Sectors Engagement Working Group

Charter

Achieve broad mobilization of the bridging movement by increasing engagement between bridging leaders and sectors where Americans already engage through their everyday lives. 

Values & Norms

  • Establish, enhance and maintain consistent channels of communication between bridging leaders and individuals / organizations / networks that represent the perspectives of the sectors BMAC is focusing on.

  • Collaborate with BMAC and sector leaders to co-create opportunities for trust-building and engagement between bridgers and sector audiences, and collaboratively implement practices where possible.

  • Listen first to understand the values, needs, and concerns of sector leaders / audiences that BMAC aims to engage with, and use the learnings to inform how best to offer bridging best practices to the sector in ways that provide mutual benefit and meet the sector audiences where they are.

2023 Accomplishments

  • Working Group launched as a response to the catalyst provided by National Week of Conversation and the clear desire for more coordinated and intentional engagement of bridging organizations into different sectors.

  • Identified specific sectors that may be relevant and feasible for BMAC to focus on in 2024.

    • Advocacy Groups, Business, Entertainment & Culture, Faith, Healthcare, Higher Education, K-12 / Civic Education, Mediators, Political, Public Institutions (Libraries, Museums, Etc.), Service, Veterans

  • Established a structure for the Working Group to ensure engagement not only from bridging field leaders, but also engagement from non-bridging sector leaders who can help connect BMAC to networks / audiences we previously have not had access to.

Next Steps

  • Identify ‘Ambassadors’ of each sector (at least one BMAC member and one non-BMAC sector leader per sector) to participate in the Working Group.

  • Develop a set of baseline questions for each sector that will allow BMAC to understand the sectors’ relationship to bridging orgs, sectors’ application of bridging practices, and the sectors’ own goals. 

  • Design and implement a project focused on collecting, organizing and publishing real-world stories that exemplify bridge building across various sectors of society. The project will involve interviews and conversations with sector stakeholders and leaders across the country who can share lived experiences regarding how bridge building has benefited their communities, with the goal of inspiring hope and encouragement for others.

Opportunities for BMAC Members to Contribute in 2024

  • Serve as a “Bridging Ambassador” to a particular sector (WG: Sectors Engagement)

  • Nominate / Facilitate connections to sector leaders who may serve as “Ambassadors” of their sector to BMAC (WG: Sectors Engagement)

  • Create new pathways and initiatives that connect BMAC to specific sector audiences (WG: Sectors Engagement)

Co-Chairs

Karissa Raskin (Listen First Project) + Kristina Becvar (Bridge Alliance) + Kara Jarzynski (Resolutionaries)

Get Engaged

Email Karissa@ListenFirstProject.org to explore supporting this working group and see its workplan plus detailed documentation.

Ready to join the movement?