REDEMPTIVE LEADERSHIP
PROJECT
APRIL 19-21,2022
FINDING
STRENGTH AND FELLOWSHIP
IN FAITH
VISION
The vision of the Redemptive Leadership Project (RLP) is to build a thriving community of diverse interdenominational disciples animated by their shared faith in Jesus and strengthened to build a more just and equitable nation.
The Pahara institute aims to realize the potential impact of its network and hope to generate what we’re calling, “network effect”. As a result, Pahara is standing up a series of pilots - virtual consultancies, succession planning workshops, regional socials, Fellows who Fund collaboration, LGBTQIA+ Fellow convening, and an adolescent development convening.
On that note, you’re invited to a Fellow-led pilot, The Redemptive Leadership Project (RLP).
It is our goal with RLP to create space for people with meaningful differences to come together in true fellowship, during a time when fewer and fewer such spaces exist. We thoughtfully curated our invitation list to bring together a community with diverse expressions of embodied faith and experience, representing different cultures, denominations, political views, sexual orientations, roles in education, and understandings of God. We deeply believe in the power of building community across many lines of difference, and we look forward to co-creating a sacred and brave space of listening, learning and communion.
CONTEXT
Some of us at this moment have been searching for a new kind of community. One that simultaneously strengthens our leadership and creates space for restoration and spiritual growth. A space where we intentionally call God into the mess of our work individually and collectively with expectant hearts. An integrative place where we can bear honest witness to the daily impact of racism and systemic oppression on our people and pray and worship together at the foot of the Cross. A place of formation and bridging where we forge bonds with other education leaders from across lines of difference that all identify as disciples of Christ.
The Redemptive Leadership Project (RLP) was born out of a series of virtual convenings after the initial lockdown of COVID in early 2020. Stephanie Saroki de Garcia - founder of Seton Partners and a Pahara Fellow - organized a group of education leaders and Pahara Fellows, who were eager to share their faith and fellowship in the backdrop of a tumultuous year. Project leadership has expanded to include Jeff Nelson, Co-Founder and Board Member of One-Goal, along with Pahara Fellows Nicole Baker-Fulgam, Senior Director Education Grantmaking, Schusterman Family Foundation, and Reverend James Encinas, Director of Wheeling to Healing.
RETREAT OVERVIEW
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APPLICATIONLeaders who meet our program criteria are welcome to apply to the Fellowship, with or without a nomination. The application is an essential and required part of the process, and allows candidates to share information about their work and leadership, alignment with our selection criteria, and how they most hope to benefit from participation in this powerful development experience. For applicants advancing beyond this stage, this information serves as rich background information on which to base deep, reflective dialogue during interviews taking place during candidate consideration.
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NOMINATIONNominations are accepted on a rolling basis and, while they are not required for entry into the Fellowship, they are critical to our ability to identify exceptional leaders from across the education ecosystem, including but not limited to experience in nonprofit schools, out of/after school learning, human capital, technology, juvenile justice, political and policy strategy, future of work/workforce development, community wellness and mental health, college access and success, faith-based organizations, community based organizations and philanthropy. Ideally, you know enough about the leader’s work to share your thoughts on why they would be an excellent choice for the Fellowship. We are sensitive to the ways sponsorship practices can disadvantage women and Black, Indigenous, and leaders of color who are less likely to have sponsors. When thinking of incredible changemakers to bring to our attention, we encourage nominators to consider leaders from within and outside of their close circles.
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CANDIDATE CONSIDERATIONDuring this stage, we seek to understand candidates’ motivations and challenges, learn more about their background and leadership journey, and determine candidates’ willingness and ability to negotiate the multiple domains of difference that contribute to the tapestry of Pahara cohorts. We conduct a 90-minute Zoom interview with candidates. This interview is followed by referencing carried out by our team. Given the degree of openness and vulnerability expected in this phase of our process, information shared with us by candidates or in reference interviews is held with the highest degree of confidentiality.
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COHORT CURATIONWe aim for cohorts that are inclusive of the breadth of our humanity across multiple domains of difference, including socioeconomic background, race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical ability, religious affiliation, and political ideology. Cohorts are also distinctive in their inclusion of leaders from various organization models, multiple sectors in education, different geographic regions, and various leadership roles. This careful cohort curation is critical, as the cohort is the container within which the personal and professional transformation Pahara is most known for occurs. Cohort dialogue is confidential and both professional and personal in nature. We seek to foster an environment that celebrates the diversity and lived experiences of all of our Fellows.
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SELECTIONWe typically receive many more nominations and applications than we have available seats in each cohort. We strongly believe that creating the ideal blend of perspectives in each group is a vital component of the program’s value and impact on participants. Candidates who are not selected may choose to opt-in to be considered for a future cohort.
The initial retreat for RLP will convene the week after Easter at Lone Rock Retreat in Bailey, Colorado from April 19-21, 2022. We endeavor to combine the strengths of the Pahara leadership development approach with a Christ-centered retreat experience. A successful retreat will mean leaders have had the space to share their faith, reflect on ways to bring their faith into their work, find some sense of spiritual renewal from the time together, and initiate new relationships with other believers.
The initial retreat for RLP will convene the week after Easter at Lone Rock Retreat in Bailey, Colorado from April 19-21, 2022. We endeavor to combine the strengths of the Pahara leadership development approach with a Christ-centered retreat experience. A successful retreat will mean leaders have had the space to share their faith, reflect on ways to bring their faith into their work, find some sense of spiritual renewal from the time together, and initiate new relationships with other believers.
PARTICIPANTS
We aim to pilot this work with an initial cohort of 20-25 education leaders. We are inviting leaders of diverse denominational traditions with a mix of Pahara Fellows and other extraordinary Christian leaders pursuing educational equity and a more just nation.
LOGISTICS
Date & Time:
Tuesday, April 19, 2022, beginning at 3:00pm MT (arrival at DEN by 1PM) - Thursday, April 21, 2022, ending at 12:00pm MT (departure at DEN after 3 PM)
Location:
Lone Rock Retreat - 64797 US HWY 285 Bailey, CO 804210
Cost:
Pahara will sponsor participant’s lodging, meals and ground transportation. Funding for flights are available upon request.
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APPLICATIONLeaders who meet our program criteria are welcome to apply to the Fellowship, with or without a nomination. The application is an essential and required part of the process, and allows candidates to share information about their work and leadership, alignment with our selection criteria, and how they most hope to benefit from participation in this powerful development experience. For applicants advancing beyond this stage, this information serves as rich background information on which to base deep, reflective dialogue during interviews taking place during candidate consideration.
-
NOMINATIONNominations are accepted on a rolling basis and, while they are not required for entry into the Fellowship, they are critical to our ability to identify exceptional leaders from across the education ecosystem, including but not limited to experience in nonprofit schools, out of/after school learning, human capital, technology, juvenile justice, political and policy strategy, future of work/workforce development, community wellness and mental health, college access and success, faith-based organizations, community based organizations and philanthropy. Ideally, you know enough about the leader’s work to share your thoughts on why they would be an excellent choice for the Fellowship. We are sensitive to the ways sponsorship practices can disadvantage women and Black, Indigenous, and leaders of color who are less likely to have sponsors. When thinking of incredible changemakers to bring to our attention, we encourage nominators to consider leaders from within and outside of their close circles.
-
CANDIDATE CONSIDERATIONDuring this stage, we seek to understand candidates’ motivations and challenges, learn more about their background and leadership journey, and determine candidates’ willingness and ability to negotiate the multiple domains of difference that contribute to the tapestry of Pahara cohorts. We conduct a 90-minute Zoom interview with candidates. This interview is followed by referencing carried out by our team. Given the degree of openness and vulnerability expected in this phase of our process, information shared with us by candidates or in reference interviews is held with the highest degree of confidentiality.
-
COHORT CURATIONWe aim for cohorts that are inclusive of the breadth of our humanity across multiple domains of difference, including socioeconomic background, race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical ability, religious affiliation, and political ideology. Cohorts are also distinctive in their inclusion of leaders from various organization models, multiple sectors in education, different geographic regions, and various leadership roles. This careful cohort curation is critical, as the cohort is the container within which the personal and professional transformation Pahara is most known for occurs. Cohort dialogue is confidential and both professional and personal in nature. We seek to foster an environment that celebrates the diversity and lived experiences of all of our Fellows.
-
SELECTIONWe typically receive many more nominations and applications than we have available seats in each cohort. We strongly believe that creating the ideal blend of perspectives in each group is a vital component of the program’s value and impact on participants. Candidates who are not selected may choose to opt-in to be considered for a future cohort.