Monday, December 5, 2011

WORKSHOP 16--PUTTING INTO ACTION OUR CULTURAL COMPETENCY

 
IN THIS SESSION WE FOCUSED ON HOW TO LIVE MULTICULTURALLY, CREATING POLICIES WITHIN THE FELLOWSHIP, AND BEING OPEN TO CHANGE.  

PARTICIPANTS GAVE THE FOLLOWING INSIGHTFUL FEEDBACK:                  

  • I have learned that there are various forms of integration, such as whether the group is more like a soup or a salad.

  • There are many levels of cultural competency within our group that I think is most likely a result of our life experiences.  I am curious about almost everything and love learning.

  • I am developing more awareness & sensitivity to other traits, customs, traditions that may surprise me.

  • I am learning how to prepare for the unexpected such as a food that includes items not previously considered, personal qualities such as tattoos, clothing that seems extreme or “inappropriate.”

  • The startle response is involuntary, or so it seems, so how do we behave after being startled?

  • I’m learning that asking questions of newcomers can be off putting. Reading the “Multicultural Welcome: A Resource for Greeters in Unitarian Universalist Congregations” for ideas on how to be truly welcoming to all would be helpful.  I think this resource might be helpful to our membership teams.

  • Ideas that I find creative: ways of engaging others to bring multiculturalism to the congregation.

  • I’m curious about engaging multicultural communities.  How do you express interest or curiosity without stepping over the line to being nosy?

  • How does one step into or stop a conversation that is socially insensitive?

  • I am learning that we are earnest about taking action steps, but we are in different learning places that I find exciting.

  • I want the facilitators to know that you are doing a really great job distilling this curriculum in usable ways.

  • I am learning and developing a love of cultural diversity, it takes time and I need to take personal responsibility for this.

  • How do we get more people involved in this quest?

  • How do we get people to take personal responsibility towards healing from racism?

  • I’m learning that developing multicultural competency is an ongoing, lifelong process.
  • I’m curious about how well we can share this info with the congregation and how receptive they will be.