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Workshop #2: Systems and Design Thinking for Co-op Leaders
Saturday, June 22, 2019, 10:00 am-3:00pm at The Drake Building
Understanding your co-op as a system is important to being able to plan well for its growth, expansion, and well being. Through systems thinking, we can figure out not only what's contributing to the successes and challenges within our co-ops, but also what are the relationships between those contributing parts that are helping or harming our communities. Utilizing design thinking, co-op leaders can creatively problem-solve with an emphasis on finding solutions that work best for the cooperators being served.
We invite you to join Jamaine Smith, Chief Commons Director of CultureWorks Greater Philadelphia, for a half-day exploration of systems and design thinking for co-op leaders! This workshop will offer participants an overview of each framework, along with opportunities to make concrete connections between systems and design thinking and their current work with and in co-op communities.
Part I of the workshops will focus on Systems Thinking. Cooperatives are organized in unique ways to ensure equity for member-owners, and utilize complex systems of interplay to ensure the purpose of the co-op is met. Participants will be able to hone in on a universal definition of "systems" and work to identify key components of them, including the factors that may cause inequities in such systems. Participants will create a visual representation of the system(s) they are navigating in their cooperative community. Following a lunch break, participants will bridge their systems learning by diving into Design Thinking! Design thinking will provide participants with a collaborative, creative, human-centered methodology to generate possible solutions for any complex issues they identified within the systems of their co-op communities. Participants will learn the five stages of design thinking and will collaboratively walk through the design thinking process in real-time, acquiring tools and resources (like "journey maps" and "paint point" trigger questions) to help work towards solutions unique to each individual's working environment.
Workshop #1: Democratic Principles Workshop
Thursday, May 30, 2019, 6:30-8:30 pm at The Cedar Works
What makes an environment a democratic one? What are the elements to consider when trying to increase democratic practices in your co-op or organization?
Wilfredo Hernandez, Consulting & Community Director, of CultureWorks will guide participants to explore basic key concepts of democratic practice in relation to their work in cooperative environments and have the opportunity to workshop ideas collaboratively. The workshop will conclude with a panel of co-op leaders sharing both successes and challenges in maintaining democratic workplaces for worker-owners.
Light snacks and refreshments will be provided. Childcare will be made available - please register your child(ren) using this form, or email us at [email protected].
Note on accessibility: PACA is committed to providing accessible programs, events, and services. Please contact us at [email protected] regarding accommodations - and we’ll do our best to assist.
At The Cedar Works: there is one gate, and one front door to enter through; there are no steps into the building; entrance, meeting space and bathroom are all on the same floor.
Please arrive 5-10 minutes before we begin so we can meet needs and get started on time.
