Blessed are the cake buyers -- but will they get promoted?
I’ll admit that this article (and ones related to it, like this one, and this one) hit hard. Though I work remotely now, I have never worked in an office setting where it wasn’t a woman who shouldered the responsibility of the celebrations that are a crucial part of company culture. What traditions exist at your organization? Who keeps them going? Who adds birthdays to the office calendar, and circulates the card? Who knows the favorite dessert to request from the kitchen team for a celebration?
So much of the desire for this return to a shared physical workspace focuses on the culture of an office, from holiday parties to familiar faces at the front desk to the ability to simply pop our heads into others’ offices for quick questions…
The assumed and unsaid expectations run deep: even if you’re not initially asked to buy the card or the cake or the decorations, once you do it, it morphs into your role, your responsibility. And the research shows that this may come with career consequences.
I’ll admit that this article (and ones related to it, like this one, and this one) hit hard. Though I work remotely now, I have never worked in an office setting where it wasn’t a woman who shouldered the responsibility of the celebrations that are a crucial part of company culture. What traditions exist at your organization? Who keeps them going? Who adds birthdays to the office calendar, and circulates the card? Who knows the favorite dessert to request from the kitchen team for a celebration?
So much of the desire for this return to a shared physical workspace focuses on the culture of an office, from holiday parties to familiar faces at the front desk to the ability to simply pop our heads into others’ offices for quick questions…
The assumed and unsaid expectations run deep: even if you’re not initially asked to buy the card or the cake or the decorations, once you do it, it morphs into your role, your responsibility. And the research shows that this may come with career consequences.
Survey Shows People Want To Discuss Social, Political Issues At Work
We’re not working at Facebook and Google, but we still need to ask how our employees and volunteers’ social and political lives impact their work.
Gartner found that “68% of employees would consider quitting their current job and working with an organization with a stronger viewpoint on the social issues that matter most to them.” It turns out that “employees whose employer has taken a strong stance on current societal and cultural issues are twice as likely to report high job satisfaction.”
We’re not working at Facebook and Google, but we still need to ask how our employees and volunteers’ social and political lives impact their work.
Gartner found that “68% of employees would consider quitting their current job and working with an organization with a stronger viewpoint on the social issues that matter most to them.” It turns out that “employees whose employer has taken a strong stance on current societal and cultural issues are twice as likely to report high job satisfaction.”
Whitness at Work: 5-Part Training for Organizations & Leaders
One of the anti-racism resources that ECCC’s staff and board has been relying on is The Adaway Group’s Whitness at Work trainings. They’re releasing new modules (videos and exercises) that we recommend; the topics include:
Foundations
Organizational Reckonings: Past, Present & Future
Power, Perfectionism, and Cultures of Nice
Trust and Culture of Care
Operationalizing Racial Equity
Sign up now and you’ll have access to the materials until March 2022.
One of the anti-racism resources that ECCC’s staff and board has been relying on is The Adaway Group’s Whitness at Work trainings. They’re releasing new modules (videos and exercises) that we recommend; the topics include:
Foundations
Organizational Reckonings: Past, Present & Future
Power, Perfectionism, and Cultures of Nice
Trust and Culture of Care
Operationalizing Racial Equity
Sign up now and you’ll have access to the materials until March 2022.
How to Be an Antiracist Supervisor: Start with Changing What You Call Yourself
This article from Nonprofit Quarterly asks an essential question: What would we call ourselves if we were not using terms rooted in oppression? What would we do differently?
European management thinkers are credited for identifying the function of supervisors into five roles: to plan, organize, coordinate, command, and control. This mechanization of labor and unrelenting drive for production led to long work hours, unsafe working conditions, low wages, and exploitative child labor…
Recently, that narrative has been shattered by documented accounts of violently sophisticated business practices originating on the slave plantations of the Caribbean and in the Southern states of America.
This article from Nonprofit Quarterly asks an essential question: What would we call ourselves if we were not using terms rooted in oppression? What would we do differently?
European management thinkers are credited for identifying the function of supervisors into five roles: to plan, organize, coordinate, command, and control. This mechanization of labor and unrelenting drive for production led to long work hours, unsafe working conditions, low wages, and exploitative child labor…
Recently, that narrative has been shattered by documented accounts of violently sophisticated business practices originating on the slave plantations of the Caribbean and in the Southern states of America.
Spiritual Bypassing: The Work of Anti-Racism in Spiritual Communities
According to a 2020 study by the Pew Center, 63% of Americans still believe that their churches or spiritual communities should avoid addressing day-to-day social and political issues… For its part, the Black church has a long and storied history of using the church to fight for social justice. As of today, Black churchgoers are the only U.S.-based spiritual group which believes that religious groups should express their social and political views (Pew Center, 2020). But where is the rest of the nation? And if we can’t count on Americans to adopt a race-equity lens even when they are attending to their spiritual growth, how can we expect our society to shift?
Continue reading to dig into spiritual bypassing — the tendency to use spiritual ideas and practices to sidestep unresolved emotional issues, psychological wounds, and unfinished developmental tasks. It can sound like: “Talking about racism is divisive,” or “There is no color, we are all one.”
Ultimately, spiritual bypassing speaks to a person’s discomfort and reticence to address a topic that is outside of their comfort zone.
(Thank you to our equity consultant, Suzanne Edwards-Acton, for sharing this resource.)
According to a 2020 study by the Pew Center, 63% of Americans still believe that their churches or spiritual communities should avoid addressing day-to-day social and political issues… For its part, the Black church has a long and storied history of using the church to fight for social justice. As of today, Black churchgoers are the only U.S.-based spiritual group which believes that religious groups should express their social and political views (Pew Center, 2020). But where is the rest of the nation? And if we can’t count on Americans to adopt a race-equity lens even when they are attending to their spiritual growth, how can we expect our society to shift?
Continue reading to dig into spiritual bypassing — the tendency to use spiritual ideas and practices to sidestep unresolved emotional issues, psychological wounds, and unfinished developmental tasks. It can sound like: “Talking about racism is divisive,” or “There is no color, we are all one.”
Ultimately, spiritual bypassing speaks to a person’s discomfort and reticence to address a topic that is outside of their comfort zone.
(Thank you to our equity consultant, Suzanne Edwards-Acton, for sharing this resource.)
Free Training: Organizational Reckonings
On Tuesday, June 15, ECCC staff will participate in a racial equity webinar with the Whiteness at Work organization. We invite you to join us at this free training.
On Tuesday, June 15, ECCC staff will participate in a racial equity webinar with the Whiteness at Work organization. We invite you to join us at this free training.
The Episcopal Church's Racial Justice Audit Report is now available
On April 19th, The Episcopal Church released a Racial Justice Audit report to the Church and wider community. This report outlines the racial makeup of our church leadership and their experiences of race and racism and details the nine dominant patterns of systemic racism that were identified during interviews with church leaders.
The full report is available here, with an executive summary available here. The bilingual Racial Justice Audit website features report information and a host of related resources.
The Episcopal Church’s Office for Racial Reconciliation is hosting three webinars introducing the report and diving deeper. Register for any/all of the webinars by clicking on the dates below.
Tuesday, May 11 at 6pm (EDT): an overview of the audit and the key findings about systemic racism in the church
Tuesday, June 1 at 6pm (EDT): exploring the nine dominant patterns of systemic racism, that emerged from the interviews, and are a main feature of the report
Tuesday, June 29 at 6pm (EDT): where do we go from here, or how to transform this important work into action in our communities
On April 19th, The Episcopal Church released a Racial Justice Audit report to the Church and wider community. This report outlines the racial makeup of our church leadership and their experiences of race and racism and details the nine dominant patterns of systemic racism that were identified during interviews with church leaders.
The full report is available here, with an executive summary available here. The bilingual Racial Justice Audit website features report information and a host of related resources.
The Episcopal Church’s Office for Racial Reconciliation is hosting three webinars introducing the report and diving deeper. Register for any/all of the webinars by clicking on the dates below.
Tuesday, May 11 at 6pm (EDT): an overview of the audit and the key findings about systemic racism in the church
Tuesday, June 1 at 6pm (EDT): exploring the nine dominant patterns of systemic racism, that emerged from the interviews, and are a main feature of the report
Tuesday, June 29 at 6pm (EDT): where do we go from here, or how to transform this important work into action in our communities
Centering BIPOC Voices: Preparing Camp for Summer 2021
On Monday, May 10th, from 1-3 pm ET OAAARS, and The Summer Camp Society will be hosting a panel of BIPOC camp leaders and youth workers who will have a conversation on what camp would look like if we centered BIPOC folks and the DEI work necessary to do so. This would be a great staff training tool to use for your upcoming orientations and staff training! If you want to learn more, please register here and we really hope to see you all there!
On Monday, May 10th, from 1-3 pm ET OAAARS, and The Summer Camp Society will be hosting a panel of BIPOC camp leaders and youth workers who will have a conversation on what camp would look like if we centered BIPOC folks and the DEI work necessary to do so. This would be a great staff training tool to use for your upcoming orientations and staff training! If you want to learn more, please register here and we really hope to see you all there!
Theologians and White Supremacy: An interview with James H. Cone
This interview took place in 2006.
Because of my faith in God and humanity, I have hope that together we can create a society and world not defined by white supremacy. I still believe that we can do what the Gospel demands—make a new world safe for all. Martin Luther King Jr. called it the beloved community. Even during the last year of his life, when all seemed lost, with blacks rejecting nonviolence and whites rejecting genuine racial justice, King did not lose hope that God could make a way out of no way, that there is a divine power of justice at work in the struggles of the poor that cannot be destroyed. It was truly amazing how Martin could sustain his hope for a beloved community at a time when nobody, black or white, seemed to believe in it or even care.
This interview took place in 2006.
Because of my faith in God and humanity, I have hope that together we can create a society and world not defined by white supremacy. I still believe that we can do what the Gospel demands—make a new world safe for all. Martin Luther King Jr. called it the beloved community. Even during the last year of his life, when all seemed lost, with blacks rejecting nonviolence and whites rejecting genuine racial justice, King did not lose hope that God could make a way out of no way, that there is a divine power of justice at work in the struggles of the poor that cannot be destroyed. It was truly amazing how Martin could sustain his hope for a beloved community at a time when nobody, black or white, seemed to believe in it or even care.
Why Pronouncing Names Correctly Is More Than Common Courtesy
Pronouncing names correctly is "one of those ways that you can really practice anti-racism and practice allyship in the moment," says Tulshyan, the founder of Candour, an inclusion strategy firm. It's "one of those very subtle but extremely important ways to get engaged and really stand up ... for communities that are nonwhite and largely have faced marginalization."
This interview on NPR’s Life Kit podcast discusses correcting your own mistakes and correcting others.
Pronouncing names correctly is "one of those ways that you can really practice anti-racism and practice allyship in the moment," says Tulshyan, the founder of Candour, an inclusion strategy firm. It's "one of those very subtle but extremely important ways to get engaged and really stand up ... for communities that are nonwhite and largely have faced marginalization."
This interview on NPR’s Life Kit podcast discusses correcting your own mistakes and correcting others.
Camp Day of Action for Trans* Justice: April 1st, 2021
Trans* youth in America are under attack. As of this writing there are currently 82 bills anti-trans bills that have been introduced in state legislatures across the country. Most of them are aimed at some of the most vulnerable members of our community- our youth. Some aim to leave trans* girls on the sidelines of sports, and to allow for invasive and traumatic exams for anyone who doesn’t fall neatly into the category of “female” just to be part of the team. Others ban life saving gender affirming medication and make it a felony offense for doctors who prescribe them. Prior to the introduction of these 21% of trans* youth attempted suicide every year (Trevor Project National Survey on LGBTQ Mental Health 2020). That’s 1 in 5. Every year. Without access to equitable treatment, and gender affirming medication experts only expect that number to increase in the coming years.
These bills are taking aim at our campers. For every bill- whether it passes or doesn’t it sends the message to this already vulnerable group that their access to living full lives is up for debate. We cannot always control what is happening in statehouses- but we CAN control what is happening in our camp communities. It is time for camps to make a statement that we will NOT allow this type of transphobia to exist in our spaces. Your trans* campers need you to make a statement. It could save their lives.
Can we count on you to make a difference in the lives of trans* kids this summer?
Sign the Commitment, and take action with the resources here.
Trans* youth in America are under attack. As of this writing there are currently 82 bills anti-trans bills that have been introduced in state legislatures across the country. Most of them are aimed at some of the most vulnerable members of our community- our youth. Some aim to leave trans* girls on the sidelines of sports, and to allow for invasive and traumatic exams for anyone who doesn’t fall neatly into the category of “female” just to be part of the team. Others ban life saving gender affirming medication and make it a felony offense for doctors who prescribe them. Prior to the introduction of these 21% of trans* youth attempted suicide every year (Trevor Project National Survey on LGBTQ Mental Health 2020). That’s 1 in 5. Every year. Without access to equitable treatment, and gender affirming medication experts only expect that number to increase in the coming years.
These bills are taking aim at our campers. For every bill- whether it passes or doesn’t it sends the message to this already vulnerable group that their access to living full lives is up for debate. We cannot always control what is happening in statehouses- but we CAN control what is happening in our camp communities. It is time for camps to make a statement that we will NOT allow this type of transphobia to exist in our spaces. Your trans* campers need you to make a statement. It could save their lives.
Can we count on you to make a difference in the lives of trans* kids this summer?
Sign the Commitment, and take action with the resources here.
Renewing The Work Of Reconciliation: A Lenten Forum Series
An offering from Christ Church Cranbrook, Sundays, February 21-March 28 at 10 AM ET.
People often use the word, “reconciliation,” and our Scriptures tell us that, through Christ we have been “reconciled to God” and given the “ministry of reconciliation.” (2 Corinthians 5:18). But what does reconciliation mean and what does it involve? In the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries, reconciliation was understood to be a way for communities to acknowledge and address past harms and injustice in order to walk into a new future together. Drawing from this past work, we have asked faith leaders to offer what they believe is the meaning and work of reconciliation today.
An offering from Christ Church Cranbrook, Sundays, February 21-March 28 at 10 AM ET.
People often use the word, “reconciliation,” and our Scriptures tell us that, through Christ we have been “reconciled to God” and given the “ministry of reconciliation.” (2 Corinthians 5:18). But what does reconciliation mean and what does it involve? In the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries, reconciliation was understood to be a way for communities to acknowledge and address past harms and injustice in order to walk into a new future together. Drawing from this past work, we have asked faith leaders to offer what they believe is the meaning and work of reconciliation today.
28 detours from anti-racism, and how to combat them
This resource is worth a deep dive: It offers an examination attitudes or behaviors that detour us from our anti-racist journey of re-education, countered with a reality check and consequence of said detour.
This resource is worth a deep dive: It offers an examination attitudes or behaviors that detour us from our anti-racist journey of re-education, countered with a reality check and consequence of said detour.
Hiring via ECCC's website
Did you know that the Jobs sections of ECCC’s website is far-and-away our most trafficked?
You can submit year-round and seasonal positions through this Google form.
Going forward, we will be strongly encouraging all job posters to include a salary range in posts; it’s an equity issue, and it helps you get more viable candidates. Here are five more reasons why to include salary range in job postings.
Did you know that the Jobs sections of ECCC’s website is far-and-away our most trafficked?
You can submit year-round and seasonal positions through this Google form.
Going forward, we will be strongly encouraging all job posters to include a salary range in posts; it’s an equity issue, and it helps you get more viable candidates. Here are five more reasons why to include salary range in job postings.
Staff Culture: Skipping a Season without Skipping a Beat
Reflecting on all that was lost in summer (and throughout) 2020, American Camp Association is offering suggestions for motivating staff to buy into the unknown of this coming summer. Some of the questions include:
How do we compensate for the gap in leadership experience for staff not at camp this past summer?
How are we going to view, describe, and remember this summer?
How do we create a positive camp experience for kids (and staff) after they’ve been cooped up and trapped in a virtual world where almost nothing has been business as usual?
We also encourage you to visit the materials from our Annual Conference presentation from S’More Melanin, specifically on serving Black and brown communities, and young adults after what they’ve experienced in 2020.
Reflecting on all that was lost in summer (and throughout) 2020, American Camp Association is offering suggestions for motivating staff to buy into the unknown of this coming summer. Some of the questions include:
How do we compensate for the gap in leadership experience for staff not at camp this past summer?
How are we going to view, describe, and remember this summer?
How do we create a positive camp experience for kids (and staff) after they’ve been cooped up and trapped in a virtual world where almost nothing has been business as usual?
We also encourage you to visit the materials from our Annual Conference presentation from S’More Melanin, specifically on serving Black and brown communities, and young adults after what they’ve experienced in 2020.
Let's Get Well: 2021 Intentions with the Absalom Jones Center
Thankfully, we have transitioned from a wildly unprecedented year that left us in need of healing as individuals and as a nation. The "Let's Get Well" campaign has created the following empowering intentions to help start the healing process. We invite you to embrace, practice and share them as declarations to a better you and nation.
Thankfully, we have transitioned from a wildly unprecedented year that left us in need of healing as individuals and as a nation. The "Let's Get Well" campaign has created the following empowering intentions to help start the healing process. We invite you to embrace, practice and share them as declarations to a better you and nation.
Upcoming My Work To Do Sessions, including part 2 gatherings
Our friends Suzanne Edwards-Acton and Beth Bojarski coordinate these 5-week, super accessible anti-racism sessions. Gather for an hour each week for 5 weeks, watch a video or read an article, and discuss with a small group. These session are specifically intended for white people to build stamina for discussing racism and systemic injustice in our lives, communities, and the world.
Our friends Suzanne Edwards-Acton and Beth Bojarski coordinate these 5-week, super accessible anti-racism sessions. Gather for an hour each week for 5 weeks, watch a video or read an article, and discuss with a small group. These session are specifically intended for white people to build stamina for discussing racism and systemic injustice in our lives, communities, and the world.
William Barber, and the question of faith and politics
The Rev. Dr. WIlliam Barber was recently on the New Yorker Radio Hour to discuss Jesus, faith, and politics.
Rev. Dr. Barber is a Visiting Professor of Public Theology and Activism at Union Theological Seminary, a 2018 MacArthur Foundation genius award recipient, and the co-chair of the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival (which is the recipient of ECCC’s conference offertory; you can contribute here.)
The Rev. Dr. WIlliam Barber was recently on the New Yorker Radio Hour to discuss Jesus, faith, and politics.
Rev. Dr. Barber is a Visiting Professor of Public Theology and Activism at Union Theological Seminary, a 2018 MacArthur Foundation genius award recipient, and the co-chair of the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival (which is the recipient of ECCC’s conference offertory; you can contribute here.)
Restorative Justice Training for Camp Leaders
The Summer Camp Society is offering a Restorative Justice training course for camp leaders. It's a once a week course for eight weeks (Feb 1-March 8) and costs $199. If you use RESTORE when you register, you can get $50 off.
If you have questions about the program, Paris Ball participated last fall, recommends it, and is happy to share about her experience.
The Summer Camp Society is offering a Restorative Justice training course for camp leaders. It's a once a week course for eight weeks (Feb 1-March 8) and costs $199. If you use RESTORE when you register, you can get $50 off.
If you have questions about the program, Paris Ball participated last fall, recommends it, and is happy to share about her experience.
MLK Moral Monday Prayer Service
Join Presiding Bishop Curry, and the National leaders of the Poor People's Campaign in a MLK Moral Monday Worship Service, Monday, January 18 at 10am PST/1pm EST.
The National Interfaith Service of Love, Light and Leadership will bring the nation together in prayer to build the beloved community with Love tied to Justice, Light grounded in Truth, Leadership rooted in a Moral Agenda for the Nation.
Join Presiding Bishop Curry, and the National leaders of the Poor People's Campaign in a MLK Moral Monday Worship Service, Monday, January 18 at 10am PST/1pm EST.
The National Interfaith Service of Love, Light and Leadership will bring the nation together in prayer to build the beloved community with Love tied to Justice, Light grounded in Truth, Leadership rooted in a Moral Agenda for the Nation.