Using winter to build for spring and summer
For many of us, "January" can feel synonymous with "whiplash." We’re expected to come back from a week or two of winter holidays fully recharged and ready to go.
The reality is that for many of us, we feel like we're operating at low battery - even as we're told time and time again about the urgency and high stakes of this year.
And this is completely valid to feel: for those of us in the Global North, we’re still right in the midst of winter hibernation: December 21-March 19. We’re in a time of seasonal slowdown, reflection, and learning before the rush of spring and summer come.
We deserve more time to unpack 2023 and prepare for 2024! This is especially the case as many of us felt exhausted and done with the year after the first week of December.
Wintertime opportunities to prepare for spring and summer
Synthesize takeaways from last year
Build opportunities to catch up and explore deeper collaboration both within your group and outside of it
Learn from trainings and presentations of other groups
Perhaps most important: block out time for rest now and throughout the year!
Questions worth considering as you explore wintertime opportunities
How can you reflect on learnings from last year and intentions for this year, both individually and with your group? Strategies for Social Change offers this workbook for social justice leaders. David Peterson offers this reflection calendar. (Credit to PowerLabs for highlighting these resources!)
How can you prioritize relationships you want to build - both within your group and outside of it? Who has supported you consistently? Who isn’t consistently engaged but worth cultivating? Who isn’t engaged and not likely a priority (and how can self-awareness and boundaries help there)?
Where are there opportunities for learning to support your intentions this year? Is it particular fundraising strategies and tactics? Is it community building and facilitation? Is it organizing and leadership development? Is it data and tech? Something else?
When and how do you want to take time off this year? What conditions or support do you need to make that happen? How can you encourage those around you to also take the time and space that they need?
DO Hub invitations to support your wintertime opportunities
To fundraising volunteers: Thank you for all that you do. You deserve more support, and let’s make that happen. Let us know how we can provide trainings, convenings, and coaching for your organizing contexts by reaching out.
To development staff: If part of your intentions this year is to a leadership ladder for donors (especially grassroots donors) that builds a larger base with a deeper commitment to our movements, reach out chat different donor organizing models that could be suitable to your organization’s mission, values, and resources.