ACTIVISM SCHOOL: 'TOOL KIT' BUILDS ORGANIZING SKILLS

By Whitney Graham '08

The Tool Kit workshop series, a new program created by Bryn Mawr's Civic Engagement Office, aims to help students build leadership skills. The four-part series meets every few weeks, offering "very practical skills-based workshops that are designed to build on each other," according to CEO Student Coordinator Kristy Fallica '06. Although the workshops were designed as a progressive series, students can reap benefits from any single workshop as well, says CEO Training and Programming Coordinator Ellie Esmond.

The program is an outgrowth of a Grass Roots Organizing Weekend, or GROW, that the CEO sponsored at nearby retreat center Fellowship Farm. Developed by the United States Student Association (USSA) Foundation and Midwest Academy, GROW is founded on the idea that although the issues students commit themselves to change over time, there are certain tried-and-true techniques used by successful organizers, and these can be taught and applied to a variety of campaigns. About 50 Bryn Mawr students attended the retreat.

Last week, the CEO held an open house to promote interest in the series. Esmond, who helped develop the workshops, was excited that many people have already signed up for all four. The workshops will occur every few weeks, interspersed with "Social Justice Socials," informal chats about social issues that the CEO's student coordinators are organizing.

The first workshop, "Mission Possible," facilitated by David Koppisch of the Bryn Mawr Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research, took place on Feb. 11. It dealt with the foundations of group dynamics and goals. These are important team-building abilities for any group, Christina Gubitosa '06 says, "for the health of the club and sustainability" in the long run.

The second workshop, "The 'F' Word: Facilitation," is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 25, from 1 to 4 p.m. in Carpenter Library, Room B25. It will walk students through techniques for club meetings, dealing with conflict among group members and facilitation difficulties. One of the overall goals for the workshop series is to give student groups on campus tools to work better within themselves, but also together in the community. Fallica says she is "trying to facilitate discussion in the groups and clubs on campus that have great intentions, but sometimes get frustrated with their results." Since Bryn Mawr has a great number of clubs for such a small campus, Fallica says, "it really comes down to personal relationships, so (the CEO) is working on networking."

Each Tool Kit workshop is facilitated by someone outside Bryn Mawr's undergraduate community who has particular experience in the featured topic. This, says Esmond, brings "a fresh perspective" to discussions. By the end of the workshop program, students who have attended every session will be awarded a certificate from the CEO and will be featured on its Web site. "Even (for) people who don't have a leadership position, these are still important skills," Fallica says.

The third and fourth workshops, "Beyond the Bake Sale: Creative Fundraising" and "Constructive Reflection and Sustainability," are scheduled for April 1 and 9 respectively; all workshops are in Room B25 of Carpenter Library. Students who are interested in participating in the upcoming workshops can check the Civic Engagement Office calendar for specific information on dates and times, http://www.brynmawr.edu/ceo. Anyone wishing to attend a workshop can contact Ellie Esmond by e-mail at eesmond@brynmawr.edu.

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