Events

Rights and Religions Forum is thrilled to announce a new pilot program called “Disaffiliates Connect.” 

The purpose of this three-part pilot program is to create opportunities to foster community and mutual support amongst a diverse spectrum of IRG disaffiliates (individuals who have disaffiliated from insular religious group). We hope to also create opportunities for increased collaboration that can affect positive change for IRG disaffiliates.

Each session includes a group of participating IRG disaffiliates and is dedicated to a specific topic of discussion, as follows:

• Session 1: Exchanging Disaffiliation Stories
  (Monday August 10 @ 6:30-8:30 pm EST)
  
• Session 2:  How has my disaffiliation story shaped who I am today?
  (Monday, September 7 @ 6:30-8:30 pm EST)
  
• Session 3: Looking Toward the Future: My Future and the Future of IRG Disaffiliates
  (Monday, October 5 @ 6:30-8:30 pm EST)

The sessions will be led by professional facilitators who are also IRG disaffiliates.

Individuals interested in participating are strongly encouraged to attend all three sessions. Due to limited capacity and our emphasis on developing deep connections among IRG disaffiliates, priority will be given to those who can attend all of the sessions (see the dates and times above next to topics). Diversity in IRG disaffiliate backgrounds will also be given strong consideration.

RARF is accepting applications through this interest form—sign up today!

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.

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.

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.

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.