Why an Action Learning Set focused on INGO Transformation?
It is clear that the 'international development' sector needs to change, that our role needs to shift, and that we must build institutions that are truly anti-racist and anti-oppressive. We must let go of the story that 'we' know best and reimagine what we do rooted in a solidarity that heals, rather than perpetuates injustice.
But it can be challenging to lead change within institutions, and the route towards that change can easily get stuck in perfectionism, resistance, or paralysis. Too often, we stumble when change feels hard, resistance feels insurmountable, or we are triggered by the way others respond. We also cannot hope to change our institutions by exhausting and extracting from ourselves and our teams and so there is also the ongoing challenge of balancing the impetus for change with the available time and resources. In this Action Learning Set, I will facilitate a group of leaders leading change in INGOs to work, learn and grow together as leaders of change in our institutions who are able to overcome obstacles so that they can demonstrate the change that is possible.
We created a space to slow down and reflect based on open questions from fellow travellers. I gained so much through it. It never disappointed. Mary Ann created and held open that space for deeper learning. I valued every bit of it and gained insight that would have not come to me otherwise.
Bert Maerten, Head of Transformation, HelpAge International
Who can join this Action Learning Set?
Participants will all be people working in INGOs leading transformational change in how their organisation works, and either CEOs or Senior Leaders with responsibility for leading a significant aspect of transformation. This group will be a place for being honest about and developing strategies for overcoming the day-to-day challenges and obstacles faced in transforming our organisations. The intention is that the group starting in Feb 2025 will have between 6 & 8 participants.
How will the group be run?
This will be online facilitated action learning. I am ILM registered and trained in action learning facilitation, including virtual action learning facilitation, with Action Learning Associates in 2009 and have been running learning sets in the INGO sector ever since. We will meet once a month from Feb 2025 to July 2025 for six months. This will deliberately be a place to explore the work of transformation within INGOs. And so in our first meeting, each member of the group will share the transformation they are working on and together the group will build shared commitments for how we will work together over the coming months. Action Learning focuses on creating space and time to reflect and gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities that you are working with so that you can move forward more effectively. It’s a great place to bring the complex challenges of transformation in our sector at this time, in confidence, amongst a group of peers. Please note that given the participant-led nature of Action Learning, the onus will be on the group members to bring the specific issues that they want to discuss with regard to sector-wide transformation forward.
The time commitment of a three hour session once a month is deliberate. We need to carve out time and space to reflect if we want to lead change effectively.
This was a unique and safe space that Mary Ann created where we could individually share dilemmas and challenges faced in our roles with knowledgeable peers. A worthwhile pause for deeper reflection in the midst of busy schedules.
David Bainbridge, Executive Director CBM Global
What will it cost?
We will meet monthly as a group for six months. The cost of joining the set is £750 per person. Payment in instalments is possible on request. This feels like a fair cost based on what I put into these spaces but I do not want cost to be a barrier to joining the set and so if this cost makes joining prohibitive for you please reach out to me and we can discuss a discount that makes it viable for you to join. When you sign up you are committing to participating for these 6 months. In the final session in July, the group will have the opportunity to review whether it would like to continue working together in this way and any additional sessions thereafter will be optional and by mutual agreement.
When will the group meet?
Virtual meetings will happen once a month on a Friday (morning UK time) for six months starting Feb 2025. The dates for the meetings will be 21st Feb, 21st March, 25th April, 23rd May, 13th June and 18th July. Virtual sessions will last 3 hours with opportunities to turn off your camera, take breaks and have space as much as is needed. Each monthly session will include a chance for some group members to work on a challenge or opportunity in depth, as well as a chance for everyone in the group to reflect in each session on the change they are leading and how it is going. It will also include space for adequate breaks. The initial commitment will be for 6 months after which the group will agree whether participants want to continue working together in this way.
Where will we meet?
They will be held online on Zoom. We will discuss strategies for working online together in this way and preventing ‘Zoom fatigue’ during our first session. If Zoom fatigue is a problem for you, there will be the opportunity to turn off your video sometimes. We will also talk about taking care of ourselves and one another in virtual learning sessions in-depth during our first session. In addition, please let me know if you have any additional accessibility needs so that they can be supported.
Why join a set facilitated by me
Over the past decade, I have worked with many organisations that are on a pathway to change as a consultant, coach and facilitator, as well as instigator and Co-Director of Healing Solidarity and I currently work part-time at ADD International as a Co-CEO with a remit to co-lead transformational change and so I also bring a deep commitment to the change our sector needs to my work as a facilitator of this space. You can read more about me here.
How do I sign up?
Please contact me if you would like to join this group via maryann@maryannclements.com.