Equity Catalysts: Reflections from our first Community of Practice session

By Reem Assil

In this blog, our community of practice lead Reem Assil reflects on the journey so far, sharing thoughts and insights from the last session, resources, and looking ahead to the next community of practice. This is the first in a series of six blog posts, which will be published after each online session.

We’re thrilled to bring you the latest update from our dynamic Equity Catalysts Community of Practice (EC CoP). January has been an exciting month, filled with insightful discussions, powerful testimonials, and valuable resources. As we dive into February, let’s take a moment to reflect on the impactful discussions and shared intentions from our first Equity Catalysts Community of Practice (EC CoP) session, which took place on 23 January 2024.

January Session Recap

In the first session, we delved into our community guidelines, cultivating an environment where diverse minds could connect, share, and grow. We explored the transformative LOVE model of Social Justice by Kai Cheng Thom, fostering understanding and empathy within our community.

I also introduced the powerful GROW coaching model, a framework designed to guide our peer coaching sessions. This tool will be instrumental in supporting one another as we navigate personal and professional growth.

Our Community member Pascale Gayford, who participated in the session, shared her enthusiasm on LinkedIn: “Excited to be in a space to think about and action change towards greater equity in the migration sector.”

Pascale highlighted two key takeaways — the importance of choice over action and the effectiveness of the GROW model. She found the GROW model simple and accessible, recommending its use for its transformative power. Read Pascale’s full testimonial here.

Resource Spotlight — GROW Model

Explore the GROW model of coaching and mentoring recommended by Pascale. It’s an excellent resource to deepen your understanding of coaching practices.

Resource Spotlight — Kai Cheng Thom

Explore the works of Kai Cheng Thom and delve into Loving Justice, a concept central to our discussions on social justice. Further your understanding by engaging with Kai Cheng Thom’s literature.

Member Testimonial:

“I attended the first session of Equity Catalysts, facilitated by Reem ASSIL, and it was incredibly inspiring. The ground rules and coaching models were presented so clearly. I’m excited to be part of a community working towards greater equity in the migration sector. The GROW model is simple and accessible, a powerful tool for personal and professional growth.” — Pascale Gayford

Equity Catalysts Intentions for 2024

A heartfelt thank you to all who shared their intentions for 2024 by showcasing a meaningful item from their worlds. The room was filled with aspirations for well-being, self-care, movement, vulnerability, support, intentionality, and community. Their openness laid the foundation for a nurturing and empowering journey together.

Our next session promises to be equally enriching, and will focus on anti-racism, to build a collective understanding and explore best practices.

Watch this space for reflections of our next session and beyond.