Interfaith Civic Leadership Academy
Workshop Schedule and Curriculum
The next Interfaith Civic Leadership Academy will meet for a series of workshops and holiday celebrations from November 2023 through May 2024. We will generally meet on Tuesday evenings from 6:00 to 8:00 pm, with some exceptions.
Some workshops will be held online in Zoom meetings, and some in person at the Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine, in a large conference room that allows for safe social distancing. COVID vaccination is required for all ICLA fellows, in order to meet in person as safely as possible. (See application page for more on our vaccination policy.)
Most workshops will include small-group conversations among fellows, as well as presentations from expert trainers. Light refreshments will be provided at all in-person workshops. Dinner will be provided at holiday celebrations — we look forward to breaking bread together.
Fellows will begin working on their community projects in March 2024 (if not before), and will complete these projects by May 2024. We will hold an in-person graduation and public forum at that point — more details closer to the date.
Barring unforeseen circumstances, fellows are expected to participate in all workshops, site visits, and holiday celebrations. Full participation is essential to the success of the Leadership Academy, and to the multifaith community we are working to build.
Please note the schedule is subject to change.
Schedule and Curriculum
11/14 – Welcome to the Interfaith Civic Leadership Academy (in person) Introductions, ice breakers, small group conversations, and an overview of the program.
11/21 – Faith-Based Visions of Justice and Models of Leadership (in person) Small group dialogues, sharing sacred texts and other sources that offer visions of justice and models of leadership.
11/28 – Civic Engagement and Religious Leadership (in person) What are the unique roles of religious leaders in civic life? Panel discussion with local religious leaders and civic officials.
12/5 – Virtual Tours and Peer Consulting (online) Presentations by fellows introducing their congregations and communities. Followed by small group peer-to-peer consulting, to support each other’s work.
12/12 – Advocating for Policy Change in City Government (in person) Navigating the maze in City Hall and your local community. Who are the players, and where are the power centers? Led by staff from the Advocacy Institute.
12/19 – Building Power through Community Organizing (in person) Organizing 101, including distinctions between “organizing,” “advocacy,” and “service” models of social change. Led by staff from Metro IAF – New York.
12/26 – Winter Break – No Workshop
1/2/2024 – What Works in Community Organizing and Advocacy (in person) Successful models for organizing and advocacy, from faith-based and secular nonprofit organizations. Panel discussion with nonprofit leaders.
1/9 – Virtual Tours and Peer Consulting (online) Presentations by fellows introducing their congregations and communities. Followed by small group peer-to-peer consulting, to support each other’s work.
1/16 – Introducing the Community Project (in person) Discussion of community projects, and mini-grant proposals. Project brainstorming in small groups.
1/23 – Using Social Media for Social Justice (online) Strategies for creating change using digital tools. How can online campaigns lead to offline results? Panel discussion with staff from organizations that have created successful social media campaigns.
Optional Extra Workshop, Date TBD – Social Media 101 (online) Introduction to widely used social media platforms, including Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and others. Basic skills for social media beginners.
Optional Extra Workshop, Date TBD – Zoom 101 (online) Introduction to facilitating meetings and events on Zoom. Basic skills for Zoom beginners.
1/30 – Everything You’ve Wanted to Know about Religious Diversity but Were Afraid to Ask (in person) Facilitated conversation among fellows, exploring questions about each other’s faith traditions.
2/6 – Virtual Tours and Peer Consulting (online) Presentations by fellows introducing their congregations and communities. Followed by small group peer-to-peer consulting, to support each other’s work.
2/13 – Gender and Religious Leadership (in person) Highlighting the contributions of faith leaders of all gender identities, with a focus on the challenges faced by female leaders in male-dominated communities. Panel discussion with local religious leaders.
2/20 – Virtual Tours and Peer Consulting (online) Presentations by fellows introducing their congregations and communities. Followed by small group peer-to-peer consulting, to support each other’s work.
2/27 – Community Project Planning (in person) Small group discussions of community projects and proposals. Opportunity to clarify your plans, get helpful advice, and explore possible collaborations with other fellows.
3/5 – Virtual Tours and Peer Consulting (online) Presentations by fellows introducing their congregations and communities. Followed by small group peer-to-peer consulting, to support each other’s work.
3/12 – Understanding Your Leadership Style, Part 1 (in person) Discussion of our fellows’ unique gifts as faith community leaders. Led by staff from the Coro New York Leadership Center. Community project proposals due.
3/19 – Understanding Your Leadership Style, Part 2 (in person) Strengths and challenges of different leadership styles. Led by staff from the Coro New York Leadership Center.
3/26 – Launching Your Community Project (in person) Brainstorming with other fellows and ICNY staff, to develop concrete plans and a clear timetable to implement your project. Project grants made, if not earlier
April – May – Community Projects Individual or collaborative work on community projects, with ongoing support from ICNY staff and each other, we’ll be there for you every step of the way!
4/16 – Interfaith Spring Holiday Celebration (in person) Evening break-fast meal, to celebrate Ramadan, Passover, Easter, and other spring holidays observed by ICLA fellows. Party not a workshop!
4/23 – Community Project Check in (online) small group meetings for project updates and troubleshooting.
5/7 – Community Project Check in (online) small group meetings for project updates and troubleshooting.
5/21 – Closing Reflections (in person) Reflect together on our work in the ICLA, and any work still to be done on community projects. Individual and collective program evaluation.
June, Date TBD – Graduation and Public Forum (in person) Invite your friends, family, and community to celebrate your accomplishments in the ICLA. Share lessons learned with your fellow New Yorkers.