As nonprofits and movement workers committed to social transformation, how can we embody the change we want to see in the world?  How can we become more effective, accountable, equitable, and responsive to the needs our communities as we do it?

This two day workshop will focus on how to create, care for, and increase the impact of deeply democratic organizations. Designed for nonprofit leaders who want to create more just, joyful, and strategic organizations through sharing leadership more broadly and incorporating more democratic practices and structures. The experience will provide opportunities to move beyond traditional nonprofit “best practices” and gain understandings of new leadership frameworks, while navigating the complexities of equity, justice, and empowerment.

Participants will gain tools to re-imagine culture, organizational structure, and management practice.

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“Our own experience practicing worker self-direction and an emerging body of research both show that distributing leadership throughout an organization can create organizations that are more effective at advancing their mission, more adaptable and responsive to complex systems, more accountable to their communities, and more equitable and fun places to work!”

                                                             --Sustainable Economies Law Center

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For more detail on the 2 day content click here

About the Presenters

Sue Bennett has spent 25 years working and consulting in the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors in a variety of program and administrative roles. When not reading a book, she is searching for a camping spot near the ocean or in a forest. Read more about Sue here

Simon Mont came to this work through a deep commitment to collective liberation. While in law school and working to interrupt mass incarceration during, Simon fell into the restorative justice community and from there began envisioning and creating alternate institutions. Since then, Simon has worked with dozens of organizations across the country to help bring our governance, management, and relationships in line with our most transformative visions.  For more information on Simon personally, see their LinkedIn, for more information on their current offerings to organization take a look at www.Harmonize.work .

This workshop is grounded in experience, research, practice, and reflection of the presenters.  Both Sue and Simon have spent years working at the Sustainable Economies Law Center, which practices distributed governance.  Sue has 25 years of experience working in and consulting with nonprofit organizations. Simon has been a member of many collectively led projects, and consulted with organizations across the country.

Sustainable Economic Law Center cultivates a new legal landscape that supports community resilience and grassroots economic empowerment. We provide essential legal tools - education, research, advice, and advocacy - so communities everywhere can develop their own sustainable sources of food, housing, energy, jobs, and other vital aspects of a thriving community.

Part of Sustainable Economies Law Center's approach to catalyzing a more just and resilient society is to be the change we want to see. We have adopted policies that distribute "ownership" throughout the organization, allow for more dignified livelihoods, expand access to our legal services, and empower a new generation of grassroots legal experts. 

Event organizer

Suzanne Wilcox is a visionary leader, with a collaborative, thoughtful and innovative approach to her work with individuals and organizations. She places high value on personable, open and authentic communications; critical thinking and big-picture perspective; calculated risk taking and willingness to challenge traditional thinking; and the value of diversity and the gifts that all people bring to a team or a project.

Suzanne has a spirited ability to build community and organize people around a common cause. She brings a a conscious and diplomatic ability to work with stakeholders, board members, donors, staff and volunteers to achieve positive and forward thinking outcomes; and has an instinctive capacity to turn challenges and hurdles into opportunities and growth.

Presently, Suzanne works as an independent contractor and consultant with Montana nonprofit organizations providing leadership and organizational development services. She previously worked as Organization Development Director for Montana Nonprofit Association providing education, technical assistance and training opportunities for nonprofits across the state. Prior to that, as founder and for over a decade as Executive Director of ExplorationWorks in Helena, Suzanne guided the effort to build and develop the interactive museum of science and culture, leading that organization from its startup -- growing the board, engaging the community in the project and capital campaign, and designing and constructing the new LEED-certified facility.

Suzanne lives in Missoula, Montana and enjoys hiking, bicycling and kayaking in the beautiful Montana surroundings. In her personal and professional life, she is a passionate advocate for innovative and new ways of living with one another, all creatures, and the earth; using our limited resources more efficiently and cultivating real relationships among people. Suzanne is a long-time student of community living projects and cooperative ventures. On her bucket list is to design, and have a hand in building, a sustainable energy-efficient home that creatively utilizes re-used materials and artistic upcycling.