Changemakers
The Online Community of Changemakers is a virtual forum open to anyone from an insular religious group (IRG) who identifies as a changemaker and wants to challenge the status quo.
We aim to convene activists from across the country who can benefit from learning about one another’s work—and easily connect them through Google Groups! The online forum and virtual meetings provide a critical and designated space for IRG disaffiliate leaders to exchange ideas, share resources, and collaborate.
Disaffiliates participating in our meetings are from vastly different backgrounds, including Christian Scientist, Muslim, Evangelical, ultra-Orthodox Jewish, Hare Krishna, and Jehovah’s Witnesses. We welcome individuals of all backgrounds who desire to advance the rights of individuals raised in insular religious communities.
The Online Community of Changemakers is managed and facilitated by Kyle C, an Ex-vangelical, atheist, and fierce advocate for women’s equity.
Upcoming Events
Navigating Power & Authority Through Trauma-Informed Leadership
Monday, June 30, 5:30-7 pm eastern time
Monday, June 30, 5:30-7 pm eastern time
Speaker: Katie Fong
Ethical, humane leadership within organizations and communities requires navigating the dynamics of power and authority with thoughtful intention.
For communities and individuals impacted by religious oppression, the power and authority exercised by leaders is a common locus of traumatic experience, and thus leadership and collective action by and among these individuals and groups can be fraught or challenging.
Trauma-informed leadership is therefore a critical set of principles for leaders serving communities and organizations impacted by religious oppression to apply.
For leaders who have experienced this oppression themselves, particularly those who have left or deviated from insular religious groups, learning and practicing trauma-informed leadership can also be empowering, restorative, and healing.
This 90-minute virtual session will explore the use of power and authority in organizational leadership through a trauma-informed lens and will introduce a set of leadership principles that can support participants in building their own trauma-informed leadership skill sets.
Participants will engage in private reflection, group discussion, and individual goal-setting to support the integration and application of the trauma-informed leadership practices most interesting or relevant to them.
Learning Objectives:
This virtual session will be designed to support participants to:
- Build or deepen conceptual understanding of power and authority in the context of organizational and community leadership
- Understand the principles of trauma-informed leadership and the practices that support their use
- Identify specific trauma-informed leadership practices that they would like to use within their own organizations and communities
RSVP: This event is exclusively available to members of our Changemakers community. Our Online Community of Changemakers is a virtual forum open to anyone who identifies as an individual from an insular religious group (IRG) and a changemaker working to challenge the status quo for IRG disaffiliates. To join our Changemakers community, sign up here.
Past Events
Mastering the Media: Tell Your Story While Protecting Yourself
Wednesday, June 26, 4:30-6 pm eastern time
Wednesday, June 26, 4:30-6 pm eastern time
Speaker: Jennifer Friedlin
Do you want to tell your story to the media while maintaining your boundaries? In “Mastering the Media: Tell Your Story While Protecting Yourself,” you will learn tips and strategies for assessing journalists, ensuring that your words are not misunderstood, and putting up safeguards to protect yourself. You will also have the opportunity to share your experiences with your colleagues and ask questions.
RSVP: This event is exclusively available to members of our Changemakers community. Our Online Community of Changemakers is a virtual forum open to anyone who identifies as an individual from an insular religious group (IRG) and a changemaker working to challenge the status quo for IRG disaffiliates. To join our Changemakers community, sign up here.
Changemakers’ Fundraising Workshop
Thursday, July 25, 4:30-6 pm eastern time
Speaker: To be announced soon!
Starting to fundraise for the first time and wondering where to start? Looking for tips to take your fundraising to the next level? Save the date for a workshop focused on fundraising for your cause!
RSVP: This event is exclusively available to members of our Changemakers community. Our Online Community of Changemakers is a virtual forum open to anyone who identifies as an individual from an insular religious group (IRG) and a changemaker working to challenge the status quo for IRG disaffiliates. To join our Changemakers community, sign up here.
Approaches to Changemaking: Making Your Idea Possible
Thursday, August 29, 4:30-6 pm eastern time
Speakers: Shirlee Draper, RAR Forum Borgenicht Fellow and director of operations at Cherish Families and Mike McCorckle, attorney and program director of Rocky Mountain Political Law Institute.
Thinking of starting a new organization or initiative but don’t know where to start? Should you incorporate it as a nonprofit? How do you take your big ideas and make them a reality? How do you prioritize when you have limited resources? Join two IRG disaffiliates who have been where you are, part of the early days founding organizations that are now established nonprofits making a difference for IRG disaffiliates. Come with your questions and big ideas to discuss! This is a great opportunity to get feedback and share ideas.
RSVP: This event is exclusively available to members of our Changemakers community. Our Online Community of Changemakers is a virtual forum open to anyone who identifies as an individual from an insular religious group (IRG) and a changemaker working to challenge the status quo for IRG disaffiliates. To join our Changemakers community, sign up here.