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Does your community have Shalom Strategy sessions?

 We often treat peace as a feeling, but sustainable peace requires infrastructure. 


A Shalom Strategy:

  • Describes that infrastructure and expresses how to grow peace, togetherness and our abilities to transform conflict into an opportunity for growth
  • Documents goals, plans and metrics that increase peace and unity
  • Addresses the specific tools, language, and steps needed to de-escalate conflicts
  • Is specific and individual to each community or group (there is no universal panacea)
  • An opportunity to identify communal needs and explore opportunities for growing Shalom
  • Is never perfect and works best when continuously refined over time

Example Shalom Strategy

Though each group's approach will look different, here is a starting point

Values, Goals and Key Initiatives

Pillars, Strategic Components & Initiatives

Measuring Success

Metrics and Reporting

Opportunities For Growth

Continuous Improvement Plans

Example Agenda for Introspective Strategy Sessions

Opening & Grounding (15 Mins)

 

  • Welcome & Kavanah (Intention): Framing the work as a spiritual imperative. Reading: "Be of the disciples of Aaron, loving peace and pursuing peace".
  • The "Why": Reminding the group that we are building infrastructure to prevent disaffiliation and ensure unity.
  • Check-in: Brief round-table sharing: Where did you see "Shalom" (wholeness) in our community this year? Where did you see brokenness?

The "Look Within": Pillars of Strategy (60 Mins)

 

  • Pillar Review: Whole-group discussion on core pillars
  • Strategic Component Review: What is our strategic approach to each pillar?
  • Initiatives: What programs and efforts exist and how do they align to our strategy?
  • Gap Analysis: Identifying the delta between our "Vision" and our current "Action".

The "Look Back": Data & Reality Testing (30 Mins)

 

  • Reviewing the Metrics: Examining the data collected over the last cycle.
  • Discussion: Did we hit our measurable goals (e.g., retention rates, volunteer hours, conflict resolution stats)?
  • Hard Truths: "Every organization needs to be introspective, transparent, and honest with itself". Where did we fall short?
  • Current State Assessment:
  • Are we currently operating in a reactive or proactive mode regarding conflict?
  • Do members feel safe and supported?

The "Look Forward": Prioritization & Planning (45 Mins)

  •  Brainstorming Initiatives: Listing potential improvements based on the gaps identified.
  • The Impact Matrix: Plotting initiatives on the difficulty/impact scale. Must Have vs. Nice to Have. Easier to Implement vs. More Difficult.
  • Selection: Choosing 3-5 key initiatives for the next cycle.

Operationalizing the Plan (15 Mins)

  • Assigning Ownership: Who is responsible for the Plan, Data Collection, and Review for each initiative?.
  • Setting the Schedule: When is the next periodic review?.
  • Closing: "Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better".

An Easy Place To Start

Project Aharon Guide And Sample Shalom Strategy (pptx)

Download

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