Full Description
We tend to focus on trying to solve big societal problems, the big barriers that separate us, but, as Roberto Vargas argues, the most promising path to change is actually the most accessible and the most universal: the family. In our daily family and friendship circles, we experience countless opportunities to empower, inspire, and support positive change in others. What if we could look at those experiences as the seeds of bigger, broader change? In this new guide for change advocates, Vargas explains how fostering familiathe feeling of connection we have with our relatives or with those we choose to call familyin all our relationships is the first step toward tackling broader problems in our community, our nation, and the world. When we start working for change at this most local of local levels, the relationships we build, and the respect and love that we show one another within the boundaries of family, becomes a model for all interactions with all people.
Contents
IntroductionPart I: The Family Perspective1. Make Family Your CauseFamily Activism Changes Lives (The Backyard Ceremony)Discovering the Obvious Sometimes Takes TimeWhat is Most Important to Us?Activists are People Who Care2. Make Transformation Your Vision Vision Inspires Energy for Change (Our New House)Healthy Families and a Society that Works for All Have You Heard of the Great Turning?Transformation Begins with Your FamilyThe Five Family Principles3. The Familia Approach - You Can Do This!Family is Being for All Your Loved OnesIt's All About Teaching LoveDeveloping Your Family Power is EssentialLiving the Family Approach (Moving In with Mom)Our Strategy is the Familia ApproachPart II: Tools for Family Power4. The Family Council: A Story of Transformation and ActionOrganizing Our First CouncilThe Family RetreatDeveloping Our Family VisionUsing Council to Become More Familia5. Preparation & Grounding: Get Your Act Together!Connect with SpiritKnow You are PorvidaDiscover and Evolve Your PurposeLiving Your PurposeYour Personal Success Path6. Create Family ConnectionThe Unity PrincipleDoing ConocimientoFacilitating Group ConnectionCreative Connecting7. Co-Powering to Battle NegativityOur Worst Enemy: EL NOTransform EL NOPrinciples for Co-Powering CommunicationPatience and Perseverance8. Love the Children: CommunicateStart Communication EarlyMake Communication MeaningfulBe the Uncle or Aunt to the Many (The Godchildren Retreat)It Is Never Too Late9. Communicate & Teach The Four Big Reasons to CommunicateTo ConnectTo Convey LoveCommunication and TeachingBring Home the Story Tellers10. Be the Facilitator to Ensure Quality Family TimeMake Meetings Happen!Convening with the Talking StickThe Family Council (Meeting to Support Dad)Wisdom for Great Councils11. Unity Circles: Every Gathering Can InspireServe as the Circle Maker (Mario's 30th Birthday)The Traditional Unity Circle DesignPrinciples to Guide the Circle MakerHonoring the Dead (Maria's Memorial Service)12. Powerful Family GatheringsThe Family Improvement Plan (John's Family Meeting)Creating Family (The Ceremony to Recognize Godparents)Unity Circles Creates Miracles (Ceremony for the Young Men) Part III: Community Action13. Mobilizing Your Family and CommunityFrom Friends to Being an Activist Family (The Parents Association)Transforming an Institution (The Oakland Museum of California)Mobilizing for Peace (The Oakland Family Network)A Retreat Center for Activists & 2000 New Voters (The Dana Street Family Network)
