We Tried it, We Liked it: Sparks Event Inspires Dialogue on Hot Topics
What does it mean to lead in 2023?
What leadership attributes does Western culture reward and uphold?
How is the act of giving away and asking for money changing?
What can men do to be effective allies to women?
Planet Women’s staff and board members have been thinking about how to navigate these important questions as an environmental nonprofit doing things differently. At our recent board and staff retreat in Half Moon Bay, California, we held an inclusive gathering called Sparks of Change to explore three topics—Male Allyship, Philanthropy & Fundraising, and the Leadership Paradigm—as a community. In this post, we’ll share how it worked for us and tips for doing something similar at your organization.
Sparks of Change participants at Miramar Farms. © Brenda Berry.
How we structured Sparks of Change
Close to 30 people gathered at Miramar Farms, a serene and beautiful place that provided an ideal environment for fostering connections and driving impactful change. Beyond board and staff, we welcomed community members representing for-profit and nonprofit organizations that work on environmental protection, social justice and sustainable development. A picnic lunch just before the event allowed participants to feel nourished, meet one another, and settle into the farm’s relaxed pace. As Miramar Farms co-owner Jayne Battey said when we arrived, “It’s a good day to go slow.”
Miramar Farm’s lovely barn allowed everyone to gather in one large circle. For each of the topics, two or three storytellers sparked a discussion by speaking for 10-15 minutes. Then the floor was open to anyone to share their perspectives. Each topic lasted around 45 minutes and after all of the discussions, we invited each person in the circle to make a commitment (more on that below!). Here are the three topics:
Male Allyship led by Hank Cauley and Karl Morrison: This conversation highlighted the importance of men supporting gender equity and creating inclusive environments. Presenters shared personal stories of their journey to become better male allies, discussing ways to dismantle harmful gender norms and biases within society.
Reimagining Philanthropy and Fundraising led by Micaela Heekin, Annie Schouw & Lisa Sheffer: Recognizing the transformative power of giving, this conversation explored the evolving landscape of community-centric philanthropy and fundraising. Participants discussed the importance of making an ask, equity-oriented fundraising models, and changing our mindset to positively impact pressing social and environmental issues. They shared insights on effective fundraising strategies and explored opportunities to support causes that empower women and marginalized communities.
Leadership Paradigm led by Janet Nguyen & Nina Hadley: This thought-provoking dialogue challenged traditional notions of leadership, urging participants to reimagine and redefine successful leadership. Through discussions on feeling seen in leadership as a woman and collaborative approaches, attendees explored their leadership roles by learning about 100 Women Pathway and Regenerative Leadership models.
Sitting in a circle in the barn at Miramar Farms. © Planet Women.
Creating the conditions for sharing and engagement
We intentionally designed Sparks of Change to help create a new leadership paradigm in the environmental and social justice movements. To do that, we aimed to foster connection between participants, share in collective learning, and generate powerful commitments for positive change.
Each storyteller shared authentically, blending their personal and professional experiences and learnings—and that inspired participants to do the same. In rich conversations, we explored the nuance of these topics and challenged each other to expand our thinking and deepen our understanding. The event created an inclusive and supportive space where open-mindedness, curiosity, and respect were cherished, forming new relationships and networks that will strengthen women-led environmental solutions.
Translating learning to action with commitments
After the discussions, each person in the circle shared their Spark commitment—a declaration of the action they will take to drive positive change. This was a crucial and powerful part of the event. Attendees made pledges to support women-led solutions through financial contributions, resource mobilization, personal growth and networking. Participants acknowledged the power of collective action and collaborative approaches in maximizing a supportive ecosystem for women's success to support conservation.
Miramar Farms is full of beauty. © Planet Women.
What we would do differently next time
One of our values is “Be Inclusive,” and we have ideas for making our next gathering even more inclusive, especially for participants who are new to Planet Women. Next time, before starting the Spark conversations, we will have a moment of connection for everyone in the circle to say hello to one another and get all voices in the room. Sharing Planet Women’s Community Agreements would also ground the discussions and help create an environment where people feel more comfortable speaking up.
Sparks of Change at Miramar Farms was an exceptional event that transcended organizational boundaries and inspired knowledge, growth, and change. We are so grateful to every person who participated and to the Miramar Farms team for such a powerful and inspiring day!
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