive to continue meeting regularly to learn, feel, and hone your role in changemaking? Small pods can often be the most effective way to learn and grow, and getting involved in social justice work (while deeply beautiful and nourishing) can also be emotionally challenging. Some people may prefer for it to be a space for feeling and reflecting, while other groups might want to use time together to learn and build skills, book club an article/podcast/book, or figure out next steps in action.
  3. Reap the harvest of the conversation: What groups could you get involved with? What small steps forward can you each take to move towards transformative change? Consider having each person agree to one specific step, such as doing research on something, checking out a local organization or hub, or planning a future gathering.
  4. Read this quote aloud to close:

“First, we grieve. Then, we dig through the ash to find our spark and breathe into it until it flames; then we do deep breath work until it becomes a roaring beacon. The world needs our light more than ever right now. I’m holding you close with tender love and envisioning myself being held as well. Keep reaching out and clasping hands with all of your beloveds and I’ll do the same. We need each other.”

—Sherri Mitchell (Weh’na Ha’mu Kwasset)

🌙 The path forward: If you’d like to continue meeting weekly to care for each other, learn, and keep finding your roles in working towards justice and peace, there are some resources to do so.

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