OPA Virtual Community Space Meeting

The OPA Board of Directors would like to offer a virtual space to our members to come together and discuss and support each other. We recognize that at this time, there is an overwhelming experience of human rights violations and violence occurring throughout our world. We acknowledge this takes a toll on our communities at large and on us as people. All members are welcome to attend this virtual space with the intention of holding space for ourselves and other members during such a time of stress. 

When: September 18th, 2024, 6pm-7pm
Where: via Zoom

Please note, we will be using group community guidelines below during the virtual group: 

Group Guidelines for Virtual Community Space: 
(Guidelines adapted from training and materials of Visions, Inc.) 

What is Your Intent? 
As we come together, it is important to consider the intent or our communication before and as we speak and listen.
- Debate: succeed or win, look for weakness, stress disagreement, judge others' viewpoints, listen to counter, disregard relationships
- Discussion: present ideas, seek answers and solutions, persuade others, achieve present goals, listen for disagreement, retain relationships
- Dialogue: broaden our perspective, look for shared meaning, find places of agreement, challenge our preconceptions, listen to understand, build relationships

Guidelines for Effective Cross-Cultural Dialogue:
- "Try on" others' perspectives
- It's okay to disagree
- It's NOT okay to blame, shame, or attack, self or others
- Practice "self-focus"
- Practice "both/and" thinking
- Noticing both process and content
- Be aware of intent and impact
- Confidentiality