1. Understanding and Embracing the “Ripple Effects” of Change Dr. Rob Weinberg Director, Experiment in Congregational Education, HUC-JIR B’nai Mitzvah Revolution November 12, 2012/27 Cheshvan 5773

2. The Next 1½ Hours Purpose Prepare to expect ripples and engage them productively. Process Reflect on ripple effects we’ve seen Anticipate “voices” we will hear in relation to our experiments Re-orient ourselves to “resistance” Consider strategies for Community Engagement Outcomes Have tools to analyze “ripple effects” and change forces Have ideas, +/- for engaging your community

3. What Ripples Have You Seen? Photo credit: Flickr user red twolip http://www.flickr.com/photos/25182350@N03/ Think of a Past Change Experience What was the “pebble” in the pond? What did the ripple effects touch? Programs and practices? Leadership or governance? Decision-making processes? Communication? Administrative procedures? Organizational structure, roles/tasks/jobs? Staff and needed skills? Technology? Values, vision, self-image?

4. Chart the Ripple Effects

5. Meaningful Change is Messy, Emergent Challenges the regularities of congregational life Rarely follows a straight line Makes problems as valuable as plans

6. “Voice”-Field Analysis Briefly describe the desired state if your experiment “works” Brainstorm list of stakeholders Place them on chart as “driving” or “restraining” voices Draw an arrow: Loud=long Moderated=medium Quiet=short

7. Resistance is Legitimate

8. Change and Transition: Not the Same Change is situational and is typically an event. A transition is a psychological process people go through to come to terms with a new situation.

9. Neutral Zone Ending, Losing, Letting Go The New Beginning Transition Is Fluid

10. Community Engagement Choices Task Force or no Task Force? Fly under the radar or parade down Main Street? Broadcast or network? Rely more on programs or relationships? Plow the field for a “spiraling series of innovations in the direction of your vision.”

11. Your Questions

12. The Last 1½ Hours Purpose Prepare to expect ripples and engage them productively. Process Reflect on ripple effects we’ve seen Anticipate “voices” we will hear in relation to our experiments Re-orient ourselves to “resistance” Consider strategies for Community Engagement Outcomes Have tools to analyze “ripple effects” and change forces Have ideas, +/- for engaging your community