Large group interventions for togetherness in organizations & communities

Evangelina and James are conducting a long-term, action research project on how to plan and implement large group interventions that transform organizations and communities from places that market fear, assign fault, and depend on self-interest, to ones that create togetherness and caring for the whole. Each large group intervention needs to become an example of the future we want to create. The actual planning and intervention work is done in small groups which are the unit of transformation. Transformations occur when enough small groups shift in harmony toward the larger change. The small group produces power when diversity of thinking and dissent are given space, commitments are made without barter, and the gifts of each person in the organization and community are acknowledged and valued.

(Adapted from Community by Peter Block, 2008)

Simultaneity:Identity models for the 21st Century

See PowerPoint presentation: NTL DWC Simultaneity. Presentation made by Evangelina Holvino at the NTL Institute June 2010.

Social identity and cultural scripts "at work"

See PowerPoint presentation: Wise and Not so “Wise Latina Women:” familismo, marianismo, respeto and other cultural scripts. Presentation by Evangelina Holvino at Castleton College, Castleton, Vermont on March 18, 2010.

Strategies and skills for managing multiple conversations in the classroom

The goal of this program is to enable teachers to use strategies and skills for managing multiple conversations in the classroom as part of their existing repertoire. Effective teachers know that their role is to lead a conversation rather than dominate it. However, because of the multitude of social differences in today’s classrooms many hidden conversations are going on simultaneously in addition to the voiced one. Examples include the communication that happens between sub-groups through the use of body language or text messaging. The program will enable you to practice the mental, behavioral and verbal skills to identify the disparate multiple conversations going on and to transform them into a learning conversation.

Problematic Moments Approach

Can you recall an instance when something happened in a team you were working in and you didn’t know what to say or, you knew what you ought to say, but didn’t? Perhaps someone said something and everyone became silent; someone changed the subject; you felt anxious, angry, or sad; you could feel the group tension; you wished you had done something differently; you felt upset afterwards, without clarity as to why.

Read more: Problematic Moments Approach